halloween

This is the first Halloween in....ever.... that I've been home all night to hand out candy.     Other years were broken up with some sort of activity or taking the kids out to trick-or-treat.    

I always left a bucket of candy on the porch as we ventured out.   Nothing extravagant but just enough for whoever might wander by our house.
Some years I was anal enough to write a cutsie note asking the little critters to 'only take a few... and leave some for others'.    But then I wised up to the fact that one little rascal probably came and emptied the whole bowl into his bag.
I stopped leaving the notes and figured that some dude was gonna get really lucky.

Lucas joined my nieces and nephews tonight for trick-or-treating.
Daniel decided to stay home.
I was excited!
I envisioned an evening snuggled on the couch, watching a movie with my boy, and handing out candy to cute kids.
The boy envisioned a night in the basement finishing the second season of Arrow, on Netflix, without me.

And so it was.  
I sat in the living room, binged on pizza and candy, studied Facebook, and watched episodes of The Goldbergs on my laptop.    I handed candy out to 10, TEN, kids.
Number 10 got his candy, took a step away, turned an about-face and asked, "do you have any Gobstoppers".  
I replied, "Are you seriously making requests?"  
And since I was so dumbfounded by his boldness.... I relinquished the Gobstoppers.   But only one package.
At least he said 'thank you'.

The highlight of my evening was when the neighbors  (no, not those neighbors).... a nice couple diagonally across the street from me...... stopped by with candy for the boys.

I had thought about the neighbors earlier.  How their light was on.  And my light was on.  And how dreadfully few trick-or-treaters we had.

Next year I am envisioning a new Halloween tradition.  The kind I have read about online... but never understood until now.   I'm envisioning the neighbors hanging out in the yard, or a block party, or a teenager Halloween party, or a camp fire night.     Something to bring the solitude porch lights together.    
We're all waiting for those little costumed creatures to come requesting candy  (all 10 of them)..... so why not wait together?
(I also envisioned this would be a  great night for a wedding.  go figure)

We'll see.

I have a year to decide against my pumpkin party.... perhaps it's time to morph the tradition into something new.

(we DID have the 14th annual pumpkin party yesterday.   It was a success!)

These boys always impress me with their pumpkin carving knowledge.

Daniel is SKILLED!

Lucas' MineCraft Creeper.
(a video game thing)

month of excess

People tell me that I should write a book.
I feel like I have.
Blogger tells me that I have written 783 posts.
I have many years of these posts printed and bound in hopes that one day my kids will sit and read them.... and think...."wow.  That was our mom."

It's interesting to think about what I may have written over the years.   Sometimes I think I only wait to report the shocking or 'emotional' stuff.   I have tried to include the mundane as well.   Because such is life.  The ups and downs.

Like today.    It was blah.     I'm pretty sure I'm having my equivalent of PMS this week.  I'm moody and bloated.   And I binged on Pizza and popcorn for dinner.
I have disappointed myself tonight since I've focused so much on my eating lately.   I've lost eleven pounds simply by adjusting my consumption.
But today.  I could care less.

The boys and I are currently in, what I have named, the "month of excess".   October is always my busiest month by far.    And my most expensive month.
We are settling down after several weeks of crazy excess.... only to be gearing up for our Pumpkin Party and Halloween activities to come next week.

The past few weeks have been chock-full of events and driving.  (lots of driving!)
 Daniel's birthday, a trip to Great Wolf Lodge, unexpected car fiasco, rescue visit with friends, rental car expenses, visit from Thad,  and TWO visits to Layman's Farm.

Every year I say that I'm not going to go all excessive in October.    But October is my favorite month and it's so easy to go overboard.
My kids will only be around the house for a few more years, so I justify the expense, I suppose.

I sent out the invites to our pumpkin party, that I refuse to throw every year.   Lucas made sure that the invite included the word "annual" on it......"so we have to have it next year too."

And there you have it.  October comes every year and suckers me into activity and expense.     Thankfully lots of fun along with it.

the tree

A few days ago, 75 days before Halloween, Lucas decided that it was time to decorate.

I'm not quite sure how it happened.   I may have mentioned something about it in the car.   He was looking for something to do and I may have said something about the Halloween tree.

Perhaps he was inspired by last year's early phone call from Sabrina who prompted him to do the same thing.

I dunno.
But for whatever reason he set up the black tree and decorated it.   He disappeared into the basement, returning every few minutes with more Halloween decor.   He distributed pumpkins around the house and hung Halloween wreaths on the doors.

75 days before Halloween.

