All week, people have been asking me what I planned to do on Friday?  I thought this was a bit strange, but I've answered telling them that my daughter is in a soccer tourney and such...I mean, what else do I say?  I didn't have anything special planned other than the same things I do every friday.  But everyone has seemed so interested. Then today my daughter came home to tell me about the parade and fireworks and my son announced that he didn't have to work tomorrow.  Only then did I remember that tomorrow is a holiday here.  (Smacks head).  So I feel like an idiot but at least I just answered the question when asked instead of saying something completely stupid and showing my ignorance, boring as my plans were, lol. 

I remember now that the last eighteen years, our families would call and ask what we were doing on the 24th of July.  I'd react much the same way...um, getting groceries, driving the kids to piano, etc.  Because even though I grew up here, I'd lived in Colorado for 18 years and kind of forgot about the state celebration. So it's kind of ironic that now I have a holiday and I forget to celebrate!

Luckily, I punted and it worked out great (yes, I know the 24th isn't until tomorrow -- but it seems they start celebrating the 24th on the 23rd...I think it's so they can fit in more things on the actual holiday).  Tonight was one of the funnest nights we've had all summer.  Seriously!  On an impromptu whim we decided to go swimming at my parents neighborhood pool around 9p.m.  We were the only ones there, and it's a blast to swim in the dark with the pool lights on under the water.  (I always loved this as a kid). We swam until 10p.m. when the city firework show started.  We had a perfect view from the pool deck.  So the four of us (DH is still out of town) sat on the lawn chairs and laid back and watched the fireworks exploding overhead.  No crowds, no saving seats, no talking or music or horns honking, just us!  It was spectacular.  We had such a great time that we decided this should be our new 24th of July tradition.  It's a memory that I'll always cherish.  And I feel like we did something really cool to celebrate!

So happy 24th of July to you . . . no matter where you live.  Do something special just because you can.