*** Singles' Christmas and Holiday Thread ***

December 6, 2008

[WFTR]

Merry Christmas!
Greetings Singles!

A few months ago, we decided to try to run a monthly thread, but as you can see, we haven't had much luck. Life has been busy for me and I know for at least one other host. We've had the misfortune of seeing the least qualified candidate ever nominated by either party elected to our nation's highest office, and that event has certainly hurt the morale of many of us. By this time next year, Pelosi, Reid, and SOBama may have shut down Free Republic by application of the so-called "fairness doctrine." They're doing their best to make Orwell's predictions come true. However, we still have our freedom and a real American as president for another six weeks, so we can be thankful for this time. None of us wanted to see the singles' thread eliminated completely, and I'd like to kick off a Christmas and holiday thread.

I would call the thread just a holiday thread because I want to be inclusive of Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year. On the other hand, "Holiday Thread" sounds too much like something created by the idiots who want to expunge Christmas from our society in the name of diversity. I'm starting this thread, and I'm determined to put Christmas in the title. The "holiday" part is to keep us from feeling that we've jumped on the Christmas bandwagon too soon and in hopes of hearing about your Thanksgiving celebration and New Year's plans. (If snugs was planning something even better for Christmas, I apologize. We'll let her start a second thread for Christmas alone.)

With these thoughts in mind, please tell us about the fall you've had, the Thanksgiving you've celebrated, and your plans, memories, and thoughts about Christmas. As always, pictures of decorations, pets, your families, and yourselves are welcomed and desired.

[A knight without armor]

Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!

[WFTR]

Several times over the past few months, I've come close to starting any kind of thread just to see what happened. I've always held back and thought that I'd talk to Dave or snugs or GOP_Raider before I posted anything. I figured I'd coordinate with them or at least use the new list that Dave was trying to build when we "closed" the previous thread. Other things have always come up, and I've never done anything.

I probably should have talked to the others before starting this thread. As I said in the introduction, maybe snugs was building something very special. If so, we'll still let her start that one when she's ready and let that one be the official Christmas thread. However, I was afraid that procrastinating would allow things to drive the thread from my mind again and that nothing would happen.

Maybe I should have started this thread on a Friday night or at least earlier on a Saturday, but maybe this time will work as well. As we said in September, we'd like this to be a running thread through the week and weekends. As we approach the holiday season, we'd like folks to post what's on their mind whenever they think of something. Let's all try to check the thread occasionally and respond as we have time. I don't know how often we'll ping. I'm thinking of pinging once a week, but I'm open to suggestions.

The bonus questions are simple this time. What has happened during the fall that's been special for you? How was your Thanksgiving? What are you planning to do for Christmas? Have you begun decorating? When are you ready to start hearing Christmas music? We'll do more bonus questions as the season goes along.

Bill

[WFTR]

Merry Christmas!!!

You found this one quickly. I didn't even have time to ping. LOL

[Fichori]

Christmas?

I’m still working on the Turkey from Thanksgiving!

[WFTR]

Probably the biggest events of my fall from a personal point of view were replacing my 15 year old pickup truck and buying a digital SLR. I loved that old truck, but the truck was dying. I replaced the truck with a Hyundai Santa Fe, and I'm happy with that choice so far. The camera is a Canon 40D. I don't like everything about this camera, but I'm slowly learning to make the camera do what I want. Some features such as image stabilization and reasonable picture quality even at high ISO are a nice improvement over my late 70's and early 80's era Nikons/Nikkormats. The autofocus that can't decide what to do when shooting in the woods is a problem. In any case, I have pictures to share.

Here's my sweet Katrina, photographed through the aquarium with a polarizing filter to reduce reflections.

Here's a church that's on River Road along the eastern bank of the mighty Mississippi River.

This peacock lives at a plantation home north of Baton Rouge.

Here's a ruby-crowned kinglet at a local park.

I'll do more later, but these should start us off.

[WFTR]

I’m still working on the Turkey from Thanksgiving!

