A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-01-05....Another Finest Play Day

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, DollyCali ~

Yes, FRiends, it's another
Finest "Play Day"!

We should be visiting another state today, but the 'Finest Tour Bus' is in the shop for repairs (again!). So, we will be staying home and having a play day instead.

For those of you who have your heart set on traveling, you are welcome to re-visit any or all of our Finest states below..... :-)

05-23-03 Alabama 06-27-03 Maryland 07-11-03 Vermont 07-25-03 Utah 08-05-03 Texas 08-22-03 Nevada 08-26-03 Wash DC 09-05-03 Tennessee 09-17-03 Florida 09-19-03 Minnesota 10-03-03 New Mexico 10-14-03 Georgia 10-17-03 Louisiana 10-22-03 Michigan 11-04-03 South Dakota 11-14-03 California

01-09-04 South Carolina 02-06-04 West Virginia 02-20-04 Oregon 03-09-04 Pennsylvania 03-30-04 Wyoming 04-13-04 Mississippi 04-27-04 Missouri 05-25-04 Indiana 07-21-04 Virginia 08-18-04 Colorado 09-29-04 Idaho 10-20-04 New Hampshire 12-07-04 Hawaii 02-09-05 Maine 03-09-05 North Carolina 04-13-05 Arizona

...the rest of us will
stay here and









Being 8 Years Old Again

I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8 year-old again.

• I want to go to McDonald's and think that it's a four star restaurant.
• I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make a sidewalk with rocks.
• I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them.
• I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer's day.
• I want to return to a time when life was simple. When all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes, but that didn't bother you, because you didn't know what you didn't know and you didn't care. All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset.
• I want to think the world is fair. That everyone is honest and good.
• I want to believe that anything is possible.
• I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again.
• I want to live simple again. I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness, and loss of loved ones.
• I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow.

So, here's my checkbook and my car-keys, my credit card bills and my 401K statements. I am officially resigning from adulthood. And if you want to discuss this further, you'll have to catch me first, 'cause...

"Tag! You're it!"

And have a wonderful Wednesday!

03-29-05 ~ Hall of Fame #11

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-27,28,29,30-05 Remembering Them Then ~ Honoring Them 05-31-05 Military Monday on Tuesday

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

[Mama_Bear]

[Mama_Bear]

If you would like to be added to the Finest ping list, we would love to have you! Click -----> PLEASE ADD ME.
If you would like to be removed, click -----> PLEASE REMOVE ME.

[Mama_Bear]

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; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine; DollyCali, 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.

Please keep these FReepers
and their loved ones in your prayers.

Maigrey...............................cousin ladtx......................................2 sons scubachick.......................husband gator girl..........................husband severa................husband, brother LBGA.........................................son Hostel...................................cousin SpookBrat..........................nephew Himyar......................................son boxerblues............................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza...............................husband kemathen7.......................husband Diver Dave..............nephew, niece deadhead.............................cousin JimRobinson................2 nephews Armymarinemom...............3 sons Darheel.................................niece dixie sass............................nephew BeAllYouCanBe.......................son AgThorn...............................2 sons kneezles.....................................son The Mayor..............................niece ValerieUSA...........................2 sons StarCMC............................brother TexKat........................son, stepson Spruce.............................daughter ODC-GIRL....................active duty Dubya.................................nephew Donaeus.............................nephew SunflowerGal.................grandson katykelly...................................son Repubmommy...................brother Lakeside...............................2 sons philman_36....................2 nephews Veloxherc.....................active duty mrstank............................husband WVNan........................friend's son american_ranger......................son AF_Blue........................active duty lula.................................son-in-law auboy....................................cousin jamaly.....................brother-in-law Leofl...........................................son wingnutx......................active duty chena.........................................son LakeLady............................nephew LUV W........................................son cjk.................................active duty misty4jc............................husband mhking................................cousin The Mayor.................friend’s son Bykrbayb...................................son Colorado Slim...................nephew sneakers...................................son ariamne...........................2 cousins nelibeli...............................nephew Alouette.....................................son CGblue..........................active duty bigghurtt........................active duty Palladin.............................grandson Skimask.....................................son Gonzo...........................friend's son

OhioWfan.....................................son mystery-ak....................son, husband Gogrammy............................grandson Inspectorette..................................son Blessed American..................nephew Slip18......................................nephew anniegetyourgun...................nephew Pippin.......................niece’s husband Doug from Upland............son-in-law weldgophardline...........brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.................cousin WaterDragon...............SIL,grandson BeforeISleep..................................son Consort...................2 daughters, SIL Warrior Nurse............. ...active duty SK1 Thurman.................active duty David Osborne.................active duty fc2tomschermuly.............active duty bkwells.............................active duty LongCut...........................active duty Trish.................................active duty LadyX..................................grandson fawn796..................................nephew Homeschoolmama................nephew Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend Atomic Conspiracy .......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy ....niece, nephew MozartLover...................son, nephew visualops...................................cousin thumperusn.......................active duty cookcounty.....................................son RoseinRoseBear....cousin’s husband Conspiracy Guy................2 nephews MrsMike31...........................husband Notwithstanding..............active duty Q6-God/twin brother.......active duty eaglesiniowa.................................son spotbust1...............................husband Don Simmons..................active duty bjcintennessee..................son, niece campfollower............................fiance Ladysmith......nephew, friend’s son Painter...................................nephew ProudAFDad................................son MontanaCowgirlCop...........brother Katydidnt.....................................son Old Sarge........................active duty tina07............son-in-law and friend Hope and Glory............................son Tapatio................................2 nephews ak_daddoo................................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife.....husband Walkenfree...2 G’sons, G’daughter Walkenfree......................3 nephews Zechariah_8_13.........brotherinlaw Zechariah_8_13....................cousin DirtyHarryY2K...................daughter DirtyHarryY2K...................soninlaw El Gato....................................nephew frankiep...........................active duty MississippyMuddy.................sister MississippyMuddy.........2 nephews kimmie7................................brother Kramster..............................stepson

[fivekid]

Not sure if this is the right thread for this,

but here goes...... My BIL, who I have raised since he

was 9 years (I consider him my little brother) served in

Gulf One. He has gone through some hard times lately,

and wont's to re-up. I told him it was his choice, and

ALWAYS Thank him for protecting me and mine.

