What I'm thankful for: July 31

Today I'm thankful for...

Jellybeans!

Today is Jump for Jellybeans Day. I don't know why I have to jump for them. It might be because the jellybean machine I have in my office is on a tall shelf that I can't quite reach, but how would the creators of this day have known that?

If you don't like jellybeans, then I'd like to know why. They come in a lot of flavors and are pretty low calorie, fat free snacks. Plus, I make money off of my jellybean machine when others use it. Granted, it's usually just pennies and lately it's been returning them, but it's still like getting paid to eat...

What I'm thankful for: July 30

Today I'm thankful for...

Staycations!

I have to admit that even though I love combining words, this is not one of my favorite word combinations. However, I'll allow it because of the meaning behind it! That's right ladies and gentlemen, I'm on staycation! My plans include: sleeping in, going swimming, using a birthday gift card to go shopping, dinner with friends, and, I suppose homework (had to throw something in so that people wouldn't be too jealous). So, if you see me around over the next couple of weeks, know that I'm not playing hooky from work; I'm legitimately off!

What I'm thankful for: July 29

Today I'm thankful for...

Lasagna!

For some reason, today was Narional Lasagna Day. That seems like something that should be celebrated in colder weather but since lasagna is one of my favorite foods (and coincidentally one of the few I can actually make), then I'll celebrate it when someone else has determined it should be celebrated!

What I'm thankful for: July 28

Today I'm thankful for...

Pillows!

Pillows are what makes a bed seem more like a bed as opposed to a surface with blankets and sheets. Even prisoners get pillows, which proves that they're a basic human right...or something like that...

What I'm thankful for: July 27

Today I'm thankful for...

The Olympics!

I LOVE the Olympics, both summer and winter games. I love the competition, the back stories (thank you, Bob Costas!), the athleticism, and the patriotism they seem to inspire. I'm so excited about opening ceremonies tonight! Let's go Team USA!!

What are your favorite Olympic events? Mine are swimming and gymnastics in the summer and skating and snowboarding in the winter, but I'll watch just about any of the events- that's how I found out what the biathlon was!

What I'm thankful for: July 26

Today I'm thankful for...

Fingernail files!

My fingernails are fickle. Sometimes they'll grow long and look pretty, and I'll think that I have the best fingernails in the world (yes, that's how my brain works...). Then, without warning, one will suddenly decide to jump ship and break. It's usually not even a clean break either; it's usually one that requires a little repair work on my end. Thankfully, nail files always help me out in that situation. I can get it fixed back up in no time flat. I keep nail files in lots of various places- my office, Will's truck, two different spots in my bathroom- but for some reason I don't have one in my car. Wow. This blog makes me realize all of my shortcomings...

What I'm thankful for: July 25

Today I'm thankful for...

Lip gloss!

This one can also cover Chapstick and its various generic brethren! I'm a little bit makeup challenged, but if I wear some tinted lip gloss, it looks like I've made a little bit of an effort. Also, I hate how my lips feel when they're dry. Blech. I had a favorite lip gloss that I don't think is made anymore (C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in Root Beer just in case anyone is really curious), but it fell out of my pocket while I was at a restaurant, and I didn't notice until it was too late. So, for all of you lip gloss/lip stuff users, always double check that you have your stuff before you leave a restaurant!

What I'm thankful for: July 24

Today I'm thankful for...

Glasses!

I don't know if my allergies have been kicking up lately or what, but since Saturday, my left eye has been hurting, and it's been kind of red. Yesterday morning, I just couldn't bear to put my contacts in, so I went for the spectacles. Even though I don't always love wearing glasses, I'm thankful for them. They're good for tired or sore eyes, and I look at least 20% more like a librarian when I'm wearing them.

What I'm thankful for: July 23

Today I'm thankful for...

Hot dogs!

Happy National Hot Dog Day! I'll admit that I'm not quite sure what's in a hot dog. I know there are a lot of jokes about their content. I'm okay with that because I think they're delicious, especially when you put non-traditional stuff on them like avocado. I also like watching the hot dog eating contest every July 4th. This year's winner ate 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes! As much as I love them, I can't imagine eating that many in an entire week, let alone 10 minutes! I feel like I need to go eat an antacid now or something in his honor...

What I'm thankful for: July 22

Today I'm thankful for...

BzzAgent!

BzzAgent is a "social marketing company" (according to their website). Basically, they send me different products, like razors, Keurig K-cups, and coupons for free food products, in exchange for me writing reviews, tweeting about them, posting on Facebook, etc. I don't remember how I first heard of it (I think I read about it in a magazine article), but I had to check it out. I've gotten to try a lot of cool things that I might not have ever purchased. It's free to join, and in addition to getting products, you also earn MyPoints, which can be exchanged for gift cards to places like Target and Amazon.com. I may be a cog in the marketing wheel, but I'm cool with getting free stuff!

