Top 10 things I am thankful for this year

Since I didn't post on Thanksgiving I will give you my post holiday view of things that make my life wonderful David Letterman style. Sorry this is going to be a long one. I hope you have a long list as well.

10. A healthy family - This year I know of many friends who have been through tough illnesses or the loss of loved ones.

9. People watching - Not only can it be entertaining and put your life back in perspective but it is free.  Especially entertaining at a Renaissance Fair.

8. My Mother in laws pecan pie -  While she didn't actually make it herself this year, the fact that I am the only one who really likes it and every year she makes sure there is pecan pie at Thanksgiving is something I am thankful for.  Bonus - the pie was home made as part of a fundraiser so at least the profit went to a good cause.

7. Not having to go shopping on Black Friday -  I got to sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast and spend the day with my family.  No digging through messed up displays, waiting in long lines, standing outside a store while it is still dark for something I can pay 5%  more for with out battling other sleep deprived crazy people.

6. Texas weather - Even though I grew up knowing the brisk chill of late November and seeing the empty corn fields of Iowa I still like Thanksgiving in Texas.  The first time I had Thanksgiving with my wife's family and cutting the Christmas tree in shorts, fighting off mosquitoes seemed a little strange. Growing up we had to dig the snow away from the trunk of the tree to be able to get the saw where we could cut it. I got over it when I didn't have to put up Christmas lights with out gloves and heavy boots.

5. Football - This time of year college football is really getting exciting.  The conference championship games, the rivalies ( Go Mizzou beat KU!) and the annual BCS debate. It is also important to me in that it brings back memories of working out side in the fall cutting firewood with the Iowa or Iowa State football games on the tractor radio and wondering where my little brother was hiding so he wouldn't have to do as much work. We usually found him in the house drinking hot chocolate and reading, especially if it was cold.  (Sorry Andy I just had to go there.)

4. Bicycles - Not only do they help keep me in shape so I can enjoy my favorite brew from Shiner,TX,  they also give me something to share with my kids.  We get to go on rides together, watch the Tour de France, and share a classic sense of freedom.

3. Good tools - While I typically don't have as much time to use them as I would like, my tools help me maintain the house, fix kids toys and make new things.  Having good tools makes the job get done faster and easier. Fixing and building new things helps me stay in touch with that side of men that enjoy knowing we can make things.  Too many of us just generate reports, or manage people who do and forget the spiritual satisfaction of taking raw materials, investing time and creativity to create something that doesn't evaporate when we turn off our computer.

2. The Internet - Yes, kind of a big generic thing to be thankful for but it has helped me this year with a lot of specific things. Facebook has helped me connect with family across the country and keep up to date on people down the street.  LinkedIn helps me as I stay connected with my work network and make getting a job easier for a lot of people. Blogger for giving me a place to express my self and Twitter to have a new gadget to play with and keep us informed on breaking news like Michael Jackson's death and what color underwear Ashton Kusher is wearing today.

1. Not having a job - Yes that is a bit over the top even for this blog but the truth is not having a job has given me a lot of things to be thankful for. De-compressing from the rat race,  spending time with my kids and wife, meeting new people, getting things done around the house that I wouldn't have done if I were working, learning new things and all the other No Job Joys that I have written about.