Living In America ..You say Goodbye, I say Hello, ...

[kickassangel]

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I am having to restrain myself from adding a message that says something like 'lighten up and have some fun you miserable people! Even if it's not your thing, it is only one night a year, and the kids LOVE it'.

Somehow I think that sort of comment wouldn't be viewed as a welcome contribution!

Dd will be trick or treating with some cousins, and after that we'll go to a neighbour's house. He always drags a sofa and armchairs into the front yard, sets up a movie screen to show (not too scary) Halloween films, and provides 'beverages' for the adults while the kids sort through/eat (some of) their 'haul'. I'm there!

That sounds like fun

Dh just called and said ds2 is complaining about his ear I'm hoping it's just pressure from his cold this week. Would hate for him to miss out tonight. We have some neighbors who do spectacular decorations.

I'm impressed with spectacular Halloween decorations. Am ashamed to say that I got our decorations out of the loft, but haven't put them up. Also haven't managed to carve the pumpkin yet with dd (a bit emotional for us both, as it is something she always did with her beloved Uncle who passed away suddenly a few months ago).

But, I did manage to have a 'Martha Stewart' afternoon when dd and I made/decorated her trick or treat goody bag and also made/decorated Halloween cookies with her friend.

Jabber - hope dc feels better quickly, and is able to enjoy himself tonight.

I want to make that exact same comment, but preface it with as someone who wasn't allowed to celebrate Halloween growing up and resented not being allowed to do so. . .

Sounds like a lot of fun, Earlybird. We went with a friend and TOT'ed the shops of main street last night. They both had their class parties and had tons of fun, too. Caitlin's been waking up every day for the past week or so, and the first words out of her mouth are always "Mommy, I'm so 'cited for Halloween to be here". Somehow I got volunteered for all the treats to above parties, so we had the excitement of making shaped sugar cookies for the kids and pumpkin whoopie pies for the adults.

You know, I thought about that dooney. Can't imagine being a child and not being allowed to join the fun Sounds like you are well making up for it though!

Ds2 is sleeping now. I'm thinking he and I will stay home and hand out candy and maybe drive over to a couple of really great houses to trick or treat but not do the whole run with dh and ds1. Poor little guy...

dooney - what exactly is a pumpkin whoopie pie?

jabberwocky - how is ds feeling today? Sorry he (and you) missed the festivities.

Dd had a fantastic time last night (so did I). Many streets 'round here seem to start early by inviting everyone to meet an hour before dark with a 'pot luck' in someone's front yard/driveway/cul de sac. Everyone brings something to eat/drink, and then all the kids leave to trick or treat with the area kids (and parents trailing after - often with a discreet drink in hand ) - and the other parent goes home to answer the door.

The other tradition (that was a new discovery for me), was how many people have a sort of 'open house' for the neighbours once trick or treating has died down (around 8.30). The thought is that the kids were probably too excited to eat much before trick or treating, but afterward are hungry. To prevent them from simply gorging on candy, they eat a late supper and then have some (less?) candy. Again, the adults can have a drink/chat in a relaxed fashion.

So, last night we went to one home that was serving chicken pot pie and macaroni & cheese, another that had white chili, and another was dishing out hot dogs (didn't eat at all, I hasten to add!). The kids raced around, after taking a little inventory of their 'booty'.

Lovely evening all around, and extra relaxed due to Saturday night and time change which meant there was no reason to rush home.

How was the evening for the rest of you?

One other completely unrelated question: where is Califrau? Have a vague recollection she left after some unpleasantness, but thought (hoped) she'd still visit on this thread......hope she is OK.

That sounds so lovely, earlybird! Ds2 slept all afternoon and then, as kids will miraculously do, seemed quite recovered just as ds1 was getting on his costume So I gave him the benefit of the doubt and dressed him up too. He was fine during all of trick or treating and is running around this morning with just his cold but no earache.

We did get to crash one small party that was on our trick or treat route. Heavy hors d'ouvres and wine

I'm afraid we may have lost Cali to a private board. I miss her. I wish she would at least post on our thread. I remember her from way back when she was hausfrau.

Glad ds is feeling better, and that you all had a good night.

Do we think Cali has gone to Moldies? I too remember her as Hausfrau, and would love to hear from her again.

Must go soon, as am due at a birthday brunch in a few hours which requires me to arrive with 2 dozen cooked sausage patties.....

'fraid so

Good luck with the sausage patties. My mother makes these scrumptious sausage ball concoctions at Christmas,mmmmmm

Sounds like everyone had fun last night. I had 165 pieces of candy and all but 6 are gone, and I could have had them gone, there was just a pack of about 12 of them coming my way, so I turned off the light because I didn't have enough for all of them. And we only handed out candy for about 10 minutes before we left, and not even 1/2 hour after we got home.

This morning, Caitlin is now "So 'cited for Christmas."

Pumpkin whoopie pies are like a pumpkin sandwich cookie with cream cheese filling in between. A soft pumpkin Oreo, only much better.

I think we lost Cali to all the fighting and fallout from the Mouldies thing. It seemed to really make her sad how everyone was acting, and she's only posted a few times since it all got really bad. My take anyway. And yes, I have stalked her.

Oh, I want a pumpkin whoopie pie!!!

Tell Cali she is missed.

She's on FB. Do you want me to point her in your direction?

The recipe for pumpkin whoopie pies for whoever wants it. Well worth making, even for DH who isn't into sweets at all.

Someday when I actually start to do FB,...

Hope you all had lovely Halloween.

Hey there SB! Did you take Dinner trick or treating?

I'm new - hope you don't mind (I feel a little as if I'm crashing a private party!). We've just found out that we're moving to Boulder, Colorado next year. Do any of you know Boulder at all? I'm looking for any info I might be able to get hold of on areas, pre-schools, etc. Any help you could give me would be really appreciated. many thanks.

Oh, Boulder is really nice! My nephew went to college there. Let's see, you need to talk to alipiggie. Does anyone have her email?

And Welcome, btw

Thanks, Jabberwocky. Glad to hear that Boulder is nice - I've yet to even go there, but it does sound great, so I'm excited. Looking forward to my boys learning to ski...

You definitely need Ali. I don't have any e-mail or anything on her, though. Do you have a way to get a hold of her, Bunny?

You're not crashing a private party. It is a nice, quiet little corner of MN here, but I we get excited when someone else comes to the party.

I have a job interview tomorrow morning. I think I'm going to throw up.

Good luck Dooney.

Welcome Coloradobound am very - we are in deepest Iowa and although there's lots to love about it Boulder sounds a much more exciting proposition.

You are brave moving somewhere you haven't visited yet!

Ali will gladly help - if you CAT me colorado, I will pass on her info.

Good luck, Dooney.

No trick or treating here but we did go to a 'spooky storytelling' at the park in the evening. Was quite lovely. Followed by fish & chips and a pot of tea

Thanks for the welcome. Bunkups 33 - "brave" is one description, but "stupid" might be the more commonly used one! It'll be a bit of a difference - we're currently in London, so not much in the way of mountains or outdoor pursuits going on here. I'm alternately excited and terrified.

SuperBunny - I'm really new to this: what does CAT mean? Sorry to be so naive...

I think CAT originally meant Contact Another Talker. Now they have the contact poster link that does it but everyone still says CAT anyway.

Sorry - click on contact poster and you'll be able to send a msg. I forget they have changed it.

Good luck with your move.

How was the interview, Dooney? What was it for?