by Hopefruit
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10 The Second Inauguration
The ENTIRE inauguration celebrations featuring PBO’s being sworn in for the 2nd time, with a crowd of over 800K – and an electric atmosphere in D.C. all weekend long thru the official church service on Wednesday, defying media’s silly predictions of “lack of enthusiasm” this time around.
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9 President Obama’s turning back to look at the crowd during his 2nd inaugural ceremony
As many TODers have beautifully articulated, this was a sort of bittersweet moment. Many of us felt the something similar – that this would be our last time witnessing PBO take his inaugural oath, or run a campaign, etc. And so his taking a special moment to look over the crowd, with the full support and encouragement of his daughters, family, and photographer extraordinaire, Pete Souza, resonated fully with us. Indeed, we are going to savor each and every minute of the remaining time that he is President.
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8 President Obama’s speech at the “Let Freedom Ring” 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s “I have a Dream” speech
This was a great commemoration of a historic speech by a great civil rights leader and it was only fitting that the final event of the day in the week-long tribute was a speech by PBO, and what an excellent speech it was. PBO had the crowd riveted – you could have heard a pin drop. Martin Luther King would have been applauding…
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7 “There’s an Endless Supply of Paint.”
The Obama mural and the determination of its artist, Marcus Davis is emblematic of the kind of person that PBO is, when you consider what he faces each and every day from the media, GOP and even some in his own party. No matter how hard his opponents try to destroy him, he simply perseveres and we, the people will continue to stand by him as long we know that he stands up for us to do right by us. We have your back Sir, there’s an endless supply of paint.
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6 Here’s Sunny!
The new WH pup generated as much excitement on Twitter as she did on TOD and elsewhere! And what a fiesty lil’ pup she is. The new WH Christmas/Holiday card featured the new addition along with her big brother Bo, and we look forward to the remaining three years watching Sunny grow from a spunky pup into a refined mature “dogress…”
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5 President Obama giving a personal show of support via telephone call to NBA player Jason Collins who came out as being gay
We get excited about his big speeches, legislation passed, policy announcements, but it’s also the little, personal displays of kindness, and tolerance for fellow humans that further reinforce our connection with him, and our trust that his concern for this country is based on his concern for each and everyone of its citizens.
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4 Historic Iran deal signed
As stated in this foreign media outlet: “Iran has struck a historic agreement with the U.S. and five other world powers, accepting strict constraints on its nuclear programme for the first time in a decade in exchange for partial relief from sanctions. The deal, signed at 4.30 a.m. on Sunday, marks arguably the most significant foreign policy achievement of Barack Obama’s presidency, amounting to the most significant agreement between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Iranian revolution.”
Another gem which the media very carefully buries in their quest to falsely dub 2013 as PBO’s worst year.
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3 President Obama Addresses the Nation on Syria
This address was simply a preview of PBO’s later, more comprehensive speech to the UN. This was PBO’s speech informing the American people of his potential limited military intervention in Syria. “The US military does not do pin pricks.” That’s right Mr. President! I guess Assad got the memo – and the rest is history…
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2 President Obama’s speech at the Nelson Mandela Memorial in South Africa
This phenomenal tribute to one of the greatest, most courageous icons of our time was one for the history books and I had difficulty finding words, but I will simply repeat what I said back then right as I finished watching the speech live:
“DAMN….PBO’s speech seemed to have worked that crowed up and simultaneously calmed that crowd right on down…they got all fired up, and are now filled with inspiration, peace, etc….”
Many other TODers on that thread so eloquently expressed how deeply moved they were by our President’s address. At exactly 6:31AM ET, four TODers simultaneously posted “The crowd goes wild!!!…”
Twitter also exploded, with comments from the US and from the international community. It was hard to believe that this was at a time when most of us would normally be a asleep or just waking up. TOD, along with South Africa, was FIRED UP that morning!!
