I should have posted this yesterday...

This post is mostly for my parents and Ami.

Hallow e'en was a couple of days ago.  The kids were really excited about about costumes and Trick-or-Treating, as usual.

Here are their costumes:

 Charlotte designed this year's pumpkin.  I usually make much more elaborate designs, but I have never received as many compliments on a pumpkin as I have this year.  That seals it.  Charlotte is now our official Pumpkin Designer.

 BoO!

We took the kids to a Haunted Forest attraction this year and it was fun watching the kids scamper through the decorated woods full of costumed characters during the "No Scare" hour.  Matthew attracted the attention of a couple of characters by yelling at the top of his lungs at them how he was not afraid of them.  Of course that meant they followed us for a while, teasing Matthew.  Poor buddy didn't sleep very well that night.

We don't get very many Trick or Treaters anymore and I have always wondered why.  I do know there is a church in town that hosts a "Harvest Party" but didn't think would ever attract enough numbers to cause a neighbourhood decline in Trick or Treating.  I think I have the answer now.  Our mall lets kids trick or treat on Hallow e'en night.  I got a text from my co-worker, who was doing the Thursday evening shift.  She had over 300 little ones go through the store to get treat bags.  The weather wasn't even bad!  It was a lovely night to go for a walk, but people seem to be choosing the mall instead.  It makes me a little sad.  I love seeing the little ones at my door in their costumes.  Heck, even the Teenagers at my door were really nice this year.  Are people more afraid of the cold or strangers??

I am old-fashioned (and lazy).  I would rather my kids walk outside, in the fresh air and say hi to the neighbours than drive across town to the mall to say hi to strangers in stores. (Also, that is my workplace now....why would I want to go there on my day off??)

Whine time.

I usually work short little weekday afternoon shifts at my job.  I try to take the bus as often as possible to reduce wear and tear as well as fuel consumption on my car.  It's easy to catch the bus for my afternoon shifts.  The stop I need is close to my house, the kids are gone and I can take my time getting ready.

Some days I am asked to open the store.  Given our city's bus schedule the stop I need to get to on those mornings is quite a but further from my house (1/2 km away, as opposed to about a block for the later stop).  I have yet to successfully catch a bus at the further stop, but today I was determined.  I got the kids ready.  I got myself ready.  We all walked out the door at the same time. I made it to the bus stop and stood there, in the rain, and watched as a City Transit vehicle drove PAST my stop at the time the schedule said it would pick me up. I waited a few more minutes, walked home, got in my car and made it to work in time to open the store.

I got in my car to go home and decided after my busy day with the extra-stressful morning I wanted some wine this evening.  I stopped at a nearby store on my way home and made my purchase and got back into my car.  My car wouldn't start.  I called auto club.  I waited.  I contemplated opening my wine.  I decided that opening the wine should wait until I know if I am a boost or a tow.

My car got boosted.  I got home.

I'm opening that wine now!