A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-09-08....Warm Fuzzy Wednesday

April 9, 2008 | Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 200,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

Welcome to Warm Fuzzy Wednesday at the Finest. For those who start counting the days on Monday until the weekend, we're halfway there! So we're here to banish those doldrums and make you smile inside! Please feel free to post sweet graphics and/or little stories that make you feel all warm and fuzzy - or just come by and give us a smile. Only two more days 'til the weekend!

03-27-07 ~ Hall of Fame #19 ~ Final

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-07,08-08 ~ Military Tribute

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Billie]

[Billie]

Warm Fuzzy Wednesday Ping

[LUV W]

I'll be your friend
if you'll be mine.

[Billie]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to

Billie; Dutchess; DollyCali; The Mayor; GodBlessUSA; ,
and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew Diver Dave....................cousin ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews W.W.Smith.......................son sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.............2 sons weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law kimmie7......................brother Donaeus.....................nephew LadyX (RIP)..............grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin 911angelady.................2 sons Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son Jen's Mom.................daughter Skyraider.........................son Meg33......................grandson cookcounty......................son JFC............................nephew visualops......................cousin painter........................nephew Himyar.............................son jackv................................son jrushing.............................son Azbushgal........................son LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law tina07......soninlaw & his friend varina davis...............grandson weeder1.....................nephew MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew fatima...............granddaughter Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews meanie monster ....family friend ProudAFDad......................son JulieRNR21.....friend's grandson Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband monkeyface...........2 grandsons redhead................grandnephew Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne..........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut...................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish........................active duty ODC-GIRL................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty JemiansTerror...........active duty tongue-tied ..............active duty txradioguy................active duty Hoosiersailor ...........active duty DCBryan1................active duty Col. Mike.................active duty USAFSecurityForces.active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Hostel............................cousin ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Darheel...............................niece BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother Ladysmith......nephew, friend's son auboy..................................cousin AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy........2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son kimmykay.................................son NavySEAL F-16........................son repubmom...........................2 sons wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law Earthdweller......................nephew ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1...........................3 cousins SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw Lori from Long Island....soninlaw gonzo............................soninlaw Rivendell.......................daughter vigilante2.....son, adopted soldier NavySEAL F-16....................son Jaxter...........................son-in-law USMCWife6869..............husband AgThorn & Lily4Jesus.............son 2ndDivisionVet..........brotherinlaw 2ndDivVet.....former stepdaughter GrandEagle........................friend DebWisconsin.................nephew prophetic.................brotherinlaw GulfWar1Vet.................2 cousins Tina Kirby...........................son Kudsman.......................nephew JarhedAirmanPatriot......brother TADSLOS............................son Athelass........2 sons, 2 nephews ItsForTheChildren......2 nephews dwhole2th.............................son skimask...............................son VARepublican.......................son Katydidnt..............................son oneolcop...............................son Edgewood Pilot...son, 2 nephews Trooprally.............................son 007girl.............................nephew arbee4bush ...................daughter PERKY2004...................husband marsh2............................nephew lilycicero..........................husband o_zarkman44.............son,stepson o_zarkman44...................nephew NotJustAnotherPrettyFace..nephew Bushman2..............................son DeLaine..................daughterinlaw Kalee...................brother,soninlaw Enough_Deceit.......................son

[Billie]

Awwwww, look at that sweet thing - I love that animation - the eyes blinking are so ‘real’! Don’t the colors of our two sweet doggies match perfectly!

[LUV W]

I think they would truly be best friends!

I love this little dog...he has the sweetest face.

[Mama_Bear]

Awwwwww..........how sweet is that???

Good morning, Billie.

[Mama_Bear]

Oh, how cute!! That looks a bit like my Chachi. The eyes are identical.

Good morning, LUV.

[AuntB]

OMG, Billie that looks just like my Regis dog

Remember him?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/862031/posts

[Billie]

Morning, Mz Bear! Is there a puppy anywhere in the world that isn't sweet? :)Actually, I should have used this one for the opening ping since it matches the pledge graphic better. :)

But I was late and just grabbed the first one I found in my files.

[LUV W]

I thought he looked like your Chachi, too. Like having Chachi without having to feed him! LOL!

I want a dog...or a cat...so badly. We haven’t had a pet for several years, and I really miss that companionship!

[Billie]

OMG, Billie that looks just like my Regis dog Remember him?

March 3, 2002 ~ Moments of Our Lives

It does, doesn't it? :) Good to see you again - thanks for the link to your profile - I enjoyed revisiting it!

