A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01- 11,12 -08....T.G.I.F. at the Finest

11 January 2008 | billie

[DollyCali]

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 or a profile of another FReeper.

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

Welcome to TGIF at the Finest!   We hope you've been having as much fun as we have with our essays and/or spotlight on various FReepers. From the beginning, we've been kicking back on Saturdays and Sundays and simply reviewing the features of the week; our weekend threads now start on Friday and continue through Sunday. If you missed seeing any of this week's threads and want to say hello there now, just click on the link for that particular day. If you'd like to drop in and out of this thread today through Sunday, please feel free to do that also. One of us will try to be around to see the welcome mat is still out, put the coffee pot on, and maybe even bring fresh flowers for the table. : )

~ Billie, Dutchess, Dolly Cali, GodBlessUSA ~




"Getting to Know You"

THIS WEEK'S THREADS


1-7,8-08 ~ Military Tribute
By Billie
Presented by The Mayor

1-9,10-08 ~ Warm, Fuzzy, Wednesday & Thursday
By Billie
Presented by DollyCali

Have a wonderful weekend!

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

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

"Wear Red" Friday

You will soon see a lot of people wearing Red on Fridays. Here's why..... The Americans, who support our troops, are the silent majority. We are not "organized" to reflect who we are, or to reflect what our opinions are. Many Americans, like yourself, and all their friends, simply want to recognize that Americans support our troops. Our idea of showing our solidarity and support for our troops is starting Friday and continuing on each and every Friday, until this is over, that every red-blooded American who supports our young men and women, WEAR SOMETHING RED.

Word of mouth, press, TV -- let's see if we can make the United States, on any given Friday, a sea of red much like a home football game at a University. If every one of our memberships share this with other acquaintances, fellow workers, friends, and neighbors, I guarantee that it will not be long before the USA will be covered in RED - and make our troops know there are many people thinking of their well-being. You will feel better all day Friday when you wear Red! So let's get the word out and lead by example; wear RED on Fridays.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE. FOR US, THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED!! GOD BLESS AMERICA.

I received this in my email June 10th, 2006 - the author is unknown.
I am wearing red today and every Friday ~ Billie

[DollyCali]

[DollyCali]

T-G-I-F at the FINEST

[The Mayor]

January 11, 2008

Scattered Fruit

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: John 13:3-15

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. —1 Corinthians 11:1

The story is told of a Christian who was home on furlough from serving in the armed forces. He was rushing to catch his train when he ran into a fruit stand on the station platform, knocking most of the piled-up apples to the ground.

The young boy who operated the stand tried to pick up his scattered fruit but was having difficulty. The apologetic serviceman put down his luggage and started collecting the apples. He polished each one with his handkerchief and put it back on the counter. So impressed was the boy that he asked gratefully, “Soldier, are you Jesus?” With a smile the soldier replied, “No, but I’m trying to be like Him.”

Sometimes, as we hurry about our own responsibilities, we become too busy to care about other people. But we must remember that Jesus urges us to show kindness and concern for our fellow travelers. He set the example for us in John 13 by being a servant. We need to take the time to be helpful also.

Would anyone ask of us, “Are you Jesus?” And could we honestly respond, “No, I’m not Jesus, but I’m trying to be like Him”? Christlike kindness can open the door for a heart-touching testimony.

Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.  —Rowe

Nothing is more attractive than being like Jesus.

Bible in One Year:  Genesis 25–27; Proverbs 4:18-27

[DollyCali]

John Huang 2 Update

John Huang 2 had a GREAT essay in our PM box ON MONDAY for posting this past Thursday. EVERYONE KNEW that Hillary would lose to Obama & so that was the gist of his satirical essay.

Well as we all know Hillary WON & so JH2 requested we NOT use that one & he did not have time to prepare anohter one for us. So hopefully he will be back with us next week.

We miss you John!

