Halloween Tribulations 2007 Part 1

Just got home from work and the store about an hour ago and Pan was already here getting things put together (of course, he called me at the store several times to pick up batteries). While at the store, I broke down and bought him a couple more Halloween decorations. I know, I'm a softie, LOL

UPDATE: I have revised the order of the posts so that you don't have to go to the bottom and scroll up and down to follow the night, but start here and just keep scrolling down.

My living room is a wreck, but Pan and KFKAP are having so much fun.

The smorgasbord of candy. Cauldron tilted so you can see how much is already in it. The bags and box on the side are for refilling (yes, we have to refill).

Didn't think you got a really good feel for the size of the cauldron so stood it upright. And there are something like 100 glow-in-the-dark skeleton rings mixed in the bunch for some lucky trick-or-treater.

Time to put out the skeletons rising from their graves. Do note the t-shirt and bright sunlight. It's around 80 degrees. By the time I get this uploaded, Pan will have probably put a lot more things outside, but I'll get those pictures later for Part 2, so stay tuned. :)

Halloween Tribulations 2007 Part 2

One more hour here and Halloween will officially begin. In the meantime, the yard and house are starting to come together. There is a Halloween soundtrack already being played and the cat is going spastic. Must remember to lock him in the bathroom when the kids come calling. Pan has his whetstone and machete by his chair to give him something to do while the children wind their way up to the door.

The lab is making some headway. The bats have already arrived and Pan has checked the Jacob's ladder for any possible flaws.

A few more things have been added to the front yard, including the new graveyard fence I picked up today. Will have to get by tomorrow and see if they still have some and if it has been marked down anymore.

Another picture of the house from a different angle.

How about a close up of the grim reaper, the Borg pumpkin and giant bat. I really wish Pan would put the Lost Souls sign over the door. Oh well.

This is my bud. It is the only Halloween decoration I ever bought just for myself. I think he is so cool. I think I need to move him over to one of the headstones though. What do you think?

Halloween Tribulations 2007 Part 3

The house is NOT on fire. It just happens to be the fog machine.

The Jacob's ladder in motion. Do not touch. 12,000 volts will give you quite a jolt as Pan can attest to since tonight in his infinite wisdom, discovered that beer coolies do not make good insulators.

The neighbor's son argues with the grim reaper not realizing I was doing the talking through a mike at the end of the street. Grim reapers always win arguments.

Just a cool picture of the graveyard and bubbles.

And they start coming and coming and coming.

Halloween Tribulations 2007 Part 4

The crowd congregates at the end of the drive before making their way up.
Indy shows up with Bombshell because he was afraid of trick or treating and wanted to go to Tink's house. After he got here, he wanted to go home. But he finally managed to make his way up to see what Pan was up to.

The mad scientist surrounded by his creations and equipment.

Surprise visit by Superman and Supergirl. Be on the look out in further posts for other celebrities.

Intellectually I know that it is a camera exposure that caused this young man to fade out. Still he does not appear on any pictures before or after this photo. Eerie.....

Halloween Tribulations 2007 Part 5

My fallen angel (Bombshell) and Optimus Prime Indy.
My little angel, the Princess.
Guest celebrity... Spongebob Squarepants
Elvis has left the building and come trick or treating at our house this evening.
No Halloween would be complete without a bubble chasing imp.

Halloween Tribulations 2007 Part 6

More fun with the camera. Now if I could just remember what I did, LOL.

Meet Grim Reaper. We are taking applications for grim reaper voices for next year, NOT.

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles. They have made a big hit each year and this one is no exception. I had several adults stop and ask questions about it.

Pirates seemed to be a favored recurring theme this year. The ghost from Scream made nearly a dozen appearances as well. Fairy princesses and cowboys seemed to be out of fashion this year.

The great spider scare. She actually was laughing as well as being startled. I think it probably scared her brother more.

Halloween Tribulations 2007 Part 7

Oh look the 60's have returned.
Most kids got a thrill out of a talking grim reaper. This one is light activated or you can use a mike. I used the mike for a while, but it was hard trying hold the mike and take pictures at the same time.

The spider strikes again. This foul creature had a mind of it's own. It was suppose to be noise activiated, but it just did it's own thing.

And our Halloween came to an end with a visit from all the ghouls and goblins from every Zombie/Slasher movie made.