He is not a spring chicken anymore. LOL...

Question to all: Am I being selfish?

any input would be appreciated.

Again I am sorry if this is the wrong thread for this.

[Socratic]

My nephew, Travis, is a Marine currently serving in Ramadi, Iraq. May he be kindly remembered in other's prayers.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Mama.

[Texagirl4W]

Good morning, Mama Bear. I just love your play day post and thought the following was in line with your positive thoughts. It's titled, 'The Positive Side Of Life'.

1. Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.

2. How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

3. Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.

4. Sometimes happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.

5. Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?

6. Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us,

7. If Wal-Mart is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?

8. You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

9. Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

10. We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors. But they all exist very nicely in the same box.

11. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

12. My Best One: Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.

[DollyCali]

Good Morning Lori and all Finest FRiends. Lovely work Sistah. Great ideas for P-L-A-Y and love the military prayer list set up.. welcome/ping & pledge. Wow. Thank you.

I love to play outdoors the best... but here is something you can do if you want to feel either very superior or very stupid

Color Test

I do better at this



or

[The Mayor]

June 1, 2005

God Said That

Read:
Psalm 23

You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. -Psalm 23:4

Bible In One Year: Proverbs 1-3

When 8-year-old Jacob visited his Grampa in the hospital, he came with his own custom-made "Get Well" card. It was an 81/2" x 11" piece of stiff white paper folded in half. On the front he had written, "Hope you feel better soon." On the inside, in large block letters, was this message:

I will be with you
wherever you go.

There was no Scripture reference, so Jacob added these words: "God said that." He wanted to be sure I didn't expect him to be at my side during my entire hospital stay.

That added note conveyed an unintended and deeper truth that brought a smile to my face and comfort to my heart. A hospital can be a lonely place. It's a world of unfamiliar faces, first-time medical procedures, and uncertain diagnoses. But it's in just such a setting that God can quiet an anxious heart and give assurance that He'll go with you down every hall, through every new door, into any unknown future-yes, even through "the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4).

Maybe you have had an unexpected setback or loss. Your future is unknown. Trusting Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you can be sure of this: He will go with you wherever you go. You can believe it. God said that! -Dennis De Haan

Whenever I feel that Christ is near,
All cares and sorrows flee;
He is my strength, my hope, my life,
He's all in all to me. -Lewis

No danger can come so near the Christian that God is not nearer.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
How Does God Keep His Promises?

[The Mayor]

Love that pledge Cuz!

[GailA]

Good morning ALL.

[deadhead]

Received the following in my email yesterday :-)

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, observing his wife turning
back and forth, looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was
not far off he asked what she'd like to have for her Birthday. I'd like to
be eight again, she replied, still looking in the mirror.

On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl
of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park .
What a day!
He put her on every ride in the park: the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear,
and the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, everything there was.

Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was
reeling and her stomach felt upside down. He then took her to a McDonald's
where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake.

Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's.

What a fabulous adventure! Finally she wobbled home with her husband
and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his wife with a big
smile and lovingly asked, "Well Dear, what was it like being eight again?"

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. "I meant my dress size"

"Work to live, don't live to work---We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing"

Have a great day all, have fun :-)

[MEG33]

LOL!..Loved your story!

[luvie]

How Garfield and Odie play.....

.....that proves "play" is relative! hee-hee

[Mama_Bear]

Question to all: Am I being selfish?

I don't think so. But I understand how you feel. No one, even the most patriotic, wants to see a loved one go off to war.

I have a nephew who did exactly what your BIL wants to do. He is not a young man and he has already served his country honorably, but he reenlisted and is now stationed in Balad, leaving a wife and a baby girl at home. It was something he felt he had to do. We are very proud of him and we all supported his decision to go, but I think it is safe to say that everyone in his family hoped that, at the last minute, he would change his mind.

I understand, it's a difficult thing you are dealing with. God bless you and your BIL.

[Mama_Bear]

My nephew, Travis, is a Marine currently serving in Ramadi, Iraq. May he be kindly remembered in other's prayers.

Absolutely! I will add him to my prayer list and I have pinged the others here who also post prayer graphics so they can add him also.

Please convey to your nephew our gratitude for his service. Many here at FR appreciate what he is doing for us. May God bless him and bring him safely home.

[Mama_Bear]

Mornin' Aeronaut. Always nice to see your little red plane flying by. :-)

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' MB.
Another Play Day? Yippeeee!
School's out so every day is gonna be a Play Day with our Grandsons.

[Pippin]

Hi, Dolly!

I wonder if anyone saw my post yesterday with mt suggestion about a WWI memorial

I sent an e-mail to President Bush about it and am going to send letters to my governor and congress persons

My suggestion was, since we had no such national monument dedicated to WWI, that it was about time to put up one.

I can't believe there were not set up by now and there are at least 50 veterans of that war still alive!!!!

what do you all say about that?