Top 5 Reasons

...I love living on base...
There are certainly frustrations with on base housing... But every once in a while I stop and think about something that is great about living on base, so I've challenged myself to name the top 5 reasons I love it (10 was pushing it, but I figure I can come up with 5...)
5. This house. Yeah, sure the sewer backed up into our bathrooms our first 2 days here as Jim was showering (yeah, gross!) but they fixed it! And soon after we move, these homes will be bulldozed down so that Sharpe across the floor? No worries! Plus our utilities and gas are covered in rent- ahhhh, long hot showers at last!
4. Convenience. Jim has a 5 minute commute- door to door. He picks up last minute items I need on his way home and literally, it's on his way home. He runs out at 9:30 for an ice cream craving (we won't say mine or his) and although the commissary has been closed over an hour, there's the shoppette even closer (if we're willing to pay the $2.29 extra what?-another story...) We also have a library, fitness center, parks and anything else you find in a city all withing walking distance (if you're up for a hefty walk in some cases).
3. The Commissary. Certainly the price of food is nice. For example, Yoplait yogurt is .39 each! (unless, of course, you want strawberry, then it jacks up to .52- luckily our fav.'s are keylime and lemon.) But there is something to be said for having someone bag then carry your $150+ groceries out to your vehicle while you buckle children in. I know, Albertsons would do the same if you asked, but really, who feels comfortable taking the bagger up on the offer "do you need help out with this"? At the commissary- it isn't an option. This used to bug me. But I've got 3 rascals to chase; it is now a luxery. (if only they'd unload the 50 bags into the fridge and pantry...)
2. Safety =security and peace of mind. I have multiple police officers guarding our neighborhood (Not to mention the several dozen who patrol the streets ensuring no seat belt is left unbuckled and no vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit.) My 4 year old, and even on occasion 2 year old play outside with neighbors all afternoon and I fear more for how they're treating the other kids than for their safety. (and if you know me, this is HuGe!)
1."The base song" as James and Sissy call it (a.k.a. our National Anthem). I love that every day at 5:00 the loud speakers throughout base blare the Star Spangled Banner. I love watching my kids and their friends spontaneously jump up in dirt covered clothes from their mud pie creations and salute the entire length of the song. I love watching motorcycles come to a halt to show respect and in the summer, I loved how everyone got out of the pool and stood there dripping wet, to listen to our National Anthem. I love this. And even though I hear it daily, I get teary eyed nearly every time. Yes, I LoVE this country and those who serve it!