Some Thanksgiving conversations take unexpected turns — and this year, mine ended with my son saying, “Dad, let’s go get one of those Lowe’s buckets.”
If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok lately, you already know the trend: big blue buckets filled with mystery goodies, and only a handful available per store. Now, I haven’t stepped foot into a Black Friday line in years, and I was definitely one of the former crazies who would fight my way through the crowds like it was level 10 on Super Mario. But if you’ve read any of my posts, you know one thing about me — if one of my kids wants to do something, I’m there. Every time.
And let’s be honest… it’s Lowe’s. A store full of tools. Cue the Tim Allen Tool Time grunt here.
Up Before the Rooster
We made the plan: wake up at 4:00 AM — a time no human should have to be awake unless they’re baking bread, delivering newspapers, or fleeing zombies.
By 4:45, we were out the door. I had lined pants on. My warmest coat. I don’t break out the warmest coat unless the weather is spiritually offended at my existence… so you know it was cold.
Only 50 buckets were available. That’s it. Fifty. Like Willy Wonka’s chocolate bars for dads and tool-loving people everywhere.
We pull up, we see the line forming, we jump in — second coffee in hand — and wait for the employees to come by with the scanner to assign bucket numbers. At first, it looks like maybe one of us might get one. Then the employees get to my son and hand him #49, and then hand me #50.
I don’t know why, but at that moment I felt like the dad from A Christmas Story.
A major award. A victory. A “look at us!” moment.
We celebrated by getting back in the warm car and waiting until closer to 6 AM before re-joining the line.
The Golden Ticket
Oh — did I mention that ONE of these buckets had a golden ticket worth $2,000 in merchandise?
We were three spots away from the lucky family who got it: a dad and his kids. One of the kids opened the bucket and found the golden ticket inside. Watching the excitement unfold was honestly worth the early wake-up alone. Memory-making magic.
Black Friday Round Two
After Lowe’s, we headed to Best Buy and scored a 50-inch TV for $180 — absolute steal. Then swung by Farm and Fleet, didn’t grab much, and headed home.
Everyone napped… except me. Because if I nap, I’m up until 3 AM reorganizing my closet, cleaning the garage, or starting a completely unnecessary project at midnight.
So instead, I pushed through and later went to Planet Fitness. And let me take a moment to say: that place is clean. Like, impressively clean. Someone is always wiping something down. Gold star for gym hygiene.
The Shower Incident
After my workout, I hit their rain shower (which puts every other gym shower to shame — none of that duct-taped showerhead nonsense).
And that’s where it happened.
You know that feeling when you go out somewhere in pajamas and pray you don’t run into anyone you know? Well… this was worse.
I’m putting on my shoes, Jeans and no shirt, when someone walks in and says:
“Hey… I know you from somewhere.”
Me: “TADA.”
Him: “OH! I didn’t recognize you without your shirt.”
Yep.
Wanted. To. Crawl. Under. A. Rock.
We then talked for what felt like 10 years. In that moment, I became fully convinced that God was telling me, “Alright Scott… time to literally get your butt in gear.”
Goodwill Treasure Hunting
Later that day, we ended up at Goodwill and hit the jackpot — left with a $120 haul that hopefully turns into some flipping profit.
A Great Day & A New Goal
All in all, it was an awesome day with my son — memories, laughs, deals, tool buckets, awkward gym moments included.
And now…
I’m officially pushing myself to lose about 50 pounds.
Wish me luck — or better yet — hold me accountable.
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