The Jetsons reference above is due to the fact that tomorrow is the first of December. WHAT? I honestly feel like George on that outside treadmill, running like crazy, unable to get off. (If you have no idea what I am talking about, you are probably much younger and cooler than me. But still, get on over to YouTube and find a clip of The Jetsons. We’ll wait. Okay, back now? Good.)I was having a hard enough time with the fact that it was somehow Thanksgiving, but now we have Christmas to deal with? Yikes.
That said, Thanksgiving WAS nice, spent with family, stuffing my face. My dressing turned out REALLY well (although how can you go wrong with butter and bread crumbs? I’ll tell you how—you can’t) and we had enough leftovers to indulge for days afterwards. I have to say, hosting is MUCH harder than it looks. You have to keep people entertained and somehow have all the food ready at the same time WHILE smiling. Whoa. The turkey came out a bit late, and nobody had room for my pie until later, but these are little things. Also, my daughter had such an epic meltdown I basically had to throw her into her bed before bursting into tears myself. But hopefully I won’t remember that part. Anyway, onward!
I want to spend the rest of this holiday season in the mindset of gratitude. Not thinking about gifts or stuff but people and good deeds and good things. In a couple of weeks, I’ll be participating in the Chapel Hill Holiday Parade, riding on the Dessen Racing Float. I am SO SUPER PUMPED for this. The last time I was in the parade I was about five and a member of the Tarheel Twirlers. I twirled my little white baton down the entire parade route, never ONCE taking a break in the wagon provided for that purpose. (My dad loves to tell this story. If you ever meet him and mention parades, you’ve been warned.) We’re going to throw candy and hand out stickers and basically just get our holiday spirit on. And I will be posting pictures. Again, you’ve been warned.
Before that, though, I’m heading up to New York for a couple of days of fun and seeing friends. I will leave my book tour shoes and reading copy at home, for once, which will be awesome. A work-free trip! I also will be making a sign to hold up while I stand outside of the Good Morning America studio on Wednesday morning, a week from today. I am trying to think of what I want to say. Maybe something about NC? Or YA? I think I kind of scared Josh Elliott, the news anchor, with my enthusiasm about my visit. He made a joke about having extra security when I tweeted I was coming. Whoops! Let it be said I am not a crazy dangerous stalker. Just a big fan. Holding a sign. And most likely getting there at 6am so I can score a good spot. I am SUCH a nerd.
I have to say, though, my heart kind of broke today when I was watching because you know who was there, at GMA, outside the studio, being interviewed within REACH of the place I plan to be next week? Taylor Kitsch, aka Tim Riggins from Friday Night Lights. SA-WOON! If I had ONLY planned my trip for one week earlier, I might have gotten to see him. Can you even IMAGINE my GMA and FNL worlds colliding? I think my head might explode. Which would really scare Josh Elliott, so I suppose it’s a good thing it didn’t happen. But still. You all KNOW how much I love Friday Night Lights. I know, I know, he’s all John Carter now. But he will always be Riggs to me.
Then again, I don’t have to go to New York to meet famous people. This past weekend, on Small Business Saturday, I went to my local indie bookstore, Flyleaf Books, to do some early shopping. And LOOK who I got my picture with. Okay, it’s not Riggins. But to my daughter, even better:
Yes, that IS Llama Llama. In his red pajamas. Doesn’t get much cooler than that.
Okay, it’s 4:42 and almost dark here. December, you can come on in, if only because in 21 days we’ll get more light…..
Have a good night everyone!
I’ve read a few of your novels (Lock and Key{my favorite!}, Along for the Ride, and Just Listen). I love writing and want to be an author…this is my first time reading your blog, and I must say, I LOVE your sense of humor! “Yes, this IS Llama Llama. In his red pajamas. Doesn’t get much better than that.” I love that!
I will definately be back to read more!
-Sydney
I LOVE SARAH DESSEN!!! i’ve read almost all your books! Please keep on writing!
I can’t wait to see the pictures of the parade! Hope you have fun.