[DollyCali]

Will check in when I can.. busy weekend for me.. MUST DO CHORES on the home front...Work most of today but this PM will do movie & a wine tasting dinner in Western suburb of Cleveland

I need to figure out something appropriate in RED to wear

[LUV W]

GREG KARUKAS~GIRL IN THE RED DRESS

[MEG33]

Great pledge! Thank you Dolly for our thread...I have to tend to the homefront today,too!

[MEG33]

Happy TGIF To The Finest

I'm Wearing Red To Support Our Troops

[jaycee]

Good Morning, Meg, great post! I will be wearing my “Red Hat” today. Going to the luncheon so I will be away today!

[jaycee]

Hi Dolly, thank you for today’s thread. Great job....love the Pledge........! Will be wearing my red today to support the troops! The Red Hat goes on today for my monthly lunch with the ladies. Going to a Japanese Steak House! Will be gone much of the day!

Happy TGIF everyone!

[MEG33]

Thank you..Have fun, jaycee!

[Aquamarine]

Hi Dolly. Thanks for the ping and the bounce. :)

[DollyCali]

this is from my ohio FReeper buddy Paul..Worth your time to consider

@@@

This 6 minute video is chilling but important to watch. If it scares you, sorry. If it reinforces your resolve to protect yourself or helps you to develop that resolve, then I am happy.

This clearly shows that (even) repeated phone calls to the police won’t make you safe. It shouldn’t even make you *feel* safe. The details of this very real 911 call are on the video.

This woman is alive today because she told the advice (and the loan of a handgun) of a friend and defended herself. Almost five minutes after she made the call, her attacker made it to her locked bedroom where she hid herself in a closet. Five minutes and the police still were not there.

This is not to condemn the police. They just can’t be everywhere at once and almost certainly not where you are when you need them most.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkS8mdbml0A

The 911 operator was calm during the call, but certainly not much help. Notice that she tells the caller that ‘it’s only been 2 minutes’ and the police are on the way. In fact, it was more than twice that long — almost 5 minutes. She also instructs the caller to not do anything hasty once she knows that the caller is armed.

What I’d have liked to have heard in that calm reassuring voice of the operator would be something like this:

“Ma’am, I’ve dispatched several officers to your location to assist you. In the meantime, go to the most secure spot in your home and take the phone and your firearm with you. Be sure the gun is loaded and have extra ammo on hand in case there is more than one attacker.

Once you are in that location, take up a position behind something solid. Remain calm and control your breathing. That will be very important if the attacker breaks down the door. Aim for the center of the body because that is your best chance of stopping the attack. Continue to fire until he is stopped and remember to reload immediately. The City will reimburse you for the ammo you used.”

[ConorMacNessa]

HAPPY FRIDAY TO FINEST FRIENDS!

---

Wearing Red to support our Troops!

[DollyCali]

Hi Aqua, I am just taking a quick break.. I still have NOT taken those jewelry pix.. I will & when I do & post them I will ping you as i know you have an interest in gems & minerals. I have a LOT to do today so can’t ever stay too long......I cant go to latest comments.. kiss of death for time

[Kitty Mittens]

Dolly, I Watched that Particular Vid Last Night, and my Heart Went Up in my Throat. I Recently Passed my Concealed Carry Test, and would Recommend that Everyone Learn Defense, Especially Women.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Miss Kitty

God Bless our Military
And our USA!

[Mama_Bear]

Happy Friday, FRiends.

I put together this collage of the "Canine Christmas" at our house so Chachi could send it out with his Christmas "thank you" notes. Thought I would share it with you all.

Belle, the Boston Terrier in the pink fur coat
and Penny, the lit up Pug, are my son's dogs.
Most of you know my little guy, Chachi, in the plaid scarf,
and the Silky Terrier is my mom's dog, Jack.

[Mama_Bear]

So, Kitty Mittens is packin' heat, huh? LOL. Good for you!

Seriously, you are right, KM. Everyone should learn defense. I don't have a carry permit, but you have reminded me that it is on my list of things to do. It will be one of my goals this year. :-)

[dixie sass]

In tears. That is absolutely chilling. We mock the women of the middle east because of what the men there do to them and yet we are as much hostages of the male as they are. You would think in this day and age that we would be out from under the yoke of oppression.

