Falling for Fake Fall: 

It never ceases to amaze me the excitement of Fall. It starts around Back to School as we begin getting our kids ready for their new school year. This year, I felt part of "the club" since Jordan was starting Kindergarten (apparently, preschool does not count as a real school in mommy world). Even though it was still 95 degrees and swarming with humidity, we got him ready and sent off as the first official day of "Fall" began... at least in my mind...

As September comes around, we rejoice at the Labor weekend! What does Labor Day celebrate? Well, besides the day of celebration for all working men and women, it also signifies the beginning of Fall Fashion!! It's the reason we ALL need a pair of distressed riding boots and must have denim according to piperlime.com! 



Okay! Back to my personal Fall story:
With the hot and miserable weather aside, I have been avidly checking the weather report each morning and hoping for some insane cold front to swipe through Tampa bringing some temps in the 50's and 60's.... okay.... I would even be happy for something in the 70's and 80's. Nick and I have diligently been preparing for our first Marathon (November 3rd) and have even considered driving all the way to north Georgia for a single night to complete our required weekly long run in some decent temperatures. How crazy is that??? Do you see my desperation here!!? Although, we did not drive north for our run this weekend, we did run into the late night (10pm- is late night for us) last night with the intention of completing 20 miles and falling short to only running 16. I'm blaming it on this FAKE Fall weather, NOT a lack of training on our behalf. Right???!  

So... the weather may not be cooperating with my Fall planning, but that didn't stop us from being the first house in the neighborhood to decorate for Halloween last weekend. Yes, this means I decorated my house on September 15th. The neighbors drove by a little slower in front of our house of course. Probably wondering what the heck was wrong with us... and thinking "This is what's wrong with society!! This is why stores are already selling Christmas decor!" Yes, my fellow neighbors, it is.

As we began our decorations, I really started to get in the Fall mood (even if it was a fake fall) and I was sure our neighbors would follow, but to my dismay, we are still the only house in the neighborhood with decorations. Again.... Fake Fall in Florida. While other states are enjoying Pumpkin Festivals and even snow, we Floridians are imprisoned from experiencing Fall fun all because of weather? It's a shame! Do not let this stop you. Embrace the 95 temperature and bring out your Fall decor. Even consider hanging your Christmas lights! Well... give that another month. October is much more acceptable. By the time our weather turns cool, it's January and Spring Fashions are beginning.
  

Speaking of Spring Fashions.... Wait! No! Back to Fall. I'm all about Fall right now, even though Spring is MY Favorite season, except right now it is Fall. Well.... sometimes I get confused. Anyways... Back to FALL! 

So, thinking about the lack of enthusiasm for Fall, last week I realized that this weekend was the actual "First Day of Fall"! Imagine my excitement! So I planned for a BIG EXCITING First Day of Fall Celebration at work. We found the team cute little Halloween t-shirts at Target and Marsha and I went to Ikea and waited 2 hours for fresh ooey-gooey cinnamon buns to serve to all employees. When they told us it would take 2 HOURS we baulked... and then... we SHOPPED! And we ATE cinnamon buns!! And we shopped the Christmas aisle! Until the sales clerk YELLED at us, because the Christmas aisle wasn't ready to be shopped yet. Fake Christmas! Such a tease!

Friday, September 21st: I was so excited to go to work and celebrate the Fall with our buns and shirts! The entire team was excited! We were totally decked out in the Fall spirit, but it stopped there. Employees didn't seem to grasp our inspiration. But that's okay... nothing we couldn't solve with a visit to the Tea Room for lunch. Pumpkin soup and apricot scones with cinnamon tea seemed to do the trick!

 And WOW! The Tea Room was READY For Fall. Finally! Someone was on board with me here! 

My next Falling for Fall:  Halloween costumes for the boys and a November trip to Savannah for some Marathon running and another special surprise! Details to Come!! I think this will be a GREAT FALL YEAR!
Oh! And wait!! 
Check out my new Christmas decorations!!! Ikea Stars for $9.99! I'm ready now for my Fake Christmas!