ARGHHHH...NO STEELERS TODAY.....

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a bye this week, and this really throws me for a loop. The upside is that the team has more time to rest up in order to defeat the "to date undefeated" Denver Broncos on Monday night the 9th. I won't be in a jam as there are plenty of games on to keep me occupied.

I read that the Cleveland Browns fans are asking everyone at the game to be late in entering the stadium tomorrow night (televised game). The premise is that since the game is televised they are showing their displeasure with the team and management, and an empty stadium - never looks good! This could be interesting.

Locally, the Steelers are by far the favorite team, but we have more than a fair share of Browns fans as well. A good many Browns fans gave up on the team when Modell moved to Baltimore (Ravens). Since the team reappeared - they now have new as well as some of the old fans.

It was fairly cold last night for Trick or Treat in the neighborhood. I gave out 300 pieces of candy. Trust me, we do not have that many kids in our neighborhood. the police patrol quite well for this hour of fun, and monitor all the cars (some WV plates) that park at the mom and pop store, at the entrance to the area. I think it has gotten out of hand honestly. I'm not sure if these families feel they get better treats or if the area is just safer, but it is a little much.

I almost refused candy to a boy (with a BEARD - his own), because I felt he was too old. He said he was 15, but with the hair on that face, I would guess much older. Thegrandson looked great in his HELLBOY costume, and received enough candy to open a store.





I had "crime scene" tape criss-crossing the front porch, the jack-o-lanterns lit, and a strobe light in the background - and managed to NOT GET ANY PICTURES!! It was fantastic. I close off the porch one way or another, so the kids do not come for treats - since I go a few doors up the street to a neighbors to hand out the goodies. It's probably been about ten years since I have actually handed candy out from my own house. I'd rather have someone to chat with during the melee, than be bored here alone.

Getting the red make-up off thegrandson was a treat. I used my make-up remover and he was whining the entire time - but it all came off rather well. All the candy has been sorted out - thedaughter took some to work with her, some was trashed, and the remainder will be doled out sparingly.

There are a couple of neighbor kids that we are close with, and I made up "special" treats for them...all but one received their package. Thegrandson will deliver the last one to his friend in a little while.

I've changed the kitty litter, have a load of wash in, and now I need to mop the kitchen floor. Whether that task gets accomplished, remains to be seen. The sun is out (only 45*), and I think I wasted that "bonus" hour of sleep....a nap sounds wonderful!!

Have a great Sunday. I shall return....later.........





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FOOTBALL AND PUMPKIN CARVING!!!

Of course it is Sunday, and my big thing was looking forward to the Steelers kicking Brett Favre's butt!! Hooray - it was awesome.

We have found out that thegrandson's elementary school has an outbreak of the H1N1 - and what does he do today - spike a temp of 100.8*. He is lethargic and has a bad headache as well. He will not be attending school tomorrow and possibly for a few more days. We are playing this one by ear. I have the runniest nose - and a headache...but what's new????

Since thedaughter managed to break her arm last year - after carving pumpkins, we took no chances and carried out the process on the kitchen table this year. All went quite well. Thegrandson is not allowed to play with knives yet...so he was relegated to "cleaning" out the pumpkin as you can see from these two pics.

The expressions he was making were hilarious. The upside is - he can't wait till his pumpkin seeds have finished baking, for his consumption.

The "spider" carving, is the same as last year. We lost the template, but I blew up last years picture and made a new template. It looks great. I have combined the pics of the pumpkins with and without a flash. Thedaughter carved the Spider and the Grim Reaper....I carved the ghost on a tombstone. I think we actually did a wonderful job this year, if I do say so myself.




Hopefully, thegrandson will be well enough to Trick or Treat on Saturday evening. Right now, he is plain miserable. He is such a tiny little guy, when he gets a "bug" he can't fight it off well. Now we start the worrying - I have mastered that art over many years.

Now....for more "pretty awful" Halloween costumes:

Poor attempt at humor - or atrocity!!!

Originality counts for something!

"W" never looked better! And I mean that!

(Cough, cough!) This is just plain sick!!

Gonna run for now...hoping the Colts get their butt kicked tonight also! Medication time - ahhhhhh drugs!!!

Have a wonderful evening and I will get back here tomorrow.....sometime.........

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HALLOWEEN COSTUME DECISION...........

This annual decision making process becomes harder every year. Thegrandson has actually had his mind made up for months, it is we, the adults, who kept thinking he would change his mind. NOPE!! He loves Hellboy, and decided that was the costume of choice for this years Trick-or-Treating. I haven't seen one of these movies from beginning to end, but the parts I have glimpsed, were actually funny. There's just something about a huge red man, making jokes and killing the demons, that makes a mother smile!(Ha!)