LOL Me too, but I refuse to leave Christmas out of the name. Do you have plenty of dressing and gravy for that turkey?

[yorkie]

Paula Deen was on Larry King last night, and said she was making a soup out of the turkey carcass from Thanksgiving. How long is that bird edible? I know - if it’s been ‘burped’ in Tupperware, it should be good for a year, right? LOL! I was honestly asked that question several years ago!

[Fichori]

There is at least 1 or 2 dinners worth of gravy and stuffing left, after that its turkey sandwiches.

[Petruchio]

A lot has been going on with me. My 13 years of doing Eldercare came to an end when Mother passed away. Now I am repairing her house so it can be sold and I plan on relocating to Indiana. (or another State that allows concealed carry)

[Rca2000]

Well...this has been an “unusual year” for me. some disappointments and such...but not ALL of it. OF course the election was about as “bad as it could get” in the way it turned out.

In September the other technician at the shop I work for FINALLY got the boot, after hacking into the computer TWICE and causing a LOT of lost money and such...and THEN...he once again managed to steal over $2300 from the shop account, by writing a “check” which he stole from the shop. For over 3 weeks...I received NO pay and was NOT being treated too well by the owner. It seemed that they wanted to “run me off”. But FINALLY all got resolved in that regard. And I am now working all 5 days a week EVERY week and saving a LOT more money that ever.

For nearly a year now—I have spoke about my hairstylist friend Laurie, who has treated me with more kindness and compassion and understanding than nearly ANY woman ever has. Well...I can NO LONGER call Laurie a friend anymore.
I now consider her my “big sister”...as she has gone WAY beyond a normal friendship. Laurie is now at the place with me that she can tell if I am “upset” about something WITHOUT me saying ANYTHING to her..and she will then get me to “talk to her about it” even IF I do not really want to...she KEEPS AT ME till I “open up” to her, so I do NOT just “hold on” on things without talking them over with someone who cares about me.

As the election neared-—it caused some SERIOUS strain on my “friendship” with my boss Patty—and we finally had to just “not talk ANY politics”—by MY decision. Still she ALWAYS had on CNN or MSNBC on tv ALL day and when I was there—I had to hear that crap .

As for Laurie..for SO long I sought to “know where she stood” on things. However—about 2 years ago she told me she did NOT discuss religion or politics with her customers. Of course—we were NOT that close then...and since then we discussed religion a LOT and some political things but NEVER the election. SO..I resigned myself to the fact she was an O supporter...and that I would just have to “get over it”. I figured she would not “rub it in” as my boss’s daughter did .

BUT about a WEEK before the election—my mom and me saw Laurie, mom got her to color her hair and I had a style.(My mom and Laurie have become friends too, since the summer..and Laurie LOVES to talk to my mom.)JUST before we left—mom handed Laurie a “Christian voter guide” and she did NOT react harshly to it and thanked mom. Later that evening... I got an e-mail from Laurie, and it was NOT pro Obama in the LEAST...so I FINALLY knew she was “on our side”..and that comforted me a LOT!! Since then...me and Laurie have had several political discussions and we agree almost TOTALLY on the issues and can talk very openly about those things now. Both of us have discussed that we are VERY fearful for the future of this nation now.

So.. no matter what else happens..this Christmas is going to be different than any in recent memory, with my “ big sister” there to comfort and support me, unlike I have had in the past. Her wonderful friendship is probably the BEST gift I have received in a VERY long time.

[Nowhere Man]

Nowhere Man reporting for duty.

[Nowhere Man]

Well, myself, I got a new job several weeks ago, delivering auto parts for a major auto parts store chain. I was promised only 30 to 32 hours a week but I have gotten 40 and this week, even an hours worth of overtime, generally a no-no, unless it is truly needed. My mother saw on the news that people are keeping their old jalopies instead of buying new cars so we are doing quite a booming business. I drive 500 to 700 miles a week. I still have a 1994 Ford Explorer, still needs brakes, rotors, discs and such to pass inspection, but now I'm working, I get a 20% discount and there are people there to help. I still drive it despite the law, I have a guardian angel pendant in my truck watching over me. I have a friend in Sweden, he says, "sometimes if you cannot afford to follow the law, then you have to go by the laws of the jungle."

