A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-9,10,11-05...From East to West Freepers Decorate Best

Billie

[Billie]

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

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

Good morning, FReeper FRiends! We're Christmas'ing all this month at the Finest, and this weekend you are invited to join us on a tour of the Finest Homes, where many of our regulars are going to share their decorations with you in their posts throughout the weekend. In addition, we would love to see your Christmas trees, your outdoor lights, favorite decorations, recipes, Christmas traditions in your home.

Because the thread may get really *graphics-heavy*, I ask that you keep your photos a reasonable size (both physical and in bytes), but do hope you will feel free to post as many as you like, and drop in often to see the offerings of others. I will start with a little bit of Christmas in my kitchen, which helps get me in the mood to bake cookies and other goodies we don't need but think we can't do without. :)

As we share our photos and traditions with others, I'd like to share a link to a wonderful Christmas album: "Merry Christmas With love" by Clay Aiken, who has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. My favorite song is #6: "Mary Did You Know". I've been listening to it over and over and over, but you should be able to listen to all of the songs on that CD.

Clay Aiken ~ "Merry Christmas With Love"

Mary Did You Know

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know.. Ooo Ooo Ooo

The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

From My House to Yours.....

Merry Christmas, Ya'll!

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-05-05 Military Monday 12-06-05 Finest Christmas Tables, Part I 12-07-05 Christmas in New York 12-08-05 Bush Booming, Democrats Still Depressed

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

[tuliptree76]

Beautiful decorations! Thank you for sharing.

[NicknamedBob]

"Visualize us getting out of the car at Wal-Mart, no handicap spaces available, and all three of having difficulty with balance walking -- only one shopping cart nearby to grasp. Uh oh...
Unflappable, and skilled at gleeful adaptation, without fanfare all three of us grabbed the handle and glided to the entrance (triplets?!!), laughing all the way!!

Why care about "what persons think?!!"
You simply make the most of every hand you are dealt in life,
and we choose to laugh at any stumbling blocks in our path - -
the bodies might have changed, but the spirits are untouchable...."

(Lady X)

Hmm. Good poetry, but I think it needs a little editorial tweaking...

Shopping on Christmas

Just picture us shopping, with steps slightly woozy,
And only one cart. Yes, this trip was a doozy.
Unflappable, we, with skillful adaption,
Without hesitation just grabbed the contraption.

Made our way to the entrance. Who cares on this day,
As the “triplets” invaded, what others might say?
We’ve known for some time that the hand you are dealt,
Can bring joy in companions who know what you’ve felt.

Stumbling blocks in the way? Well, we choose to laugh!
We’ll never be stopped by the things in our path,
For we’ve learned that regardless what Fate has in store,
Though our bodies may change, still our spirits can soar!

NicknamedBob . . . . . . December 10, 2005

[LadyX]

"Nice you could go down memory lane with her."

Oh, I went ten steps better than that, Dolly!

Part of my absence of late was because I was finalizing a 'Special Project' I began a year ago for her, and did not complete until the past week, sorting out things to incorporate, and working with photographs and graphics, etc.

I had long ago purchased a neat lap table tray with a raised dark green wooden border, and planned to fill it with reminders of our long life together.
It took many hours to sort through decades of photographs to select what I wanted to include - of us at different ages, of/with parents, grandparents, other (now deceased) sister; places we visited traveling going back to our Old Florida Roots - - plus all kinds of private jokes on it, subtle things she *will* and *does* remember!

Fortunately, I have a combination printer/copier/scanner to make everything the right scale - embellished things - and oh, what fun it was creating it!

The tray has a hinged top (secured with a magnetic feature so it doesn't flop open) that is like an ironing board with the ability to prop up the lid at different angles for placing a book or sketch or writing pad on the surface.
The legs fold flat, or can be used as she did, placed on the floor under the table that holds her television set, with legs spread and top angled to display and see 24/7..:)
I also sprayed it 3 times with a preservative, and had glass cut to cover it all - no worry about marring it, soiling it, spilling things on it - place a cup or plate on the glass without concern...

