A Year of Thanks: February

I started this year of thanks in January, and let me tell you, trying to find something you are thankful for every single day, even when you are having a bad day is tough.  That sounds really bad, but it’s true. You try it!

Here’s my February:

1. USAA: What is there not to love? Best. Bank. Ever.

2. Girl Scout cookies: Yes, I’d like to order 400 boxes of Do-Si-Dos, please. That’ll hopefully tie me over until next year. Actually, make that 600, just to be safe. kthxbye.

3. Laughing out loud: There are few things in this world I love more than laughing. Do not put Janet McIntosh and me in a room together. Your ears will hurt.

4. When a singer/band sounds as good live as they do on the radio: Bastille on SNL? Friggin’ blew me away.

5. “Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you” calls/texts/emails: What a feeling, right?

6. Keurig coffee makers: I’ve probably consumed more hot chocolate in the last month than I have in my whole life. I’m so glad I bought that for Christmas for my husband.

7. When it’s the dog’s bed time, I say, “Go to Matthew’s room,” and he trots away: It always makes me smile. I wish Matthew would do the same when I told him to.

8. Getting lost in a novel: It’s like losing an awesome friend (or friends) when you finish, but man, it’s awesome while it lasts. Except when it ruins you as a person and you become an invalid, because the book ruined reality for you.

9. Indoor plumbing: Dude. Seriously. Have you ever parked your car and run through your house because you had to use the bathroom? (Don’t act like you’ve never done that.) Imagine if you had to dig a hole first. I’m just sayin’…

10. The internet: We have so much information at our fingertips. Literally. Never mind the hours spent watching cat videos or trolling the People of Walmart website. The internet is an amazing thing.

11. Apple TV: Because iTunes Radio, Netflix, Hulu, and movies all in one place? Is perfection. It’s like the Super Target of entertainment.

12. YouTube: Who hasn’t spent hours watching YouTube videos? I love me a good how-to video.

13. Washing machines and dryers: I’m not designed for using a washboard and hanging my underwear to dry.

14. Driving down an open road, singing with the radio at the top of my lungs: There are no open roads in Seoul, and I don’t sing along with the radio, because I’m trying to not kill or be killed. I am thankful I can do that again when we move back stateside this summer.

15. My brother: He’s one of the most important people in my life, and I’m lucky I get to be his sister.

16. Black & White cookies: I’ve heard people also call them Half Moon cookies, but they’d be wrong. They’re Black & Whites. If you’ve not heard of them, you’re not alone—it’s a New York thing. But those cookies? Are the key to happiness.

17. GPS: I remember road tripping with my husband using a map, and while that was always an adventure, I don’t care to relive it.

18. Scaring the crap out of my son: Well, no. Specifically, what I am thankful for is my son’s reaction to me scaring the crap out of him. It’s hysterical and has me doubled over every single time.

19. Cameras: I still don’t understand how cameras magically work, but they are awesome. To be able to capture a memory forever is priceless.

20. My family’s and my health: I can’t say how thankful I am that we have no health issues.

21. Cooking spray: It’s brilliant. Whoever invented that is my hero.

22. Shoes: My family and I went for a hike, and if we didn’t have shoes, I can only imagine how much that hike would have hurt. Needless to say, I’d be the worst cave woman ever.

23. Nilli Italian Restaurant, Gongdeok-dong, Seoul, South Korea: We have had the distinct pleasure of getting to know the owner, Miyongha. She loves on Matthew, and I love anyone who loves on my son. She makes a special plate of noodles for him that’s not on the menu, and she doesn’t even charge us for his food. She is on the short list of what I’ll miss about Korea.

24. Remington Wet 2 Straight hair straightener: Before I had my hair Magic Straightened, I used this amazing device all the time. It’s one of the best products ever.

25. Deodorant: I can’t even imagine my life without deodorant.

26. Canned tuna fish: What? It’s yummy.

27. Printers: Because printing 40 copies of something sure beats writing 40 copies of something.

28. Sleep: I wrote down naps as one of the things I was thankful for last month. This month? I’m talking a full nine hours of sleep (I require a minimum of nine). There’s really not much that a good night’s sleep can’t fix for me.

I hope I have things to write about for March…