A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....08-17-05....A Finest OH and WV Adventure! Part II

Mama_Bear, JustAmy, Dutchess, WVNan, DollyCali, PrissyMissy, Babychick

[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 ~

Leading up to the arrival of my expected guests (FRiends) from California/North Carolina, my time was consumed with our annual Union Camp Meeting at the Union United Methodist Campground, where it has been held since 1921.



It has roots in homecomings which began in 1896 in the same community. The last Sunday of Camp Meeting we hold the annual picnic. So, Mama_Bear, JustAmy and PrissyMissy arrived on that Sunday (July 24th.)



They wanted to attend the picnic and the last night of Camp Meeting. It would be an unusual cultural experience for them. Scubachick and Babychick didn't arrive from N.C. in time (well, actually they did arrive in time if she had known how to find the campground).

The covered dish picnic was just the beginning
of a week of good eating.


The meeting was filled with good music....



and good preaching.



The girls seemed to appreciate being there, in spite of the heat.



PrissyMissy got to go with the other children to Children's Camp. They had a weinie and marshmallow roast and sang lots of songs. Notice that the flag was ever present so that they could recite the pledge of allegiance.



Monday morning meant a real West Virginia breakfast of sausage gravy, biscuits and homefries, cooked by Mr. WVNan. (My FRiends soon realized that Nan doesn't cook).



After breakfast we tried for some local sightseeing, but found the heat to be daunting with the children. We stopped by the Riverfront park and drove by the outside of a couple of museums and historical markers. We did take time to stop by the antique/craft mall, where Mama_Bear and Scubachick sneaked around behind my back and bought me the Westmoreland sugar bowl and creamer that I have coveted for months, but refused to pay so much for. Thank you again. When did you say you were coming back? We also dropped by to see the Mothman.



Tuesday, which was even hotter, we went to breakfast at Bob Evans Farm Restaurant which is the original Bob Evans Restaurant near Rio Grande University. There JustAmy and Mama_Bear got their first taste of Grits. The consensus was, "Not too bad, but sort of bland."


I don't think they were a big hit as further offers were rejected. So I ate them with gusto. Afterward we stopped by son's studio so Mama_Bear could see the mess. She claims that a certain other photographer she knows maintains a similar mess. I guess that was supposed to make me feel better.


We took a ride out into the country to visit the West Virginia State Farm Museum. Missy contemplated what school was like in the old one-room schoolhouse, and saw the huge stuffed horse.


She also got to see some live horses, cows, goats and chickens. Everyone agreed that the church was small by today's standard.



Tuesday evening JustAmy treated all of us to a special meal at the 4-star restaurant just a block down the street from our house.


Wednesday morning JustAmy and PrissyMissy left to return to Ohio to visit with friends. Mama_Bear and Scubachick and Babychick took off for parts unknown to spend two days poking around the hills of West Virginia.


The three wanderers returned on Thursday evening. I think that may have been when Mama_Bear destroyed the shower, or maybe it was Friday morning. That morning we went to Bob Evans in Gallipolis, OH for breakfast, and then went to Wally World. It was there that I caught Mama_Bear choosing a shower attachment that looked suspiciously like the one in my guest bathroom. She was actually trying to get a new one to replace the one she destroyed and install it without ever telling me. HA! What subterfuge! Well, she was properly chastised. I made her install the new one.


We spent a laid-back Friday evening after a second trip by the studio to show Mama_Bear that It's_me_K.E.T. and I had cleaned it up on Thursday. Then we took some back roads to K.E.T.'s country home. Enjoyed seeing her baby ducks, rabbits, goats and dog.


Early up on Saturday morning. Said goodbye to Scubachick and Babychick and sent them off toward N.C. Mr. WVNan was happy to drive Mama_Bear, K.E.T. and me to Circleville, OH, where we were to meet up with Amy and Missy at the White Castle. He would drive to L.A. for the chance to eat some of those White Castle Sliders. Mama_Bear had never eaten one so she got a couple to sample. Next thing we know she's back in line buying two more.....with onion chips. K.E.T. seems amused for some reason. Perhaps she is recalling the time we took her for her first sliders.


Amy and Missy soon arrived and they also ate Sliders (Did dutchess wonder why you were not hungry at lunch?). Then it was time to say goodbye. It was sad to see them go, and I was in a blue funk for two or three days. I needed my Babychick fix and hugs from my new Sistahs. I have an angel hanging beside my computer that Amy gave me. I have a beautiful tray and a card that Scubachick actually made with her two talented hands, along with a glass kiss (not forgetting her contribution to the Westmoreland glass), and I have a sweet little bear sitting on my computer shelf to remind me of my Sistah, Mama_Bear.


