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

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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.
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[SpookBrat]

I enjoyed your picture last night. (That was you wasn't it)? You have beautiful, happy children. Must be because you're a conservative.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.

[FreeTheHostages]

[FreeTheHostages]

C.S. Lewis? Strawberries? Ah man, invite me to that dinner party!! That's very classy . . . .

Congratulations. What a lovely red-white-and-blue family too!

[Donaeus]

Good morning Aquamarine. Thank you for the excellent bio of Spookbrat. I'm brand new here so I'm trying to learn who everyone is and this was extremely helpful and well written. It is so encouraging to see families who are dedicated to each other and trying to live right lives. I am once again blessed for being here. Have a wonderful day!

God Bless America

[FreeTheHostages]

LOL!! And a clickable graphic too!!

WELL DONE!!! WELL DONE!!!

[Aquamarine]

(((Spooky)))
I'm glad you like the post, this one was fun to do.

You know I love you and love that you're Pro Life. Babies are a gift from God and they're all little miracles.

[SpookBrat]

Oops, I'm trying to catch up and see you linked it. Thank you. I can't read that without crying. I have to say it several times a day, "Renew a right spirit within me", because I really struggle with bad attitude syndrome. LOL

Forgiveness is a beautiful thing.

[HiJinx]

Aw, Spooky, you made it to the finest!
It was only a matter of time, 'cause you've always been one of the finest FReepers in my book!

[Aquamarine]

"Carve Out a little Fun for Yourself"

What a perfect calender page for today.

Can't wait for Friday's thread! ;)

[Temple Owl]

Good morning all.

[iceskater]

Great job, Aqua! I've been out of touch a lot lately. Work, etc. Things are kind of back to normal (whatever normal is) now.

Nice to meet you SpookBrat.
Bargain and treasure hunting are your sport of choice? Cool! I love going to flea markets - sometimes I find great stuff and sometimes I don't. But I always have fun just looking.

Have a great day.

[Donaeus]

Good morning to all my friends. :)

I wanted to share some wonderful news that my sister told me last night. It fits in perfectly with Spookbrat's (and I'm sure most of our) Pro-Life stance. A dear friend that my sister went to college with who is now a lawyer sent her an email that the Partial Birth Abortion ban has saved at least one life already. One of his firm's clients went to have an abortion but found out she'd waited too long and could no longer destroy the child. The law firm is now in the process of finding an adoptive family for this child!! I believe with all my heart the Providence of God saved this baby and its mother from horrible tragedy. I am reminded of one of my favorite passges, Psalms 139, I love the whole chapter but will only post a few verses here.

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them." Psalms 139:13-16

[MEG33]

Good morning,Donaeus.Thanks for sharing good news.

[SpookBrat]

Thank you Jinxie. You've always been on my "Finest" list. You're a good person and a gem of a man. Everyone loves you. I saw a picture of your latest addition. You look too young to have grandchildren.

[Aquamarine]

I'm so glad you enjoyed today's featured FReeper. All FReepers are such special people, some of the best in the world!

Have been praying for Jim along with the other's here and keeping up with his progress. Have you heard anything yet?

[Aquamarine]

Can't imagine you with a bad attitude. I do remember a couple of good rants though...one time over the Ninth Court removing God from the Pledge which then provoked LadyX to write one of better stories with COB coming to the rescue and everyone winding up in a big group hug. lol!

[Aquamarine]

Morning HiJinx. She is mighty Fine! :)

[FreeTheHostages]

Here's something spooky: a satellite shot of the California coast.

[SpookBrat]

Texas Cowboy has grandkids in the same elementary school I attended. It's a small world. No one lives in Ingram. LOL

I remember how mad I was that day. I get irritated with the news sometimes, but never really full of rage. That day was different.

[SpookBrat]

Wow! That's horrible.