Thankful

It is once again the time of year where we all come together and give thanks for all the wonderful things in our life. Many families across the country will participate in the “Tell everyone something you are thankful for or you can’t have any turkey” tradition. Chances are you could say the exact same thing for 30 years and nobody would be the wiser.

Of course I am thankful for my family and friends. I’m thankful that I have a job and a roof over my head. I am thankful for all those “traditional” things. However, I thought I might spend some time being thankful for some more obscure things. These things might not get a lot of publicity but in the end make life a whole lot more awesome!

So with that, I give you my 2010 List of Awesome Stuff!

I am thankful for squeezable ketchup bottles. How many hours have we wasted shaking, hitting and knife digging in order to supply ourselves with tomatoey goodness. And often only to have our efforts rewarded with the gooey red avalanche! How grateful I am that my kids will grow up in a world where ketchup is but a squeeze away.

I am thankful for flip-top toothpaste tubes. Time does not allow for me to list all the wonders this marvel of engineering brings. One handed access, no more lost toothpaste caps, a cleaner tube and it even stands upright on the counter. Genius!

I am thankful for car-seat warmers. It could be 12 below outside but once my rear hits my toasty seat in my car, all is right with the world. Let’s face it, warm buns make everything better.

I am thankful for the Wii. I have never been much of a video game guy. Mostly because I have never been good at them. I mean sure I saved the princess in Mario Brothers on the old Nintendo, but that was only after I learned how to “rob the turtle” and gain thousands of lives. But the Wii seems to put me on level playing ground. I can succeed because I can choose games that allow me to actually “do” something. I have now reached the status of “pro” on tennis, bowling and golf. Don’t hate my awesomeness.

I want to be thankful for P90X. However, I have discovered that the results attained by this program are not permanent. Evidently you have to continue listening to Tony day in and day out…forever. The box does not come with this warning…I have looked!

I am thankful that while this blog has not gone “viral” yet, at least it has gone international. Yes, Canada counts. And a big shout-out to all five of my followers!

I am thankful for 80’s music, or as we used to call it…music. No additional commentary needed.

I am thankful that my wife is a deal finding Jedi. For her, it is the thrill of the hunt. Think of something you have recently purchased. Chances are she would have found it cheaper. I can see her someday, telling her grandchildren of the time back in 2010 when grandma found a Leapster game for 70% off. I won’t be surprised if someday she begins to mount the receipts on the wall like a trophy elk.

I am thankful for Dutch Bro’s coffee. I realize those outside of the northwest will not appreciate this one. But come on, a coffee place with friendly staff that seems genuinely glad you stopped in. A coffee place that believes a large coffee should automatically come with four shots! I have often said that the Milky Way Freeze is proof there is a God and that He loves me.

I am thankful there is always “On Demand”. If I can’t find anything to watch on the 700 channels we have, I can always hit the magic “On Demand” button and watch my favorite episode of Mythbusters for the 10^th time or catch that episode of Survivor that I missed. Ya right, like I would miss an episode of Survivor or could even begin to pick a favorite Mythbusters. And don’t get me started on my DVR!

I am thankful that in this digital age, we only have to listen to the songs we want. We all know that we only really like 3-5 songs from each album. Unless of course it comes from Garth Brooks.

I am thankful that Chip Kelly is a football wizard. Take it from a guy who used to drive 3 hours to go to a University of Oregon game, only to leave at half-time because we were getting blown out…this guy can coach. And in an era where most coaches are talking out of both sides of their mouth, Chip can seemingly only use one.

I could go on for quite some time. I didn’t even mention our sectional sofa, Five Guys Burgers and Fries or the miracle that people actually read this blog.

Friends, life is full of awesomeness! It is my hope that you take some time to look around and be thankful for it all!

Now it’s your turn. Have some fun and tell me what you are thankful for.