A Year of Thanks: August

August. August is a good month, mostly because it’s back to school for many kids and my birth month. I’ve a had a lot to be give thanks for this month, and I’m going to narrow it down to 31 things.

I’ve been doing this since January, so here you can find January, February, March, April, May, June, and July.

Here’s my August: 

1. AFN: We lived in an off-post high rise in Korea, so we couldn’t have AFN. It would have been nice, but we made do with Netflix and Hulu. That being said, I’m thankful AFN exists, because those who live on post have the option, and we are in an on-post hotel as we prepare for our PCS, so we now have the option!

2. French toast: Because I don’t want to know what it’s like to live in a world without French toast.

3. Martha Stewart: Think of how much more uncivilized this world would be without Martha. I learned how to fold a fitted sheet because of her. That’s not to say I actually fold fitted sheets, but if hard-pressed, I could.

4. I’m American: Yeah, America has its faults just like everything in existence, but after having lived in Korea for three years, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I am proud to be American.

5. Keyboard shortcuts: I use Command Z, Command C, and Command V as if my life depended on it.

6. iTunes Radio: Thank you, Apple, for getting on the free radio bandwagon. ‘Preciate it.

7. iPhone: The iPhone was revolutionary when it came out. Hell, it still is. I remember when my husband (then boyfriend) bought me the first iPhone. It was love at first sight!

8. Smucker’s Goober: You know, the peanut butter and jelly in the same jar? It’s genius and delish!

9. Little Women: LA: Best guilty pleasure since Sister Wives. Love!

10. Every now and then, Hulu plays a show without commercials: That’s like getting a present on Christmas morning.

11. The first day of school: THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

12. Silence: Because it really is golden.

13. Getting our HHGs from Korea nearly a month ahead of schedule: Which is more than I can say for my car, but that’s not something for which I am thankful, so we will just move right along.

14. Finding the perfect house: My family and I are renting this gorgeous house in Alabama. We even talked about buying it, but while I love this house, Alabama isn’t my forever anything. I’ll miss the pool when we leave.

15. Positive pregnancy tests.

16. Being officially out of the first trimester: My last pregnancy resulted in miscarriage, so I feel like I can finally relax now that I am in my second trimester.

17. Seeing my son’s schoolwork when I pick him up: The amount of pride he has in the things he has done in school makes me beam with pride. Kindergarten has gotten off to a good start.

18. Having an eye for photos: That’s not to say I’m the most amazing photographer who has ever walked this Earth, but I do acknowledge I don’t completely suck at taking pictures. I found something I love to do.

19. Bookshelves: Never mind the fact that there are books on my floor, because I need another bookshelf. Bookshelves are awesome.

20. “Gorilla” by Bruno Mars: Just. Yeah.

21. Refrigerators with ice and water on the door: Genius. GENIUS.

22. Having a pool in our backyard: I really didn’t want to live some place with a pool because my son (and I) can’t swim, but guess what? I not only learned how to swim at the tender age of 29, but my son is also getting the hang of it.

23. Dog Days & Nights, Too: We take our neurotic dog to this kennel, and it’s truly perfect for him. The staff are not only amazing, the setup is genius. They have couches, chairs, and pillows for the dogs to lounge on. It’s basically a house for dogs, and they have a ton of room to play outside, too.

24. Birthdays: Happy birthday to me!

25. Office Depot: Because I love office supplies the way some people like shoes.

26. My new tripod: My old tripod broke in our PCS from Korea, so my husband surprised me with this fancy pants tripod.  Love it!

27. Visitors: My in-laws came to visit, and about a week later, my friend Janet came to visit me for my birthday. I loved spending time with them. Despite the week in between visits, all I did with my in-laws and Janet was watch Pawn Stars and CNN. Either way, it was great catching up after three years in Korea. It was also great having my son bother someone other than me.

28. Ice Cream Cake: Noms.

29. My best friend Mary’s Angel Food Cake: It was all I wanted for my birthday. I am proud of myself for
sharing, because I had already threatened everyone’s life if they even looked at it. Thanks, Mary, for sending me two, so I could share those slivers of cake with my family.

30. My birthday care package from Mary: Okay, so this is two in a row of Mary, but let me tell you: she’s that amazing.  You know these blogs I do where I list something I am thankful for every day? Well, she picked 30 things from those blogs and mailed them to me for my 30th birthday. She’s thoughtful, and I love her. But, since I already said I was thankful for her in one of my earlier blogs, I’ll say I am thankful for those care packages.

30. Inside jokes: Because it’s fun to have something which makes you laugh or smile that only a special person/people would get. I’m teeling* you, it’s true.

*See? That’s funny to those crazy AWN ladies.