what the hell is a rampart, anyway?

Only a few more hours til the three-day-weekend commences and I am looking forward to it. Because we have nothing really planned. Well, that's not *entirely* true...I think my brother-, sister- and dog-in-law are coming to visit, as are some friends who live in Arlington (which is a mere 20 miles from me, but since we see them once a year they might as well be in Canada).

Last night I was putting all of our books and photo albums back on our bookshelf in the newly-painted office, and I came across this picture from the 4th, 10 years ago.

Yeah...it's a picture of a picture. I don't have a scanner. So sue me.

Back in the day, we used to head out to Arlington (right along the Potomac River) for a day of drinking and watching the fireworks. The year this picture was taken was especially fun because my friend, Susie, was getting married the next weekend...so her Bachelorette party was the night before and most of our sorority sisters were in town for the festivities.

I was thinking about how much my life has changed in the last 5 or so years. Before I got pregnant with E, John and I lived in the 'burbs, but still made it into DC quite often. I'm sure if you plopped me in the middle of Adams Morgan on a Saturday night right now, I would stick out like a sore thumb. The thought of spending a day out along the river makes me tired (and hung-over) just thinking about it. And you know what? I'm fine with that. Whereas 10 years ago, spending a weekend at home (a holiday weekend, no less) would be catastrophic...now it sounds like pure heaven. My three favorite people in the whole wide world will be there, and that's all that matters.

Now if we can only convince our neighbors to cease and desist on the fireworks after 9 or so, so my kiddos will go to sleep...life will be just about damn near perfect.