A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-29-03...Is SpookBrat Really Spooky?

Aquamarine

[Aquamarine]

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, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine

Is SpookBrat Really Spooky?

With Halloween just a few days away I thought now would be a good time to broach this question. Although SpookBrat was born on Patriot's Day her favorite holiday is Halloween. A strong willed yet sensitive conservative, in the past SpookBrat has devoted her time to the Canteen at FR in order to lend comfort to the Troops and Veteran's after Sept. 11, 2001, which is where I came to know her. Spooky told me the origin of her screen name came from her late father, a former CIA Agent.

"My name came from my dad. I think he gave it to me as a play on words when we were talking about the military brats in Ankara. They didn't like embassy kids because we had the better housing. I found FR years ago and wanted to sign up as 911girl (my birthday and I'm always in a lot of trouble) which has been my nick for years and years. But then after the terrorist attacks, I didn't feel it was appropriate. So I waited a few more months and finally went with what dad called me."

Spooky grew up in Ingram, Texas, which is near Kerrville, and 60 miles west of San Antonio. The family moved to Dallas when she was 14, though her heart was never in the city and it's not one of her favorite places to remember.

Growing up in a small town, with small town values, Spooky can still remember her first grade teacher asking the whole class what they wanted to be when they grew up. She was the only one who answered, "A mom." What she answered then is still true today; she will tell you her children are her world, and she makes no apologies. "They are my Manassah and Ephriam. ~ Gen. 41:51-52"

Is SpookBrat Really Spooky? No way! To get to know her a little better, let's hear more from her in her own words.

My house is done in Americana. It's full of antiques I only paid .25 for here and there. People tell me my house is like a museum and I have to laugh because I paid so little for our things. My sport of choice is bargain and treasure hunting.

We moved to Jacksonville, Florida last year. I'm enjoying our "brief" stay here 20 minutes from the beach. We hope to move back "home" eventually to take care of our mothers. I'm very close with my mother-in-law. I feel sorry for anyone who isn't as lucky as myself, having a saint for a mother-in-law. She's one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Yes, I love my husband, but I'm really in this marriage for his mother (just kidding). We are a very close, fun loving family. When we get together, we laugh, play games, laugh, eat, laugh, look at scrapbooks, and laugh some more. The biggest reason for choosing my husband was because he made me laugh and I'll always love him for that.

When it came time to move, Homeschool Mama and I were becoming fast friends. She indoctrinated me on the virtues of homeschooling and therefore changed my life for the better. She goes down on record as being one the most influential people in my life.

It was appealing to me because I love my kids so much and never got over them getting on that bus everyday to spend hours away from home and family. It never made sense to me and I resented the government telling me how to live my life. I feel like they say, "Thanks for giving birth to a fine tax payer. You are now allowed to have them for 5 years, after that they belong to us". No way! God gave them to us to raise.

I usually frequent pro-life, feminism, family, or education threads. I was always "pro-life" for myself personally but thought if someone wanted to make this choice, it was fine and dandy and none of my business. As I grew older and started hearing numerous horror stories, one right after the other of the pain and grief women were suffering from their "choice, I started becoming more pro-life for others, not just for myself. The more I educated myself, the stronger I felt about saving as many lives as I could. This is something I take very seriously and give of my time as I am able.

Abortions have not only killed 40,000,000 children, they have destroyed the lives of women who made an uneducated decision thinking it would make their lives better. It has destroyed men and families as well. It has and will continue to hurt our economy and civilization. There are 40,000,000 less workers and tax payers to pay for the aging baby boomers, and I believe euthanasia is a great threat coming around the corner. I will work to help women and unborn babies until the day I die.

My hobbies are collecting and sewing vintage embroidery patterns, cooking, quilting, scrapbooking, politics, music and books. My daughter quilts with me and it's nice to share this hobby together. I love to read and collect books, especially old children's books for the illustrations.

This year I've been doing a lot of American History reading, but I enjoy the classics. A habit forced on me when I was younger because I had a reading list every year assigned by dad. Our family would talk for endless hours about our favorite books. I've also been an artist all my life, but I don't have time to paint or draw any more. My mediums today are fabric and photography.