What a wonderful experience to meet and spend so much time with some of the people that I've loved for years. Just as it was with my trip to meet my Sistah, Maggie in S.C., it was one of the sweetest times I can recall in recent years. Thank you all for coming and for all the gifts. You shouldn't have, but I treasure them all (even the shower attachment).

I'm excited about seeing a new state,
even if it isn't Hawaii.

The camp meeting was awesome.
We sang songs, roasted
hot dogs and marshmallows.
I met lots of nice young people.

Oh No!
Someone please save me from the Mothman!

Auntie Nan showed me an old school house.
She even let me try a desk.

The newest FReeper chapter holds a meeting.
We vote to have another meeting next year.
Maybe in Hawaii!

Point Pleasant, West Virginia!
We're here. Mama_Bear is a great navigator.

After a very moving camp revival meeting,
WVNan gets a hug and a thank you from Lori.

When you order breakfast in West Virginia,
you get grits.
Mama_Bear is ready to try anything, once.

She is not impressed!! :)

We've had a wonderful time on this adventure,
but we are ready to head home.
We are taking beautiful memories with us.

You made our visit one to remember.

My mom told me we were going on a road trip to see our favorite Auntie. I'm always up for a new adventure, so I packed some formula and diapers and we took off. When we got to Point Pleasant, not only did we get to see Auntie, but I got a new Grammy (WVNan) and Grampy (Mr. WVNan), another fave auntie (JustAmy) and a great new cousin (PrissyMissy). Grammy and Grampy could not have been more gracious and hospitable! Their home is lovely and we felt right at home!


Our first morning there, my new Grampy made everyone but me a "real West Virginia breakfast". Do you believe it-they made me eat squash and rice cereal while they chowed down on potatoes, sausage, biscuits and gravy, coffee, the whole works! Being little isn't easy, I tell you! Thank goodness for PrissyMissy, though! She kept me company and took good care of me! I just love her!


We got to tour around Point Pleasant, then Auntie Bear, mommy and I took off for parts unknown. We saw beautiful works of art at Tamarack,


lovely countryside, and we ventured into Hatfield-McCoy territory! I couldn't believe it!! What if we got caught up in the feud?? I'm 8 months old! How can I defend myself?!?!?!


We escaped unscathed from the mountains, though! The whole trip was just great-I got to meet a whole new set of relatives, all my freeper and West Virginia family members! The best people in the whole world! Grammy Nan even gave me piano lessons!


All of this traveling and meeting new people was great fun, but very tiring for a baby girl. After my nap, I'm sure I'll be ready for more adventures!

One last chance for a get together so nearby was NOT to be missed. Amy & Lori were returning home a week from the Stan Hywet Picnic/tour. Whoever could, would meet for lunch at Max & Erma’s at the airport. Those that could included: PrissyMissy; Just Amy; Mama_bear; Dutchess & DollyCali.

Hey, the first time three of the “Sistah’s” had “face to faced” ~ and Here We Be: Mama_Bear; Dutchess; DollyCali

Surprise… again Amy & Lori were not too hungry because they had a short time prior had lunch at four star White Castle !!

Well, actually, there is a little more....
MamaBear hasn't shared her "MamaBear Sez" yet.
I will post it later today. This post is
already way too long as it is.
(My apologies to those with dial-up connections.)

06-28-05 HALL OF FAME #12

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-15-05 Military Monday 08-16-05 A Finest OH and WV Adventure Part I

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

[WVNan]

I donno. I never had any problems with these three bathrooms before you guys came. Could be just a coincidence. But then, maybe not. LOL

[WVNan]

Hi MEG. Thank you. Did you listen to the music? I want the whole world to hear my baby boy play his fiddle. Well, he is my baby, even if he is 36.

[WVNan]

I sure do snugs. It's the most expensive shower attachment that Wal-Mart had. I told MB to come back and break something else cheap.

[WVNan]

She is precious. She is a typical 5 year old. All girl too. Mr. WVNan was her first conquest. She marched into my living room and Mr. WVNan said, "You sure are a pretty young lady." To which Missy responded, "And you are a handsome man." Do you think she could do any wrong after that? LOL.

[JustAmy]

LOL

I stopped by Jim's before coming home today. I told him that story and he almost fell out of his chair laughing.

[WVNan]

Hey hey hey!!! I'm sooooooo glad you jumped in A. And glad to know what handle you chose. (Hope I don't forget) If you come here to the Finest every day or so, you will find that you get to know these people who are Free Republic's Finest. Aren't the pictures fun? We made tons more that I need to put on a disc.