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1 The Affordable Care Act
October 1st through the present time: The exchanges open on Oct 1 as scheduled – and in the following months, millions sign up for insurance coverage. This is my TOP moment of 2013. The media and ACA opponents have literally gotten completely bent out of shape trying to make the ACA Obama’s Katrina, Iraq, albatross, Achilles Heel – you name it. And they have a huge deal of financial backing and nefarious political interests from the Right AND the Left on this anti-ACA agenda. Despite this huge media/GOP effort, the ACA is here to stay and as more people sign up and derive the tremendous benefits of affordable health care coverage that is comprehensive and inclusive, it will become a losing battle for the media and their GOP friends to try to portray the ACA as a radioactive issue for PBO and the Dems in 2014 midterms.
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See all of TOD’s Most Memorable Moments from 2013 here
The Obama Diary 
Thank what a nice collection
Congrats okey on First!
Thanks for #1, happy that Chips MANU won today all is good in TOD family
All is perfect with the world Okey, United winning made me look at that obliterated garden wall and go: “noooooo worries!” 😆
Whoa!!!!!!
Hopefruit, just love love love your collection, thank you soooooo much for sharing them with us. Another moment I had forgotten, and one of my most loved: “There’s an Endless Supply of Paint.” A gem. Thank you again you treasure!
Awww – thanks; was my absolute pleasure Chips! I’ve really enjoyed reading the others’ top moments (some of which overlap with mine), and look forward to seeing he coming ones.
A gorgeous collection Hopefruit, I adoooooore reliving the year through these pieces, just reminds me of how rusty my memory is. 😕
I so agree with you….this was such a phenomenal idea…..ty Ms Chipsssss..
I am so grateful to be living in the time of “President Barack Obama”!
Thanks sooo much for adding the pictures – they’re so well-selected and perfectly convey what I wanted. I couldn’t have made better choices myself.
Ah, you made it easy Hoepfruit, you painted such vivid images, so one click and up popped the pics!! Love your post so much.
I agree Hopefruit painted vivid images and I enjoyed her reminiscences as much as I have all the others. Thanks to everyone who is participating in this. It’s such a great way to refresh our combined memories while at the same time providing a shot of in-your-face-ism to the media messaga.
I have to ask something I’ve always wanted to know, Chica – WHERE do you use your ‘one click and up popped the pictures’? I keep clicking all over, and the pics I want never pop up. In fact they don’t show even when I write in long detailed descriptions or look at heaps of possibilities. I think I’m old enough now for you to tell me the picture popping secret I’m missing?
a wonderful collection of moments….
thank you for you wisdom and insight during 2013
I love this list, hf. Especially timely now that the GOP is pushing the “lack of enthusiam” bullshit again.
Presented without comment:
I just heard on my local news that the Clintons will be introducing Bill deBlasio at his Inauguration on Jan.1.
I saw this and said, “What?”
Hmmm…..
Not sure what to think about this. But we shall see…
I echo those sentiments.
Bill Clinton trying to get some of the Blasio victory dust bestowed upon him!
I’ve just caught this on Twitter…
Bill de Blasio @BilldeBlasio 1h
.@Chirlane and I couldn’t be more grateful for @BillClinton and @HillaryClinton’s friendship. pic.twitter.com/DDkIiYRRWz
The Clinton-De Blasio friendship goes years back.
Indeed…
The Candid Camera Bill Clinton……anywhere the Camera is……Bubba is Not too far off, Hmm?
Now the real question is……was this de Blasio’s idea or not? If it his, then he is still trying to reassure the Wall Street Types that he is NOT a Leftist Socialistic Marxist Dem? Why not the Former Dem Mayor……? After all, it was Dinkens(sp) that de Balsio first worked for…….or did I read that wrong?
As long as de Blasio shows President Obama respect, this does not bother me.
Thanks for sharing Hopefruit. It was great.
Congrats okey!
Great list Hopefruit.
I am loving this series.
Thanks GB, and likewise! 🙂
Thanks okey, vicki and Carol, and congrats okey Carol on #1 🙂
Thanks Hopefruit2, this essentially portrays my feelings don’t know how we will manage after 2016 but we just have to make 2014 a must for The President have a lot in his bag to offer this country regardless how the Retugs continue to undermine progress with MSM in their back pocket
These 2013 TODable Memory Lane are just unbeatable.
I know they will be achieved eventually. Just a Midwestern request……Is it possible to have ONE Blog Post for all these TODable individual 2013 Memory Lane for some like myself who may want to bookmark it as one Entity/Thread.
