TAT CN Header

Friday, November 23, 2007

Gratitude

Thanksgiving is a holiday for gluttony -- lots of food and lots of drink, and I certainly worship at the oven and fridge in relgious fervor of both -- but it's also a holiday that gives us an opportunity to reflect on those people, places, ideas, things that we're grateful for. Yesterday, as we spent our holiday with friends, I was reminded of plenty that I am thankful for.

First of all, I'm thankful for my husband -- he's the kind of guy to wear a t-shirt and camo shorts to a holiday dinner and I love him for it. But more importantly, he's the most supportive person I know: He truly accepts me for who I am, and he provides me with the unique combination of feeling like I can maintain my individual identity while still having the security of couple-hood. Plus, he comes to my races and takes great pics for my blog (see below) -- which leads me to also be thankful for my good health and ability to run and race (again, see the post below).I am also thankful for my fur-baby, Scooter. Yes, he rolled in duck poop yesterday and then later coated himself in turkey grease (he's a delightfully sticky little bastard today), but again, I can't help but love him. And since I'm holding beer in both of these first two pictures, clearly, I am grateful for hopps, barley, and water and the delicious combination that it provides.All that beer made me brave, so I tried out the vocals on Rock Band -- I sang an awful rendition of Radiohead's "Creep" and then made some *slight* improvement with Weezer's "My Name is Jonah" and Garbage's "I Think I'm Paranoid." But I am thankful that the world is constantly inventing new ways to embarass myself and that my friends find me amusing -- even if they are laughing at me, not with me.
Which brings me to my friends. We can be a bit dysfunctional, like any family, but also like any family, there's few other people I'd rather be with on a holiday. I am VERY grateful for this group of people.
And lastly, I am grateful for fun times. I don't know how many of you got to enjoy a full-fledged Rock Band on Thanksgiving, but I did, and it was just one more thing that makes my life so much fun. "Fun" may seem like a silly thing to be thankful for, but it's one of my chief concerns in life -- I like to enjoy all aspects of my existence and have fun whenever possible: running, teaching, traveling, with family, friends, and at home. So, this, this right here? This was fun.
I hope everyone else had a fantastic holiday and enjoyed themselves as much as I did!

16 comments:

Steve Stenzel said...

wow, those photos...are...werid....

Alison said...

Awwww. What a great post. It's so nice that when you live so far away from home, your friends can become your extended family (without the drama).

And if I remember correctly, Brad wore jean shorts (remember, this is Michigan) and a Morothead t-shirt to my family dinner. :)

J~Mom said...

Glad you had a fun Thanksgiving! I am also thankful for your hubby's photos! :>)

Agate Lake Girl said...

I am very thankful to be one of your friends! Yesterday was about as perfect a Thanksgiving as I could imagine. Thanks for the serenade and the couch snuggle. :)

Sara said...

Happy Thanksgiving. I just came across your blog somehow and think it is just too funny! I was laughing out loud here at work too many times to count! I want to keep laughing so I've linked you on my not so funny blog. Hope that is okay.

Marcy said...

Looks like a GREAT THANKSGIVING!!! And I'm totally thankful for your blog, always a good read on 21 Days ;-)

Laurel said...

That's so cool! It looked like your Thanksgiving rocked...literally.

MNFirefly said...

Great post, Jess. Sounds like you had a great time yesterday.

Wes said...

Ahhh... The ole rolling in various animal poops thing. I remember it SOOOO well :-) I am grateful for the internet, because I get to see all these great pics, and I don't have to listen to you sing :-)

Jes said...

This was a great post. I'm always homesick this time of year...Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday EVER and here I am in a country with no Thanksgiving! :( This post reminded me that I still have lots to be thankful for!!

Erin said...

The Froyd's also thank you for your assistance in plugging the drain, fixing it, and cooking :)

It was a very nice Turkey Day. Glad we could spend it with friends.

David said...

So many beer pics for Wes! Looks like a great time for all. Enjoy the weekend!!

nwgdc said...

i think that's my favorite post of yours yet. it really makes me realize how blessed i am to have the people in my life that i do. even with my WIFE in london, the last two days have been more than i could ever ask for. great post!

Stuart said...

Dang no video/sound of 'Paranoid! Oh well maybe next year...

Mary Gee said...

Your Thanksgiving looks like a lot of, well, fun!

Mendy said...

Sounds like a blast with a good group of friends! Friends (true ones) are hard to come by, and you guys seem to have it together!

Love the photos and glad you had a wonderful Turkey Day!!!!