A Year of Thanks: May

Even in the struggles I’ve had over the last month, I found myself hunting for the good.

In case you want to catch up, here’s my January, February, March, and April.

Here’s my May:

1. Playgrounds: Because Matthew is old enough for me to read (and by read, I mean check Facebook) while he plays. It’s a beautiful thing.

2. Tide detergent for sensitive skin: My son has always had super-sensitive skin, and this detergent saves the day.

3. Socks: Because imagine how much your feet would smell without them.

4. KitchenAid: They have the nicest kitchen appliances. My wonderfully sweet mother-in-law bought me a KitchenAid mixer for Christmas one year, and there was simply no looking back. We’ve added to our KitchenAid family ever since! We have a toaster, a food processor, a coffee maker, a blender, an emulsion mixer…

5. Tumblers with straws: I love, love, love water with Crystal Light Wild Strawberry. And I love, love, love being able to take my drink with me in the car. I’m just a big fan of tumblers. (You can send tumblers to my APO. Thanks.)

6. Amazon Kindle: Seriously, as far as e-readers go, Kindle started it all. Do you remember that episode of Oprah when the Kindle was revealed? It was bananas. What do you mean I can have hundreds of books on one little device?! That’s witchcraft! Well done, Amazon.

7. Toothbrushes: Because have you ever been forced to brush your teeth with your finger? Or was that just me? Either way, toothbrushes (why not teeth brushes?) are awesome.

8. iCalendar: I used to keep a paper calendar. In fact, I used a paper calendar up until a few months ago. I stopped doing that because my appointments kept piling up and the little boxes weren’t getting any bigger. The fact that I can update my calendar on my phone and it automatically syncs with my iPad and my MacBook is remarkable and makes me happier than I’d ever care to admit.

9. Irons: Dude, I would have had the wrinkliest dress in the world last night if I didn’t have an iron. Irons are not acknowledged enough for their awesomeness.

10. Motrin: Because, according to the Army, Motrin and hydration make everything better. They aren’t that far off.

11. Heels that are comfortable: I found a pair, and not only do I look freaking awesome in them, they are adorable.

12. A good haircut: Because, duh.

13. Trash bags: How difficult would it be to throw things out without trash bags? I mean, really.

14. NyQuil: I am not a very good sleeper. I mean, I used to be. I used to sleep like the dead, and then I had my son. And now? The slightest movement wakes me up. NyQuil does a great job at keeping me knocked out for a few hours.

15. Thrift stores: We are in the middle of our PCS shakedown, and we are giving away so much stuff. I am thankful we have a place to donate our unwanted treasures.

16. Traffic signals: Because driving in Seoul would be even more of a nightmare without them.

17. Autocorrect: Thank you, iPhone, for correcting my awful spelling and conveying what I actually meant when I wrote, “Chdcl uour wemail.” I am also thankful for when autocorrect makes hilarious corrections.

18. Microwaves: Because waiting one whole minute for the toaster to heat my Pop-Tarts is unacceptable.

19. OprahL Because…Oprah!

20. The song played during the title sequence of Suits: Because awesome.

21. Also, Game of Thrones: The team who developed that title sequence deserves all of the awards. It’s beautiful.

22. Really, really good friends: My husband’s best friend, Matthew, is one of the most easygoing, ready-to-help people I’ve ever met. He’s dog-sitting for us until we move back to the states, and I have to say… Our dog isn’t the best dog to sit for, which makes Matthew a saint.

23. The Army: Our bills get paid, we have health insurance, and we get to move on the government’s dime. I have days when I am so, so bitter about being a dependent, but there are days like today when I am thankful for the opportunities afforded to us.

24. Sparkly things: I mean, seriously.

25. Papyrus: I love giving cards. Love, love, love sending people mail, because who doesn’t love getting mail? I am kind of card snob, and Hallmark is the poor man’s Papyrus. I could (and have) spend hours in a Papyrus store, and it’s at the top of my list of things to do when we move back to the states!

26. My own sense of humor: Because I am kind of hilarious.

27. Steak ’n Shake: Ugh. So much goodness.

28. Firm pillows: A firm pillow almost makes up for the fact that it takes me two hours to fall asleep.

29. Bottled water: Yeah, plastic bottles are bad for the environment, but the ability to carry water with you or stop by somewhere and grab a bottle when you’re thirsty? I am thankful for that.

30. Walmart: One. Stop. Shopping. It can’t be beat.

31. Pink hair dye: A couple of years ago, I did something I always wanted to do—I dyed my hair pink. Every day since I dyed it back to my natural brown, I have missed having pink hair. I feel…ordinary with brown hair, and pink hair made me feel like an individual. I know, I know. Don’t judge me. I am thankful pink hair dye exists.