Beautiful HF2. Just Lovely. Thanks for the Memories.
You’re welcome Nena! And I love your idea of archiving the posts into one. 🙂
Great list of memorable moments, hopefruit. Enjoyed your personal notes too.
Thanks dotster – glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Hopefruit – you did real good! I was once again moved by the crowd at the Inauguration. I love your captions – you describe us TODers very well! Thank you HF!!!
Thanks GGail – couldn’t have done this without you guys/ladies here at TOD!!
I wish SoS Kerry well. Netanyahu is the biggest obstacle to ME peace.
Then there are those working overtime to deny Peace and Nuclear proliferation Halt with Iran.
He’s been kicking ass since day one.
Beautiful HF2! I’m loving all these “Thanks for the Memories.” posts.
I just got back from vacation yesterday. We went to Disney World on December 20th to celebrate my daughter’s graduation from Rowan University. Her last final was on the 19th, and she’ll get her grades in January.
Congrats sjterrid on your daughter’s graduation and achievement!! What a nice way to celebrate 🙂
Thank you, HF2! We had a great time, and the weather was fantastic!!! Our coldest day there was probably on Tuesday when it was it reached about 60 and went down into the 40’s.
Congrats to her and to her proud parents.
Thank you, NCLB.
Thank you HF and all others who have shared their most memorable moments of 2013. It is a nice way to end the year with a review of all that our President is and has done for all, even those I am not sure deserve his wonderfulness.
To the authors of the many most memorable memories posts.
Thank you for sharing with the rest of us lurkers and seldom-posters the most beautiful moments in POTUS presidency. I have very little knowledge about how to post and have even fewer lasting memorable links in my archive. Therefore, it is practically impossible to offer to TODVille something in return for the great pleasure I get from this place day in day out.
Having being on disability for over 8 months following a major illness, this place has kept me sane, entertained, educated on the politics of the day, and most of all distracted from self-pity or depression. I am forever grateful to Chipsticks first and foremost, and to so many others particularly to Bobfr who inquired about my health.
I thank you all and wish you a very Happy, Healthy, and Joyous New Year!
NCLB, it’s the regular, everyday comments by TODers that help to make this site what it is, and they are every bit just as valuable as anything else that is posted here. So keep doing what you’re doing, you’re a fundamental part of the TOD community! I wish you the best of health possible for the coming year and years to come. 🙂
Thank you much, Hopefrui2, for these kind comments.
And thanks much for the 10 most memorable moments. The inauguration picture is my favorite. The sea of PBO supporters braving the cold and standing in harmony with the swearing of POTUS melt my heart. I could not attend the 2nd inauguration of our POTUS because by then I began feeling strangely sick and knew that I could not stand on my feet for many hours as I did in 2009.
Thank you for validating my membership to such a valuable and unique blog.
NCLB, here’s wishing you a healthy 2014. Please join in with us any day. We’ll do our best to keep your spirits up!
Thank you, GGAIL. I am making steady progress but will be home for awhile more. I log in every day to read and get educated on what is important about this administration. The Diary has become the only place I look for information besides WH.gov or CSpan. And I thank you all for this.
I’m sorry to hear you have been ill, NCLB. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you have a happy and healthier New Year.
Hopefruit2, thanks for the wonderful memories. There are just so many great moments.
You’re welcome JER. Your links to PBO’s landings and takeoffs are also some of my treasured moments. I never before cared about other Presidents taking off and landing in AF1. Now I get chills watching that plane.
Very nice round up, Hope!
It needs to be posted over and over again…..I hope You don’t Mind.
http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2013/benghazi/#/?chapt=0
It was Sept. 9, 2012. Gathered on folding chairs in a banquet hall by the Mediterranean, the Libyans warned of rising threats against Americans from extremists in Benghazi. One militia leader, with a long beard and mismatched military fatigues, mentioned time in exile in Afghanistan. An American guard discreetly touched his gun.
“Since Benghazi isn’t safe, it is better for you to leave now,” Mohamed al-Gharabi, the leader of the Rafallah al-Sehati Brigade, later recalled telling the Americans. “I specifically told the Americans myself that we hoped that they would leave Benghazi as soon as possible.”
