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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
Posted on 12/16/2002 7:23:51 AM PST by Billie
Christmas Is......
Christmas... What is Christmas ... Christmas is, Above All, Love ... Christmas is Faith, Family, Friends ... Christmas is Sharing, Giving Hugs, Laughing ... Christmas is Baking Cookies, Stringing Popcorn ... Christmas is Reviving Old Memories and Making New Ones ...
When I asked for help during the holidays with ideas and/or co-hosting a thread, many of you came through with offers of all kinds, for which we are very grateful. We hope you have been enjoying the variety as much as Daisy, Dansy, Lori, and I have. Today, some of our Finest Family share a few of their Christmas thoughts, memories, recipes, laughs..... ~ Billie
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It's About Family
by WVNan
This is a 'doctored' photo - Nan sent me a portrait of Uncle John, to which I added hers.
She wrote back, "Thank you Billie. I love that picture. Uncle will love it too. He loves for me to hug him. Nobody else that I know of is allowed to hug him. ((((Hug))))"
Uncle John is one of those independent people that are indicative of the early settlers of West Virginia. He may have a grade school education, but he became a wealthy man simply by using his native ingenuity and his natural frugality. He probably never took a handout or even a hand-up from anyone in his life. In other words, he's proud.
During his recent stay in the hospital after a stroke he created something of a stir with his refusal of treatment. He got downright indignant when the nurse tried to bath him, making a fuss that could be heard over the phone when family called to check on him. He could be heard protesting, "Why are you giving me a bath? I don't need no d**m bath."
Happy to say that Uncle John is home and doing fair for someone who has had a stroke and is 93 years old. His unsinkable spirit is intact. ~ Nan
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Family Traditions
by JustAmy
Growing up during the 40s and 50s was a wonderful time for family get-togethers at Grandmothers house. After my Grandmother died, family traditions changed. Each of my aunts started building her own family traditions.
For the past fifty-five years, my Mothers house was the place for a new generation to build wonderful memories of the holidays at Grandmas house.
With the passing of my Mother this year, there seems to be an empty place in our hearts and homes. A family gathering of three, my husband, my son and myself, hardly seems to be a base for a new holiday tradition.
Four months ago, I started helping out with the babysitting of a grand niece (she was three December 7th). My life has changed!! Instead of spending time in the electronic and home improvement stores, I now find myself in toy stores and the toddler section of the department stores.
After hosting our family Thanksgiving dinner, I will now plan an open house on Christmas day for nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. My wish is for the youngest generation to have memories of spending time with family at Aunt Amys house. ~ Amy
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A Christmas Memory
by Marie Shelton (Pippin)
It was the first year I was in my new apartment, and I had just started out as a Liturgical Minister at the Catholic Church I attend in my town of Glen Burnie, Maryland. That year, 1996, was a year of transitions much like this year is. Our regular pastor was on a sabbatical, so we had another priest standing in for him. This was also the first year I can remember actually having a white Christmas!
I remember waking up on the morning of Dec. 24th to see the snow falling gently on everything and giving everything it touched a special, magical look. I was scheduled to read at the 4:00 Mass that evening at the Christmas Eve Mass. So I put on my boots and bundled up because it was really cold, if my memory serves me right and I walked to the church, which was within walking distance from my apartment. I got there early so I could familiarize myself with that evenings readings. I enjoy reading the Word of God and I wanted to do the best I could with it.
FR. John, the priest who was celebrating the mass was there as was Anita, the liturgical coordinator/sacristan. We stood in the sacristy and talked and joked a little. Fr. John wanted to process up the aisle but there were so many people coming to church that evening that they were lined up at the side aisles and crowded at the back of our tiny church. Fr. John wanted to know if we could go around the church to the main doors. He wondered if Anita and I could stand a few moments of cold air as we had our coats off. I had piped up earlier that I was part Canadian, so Father John said since you are Canadian, I guess you can stand the cold!
We went out and around the church to the main doors. Fr. John was in a Christmas mood so he went up and knocked on the door; the usher by the door turned around, and Fr. John asked with tongue-in-cheek if we could come in!