One thing I'm glad, we are all gun nuts there, many do carry concealed. A couple are bikers too. I'm trying my best to fit in and make friends, I think we might be in some hard times and learning more about cars is a wise thing to do plus you need to make some friends you can trust with your life. My gradeschool buddy, we've been hanging since 1976, is one of my bosses. All of us are against Obama and we swap Obama jokes all day long.

Well, I used to work in IT and accounting, but those jobs are hard to find to being non-existant. I'm quite happy where I'm at though, I'm learning more each day.

[DaveLoneRanger]

Hey folks,

Thanks to Bill for putting up the thread. Every now and again, I feel guilty that we let it go, but there didn't seem enough interest or participation to justify all the extra effort it required. I hope everyone is doing well. Do let's remember Snugs, I've read that her father is not doing very well.

I'm a senior at college, one more semester to go before I graduate and go to law school. I took the LSAT (an absolute killer 4-5 hour exam) but wasn't happy with my score and will be taking it again in February.

I took part in a debate at my campus, though I didn't get a whole lot of opportunities to talk, and most of it was defending McCain or sniping at Obama anyway.

I plan on attending the 2009 March for Life in Washington DC, I'll be traveling with a cartel of pro-life students throughout the state.

Still plugging away at the concealed carry on campus train, although it's been pretty slow what with the election and all. I was interviewed for this article, and an article in my campus paper about "assault weapons."

Three of my five professors know of my activism, and three of those three approve or wouldn't mind me carrying.

Got two more weeks left in this semester (golly) and then things are over until we swear in our next president.

I'm also taking a Krav Maga self-defense class, and recently became eligible to test up to level 2. Krav is a really cool class, and good for more than just self-defense.

Oh, and here's a recent snapshot of me just for the heck of it, since we're posting photos. I made the transition over from mustache to a goatee, but I'm not sure why my hair looks so gray.


(Can anyone tell that I'm carrying my Glock concealed?)

[Nowhere Man]

BUT about a WEEK before the election—my mom and me saw Laurie, mom got her to color her hair and I had a style.(My mom and Laurie have become friends too, since the summer..and Laurie LOVES to talk to my mom.)JUST before we left—mom handed Laurie a “Christian voter guide” and she did NOT react harshly to it and thanked mom. Later that evening... I got an e-mail from Laurie, and it was NOT pro Obama in the LEAST...so I FINALLY knew she was “on our side”..and that comforted me a LOT!! Since then...me and Laurie have had several political discussions and we agree almost TOTALLY on the issues and can talk very openly about those things now. Both of us have discussed that we are VERY fearful for the future of this nation now.

Hey, long time, no see, glad to see you here! Yeah, got an new job myself delivering auto parts. I'm glad Laurie isn't an Obama supporter, like I said in my message, I think there could be a time where you have to learn more skills and find people where you have to trust your life with and vice versa. I know where I work at, my buddy and I are with a bunch of NRA supporters and Harley biker types, all of us cannot stand the Obummer.

The biggest reason Obummer got in, well, we didn't field the best candidate and fought by the Marquis of Queensbury rules while the other side tossed out all the rules. However the biggest factor is that we have a lot of sheeple out there that are part of the gimmee crowd and Obama played "Santa Claus to the tenth power." Well, with all those gimmees and the promises to keep the gravy train running and adding more to the tracks, well, we got beaten.

I do fear for our future so we need to pray and make it to the other side.

[WFTR]

I’m sorry to hear that you’ve lost your mother. May she rest in peace. Parts of Indiana are very nice, and I hope you’ll like living there. I’d suggest to you that Louisiana has concealed carry as well, but Indiana’s fewer hurricanes would undoubtedly be an advantage.

[WFTR]

I’m glad to hear that your friendship with Laurie has continued to be positive. I’m particularly glad to hear that she’s not one of the idiots who voted for the empty suit and his brainless running mate.