Yet as the militiamen snacked on Twinkie-style cakes with their American guests, they also gushed about their gratitude for President Obama’s support in their uprising against Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. They emphasized that they wanted to build a partnership with the United States, especially in the form of more investment. They specifically asked for Benghazi outlets of McDonald’s and KFC.
Nena20409,
With this link, you are trying to distract us from the real issue, BENGHAZI!
Sorry NCLB. I have sinned against there Benghazi.
Benghazi. Benghazi. Benghazi. Oh Benghazi, where art thou Benghazi.
LOL.
Beautiful job, HF. Loved every one of your memories and agree with your point that the little things matter as much as the big ones. All our president’s acts of kindness, the gestures of outreach and support, help to make him the wonderful person he is.
Indeed Jackie. There are sooo many “little” things he does, and that’s how we know the kind of human being he is. Thanks!
Favorite FLOTUS Moments… Has the White House been reading TOD?
Someone made the same comment as you did yesterday. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did!
This twist on the Year in Review trend is really cool! 😀 With the White House participating I notice that each time I follow one of their links I discover some small thing I might have missed previously for whatever reason. Funny, I’ve always detested the usual year in review stuff that the media did in the past, finding it quite boring the way they slavishly rehashed the entire year, yet I have truly enjoyed all the memories shared in the village and by WH.GOV. I can’t thank the originator of this approach enough! 😀
I agree vc. Methinks the WH chanced on TOD and decided hmmm…and they borrowed Chips’ idea! 🙂
Always a good idea to make use of a good idea, I say (just made that up)! 😉 😉
Seriously though, in the last day or two I have been saying it’s an excellent way to answer the media – flood cyberspace with little bits of accurate information. These tweets and links that the WH have been providing are excellent for this kind of a push-back.
Utal first brought the WH summaries to my attention
and reminded me that we have a treasure trove of quick handy info.
I think twitter brigade should choose a hashtag and send titbits of this info out RELIGIOUSLY over the next week. I meant to start today but got sidetracked – I had to go out, then people actually called to wish me season’s greetings and to chat for a while! 😯 😀 😀 Tomorrow I don’t have anywhere I’m going, plus I’ve decided that I won’t be feeling sociable, so hopefully ‘the plan’ will get off the ground.
That’s a good idea vc…to just saturate Twitter (and elsewhere) with nuggets of truth about what PBO has accomplished. I’m all for it.
I’m convinced we can do this as a team, because there are many other liberal supporters out there who are fed up with media’s stupid end of year lies. My vision is we share the info much as we did with #ACA before the launch, sending out specific, factual info, but in bite size pieces, with a determined upon hashtag, maybe. If we respond to media lies at all (and I know you enjoy tweaking their noses), I say we do it with bits of facts only, not reiterating their nonsense (at least for the next two weeks) and thereby giving it legs.
I’m hoping twitter and elsewhere will give it a shot.
The media selects what the GOP sees as the events of the year – that is why they are usually detestable
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Money Talks. Especially where Bigotry and Racism are concerned. US History is synonymous with such Vile concepts. Shame.
But…no one knows what groups they consulted with!!! They did not consult with the Rep Log Cabin folks nor GLADD and I will bet my last dollar that they did not consult with the NAACP or anybody else for that matter. Me think they just LIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Right wingers speak for God – they can say nothing wrong – those others are heathens – did you not get the memo?
Excellent list, Hopefruit! Thanks so much for the lovely memories. Congrats again to Ms Chips for the 23 MILLION hits!
Hopefruit,
Such a beautiful list. Thank you.
Glad that Chips waited for you to return from your holiday travels to post. 😉
This may seem like a repeat to some (noticed a problem in the previous tweet posted a couple of days ago), but check out some highlights of this article:
“When a White House speechwriter turned in a draft of a major speech on economic policy this month, President Obama sent it back with an unusual instruction: Add a reference to the pope.”
/snip
“Obama’s interest in the pope’s message on economic justice surfaced in early October during a television interview. In response to a question from CNBC’s John Harwood, the president said he had ‘been hugely impressed with the pope’s pronouncements’ and Francis’ ‘incredible sense of empathy to the least of these, to the poor.’ White House officials said aides had not prepped Obama in advance on the pope’s writings.
/snip
“Obama, a Christian who attended a Congregationalist church before coming to Washington and now occasionally attends an Episcopal church near the White House, has shown interest in Catholic thinkers and teaching before. He has said that Catholic social doctrines influenced his work as a community organizer in Chicago, and Catholic writers have discerned that influence in some of his speeches, particularly his second inaugural address.”
And a special portion of the article for our FORUS50 (highlighting the St. Paul, Minn. archdiocese part of the quote — hope she’s here):
“Obama had talked about the pope with members of his inner circle, which includes Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, a Catholic whose brother Kevin is a priest and former high-ranking official in the archdiocese in St. Paul, Minn.”
Hopefruit, that was a fantastic roundup of highlights of most memorable parts for you of PBO’s Presidential year in 2013.
You should be running some prominent news bureau .It is in such contrast to what the MSM is spouting out in abundance with no regard for truth and accuracy far less balanced reporting.
Great job.
After some thought and surprise that Bill Clinton will be administering the oath of office to Bill De Blasio here’s my thought:
Democrats uniting will win in 2014.
Uniting and supporting every Democrat is the path to victory.
The GOP is splintering and we are joining together. POTUS and FLOTUS, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and many more showed up to campaign for Terry Macauliffe and this weak Democrat won the governorship in a tough battle.
So all Democrats are welcome to join us in our taking over the House, holding the Senate and getting as many Democrats into the Governor’s mansions as we can.
Let’s put aside any beef we have with the Former Couple in service of the greater good. (Not that folks calling them shameless camera hogs and self-promoters are wrong!!!!)
Agree, Vicki!
This is so typical. Reuters headline is about the “smattering of protesters” in Hawaii (photo shows 4). Not till the next to the last paragraph does it mention the “hundreds” of supporters who gathered outside the restaurant, Nobu, where the Obamas were dining last night, who “clapped, cheered and waved” as the motorcade departed. Shouldn’t the headline be “Hundreds clap, cheer and wave” and then in the next to the last paragraph mention the smattering of protesters? Shouldn’t the larger segment be the headline?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-obama-protests-20131228,0,711821.story
The answer to your question Dotster and I’m sure you already know this is that the only way the GOP can win in 2014 is to convince voters that PBO is a loser so why would you want to vote for Democrats?
Or choice B supress the vote.
I expect to see the greatest effort possible from the GOPMSM to continue to denigrate all things Obama.
And maybe some additional strategies to keep Democrats home on Election Day.
You’re right Vicki. That’s why it’s important that people become aware of what the media is doing – and WHY they are doing it. Our push-back on TOD, Twitter and other sites are not going to be in vain.
In tepid defense of the article, the headline did say a “smattering of protestors.”
You’d think a hometown paper would recognize the honor of having one of their most distinguished citizens as President, but I know from the comments here that it’s the conservative paper in town.
Still, hometown boy makes good is always a good local story.
At least @joshledermanAP sent this out yesterday:
No one cares when Ted Cruz or Christie is in town (besides lobbyists and Koch Bros, and perhaps Chuck Todd) – or else we would be hearing about it all over the media. No one “lines the streets” to see any GOPer.
Good one, HF2!
Wish someone would mention that to the worthless, lying MSM.
Good for the Obama family.
Great memories, hopefruit!
Wonderful job HF2
HF2, I really enjoyed and share with you your MMs.
I happened to share a taxi ride with friends and family enroute to our hotel and the driver shared with us that GWB’s second (stolen) inauguration they were practically giving invites away to fill up space.
Not ironically I just watched an old video of then Sen. Obama’s and Sen. Hillary Clinton’s debate. They were asked to describe their strengths and weaknesses. It was absolutely remarkable how even then he describe his strenths to perfection all what he has done and hope to do.
I would say spiritually, it is prophetic.
Thank you.
HF2 – Thank you so much for sharing your special PBO 2013 moments!!! It’s such a joy to reflect on all that he has done this year and your choice of images and your personal comments add to the joy. I especially liked your remembering that amazing speech he gave at President Mandela’s memorial and how folk all over the world were awake and participating – including our TOD colleagues. I went to bed at ~ 330a that day!!
