Happy, Happy Halloween!!

I hope you all have a wickedly good evening full of fun and lots of treats!

A few little pumpkins from our front porch.

"Gladys Kravitz" Is In The Neighborhood

Do any of you remember "Gladys Kravitz" from the show "Bewitched"? (Yes, yes... I'm showing my age here.) She was the extremely nosey neighbor. We have a neighbor in our neighborhood who I sometimes secretly refer to her as "Gladys Kravitz" because she is so nosey and gossipy. She really only talks to me when she's digging for some information about someone in the neighborhood. I have lived by this lady for twelve years and I'm assuming it's just to much for her to lift her arm because she never waves. (heehee)

I wish I had a quick wit so I could come up with some funny comebacks to her meddling, but unfortunately I'm not that fast. After every conversation with this lady, I always walk away in disbelief that someone could be so gossipy, rude and nosey. And I always have things I wished I would have said. I need me a little of "Clemson Girl's" humor here to lighten things up. (If you haven't visited her blog, you must because she is super funny.)

I see this neighbor at the bus stop. So the last two times she spoke to me, she wanted to know why two neighbors were moving. She made a comment about one of them that she heard it was because of a financial situation. Hello...have a little consideration for these people if that is the case. I wish I would of thought of something clever to say to put her in her place. I wish I could really speak my mind, but we're not moving anytime soon and this is her "forever" house so I must be civil (darn it). Also, I have to be nice because her daughter is friends with my daughter. (You would think she would do the same.)

My husband doesn't understand why I let her get under my skin. I just don't understand how someone could be so mean and rude. She knows how to say little things where she is really taking a jab at you.

My goal now is to be overly nice to her and see if she comes around a bit. And if that doesn't work... well, I'll just keep trying until it does. Nobody can be a "sour puss" forever can they?

Oh You Silly, Silly Neighbor

Who calls at 7:30 A.M. on a Sunday morning to borrow sour cream, yes...that's right....sour cream?!! The answer to the question - our next door neighbor. Oh you silly, silly neighbor.

After a night out with a bunch of friends and getting home at 1:00 A.M., hubby and I don't want a phone call at 7:30 A.M. on a weekend asking to borrow something unless it is an emergency. It doesn't matter if you saw our dog in the backyard for a split second so he could go to the bathroom, that doesn't mean we're up and around. You silly, silly neighbor.

With the phone ringing right by my bed and hearing hubby talking quietly and getting up to make his way downstairs to get the sour cream, I'm awake for now. With hearing your knock at the door and your voice as clear as can be, I'm awake for good now. (I'm not grumpy. hehe)

I would never, ever call anyone this early to borrow something. So next time, please just make your way to the 24 hour Wal-Mart that is five minutes away or wait until a decent time to call. I value my precious sleep, especially on the weekends!!

I think this was his sweet revenge for one party we had this summer when we were a little inconsiderate and hung out in our backyard until 11:15 p.m. with the men playing some game with bean bags and drinking a few cocktails. We had to hear about it for the next two weeks afterwards. (And the neighbors didn't get home until 10:30 that night anyway. We would have welcomed them to join in.)

The Sounds of Christmas Music

Yep, that's right, Christmas music is flowing through the house. I have so much to do today and if the television is on, I get caught up in the shows and sit down to watch (especially Martha). That can't happen today. The Fall Party is tomorrow for Mr. T's class and I'm in charge... goody bags, craft, paper goods, beverages and games. When I ordered the craft, I didn't realize there were a "gazillion" pieces to glue on for each craft project so I'm eliminating a few steps for the kids and doing some myself. I'm covered in glue and foamie pieces. (All I have to say is thank goodness for glue dots.)

All the I-pods are gone in the house except for Mr. T's and there is no way I'm listening to his music. So found myself turning on the CD player, which by the looks of it, hasn't been used in a long, long time. It's hidden in the entertainment center and the top of it was covered in dust. The only thing that was in the CD player was Christmas CD's - a little Country mix, Mariah, Harry Connick Jr. and Jessica Simpson.

Girlfriend calls...hears music in the background and asks "What are you listening to"? Christmas music, you heard right. I have to admit, I'm loving every minute of it.