We processed in and the Mass started. Anita had to be the altar server, as we had no one to serve. It was a beautiful service and the church was decorated up so wonderfully! It felt like Christmas, especially with the snow coming down. This to me was the most special time and everything went along so well. There were carols and religious hymns sung; the congregation and the choir blending their voices together sounded like angels singing to almighty GOD.
After Communion, Fr. John had a small tape player that he turned on and we listened to the Ave Maria being sung in Latin. It was beautiful and I had tears of joy running down my face. It was a glorious and magical Christmas Eve!
I hope everyone reading this has a safe and merry Christmas and a blessed New Year as well! ~ Pippin
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A Memory of Christmases Past
by DiverDave
There are several memorable Christmases to chose from and it was tough to pick just one. I scanned my memory from childhood to the present and I think Ill share about Christmas 1965.
Mrs. DD (Linda) and I were married in June. Three short months later my ship, the USS PIEDMONT (AD-17) deployed for a 6 month cruise to the western Pacific (WESTPAC). We were to spend our first Christmas separated from one another.
Our ships crossing of the Pacific took 19 days and we pulled into Yokosuka, Japan and later to sailed to Subic Bay, Philipines and set up repair operations to ships serving in the Seventh Fleet. I was working in the Pipe Shop at the time as a 3rd Class Shipfitter P.
As the holiday season approached, one of my shipmates got the idea of making some sort of Christmas decoration for our shop. That in turn, prompted the other shops to do likewise. The theme was Christmas, and each participating shop produced a decoration which corresponded with the work carried out by each individual shop.
For us in the Pipe Shop, we took a length of 3" black steel pipe, put it in the pipe bender and bent it 180 degrees. We welded it to the deck of the shop and then went to the paint locker to get some paint. In no time at all, we had a giant 7 1/2 foot white with red striped candy cane. We then welded a piece of flat plate to the side with the words, "Seasons Greetings from Shop 56A.
The Sheetmetal Shop cut out large stars, bells, bows, etc and hung them from the overhead in their shop.
The Shipfitter Shop cut up strips of aluminum plate and welded them to a 1" pipe and formed a Christmas tree. They got cotton balls from Sick Bay and glued them to the branches.
The guys in the Machine Shop somehow got ahold of a small fir tree. They placed it on the deck just outside the door leading to the Mess Decks. The decorations were all the curled shavings that had been produced on the metal lathes. Looked pretty good with brass, steel, and copper curly ribbons adorning the tree.
As sailors will be sailors, a couple of guys came back from liberty in the late hours having consumed a few too many San Miguels. They decided to knock down our candy cane and take it to their lead Petty Officers bunk.
We recovered the candy cane and re-welded it to the deck in our shop the following morning.
That evening, once again too much San Magoo effected normally bright minds and the candy cane was once again stolen.
This time it found its way up to Officers Country and was placed on one of the dining tables in the Ward Room. Sadly, some dishes got broken by the bumbling burglars and the light-hearted hi-jinx became a serious problem.
The candy canes crooked end was cut off, the sign removed and the remaining piece of 3" pipe was place in the pipe rack to be used later on a job order from the fleet..
Somewhere, floating around in one of the Tin Cans of the Seventh Fleet is a section of steel pipe with candy cane stripes.
My time in the Pipe Shop lasted through the month of December and then I went TAD to Diving School for the duration of my second WESTPAC tour and then took up residence in the Diving Locker for the balance of my enlistment and one more WESTPAC cruise in 67. Dave
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From My Kitchen With Love
by Aquamarine
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
2 sticks margarine softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups sifted self rising flour 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup or 8 oz container sour cream 1/2 cup milk 1/4 firmly packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup chopped nuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour bunt pan. Cream butter and sugar til light and fluffy, add eggs one at a time. Blend in vanilla, sift flour, mix soda in, add to creamed mixture alternately with the sour cream and milk. Mix well after each addition, then spoon half of batter into pan.
Combine brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans. Sprinkle over the mixture. Spoon remaing batter on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan, turn out on plate.