Lucas is awesome.    I love his creativity.
And our house feels festive.

When you approach our house at night the lights from the tree are ablaze like Christmas.

I like to keep our neighbors guessing.

With the great anticipation of the ever slowly approaching holiday the cats have joined in on the fun.  I have watched them as they have attempted to claim the tree as their own.    The two of them have nuzzled the branches, stretched up the trunk, and circled up underneath.  
So it was no surprise to me when the tree tumbled to the floor.   And by the time I entered the room.... it was void of cats.
Sneaky bastards.

The tree fail happened tonight at 10:30pm as Daniel and I were scrambling to get ready for bed.
Daniel and I attempted to place the tree upright again, but after struggling for several minutes we realized that the stand was broken!  We bickered back and forth until I decided to retrieve our Christmas tree stand and resolve the problem.
As I type, the tree is back in action.   And I hope that it can survive another 71 days.

Let the countdown to Halloween begin.....

fast fall

We made it through October.  We traveled, we cabin-ed, we mazed, we partied, and we Halloweened.

Our 12th annual pumpkin party happened this year with my family and neighbors.  The lighter crowd was enjoyable and I suppose that we'll aim for number 13 next year.

The boys enjoyed their second year of trick-or-treating on their own, with friends, in the neighborhood.
Someone please explain why neighborhoods are no longer considered safe options for trick-or-treating?  
A voice on the radio had the gall to promote the church events of 'trunk or treat'.... claiming that they were the "safe alternatives".     
I'm pretty sure that no one was killed or maimed on my block this year.   And come to think of it.... I'm pretty sure that no one has been given poisoned candy either.  
Don't get me wrong. I'm sure that the church events are a lot of fun for kids who can't walk from door to door.  But as long as my kids are of trick-or-treating age, and if they have feet... they are gonna hit the pavement if they want candy.

A few days ago, I had to follow through on a consequence, and I threw all of Lucas' candy in the trash.  He was furious.   But looking back, I think it was one of the finest moments of my parenting.
And the days that have followed have been nothing short of heavenly in our home.  Both boys have great attitudes, they have been helpful and our environment has been very pleasant.  Throwing that candy out has been such a positive thing.   Weird how that worked....

November has come and the time change has been interesting.  Both boys put themselves to bed at 7:30 tonight.   If only we could stay on such a schedule.

I am SO looking forward to a day off from work on Tuesday, for voting.   And I am even more excited about the end of the stupid political calls.  I have been refusing to answer the phone.  Daniel has put himself in charge of the calls... and even answers the political polls.  Imagine if our future was determined by 12 year olds!  (that might actually be a good idea!)

Here's hoping for a fresh new month ahead.   I suppose the countdown to thanksgiving and Christmas has started.

october!!

My favorite month arrived in a blustery way yesterday.     I declared our only free Saturday a 'stay home day', which actually involved staying home most of the day and then going out for Mexican and Target. 
(no matter how hard I try... I just can't stay at home!)

I pulled out my halloween decorations.    It turns out that since my mantra is "less is best", that I really don't have many decorations to speak of.   But less does tend to be best in my household.    Fortunately I do manage to pull off two halloween themed bathrooms and a halloween tree.   I am content and pleased.

I had big plans to skip church and take my kids to the Corn Maze today.   
Those plans dissolved when I had two kids who rudely disobeyed everything I asked them to do last night.   They had an entire free day with their friends, got to do, and go everywhere they wanted.... and then completely treated me like shit.     
So the fun plans were canceled and Lucas is spending most of the day in his room.    Daniel's offenses were less.... and he is currently wearing a camoflauge suit and running around the neighborhood.    And I am enjoying some quiet time on the couch.  :)

Two great things about this weekend:
1- I put our feathers back on our beds yesterday.      You're probably sick of hearing about my feathers.  But they have been lifechanging :)    I have a goose down comforter that is THE best source of heat in the world.     My boys have duck down blankets...which I hope are just as warm.   Lucas slept until 9:37am all cuddled up in his blanket.   The house was about 60 degrees this morning and it was great sleeping weather with our feathers!     Can't wait to crawl back in tonight!! 

2.  I hung pictures of my boys in the basement last night.    Two 14x18 frames with pictures of each boy ages one through five.      The great news is that I hung them straight and level... all on my own!!!   (Each frame had two hangers...and that irritates me.)    You should have seen my happy dance when I stood back and admired my handywork!  :-)    Thayer would have been proud!  

