november: the awkward cousin

On my blog feed this morning I counted 13 posts welcoming November. I love November, but not as much as October and December. I see November as the slightly awkard cousin of the two. Sure there is Thanksgiving, but as far as a holiday that involves spending time with family I prefer Christmas and as far as pure holiday feeling goes, Halloween wins in my book. So here we are...November. The transition between Halloween and Christmas, oy vey (and Hanukkah).

My November started off with a 2am craving for macaroni and cheese. Moz tried to get me out of bed at one, I hushed him back to sleep but I couldn't regain my unconsciousness so I laid there, really wanting to make macaroni and cheese. I finally got up around 2am to let Moz out and realized that it was borderline snowing in my backyard. This is good and bad. Good because I am really excited about the cold weather (like any other female, mainly due to sweaters, scarves, boots and hats), but also just for the general feel of the season. It's crispy outside, the colors are gorgeous, especially here in Utah and the vibe is mellow.

Tangent: Sometimes you have moments where you're reminded of just how beautiful Utah's landscape is. I'm reminded of a moment from last week, Zack told me he had been talking to our friend Kramer while he was waiting for a job interview. Kramer moved here from back east, mainly to ski, but also to see what opportunities were out this way. Zack explained that Kramer had mentioned how amazing the mountains looked. I first took this as Kramers attention to anything ski-related and he was eyeing particular areas he wanted to check out, but Zack corrected me by describing that Kramer had really never seen anything like that at home. Sure, he had mountains but not like Utah mountains. I felt bad, I stare at these things on a daily basis and I never think twice about what they look like. After that I made a mental note that the next time I was out and about to stare for a little longer than usual and upon doing so I think I saw some of what Kramer saw. This time of year the mountains truly are phenomenal and I clearly had been taking them for granted. This is one of the distinct features that the awkward cousin has to offer. End tangent.

Now I can't decide if it is too early to listen to Christmas music. Yes and no. I usually start listening to it the week of Thanksgiving, which is also when I put up my tree and decorations. I used to be a complete nutjob when it came to Christmas, I would wear sweaters, bake cookies, you name it. I'm a little more relaxed now that I'm married and I don't want to scare Zack away quite yet, though I still enjoy the occasional sweater and the occasional baking (though now it's usually pre-made dough). I have to yank down my spiderweb this evening and see if I can find some awkward cousin decorations (i.e. leaves, gords, cornicopias, etc.) to decorate the mantle with until it's officially appropriate to replace it with the nativity. I like November but it does put a cramp in my decorating style. Awkward cousin's are like that, you're not really sure how to handle them. Do you embrace them like you do the rest of the family or do you just smile and nod as they sit in the corner at the kids table eating olives off of their fingers? I never know how to treat them!

I am pretty much an icicle today. It's like the weather did a complete shift this morning. Leave it to the awkward cousin to make me feel shivery. Yesterday there was a nice breeze, I wore a jacket but didn't have to bundle up too intensley and then this morning I was dodging snow pellets on the way to my car. What...happened? As I look out the window at work right now I only see a grey sky and a tree with one dead leaf. Does this also mean November is depressing? I keep hearing how people get really down during the holidays and I may have to disagree. The way I work, I get down in November (that could also be the title to a fantastic rap song).

November has a holiday that celebrates food and then a few epic shopping days to follow, but other than that it's just sitting there, in the middle of two other months with more pronounced holidays, much like the cousin, sitting there between favorite uncle and adorable nephew. I'm not meaning to offend anyone of you avid Thanksgiving fans, and I'm not saying that I have anything against the holiday, but in my heart it doesn't compare. I may be alone in this but I will stand by it, at least until next year.

A funny thought did cross my mind while writing this. Where I have this odd obsession with Rebecca Black as seen in all of my Friday posts, somehow I want to celebrate Rebecca Black Friday this upcoming November holiday. It would also be a great puzzle for Wheel Of Fortunes "Before & After" category. Someone get on that!!

Now I want a turkey and cranberry sandwich. See, this cousin also is responsible for my ever-growing waistline.