Hope you all had as great a time on your Halloween as Pan and I had on ours.

It's Those Old Halloween Tribulations

Wed 10/31 Blog Prompt: I know that not everyone live in the United States, so this might not be universal, but since it's Halloween.... Post a picture or describe your favorite Halloween costume.

Well I have been posting layouts of our yard since Monday, so I am sure you get the idea that we really like Halloween around here. LOL. But I don't dress up. Don't want to overload the little ones too much.

Growing up my favorite costumes were ones that mom made. One year a princess is a glittery dress. One year as a witch where she dyed my hair green with food color (I was a blond back them and it didn't want to come out, hehehe). That same year she made my sister a pumpkin outfit using a small inner tube to get the girth. Both ddpup and I won our respective age group costume contests that year. Wish we had pictures.

Hard to believe October is over and I can only hope that I have enough candy for tonight. I have been buying it for months now, LOL. And Glynis, thanks for this month's blog prompts. They have been interesting, intriguing and thought-provoking.

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Tribulations of the Lone Turnip Green

Tue 10/30 Blog Prompt: You knew that I had to have at least one prompt about food , so here goes - What's your favorite vegetable and how do you like to eat it? Or do you have a favorite dish that hides a vegetable that you don't like?

The better question is probably what is my least favorite vegetable (which by the way would be a green pea). But I guess my all time favorite that I would eat any time would be turnip greens. Just with salt and scallions. Okay, maybe throw some cornbread on the side (unlike others, I do not want cornbread crumbled in my greens). But if I didn't have the scallions or any type of onion and cornbread, I would still eat the turnip greens.

As to hiding a vegetable (the green pea) I use to have a lasagna recipe that used green peas instead of the meat. It was quite tasty and the kids loved it as well. Wish I could find what I did with it.

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Knowledgeable Tribulations

Mon 10/29 Blog Prompt: Happy Monday!! In what areas do you feel you have knowledge you can pass on to others?

What a interesting question. There are so many different directions I can go with this one, LOL. If we were asking Bug, I am sure she would say that the knowledge I can pass along is where to find what in the Bible.

My boys are another story altogether. They call with car problems. I use to work in a paint & body shop. The front office was quiet, 99% of the time, so I would head out back and help out by taking apart and putting the engine back together. But they call Pan with computer problems. Speaking of which, so do I, hahahaha.

Nuke would also say that I taught him all the finer points of how to drink properly too. You know, don't drink the cheap stuff, drink in moderation, don't drink & drive, have a designated driver, etc.

Scamp likes to keep me on my toes in the legal department, as he will call when a question of legality comes up, be it consumer or a friend going through a divorce. In this case, I can really only give him common sense advise.... See a lawyer.

Bombshell calls when she wants to know how to make guacamole or how she can tell what is wrong with one of the kids. Basic mother know-how, that all mothers excel at unless you are actually going through it at the time, LOL.

Most family members call on myself or my BIL, Bear, when they want to know who played in a movie. Don't laugh, this is serious trivia here.

I'm deviating from the vacation pages today and the next two days to focus on Halloween. These are from last year and star Derek M. Design's kits. Thanks Derek for some terrific kits.


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Consumer Product Safety #2

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued recalls this week for the following:

Release #08-039. Game pieces sold with "Cars" backpacks recalled by Global Design Concepts.

Release #08-040. Reynolds recalls bicycle forks.

Release #08-044. Children's metal jewelry recalled by WeGlow International.

Release #08-045. Dollar Tree stores recalls children's jewelry

Release #08-046. Bumbo Baby Sitter seats recalled.

Release #08-048. Fisher Price recalls Go Diego Go boat toys.

Release #08-049. Jo-Ann Stores expands recall of children's toy garden tools.

Release #08-050. DecoPac Inc. recalls football bobble head cake decorations.

Release #08-051. Family Dollar Stores recalls Halloween pails.

With Halloween coming up, please take a moment to read Simple CPSC Safety Tips Help Prevent Halloween Hidden Dangers

Disclaimer: This is in no way a comprehensive list. For full disclosure, descriptions and remedies click on the release # links. For a comprehensive and full list, join the CPSC subscription list at cpsclist to receive updates and recalls when they occur.


