A Visit From The Flu Fairy

Who is that lurking behind the bushes?? Me!!

Happy Almost Halloween! I know that Tim Curry has had some pretty scary roles in his career, but step aside Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and hello Pennywise! I have never read It, nor have I seen the movie. But when I did a search for scary clowns, this picture seemed to be the most popular. I know why. The first time I laid eyes on it, I did two things. I recognized Mr.Curry, and shivered from the scary look on his face.

This is me, all happy and drinking a beer last Friday

This past weekend, my sister and I made a mad dash to Fredericksburg, TX for a bit of sister only bonding time, and shopping. The first night there was perfect. We had so much fun!  After a very large beer, we went for dinner, and went back to our adorable cottage for general talking, laughing, and movie watching. We had big plans for Saturday. Until... I became ill. The stomach flu my brother in law brought home, had finally reached me. All night long I was up sick, and every time I got up from the bed, my sister woke up, because she is a true light sleeper. By 9am, we knew our day was screwed, but I was going to attempt to do what we could. The Food and Wine Fest was off the table, so we went to Luckenbach, TX for some souvenirs. Afterwords, we headed back to Main Street in Fredericksburg, which is where all the action is, and decided to do some shopping. It was evident that we were miserable, and we weren't going to enjoy the rest of the trip. So we made a mad dash to get a few things for our nearest and dearests, and headed home to Corpus. What a downer. I am pretty sure, since it is my Brother in law's fault every one in our house got ill, so that he owes my sister and I at least a one night stay in a lovely little cottage in Fredericksburg.

This is basically what happened. Thanks Jon.

Well In 5 more days, we will be celebrating the scariest holiday of all! (next to Black Friday that is) Time for pumpkin carving and more spooky ghost stories! I hope you all have a special and spooktacular Haunted Holiday. If you know where I live, stop by for refreshments while you are out with the kiddos, and come see the Mad Lab!!

What Not To Do When You Invite Kids To A Party

The Party? It was successful. Cake! Food! Decorations! Punch! Yea, it  all worked out very well. Almost everyone dressed up, and not much food was left. Note to self: don't make so much non-alcoholic punch. (Only the kids drink that...) I was happy with the way everything turned out. I kept going till I couldn't move another inch, and thankfully was near our bed when that happened, because I literally passed out from exhaustion. It has been 2 whole days since the party, and I am still tired. I have never had a hangover from too much work. I think I would have felt better if it had been a hangover from alcohol. That way I could have at least made sense of it. Oh well, a long weekend in Fredericksburg weekend after next will help!

The Mad Lab

So the next big event is Halloween, and it looks like we are going to have quite a crowd helping us pass out candy. We can thank my husbands Mad Lab for that. It is so awesome this year! The extra touches really make the difference. We have plenty of pictures to share of the party, but this one seems to be my favorite for now. I don't think anyone got pictures of the food, but I was elated that everything went to plot! The biggest complements I received was from the Tasty Bat Wings. Most were put off by the black color, but the honey teriyaki flavor seemed to be a winner. As usual, the brain mold was eaten by a few brave souls. It is peach flavored, but looks almost too real. Gotta love it! The sleeper hit of the buffet table was the spider pizzas my Co-Birthday girl made. Recipe: http://www.heb.com/recipes/Pizza-Pillar/4534013 She just made them into spiders, and they went quick!

Score!!

It wasn't the stress of cooking that got to me this time. It was the details. For instance, I had kids coming to my party. But I didn't have anything for them. So I ran out and got stuff to make treat bags. But I also didn't have activities for the kids. Just candy. Kids + Candy = Hyper kids. Hyper kids + Boredom = Destroyed house. My super smart 6 year old nephew saved the day with asking me to turn on the Wii. Magically all 5 kids, no matter the age, played Mario Kart the rest of the night. Thank goodness! Next year, I have a better plan. Step 1: Have activity for kids to do. Step 2: Turn on game system so adults can enjoy adult time. Step 3: Give the kids candy bags on the way OUT!!

Party Favors For 2012

I had so much fun at the party. It was a blast, and I appreciate everyone coming and making it that way. But I had a serious party hang over, and it wasn't from drinking!! Sunday, I woke up and felt like I had done 1 tequila, 2 tequila, 3 tequila, FLOOR! When in reality, I had 2 drinks all evening. It took me 3 days to get over my exhaustion hangover. It is a sure sign I am getting older. Thankfully, I had few things to do other than enjoy one of my presents (Sims 3 for PC). I have spent the past few days in a cloud of tired. Just today I am feeling back to my perky old self. I guess I am finally showing my age. Gee, thanks 31!

This is what I think of aging. Take that, fact of life!

31 Reasons I Love Birthdays

What's this?? Color? We don't have that here.

It is OCTOBER!!! I realize that isn't astonishing news or anything, but in my world, it means The Gauntlet has begun! I am already stressing too. Yes, mostly because I am throwing a party in less than a week, and our busy go!go!GO! schedule is getting busier by the minute. I have an amazing week ahead filled with crafts, cooking, and a few good friends and family. The bits and pieces of the party still need to be assembled. I have an altar to set up this evening, and a hallway to decorate. I has some prime time yesterday and today to do work, but I had more important things to do, like have a sleep over with Hayden, and have lunch with my sissy, hubby, and birthday mate Danielle. Also, I had to visit Mom and Dad and go swimming in a very cold pool with a very determined 6 year old. While the party will be fun, being with my loved ones is always better. I don't ever plan on being too busy to watch my nephew grow before my eyes, and have some one on one time with him.

In other news, I have changed my page's background theme in honor of Her Wickedness Herself, The Wicked Witch of the West. She was the first thing I ever remember being scared of! Ms. Margaret Hamilton was amazing and scary, no matter that the film was 46 years old by the time I got around to watching it. The voice, the cackle, the hunch back, green face, and pointed nose left a serious impression on me. What is more evil than a person that picks on children (and little dogs too)?

Yea, she's pretty Wicked...

So, in 5 days, I'll be... gulp... 31. I can't actually say it bothers me as much as 30 did. I mean, in the grand scheme of things I plan on living till at least 75, so I still have 44 years to go. Like I said, that is the plan, you know that isn't always what happens, but I can't see the future so I am forging ahead as planned. 9 years ago, the day before my 22nd birthday, I met my husband for the first time, and fell in love. (Insert school-girlish crush type sigh here.) 8 years before then, my Daddy took me on my first hunting trip for my 14th birthday, and gave me a 20 gauge shotgun. (I TOLD you my family is redneck!) 7 years before then, my parents threw me a wicked awesome 7th birthday party at McDonalds. This was back when you actually wanted a party there. Now? Eww gross!! I really haven't had a bad birthday in the 31 years I have been able to remember. That is a pretty freaking awesome record if you ask me. I don't plan on changing traditions this year either. 30 was a bit of a mental adjustment, and 31, well that is no biggie. I'll let you know how I feel about 35, and 39 when we get there.

So, I don't foresee any further blogging for the coming week. But not to worry, I'll post incriminating pictures of the party week after next, and dish the good gossip! In parting, I'll share with you a couple pieces of advice my father has given me from birth; "Treat other as you wish to be treated" and, "Measure twice, and cut once." (this last one goes for lumber as well as people in your life. ;)

Happy Birthday to meee, happy birthday to meeee!