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!

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[Donaeus]

All FReepers are such special people, some of the best in the world!

I'll second that. :)

Thank you for continuing to pray for Jim! I haven't heard anything yet but I think at this point no news is good news. I will let you know as soon as I have an update.

[Aquamarine]

Thanks, it's always good to have you here whenever you can make it.
I enjoy bargain hunting too, it's just the smart thing to do. :)

[Diver Dave]

Outstanding presentation, Aqua.
Congrats Spooky. Fine lookin' family you've got there.
May our Good Lord continue to Bless you as you serve Him.

[Aquamarine]

That is spooky, I have relatives in that area. They said their area hasn't been threatened yet but they have alot of smoke.

[Pippin]

GOOD MORNING (((AQUA)))!

GOOD MORNING (((SPOOKY)))!

Spooky's only spooky if you are a liberal :O)

Congratulations Spooky!

[Pippin]

Hello Dolly!

Sorry about that! I couldn't resist! :O)

(((DOLLY)))!

[SpookBrat]

Thank you so much for sharing that news with us. It fills me with hope. I love that verse in Psalms too. There is so much to love in that book. It's hard to pick a favorite. :)

Regarding my evolution of being 100% prolife, what began the change was a room mate from college. This poor girl was insane and I felt so sorry for her. She was totally off her rocker. Then one sob filled night, she confessed to me that she had managed to hide her pregnancy from her mother for 7 months. When her mom found out, she drove her to Kansas and forced her to get an abortion. Her story and fragile mental state changed my life. That’s when I began to think, “Um, there is something wrong here”. I think about her often and wonder what ever became of her. I pray she has found hope and forgiveness and made peace with God about it. She certainly was a mess. It was heart breaking. That night changed my life.

[Pippin]

Didn't Your husband used to be a freeper?

[SpookBrat]

He has blessed us tremendously. It's awesome to look back after a difficult period of time and see His work. I see Him at work in the good times too.

I hope you have a blessed day with your family.

[DollyCali]

Ah, umm.. hmmm.. Aqua.. any special reason that Aqua & the Mayor have both been "chosen" to get the chapter on repentance???

*G*

[Pippin]

Spooky, I'm pinging two of your buddies over here!

SASSY! Kneezles!

Get over here! :O)

[deadhead]

Lovely profile for a lovely person. Enjoy your well deserved day in the spotlight. Spookbrat, you have a beautiful family. I have attended the March for Life, what a sight. Thousands of folks show up.....barely reported by the media (no surprise) Locks of Love, what a wonderful organization. I have seen the work they have done, and smiles on children's faces with their new "look"

Colleen

Below is a pic of my brother and my great niece :-)

[Pippin]

Adorable! :O)

[SpookBrat]

Is that in Washington? I'm dying to go. I almost went last year, but decided against it for $$$ reasons. Your brother is a good looking guy *wink*, and your great niece is precious. That picture is a keeper. May I?

[RadioAstronomer]

Good morning SpookBrat! :-)

It is wonderful to see you featured!

[Pippin]

Hi, (((MIKE)))!

[SpookBrat]

I have to take a math and English break. BBL

Hooches and Smugs

[RadioAstronomer]

Good morning to you as well! :-)

[DollyCali]

I have gotten used to the "hello dolly" so often..

The funniest time was a couple years ago, I was doing supply for a church in Niles Ohio area (that is a substitute minister when reg minister is out of town/ill etc).. and I had previously been there to present my work as a missionary in Haiti ... so the congregatrion knew me from my prior three visits. It was my first time in pulpit there & doing the whole service & not just giving a mission presentation.

I had a very good relationship with congregation & in fact when minister retired they asked me to come be their preacher ! But it was too far to commute daily & I really wasn't able to move.. or didn't want to with mom's situation.

It was time for the sermon...The Elder introduced me & as I approached the podium a tall black member of the choir stepped up next to me. The congregation is wholly white except for this one family. Well, he sang the entire Hello Dolly.. and at the chorus the choir joined in.

I was flabbergasted. It broke up the tension in congregation as this was the first sunday after 911...

[Pippin]

Haven't heard from you in while.

How are you doing?

Sorry I can't be here much during the evenings or the weekends as I no longer have a PC at home.