[WFTR]

As always, it’s great to see you. I tend to agree that we may be entering a time when we must rely on good friends more than ever. I’m more and more unhappy with my employer even though I’m paid very well. I’m stuck as a second-class citizen in this company. I’m paid extremely well, but I’d be willing to take some cut in pay to be in a company where I’m treated more equitably. My biggest fear in making any kind of move is that I work with so many good people and would not have them available.

[WFTR]

If you’re wearing a suit jacket, I can tell that you are carrying your Glock.

[WFTR]

More pictures

Here's the front of Houmas House plantation.

[rabidralph]

I shot my first deer on my first deer hunt, in October and I'm still the happiest girl in the whole USA. Another hunt is scheduled this week, in Wisconsin, and I plan to go out again if it's not unbearably cold.

[RebelTex]

bttt

[chicagolady]

WOW!! CONGRATS!!WooHoo!

Sarah Palin would be PROUD!!

I here by bestow on you the Sarah Palin achievement award

[chicagolady]

Thanks for posting the thread. Merry Christmas!!
Well for Thankgiving, I went and had lunch at a hospital because my favorite “Senior” just had her knee replaced and she was gonna be all by herself. I have worked for her for 5 years and she has no other family. She has become my good friend. We both love the Lord so many times that is what our conversation includes.

I went out by myself for dinner and unfortunately the turkey dinner was lousy at the resturant I went to so I am still yearning for a good turkey dinner!!

While I have heard plenty about how some folks stuggle through the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas, I feel very fortunate. The good Lord has given me the ability to get past it all and just be grateful. Which I really am!

God has been so good to me and I am able to keep that right infront of my face through the holidays so I have lots to be thankful for.

I had the opportunity this year to make a difference and had opportunities to be on several TV and radio shows talking about my passion “illegal immigration.” I truly believe God opened those doors to be on and it was a thrill!

I was on Lou Dobbs Woohoo!! along with many other shows.

This Christmas I will be working,but will celebrate on Christmas eve. Thats fine, I am thankful I am working!!

It’s just my dad and me, but since he is 80 you have to enjoy their company while they are here and in reasonably good health.

I am SO grateful to be working infact I feel like thats all I have been doing! But I feel like a little worker ant, we have no idea what will happen to the economy, so I will store up little by little for whatever lies ahead!

Merry Christmas to all! Happy Birthday Jesus!!

[snugs]

Thank you for starting the Christmas Singles Thread great idea - how much I will be able to participate I am not sure because as many of you are aware my father is seriously ill in hospital.

He has progressed slowly but at his age and the type of operation he had the recovery is the difficult part even so he only had about 20 per cent chance of coming through the op and with his attitude and I am convinced groups of Christian praying both sides of the pond pulled him through this and are sustaining him now.

We have reached a very crucial stage now getting him to re-start his eating and drinking. They have now taken off all the drips and withdrawn the NG feed at night and I am trying to take bits in to encourage him to eat more. Today I am going to try some fromage frais and cheese spread triangles.

Any suggestions for soft easily to get rid of food/candy would be appreciated, he never likes chocolate in hospital unfortunately.

Here is a photo I took of him and considering he had his colon removed which was twisted and gangerous 2 and half weeks ago I am surprised if sometimes nervous and at times fearful how like his old self he looks.

[MeekMom]

re: 13
God bless you Nowhere Man.
I sure hope your car holds out until you can fix it so it’s safe for you hon.
& I sure hope you like your new job & make plenty of friends.
& by all means...continue on with the Hussein jokes! LOL

((hugs))
Kristin

[MeekMom]

re: 14
God bless you Dave & Merry Christmas!
Love your tagline! :)

[MeekMom]

God bless you & your Dad snugs.
Been prayin’ for you & wondering how you both have been doing.

Much love,
Kristin

[mathluv]

My oldest grandson has joined the National Guard. We are going to his first Guard Christmas party today.

He came to the table on Thanksgiving dressed in a suit - said that this would be his last one at home.

