Happy Independence Day.

Sorry to be so late with the blog, I know how you all sit around waiting for it every month. Hopefully you all had as much fun as we did hanging around with family and friends celebrating the nations birthday. While we were watching the fireworks in Clawson the other night, the question about where the fireworks tradition began came up... well by now you know if I don't know the answer to something, and can't make up a reasonably believable fabrication, I'll research it here. Wikipedia says this:

On July 3rd, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations (fireworks), from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

In a remarkable coincidence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.

Now you know the rest of the story :0)

Well this month, Kelly celebrates her birthday, it's not the big one, or even a big one, but I'm still struggling with what to get her after celebrating almost 30 of them with her... maybe something for my motorcycle :0).

The next couple weeks is a full list of Jessy to-do's. She is moving into her new condo this weekend, the bachelor bash is sneaking up, then the wedding at the end of the month. Seems like this year has zipped by.

Austin and Bella continue to be the best gift kids can give their dad... not being greedy or anything, but I can't wait for more grand kids :0).

On the real estate front:

I continue to roll with buyers. The feds extended the drop dead date for the first time home buyer credit from June 30th to the end of summer. The extension only applies to purchase agreements already written before April 30th. The extension allows a little cushion for banks to get approvals completed, and short sales negotiated.

Still a good time to buy though, prices are low, and there's a bunch of inventory... just make sure you're patient with your realtor, there's tons of stuff he/she needs to navigate through to get a deal done.

Thanks again for the referrals. They are appreciated. See you next month with wedding pictures.