Guilty Pleasures

**Again I've been bad about updating my blog, but there have been so many wonderful things happening over the last couple weeks that I haven't had much time to sit and write.  There have been pumpkins, mugs of chai tea, a weekend at home, a baby shower for my new niece, a classroom of respectful, fun students (some days), and a lot of laughter and good times among friends.  I hope you've been appreciating all your favorite things, as much as I have my own, and have been taking some time to sit back and enjoy this beautiful time of the year. **

The leaves have changed and are starting to fall, pumpkin scents have begun to spew out of my oven, and I've been switching my tank tops for warm, woolly sweaters.  The months of October, November, and December, have to be my favorite times in the year!  They are filled with my favorite people, foods, colors, and weather.  It's a beautiful time to really enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature; a time to love God's amazing Earth; a time to be thankful of the beauty that is all around us.


It's also a time of the year when we shouldn't feel bad about indulging in a guilty pleasure (or two.)   
For example, these might be things I should feel guilty about, but absolutely don't:

• I watched "Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin" four times.
• I wanted to pick out the perfect pumpkin, but felt bad for the loop-sided one, so got that one instead.
• I hoped my students brought me the "good" Halloween candy instead of tootsie rolls and smarties.
• I bought a bag of candy in case any trick-or-treaters came, but none did, nor have they ever the last two years.
• I decided to put my pajamas on at 5, because that's when it gets dark, and watch movies instead of going to the gym.  
• I giggled like a school-girl when I heard the first Christmas song advertisement on the radio.
• I stared out the window as the first snowflakes fell and thought, "I hope I have a lot of snow days this year."
• I started a countdown in my head (don't tell Patrick) for how many more days I have to wait until I can put the Christmas Tree up.  14 days....

It's a time of the year when you can indulge in all things that make your holiday season cheery and bright; a time to enjoy the people and things that bring you joy.  I hope you get to cherish this time of the year, and all your favorite things, by removing the guilt and replacing it with utter joy and bliss.
As my grandma used to say, "Ice cream for breakfast never hurt anyone!" and I know if she was here, she'd be enjoying all of the holidays' guilty pleasures, as much as me.