For the last few weeks, the streets that lead to my children's schools have been lined with trees decked out in a gaudy show of the latest fall colors. Red, yellow, orange, even deep purple leaves - often on the same tree - are so beautiful it makes my throat burn with welling emotion.

Because I'm A DORK.

I've always loved autumn. The crisp notes in the air, the changing leaves, the Pumpkin Spice Lattes...oh yes, I have finally had my first PSL of the season and lo, it was good.

The mornings are not quite frosty yet, but there is a bite to the air that feels good on my face. We've had what is probably our last burst of summer-like heat for the season, and I'm ready to break out the sweaters and swill some egg nog. Mmmmm. Noooooog.

My oldest, in disgust with my utter lack of ability to get it together this year, has decorated her bedroom with halloween decor, since I've been uninterested in pulling it all out with less than a week to the holidays. I should have started in September.

No, I think I'll cut my losses, and begin now for Thanksgiving decor. Because a month of looking at stiff pilgrims and turkeys is fun! It is!

Maybe I should just start with Christmas decorations now. I mean, the stores have been on it since before back-to-school was over. I always swear that this is the year I'm going to find my Inner Martha Stewart and bedeck the hell out of my mofo halls. But then I look up, and it is all over, and I find myself professing my undying love of Spring.

I'm participating in NaBloPoMo again this year, because I'm nothing if not a follower. I "forget" to make time for the little stories. That's what I want to write about. The little day-to-day happenings that launched this blog. The days are flying by, and the kids are growing up and I'm too often swept up in the current.

Are you joining in?