With Thanksgiving just a little more than a week away it seems appropriate to reflect upon what one is most thankful and grateful for. I’ve been seeing and reading lots of lists and figured I should give it a go too. But this isn’t going to be your conventional “thankful” list. Of course, I am plenty thankful for my family & friends. I’m grateful that I have a loving place to come home to every night and a job and co-workers that I enjoy seeing on a daily basis. But what about the other things I’m thankful for… the ones that don’t get remembered on lists like this? Those things that are taken for granted and not given their due.
So here’s my shout out to some other things I am thankful for this year (in no particular order):
My flat iron – On many a morning this handy hair straightening aid has transformed my locks from looking like the Bride of Frankenstein to that smooth, sleek – just come from the salon do, making me presentable to the outside world.
Spanx – The inventor of Spanx should get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an Oscar, a Congressional Medal of Honor they’re just that good! I couldn’t wear half of my wardrobe without mine. My Spanx have literally helped me in a pinch…like when my suit pants are pinching my waist from an overindulgence of cupcakes, cake & chips.
Drive thru restaurants – On those nights where I am totally worn out and run down, making a quick pit stop to pick up a meal without having to decamp the kidlets is a life saver. Honorable mention goes out to the toys in those kid meals I get at the drive-thru. They have helped to occupy the kids on a night when I’ve totally needed a break!
Handi Wipes – When I’m out with the kidlets and one of them touches, say, bird poop (like my son did this past weekend), I can just whip out one of these little packets and clean their hands lickety-spilt. Totally convenient when you’re finished at the local playground and your kid is covered in dirt or when you’re out at a restaurant and they’ve managed to put more on themselves than in their mouths.
iPad – I have a love/hate relationship with the digital age, but this is one of those gadgets that I just love. I can of course carry around dozens of books to read, and I’ll admit to playing a bit of “Peggle” as well, on the train, subway, sitting on a park bench or waiting in the doctor’s office.
AAA Membership – In addition to bailing you out in an emergency – i.e. fixing flat tires, towing and jump-starting your car, a yearly membership to this auto club also gets you great hotel rates, and member discounts for Broadway shows, amusement parks, museums, shopping and the like. Best of all they also offer a trip planning service – where they’ll plan your driving route for you, complete with maps and useful local area information.
If this was your list what would you add? And why?