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.
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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

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and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[FreeTheHostages]

Are Aquamarine's Alarmingly Beautiful Graphics Proof of Her Spookiness Too?

[FreeTheHostages]

Hee hee, I know that's not fair, stealing your graphics and all! But I promise I didn't mean to decapitate the bottom row of ghosts. ;}

[Aquamarine]

How pretty that front door is with the flag! Good morning, Aqua and Spookie! Have been looking forward to this day - can't help but feel a little pride in all these gorgeous posts that define the Finest.

Thanks Billie. I actually surprised you with that front door Pledge. Guess I'm starting to spread my wings a little. It's about time...huh? :)

[Aquamarine]

The best argument for pro-life I've ever seen in my life came to me in the form of a little preemie baby that has been occupying a big portion of my life lately.

Logan is a special fetus, I say that instead of baby because technically he is still a fetus. He is living proof that a fetus is alive and every bit as human as the rest of us.

Wasn't a bit surprised to see you go to his rescue. :)
We're all in love with that little guy!

Thank you God for this small miracle named Logan.

[FreeTheHostages]

I actually surprised you with that front door Pledge. Guess I'm starting to spread my wings a little.

Like this?

[LadyX]

"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!"

WHAT?? Moi, provoked and off and running?
Why, everyone here knows The LadyX is a meek, mild-mannered and very quiet - - well, um...okay, Marine at heart, who doth manage to explode now and then..:))

And like every good Marine, had backup with Cobby (TexasCowboy by any name remains the same) entering the arena.

You amaze me, Aquamarine, with your long memory! LOL

The topic at hand, though, is our dear SpookBrat. It has been my privilege to exchange e-mails with her the past year, finding her to be a truly exceptional young woman.
It was natural to kinda 'adopt' her so I selfishly could enjoy the many-splendored person she is!

Hers is a wonderful story of overcoming adversity, and of acknowledging the presence of God in her life, and devotion to God, Family and Country.

You bring so much to our lives, SpookBrat - far more than I think you realize - and are indeed a model mother and wife and friend.

I just know your *Special Angel* watches over you from above, so very proud of what his child has become!

{{{ Loving Hugs }}}

[FreeTheHostages]

WHAT?? Moi, provoked and off and running?

LOL. Yes, like a good Marine.

[The Thin Man]

Good morning, Aqua and SpookBrat. Top-notch presentation about a most impressive honoree.

So FReepers, as you can see, there's nothing spooky about her.

That's good, but the bratty part still needs to be addressed. Aqua, I'm surprised at you for not dispelling that part.  

[TexasCowboy]

"I say that instead of baby because technically he is still a fetus."

Yes, we can thank our Heavenly Father for the wonders He performs.

Technically, we can now call Logan a baby.
He was born at 23 weeks, but his normal delivery date was yesterday.

THANK YOU, DEAR LORD!

[FreeTheHostages]

Top-notch presentation

Wow, how much did you have to pay for that, Aqua? ;) He NEVER gives compliments! Congratulations!!

Sincerely,

She who still remembers that TTM stayed up to the early morning on the day of my first post just to be the first to criticize it!! LOL!!

[FreeTheHostages]

Aqua, I'm surprised at you for not dispelling that part

Ah, never mind, he did jab at you afterall! Hee hee, if there's one thing TTM can't stand, it's perfection. Note he found NO spelling errors . . . .

[TexasCowboy]

"And like every good Marine, had backup with Cobby "

[Aquamarine]

You are so fortunuate to have the opportunity to see the play Compassion in your area. I can only hope that something like that comes around my way, which is unlikely since I live in the sticks!

Thanks for describing it though, it sounds wonderful!

[Pippin]

Be nice! :O)

[Aquamarine]

LOL! Do you know how hard it was to find a smiling ghost?!

I also had a hard time finessing that ghost line in Spook's post.

[Aquamarine]

Yeah, like that! Nice touch with the halo. lol

[Aquamarine]

I remember that story well....."then Lodwick raises his glass to a toast as we all come together...in a group hug"....something like that. It was beautiful! :)

[Aquamarine]

That's good, but the bratty part still needs to be addressed. Aqua,

ROTFL! So that's all you could find? Thanks to you I now have an obsessive complusion to check my spelling over and over again.

[FreeTheHostages]

Do you know how hard it was to find a smiling ghost?!

YESS! But did you know how easy it is to find scarey pictures of Hillary Clinton. That's a hint: my Halloween thread is going through some major revisions!

You've handled cute and Halloween together in your thread -- quite an achievement, a tricky thing!! -- and it's all very seasonal. You really get a feel for who SpookBrat is too. Very fun to read!

[Pippin]

You have mail, Cobby!