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What I'm thankful for: July 21

Today I'm thankful for...

Babies!

My sister-in-law to be had a baby shower this morning, and it inspired this post. It's amazing that humans can CREATE OTHER PEOPLE. That deserves to be in all caps because it's just mind-boggling sometimes! Babies represent what's good about humanity; they're sweet, innocent, adorable, and almost everyone loves them. Of course, I haven't had any babies of my own yet and have never had to get up at all hours of the night, deal with diaper explosions, etc, so my view may be a little tainted! ;)

What I'm thankful for: July 20

Today I'm thankful for...

The moon!

Today marks the anniversary of when man first walked on the moon (in 1969). I can't imagine how exciting and terrifying that must have been! I love to look at the moon, but I'm fine doing it from a distance!

What I'm thankful for: July 19

Today I'm thankful for...

Air conditioning!

It's July in Tennessee. We've broken records with our high temperatures. It's hot enough that I break a sweat just walking to my car. I'm a hot natured person anyway, but this set me over the edge. Air conditioning, if I didn't have you in my life, I don't know where I'd be. Probably melted into a puddle in a parking lot somewhere...

What I'm thankful for: July 18

Today I'm thankful for...

The Interstate!

Despite it taking us nearly 6 hours to get to Knoxville least week because of 3 separate wrecks on the Interstate, I still love it. It's such a convenient way to travel, and if you get behind a state trooper and drive as fast as he does, it evidently doesn't take you as long to get home from Knoxville...or so I hear (Dad...)

What I'm thankful for: July 17

Today I'm thankful for...

Gift cards!

Birthday gift cards are the best! Can't wait to stuff myself at Panera and buy color coded office supplies at Target (despite what Will says, office supples ARE fun!). Thanks gift givers and well wishers!

What I'm thankful for: July 16

Today I'm thankful for...

Me!

Happy birthday to me! =) I had a wonderful, relaxed day, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to kick off being...gulp...29. Also, I feel so blessed by all of the birthday wishes from people in my life. Thanks everyone!

What I'm thankful for: July 15

Today I'm thankful for...

Gatlinburg!

If you've always wanted an airbrushed rebel flag t-shirt but never quite knew where to find it, then have I got the place for you! I love Gatlinburg. I love the cheesy shops and people watching. And, I may be in the market for a new airbrushed shirt also...

What I'm thankful for: July 14

Today I'm thankful for...

New recipes!

I'm not exactly what you would call a good cook...or even a proficient one (who thinks Will and I are going to eat a lot of frozen meals in our first year of marriage?), so when someone gives me a recipe that sounds easy enough for someone like me, then I get pretty excited. I'm not going to give away this latest one until I try it, but I think even I can manage to do it. ;) Thanks Libby!

What I'm thankful for: July 13

Today I'm thankful for...

Being done with comps!

Words can't describe how glad I am to be finished! I should get the results in a couple of weeks, so I'll keep everyone posted! :)

What I'm thankful for: July 12

Today I'm thankful for...

Rascal Flatts!


This is for my family, even though it didn't come into play today. Maybe I should have been thankful for Leann Rimes instead ha ha.

What I'm thankful for: July 11

Today I'm thankful for...

John Mayer!

I've been on such a John Mayer kick lately since I downloaded his newest album, "Born and Raised." It's not like any of his other music; this is a lot less 'commercial' than some of his past music, but I really like it. I like artists who can take a risk and still make good music. I also like artists who actually have talent! He, like Kelly Clarkson, is a very talented musician, and even if you think he's a bit of a tool in his personal life, you can still enjoy his music. Plus, I almost kind of met him when I was in college, so I have a special spot in my heart for him and his inflatable guitar! ;)

What I'm thankful for: July 10

Today I'm thankful for...

Kelly Clarkson!

(AHHH KELLY CLARKSON!!)

I hope everyone is enjoying this journey through my musical tastes...ha ha. This seriously is a taxing week for my brain, so I'm trying to keep this as simple as possible!

Kelly Clarkson is one of the most talented people I have ever heard. She sounds great whether she is singing on an album, on television, or live. I've seen her in concert once, and I'm seeing her again in September (yay!!), and I can't wait! She is my all-time favorite winner of American Idol, and that's saying a lot because I seriously voted for Reuben Studdard...maybe more than once...

What I'm thankful for: July 9

Today I'm thankful for...

The David Crowder Band!

I had never head of them until I went to the Passion Conference back in 2004-05 (oh my goodness. I didn't realize how long ago it had been until I just sat here and added it up. I really am getting older. Insert dramatic sigh). The guy I went with (who, side note, dumped me 2 days before the conference but still picked me up and took me home during the conference since we had bought tickets together) loved them, so when they played at TPAC one night during the conference, I went with him. I didn't know what to expect, but I was blown away! David Crowder has such an unusual voice, and they are great musicians. Their CDs are some of the few that I don't skip songs on when I listen to them, and that's saying a lot! They recently announced that they aren't going to make any new albums, and that makes me sad, but I think I still don't have their entire collection, so I guess I can get some "new to me" CDs!

