It's Officially Fall in New England

Well, it's finally Friday. I didn't think this week would ever end. It seems like lately weeks are getting longer. I think it's because "days" are getting shorter. It's cooler in Connecticut these days, windows are closing a little more every day and the leaves are changing. Fall is definitely here and it's beautiful, but what lies ahead is somewhat less than beautiful. I'm not a winter person! Actually, if it must be said-I HATE WINTER. I don't mind snow, it's beautiful when it's falling and you can curl up with a big cup of coffee on the couch with a great book and a BLANKET, but when you have to go to work, and all the other daily stuff in it, it stinks!

I'll tell you a funny story, my Maryland friends will love this, and some will even remember it! When Mark and I first moved to Maryland from Tampa, I hadn't lived outside of Florida since I was, oh, I dunno...six or seven, and at that, I lived in Virginia Beach! Anyway---we moved to Maryland in February and I started working at the local State Farm agency. Well, it was probably March (and it was FREAKIN COLD, or so I thought at the time) and when I woke up it was 'snowing', now think, sprinkle, drizzle, spitting precipitation, but yet, white :-) and it was accumulating on the ground (maybe 1/2") but to me it was a TON!

So, I called Greg (my boss) and asked him if we were open because of the snow---he proceeded to laugh hysterically at me and said, yes, we indeed were going to be open. I don't think I'll ever forget that, I was so afraid to drive to work, it was 20 minutes away and it was SNOWING (sorta!). Mark laughed at me, Greg laughed at me, and even though Laura (my office-mate) and I didn't really "click" at that time, she laughed at me. I have to say they all laughed AT me, because I wasn't laughing...I was dead-serious....do we go to work in the snow?? OMG-it was awful.

When I moved to Connecticut and had my own State Farm agency, when it snowed, Greg asked me if we were open...guess what?!?! YUP! We're open, we're frequently snowed in for my birthday, and those of you who know me well, know I don't do NOTHING well....so those snowed in days are tough, especially during my birthday month!!

Soooooo, it's Fall in New England and while this is probably the best time of year here, it's certainly bringing on what is the worst in my opinion. In the fall in New England there is soo much to do. There are town fairs, festivals like crazy, a big fair that encompasses all of the New England states is held in Springfield, MA (about 40 minutes away) every year. That fair (The Big "E") is HUGE and a lot of fun. The leaves are beautiful and apple and pumpkin picking opportunities are plentiful. The grapes have been picked and the wineries are bringing out the new vintages, it's fabulous if you're a wine fan. I love fall. It's the season that Tom and I picked to get married just for the pumpkins, mums and leaves, the color scheme is just awesome.

Weather tonight-Clear Cold, frost possiblities??!?! Low around 40!!! I'm ready to pack shorts and t-shirts for my trip to New Orleans next week and I'm certainly ready for shorts for Florida. Can't wait til I don't have to re-pack the "winter" clothes anymore when we're back in Florida permanently. Clothes that are wearable all year-whoda thunkit?!?! :-)

Alas, it's Autumn, and I'll leave you with this

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
~Albert Camus

Until next time~All the best~