So with 8% of the year remaining and a new year just a few weeks away, it seems like now is as good of a time as any to have Thanksgiving.

I know, my stamp of approval was needed to affirm a national holiday.

It just seems like a wise idea to kick off the busiest month with a holiday that gives time to pause and reflect. And energize for crazed “Green Friday” shopping. Of course, I doubt the Pilgrims were chomping down on their splendid dinner thinking, “Great, I’ll fuel up now and I’ll be able to hit all of the sales from 6am till 9pm. Can’t wait!!” Anyway, ’tis the season to rush, rush, rush!

A girl my senior year in high school once asked the class of ’98 why we were counting down the best days of our lives. Why were we so eager to hurry through this carefree time? But no one cared. Besides, her question came too late–the last day of school our senior year. Rah! Freedom!!!

But I think she was a little right. Maybe even a lot. What was the rush?

So this year, I am going to savor every minute of frantic holiday shopping. I think I’m going to make cookies. I am going to let every day drip by as slowly as I can. Because what is the rush? Where are we going so fast? As an old woman (23), I don’t have a Barbie I am anxiously waiting to open on Christmas Day. There is no post-present high on Christmas morning. And that is just fine by me.

I get to start and finish this holiday season with weddings–one of my dearest friends, Erin B, is getting married on 12/6 and my cousin Dave M is getting married on 12/27. There is a lot to celebrate this December. Our first Thanksgiving kicks it off. Our first Christmas. Our first New Year.

There is so much to be said for a fantastic husband, a wonderful family and terrific friends. I can’t wait to spend time with everyone this holiday season!

So–it’s cold. I moan a lot about that. But after I’m done whining, I’m going to heat up some soup, make a sandwich, curl up on the couch and watch time slide by…

ahhhh…