Cornbread Dressing with Bacon and Pecans
1 pan of 9x9 cornbread 6 bacon slices 4 celery ribs, finely chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped 6 cups torn day old bread (6 slices) 2/3 chopped pecans, toasted 1 large egg, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon rubbed sage 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 3 to 4 cups chicken broth
Prepare cornbread; cool and crumble. Set aside. Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp; remove bacon, drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon and set aside. Saute celery and onionin bacon drippings in skillet 10 minutes or until tender.
Combine crumbled cornbread, bacon, sauteed onion mixture, bread and remaining ingredients in a large bowl; stir well. Spoon dressing into a 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden. Yield: 10 servings.
Note: If you like your dressing drier and crustier use 3 cups broth in the recipe. Use 4 cups for a moister dressing. ~ Aquamarine
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Holiday Lighting Tips
by ST.LOUIE1
One Christmas, when I was about nine, I put a string of Christmas lights on our cat Muggsy. I plugged her in to three long extension cords so she could move around. Then I put her in the back yard. When I set her down, she started jumping up and down trying to shake the lights loose.
I ran in the house and told Mom and Dad to hurry and get to the window, that something wild was out back. My Mom looked out and said..."Oh, my God!", and nearly fainted. She thought I had electrocuted Muggsy. My Dad was laughing so hard he nearly choked. He stopped laughing when Mom told him...."If Muggsy dies, so will you and Tony!". I stopped laughing in a hurry and ran to unplug Muggsy.
When Mom's Irish temper flared - it was time to get thee away! Muggs was fine, no harm done....that's why I'm still alive and able to partake in Billie's 'Christmas Memories'. : ) ~ Louie
Bring A Stray...
..Into Your Heart & Home!
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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 an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: christmas; freepers; fun; surprises
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To: humblegunner
Great to see ya here friend. ;-)
Blam!
321
posted on
12/16/2002 4:29:56 PM PST
by
lodwick
To: feinswinesuksass
Live every day like your last...one day you will be right!
I like this one - thanks. ;-)
322
posted on
12/16/2002 4:32:13 PM PST
by
lodwick
To: lodwick
Thanks! Have you shot that pistol yet???
To: Billie; All
Thanks for the ping Billie
Hope everyone's been having a nice day (-:
To: feinswinesuksass
Wow, that's beautiful! Sleigh rides, hay rides, count me in!
To: humblegunner
No...the machine gun from hell is still in the box.
When's HAT's next Al Claya shoot-out? That could be a good time...JL
326
posted on
12/16/2002 4:49:50 PM PST
by
lodwick
To: daisyscarlett
Ducks, wolves, cats, foxes. Hmmm, are you sure we aren't already doing the holiday pet thread?
To: feinswinesuksass; lodwick
Bwhahaha. I love it. I prefer dogs, but would never boil a cat....they get too chewy!LOL!
Let me buy you a hot dog.
Now lody, we're just having fun. : )
To: ST.LOUIE1
See, I think my fat cat would eat that before you could get the mustard on it.
To: Billie; dutchess; daisyscarlett; dansangel; Aquamarine; JohnHuang2
Evening all... What an FR's Finest line-up! I can hardly wait! :)
Happy holiday
greetings to all &
Christmas cheer!
To: FreeTheHostages
See, I think my fat cat would eat that before you could get the mustard on it.LOL!!!
I'd love to meet your cat!
To: Billie; WVNan
Wonderful thread, Billie! How nice to see everyone and enjoy their memories! Nan! Your uncle sounds just like mine, only when the nurses came to give him his bath in the hospital he said, "I take my bath once a month, and it isn't up yet!" One nurse walked in and asked, "How do you feel, George?" He replied, "With my hands!"
Cheers to all those who shared today. :)
332
posted on
12/16/2002 5:01:45 PM PST
by
MistyCA
To: ST.LOUIE1
Points for Kitty on Kitty versus wolf odds. Think: small tiger. I love her though because she's a character. She's got moxy. If my boyfriend doesn't come and visit for more than a couple of days, she will have nothing to do with him. Sometimes she'll be reaching to do something she shouldn't, and I'll say "Kitty NO!" and she'll turn and look at me calmly as if to say, "Well, that's what YOU think."
