You may not be a big American history buff, but you can still appreciate the wonderful cultural tradition that is the Fourth of July.  Holidays like this are a great time for meaningful bonding with friends and family.

I love American holidays for their celebration of families and traditions.  National holidays provide a day off so hopefully there can be that one special day when fathers and mothers get to spend time with their children, and friends and family can travel across long distances to see each other for a special weekend.

If you have are having a Fourth of July celebration, make a special effort to include friends who may not have anyone else to celebrate with.  The summer is finally here and we should all just relax for a day and embrace the happiness that surrounds a social atmosphere.

I think Fourth of July traditions have a lot to do with open-mindedness and everyone coming together to appreciate the country that we share.

Image: Flickr Jesse Michael Nix

Wait - Thanksgiving . . .

We went on a hike. I’m super impressed that my kids can walk right up a fallen tree 4-feet off the ground. Even the 2 year old.

My Better Than Robert Redford Pie ever had to be thrown out - something about the barometric pressure and humidity turned it into soup. Bummer.

Called a boycott on 2 Thanksgivings on one day. Spend Thursday with my extended family and Saturday we had a Thankgiving Feast with his. It was a much more relaxing holiday.

Next year his extended family will get Thursday and I’ll celebrate with leftovers on that Sunday with mine.

We even broke out some electro-shock therapy and hooked up the aches and pains of the whole family. Saving chiropractor copays all around. How’s that for frugal?

Take out hassle and stress - insert joy. My new Holiday Motto.

We can talk about Christmas tomorrow. I didn’t want to brush over Thankgiving - she deserves her due.

I’ve compiled a list of the products I’ve recommended on Blog Fabulous in a special page —-> over there in the side bar.

Click here on the Blog Fabulous Giving Guide. < -----------

I’m truly grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to try all these wonderful products, read the great books and discuss all this fantastic information with you. I will be working on the list over the holidays, but for now it’s some skin products and some books.

I’m waiting to be approved for some of the other recommendations.

That’s about Black Friday.

But, Thanksgiving - today. I want you to try this … look around and realize that whatever the news is blathering on about in this economy your heat is still on, you still have a television and a computer, you still have hot water and a car no matter how beat up. And if you don’t have those things right now, there is still plenty of time to get them.

You still have people you love or who love you - if you haven’t driven them away already, and if you have - just remember, you can always evolve and find more.

You’re you and you is good enough.

You have all the power you need inside - it just takes a few skills to find it. What else is New Year’s for?

I am Thankful that YOU are here.

Don’t let the Holidays stress you out.

• Prozac $12
• Zoloft $86
• Xanex $4

All day long, as I was running errands for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving dinner, people would say “Happy Thanksgiving”.

I don’t know why, but its one of the most pleasant phrases I know. It sounds more genuine than, “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays”.

Maybe it’s just because, like many of us, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

I have so many things to be thankful for, but for some reason, I feel just so blessed to simply have my family near by, and especially, Trotter — he’s very genuine, as well.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

That felt nice.