So I love Halloween and always have. It’s a great time for to pretend and have fun. But after the kids moved out, we just stopped and eventually got rid of whatever decorations we had. This house is motivating us to do it again. I was excited. WAS.
Then I went to my son’s house this year and whoa, I wish I’d taken a picture of their front yard! My daughter in law is a big seasonal decorator and she would win a competition on the best Halloween decorations! They’ve collected their decor over the years and my son is really into it too. So much so that we were in a hardware store on Saturday (helping a family member) and he was distracted by the Halloween lights for sale. I had to remind him we had a job to do and he didn’t have time to look for the elusive orange bulbs he’s been searching for 
He grinned that I’d caught him looking.
So year, their house is amazing!
And then there’s us, who just have a few things. But I coaxed Wizard out to start some prep to decorate. It was easy to do, I told him I’d use the wheel barrell to move some extra rock from the back to the front to use. He could only tolerate me doing this for about 20 minutes before he started helping. Um, I should mention it’s suddenly hot again, and now my arms are very slightly sunburned and I have a big mosquito bite. Wizard did warn me that we should wait until later in the evening, LOL. Still we got the hardest part done!
If we finish it in the next two days, I’ll try to get a pic, but after seeing my son and daughter-in-law’s house, I’m feeling inadequate, LOL! I’m kidding. It’s just a holiday, not a competition. And the point is that Wizard and I are having fun doing this together. As a bonus it’s a good distraction from other stuff.
Now the question is, can I talk him into pulling out the clear Christmas lights to add some lighting around the decorations? I might suggest I buy some solar Halloween lighting; I’m pretty sure that will incentivize him into repurposing our Christmas lights for free Maybe.
Do you decorate for Halloween?
P.S., Now I’m giving Maggie the side eye, wondering if I should dress her up in a costume. She would not be amused.
September 27th, 2023 at 7:32 am · Link
Are you saying size matters? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 And please do not subject Maggie to a witch’s hat and cape! She soooo would not be amused. LOL
Ah, Halloween. It was a deal when I was a kid–all the trick-r-treating. We’d walk and/or bike for MILES. The joys of a small town. As a grown-up, I’d do the candy thing at the door with a pumpkin and maybe a ghost or witch. Then Only was born the day before Halloween and she decided the whole thing was all about her.
We did LOTS of decorations–inside and out. A favorite was the broom witch who smacked into the lightpole in the corner of our yard. We had to put her way up so the hooligans couldn’t vandalize her. The she grew up, moved out and on, and we got old. Not to be a downer but the “flavor” changed and it was older teens in no costumes and without younger siblings coming for candy and being rude when I didn’t empty the whole bowl into their bags. The night one pulled a handgun was the last straw. The fact LG came up behind me and cocked his Mossberg 12 guage changed the punk’s mind. He and his buddies took off but we called them in to PD and yeah, they got busted. Now we leave the lights off. As for decorating, I put a wreath on the door and do a tablecloth and centerpiece in the dining room and that’s about it. Sad, I know.
I’m so glad your new house is inspiring you to decorate and hope there are sweet kids in the neighborhood to come and yell “Trick or treat!” when you answer the door. A part of me misses those days. And your son and DiL are all kinds of awesome for really getting into the spirit! Aren’t they the ones who gave you the witch decoration for your house warming?
September 27th, 2023 at 2:46 pm · Link
That’s so nice of your son and DIL to decorate in such a big way. The entire neighborhood must love it. We have a lady down the road who goes all out for EVERY holiday. We all love driving by their place. She really enjoys making people happy.
You and Wizard must be having a ton of fun decorating. The clear lights sound like a great idea and I love your plan to get Wizard to agree
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We don’t do decorations anymore. With Harrison coming up next week we will put out a HUGE spider.
I’m ordering a dual wall oven and the guy that fixed my stucco and C will make it fit. If all goes well I’ll ask him about the downdraft range. This is one expensive replacement project. But if it can be, it must be done.
Have a wonderful day.
PS – I haven’t been able to post via Chrome again. It’s strange how it works for a few days and then stops.
September 27th, 2023 at 4:21 pm · Link
Silver, I have no idea what I’m saying these days, LOL! But size does matter when my DIL does the cutest and most fun decorations
And you’re so right about Maggie! She would agree to a Halloween collar, but that’s her limit.
I totally have the same memories of Halloween! We walked miles too, but times were different. LOLOL on Only making Halloween all about her — seems reasonable to me! And why not have fun combining her birthday with Halloween.
I’m really sorry you guys have had bad experiences. We’ve been lucky (and seriously, it’s luck) over the years. There’s kids in our neighborhood so we’re hoping to get a few at least. We’ll probably sit outside. In past years, we’ve had teenagers too, but they were all fine, and many of them were with younger siblings.
Oh and yes!! Youngest and his wife (I’m pretty sure DIL got it) brought me the witch. I love that witch! I still think it’s hilarious that my DIL gave her mother in law a witch as a housewarming gift. That’s always a fun story to tell and get’s laughs because it’s obvious that I love all three of my DILs.
I hope you doing have any troubles this year on Halloween and also glad you’re prepared to handle trouble if it does show up.
September 27th, 2023 at 4:35 pm · Link
Viki, I think their neighbors do enjoy the decorations at youngest and DILs. I’m with you, I enjoy driving by decorated houses even when mine isn’t done. Neighbors down the street here have skeletons doing yard work and washing windows, it’s so funny.
Well we’re having some fun, but mostly we have to put off doing more due to life and that’s okay. I’ll talk him into the lights if we have time for sure
He rarely says no to me, LOL.
I’m excited for you to see Harrison next week! I hope he loves the big spider! I’m sure he’s going to have so much to tell you.
I have my fingers crossed for you with the oven, and I hope it’s one you love too! Its nerve wracking when you’re going to “make it fit.” On the upside, if C says he can do it, I believe he can. Hopefully the downdraft is an option too. And yeah, I bet it’s expensive. Fortunately, it’s an investment that should last awhile. I know the oven situation has been causing you stress.
Ugh on the Chrome thing. I use Chrome too, and only run into a problem once. I have no clue how to trouble shoot this. So frustrating.