Listmania: Why Fall Is the Best

Let's face it people: Fall is here. Yeah, yeah all the forever optimists are touting the "there's still 2 weeks of summer left." But when you get into your car at 5AM and it is 47 degrees...I don't care what the calendar says. Fall is here.

And I am okay with that because it my all-time favorite and here is a little glimpse into why:

1) Candles: I can start burning them again without feeling guilty about heating up the house while cooling it with AC. I love all the fall scents and it just makes the house so nice and cozy.

2) Hooded Sweatshirts: Yes, yes. I'm sure my family would rather i burn my hooded sweatshirts since I live in them on the weekends, but they are my grown-up comfort item.

3) Windows-Open: Let the fresh air in now folks because in about 1 month it is goign to be zero degrees and on comes the heat. Ahhhh...it doesn't get much better for sleeping than this.

4) Baking in the Oven: Admittedly, this would be more fun should Nate and I ever get an oven that is reliable, consistent and doesn't have to be watched like a hawk. But still...there is somethign about a good pasta bake, warm cookies and throwing a big old roast in the oven to get you ready for the long winter!

5) Football. I am not a crazy football fan, but I do enjoy watching it. perhaps it is more nostalgic than anything and makes me dream of the days that I was walking to Camp Randall to watch the Badgers vs. folding laundry and checking email.

6) It is the opening act of Christmas. Hello....I start listening to Christmas music in October. And if any of you have an issue with it listen here: I will stop playing CHristmas music in october, when stores stop putting out Christmas stuff in September. I have this whole theory of the bell curve of CHristmas excitement, and if I don't start the Christmas music at a certain point the holly jollies wear out before the music can really have its maximum impact. You think I'm kidding but I'm not.

7) Apple Season! And nothing beats the apples from Vernon County. Don't. Even. Try.

8) Fall Clothes. It's the most wonderful time of the year for a shopping spree. I have yet to do this, but it is on my to-do list. Right after item number 5437.

9) Decent TV: What's up new episodes of Modern Family? I've been awaiting you all summer.....

10) Vacation Season: It's coming. It starts with a family vacay to Hayward. Transistions into anniversary vacay in California. Progresses into the NYC Holiday trip with the girls. And ends with just a boat load of vacation days I have left to use around the holidays where I plan to sit at home, on my butt and R-E-L-A-X.