there is an odd noise, that has gotten a little louder / longer when i deccelerate from about 20 or 15 mph. is it the transmission shifting into first? i ts a hard to describe noise, not really grinding but moving around... anything i should be concerned about?

Can you describe it better?

When decellerating does it pick up when you press the brake? Is is a whirring type of a sound? Does it occur from faster speeds as well?

i just drove it to work, and when i deccelerate from about 10 mph down to zero or near zero, its an almost grinding but not quite, sound like something mushing with something else, like maybe the tranny shifting down to first, not sure if it picks up when i hit the brakes harder or let off them more. it doesnt do it at any other speeds. when i drive it again later, ill try to get more info, but any speculation is helpful.

go into an empty parking lot and try decelerating from 10 mpf without the brake.
Let us know if its still there.

i listened to it again, it'* only when i hit the brakes at a slow speed. it also got a little more scratchy, i am positive it is the brakes.

Check your wheel bearings. Jack the car up and try to 'wobble' the wheel. Also spin it by hand. (trans in N).

Mark...I changed my brakes thinking that my whirring noise was the bare shoes rubbing on the drums.

My whirring got much louder when I pulled the back seat and the brakes didn't fix it. It'* my noisy fuel pump.

If you can, have someone sit in the back seat and listen for it coming from the back of the car. Also like Bill W said, check bearings etc.

it'* definately a rubbing/grinding type of noise...

i have the same exact noise. its my front passenger wheel bearing.. its louder when turning to the left at slow speeds also...

If its the wheel bearing the noise will change pitch when you turn and the weight shifts to that wheel.
If it is and irregular surface on a rotor or drum it will show up at slow speed.
You should pull all wheels and inspect the brakes, rotors, and drums for irregular wear. And that the rear shoes are adjusting properly. Maybe even put a dial indicator on the front rotors.