When hitting the kingdom of Walmart, Target or K-Mart - one typically finds the "costume of the moment", Spiderman, Superman, Batman, Cinderella, Witch, etc....
Hellboy is not on the racks...period. We ended up doing the mail order tact. When the package arrived - thegrandson was on Cloud 9.

The costume included the red head mask w/ sideburns, huge arm, coat and belt. Thegrandson was trying it on and exclaimed "WHERE'S MY DEVIL TAIL???" Damn!! Back to the interwebs and a tail is ordered. I must say he looks pretty good in this outfit - now we just have to hope there is NO SNOW on the 31st. Oh, we have to make some small modifications to the arm, so it wraps "around" his scrawny arm...no biggie there.

Dressing boys for this once a year event is always a huge decision making process as I have mentioned. With my daughter, it was easy, because of all the sweet and feminine choices available. But don't ask her that question. As she reached puberty, I made a simple choice for her - HOOKER!! Hell, with all the makeup available at our fingertips and the avant garde clothing of the time - this was her costume for several years. Cheap (the costume) and easy - and out the door for the goodies. I was certainly a wonderful mother.

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This morning started out, much like every other morning, and as I was having my coffee and watching the morning news, I get a phone call from my neighbor - who never calls this early (just before 9 am). She was asking if I was OK, since there were two emergency squads outside. I told her I was fine, but from where my kitchen in located I actually have no clue what is going on outside. Although, my dog kept running back and forth, whining - I just chalked it up to her being in heat and wanting to go out!

Alas, the squads were at the "new" neighbors house. After 15 minutes or so, when I saw no equipment being carried in or out and the squad guys walking back and forth on the cell phones...I knew there was a death. the father-in-law that just moved in two weeks ago, apparently died in his sleep. I have known Pete for several years and my daughter knew him better, so I'm sure this will be hard on this family.

I contacted one neighbor and we will take up a collection for flowers as we are the "bigger" people here, as she noted. I feel bad for the two grandchildren who are in school and unaware at this point. Again, we get NO guarantees in this world and we have to cherish and hold dear those we love - every second. This past Monday was nine years since my husband passed away, and tomorrow will be two years since my best friend passed. So this is just a depressing time of year for us.

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I will close with pics of some really crappy or interesting (depending on one's frame of mind) Halloween costumes:

MORE PICS TOMORROW!!! TIS THE SEASON.

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PRE-HALLOWEEN "GOINGS ON".............

Since Halloween is looming in the near future...some GHOST has taken up residence in my home, I fear!!



This is the view, of the underside of my kitchen table. The larger object at the top, is the top of the pedestal base. Then you can see where there are three "screws" (table gets more than me), with another three on the opposing side.

Yesterday, thedaughter's friend helped me switch out one kitchen set for another that I also have. I'm fickle - what can I say? I change tables, by the mood I'm in apparently.

But I digress. After the screws (we actually had only 5) were properly set, and the table returned to its upright position, and of course checked for sturdiness, we took a break from all this labor.

Approximately one half hour later, thedaughter and her friend have the table upside down again, checking to see why the table top was now NOT secure. ALL FIVE SCREWS WERE MISSING!!

I'm totally serious...they are no where to be found. Why and what could have happened to these 1 1/2" wood screws???? Luckily, after searching through two tool boxes, I found some more. The top is 100% secure now - but I cannot help but ponder the mystery of the missing screws.

To add to my weirdness, I do believe in ghosts. At one point in time, my mother (the mean bitch) and twin sister had bought a condo. Soon after moving in, they realized they had a guest living with them. My sister had named this little boy Jason (so appropriate).

They regaled us with stories of this little apparition and I was slightly ho-hum about the entire story, but always listened intently. That was until I took my kids down to visit for a weekend.

That was when we actually saw/felt this same Casper type character. He was harmless, helpful if the truth be known. Supposedly, one night when my mother was choking - Jason awoke my sister to get her some help. Dodododododododo! (Twilight Zone music). The second night, thedaughter (maybe 7 at the time) started talking in her sleep, I thought. She was talking to the person that just "brushed up against my feet."

When it was time for us to leave and I was packing my car, I deliberately made sure I had all the dirty clothes in a paper bag, by the bags - to go in the car at the same time. When I got home (an hour and a half drive), NO DIRTY CLOTHES.