[chicagolady]

May the good Lord strenghten you during this time, I know it has got to be hard to see your dad sick. My God touch him and put good people around him to lighten your load.

[MeekMom]

Amen Chicagolady/neighbor! :)

[Lazamataz]

Hey... it's a swingin' singles Freeper Christmas thread....hey now......

Look at allll these unattached Freepettes..... oh yeah.....

[Lazamataz]

The reason you do not have a significant other is that you have a snake.

The other kind.

[chicagolady]

Glad to meet a neighbor! If you are interested there is a Townhall dinner coming up, a couple of Illinois FReepers plan to attend:

Note: Illinois Freepers are calling it “Mutiny on the Bounty” These are the Illinois GOP republican RINO’S

WE are gonna have our say!!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Note The Way Forward for the Illinois GOP

@ Townhall Meeting, Chicago

You’re invited!: Townhall Meeting, Chicago, Tuesday, December 9, 2008 (Second Tuesday)

Topic: The Way Forward for the Illinois Republican Party

Speakers:

Chris Robling – is a former Chicago Republican Commissioner of Elections and executive director of the Cook County Republican Party under Chairman Donald L. Totten. He was president of the association of U.S. House Republican press secretaries from 1982 to 1985. As an all-news anchor at WMAQ he received a Peter Lisagor award for his coverage of Governor George Ryan’s 1999 trip to Cuba. Frank Watson appointed Robling to the Regional Transportation Task Force in 2003, for which he wrote the minority report. Presently he is a Principal with Jayne Thompson & Associates.

Jason Heffley – Executive Director of the Illinois Republican Party - a native of Illinois has been involved in politics at the federal, state and local level. He received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University and his Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School. Before joining the IL GOP as Executive Director, Heffley served as Deputy Campaign Manager on Congressman Mark Kennedy’s campaign for U.S. Senate in Minnesota. He also served as campaign manager in Kathy Salvi’s 2006 congressional bid, political director for the IL GOP and ran state house campaigns for the Republican Party of Florida. He and his wife, Kathy, live in Bartlett, Illinois.

---

Time: 6:30 pm cocktails and/or dinner & networking

7:15 pm announcements

7:30 pm presentations start

COST: The Lincoln Restaurant requires a minimum order from each person of $5.00 to secure our private room. A suggested donation of $3.00 would also be greatly appreciated. All donations cover the costs of holding each meeting such as handouts, nametags, door prizes, PR, small gifts of appreciation for the speakers, etc.

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!! – Help spread the word

****** DOOR PRIZES !!! – FOR EARLY ARRIVALS ******

Please arrive before 7:30 PM, so we can start and respect those who are on time.

WHERE: Lincoln Restaurant

4008 N. Lincoln Ave. & Irving Park Rd. & Damen Ave. (4000 N, 2000 West)

Chicago, IL 60618 Tel: 773.248.1820

[Lazamataz]

I was in Chicago once.

I got better.

[chicagolady]

You mean Crook County?? Obama Land

[Lazamataz]

I was in Plainfield.

Worst.

Place.

Ever.

[Lazamataz]

Can anyone tell that I'm carrying my Glock concealed?

I just thought you were happy to see me.

[chicagolady]

Personally, I LOVE the abuse!

Highest taxes in the nation. Illegal aliens gone wild, no guns, most corrupt government, Oprah

A Republican Party that is in bed with the Democrats.

Of course we do have some good things...Pizza and Patrick Fitzgerald!!

[Lazamataz]

Did you hear about the two Chicago homosexuals?

Kelly Fitzpatrick and Patrick Fitzkelly.

[chicagolady]

I understand, it’s early in the morning and obviously you didn’t get enough sleep.

[Yorlik803]

Good morning from the Frozen city of Pittsburgh

[DollyCali]

Good Morning & thanks to you Bill for starting a thread so we can greet one another here "officially" for the holiday season.

It was good reading everyone’s news &

loved all the pix you posted

. Many of our numbers are scattered all over the Internet & many of us visit regularly at other forums - many with different screen names.

