A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-16-02 Christmas Is...FReeper Memories

Various Freepers | WVNan; JustAmy; Pippin; Diver Dave; Aquamarine; ST.LOUIE1

[lodwick]

25 Things Money Can’t Buy
Celebrate life’s simple pleasures

By Mary Ellen Sullivan, Woman's Day website



Sometimes it seems like money is the key to all things good and true. But as the saying goes, money can’t buy happiness. Nor can it buy serenity, joy, delight and a connectedness with loved ones. With that in mind, this holiday season we’ve come up with some of our favorite things that don’t cost money, but are absolutely priceless.

Time with your kids. Hands down, it’s one of the best perks of being an adult. Helping your toddler brush his teeth at bedtime, watching your second grader read, playing soccer with your teenager: It’s the stuff pure joy is made of.

A day doing nothing. Every once in a while you need a day to retreat from the world: a day of staying in your pajamas, watching sappy movies, reading a real page-turner, eating comfort food, napping prodigiously, screening all calls and keeping the to-do list firmly out of sight. The next time you’re tired and stressed, give yourself permission to claim a day for yourself. You’ll feel like a new woman—we guarantee it.

Feeling alive in your body. Speaking of feeling like a new woman, how about celebrating yourself by dancing to your favorite music, running in the surf, making angels in the snow or laughing ’til tears run down your cheeks? In a culture obsessed with body image, it’s easy to forget how wonderful it is just to feel healthy and alive.

Expanding your horizons. The quickest way out of a rut is to try something new, no matter how small. Take an alternate route home from work, opt for a different restaurant for lunch, go to a play instead of a movie, experiment with a new look. It’s when we break our routines and move out of our comfort zone that things start to change. This, in turn, can have a ripple effect in your life. So go crazy, because who knows where that new lipstick color will lead?

Sharing a “first” with a child. Whether it’s the first ice cream cone, first snowfall or first train trip, there’s nothing like seeing the ordinary through fresh eyes. Children delight in the new, and if you pay attention to their uncamouflaged delight, you may find yourself reconnecting with long-forgotten memories. At the very least, you’ll be reminded of how little it takes to put a smile on someone’s face.

The perfect evening at home. One of the easiest ways to destress while also feeling connected to those you love is to pop in a favorite video, turn out the lights, munch on popcorn and snuggle up for a
night at the movies.

More to follow...

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hi, Ms.RU!

Really nice to see you. : )

[FreeTheHostages]

::waving hello to Aeronaut's clearly visible plane::

[FreeTheHostages]

Somewhere, floating around in one of the Tin Cans of the Seventh Fleet is a section of steel pipe with candy cane stripes.

Perhaps a ship that is going to bring a little Christmas to Iraq!

[FreeTheHostages]

[Billie]

Great photo of you and Uncle John. Bet you show it to the family just to make them jealous. LOL

Billie did a great job.But then....she is the best. : )

Thank you. :) I did run the doctored photo by Nan before going with it, and loved what she said about him not letting anybody else him. :)

[FreeTheHostages]

"Borrowing" more of Mixer's dogs to spread Christmas cheer:

[FreeTheHostages]

Wow, I'm still admiring all the borders around today's memories. Billie, you *really are* quite GOOD at this! They all match the insides of the various frames so well.

[Billie]

I figured after all the badgering, it was the least I could do. :)

Er....what's the 'most'? : )

LOL! It's the 'most', too!

[Billie]

Thank you for the sweet words in your post....and the hug, too. :)

[Billie]

:) Thank you, Free. Believe me when I tell you that 'this' stuff was the hardest part of html for me to 'get'! (Making pretty tables and borders, etc.)

[lodwick]

Thanks for bringing the poochies here - those were my favs. ;-)

[Mo1]

did you really toast the cat .. LOL

[Aquamarine]

That would be a good idea if he was able to get out of the house, but unfortunately he is confined.

I thought about that after I had posted. Maybe you could give him a nice fruit basket or a box of candy.

[The Thin Man]

Yes, Louie's cat was okay, and he wanted to make sure everyone knew he does not advocate cruelty to animals!!!!!

Of course he doesn't! But just to be safe maybe you should keep him away from my cat. LOL!

Oh, and watch for Asta tomorrow. :)

That's nice, but I was hoping kitty would be featured prominently. :-)
 

[Aquamarine]

Remember you shared a wonderful cake recipe last year at the Guild...it was easy to make, too.

I didn't know you had made that cake. I think that was the recipe that had won the Pillsbury Cookoff in the 80's (not by me). I baked that cake last week had a slice took one look at the scales and put the rest of it in the freezer. Have to save those calories for the Christmas day pig-out. LOL!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Er....what's the 'most'? : )

LOL! It's the 'most', too!

Bummer! : (

[ST.LOUIE1]

did you really toast the cat .. LOL

I lit her up. I did NOT "toast" her.

And don't be goin' around saying I did. LOL

[Aquamarine]

Thanks Louie you don't look too bad yourself. :)
That was a cute story about your Christmas cat...but then what else would we expect from a Wolf. :)))

[ST.LOUIE1]

Yes, Louie's cat was okay, and he wanted to make sure everyone knew he does not advocate cruelty to animals!!!!!

Of course he doesn't! But just to be safe maybe you should keep him away from my cat. LOL!

She'd look mighty pretty all lit up. Let me at her! : )