I called back down to my sister, and asked her if she saw the bag anywhere, because although believeing I had put it in the car (I know I did), it didn't make it back home with me. She gave the condo a cursory look through, and said she didn't see it anywhere.

Two days later, she called me and said she was doing laundry, and found THE BAG, just sitting inside the dryer!!! WTF!?!?! After losing the argument that she was pulling my leg, I caved and had no other answer. My sister did do some research on the grounds where the condos were contructed. It was originally farmland, remaining with one family for a great many years. The only death recorded, by accident, was a young boy, who fell down a well. I no longer remember all the details, but felt that may explain some things.

But since all the neighbors have their Halloween decorations up and the creapy movies are all on TV - I guess I'm just going to have to figure out who is haunting my house.....and if they are going to return those FIVE SCREWS!!!

Later...............................



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Just some odd-ball stuff, for the moment...

Thegrandson decided he wanted to be Batman this year for Trick or Treat. Originally, we padded his chest and arms to give him that muscular look - that didn't fly for long. So he went as a skinny, gangly superhero.

This picture was taken after his Halloween party at school Friday. Poor Angel, looking out the door, she hates to be left inside!
















Aha, he is now in his fighting stance....watch out!!









Since I have been overly obsessed with this election season and blogging....my usual "diary" routine has gone totally to hell. For over 20 years, I have kept a 12 month calendar book, and my entire life ends up on each and every page. Appointments, birthdays, anniversary's, important events....you name it - it goes in the book. But alas, since August, I haven't even opened the damn thing. When I keep it up - it looks something like this:




When I go back through some of these over the years, they look like a kaleidoscope of colors - thank heavens for all those wonderful colored highlighters!! In December I will buy a new one for the coming year, and sit down and write in all the birthdays and important stuff and then begin my log all over again. Needless to say, I started again today with more entries - but having 2.5 months of blank pages is strange.

So much for my Saturday hodge-podge blog. There is much more interesting stuff going on in the political arena (shocked???) and I am checking some things out! Have a good one all!

Dreary, boring Saturday...so a hodgepodge of thoughts...

will be coming out now. Mnmom has had her Obama sign stolen from her yard (yet left her Al Franken banner) and I find this just mean. But I did find something to cheer her up:

How's that for a thought - bigger and better works for me!!

This morning news seems to be reporting that Sarah Palin has turned "rogue" on the McCain campaign. Now there's a real shock - she has been a rogue, since she first opened her mouth with "palling around with terrorists."

The woman just doesn't "get it!" I should think everyone has noticed that she has turned more prima donna lately - even when sitting or standing alongside McGrumpy. Several of the campaign people assigned to steer her in the direction they deem correct, are ready to abandon ship - they know they are cooked since several have sent out resumes already.

One thing that has driven me nuts throughout this campaign is her constant reminder that "Obama would sit down with dictators without preconditions." I truly believe that she has never accessed a dictionary in her life. Having a so-called journalism degree has not helped her in the grammar area, of that we are sure. But I digress.

Preconditions - trans. verb. To put in proper or desired condition or frame of mind especially in preparation. Palin is describing preparation not preconditions. Her statement actually says that some kind of condition imposed has to be met. McC wants Iran to suspend their uranium enrichment program before any negotions are considered. Obama is against it. His premise being, you can't ask the other party to give up certain negotiating points in exchange for nothing and then expect them to sit down and negotiate. Palin is not adept enought to understand this working scenario. And we definitely know she hasn't had that much political experience to begin with. (I argue her "executive" experience as spouted by the McCrack team.)

One needs to ask Sarah Palin - wtf do you mean by preconditions? Would you please expound on that premise! Then we would be inundated with more gobbledygook (sp) and have to take more meds. I dare her to define preparations as opposed to preconditions. Her usage and intention do not come across as Obama's original reference - but again, more fodder with which to hang herself.

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I ran across this lovely picture - and brought back memories of when my kids were younger (high school age) and theson and his buddies decided to "trick or treat." One of the guys went as a CONDOM, and I thought I would die laughing. Talk about an economical costume!

But even though he is a young man now - if he ever makes it back to this country - I will suggest a costume similar to these! Bwahahahaha!!! He's NUTS anyway.




Maybe I will start some laundry, maybe I will start dinner, maybe I will run the sweeper.....and then again.....maybe none of the above!!! Till later..........

Where will they go in the next 3 weeks??????

