Thanfully thankful

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...
Glinda from Wicked

Another Thanksgiving and another year where I have been blessed with so much good fortune, so many new friends, so much joy and laughter, so many volleyball wins, so much wonderful live music, so much media exposure, so many wonderful trips and just so much love, I can't even begin to quantify it. Here are some of the many things that I am thankful for this year.




I love water. I love the pool at the ridge and am really at home there.But, I really love the hot tub. I could live in that thing. I just really enjoy the way I relax and the way everything feels better when I am in the hot tub. Why don't I just get one for Wisconsin? It wouldn't be the same. Something about being out west, the bubbles engulfing me, and the warmth of the air that makes me so thankful for the hot tub.





Zenyatta. It took me a long time to warm up to this mare but she was legit. Owned by the M of A&M records, and not as quick as my girl Rachel, she is the best filly to run in quite some time. I really like the heart she has, love her charging style, and love how she knows how to win. I am so thankful she ran second in the Breeder's Cup
because I cashed a really nice ticket on the race.

Speaking of awesome fillies; I am very thankful that I got to spend some time with my Mom. I sure wish we lived closer and by closer I mean I was closer to her, the beach and the warm weather of Florida. Love you, Mom

Two more of my favorite girls of 2010 were Glinda and Elphaba. Wicked is the best show I have seen. Granted my pool of live theater shows is small, but I am in love with this show. Grab someone you love, and go see this show. I don't care if you have to travel it's so worth it. If that's not possible your friendly blogger may be willing to hook you up with a dvd copy, if one were to exist. Although there is no official release of a Wicked DVD that doesn't mean you can't click heels and wish.

Thankful for sweater vests and their slimming effect :)

Thankful for Gary Williams. He makes my favorite college basketball team and his alma mater competitive every year. Fear the Turtle!!

Thankful for sunsets and race numbers. I don't think I ever really thought I'd be grabbing four safety pins and adorning my shirt with a race number, but I did it 3 times in 2010. Not bad for a guy that would have lost a race with a turtle to the corner. not saying I'd win now, but it'd be competitive.

Thankful that the NY Times called my articulate and sympathetic. And thankful that CNBC thought my story was worth investing so much time and money on. Not so thankful that More Magazine's writer distorted her stay and relationship with me. Two out of three ain't bad.

So happy that after 13 years Sunshine Daydream has a new address, in a better location, in a larger, newer spot, and with a spiffy new sign to boot. Thankful it has exceeded my expectations. And thankful that my brother Jay was so helpful in opening the store and that Jacky has been so great at making it successful.

Thankful that Jacky puts up with me being gone so much in Utah and out so many nights in the volleyball sand.. And that she makes the store run so well and the 3 apples of her eyes Maggie Daisy Jane and Chille so happy and loved. We are about to Celebrate our 15th Thanksgiving together and very thankful that the Gravy boat won't explode like it did at the first one. Happy Thanksgiving Mrs T.

I really feel at home in the sand. I forget I am old enough to be most of my teammates really cool older uncle :) I'm competitive as hell and they accept that. They make me better in the sand and better everywhere else. They inspire, motivate, and push me. They all hate to lose and they make sure I don't very often. 6 nights a week may have been a little too much as my knees finally said enough, but I sure want to do it all again next summer.




Thankful for Boobies and Pink. Glad I could do my part to make the world a safer place for them :)

Happy for the newest addition to our home. Chille, fresh of two Acl surgeries, has been adopted and is now a Trudeau. Maggie welcomes her to the family with a friendly game of tug o war. Thankful all 3 of the puppies make me smile.

Thankful that Ingrid Michaleson makes great music and is so nice to me and the store. I adore listening to all her tunes. Passes to shows, visits backstage, and stage shout-outs. She makes me smile. Please buy her music, it will make you smile too.

Thankful that I rode a bike again this year. And really thankful that the bike I bought has a bigger cushier seat than the one in Utah.

Thankful, that I could jump better, spike better, and and just play better this year. Happy that Nicole and Mary and Max joined the Sunshine Daydream volleyball teams. Not sure they knew what they were getting themselves into, but I know they had a good time, as did I.

Happy that my trivia team keeps my mind sharp and full of mundane crap. The Crazy waffles continue to make at least one night of my week better cause I spend two hours laughing with them and answering questions about stuff that happened before they were alive....all the way back in the 70's :)

What can I say. So thankful for my fellow triathletes. especially the 3 in the picture who did it all again this fall. You guys continue to inspire me. I owe you guys another completed tri and I will deliver. I love you more than you know.

.



So thankful for my annual trip to Vegas for March Madness. It was extra special this year. In fact March in Vegas was as good as it gets, if you don't include the November trip which actually was profitable and good. I love hanging out with my friends and watching all day college basketball. I can't wait to do it all again this spring. What happens in Vegas stays there but the good times make me smile everyday.






Thankful for Brooks shoes. They make my feet so very happy. The best shoes out there and if you are wearing anything else to work out you are making a mistake.

Thankful for Fitness Ridge. The adventures never stop. I am constantly learning new things and remembering things I haven't done in forever and learning to do them again. This has been an exceptional year. So many new life long friends. So many memories, smiles and inspiring moments.

Thankful the Tanya and Tim thought enough of my friendship that they invited me to officiate their wedding. Thankful that I didn't sweat into a puddle at their feet. It was a very special day one I will never forget.







Thankful for all the wonderful music I saw this year starting with this guy Jackson Browne. Add in Sara Bareilles, James Taylor, Jack Johnson, Steely Dan, Carole King, Ingrid Michaelson, The Eagles, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews, The Dixie Chicks, and Neil Young. But no song made me happier to hear live than Running on Empty by Jackson.








Thankful that my good friend Eric Jackson is the general manager at the ridge. He has made the place so much better. Really happy that he got to see his Bears win live and very happy that he got to Madison this year.

Thankful that these are some of my very best friends. They put up with me in the sand, at trivia, and still include me in their parties. I have known these people just over two years and they have changed my life in Madison. And glad that Allison is back from her year in South Korea seeing as North Korea may wipe them off the map soon.








Really thankful that this guy is in my life. he has been a mentor, he has been a friend, he has been a teacher, he has been a counselor, he has bought me beers and yelled at me for picking losers in Vegas, he has lamented the upcoming downfall of Wisconsin at the hands of the Republicans with me. He has rooted for me at Volleyball, drug himself to trivia where he on occasion throws a sports answer at me, he loathes Duke basketball, Notre Dame football, the Yankees, the Cowboys, Rush, crappy waitresses, no ncaa football playoffs, terrible sports radio hosts, and losing. He is my best friend in Madison and he owes me because I introduced him to Vegas and he now spends 51 weeks a year dreaming of that week he will be there. My life has changed in so many ways. Paul is one of the reasons it's much better.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. I hope you have many things to be thankful for. I am thankful you check in on my blog every once in awhile to see how I am doing. Peace, Love, and Turkeys....Jim