What I'm thankful for: July 8

Today I'm thankful for...

*NSYNC!

It's no secret that Justin Timberlake is my favorite member of the now defunct boy band, but I did like the entire group. Their songs were catchy and memorable. I also have a collection of *NSYNC bobble heads. I wonder where they'll live in my new house...

What I'm thankful for: July 7

Today I'm thankful for...

Relient K!

Another day, another band. This is one that I haven't known about too long, but I love them! I first got into them when I heard their version of "Sleigh Ride" on the radio a couple of Christmases ago, and since then I have been a fan. Recently, I've seen a couple of their EPs where they cover pop songs, such as "Africa" by Toto and "Baby" by Justin Bieber. Love it!

What I'm thankful for: July 6

Today I'm thankful for...

Bush!

Continuing the trend of talking about music I like, this posting focuses on the band Bush (so all of you political type people can simmer down because I'm not talking about either of the Georges ha ha). Bush was one of my favorite bands in high school. I don't remember the first time I heard them (unlike my super accurate Incubus recall from yesterday), but I remember that the album "Sixteen Stone" was one of the first ones that I listened to without skipping any songs. Also, I loved Gavin Rossdale (the lead singer) so much that when he started dating Gwen Stefani (the lead singer of No Doubt at the time), that I didn't want to listen to No Doubt's music and I blamed her when Bush broke up. Luckily, they released another album in 2010, so I was able to forgive her. I still love them, but I'm not digging the way that Gavin puts his hair in a tiny bun now. I wanted to show a picture, but for some reason, I didn't think that doing a search for Gavin Rossdale and tiny bun would yield good results, so you'll have to take my word for it...

Also, Bush will be in Nashville tomorrow night, but sadly, I don't have tickets. If anyone really wants to buy me a ticket, then I wouldn't refuse it. ;)

What I'm thankful for: July 5

Today I'm thankful for...

Incubus!

For the next few days, I'm going to focus on some of my bands and musicians. This has nothing to do with the fact that I'm taking grad school comps next Friday and don't have much brain power left and need easy topics!

Incubus has always been one of my favorite bands, so much so that I wrote a paper about one of their CDs in a college undergraduate English course. I first heard them when I was at a shoe store that was closing that was playing the entirety of their CD "Make Yourself," and I've been a fan ever since (isn't it funny how some memories stick with you?). I've seen them perform a couple of times and even made custom t-shirts with a couple of friends (including Jen, the unsweetened tea drinker ha ha). Even though their newer stuff hasn't been my favorite material, I'll still always have a special place in my heart for them!

P.S. No matter what my brother tries to get me to do, I won't be writing about any of his favorite bands, such as The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, etc. Although I can appreciate that music, they're not my favorites. Hey Trey, it's okay to have different musical tastes. :-p

What I'm thankful for: July 4

Today I'm thankful for...

Freedom!

The freedom to worship how I choose. The freedom to vote. The freedom to wear what I want. The freedom to go where I want. The freedom to write this blog. 


Thank you to everyone who has, is, and will defend these freedoms and the millions of others that we have. 

What I'm thankful for: July 3

Today I'm thankful for...

Unexpected money!

It can be a $20 that you stuck in a jacket pocket and forgot about. It can be a refund check from a doctor's office that you still really don't know why you got. It can even be a quarter on the ground. No matter the denomination, there's something wonderful about unexpected money! Most of us have an idea of what our paycheck is going to be and how far it will stretch. When you find or receive unexpected money (yes, even the quarter...or a penny...since those add up!), then it's like getting a little present...to buy yourself a present with (or pay part of a bill, whatever).

What I'm thankful for: July 2

Today I'm thankful for...

Study groups!

As I near the day of doom (AKA, the day I take my grad school comps), I become more and more thankful for my virtual study group. Even though I have missed a couple of sessions lately, I can listen to the recordings and feel like I was there the entire time. Comps are a prickly thing to study for, but if you have some people in the same boat with you, it makes everything a little bit better!

What I'm thankful for: July 1

Today I'm thankful for...

Finishing half of the year!

I can't believe that I'm halfway through this project (and 2012) already! When I thought of this project in December, I had no idea what I was in for this year. So far the first half of the year has brought some major changes, including my engagement! I don't know what's in store for the second half (beyond finishing my second Masters degree! Yay!!), but I can't wait to see what happens.

Thank you to all of you who have been reading and commenting (on the blog and in real life). Now excuse me while I think of 182 more things to be thankful for!