I Go Bye-Bye
By Amber
@AmbiePam (120696)
United States
July 1, 2009 9:27pm CST
The title of my post sounds like baby talk. Sorry about that, I wasn't sure how to title it. I know a lot of Americans are going somewhere or doing something for the upcoming fourth of July, and this time I am too. I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon, so I wanted to ask a couple questions first. Americans, what are your plans? Non-Americans, what are you doing on the fourth of July? It's a regular day for you all, right? So are you working that day?...?
My dad's side of the family gets together every year at a resort called Fin 'n Feather. They rent the biggest cabin, and all of the family that can, come and spend a few days there. It may sound expensive, but the thing is, my dad is 15 of 16 children. Two of his siblings are gone now, but with 14 left, all their children, all their children's children....well, when they all pitch in, we have enough to rent the big cabin.
This year my parents, sister and brother-in-law are renting one smaller cabin. They even have a bed for me. My dad is paying for the cabin so we can all have a bit of privacy. Three years ago, the last time I personally was able to go, a two year old kid came into my room and peed on the floor next to my bed. Yep. Sad thing? I had no idea what this child's name was. Seriously, I have over a hundred cousins (1st, 2nd, 3rd). So we - and I think a few more family members are getting our own cabins this year. I'll be gone until Sunday.
9 people like this
27 responses
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
2 Jul 09
I hope u have a real big time. I think it would be nice to have than many kinfolks even if one of them did pee in the floor, lol.
@AmbiePam (120696)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Hey, you hit the big 9000. Congrats!
I love having a big family, but I get really nervous in crowds. And my dad's side of the family is very boisterous. The highlight of any family get together for me is hanging out with my dad's sisters, my six aunts. I love being with them. I'd rather be with them than any of my cousins.
3 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Thanks ambie. U are very fortunate to have 6 aunts. i didn't have but two & they both are gone. Enjoy every minute of your visit.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Hi, that sounds like lots of fun. Is it in your home state? I have never heard of it, but it sounds like someplace I would like to go. I have been to the Turner Falls area a time or two and really enjoyed it, and that animal park thing in the area. Cannot remember its name, though. Why is this place called Fin and Feather? I wish I had money for a Christian camping park, or resort. I would call it Gladly the Cross eyed Bear. Had to add that, because I think names should be fun.
@AmbiePam (120696)
• United States
2 Jul 09
I like that name, Gladly the Cross Eyed Bear. If you ever start it, I'm in for the investment! It might be five bucks, but I'm in. 
I'm not sure why it is called Fin 'n Feather. It is near Lake Tenkiller. I can't think of what city it is in. It is in Oklahoma, near Webbers Falls. Have you heard of that town? It's so small you can drive five feet and pass it. The resort is just west of the Arkansas state line.
I'm not sure why it is called Fin 'n Feather. It is near Lake Tenkiller. I can't think of what city it is in. It is in Oklahoma, near Webbers Falls. Have you heard of that town? It's so small you can drive five feet and pass it. The resort is just west of the Arkansas state line.2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
2 Jul 09
I have never been to Tenkiller, as my family did not go to the lake when I was growing up. I sure wish they had. It does sound fun.
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
3 Jul 09
It is good that you will be able to do this, this year. I hope you have loads of fun and get to know a few more cousins whom I am sure popped into this workd in the last two years...We are just having a small cookout right now just me and hubby and maybe my parents. It is my birthday the 5th of July so we usually celebrate it with the 4th and my actual birthday is one of relaxing..I am going to be 35 this year..lord have mercy I am gathering speed up the hill to be over the hill soon..lol
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
7 Jul 09
Yep, time can fly and then we open our eyes one day and we are 10 years older and don't know how we got there...Thanks for wishing me Happy Birthday, I appreciate it.
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
2 Jul 09
It sounds like you will be having a wonderful break! Enjoy it and may you stay safe!
I'm in Australia, so we don't celebrate the 4th of July. But my sisters are coming up to see me and my family before they head overseas for 18 months. It should be a pleasant day all round, if we all get enough sleep Friday night.
1 person likes this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
3 Jul 09
I know. I'm going to miss them heaps, but only because I can't text them to annoy them! LOL. They live a few hours away from us, are super busy with study and work and we can't travel with 5 little ones to see them.
Just a few short hours and they will be here (our time).
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
2 Jul 09
You must have some family gatherings! Wow! I hope you have a great time and a lovely weekend.
We don't do anything big on the fourth of July, mainly because my family is so small. With my parents and only sister gone, I only have my sons nearby. I have some cousins but don't keep in touch with many of them and others just live too far away.
We moved to Virginia two years ago from Maryland. Most fireworks are illegal in Maryland but they are legal here in Virginia. So, I do like to have a barbeque with some fireworks once it gets dark with my small family. Two years ago, my oldest friend from Maryland came by with her family. Last year, my sister-in-law joined us. This year, we're doing very little because we're still trying to catch up on all our bills from when my husband was unemployed for four months. I have some fireworks left over from last year (when we had money), but my oldest son has to work on the fourth. So, if my youngest son has made no plans, he'll be coming over for some hot dogs or hamburgers on the grill and some fireworks, but nothing more.
If I'm up to it, we might go and watch the firework display that the City of Winchester puts on every year. It's not bad, actually, for such a small city!
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Jul 09
We ended up doing exactly what I thought we'd be doing. Just the three of us, my son, my husband and myself. My son and I did the barbequing and he shot off some fireworks which were very pretty! We cooked babyback ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers and shrimp on the grill, plus had corn on the cob, baked beans and potato salad. WAY too much food for just three people! LOL But, I gave my son a bunch of stuff to take home so my other son could have some of what we cooked.