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This Week's Events in Space

Living in the southern or western parts of the U.S. will garner you the chance to see the moon concealing Regulus on the morning of November 3.
"Moon to Block Bright Star Nov. 3" for more info.

Earlier this week, the Shuttle docked with the Space Station for the task of adding a new orbital room to the laboratory.
"Shuttle Discovery Docks at Space Station"

Misplaced your black hole? According to Space.com "Hundreds of 'Missing' Black Holes Found"

Want to help out scientist to understand the universe? Then check out the article on Cosmology at Home.

Make sure to stop by and check out NASA for their Image of the Day series. This week included a close-up of Discovery's tail section taken as it approached the International Space Station and a view of Discovery at the launch pad.

For real time tracking of the Space Station and shuttle, be sure to check out the National Space Society site.

On October 24, Chang'e was launched. To read more about China's first lunar mission, check out Planetary News here.

According to Go Astronomy's Events calendar Nov 1 will be the Last Quarter Moon phase while on Nov 4 Taurid Meteors will be on display and Daylight Saving Time ends in the U.S.

Somewhat nearer to home MSNBC tells us that "Scientists map near-Earth space bubbles."

Finally, make sure you check out This Week's Sky at a Glance by Alan M. MacRobert.

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Dreams of Tribulations

Fri 10/26 Blog Prompt: Let's do a little dreaming this Friday. Is there something that you dream about doing? Being a dancer? Traveling around the world? Learning a new skill? Have you taken any steps toward acheiving that goal?

I think my biggest dream has always been to be an astronomer. The steps I had taken were classes in college; but I never completed them. Will I ever? I don't know, but I might. Only the future will tell :)

I would like to visit Hong Kong and Germany again. I also would like to stop by for a visit in Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Rome, Greece and Australia. The first three to visit the places of my or Pan's ancestors; the second two because of my fasination with mythology and the last just because I always wanted to.

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Classical Tribulations

Thur 10/25 Blog Prompt: I've been wanting to do a prompt about books, but couldn't think of a new one. So I borrowed this prompt from the Booking Through Thursday blog. When you're finished with the prompt, make sure you go back and post a comment on their post entitled 'Read With Abandon'. What books have you abandoned (without finishing) and why?

Oh, I know, I know. "Billy Budd" by Herman Melville. I couldn't get past the first page it was so boring. It was one of the books that was 'required' reading in my advanced English class in high school. We had to read a total of five 'classics.' But when it came time for the test, the instructor told us that we could eliminate one of the books from our test. The entire class chose "Billy Budd." This was not a class vote, so I don't think I explained that very well.

The test questions could apply to any book you read. For each question we had to give an answer for four of the books. When the instructor gave us our graded tests back she told us that none had chosen to include "Billy Budd." So what does that tell you about the book? LOL.

Wish I knew who decided what books are 'classics.' Because I think a classic is a book that most people enjoy reading. My two cents worth.

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I, huh, Tribulations

Wed 10/24 Blog Prompt: I'm back and ready to go. No theme for the rest of the week, we'll just play it by ear. Fill in the blank to make this old quote fit you: 'I _____; therefore I am.'

First off, welcome back Glynis. Hope you had a good time... :)

'I posture, therefore I am.'

as in "A frame of mind affecting one's thoughts or behavior; an overall attitude." Yep I think that fits me pretty good and sounds a whole lot better saying posture instead of 'I behavior' or 'I attitude,' don't you think? Of course I could be totally off my rocker, but I think not.

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Embarassed by Tribulations?

Tues 10/23 Blog Prompt: Tell us--in glorious detail--about something you're embarrassed to admit you like...

The BeeGees?
Dollar Store fruitcake?
Chia Pets?
Having a tooth drilled?

'Fess up. Put it out there. Own it

Okay, no more torture, I admit, I freely admit it.........................

I like to listen to Barry Manilow. I like his soft, melodic, upbeat soft rock/pop style. It makes me feel good. It makes me happy.

So there now, are you happy? LOL.

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A Million Tribulations

Mon 10/22 Blog Prompt: No, money can't buy happiness. However. What is the first thing you'd go out and buy if someone handed you one million dollars? (that was supposed to sound like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers and yes, I have my pinkie by my mouth)

Well, Dr. Evil aka Sandra (btw thanks for hosting the prompts while Glynis is indisposed), what would I do with a million dollars? That is the question, isn't it?