And you HAVE to post pics of GMA as well! So envious you get to go, but at least I’ll be able to live vicariously through the photos. 
Haha have a great time in New York and I love the red llama picture. Have a great weekend, and I can’t wait to hear more!
Hi Sarah,
Huge fan. Just wondering – did you see this week’s Glee? I haven’t been able to get into it lately (like you), but I really enjoyed this weeks episode! Any thoughts?
What up sarah!!! i have just been introduced to your books and so far i am loving everything about them!!! I have read Just Listen and in the middle of Lock and Key!!! i have to agree with Owen in just listen…Silence is so freakin loud! Life isn’t life with out music! Christmas is my favorite holiday i love it to death!!! Do u even read these
Haha. My son LOVES Llama Llama. Lol. I’ve gotten into it a couple times… I have to admit. Hope to read your blog soon. Love always, Jacki
I’m always so happy when you have a new post! Love reading them each time!
Hi! I’m 12 years old and counting. This is the 1st time i have been here. Amazing! I love you’re books. I have read Lock and Key, The Truth About Forever, and i just started Just Listen. A book fair just started at my school and my parents don’t have the money to get me 2 more of you’re books. I’m so disappointed. I have been on Amazon all day since I got home from school looking for cheaper prices. Nothing, Nada!!!! My birthday is on December 7th. Guess what I’m getting?! A jacket and slippers. Nothing else. For Christmas, a robe, maybe a laptop, and 1 book. I’m almost out of books to read and if i am getting a book, I want it to be yours. But it won’t be… I just know it. Anyway, I love you and you’re wonderful books! Merry Christmas Sarah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Chloe, I hope you see this. I feel Really bad for you, I would send you a book! Have you ever thought of requesting a book from your library?? I ‘ve read all those books and look forward to reading more. GTG bye!!
Just Listen was the first book I read and it was one of the best. I couldn’t put it down. Which was your favourite?
Have fun on your NYC trip! I love the Llama Llama books. They are so cute.
Hii! I’m 11, almost 12, and I’ve read all your books! The Truth About Forever is by far my favorite, but my friend McKenzie refuses to read love stories! She’s into that futuristic stuuf like The Hunger Games, but I couldn’t even make it past the first chapter.
When I read your books it’s impossible to put them down! I Can’t wait ’till your next book comes out! Merry Christmas!
Xoxox Tasha
I LOVE llamas, and I have RED pajamas!!!
I am a huge fan of yours. I have read every one of your books and each one is better than the other. Me and my friend have been waiting for what happened to goodbye and I bought it this summer. It is one of the best books I have ever read.
Your an inspiration (:
reading your blog brightens my day!
OMG I LUV YOUR BOOKS i have read almost all of them.ALLTHE OTHER BOOKS I need are WHAT HAPPENED TO GOOD-BYE AND DREAMLAND right now i am on the reading process of LOCK AND KEY thanks to you i have learned that no matter if im a fifteen year old girl with a lot of chaos and with a father on a process of leaving me,my mother and younger sister you taught me i am worth being happy and enjoy life the way i should THANKS SARAH DESSEN PLEASE DONT STOP WRITING THESE AMAZING NOVELS
Oh my god! I have been so busy lately I haven’t had the chance to check in at all. I have been waiting for your new book to come out since forever ago! It really has been too long! Today, when I saw on your page that ‘What Happened To Goodbye’ was out, I really panicked. It was already 9:40 pm and the closest Barnes and Nobles in Tribeca was closed. I made a direct call to the next closest location which is Union Square, and I asked them to please wait for me. I ran out of my building, sped into a cab, rocketed to USq and FINALLY, I picked up a copy of your latest story! =D Yay!!
Hee hee. Llama Llama.
My dad and I LOVE the really old cartoons like The Jetsons, and The Flintstones, and Looney Tunes, and Jonny Quest, and Scooby Doo! We love all ! OMG, go Hanna Barbera!
My class and I just admire you most of us 34 girls have read all your books