Here I sit at my laptop...the grill is off...the guests are gone...

It's Independence Day...July 4th...my nation's birthday.  I have had a great day.  I got the opportunity to play host to some new friends.  My son transferred to a new school for middle school this year and met a friend in band, they both play trombone and have so much in common.  They are virtually inseparable.  His friend has the neatest family and we have all become friends.  Since they are new to our community and state since retiring from the military and moving from Germany, I wanted to invite them to celebrate the 4th of July with us.

We went to our private water front park on Canyon Lake and had a blast...

playing in the water, having super soaker fights, taking over the cove with our plethora of inflatable water toys and enjoying a break from the amazing heat of the Central Texas summer by bobbing in the water for a few hours.  It was so much fun and we all enjoyed ourselves.  The kids got hungry and we headed back to our house to fire up the grill.  Nothing like burgers and hot dogs on the open fire along with pasta salad, a pot of beans, homemade cake, and cookies.

For the first time in a long time I was having a 4th of July where I felt like I wasn't having to pretend...

to be having fun.  The past few years have been tough since losing my Dad and the 4th of July just hasn't had that same feel.  I have my family and friends and we do fun stuff, but it always seems surreal.  But today was different.  I am not sure why, but I am happy and that is a good thing.  I laughed and smiled alot and felt free...interestingly enough...Independence Day is a great day to feel FREE! 

Then I logged onto Active Rain and low and behold...I have finally broken into the Top 100 in the State of Texas for Active Rain members!

I have been trying to get into the Top 100 forever!  This is exciting for me!  This is worthy of fireworks...except we have a burn ban in effect...so I will have to settle for the ones on TV.  :o)))  I had a fun day...I had a free day...I accomplished something in the Rain...even though I live in an area that has been in a drought for almost two years!  All in all, I can't complain...Happy Birthday America and my heartfelt thanks to the brave men and women who have, currently do and will serve our great nation to insure my freedom.  God Bless America!