Happy 4th of July to Everyone!

[AMISLANDER]

Let's all have a safe holiday!

Be safe in all that you do!

Don't drink & drive or set yourself on fire!

[robivi3]

Transformers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chpxiii]

Remember, folks, July 4th is Indepedence Day. Celebrate independence from debt, worry, and that we're starting fresh.

[fedupw/ccdebt]

Agreed...everyone have a safe and happy holiday! And once again, thanks to everyone that contributes to this site. I don't know if I could have gotten thru the last two months without coming to this site everyday for good advice.

[AMISLANDER]

These people here are the best!

We actually decided to have a celebration at our house, yesterday! They sent me out Tuesday evening with a list to complete....I have not participated in a party in years.....so luckily, I found that the party stores make it easy, with aisles assigned....I just got one of each kind of 4th of July decoration and amazed myself when it actually came to hanging the stuff yesterday afternoon....we have a southern, new orleans style home...and it really made it look right out of the south....even right down to the little half moons hanging over the gingerbread of the front porches....

250 water balloons between a 5, 7, 9, 11, 14 and a few more kids....later.....everything was WET! The upstairs housemate had her family assemble the grill, we had the standard 4th fare, beer, wine, you name it & someone even drove up to the fest on a 2007 Harley...WOW!

My kids saw the fireworks on AMI the night before & were not crazy about walking down to Sarasota Bay/Marina Jacks, but went anyhow....right about 9 it started to pour, the crowds were just too much for us anyhow & we turned around & walked home....5 min....nice! They actually shut down U.S. 41 for the celebration....they know how to celebrated downtown here...I've never seen anything like it in my life!

A good time was had by all, we set off some fireworks a bit later & actually decided that it would be fun to "Caution Tape" our downstairs housemates door as he did not participate in the party planning but did come with his girlfriend anyhow....since two of us left early, before 9 a.m. and our third coconspiritor was most likely still sleeping...I totally can't wait to get home to see if he's ventured out the door yet!

[Minnymouth]

Sounds like you had a "blast"............and probably well earned after all you've been thru the past year.....

Our subdivision had their usual "block party" - fireworks and all.......

Besides setting off our own we have a panoramic view of two towns of fireworks - one north and one south - no matter which way you look from our subdivision.

They were still at it long after I went to bed...... 5 am comes real early when your partying.....

My girls (dogs) hated the fireworks, but survived it......

Love the holidays..................

[AMISLANDER]

Sounds like you had a "blast"............and probably well earned after all you've been thru the past year.....

Our subdivision had their usual "block party" - fireworks and all.......

Besides setting off our own we have a panoramic view of two towns of fireworks - one north and one south - no matter which way you look from our subdivision.

They were still at it long after I went to bed...... 5 am comes real early when your partying.....

My girls (dogs) hated the fireworks, but survived it......

Love the holidays..................

THanx & congrats on your case closing!!!!!!!! I bet your view was wonderful!

We totally did not have a view from our house (blocked by the highrises...we did hear the fireworks & actually, it wasn't as loud as you'd think it would be...

I've heard on the news that many cities across the country will not be funding fireworks next year?

[Minnymouth]

Thats TRUE about some of the cities not funding fireworks. Ours didn't this year (said no room in the budget) and so two private citizens donated the money to do it with..... 1st year for that to happen in our town....

Since we're "country folks" - lot of folks around here set off their own fireworks also....... so they are going off all over the place.... The local news cautioned every one about how "dry it is" here, and that a sparkler can even set off a forest fire quickly.....

But thankfully no fires, or no one injured locally.....

Now in the city where I came from fireworks are illegal.......only city sponsored ones are available... no private at-home ones.....