Our clothes are designed by men to exploit our sex appeal and make us fit their ideas - oh rats, I’m getting on my soap box.

[LUV W]

Awesome collage! The doggies are SO cute!

I would love to learn to do that!

[Kitty Mittens]

Lori, your Collage is Absolutely Precious; Chachi is Especially Cute, and the Little Dog in the Bottom Pic on the Left is Darling!

On the Subject of Defense, I just Ordered a .44 Magnum Wednesday Evening while at the Gun Range, and am Looking Forward to Target-Practicing with it. My Favorite Gun is my .45 Semi-Auto, Followed by my .357 Magnum. This has become Such an Enjoyable Pastime for me. It will be Wonderful when you Get your Concealed Carry License, and there are So many Excellent Firearms to Choose from!

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, LUV. We had a house full of dogs this Christmas. It was so much fun watching them open their gifts and they got a ton of them! We don't have any little kids or babies in our family now, so the dogs are the whole show.

Collages are fun to do. I am completely self-taught when it comes to doing things like that in PhotoShop. I learn by trial and error. It's the only way for me. :-)

[jaycee]

Just absolutely adorable! Just now checking pings as I have been tied up all day and right now I am having a sneezing fit!
God Bless Me~~LOL~~

Love the doggies!!

[jaycee]

Hi Conor, one of my favorite pictures.....

[jaycee]

I am anxious for the jewelry display also. I am a jewelry hound and have every piece I have ever owned. Cannot get rid of any jewelry. (I have several things since high school)! My mom and dad gave me a very pretty 3 pc. rhinestone set at Christmas during Sr. year and this little guy I was dating gave me a 3 piece set also. I tried not to accept the friend’s gift as I had already decided I was going to get married. He knew it but he said he wanted me to have it! It was sweet and they are as beautiful today as ever.

That little guy and I go to the same church...such a small world. He and his wife are very happily married just as me and my hubby were before his death!

I’ve been gone all day, Dolly!

[Mama_Bear]

Lori, your Collage is Absolutely Precious; Chachi is Especially Cute, and the Little Dog in the Bottom Pic on the Left is Darling!

Awww......thank you. The little guy on the left is my mom's little Silky. He is very old. He doesn't play with the young ones anymore, he can't see very well or hear, but he seems to enjoy having the other dogs around. They walk a wide circle around him. They seem to know that they should not approach him.

I don't have my gun anymore. It was a little Beretta (can't remember the caliber), but it was stolen (among other things) when our studio was broken into several years ago. I have never gotten over the feeling of guilt that I am responsible for some thief running around with MY gun. But, it was in a locked drawer in a desk in my private office in a locked business....so it wasn't like I left it out in plain sight.....still, it bothers me that a criminal got it and he is still at large. :-(

My husband has his .357, but I need to get another one, AND take the safety course. I haven't decided what to get though. I need to do that.

[Mama_Bear]

Love the doggies!!

Thank you. They were sure a lot of fun this Christmas. :-)

God bless you, sneezy!

[Mama_Bear]

Ping me too. As you know, I am honored to be the recipient of some original DollyCali designs, which I treasure! Jewelry is one of my favorite things. :-)

Will this be photos of Dolly original jewelry creations that you are talking about? I am coming in late to the conversation.

[jaycee]

Sneezy loves Chachi!

[La Enchiladita]

I am liking this collage, Mama Bear, and the pooches in it. It looks like a pooch party!!! LOL.

I’ll bet Chachi’s a lot of fun. And pugs are so sweet and friendly, and funny too.

[Mama_Bear]

LOL!

[Mama_Bear]

It looks like a pooch party!!! LOL.

It was a pooch party alright. LOL.