Earlier this morning, I went downstairs to admire my picture hanging ability and I actually stopped to look at the photographs.    It's amazing to see how much my boys have changed over the years.   And then I realized their smiles.    Each smile was so genuinely happy and innocent.   It reminded me of happier times. 
All of the pictures were taken before Thayer died.
And honestly, my kids don't take pictures with those kinds of smiles anymore.     Logically, I know it's because they are older, pre-teenish grumps.   But I can't help to think that their smiles changed forever when Thayer died.  There is something missing in them now.... the stability and innocence is lost.  And that is sad.

But I'm not gonna dwell on that today... because October is here!!  :-)   Enjoy it!

Happy Halloween

Recovering from last night's pumpkin party. I took a serious nap this afternoon and am looking forward to some tricks and treats tonight.

I am so proud of my costume this year:













But apparently a twisted sense of humor is common among widows. Here's another gal who had the same idea!

I'm thrilled that I'm not the only one :-) And I think we are pretty cool!

better now

a call from Thayer's brother -and- new Halloween underwear made everything better.

(these two subjects are completely unrelated.... but they both bring me happiness )
:o)

pulling it together for fall

I'm finally taking charge of this pit that we call home. I got hyped up on caffeine today and got the notion to finally clean up and put out the fall decorations. I get so excited every year to pull out fall things... and every year I'm surprised that I really don't have much. I've got one nifty light up thing,and a few things to put on a shelf and on the doors. And honestly, that's enough. I think that any more would throw off my 'no clutter' plan. I can't seem to decorate tastefully... so I try to avoid it when possible.

I have a friend that decorates tastefully and FULL-out for every holiday. I haven't seen her house yet... but I'm sure it looks like a pumpkin threw up... but in an absolutely gorgeous way! :-) She has such a skill for being festive. I can't wait to see her fall decorations!

anywho.

I announced to my family that I would NOT be hosting our annual pumpkin party this year.
But... as the boys and I shopped at Target tonight, we purchased the prizes for our pumpkin carving contest.
Go figure.
I am so bi-decisive about this, every year.

(yes... "bi-decisive" is a new word... just like "un-crush". pretty sure I could write my own dictionary) ;)

so... while thinking about having/not having the party, we thought it would be a grand idea to check out some Halloween costumes.
Can we say, "highway robbery?"
$40 for the same costumes that ran $30 last year. NO way. (as many of you have read, I never had a store bought costume as a kid... so I always feel foolish dishing out money to buy costumes for my own children)
But I am SUPER proud to report that my kids agreed to, and are excited about, being NINJAS! ($7 costumes!! rock on!)



I think we are ready!

It's coming!

September is just around the corner.
And that means that October is just around the next corner! Which means that fall and Halloween are practically here!

The stores are starting to put out the goods.
My friend and I perused things at the craft stores the other week and it was refreshing.

But today, at Walmart, I actually made an audible *gasp* as I turned a corner and saw the ladies stocking the fall merchandise. It was lovely.

I think I've decided that as soon as I get the motivation to clean up this house... I will get out the Halloween things. I think it's time. :0)

Let the festivities begin!!!

(I'm hoping to take a big group of adults to the corn maze this year! I wanna go at night and have teams race to the finish. sounds like fun, eh? let me know if you are interested!!)

Halloween in July

yeah, I know it's supposed to be "Christmas in July". But I'm just not a Christmas person.
Wow. don't take that as a statement of not liking Jesus' birthday. I really am super glad that Jesus was born. But I'd rather not have the choatic frenzy that has become "Christmas". I'd be happy with skipping straight from Halloween to Easter. Everything else in between seems so MUCH.

All of that said.
It's July 13th and the halloween cookies are in the oven.
I accidentally overstocked on the halloween funfetti cake mix and orange icing last fall. (There are nifty instructions for cookies on the side panel)
Thinking back, I'm not really sure it was an accident. Perhaps I subconsciously stocked the pantry so I could secretly have a dose of orange at other times of year.

July is usually the time I start contemplating halloween and EVERY July I say "I'm not doing a party this year". And every july, someone says... "but you will".

Thayer used to be the one who would say "it'll happen".
Early in our marriage, he didn't understand my love for all things pumpkin. But as the years passed... he either played along to make me happy... or I think he secretly started to enjoy it as much as me! :-) So every July, we'd chat about a party and ultimately he would say that it was a go.

So the story continues:
Last week, as I was sitting on the beach with another pumpkin lover, we started chatting about our annual halloween parties.
I said "I don't think I'll do a party this year"
and she said...
"you will".

It's inevitable, I think. We'll see.
But just in case... I've got the date marked on my calendar :)