Anytime. You know you guys are welcome. Just let me know so I will be home or can meet you somewhere for lunch. I was so happy to meet you and I'm happy for you now that tupac is back home safely. Many prayers were sent up for him while he was in Iraq. We need a picture of him to put in the next table of heros. There are already several tables at the beginning of the Monday thread each week. Picture should be e-mailed to Billie. She is the keeper of those tables I believe. Freepmail her for her e-mail addy.

Hey everybody, bookchick is the lovely wife of our own tupac. She came with him to collect the lunch I had promised him when he got home from Iraq. She is a beautiful person and will fit right in here. Make her welcome.

[JustAmy]

LOL

Mr WVNan probably forgot to mention those problems.

[Billie]

Hey everybody, bookchick is the lovely wife of our own tupac. She came with him to collect the lunch I had promised him when he got home from Iraq. She is a beautiful person and will fit right in here. Make her welcome.

Happy to have you join us, bookchick, and a big thank you to tupac for your service. Welcome home from Iraq - we're so glad you are home safely.

I will freepmail you, bookchick, with my email address. It will be a while before I have enough pictures for a new group of "Fr's Finest Military", but would love to include tupac's in that next one.

[JustAmy]

Nice to meet you, Bookchick.

Welcome to the Finest!
Welcome to FReeRepublic!

[JustAmy]

Good evening, Billie Blue.

I've been AWOL a lot yesterday and again today.

I have really enjoyed reliving our adventure with these two threads. It was great to have the opportunity to meet a few of FR's Finest.

We had so much fun and have such fond memories.

[WVNan]

Hi Billie! Thank you for making bookchick welcomed. I think she is Finest material. She and tupac live up the river from me about an hour drive.

Didn't Mama_Bear do a terrific job on this thread. It's a real keeper.

[Billie]

Hi, Amy - hope you have the school bus problems all worked out!

[Billie]

Hi Billie! Thank you for making bookchick welcomed. I think she is Finest material. She and tupac live up the river from me about an hour drive.

Didn't Mama_Bear do a terrific job on this thread. It's a real keeper.

I sent bookchick FR mail. :)

Yes, and it's exactly what we like to see at the Finest - everyone having fun and reliving the visit through your pics and posts. :)

[JustAmy]

*smile*

"hope you have the school bus problems all worked out!"

Life is an adventure! Now to see what tomorrow holds. I think I will have the car out of the garage with the motor running tomorrow at 2:45.

Have you ever had a drag race with a school bus? :)

[LadyX]

Oh, my! Outta town most all day, and after dinner began reading through the whole thread, with the Finish Line always moving "a few more yards!"
LOL

I just know this is my Sistah Nan tapping her foot
waiting for me to catch up!!
[mama always said I was the slow one]

=============================================

All of the write-ups and the photographs have been just wonderful, and throughout it all, I harked back to those glorious 20 hours we spent with Nan and Jack, meeting in Spartanburg, SC two years ago. They both are so special!

We'd been to a luncheon meeting of Carolina (NC & SC) Freepers in November '98 (@ 40 present), finding them all quite intelligent, articulate and thoroughly nice!

Nan and I certainly made the most of our time together, finding so many overlapping circles and experiences, and exchanged photographs and Life Stories until after 0130, while the fellows had crashed around 2100..:))

We were wise to meet outside our respective turfs, deftly dodging the "whose gonna cook what?" issue - LOL. Ate out [with gusto] for dinner and breakfast the next morning...no dish detail, either. [smart, we were!]

How grand it would have been if we'd met the whole lot of you in person, too, on this trip, but your descriptions did indeed, as MEG33 said, made us feel as if we had.

Imagining a Group Hug, Emma and babychick and Marissa, too!!

Thank You, Lord, for gathering so many to become this Finest Family, where we praise and worship You and help one another navigate the rivers of our lives...all of us joyously flowing together back to You.
Amen.

[WVNan]

I keep going back and re-reading the threads, reliving all the good times.

[WVNan]

Hi little Sistah. You've been on my mind today. And when I see these reports I still think about our time together. What a joy it is to find kinship with so many people from different parts of the country. As a lady said to me after church tonight, "It's so great to find somebody who has the same values you have."

You and I know the depth of our Sistahood. We couldn't be closer even if we had been born and raised together. Our memories are the same and our lives have followed similar paths. Serendipity. (Did you do okay today?)

[Aquamarine]

Yes I heard him am awed by his talent.

Meant to post this link earlier and forgot, it was one of the funner posts that I fondly remember doing with you.

Spirit of the Old Dominion (West Virginia history)

[Aquamarine]

Hi Lady, glad to see you made it to the party.

I'm going to crash, see you tomorrow hopefully with your DJL. :)
Nite Nite.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hey Amy! I missed you again.

Glad to hear you're doing OK. I can't believe Marissa's bus driver is still giving you troubles. I thought that was solved before the summer break.