My favorite Kitty fact: she can open the refrigerator!! She uses her nose as a battering ram! I have to have a bungie cord on the refrigerator to keep it shut. If I don't, she'll open it, then get on her hind legs, and then walk sideways, balancing her self with her front paws on the middle shelf rim, as she sniffs about and looks for interesting food. I could videotape it and make $ on one of those TV shows I bet.
Basically, she's a libertarian kitty with a Republican owner. We get along pretty well but it's always uncertain who's in charge.
To: ST.LOUIE1; WVNan; JustAmy; Pippin; Diver Dave; Aquamarine
LOL Gee Louie, I sure wish you had a video to go with that story! :)
It is so nice to read about the Christmas memories important to you all... so very different and all so special.
(And I plan to try some of those yummy recipies, Aquamarine!)
fffffffffff
To: Billie; WVNan; JustAmy; Pippin; Diver Dave; Aquamarine; ST.LOUIE1; dansangel; daisyscarlett; ...
What a wonderful, wonderful thread today!
Late coming here, shopping and getting ready for company, and I took the time to go through all of it.
Everyone has done such a beautiful job of sharing memories and showing appreciation!
Special Hugs to you, Billie, for all you do - and for what you bring out in other persons.
We could not say that often enough.
335
posted on
12/16/2002 5:24:29 PM PST
by
LadyX
To: LadyX
Evening LadyX! Nice to see you!
To: SpookBrat
Thank you so much for the beautiful music, Spooky!
No doubt you are creating special memories for your two children to cherish down the road with special projects.
Hope your Christmas is a special one ~ ~ ~
337
posted on
12/16/2002 5:31:21 PM PST
by
LadyX
To: Billie
i love all your Christmas stories.
Here is another one about wartime at Christmas that I got in an email today.
Salvation
WHAT WE REALLY WANT
What do you really want for the holidays?
USA Today printed these letters from children written to Santa Claus
and directed to the US Post Office:
Dear Santa: The only wish I want is to have a nice Christmas for my
little brothers. We don't have the money to put nothing under the tree
because of welfare. Please help. There are five kids and it's hard for
Mom. - Lisa
Dear Santa: I want to help the kids that don't get anything for
Christmas. It is real important to me. I don't want just to help in
the United States but all over the world. - Austin
Dear Santa: We will give you lots of goodies. One present is to find
my dog Boom Boom. - Joni
Dear Santa: This Christmas I would like four things. Understanding for
the children. Respect for the parents. Love for the elders and peace
for everyone. - Rebecca
What these children really want runs deeper than the latest toy fad or
a new outfit. I believe they want what we all want, when we get down
to it.
I'm reminded of a story that comes out of World War I. It was December
25, 1917. Only a short distance of mud separated two enemy trenches -
German and American. They had been shooting at each other for days,
but today their thoughts turned to hearth and home.
Suddenly, a German soldier laid down his rifle, pulled a block of
chocolate from his pocket, and tossed it into the American trench. In
response an American tossed over a can of milk. Soon gifts were being
passed back and forth, and the men were both laughing and weeping.
Peace was what they really wanted at that sacred time of the year.
They wanted the war to be over and to be home. They wanted to quit the
fighting and violence and live in harmony. What they really wanted was
what we all want.
I'll never stop believing that it can be so.
To: ST.LOUIE1; xJones; Billie
This is a cute song that made me think about the funny Christmas stories you all told today.Wreck The Halls
![](http://www.angelwinks.net/images/christmas/anc10.gif)
Click on the pic
To: FreeTheHostages
Basically, she's a libertarian kitty with a Republican owner. We get along pretty well but it's always uncertain who's in charge.LOL Your kitty sounds mighty smart!
When I had my cat Nancee, she ruled the house, and my pups knew it. Now that she's gone, my older dog Mits does the ruling.
I'd love to have another cat but I think Mits just might not allow it.
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