Skunk Smell is Refreshing

Mr. T is the sweatiest, smelliest kid I've ever seen after a hockey game. So last night he decided to ride home with me instead of Hubby after his hockey game. How did I get so lucky?!! I'm thinking he doesn't want to hear anything on how he played in the game. The coach has recently moved him to offense which he has never played before, so we try to sneak in a little advice. (He's not so fond of us telling him how to play hockey).

As soon as he gets in the SUV, the hockey odor is overwhelming. Even before we get out of the parking lot, I have to crack open a window. I open his and he asks me to roll it up because he's chilly. (He's worried about being chilly where I'm just trying not to pass out.) I try to handle the stench but every few minutes I have to crack a window and breath in some fresh air. I felt a headache coming on (I kid you not) so I finally roll down my window and leave it. Mr. T says "Mom, can't you smell that horrible skunk smell?". I'm thinking it smells pretty darn good compared to the odor in the car. Can you believe it? I would rather have the window down with chilly temperatures and smell the odor from a skunk than have to be consumed by hockey stink. Will I ever get used to the smell?!!!! (According to my boys, I'm a wimp!)

I'm Feeling Lucky

Another package landed on my doorstep. Inside was my monogrammed kitchen towels from Megan over at Monograms by So Pretty. She held a giveaway on her blog, Pretty Preppy Monograms and I won. I'm feeling especially lucky since this is my second win this month. Maybe I should run out and buy a lottery ticket.

Thank you Megan for hosting such a great giveaway. I'm loving my new kitchen towels.

With only 72 days until Christmas, check out her website for some fabulous gifts.

Looky, Looky

Look what arrived in my mail today!!! I entered into the "Halloween Happy Giveaway" the Grove Gals hosted and won. I was so excited to see what was in the package because it was a big surprise and I love surprises. The tumbler is super cute. The photo isn't very good and as you can tell, photography is not one of my talents.

Their website, Pineapple Grove Gifts is full of cute things. If you're looking for holiday gifts, this is a place to visit. Christmas is only 77 days away.

Thank you to Grove Gal K and Grove Gal E for the lovely surprise. Now I just have to make sure my kiddies don't try to use it because this one is all for Mommy.

For All of the Fans of Matthew Mead, An Unbelievable Giveaway

I just recently learned of Matthew Mead from seeing his Halloween Book in Target one day while I was standing in line. The ideas are so adorable and the photos are amazing.

If you don't have the book, you can check out his ideas on his website at Matthew Mead Style.

He has a new book coming out called, Entertaining Simple and Linda at Restyled Home is hosting a giveaway for this fabulous book. Not one, not ten, but TWENTY of these books will be up for grabs. I'm not sure if I can wait to see who wins, I just might have to run out and purchase this book now.

"Manlihood"

Little Mr. GQ is all about his "manlihood" these days. He arrived home from hockey practice the other night, all sweaty and smelly. He sits down and starts his homework. I approach to help out, but have to stop because of the smell. I tell him he needs to take a shower and then do his homework. He giggles and says, "Mom, it's my manlihood". So I tell him that that kind of "manlihood" needs a good scrub down with a large amount of soap and water. As he's walking upstairs, giggling, he says "You just don't appreciate my manlihood." I would appreciate it a lot more without the bad odor.

Happy Fall

Yeah, it finally seems like fall here today. I love fall and all it has to offer. The air is cool and crisp and the leaves are gradually turning to beautiful autumn colors. I placed a few pumpkins on the front stoop and started planting mums. Slowly the Halloween decorations are being scattered around the house. I bought a few carmel apples for after school snacks for the kiddies. Now we just have to make it to the pumpkin patch and all will be perfect. We usually go to Michigan for a weekend just to visit the pumpkin patches and apple orchards. Everything is so beautiful there and I love the cute little towns. Unfortunately we won't be able to make our trip because all of our weekends are filled up due to hockey.

I finally found my camera battery charger that has been missing for a month now so I can finally down load some photos. Maybe, if my fall decorating turns out I will post a few.

Not Your Traditional Wedding Dress

I received this via email and about fell off my chair when I saw this photo. I can't believe someone actually wore this for her wedding!! Her poor family, how embarrassing. I bet all eyes were on the bride as she walked down the aisle. Can you imagine the huge, bugged out eyes all the young boys (and grown men) had looking at her? Now the groom...the happiest man in the world on this day.