There were poignant photos - color, black and white, sepia - Google graphics - a color print ad of 2-3 years ago for kitty litter in color about partying cats until they hear someone at the door and scatter, innocent as the day is long (was on tv) - and other joke touches, all reminders of The Wonderful Ties That Bind....and will anchor her to reality.
Other things might blur for her, or be repeated countless times in the span of a half hour, but our memories thankfully remain crystal clear in her mind!

Nine years older than I am, she has been my shining example of Love and Caring, and my inspiration...seeing the light shine in her eyes looking at it, and because we were there, was our greatest possible Christmas gift.

[tuliptree76]

Your decorations are lovely, Nan!

[tuliptree76]

The lights would look nice all year round. :-)

[LadyX]

Thank you so much, Bob!!
I cannot emphasize too greatly how much joy there can be, even when things get *challenging.*

Anne and I were blessed having a beautiful, intelligent, kind and gracious mother who imparted to us the knowledge that just two things are necessary in this life - -
a sense of humor, and one based on the Good Book....
the River of Life flows from that.

[DollyCali]

that is a wonderful poem bob.. Maggie, you should put it on your home page w/note on the day & DID YOU TAKE A PIX OF THE THREE OF YOU????

I recall you telling about the tray/photo project.. (that is what I meant by memory lane).. did you take a pix of the finished product?

show us?

I carry a camera all the time & take pix ALL THE TIME.. guess, I just wish everyone would, I love seeing things folks describe.

[LadyX]

In the pressure of finishing everything and packing for travel (had only 2 hours of sleep!) , I forgot to take a picture before I wrapped the tray.

When opened there, I did take a few, and of us, but still have more exposures before I can develop the 35mm roll of film.
Will take the rest on the 22nd when our son and family will be here, have them developed and send them to someone to load and post for me.

[LadyX]

Need to sashay forth to procure things to fill
Mother Hubbard's empty cupboard..:))
Will return this evening....

[Billie]

Thanks for sharing some pictures of your lovely Christmas decorations, Lori.

Hey, look, ya'll! she has two trees in her dining room (just like I have two in my living room) :)

[NicknamedBob]

"I cannot emphasize too greatly how much joy there can be ..."

Yep. I've figured out what my medical problem is. BiPolar Disorder ... I oscillate between Joy and Elation.

Really sucks to be me, doesn't it?

[DollyCali]

many talented artists, creative people have one or more of the psychological "disorders".. well, differnt strokes, as I like to think of it.

can be rough though.. the highs can be fun wonderful, but the downs a nightmare to you & all who know you.

thats when you hde in a box for a day or so & sleep or watch movies! ... some are & some are NOT creative in the low time.

[NicknamedBob]

Yeah, between the highs and the almost-as-highs, I never know whether I'm going to be just happy as heck, or exultant to an embarrassing degree.

You have to read what I say closely...

The Doctors claim they can treat me, but I've told them, "No Thanks!"

[Billie]

Oh, how adorable! She's a cutie, Nan, and it does looks very Christmas'y with the holly frame. :)

[Diver Dave]

Hey, look, ya'll! she has two trees in her dining room (just like I have two in my living room) :)

Cool!!!

During this magic time of the year, if you listen closely, you can hear the trees...

"Look at me - I'm beside myself!"

Here's a pic of our mantel. Still decorating between hustle and bustle periods...

[Billie]

YO, Santa! What big ears you have!!!! :)

You noticed, huh? LOL

Yep - don't recall Santa's ears sticking up through his hat - of course that's the only difference. LOL

Morning, beautiful!

Hi, there, Wolf St.Nicholas. Been cookin' - want a cookie? :)

[DollyCali]

The Doctors claim they can treat me, but I've told them, "No Thanks!"

[Billie]

Afternoon, fair lady - good to have you checking in this weekend. Happy you had a great time with your sister. Hugs!

[NicknamedBob]

I'd rather have a ...

... in front of me, than a frontal lobotomy.

[Billie]

wow, how very lovely.Thanks for both of you sharing your lovely decorations Nan..

My pleasure. Will also post one more - mantle in our family room - paper mache reindeer, greenery, pinecones, ribbon: