Happy Birthday America

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Google these words and first on the results is –
July 4, 1776
Independence Day July 4th. On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave” so they can begin their American Dream. The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people.
Today is America’s birthday – how will I celebrate?
It has been years since I attended festivities and fireworks. Will I attend today?
Last year, I spent this day out of town for the first time ever on this holiday. Gary and I were in Florida looking at locations to live and ended our trip by spending this day with his family. This year we are staying home again as we have done so many previous years. This is our last time to spend this holiday in our current home. In less than a month, we will be leaving this home and starting our drive to Florida. Today we celebrate it one last time here in this home.

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In my post on this day last year ‘Parades, Fireworks & Celebrations‘, I concluded with the following –
It is a huge effort for me to be out of my comfort zone that is my backyard, away from my home, my nice lawn and garden and my cool, refreshing pool. I am sure the home will be standing upon our return and within a day or two I will be back into my usual daily routine.
For this day July 4th with me celebrating elsewhere and not staying home in my comfort zone – there should be parades, fireworks & celebrations – for maybe I am declaring independence from my comfort zone.
In today’s post, I conclude with the following –
My last July 4th to spend in my comfort zone is here, and I celebrate. I celebrate the house that was a home to me for almost 14 years. I celebrate this home that has provided me warmth in the cold winter and a refreshing pool to jump into in the hot summer. I celebrate this home that has given me shelter during stormy weather. I celebrate this home that gave me a place to explore my imagination and create an awesome Christmas display for many to enjoy. I celebrate this home that gave me feelings of safety and security during times of trouble, times of sorrow and times of grief.
And I also celebrate the leaving soon of my comfort zone to a new temporary location for the next several months. I do not know where I will be next year spending my July 4th, but this year it is here one last time.

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Happy Birthday America
A proper send off!! Happy 4th Terry! Have a wonderful holiday!
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Thank you Paula! Are you out seeing fireworks this evening? 🙂
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No, we’ll have enough fireworks in the neighborhood… they allow pyrotechnics anywhere here. It’s like being in a war zone, so I just stay home to de-stress the kitties and make sure the house doesn’t catch fire.
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I understand! We live in the city and there is a law against fireworks! Trust me, I will hear them nearby, people do it anyway! Have a safe day! 🙂
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Happy 4th July my friend. I hope the weather has cleared and the day is bright and happy for you. Thinking of you always and enjoy this special day with Gary and Roxy in your lovely home. Have a wonderful day. x
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Thank you Lynne, no sun yet, but we did have a fantastic rain storm this morning. We needed the rain! Today is spent packing and downsizing; the house is starting to look vacant. Appreciate you, have a wonderful day as well my friend! 🙂
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I hope you have a wonderful day in Dallas. I am sure there will be a few nostalgic tears but just focus on the fun of the future and all the possibilities. I can’t stand fireworks (am I really American?) but our little forest has banned them – yay! K x
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That is good they are banned there. Living in the city of Dallas, they are not allowed, but some people do not following the rules! The day will be good, some sadness as we are packing some items and others are being sold. Thanks Kerry for stopping by, happy 4th! 🙂
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Home is where the heart is that is for certain T- we have been in our home 13 1/2 years-5 babies later-I forget how many miles away I am today (soon to change that LOL), and I know exactly how you feel. Our home provides all the things you describe and more. After the RV’ing is done a cutsy house will catch your attention (I bet in Florida) and well you know sell the RV and renovate a home again to exactly how you want it. May just be smaller in size but will meet all your needs. Yep-that’s the ticket my friend. Whoo-Hoo!!! xx
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Florida has always been the next site for the next home. But we wanted to do some traveling first. Will see what awaits once the next surgery is over. Glad you are getting closer to home – be safe! 🙂
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Yes-and that surgery will go fine-a little RV’ing and seeing this great Country of ours and you’ll be back to Florida ready to settle down again after a great adventure. That is what I foresee T. Woo Hoo.
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Enjoy your last Fourth in your comfort place! 🙂
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Thank you Jodi, enjoying today and working on packing and downsizing! It is all good my friend! 🙂
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Happy 4th of July Terry!! Take some time off from the work and play in the pool…as you said “a celebration of your now home and recognition of future plans” (paraphrased). 😉
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May be in the pool a little later, it was stormy this morning with lots of rain. The sun is currently trying to make its entrance from behind the clouds. Hope your day is going well, and you are feeling better my friend! 🙂
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Happy 4th to you both (and Lady Roxy) …. snuggle up and imbibe the home you built together one last time on this day of Celebration. The future awaits and it is uncertain, drink in the memories for they will sustain you as you walk away and into the beyond.
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There are many memories here that we will take with us. It will be interesting to see how I feel when I leave this home for that last time. Thanks Osyth for reading – are you and hubby doing anything special today? 🙂
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That’s just the thing though …. You will take what is precious with you. I had a ritual whenever I moved home (which was too often). When the children were sleeping and it was dark outside I would run a scented bath, light the room only with candles, put on favourite music and lie meditating on what my time in that place had been. I can recommend it with or without Gary 😉 Today we are home ourselves, had lunch by the pool
and will have quiet dinner later. It makes us happy and The Bean loves it when we are all together so it feels appropriate. Fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts otherwise I’d be lighting up the sky 🙂
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I like your idea with the candles and music, I may have to try that! Have a relaxing evening, give The Bean a couple of ear rubs for me. Busy here today, packing and people coming to pickup bought items. Our evening will be quite also. 🙂
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Celebrate big, Terry. And take lots of photos. Your new adventures will soon begin and you are truly ready to move from your comfort zone into and even more comforting zone.
Happy last 4th in your home and I wish you and Gary many more wherever you both shall roam. Clare
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Thank you Clare, I took some photos today of piles of possessions that need to be packed. The house is starting to look vacant! Appreciate you stopping by today! 🙂
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Happy 4th! It is a time for lasts for you and Gary….but that is opening up pathways to many, many firsts!
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A wonderful way to look at it – thank you! Happy 4th! 🙂
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Happy 4th! What a great send off to your comfort zone and opening yourself to adventure and new experiences!
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Yes, it certainly is! Hope your travels are safe and fun! 🙂
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Thank you!
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Enjoy the celebration, you two!!
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Thank you very much – Happy 4th my friend! 🙂
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Happy Fourth of July.
Hope your recovery is going well.
xx
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We are in the midst of redecorating and refurnishing our ‘front room’ (aka living room), and it is currently completely empty, it echoes! We gave away the sofa and armchair, the bookcase and curtains, re-sited the contents of the bookcase, pulled up the carpet and discovered a solid oak parquet floor which has just been restored and looks amazing. The walls are now a different colour and next is the hard part: choosing furniture and curtains! So we are sort of one step ahead of you and I can tell you that although it can be a little stressful, it’s fun too to have a chance to start over. The room is beginning to look like it travelled forward a few decades and I feel excited at how it will be when it’s finished. So, nothing to do with fireworks and throwing away disturbing amounts of tea (😉), just words of encouragement during your downsizing and for your new domestic adventure. 😊
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Your ‘front room’ sounds like it is making a wonderful transition! It is interesting to see our home with no pictures on the wall, and many items being boxed up and others being sold for other people to enjoy. A little sad, but I know this transition is taking us to better places in the future! Thanks for stopping by today, hope your day is a happy one! 🙂
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Happy 4th of July to you Terry! This is your last holiday in this home. And you have lots of firsts ahead of you to create!
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Thank you dear, the last 4th of July was good! Moving on soon to better things ahead and as you indicated lots of firsts! Thank you for always being here – I appreciate you! 🙂
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Glad to see You had a great day ! Now its time to make your new Life movie, how exciting. Lots of joy to You both .
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Thank you Brooke, we have much to look forward to! Hope your day is a happy on my friend! 🙂
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Glad to hear You had a great day, now its your time to make the “the movie of your Life” how exciting !! Lots of joy to You both.
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I am guessing this comment was because the first one did not display? That has happened to me before. Thanks Brooke! 🙂
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Were those Texas sized bottle rockets I heard going off in the distance last night?
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Yes, they certainly were! And I think they came from near my home. It was a little loud yesterday evening! 🙂
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Hope your day was wonderful dear!
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It was wonderful Lynn, and I hope yours was as well! 🙂
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thanks!
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