A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-06 thru 05-08-05....T.G.I.F. at the Finest

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

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 100,000 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

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Aquamarine, Dolly Cali ~

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, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Aquamarine, Dolly Cali ~



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"Getting to Know You"

THIS WEEK'S THREADS


05-02-05 ~ Military Monday
By Billie
Presented by The Mayor

05-03-05 ~ A Day at the Races
By Billie

05-04-05 ~ Ten More Finest Excuses
By Mama_Bear

05-05-05 ~ Runaway 'found', but still lost in Fantasyland
By JohnHuang2
Presented by DollyCali

Have a wonderful weekend!

03-29-05 ~ Hall of Fame #11

Click on the photo to view the album. To submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man at danbh59@yahoo.com and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

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

[DollyCali]

HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
LADY--X





The Navy Seals would like to help you celebrate



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and to all my dear Sistahs....THIS IS MY PLEDGE PIX - :-)

[MEG33]

I like your "card"! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LADY-X!

[DollyCali]

Thank you for all your kind responses at the Finest, Amy's Place & by FReepmail. "...Where two or three are gathered in my name..." -- FRee Republic's cyber prayer closet is indeed a great place of refuge & peace, isn't it?

My Aunt is at one of the very large mega hospital complexes in Cleveland. (much like the ones where I worked in Houston). State of art period. Had she had the same situation in her little town & local hospital, not sure the outcome would be the same.

When I arrived she was in a coma & her hubby & 2 sons (one who drove in from Dunkirk & the other from Charlotte area) with her. I and two of my friends who are good friends to them came.

When family friend Paul came in to talk with uncle bill, Dotty's eyes opened & she began talking.

It has for years been a little family joke that Paul is Dotty's boyfriend. He is actually my good buddy from Cleveland area who I bike , ballroom dance, attend symphony etc with... but he has become part of this extended family. As he only has one sis left in Hilton Head & he only sees her once/twice a year. Paul participates with us for holidays & often goes with me to visit Bill /Dot at their home on Lake Erie.

He & dotty have done some biking & he & she give super massages to each other.. all with all the family around. We all joke and hubby Bill jokes & is glad that Paul fills in in areas he doesn't like. Aunt Dot is normally very quiet, subdued... when Paul is giving her a shoulder,back rub she becomes very animated, responsive, talkative. We all giggle & get a kick out of it. Come to think of it, I purr a lot when I get a good massage also !!!

Paul is very kind ,never married and a little younger than Dotty & 20 years older than me. He is retired Chem teacher at prep school in Cleveland & very devot Catholic.

My Uncle was thrilled that Paul's voice "woke up Dotty" and we all got that "aha" family laugh again. Bill & Paul are very good friends & can hug hello & goodbye without embarrassment as men and can talk endlessly on a multitude of topics.

My thoughts this AM was that Aunt Dotty got her chick-lets home for mother's day..using drastic unplanned means (daughter Deb flew in from Calif last night)

She is surely in God's hands. Not uncommon to have further strokes set backs but between the good hands of the medical community & the Lord's care, we know what ever the outcome, it is okay.

Busy next few days here. I will be dancing (Charleston & skit) later for mother/daughter banquet... will be at hospital before & after...

I am this family's spiritual guide, as such. Did their son's funeral a few years back when he committed suicide in Denver & have helped them with other issues over the years. Both Dot & Bill have asked me to conduct their funerals...

The oldest son (another Bill,) is one of the character's in my "naked" story for Amy's place that might get posted eventually.

Well, rambled on enough here. need to get on with day. have a wonderful day all. will check in with you when I can

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

050430-N-1134F-031 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (April 30, 2005) - The amphibious dock landing ship USS Nashville (LPD 13) sits anchored astern of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) off the Florida coast while participating in the Navy's annual "Fleet Week" festivities. Both the Nashville and Bataan were part of a "Marine Invasion" demonstration utilizing amphibious craft embarked on each vessel, as well as serving as a backdrop for the show. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Dave Fitz (RELEASED)

040627-M-8096M-012 Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan (June 27, 2004) - U.S. Marines assigned to Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, with ground combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable), approach a cave to search for hidden weapons caches. The 22nd MEU was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks (RELEASED)

050505-N-0499M-048 Everett, Wash. (May. 5, 2005) - A Sailor assigned to Color Guard aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), waits for the signal to lower the ensign during evening colors. Lincoln is currently in port undergoing a planned maintenance availability period. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class James R. McGury (RELEASED)

[dansangel]

Have a Joyous Day, LadyX!

[DollyCali]

thank you for these great pix Mr. EMB..

sistahs... I am snagging this one...

and I like this one too (but don't want to be ms piggy...) so let me know if anyone has dibbs on it.. okay?

[Aquamarine]

Go ahead Dolly, they're both great pledge material.

[Mama_Bear]

Sorry I've been lax in my critiques, but there comes a time when one just throws up his hands realizing it's a lost cause. LOL!

Ah......there he is, vintage T Man! LOL!!!

Sorry, I just gotta give you a

because you've been away so long.

[Mama_Bear]

Woweee, Dolly! Love who you brought to the party!!

[Mama_Bear]

Morning, fuzzy.

Morning, sweetie.

I knew you were coming, and I know how much you like cake, so I baked a humongous one (wanted the other guest and birthday girl to have a chance of getting some). LOL

[Mama_Bear]

Dansy, that is the sweetest kitty. LadyX will love your card!

[DollyCali]

There is one (or two) for all of us. The gents here will have to "do their own shopping".

:)

I leave in 15 minutes. Maybe at hospital I can come across a computer to use.. will be there most of day with break at church in between..

[WVNan]

Wow Dolly! I've never seen that much testosterone in one place before.

[WVNan]

Great! Aunt Dotty could not be in a better place (if she is in Cleveland Clinic). When people need special medical help around here, I always suggest they go to Cleveland Clinic.

[luvie]

I haven't read of any up-dates on your sweet aunt--but my prayers are for her full recovery from this stroke. That you got to see her and have lunch with her before it happened is ironic, but gives you a sweet memory of her at her best. (((hugs))) to you!

[ST.LOUIE1]

I've never seen that much testosterone in one place before.

Sure you have.....

....remember your date with 'wolfie'?

Morning, ((((Nan))))

[ST.LOUIE1]

.....so I baked a humongous one (wanted the other guest and birthday girl to have a chance of getting some). LOL

Well, okay, sharing is a good thing. Specially if it's the other person's cake. : )

Love my *hug*. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Morning, Meggsie!Lookin' good. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

(((((((((((dansy)))))))))))

[ST.LOUIE1]

Terrific pics, Mr. Fox! I haven't checked all of them, have a 56k, but will bookmark them for later.

Mickey is a handsome Irish lad. : )

Have a wonderful weekend!