Crazy Hair Day

We had so much goop and spray on the boy, you could smell him coming.

Halloween Part Ten

We are lucky enough to live in the community where the fabulous Youngers put on yet another fabulous event-pumpkin carving at the lake.
Yes, that picture shows about 70 pumpkins that were freshly carved on the beach at Lake Lakewood. What a beautiful sight, the colors of the glowing jack o lanterns backed by the setting sun with families running around, enjoying all the treats and friendship that our hood provides. Bill stood behind his cauldron of minestrone that everyone contributed to. Sorry, it wasn't for vegetarians. What's Halloween without a little meat eating? Moo ha ha.
A truly beautiful night that I look forward to being at each and every year.
Thanks Bill and Julia.

WE Brought It!!

Totally scary, we did about 500 kids/parents.
Lots of screams, some tears and lots of laughter.
Dracula's Castle was the hit of the Fall Carnival.
Thanks to everyone who participated, especially those who have lost their voice like me.
It's hard work scaring kids.....

Moo Ha Ha, I'm the Mistress of the Dark

Our scary house last year...


About ready to embark on our school's First Annual Haunted House. And who is the evil brains behind this dastardly event? Yours ghouly, the Mistress of the Dark.
Spent the better part of yesterday setting up, we have the coolest parents at our school. I was most worried about the wiring/electrical cords and all, but we have a journeyman electrician on hand who rigged everything up. All I had to do was label my lights/cords/moving dracula and he did the rest. What a gem.
This year's theme is Dracula's Castle and we're ready to traumatize some kids. The stage is set, literally and figuratively.

Reminds me of all the haunted houses we did for Kyle's school. I would do anything for that kid but helping to raise money for his school by putting on a haunted house, well I'd pay them to do it. We even got on channel 2 the year we did our Harry Potter house.

Let's hope this new venue is as big of a hit. If we raise some money, bonus. If not, the kids will have a blast. And the parents, too.
Happy Halloween, will report on the outcome later.
Moo ha ha....

Jake's "stabbed-o-lantern" 2007
You gotta love boys and their imagination...





Today's theme song" Work to Do" by Average White Band.
Got so much done today, I feel satiated. Ready to pour myself into bed not from drinking but non-stop productive activity.
Best thing I got done: painted the refrigerator and washing machine boxes for the Haunted House this weekend. That was bugging me. Now I have 4 gigantic dark grey boxes on the lawn that I know will make my neighbors wonder, "what the fuck is she doing now?" Trying to scare little kids, that's what I'm-a-doing. An extremely important mission in my book. Halloween is king in our house so watchyourback, moo ha ha.

Wish I could be one of those em-effing gurus who just take it chill cuz they know they're going to get things done.
Not me, I stress. But I'm trying to change: today I breathed, danced and sang as I did those mundane errands and that thing called work. Groceries, check. Laundry, check. Change bed sheets, check. Catch up on email, check. Sort bills/paperwork, check. Haunted House tasks, check. Homework, check. Awesome dinner, check. Watch some of the debate, check. Read Encyclopedia to Jake, check. Clean up, check.
Blog, check.
Go to bed, check.

Happiest Place on Earth

Disneyland....I still remember when my Dad took me to Disneyland when I was small. The magic is still there. I have to admit I got teary eyed on the submarine ride, which was my favorite as a young girl. The colorful coral and fish dancing around the beautiful mermaids, that was my dream world when I was little. My father rarely held my hand but he did during that ride, he knew I was in awe and he wanted me to know he was right alongside me. I didn't hold Jake's hand but I watched his open mouth as we submerged into the depths of Nemo's world. It was beautiful.
What fun we had with our cousins from down under, especially on the river ride and soaring over california. Those Disney imagineers really know how to bring it.
Two hilarious notes: we got stuck on the Jungle Cruise: had to back all the way out of it! I felt sorry for the toddlers who had to see the animals standing still, hope it didn't spoil anything for them.
And, we were in the front seat of Indiana Jones (one of my top 3rides) ready to go and the house lights came on, we had to evacuate due to technical difficulties. Yikes, we had some wierd ride mojo, made me worry about the plane ride home. HOWEVER, it makes for a great story that not many other people can boast.
Have YOU gone through the Jungle Cruise backwards at Disneyland? Well I have.
Gotta make this short, too much to talk about.
Fun was had by all.
Now I gotta go to work and pay for it all.
Here we go!!! (Peter Pan ride still awesome)

Pictures/To Do Lists/Digressions/Depressions

Jake and Jayne at Birney Falls -Daddy takes it all in on digital vid

Digital photos are so cool.....I'm glad I live in the digital age...

Unfortunately, organizing my photos is still on my perpetual "to do" list, like cleaning out the garden shed or ripping out those junipers or painting that wall. Now on my to do list: organize photo albums, paper and digital....

You know what I'm sayin'????

I was trying to find my favorite photo of Florence, my dear step-mother who passed away.
It's a picture of us in front of the Marc Chagall installation in Italy, way back when. She looked so young. It was the Brady Bunch goes to Europe. A month with the eight of us. I kept waiting for Paul the oldest to get hit in the head with a surfboard or for Marc, the youngest to disappear. If you're a Brady Bunch fan, you'll get that. I'm digressing as I'm very sad right now but I don't want to go into it right now.

So, I'll digress again...

Here's to parents and children. Above is one of my favorite mother/son photos from one of our annual camping trips with the Wendt/Perez/Warner etc., clans.

RIP Florence Maggio Lecky. Say hi to Dad. I know you're up there playing tennis, listening to Mozart, making pasta for everyone and reading books without glasses. I love you Mom Two.