On the way taking him home, we saw fireworks all over the place. We most definitely weren't the only ones enjoying fireworks! It was nice, although my husband was busy most of the time working on setting an arbor up for me. He was very much the engineer he is, too, measuring, digging, putting sand down, more leveling, blah blah blah. He postponed putting the concrete mix in because of the rain that was supposed to be coming, though. Even so, what he did took hours! That's an anal engineer for you! LOL
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
3 Jul 09
We are having a cookout at the church where my husband pastors. It is called God and Country Day and it's an annual event. We get together and have food, fun and fellowship. We will have special singing and it's blow ups and water toys for the kids.
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
2 Jul 09
Hello AP. Happy the 4th of July. Well, I am going to travel on train tomorrow evening. My train will leave for my hometown at 7:23 in the evening. I will have to stay on the train for more than ten hours before I get to my hometown on the morning of July 4th. I am now getting excited for this. I wish you to enjoy your time when you are having your days off, friend.
1 person likes this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
6 Jul 09
I hope you had a good time. I have a big extended family as well. My dad is one of 13 and my mom is one of 8. I am one of 6 kids as well.
I did not a darn thing on the 4th. I was going to go over to my brothers house, but we ended up staying home. I did not even leave the house on the 4th.
1 person likes this
@chrislotz (8136)
• Canada
13 Jul 09
I live in Canada so we don't celebrate the 4th of July. So that makes it an ordinary day for us and we all work. But we celebrate July 1st instead and most companys and stores and such are closed that day. But I am self employed and so I still worked as if not I don't make any money.
It's nice to see so many Americans make the 4th of July a very important day. We do here in Canada too. The city where I live, Calgary, we had fireworks at the stampede grounds and you could almost park anywhere in the city in an upper level part, and see it. My daughter and I parked up above the grounds and we got a great view of it. A person could go to the stampede grounds and see them for free, but the parking gets to be so bad that you almost have to walk a mile or two to get close enough, so we always have a certain spot we know of that we go to when there are free fireworks at the grounds.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120696)
• United States
13 Jul 09
When I was fourteen I did not go to Fin 'n Feather with my parents. So they asked a college girl who was not going home for the holiday to stay with me. We went and stopped on the side of the highway near downtown, and watched the fireworks while sitting on the hood of the car. That was fun.
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Wow! Have fun!!! I'm doing absolutely nothing for the Holiday. My guy friend's evil twin decided to fly in and that has ruined any chance I had of doing anything because he insists on being with us. I can't stand him.
My son's fiancée is 6th of 15 and many are still in school still living with their parents. I can't imagine it - I'm an only child. My kids were the 25th & 27th grandchildren to their dad's parents, while I was an only grandchild for my first 10 years!
But, have loads of fun!! Just getting away from the daily grind can do wonders!!
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
10 Jul 09
well thats pretty dang wonderful
that really sounds like fun and i hope you had fun. i also have hundreds of cousins and the family reunion is unbelievable. you have to root out the people you actually know and be reintroduced to many if they havent attended a few years
that really sounds like fun and i hope you had fun. i also have hundreds of cousins and the family reunion is unbelievable. you have to root out the people you actually know and be reintroduced to many if they havent attended a few years1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
2 Jul 09
wow! What a huge family but I bet that you are glad that you are sleeping on your own this year! I really wish for you a wonderful Fourth of July. No we do not celebrate it out there but we do celebrate our Independance Day and this is a public holiday. I cannot believe anyone having over a hundred cousins. I have about 6!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120696)
• United States
6 Jul 09
I'm back from my trip.
Of course they are first, second, and third cousins, and I don't know all of their names. In there somewhere are a couple of step cousins too, of course. I don't feel badly about not knowing their names. They sure as heck don't all know mine!
My first cousins know who I am, and most of my second cousins do. But from there...
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
2 Jul 09
Yesterday was canada day. We didn't do much. I stayed at home working on my projects due this summer. Hubby was bored going around but nowhere was open of course. I have a lot to do for the projects I'm working on I won't be free to do anything else until summer. I haven't spent as much time as I used to on mylot, but I will as soon as I'm done with these projects.
Sounds like a good plan you have there. Must be nice belong to a big family. Have a good weekend!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Holy moly you do come from a large family! I'm a bit envious since now I'm last of the mohicans here...do have my father's side of the family in Calif but not close...so my only family now are my two kitties
Sounds like you'll have a lot of fun...nope no plans to do anything this July 4th weekend except hang out at home here
Couldn't resist...is this where you're going?
http://www.finandfeatherresort.com/about/about_overview.html
1 person likes this
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
2 Jul 09
Sounds like you have it all planned out for a great getaway. Hope you and all you immediate and extended family members will enjoy the time together. For us here in Asia, the US Independence Day is just another working day. Maybe the Americans will have some celebrations of their own at their workplace or within their own communities. For our own independence day, it is usually a public holiday, and we usually have a spectacular evening parade culminating in grand fireworks. So I usually stay home and watch the parade live on television.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
2 Jul 09
That sounds like great fun! No Fourth of July celebrations in Australia, I’m afraid! It must be great having such a large family! Aside from my husband and daughter I only have my parents, sister and one niece. My husband is one of six so his family get togethers are great; the only problem is that they all live on the other side of the country!
Have fun on your trip! Watch out for those territory marking toddlers!
Have fun on your trip! Watch out for those territory marking toddlers!1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
2 Jul 09
We're just hanging around, will probably go see some of the fireworks displays. We usually go to the Red, White and Boom festival, but this year it's in Bricktown and I'm not into paying $20 for parking.
I hope you have a terrific time! The weather sounds good (so far). It will take you until Sunday to remember everyone's names, right? Remember to tell us the funny stories next week, ok?
1 person likes this
