A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-13,14-05....Finest Christmas Tables, Part II

Billie, LUV W, Mrs.Nooseman | LUV W, Mrs.Nooseman

[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

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, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

With the holiday season in full swing and Christmas fast approaching, a few weeks ago I asked a Few of Our Finest to set some of their finest Christmas tables to present throughout the first three weeks of December. Each one has chosen her own theme, and no one else has seen it. Today our featured guest artists are LUV W and Mrs.Nooseman.

I hope you enjoy and appreciate their beautiful Christmas offerings as much as I do. It's always rewarding when we have our Finest' contributions, but never moreso than during the Christmas holidays.

Thank you, Luv and Mrs.N!

Bring Us Home Again

He slowly came awake today
and he lumbered to his feet,
for it was just two hours
before that he faded off to sleep.

He donned the day's attire and
grabbed his M-16.
He headed off to breakfast to keep
him strong and lean.

As he walked down to the chow line
he kept a watchful eye.
He didn't want the enemy
to take him by surprise.

As the chaplin said a special prayer
on this very special day,
he kept thinking of his family
that is oh so far away.

He rubbed his left breast pocket
where he keeps a picture of his wife
and a letter from his daughter that
he reads most every night.

He fought back a single tear
as he stared out at the sand,
wishing he could be back home
with his family close at hand.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts
and then be on his way.
He's defending our great country
and has little time to play.

When he got out to the fence line,
his buddy by his side,
he exchanged a "Merry Christmas"
followed by a tired sigh.

He climbed upon the watchtower,
his mouth a tiny grin.
He said, "Merry Christmas to the world"
and "God, please, bring us home again".

~Bradley A. Peraino~




GOD BLESS AMERICA
~~~~~~~~~~
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

Good Morning FR Finest.

Christmas Traditions at my house.

Advent

At our house we start the Christmas celebrations with Advent.

We have a wreath made out of pine cones with four candles on it. Each Sunday we light one Candle and read the Story of Christ's birth and listen to Christmas songs.

During the time of Advent, we also start baking our Christmas Cookies and making Christmas decorations.

Our kids receive an Advent Calender on the First of December to count down the days to Christmas.

St.Nick or Nickolaus

On December sixth we celebrate St.Nick, who brings small gifts that he puts into the children's boots that have been left in front of their doors, if they were good. ;)

To keep some of the traditions from Germany in the family, we also exchange gifts on December 24th, and we put some gifts under the tree for December 25th, to include the traditions of an American Christmas.

We have integrated both traditions into our very own tradition and hope that our kids will carry on this tradition, when they have their own families.

It would be great if you all could share your Traditions with all of us, whether they are Christmas, Hanuka or other Holiday traditions.

I wish you all Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas.

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-12-05 Military Monday

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

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi JustAmy! That is lovely. Thanks you! :)

[dixie sass]

These Christmas Threads are so pretty. And so different from last years threads.

Got to chase the dog around for a while, sigh, you wouldn't believe the weight I've lost!!!!

[Mama_Bear]

You made her Christmas extra special.

She made the entire year she was with us special. I will always think of her as my "daughter".

To you and yours - Have a beary Merry Christmas!

[Mama_Bear]

Wonderful news about your Aunt Marilyn!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Wow,that is great ,that she got to stay with you for an entire year and that you all had a great experience and a special time together.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.:)

[Mama_Bear]

Welcome to the Finest, Colonel_Flagg. Nice to meet you.

I don't post threads here often anymore, but I have added you to my ping list so that, when I do, you will get a ping. I will be posting the Christmas weekend thread this year. Hope you will enjoy it.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Oops,I forgot to mention, that I love the picture of the polar bear cub.:)

[anonymoussierra]

YES!!!! THANK YOU U.S.A!!!!!

[Billie]

I have a bit of catching up to do with my pings on this thread, but intend to do so this afternoon. Hi, Aqua!

[Billie]

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; Dutchess; DollyCali; Mama_Bear; The Mayor; GodBlessUSA,
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.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey............................cousin mystery-ak.............son, husband Gogrammy...................grandson Inspectorette.......................son deadhead..........................cousin Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..............................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew ValerieUSA....................2 sons Lakeside........................2 sons LakeLady......................nephew Spruce.........................daughter Leofl......................................son chena......................................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland............soninlaw homeschoolmama...........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin gonzo.........................friend's son visualops..........................cousin auboy.............................cousin Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother nelibeli...........................nephew Misty4jc........................husband Colorado Slim................nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad.........................son Alouette................................son Katydidnt..............................son jkphoto..........................nephew PreviouslyA-Lurker...........brother Q6-God...................twin brother Q6-God.....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut....................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish.........................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty Notwithstanding.......active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968...............active duty NoLongerFreeState....active duty CMS.........................active duty

scubachick.....................husband OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza................................husband kemathen7.........................husband Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew dixie sass........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew Bykrbayb........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter Zechariah_8_13.......brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.......................cousin DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son El Gato...............................nephew Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew LoneRedRanger......brother-in-law Jemian...................................son freema....................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son right2parent..............................son NavySEAL F-16........................son Ike............................................son repubmom.................................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508................................son pmmd81....................................son GodBlessUSA........................cousin SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Jen's Mom.....................daughter Meg33...........................grandson 911angelady.......................2 sons

[Billie]

Hi, Jen - you're probably not here today, but it was so nice to see your post yesterday, with your pretty "Republican" tree, and pretty room behind that tree. :) Nice to say hello in FR mail at least - hope your holiday is wonderful!

[Billie]

Thank you Billie.:) It shows that you enjoy doing this.:)

I do, you're right.

I'm sorry I didn't get back here yesterday to help keep the thread going. :(

[Billie]

Good afternoon, Dave. Thank you, and thanks for the report from your nephew. He's thanking *us* for supporting *them*? I agree, it should be the other way around, but somebody sure raised that young man proper to write such a sweet mail! :)

[Billie]

WOW is All I can Say After Seeing these Incredible Tables! Your Work was just Beautiful, Luv W and MrsNooseman, and your Presentation was Lovely, Billie!

Thank you, Miss Kitty. Your posts are always so sweet. And your post to dolly made me tear up again. She's been through much more than her share of tough times and all we can do is pray for her to find comfort, and that she, her mom, and Toby can all help one another through this sad time.

[Billie]

Hi, Elfie - pretty new snow coming down. Let's make snow ice cream. :)

[Billie]

I just keep saying "Beautiful pictures, EMB" - because they are! It's like we were right there with the photographer!

[Billie]

And billie, love the way you presented these. You sure have done a remarkable job teaching sistah!!! ((((finest friends)))))

Thank you, sistah. Great 'students'. :)

[Billie]

providing a little help for those still decorating... (Deck The House)

Oh, how fun that was! I went all out!

[Billie]

Think I have a sort of decent picture of our tree to post tomorrow. So glad it is a twofer. You ladies are so very talented and are getting me into the Christmas Spirit. Thanks!

...........Waiting..........waiting.......waiting............waiting :)

[Billie]

Thanks, Colleen. Am glad you stopped by - sorry I wasn't here to say hello last night.