[Mama_Bear]

We haven’t had a pet for several years, and I really miss that companionship!

Well, you should get a little kitten or a puppy, LUV. They do kind of tie you down, but still, I just don't think I could live without a pet in my life. I've never known what it's like not to have one.

[LUV W]

I would love to, but hubby is the one that balks. He hates
having to deal with putting them in a kennel when we travel.

Did you know that your tagline got goofed up somehow? Strange. :D

[Billie]

Well, you should get a little kitten or a puppy, LUV. They do kind of tie you down, but still, I just don't think I could live without a pet in my life. I've never known what it's like not to have one.

Same here, Lori. I can't imagine being without a little friend for very long. The love and devotion they have to offer far, far outweighs the time, money and commitment we make in giving them the best home possible.

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks for letting me know about my tagline. It could have been weeks before I noticed it. LOL. Don't know how that happened....but I am going to blame it on John and all the changes he's been making. ;-)

[Mama_Bear]

I agree completely. :-)

[Holding Our Breath]

HI Mama_Bear, I often lurk here but don't usually post. I'm a FRiend of DollyCali's from another thread.

Just wanted to say hi and tell you that my husband used to call my mother MamaBear. I guess because he calls me HoneyBear.

Anyway, when I got my precious ShihTzu puppy from him, I named her Panda Bear. She is a darling dog and I recomend the breed to everyone! Panda is my second Shih Tzu. She had 3 adorable puppies that we kept, so I named them ChubbyBear, HoneyBear, and CubbyBear. The two girls Panda and Honey are all black and the boys, Chubby and Cubby, are black with white chests and goatees. Mr HOB and I don't know what we'd do without them!

[Mama_Bear]

Speaking of pets, isn't this little guy (gal?) adorable? This is my desktop image for the time being.

You're right Billie, what puppy isn't sweet and precious? ;-)

Have a great day everyone!

[Billie]

Yes, that little guy (or gal) IS adorable! Those eyes! Dogs have the most expressive eyes I believe than any other animal.

[Mama_Bear]

Hello, Holding Our Breath. I am so glad you posted and happy to meet you.

What a perfect name for a ShihTzu, "Panda Bear". :-)

I like the little "toy" breeds too, although I had a Labrador Retriever that was the smartest, most loyal, sweetest dog ever. The small breeds fit our lifestyle and small yard better.

We've had a pure black Pom, a sweet little Chihuahua and a Dachshund (named "Bear") over the years and now have a little Pomchi (half Pom, half Chihuahua) named "Chachi".

Do you have pictures you can post of your fur babies? Warm Fuzzy Wednesday at the Finest is a perfect day to do that! I love the names you've given your puppies.

[Kitty Mittens]

Billie, that is One of the Most Precious Faces I've Ever Seen, in your Post#2, just a Beautiful Graphic!

Someone Recently Gave my Neighbor a Donkey, and I Snapped her Pic as she was Grazing in my Pasture with my Neighbor's Cows. She is a Cute Little Thing.

~Have a Beautiful Warm and Fuzzy Wednesday~

[Holding Our Breath]

they sound wonderful!

My mom had Chihuahua's; two short-hairs both named Buffy, and a long haired one named Muffin. Muffin was red like my mom's hair.

I gave my Dad a Shih tzu the same time I got Brandi, my first Shih Tzu. They were so sweet, we fell in love with the breed.

Your Pomchi sounds adorable! I've heard of mixing breeds and just recently heard about a Shih Tzu and a Brichon mix called a "bear". Seems they are on the internet somewhere. SOunds interesting, doesn't it?

I really like your thread and am on the ping list. Thanks for the many tributes to our fighting folks. They deserve every bit of support we can give them!

[The Mayor]

April 9, 2008

The Oyster Man

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

That the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. —2 Corinthians 4:7

In the days of John Wesley, lay preachers with limited education would sometimes conduct the church services. One man used Luke 19:21 as his text: "Lord, I feared Thee, because Thou art an austere man" (KJV). Not knowing the word austere, he thought the text spoke of "an oyster man."

He explained how a diver must grope in dark, freezing water to retrieve oysters. In his attempt, he cuts his hands on the sharp edges of the shells. After he obtains an oyster, he rises to the surface, clutching it "in his torn and bleeding hands." The preacher added, "Christ descended from the glory of heaven into . . . sinful human society, in order to retrieve humans and bring them back up with Him to the glory of heaven. His torn and bleeding hands are a sign of the value He has placed on the object of His quest."

Afterward, 12 men received Christ. Later that night someone came to Wesley to complain about unschooled preachers who were too ignorant even to know the meaning of the texts they were preaching on. The Oxford-educated Wesley simply said, "Never mind. The Lord got a dozen oysters tonight."

Our best may not always measure up to the standards of others. But God takes our inadequacies and humble efforts and uses them for His glory.

The Master can use what you have to offer,
Though you may consider it small;
His work here on earth is done through His children,
So give Him your best, give your all. —Hess

Do what you can where you are with what you have.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 22–24; Proverbs 3:27-35

[Mama_Bear]

I want to answer you ping in more detail and I will, but I have a lunch appointment and need to leave for awhile. I am running very late!

I will be back later this afternoon.

Have a great day, HOB.

[Billie]

Thanks, Kitty, and your picture of the neighbor’s donkey is a cutie indeed. They’re funny creatures - we also have a donkey. (or maybe I should say that my HUSBAND has a donkey! LOL) I think li’l Zeke is cute and he’s actually really sweet, but donkeys by nature do not like dogs, and I hate when he’s in the corral whenever I take the dogs for a walk, because they have a habit of running in to get a drink in the donkey’s water barrel - something I can’t let them do if the donkey is there.

[LUV W]

You do such beautiful graphics. I am jealous! :D

[Billie]

Hi, HOB. Love all your Pet (bear) names. :) Thanks for letting us hear from you today.

[Billie]

Just 'cause it's Spring, and it's Warm Fuzzy Wednesday, and nothing's much warmer 'n fuzzier than these precious things smelling the flowers. :)

[LUV W]

Adorable!!!

Love spring and I am about to have my first roses of the season! Yay!

[Billie]

Spring and Fall are tied for my favorite seasons. :) We have 58 (I counted them yesterday! LOL) honey locust trees, and they are loaded with the sweetest, most fragrant white blooms in the world. :)

[LUV W]

I love locust trees. They truly do smell like heaven!

My roses must be running behind, then! LOL!

[Billie]

Have got to go run some errands. Back later.

[JustAmy]

Good afternoon, Billie.

Hope you are having a Warm Fuzzy Wednesday.
Today's Ping Graphic is adorable. Thank you.

[JustAmy]

Happy Warm Fuzzy Wednesday, FRiends.

I've been working on taxes today.
I decided this is a great place to take a little break. :^ )

[MEG33]

Texas Bluebonnets

Happy Warm Fuzzy Wednesday To The Finest

[Mama_Bear]

I've heard of mixing breeds and just recently heard about a Shih Tzu and a Brichon mix...

Yes, I've heard them called "designer" breeds, or "hybrids". My little Pomchi is more "Chi" than "Pom". In fact, no one would even know he has any Pom in him...except for his face. He doesn't have the long fur, but neither does he have the really short Chihuahua coat either. It's a short, thick pelt. Anyway, we love him to death. He is going to be three April 15th, but the poor little thing has already had to undergo back surgery for a disc problem. He had the surgery the middle of January and has recovered really well. He is worth every penny we have spent on him.

Do you have photos you can post of your little ones? I would love to see them.

I am so happy you enjoy this thread. :-)

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Evening Billie :)

Happy WFW! Your ping and images are wonderful!

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks, LUV. That particular one was fairly easy, I just added a vignette and the text. I found that image on a website that had hundreds of beautiful (and free)desktop “wallpaper”. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Awwww.......how sweet, all those precious fur babies smelling the flowers! Thanks for making me smile. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Lovely photo, MEG. Thanks for the ping and for brightening my day. Texas Bluebonnets are so pretty, and the little girl is adorable!

[MEG33]

Thank you! I slept all day now just got my Income Tax off to my son..
Your flower sniffing post was just beautiful..Thank you for brightening my evening

[La Enchiladita]

Hi Billie!! Here's a little piggy that likes to smell the flowers too!!:)

[La Enchiladita]

Hi, Amy, how about another break about now? Gee, your taxes must be complicated...

[La Enchiladita]

It must be something to see a field of Texas Bluebonnets:)

[Lady Jag]

[MEG33]

It is..There are usually Indian Paintbrush mixed in, too...I love to find the pictures and post them..so I’ll do more.

[MEG33]

LOL..Good evening Lady J.

[LUV W]

LOL! Too cute, Lady! ~~waving back~~

[La Enchiladita]

There are usually Indian Paintbrush mixed in, too

Wow, even more of a sight.