First I would buy a new car for Pan and pay off Indy's medical bills. Then I would set up a trust for my mother's bills. Soon after I would finish paying off my house, both my boys homes and buy a house for my daughter. Next I would buy a home in Disney World (since we spend so much time there), big enough for the entire family.

Do I still have money left? Set up trusts for my and Pan's bills, a trust for each of the kids and finally make donations to charities which help children here. Better yet, set up a fund or trust that would help out single parents who are at that lower mid-income range with unexpected medical bills. One that takes into account what their annual income is as opposed to just six weeks.


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CSPS recalls #1

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued recalls this week for the following:

Release #08-019: Riddell recalls collectible mini racing helmets due to violation of lead paint standard.
Release #08-020: Bendable dinosaur toys recalled by Kipp Brothers for excessive lead.
Release #08-021: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store(r) recalls travel art sets due to violation of lead paint standard.
Release #08-022: J.C. Penney recalls Disney(tm) Winnie-the-Pooh play sets due to violation of lead paint standard.
Release #08-023: J.C. Penney recalls deluxe art sets due to violation of lead paint standard.
Release #08-024: J.C. Penney recalls Breyer Stirrup ornaments due to violation of lead paint standard.
Release #08-027: Formula Brake USA recalls disc brakes for bicycles due to risk of failure.
Release #08-028: Huffy recalls bicycles due to cranks falling off; riders can lose control of the bike.
Release #08-030: Dunkin' Donuts recalls glow sticks due to choking and strangulation hazards.
Release #08-031: Guidecraft Inc. recalls children's puppet theaters due to violation of lead paint standard.
Release #08-032: Antioch Publishing recalls additional bookmarks due to violation of lead paint standard.
Release #08-033: Albert's recalls Halloween skull pails due to violation of lead paint standard.
Release #08-034: Payless ShoeSource recalls girls' boots due to fall hazard.
Release #08-037: The Gymboree Corp. recalls toy swords due to breakage and laceration hazard.

Disclaimer: This is in no way a comprehensive list. For full disclosure, descriptions and remedies click on the release # links. For a comprehensive and full list, join the CPSC subscription list at cpsclist to receive updates and recalls when they occur.

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The Tribulations of Halley's Comet

For those of an astronomical bend, the articles 'Remains of Halley's Comet to Fall Sunday,' on MSNBC or 'Remains of Halley's Comet to Rain Down Sunday Morning,' on Space.com, both written by Joe Rao, will be of some interest to you.

In addition, Mars is nearby and the radiant of these meteors should somewhere between Mars and Betelgeuse. So here is your chance to see not only a meteor shower but our neighboring planet as well.

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Tongue Twisting Tribulations

Fri 10/19 Blog Prompt: It's Friday and we've almost made it through 'Creative Writing Week'! One last prompt and hopefully this will be challenging but fun... Write your own tongue twister.

Well here it goes:

Indy indicates intense enduring emotions.

Now say that 6 times very fast. LOL

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Foresworn Weather & Tribulations

Thur 10/18 Blog Prompt: Let's do some more descriptive writing. Creatively describe the weather in your area right now.

As the rain steadily pounds the skylight, I can hear the wind whispering in the distance. It is 8 o'clock in the morning but it might as well be midnight as the sky is dark and gray. Soon I will have to leave for work and try to run in between the racing raindrops to avoid getting soaked. Oh, but listen the rain is slowing to a trickle, now just barely dripping from the leaves of the tree in front of my window. Yet will my luck hold and the rain be staved until I am safely ensconced in my cubicle at work? Or will I be forced to search for an umbrella to rescue me from a torrid storm? Only time will tell.

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Creatively Tribulant

Wed 10/17 Blog Prompt: Write one or more meaningful sentences where each consecutive word starts with the same letter as the word before it ends with. Example: Every year ripe eggplants .....

Every young girl loves someone everlasting.

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Objective Tribulations

Tue 10/16 Blog Prompt: More creative writing - Describe in detail an object you use every day, but don't tell us what it is.

In detail... something I use everyday... I enjoy the pillowy whiteness and the soft touch. Others I believe use it in a variety of colors, but I prefer just white. There is just something clean about white. And so many sizes too.... It's hard to decided which one.

UPDATE: Toilet Paper

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