I have now COMPLETELY read the Stephen Branchflower Legislative Report, all 263 pages. My eyes are crossing and I may also need new glasses! I have read much better material, but there are so many parts that ensure the outcome...the fact that Sarah Palin abused her power in office. Considering there are 1000+ more pages, which the general public is not privy to - I have a small feeling there may be other charges in the future. The one question I have, who the fuck is Todd Palin? He is not and was not an elected official, but apparently he is his wife's hatchet man. He didn't have an office or desk, but set himself up at a conference table in her office, in order to work alongside of her. Who did the people of Alaska elect....and why?

Granted, not one blessed piece of this and/or future investigations have anything to do with say...the state of economy, health care, or foreign policy. The investigation was definitely BIPARTISAN - regardless of the spin coming from McCrooked's camp. My feeling is that Sarah Palin is one who has abused any office she has held to date (Mayor expenses are documented), so what would she do as a Vice President? Or should I say, what would Todd Palin do? And where would it end...Piper negotiating with North Koreans? As I say, there will probably be more coming out, as the Courts have now said that ALL e-mail accounts have to be preserved, because they have been requested under the Freedom of Information Act, and will be given, as there is no Executive privilege attached - since Todd was right in the middle of sending and receiving! John McCain said in 2000:

"Sooner or later people are going to figure out that if all you
run is negative attack ads you don't have much of a vision for the future, or
you're not ready to articulate it."

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Well, the people are already heading out to Brush Run Park to see Palin at 6 pm, she will be stopping in Marietta, Ohio before arriving here - supposedly a spontaneous stop at some eatery, to glad hand a little first. The venue for tonight was once the site of Jamboree In the Hills, before moving a couple miles away to a larger site. It is also called Alderman Airport for small planes. Occasionally, drag races are held in late summer at this site also.

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And now the bad news (for me), Joe Biden is going to be here Tuesday evening at the Ohio University branch, and I have to babysit - I'm so upset. I would take thegrandson, but he would not enjoy himself, and I probably would not either. I am going to check and see what I can do to make some changes for that evening. Right now, thegrandson has a yucky, snotty cold, and I would rather be the one taking care of him than a stranger. There are only two other people he has ever stayed with and I'm just not keen on that at the moment.

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I'm really disappointed with the foliage this fall. Usually the colors are so vivid and this year, as you can see, rather BLAH! thegrandson has to have 5 different leaves for school this week, and they CAN'T be crunchy (according to him). This may be interesting. All the dead leaves around here are definitely crunchy, and to find 5 different kinds - I guess HIS mother has her work cut out for her! Ha! I'll defer it up to those two to solve that problem. Thegrandson has his costume for this Halloween - he will be Batman. Thedaughter remembers how easy her costumes were while growing up - I made her a HOOKER most of the time. Just kidding - some of the time. Overdone make-up, wild hair and skimpy clothes - who would know??? Last year was tough, since my best friend had just passed away, and we always handed out candy from her front porch - I ended up handing out the goodies with our other neighbor (who lives across the street). We usually have over 100 or so kids and it gets boring when I am by myself - so I shut my lights off - leave a sign with an arrow (I hate getting soaped or TP'd), and head up the street. Amazingly enough, the majority of kids that come are either from in town or across the river - because there just aren't very many kids in our neighborhood. Thank the stars - it is only for one hour!! I can handle that.

Back to watching football - my Steelers have a bye week - which is good - several team members need some "healing" time! Great Sunday all!

BOOOOO!! Trick or Treat Again !!!

AHA!!! The process begins...thegrandson undergoes his pasty transformation.

His white/blonde hair now black, new elongated teeth, dripping blood and fancy cape turns the little guy into.....a VAMPIRE!!! His mother (thedaughter) got in on the act also, they were quite a pair.

This year seemed like more of an event, in finding the right makeup, clothing and other necessary trinkets to scare the neighbors. We started the makeup session at 5 pm, yet the actual "trick or treat" times of going door to door, did not begin until 6:30 pm. And trust me...it took every minute to get both these guys decked out.

The trick or treaters began right at 6:30 pm, yet we did not have as many kids as we have in the past. That could be because the time was dropped to one hour instead of the usual 1.5 - 2 hours of the past. And again, very few kids live in our neighborhood and the majority of treaters were from neighboring towns.


Sans makeup, thegrandson was very proud of his jack-o-lantern also this year. This was the second that was carved as the first one was carved so very early - it succumbed to the elements.

This was just a quickie blog for the moment of the "season!" Thegrandson got to show his costume to theson via webcam, and theson was so very frightened (right?!?!?). And that is what it is all about!!!

Take care and TTFN....oh and BOOOOOOOOO!