There were only four of them, but it seemed like SO many more. And, just like kids, they couldn't play outside, no....they had to be ripping and tearing around our feet. The photos of them are deceiving......they were NEVER still. LOL

[DollyCali]

oh my what a wonderful collage of great pix.. so well done. thank you Lori.. and dont Belle & Penny just think they are “hot sutff”~

thanks for sharing these pix w/us. Love cha with his presents...

The jewelry.. I was describing what I wore new years eve(that I had made.. onyx, fresh water pearl, gold & British cloisonnes...... and said I would take some pix & post.. then decided I might do a few other pieces to show everyone.. All things I have designed/put together.. Just haven’t done it yet.. So many things on front burner lately.

I will ping all who requested.. but for anyone who scans the threads, these will be pretty obvious.. not the normals cute kidz & cute petz..

[jaycee]

Hi Dita........we have all been away today!

Hope your day was good!

[Mama_Bear]

And pugs are so sweet and friendly, and funny too.

They are! Penny is about the most laid-back dog I have ever seen. My granddaughter wrapped the Christmas lights around her. Penny didn't care. Penny takes everything in stride. And here she is in some of my granddaughter's baby dresses....Such a silly dog.

[DollyCali]

Saw movie The Orphanage . (on the order of The Others) and went to a wine tasting.. Lots of great (10)) wines, many nice cheese/crackers & huge array of fruit.

Sunday morning before church I am being “shot” in a video... will let you all know more later but doubtful it will be oscar worthy.

So much going on anymore & it seems like I cancel more than I attend just because I am so tired so often.

Mild weather still.. Low 40s.. norm for Ohio would be low 20s & no doubt snow. NOT complaining.

goring to hit the hay.. sweet dreams to all my sweet Finest FRiends.

[DollyCali]

Penny doesn’t seem to mind, does she?

[Mama_Bear]

The jewelry.. I was describing what I wore new years eve(that I had made.. onyx, fresh water pearl, gold & British cloisonnes......

Oh.....it sounds beautiful. Looking forward to the photos!

Thanks for the compliments on my puppy collage. I enjoy making them. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Penny doesn’t seem to mind, does she?

Nope, she doesn't care. You can do anything with her.

[jaycee]

Well, bless her little heart! That is so cute. How old is Penny? I almost missed these pix!

[Mama_Bear]

I think she is five or six, but she acts much older. She rarely runs and plays, mostly just wanders around and sleeps and EATS. I have never seen such a chow-hound! They have to constantly watch how much she eats. I guess Pugs have a tendency to be a little on the “portly” side. LOL.

[La Enchiladita]

My day flew by so fast, ((Jaycee)), I can hardly believe it is night time. How are you doing?!!

I’m thinking of putting up photos of the Rose Parade floats this weekend, if people here might be interested...???

[La Enchiladita]

How adorable. Although... is Penny starting to snarl a little bit in that lower right photo??....

Hehe, just kidding...:)

[La Enchiladita]

Yeah John, we honestly missed you. It’s not easy knowing what will happen next in this primary season...!!!

Did anyone else see or hear of Roseanne’s tirade vs. Obama/Oprah? Gee, talk about pot, kettle, etc...:)

[Mama_Bear]

Although... is Penny starting to snarl a little bit in that lower right photo??...

LOL. Looks like her photo shoot when on a little too long. ;-)

[Kitty Mittens]

My Sweet FRiend, you have a Kind and Loving Heart; you were not Responsible At All for what that Thief did; you did Everything Right. He is 100% to Blame, and he will have to Answer for his Sin One Day, if he doesn't Repent.

Penny is So Adorable in your Post #35! Just So Very Cute! : )

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks, Kitty, for your kind words. I just wish my gun wasn't out there on the street somewhere in criminal hands. :-(

The problem was, I didn't have a carry permit for it, so it either had to stay at home or at the studio. I chose to leave it at the studio, since I spent so much time there. Now I realize that wasn't the best choice but, as they say, hindsight is always 20/20.

[MEG33]

Too cute! Thank you for the pictures!

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks, MEG. :-)

I am heading off to bed, I’m a tired bear. Good night, FRiend.

[MEG33]

Sweet Dreams