None of the political forums have a singles thread that I am aware of so I think it is a good idea for various people to do just what you did, as the spirit moves & stir the pot here

I am including a few of my "Taken" /married friends for my update, as I don’t do as much posting as in times past.

I was very active with the national election & as the rest of you am disappointed on the upcoming new residents in the Whitehouse,. I attended three of the Ohio rallies with the McCasins & Palins –and of course took a boatload of pix at each

My life is about the same. Movies & Cinema still a prime interest/activity. I do a lot of photography & my pix are used in one of the local papers regularly. I am active at church & still facilitate the Man to Man Prostate cancer support group in a nearby community. . I participate in a “Deep” bible study weekly which I find rewarding

Some biking, cross country skiing & kayaking this year but mostly RIGOROUS hiking.

Still care giving my invalid mom. who fortunately has a great mind.but a myriad of medical concerns. Here is a pix of my bro from Oklahoma this summer with mom, and me. This was a few days after mom's 90th b'day & we had her in hospital & rehab to check things out

This past year I met with several FReeper friends at various places. Regretfully NOT ONE TRIP TO DC with my “buds” there.

Wheelbarrow & AFPhys joined me at my uncles home in Dunkirk NY for a couple days

Met with Lysie & Molly Pitcher for breakfast in Streetsboro

and with Mama Bear; JKPhoto, Dutchess & Mr. Dutchess in Columbus

My dogs & outdoor activities take a lot of my time & outdoor activities still.

My HS reunion was this Oct 24-26th. On October 23 I broke my wrist while out on a rigorous hike in National park. Slipped on either leaves or moss & flew into the river. A long couple mile back THROUGH the river, rapids, big rocks, & up rough Steep ravine to the van – carrying my hand more or less was part of day.

I was with my friend John & he took care of my camera & helped me get my dogs in van. Here are a some piix that I took that day. The last pix is the last one I took before my “oppsy”. I took about 400 pix that day as the weather was delightful. A couple more weeks for cast to be on. So hard to do things with one hand!

A couple shots from my reunion weekend, which was enjoyable despite pain & fatigue

[GOP_Lady]

Hi, Dolly! Great pics! I hope your wrist is better. Happy Holidays to you and yours. Kiss Wheelbarrow for me, please. :-)

[SnarlinCubBear]

OH Dolly!! I love your pics of your hiking area. I’d hike too if I had that stream nearby. Thank you so much for the ping.

SCB

[SnarlinCubBear]

God bless you both snugs. Prayrs continue.

[Lazamataz]

I understand, it’s early in the morning and obviously you didn’t get enough sleep.

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

December 7, 2008

Eat This Bread

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: Matthew 26:20-30

Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel. —Micah 5:2

Christmas isn’t the time of year when our thoughts naturally turn to the Last Supper—or what the Jews called Passover. But that particular Passover is critical to Christmas. After breaking bread and giving it to His disciples, Jesus said, “Take, eat; this is My body” (Matt. 26:26). Breaking bread was a traditional part of Passover, but adding “this is my body” was a striking departure from the familiar liturgy. The disciples must have been bewildered.

Later the meaning became clear. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which means “house of Bread.” He was laid in a manger—a feeding trough. He once said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh” (John 6:51).

The prophet Micah indicated that One born in Bethlehem would rule over Israel (5:2). But not until Jesus came did anyone realize the uniqueness of this Kingdom. Christ’s rule would not be imposed upon anyone; it would be imparted to those who accepted this new citizenship.

As we sing of Bethlehem’s manger, let’s remember that the heaven-sent infant King came so that we might “eat this bread” and partake of His divine nature.

Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eat and live with Thee above,
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love. —Lathbury

Only Christ the Living Bread can satisfy our spiritual hunger.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 140–142

[DollyCali]

I am so VERY sorry about the loss of your mom...after that many year there is a big void. I have been living with my mom & caring for her since 1992. We drive each other crazy much of the time but she is such a huge part of my existence in so many ways that her death would be a profound loss.

[MeekMom]

LOL!
Merry Christmas Lazamataz!