July 4, 2013, Nashville, TN., 7:30 A.M., C.D.T.~

Dear Journal~

Ronee' Stinkowitz here!  Happy Fourth of July to y'all!  Here's hoping that y'all will have a happy, safe holiday full of family, friends, food, fun, festivities, and, of course, fireworks!!

I am off work today (as if my husband); we're getting everything ready for the parade and then the festivities later downtown for the city's annual "Red, White, and BOOM!" Festival.  We are really looking forward to celebrating our nation's birthday, but here we may have to dodge more than a few raindrops: storms and flooding rains are possible, but the city announced yesterday that even if it does rain, the fireworks will still be on!  So that's good, though the fireworks themselves will probably be a little bit damp!

The babies are growing inside my belly.  I'm getting as big as a house!  LOL It's getting harder for me to move around easily, so I'v been using my wheelchair more, as it's easier (and I don't get out of breath nearly as much).  My pregnancy has been progressing very well: my obstetrician, my regular physician (Dr. Padgett), and Michael (as well as myself and my family) are really pleased!

Unlike times past for the Fourth of July, I am not performing with my band, "Cajun HEAT!"  I am giving 'em a well deserved break this go around.  Maybe I'll see some of 'em tonight during the parade or when we're downtown for "Red, White, and BOOM!" ... if not there, maybe when we have lunch.  Who knows??  I'm not singing until tonight, during the patriotic tribute prior to the fireworks.  I'll be singing "God Bless America" (in the style of Celine Dion).  But that is the only time I'm singing tonight!

Well, I hate to run, but it's about time to head out the door; we want to have good seats for the parade, before the crowd gets crazy.  We'll probably eat at Golden Corral or maybe downtown after the parade, then head out to "Red, White, and BOOM!", where we'll camp out until I have to be onstage before the big fireworks extravaganza.  Again, have fun, stay SAFE, and remember to thank God for the many blessings that He has bestowed upon our nation!  And ... I hope y'all see plenty of FIREWORKS!!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Ronee' Le-Anne.  :)