I am grateful for the smell of new carpet.

I am grateful for clean hands.

I am grateful for the FEW fast food and restaurant employees who know how to hand a cup or glass to a customer – FINGERS OUT OF THE INSIDE AND NEVER CLOSE TO THE RIM. Please managers, TEACH YOUR EMPLOYEES TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

This raises my blood pressure.

Which makes me grateful for Marty, my boss at Ken’s Pizza when I was 16 years old, because he taught me on day one proper waitress/server etiquette.

Which also makes me grateful for memories of my daughter’s science project about bacteria in human mouths vs. bacteria in animal’s mouths. The dog was so much cleaner/more clean/cleanified.

Which makes me grateful for strong mouthwash.

Which makes me grateful for fresh breath.

Which makes me grateful for Wrigley’s Doublemint gum. NOT Juicyfruit. I am not grateful for Juicyfruit. Just saying the name brings back the headache.

And…moving on.

I am grateful for shiny new pans that cook basmati rice TO PERFECTION.

I am grateful for hairspray.

I am grateful for hot water heaters that allow me warm water.

I am grateful for Aunt Patsy’s permission to use the white towels.

I am grateful for the sound of popcorn popping.

I am grateful for fingerprints on the counter and Transformers left upstairs, evidence of little ones.

I am grateful for a dumpster with wheels.

I am grateful for foot pain, because it is a reminder that I should be grateful that I can walk at all.

And I am grateful that my Dad will be arriving for the weekend in about an hour or so.