This year Snow White and a bat made a killing in candy



I wonder how much longer they will have their cuteness to rely on.



I think he's got a few more good years of cuteness in him (that is unless the neighbors see him after walking 2 miles and eating a bunch of candy, can we say "meltdown"?)



This year the little one didn't participate. But I look forward to loads of candy cuteness next year.

Tonight after we went to a house that had a motion sensing device which left Mara wary the rest of the night (she'd walk up to houses with her eyes covered worried that something was going to pop out at her) I remembered as a teen dressing up as a scarecrow which turned out quite realistic. My parents had put hay bales out front so I sat on the hay bales motionless and waited for victims. I even remember one particular little girl that was about 4 or 5 that was frightened of me. After some convincing her dad got her to walk up to our door and I jumped up and scared he bejeezus out of them. Now, as a parent of an easily frightened child I feel like a real ass.

It was a crappy thing to do and I apologize (and thank goodness that karma hasn't caught up with me on that one).

Doing my duty

Mc Feylin

There are times when I feel guilty about having a TV and using it. But tonight I'm excited to see the newest skit by the talented Ms. Fey.



Play on, play on.

Just a few things I need to get done

Put summer clothes in storage sort Fall clothes put out Fall decorations laundry organize donation items make zucchini bread make pumpkin muffins make molasses cookies for Shawn’s work make salsa dishes have a debate party make food for said party send pictures of kids to the familywork on Christmas presents drop off donations pay bills make next week’s menu list sale items mail packages

However, I'm currently

drinking cocoa

reading I Know This Much is True

avoiding dishes

watching Desperate Housewives (ducks and hides)

wishing my baby would sleep

knitting shopping bags for Christmas gifts

looking forward to cool weather and rain

things that bring me happiness

(in the style of Gabrielle)

* rain
* apples and pumpkins
* my children laughing with their whole bodies
* lazy days
* creating things
* baking
* books
* the way babies smell
* peonies
* beautiful fibers
* handmade items
* hopefulness in regards to our future
* people that understand
* making lists

Self help

Some of the people I love best in the world are going through some pretty shit times. We deal with these overwhelming times in a variety of ways, some of us through nicotine (in various forms), some with Xanax, some with alcohol, and some of us use nature's very own antidepressant.

I tend to want to be very manic and fuel that mania through sugar and shopping highs. I know this about myself. And while I might prefer to bury my face in this


and buy some of this



I know its not the best for my waistline (do I even still have one of those?) or our meager bank account. Now is as good a time as any to be a grown up and make better choices (anyone else with a couple, or more, kids still feel like the title of adult is for your parents and not you?).

Besides I know that best form of self help isn't really self help; its being around those that care for you. People that care enough to make fun of you and themselves. People that know just what you need to smile and forget about the shit for a while.

And yes, I'm talking about you, my people. Thank God I've got people. I would be much worse for the wear without you.