OK, for the Scrooges and curmudgeons who opened this blog post prepared to be irritated by yet another missive about how GREAT the holidays are I say, "Bah! Humbug!" It IS the most wonderful time of the year, but not just because of the holidays. I love the first snow (when it is timed appropriately - someone needs to let Ol' Man Winter know that October is NOT the time for a snowfall). This past Saturday, my 8 year old son came running into my room oh-so-excited to tell me about the fluffy white stuff. And, of course, the older kids (and more than a few teachers, I'm sure) are wondering when they will have a snow day - sorry guys, it wasn't today but I have a hunch you'll get one or two before April. It's also the end of the year... all those well-intentioned resolutions made last January can be discarded (if you hadn't already done so by mid-February). If, like so many people this year, you had a really crummy year, you'll be glad to bid '09 adieu and welcome '10 with open arms. The possibilities are once again endless, a shiny new place to begin. Not only is the year ending, but I was shocked to get my "Best of the Decade" wrap up issue of Entertainment Weekly - to quote John Stewart: "Whu huh?" the 00's can't be over, can they? It was interesting to see the kinds of things that hadn't even been thought of prior to the year 2000 and how many of those things are now considered "necessities" (hello TiVO? iPhone? Facebook? Twitter?). So, whether you celebrate a religious holiday, Mother Earth, or Festivus for the rest of us (thank you Seinfeld!) I hope you'll be able to take a moment or two to reflect on the last decade and what it has meant to you. Alright, bring on the chaos and busy-ness of wrapping up a year AND a decade! Happy New Year, y'all!