1. Our neighbors had a loud, drunken party Saturday night. Don’t know if I’m more thankful that I could sleep through it or sorry we weren’t invited. As I was coming back from walking the dog about 9:15, one of their guests was already tripping out, calling other guests names and threatening them. Sometimes I miss parties like that.
2. Braums soft-serve frozen-yogurt-custard waffle cone. Chocolate/vanilla twist. Oh yes.
3. Griff’s Hamburgers. With superb onion rings and ice cold root beer. Oh yes, again.
4. Eating healthy food most of the time, which makes the occasional junk binge all the more rewarding. See Nos. 2-3.
5. Trying new recipes, such as grilling stuffed chicken breasts filled with spinach, tomato, onion and mozzarella cheese. Delicious! Side note: cooking for two and having leftovers. Yippee!
6. The Cutlet’s health. We were reminded how blessed we are that our infant son is graced with a mostly trouble-free health record so far. A couple we know is currently in the hospital while their son, a few months older than ours, as he recovers from emergency surgery last week to drain a cyst on his hip.
7. Organized religion. (Welcome to the controversial part of our proceedings today). The couple described in No. 6 has a built-in support network for care of their other child, for meals fixed for them, many shoulders to cry on and reliance on a higher power who is in control of the situation. Many people have become “bruised fruit” through abuses of their churches, but invariably the woe is manmade. God is organized, His plan for His church is perfect, and the Bible outlines quite clearly why worshiping and studying with other believers is important. There is so much to write about this that it deserves its own post. I imagine others have a lot to say about this as well, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and hearing yours on the matter in the near future. Amen.
8. Resolve Foaming Carpet Cleaner.
9. Homemade blueberry waffles. (Food must be on my mind today).
10. Turning 30 in 16 days, but feeling like I’m 20 with the benefits an extra decade of experience provides.
That stuffed chicken you talked about sounds awesome....now I'm going to be hungry til lunch and its only 10am.
Ice cream, hamburgers, chicken, waffles... When the best tasting thing in my apartment is crackers... my stomach is complaing about your post.
Amen, indeed. Very well put, and I appreciate your testimony. It's a shame that people may have had "bad" church experiences, but I believe there is something powerfully comforting about sitting in a church on Sunday morning.
As far as the food comments go - amen, again. I love to cook as much as I love to eat. I'm blessed that (so far) I can get away with it. I found the most amazing b.b.q. ever in the history of the entire world this past week. A little hole-in-the-wall in Nellysford, Virginia (at the base of the Resort) called The Blue Ridge Pig. It was almost better than sex.
Great post, thanks.
wow, so someone was trashed out by 9:15? that's some hard core partying. at least wait til 11 to lose your cool. what odd neighbors.
yum, that food sounds good!
i'm glad that organized religion works for you. it has never been a part of my life, and i have an entirely different perspective, and my beliefs are quite different. but i'm always interested to hear what people have to say. it can be a very personalized issue. i have a lot of respect for anyone who participates in any religion.
mmmmm...Braum's malt for lunch possibly!!! Haven't been to church in a while....didn't catch on fire last time I went, so I should be safe! If in doubt.....I'll bring some donuts/juice and I should be welcomed with open arms!!
I have to agree with you on Resolve. When I had carpet, I used that stuff like crazy. Party kids tend to mess up a floor.
Love the homemade buttermilk pancakes too.
Silly me. I meant blueberry waffles. Stupid heroine.
The church (or any) community can be beautiful and supportive when people come together to help each other. In other words, the joy is "manmade" here too.
You can't separate the people from the church (or any) community, so both the joy and the woe are going to be "manmade" on some fundamental level. That is the beauty and the horror of living in a society with other human beings.
I like the look of your new blog. Reading the things you are thankful for gave me warm fuzzies.
Resolve is pretty good but have you tried Hot Shot, that stuff is like magic.
Mm. Stuffed chicken sounds good.
if not orthographically.....mentally, we should make lists like this ever day. rock on.
#3 definitely, Griff's burgers are the best. you know it's going to be a good burger when the floor of the restaurant is greasy slippery.
#2 sorry, I must go with the Peanut Buster Parfait at Dairy Queen.
#7 I think you read some ramblings from me on this subject. always an interesting discussion that i find intriguing. everyone's view is based on so many inputs...like you say a future post of it's own.
#10 turning 30?? the trick is to turn 42 and still think like an 18 year old. music keeps me young and my general refusal to act like an adult unless I have to.
I sure would like some details on that stuffed chicken...sounds great and not too complicated. Food has to be very simple for me to prepare or I'll just eat cheezits for dinner. So happy to hear that not only is your child well, but your friends are being taken care of on many levels. This is a great blog.
I love your lists... Someone else said it gives 'em warm and fuzzies -- I agree... Kinda homey or something, but not "homey" urban-slanglike. :)
Well actually... uh, nevermind...
Damn, you're such a baby!!! 29! You write as if you've had many more years of experience under your belt...
Very nice...
Since you are on the topic of food...I tried something new for lunch at a Chinese restaurant here today....actually, let me shut up. I have a little something to post about now.
i found your list oddly inspiring. it makes me happy that shits so good for you right now, t.
I am most certainly with you on both the Braum's "Cuttard Tyle" (as my wife and I refer to it) frozen yogurt cones and the Resolve carpet cleaner (us being cohabiters with two dogs and a cat!).
Thanks for the spot-on list of random greatness!
What about faster internet connections, holidays with holiday pay, the ability to always find something bigger and better, dreams (otherwise we may not have anything), hot coffee, microwaves, liquor and porn?
I don't have a problem with people that are down with the JC, as long as they don't have a problem with that fact that i'm not.
30 was my bestest birthday ever!