#FORWARD Together
Thanks Bob – you were one of the TODers who posted one of the the “Crowd goes wild…” comments at approx 3:30AM, so I think you must’ve gone to bed slightly later 🙂
Just taking a moment from cleaning house and hosting my adult nephew to add in my appreciation for HF. Great memories!
My nephew is FINALLY moving back to L.A. and is going to live in the back yard apartment. My brother was showing him the place and we were discussing utilities. And I poured him a drink of tequila. I am so stoked to have him come live here. Now hopefully my niece will come back soon and start to get her life in order. Really, without family and friends, you’re poor, no matter how much money you have.
LL, you are so right. Without family and friends, life will be too lonely. I am glad your nephew is closer to you.
I have loved every one of the ten top lists with pictures! What a wonderful way to relieve this POTUSWonderful year……which it has been. Thanks to all of you.
Some of my thoughts on the absolutely rubbishy press coverage this year. It has not been wonderful since 2009, but I do remember the press following POTUS and FLOTUS breathlessly at first, and reporting favorably on so much they did. However, I believe that the Kochs and the other corporatist backers were completely convinced MITT was going to win. With that win, they could just consider Obama’s four years, a little blip in their parade of successes. We all know GWB was basically an empty suit run by Cheney and his corporate buddies. They continued the takeover which they began in earnest in 1980 with the election of Raygun. The slide during GWB’s time was amazingly fast and long…..the corporatists got more and more control. SO…..they planned for Romney’s election and their total takeover. They could control Romney too, although he would agree with their goals, and Ryan would be an evangelist for the upper 1% and the Ayn Randian total takeover.
Fortunately, this did not happen, but they had banked on it, and had to regroup. SO, now their plan is to degrade and deride PBO so people will think he’s a failure, when he is not, AT ALL!
My husband just finished reading Dan Rather’s bio, Rather Outspoken. It supports what I’ve just said. He says he is the last of the true investigative reporters, and his 60 minutes report on GWB was the last true investigative report. And, we all know he was chased out of CBS for that. However, in his book, he defends his report and says GWB was not just AWOL, he was a deserter: gone from service more than a year, and out of touch. Anyway, the result of that report changed “news”. He says it has been corporatized and trivialized, and the newscasters just spout what their corporate masters say. We know this, but it is refreshing to read it from one who knows.
I know no one on this blog is surprised.
Carolyn, thank you and your husband for this insight.
So GWB is being paid to STFU because he knows he is stupid and they used him….correction: pimped him. He is going to fingerpaint the rest of his days on God’s earth and pretend he is brain dead. When we all know he is…….has always been and will continue to be.
What is so sad about all of this is he was president of the great U.S.A. and they have the fucking nerves to try and degrade and deride POB.
For the rest of POB’s term I hope he wipes the floor with their racist evil privileged asses. He is everything they ARE not!
He will make his enemies his footstool. Those who could not bear to call him Mr. President WILL remember his name!
Not just the GOP.
When pigs fly and hell freezes, that is when she will get an apology.
I prefe she runs for President….that’s even better.
My new perfect gimlet recipe:
2 oz. of gin
Juice of one lime
two packets of Splenda
Have you ever tried this Tequila Gimlet recipe LL
1 oz lemon juice
1/4 oz Rose’s® lime juice
2 oz white tequila
Shake well with ice in a shaker and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
!!!!!!
SPLENDA? That stuff will kill ya!
Question to TOD’ers.
Who has been most loyal and sincere to PBO and doing the assigned job perfectly?
FLOTUS
close but no cigar.
VP Biden? 🙂
no cigar for you either?
Axe?
Nope.
Pete Souza!
Bingo. How would you like your cigar? cut, snipped or sliced?
All three ways. (Bows).
Here, have a dozen.
Oh my….Bill Clinton will be jealous! LOL Thanks amk for my award 🙂
Favreau
monica bing : I’m sorry, the
ideaquiz time is over.New post!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/12/28/2013-liberal-librarians-most-memorable-moments/