My grandma was my greatest political influence. My first memories are learning to "Freep". She was always writing letters to the newspaper, boycotting a product because they supported something she didn't agree with, or she was writing to her elected officials. Grandma was a Daughter of the American Revolution. She took her politics, heritage and freedoms seriously. If you said something mean about God or America in her presence, it was considered blasphemy, she would rip you a new one, then take your head clear off. You would not survive the experience.

My favorite food is strawberries. My favorite book of the Bible is Jonah. My favorite scripture is chapter 51 of Psalms. If I could have historical figures over for dinner the guest list would include Jane Austen, George Washington, C.S. Lewis, Ronald Reagan, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Benjamin Franklin, Peter the Apostle, Mother Teresa, Nathan Hale and George Washington Carver. Don't know if they would all get along, but they are the ones I would like to talk to the most. Guess I'll just have to wait for heaven.

So FReepers, as you can see, there's nothing spooky about her. I've learned that she even grows her hair out to be cut then donated to Locks of Love. Since she had a cousin die from Hodgkin's and another cousin with Alopecia, she has always had a soft spot for children with no hair. Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children across the U.S. under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

Thanks for being Today's Finest FReeper!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 10-27-03 Military Monday 10-28-03...God Bless the USA ~ Lift Every Voice

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

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

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for finding these great music sites today, one even has Allison Krauss. Here's one of her's with a Florida sunset.

Click on the pic

[Mama_Bear]

Appreciate the kudo's but Billie helped!

Well, you make a great team. Very nicely done.

[Aquamarine]

I was just thinkin about him. It's good to see he's up above the lingering smoke. lol!

[LadyX]

All I did was type into Google "bear on horseback" - and voila !!
There you were!

(Some days are better'n others..:))

[LadyX]

I had checked on Johnny Mac when the fires began, and was assured he is not in peril, but verrah bizzy...slavin' away drawin' and tossing aluminum foil balls for Miss Lucy for (his) diversion..:))

[SAMWolf]

Congrats Spooky.

Love the pictures of your kids. They're adorable. I KNOW you'd rather be in Texas.

[LadyX]

You did such a wonderful job with SpookBrat's profile, Aqua!
She is such a special and deserving of recognition person, and long overdue as a Finest Feature.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Oh, this is beautiful, Spooky. Congratulations.

Love the thread Aquamarine, thanks so much.

[Aquamarine]

Here's a shot of Southern California from space. Do you see JW in there anywhere? :) Southern California

You'll have to scroll down a little bit to see it.

[Aquamarine]

Hi SAM.

[SAMWolf]

Hi Aquamarine. Nice job on profiling Spooky.

[Aquamarine]

Thanks Lady. Spooky is a special person, I hope she'll come around more and play music for us.
Billie, your Stepford Wives comment has had me smiling all day. Thanks for your help and letting me have all the kudos.
It's good you got to come by today Victoria, was wondering if you would make it.

Click on the pic for another Alison Krauss song...Stay.

[SAMWolf]

HELP!!!!!!!!!!! My machine is being hi-jacked by my kid!!!

Some BS about doing doing homework.

No! No! Stay Away! You can't hav

[Aquamarine]

Thanks SAM. :)

[snippy_about_it]

Now get your behind back in the Foxhole!!! LOL.

[SAMWolf]

LOL! I can track you down where ever you go. Gotta love GPS.

[LadyX]

Don't see him there.
Suspect he is playing Hide and Seek,
like this little Crouching Tiger:

[SpookBrat]

I was wondering if Victoria would make it too. Aqua, I've had so much fun today, visiting with such good people. You did a beautiful job and I'm very proud of you. I'm proud you're my friend.

I had fun on the music hunt tonight. My eyes are heavy and I must go rest with my family. Thank you again for the nice day.

Billie, thanks for your grace and help. Much love to you.

[WVNan]

Thanks for highlighting one of my favorite Freepers. Wish I could have been here today.

[Calpernia]

Hey! My zoology buddy is at the Finest! Nice feature of your Spookbrat! Very pretty layout Aqua.

Dragonfly

Damselflies