And I want this because we have what must be the most unreliable electric power grid in the country in the Memphis area.  This is mostly because we have so many trees, very large trees in many cases, which tend to fall during storms and take the power lines with them.  This happens so frequently that I have the power outage reporting number on speed dial.

Still, with one of those GUARDIAN standby generators hooked into my house’s electric lines, I would hardly even notice a power outage.   With the ability to produce 16 kw – enough electricity to run 160 100 watt light bulbs and a 300 gallon tank of propane, this bad boy would power most everything in the house, except maybe the washer and drier, for days if need be.  It even comes on automatically which means I wouldn’t have to go out in the nasty weather to start it!  Best of all, I could offer hot food and shelter to the neighbors during the blackout.  I like my neighbors and $5,000 seems like a small price to pay to make them, and me, comfortable in an emergency.  Now if I can just convince my wife of that

the Grit

… which is a Jacuzzi J-480 spa / hot tub.  It sounds like it’s well equipped – lots of jets, built in music system and lights, and even a little water fall.  Plus, they claim it seats 6, so the wife and I should be able to squeeze in. 

Sure, considering the weather here, we’d probably only use it twice a year, tops, but I still want one.  Plus, I want it mounted in the deck like this…

… which would really show it off and make a great conversation piece when we have parties.  And who knows, if the wine flows freely enough   That might even make it worth the price, which isn’t listed, but which I suspect is up there, considering that their web page talks a lot about helping the customer with credit.

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No, not the hunk, although Annie may disagree with me on that point, the Bowflex.  I’ve seen their ads on TV for years, and since they never tell you the list price, just the monthly payments, it must be expensive.  I want some show muscles, and this looks like it would be easy enough to use that I might actually do so.  Besides, it would be fun if some visitor noticed it in my bedroom, just for the conversation value.

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… even though I’d probably have trouble finding a place to test fire it without killing a handful of neighbors.  There’s also the thought that, should I ever decide to shoot a deer or two, the only thing left would be ground meat.  Still, one would look mighty good mounted above my mantel with some of the bullets in a glass display case underneath.  So, while $9,000 for a conversation piece may be a bit high for most people, it would definitely be a good one.  Plus, my don’t mess with status in the neighborhood would go up several notches.

the Grit

Wagyu Kobe beef ribeye steaks!  While these come from cows raised in America instead of from the specially pampered bovines of Japan, I’ve heard that they are absolutely mind blowing in their deliciousness.  While I’m normally one who pinches pennies so hard that Lincoln’s head pops, every now and then I get the itch to blow some money on non-essentials, and this is one of those times.  Really, what’s life without a bit of indulgence every now and then, and at $316 for 4 one pound steaks, serving these for your immediate family, let alone a large dinner party, definitely qualifies as decadence!

Still, if you take a moment to close your eyes, think about how much fun you’d have cooking these slabs of expensive meat on the grill – and serving such delights would undoubtedly be good reason to purchase a new grill – probably over charcoal with just a bit of hickory for just a hint of smoky flavor, and then how sweet it would be to present such treats to your unsuspecting guests, I think you’ll agree that this is definitely something to keep in mind for when you hit the lottery.

the Grit