Halloween and More

Tomorrow is Halloween.  I think I'm ready.  I really do think that I should get more candy.  But we usually get 7 kids trick or treating so I've probably got MORE than enough.  But a few new kids moved into the neighborhood so I'm hopeful that we'll get more.  But this is a "negative" for living rural.  At the peak, we would get 20-25 trick or treaters.  But that was when the neighborhood was new and most of the families (almost ALL families actually) had young children.  18 years later and most of the kids have grown up and moved out.  And the ones still here are older, like my oldest two at ages 17 and 15.  We used to get kids from the surrounding farms, but even those kids have aged out and moved on.  It's sometimes sad to see the changing households.  BUT we do have a few grandkids that have come, and we do have a few new little ones so I'm hopeful that I'll get a few glimpses of Halloween cuteness.

Friday is Senior Night for football.  That I AM NOT ready for.  We got word 3 days before senior night that parents will accompany their sons on the field.  I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR.  This is what happens when mom puts herself last all the time.  So I'm hoping to go shopping tomorrow to buy an outfit that isn't 8 years old.  But I got an email today requesting that I help out with the first grade Halloween party tomorrow.  Some how I have to fit this all in and make it work.  It's not the end of the world if I don't get anything new, but I really hate to look like a homeless person on my sons big night.  This is of course my own fault.  I didn't buy anything new last year because I was going to lose weight.  Well, that didn't happen.  And all of my old clothes just got older.  I noticed the "shabby chic" look of my clothes as the weather got colder.  I did buy myself a new trench coat (my old one was discolored) and I bought two new pair of fall shoes (my other ones were falling apart).  And I bought new workout shoes last week (the old ones blew out and caused my ankle to bleed).  So not only is buying everything at one time expensive, but it's stressful.  Lesson learned.

1.  Don't wait to lose weight to buy something new.

2.  Replace things as they start to look shabby.

3.  Don't always put yourself last.


So wish me luck getting everything done before time runs out.  And wish me luck that I don't bawl like a baby on the football field on Senior Night.

It's Fall Ya'All.

It's fall!  It's my favorite season.  I love the warm days and the cool nights.  I love the changing color of the leaves.  I LOVE the smell in the air.  That smell is earthy and spicy and just magical to me.

I love fall!

I'm not going to think about what happens next (I'm not a fan of old man winter).  But I love fall.

The older I get though, the more melancholy I get at the end of summer.  Summer is warm and full of fun, sun, and precious memories.  It's the most time we get to spend with the kids.  Whether it's vacation or just carting them back and forth to sports, it's OUR time with these wonderful boys.  During the school year, they are not ours.  They belong to school, sports, friends, etc.  But during summer, they are all ours.

In the fall, they go back to all those things that take then away from us. It's their time.  It's them growing and moving forward.  And that's the way it's supposed to be, even if it makes me sad.

But even though I feel a bit melancholy, it's still my favorite time of year.

I have my candles ready.  I have some new ones this year.  I've only stuck with fall scents so far.

Dried Lavendar & Oak is my favorite so far.

I bought Farmstand Festival but I haven't lit it yet.

Spireside Ghostly Castle is my Halloween scent.  I really like it.

South candle Campfire reminds of fireplace or an outdoor campfire.  It's a really nice scent.

I did not buy this one (YET!) but today I came across Root Candle Tabacco Vanilla  It's such a nice, relaxing scent (I'm sure I will buy this one before he season is done).


I have also bought some Lori Mitchell figurines for Halloween.  I have a few for each holiday.  They are too cute.  But we thought we had the candy corn kids and it turns out we did not.  So of course we HAD to stop into our favorite store Chagrin Valley Antiques to pick them up.  And we ended up picking up those AND a few more.  And finding some that I just have to have for Christmas.

Chagrin Valley Antiques is one of my favorite stores.  I have been going there for almost 20 years.  The owners are amazing people.  I had not had the opportunity to go there for a few months.  And I really missed it.  Sadly, I found out that Tom, one of the owners passed away unexpectedly.  Please keep his wife in your prayers.  She is an amazing lady and they have been a part of our lives for so long.  I'm heartbroken for her and for our community.  We lost an amazing person.

The boys also went to homecoming.  At least the big two did.  The seven year old is still my baby.  They both had a great time.  I'd post pictures, but they asked that I NOT do that so you'll just have to take my word on how handsome they looked.

The oldest is playing football this fall and the middle is playing fall baseball.  Sports have kept us busy.

Last week we hosted Senior Football Dinner.  22 senior boys descended upon my house.  THOSE KIDS CAN EAT.  Luckily, the weather was good enough for me to set them up on the patio.  And luckily we did not run out of food.  They are 22 special young men and it was a pleasure to have them. I used That Hawiian Guy's BBQ for the food and it was delicious.  If you are local, please check them out.  Not only is the food amazing, but so is the owner.

And that's my update for now.  I know more has gone on but this is the major high lights.  We do not have Halloween costumes yet.  But we planted mums. College applications are in the works and FAFSA is completed. Hopefully I can get on here more often and update with minor coming and goings.  But for now, this is the crux of it.

So happy fall ya'all.  Enjoy every moment, every scent, every color, and every second.