Craziness!

I was gonna post Halloween-related stuff a long time ago, but in case you hadn't noticed, Hurricane Sandy was crazy and while we were fortunately not in the areas devastated we got some crazy weather. Disasters like this are terrible and I was thankful my New York friends were safe and sound unfortunately I know that the same cannot be said for everyone.

There are many ways to contribute to the Hurricane Relief via texting, outreach ministries through many churches, or even some of your favorite retailers.

Blizzard will be having a digital pet download up soon for WoW that will also result in contributions being made to relief funds.

With that being said, on with the recap. 

As I said we had odd weather, which included snow with about 4" here and 1-2' in the mountains. As a result of the weeks of nonstop rain and snow and slush and overall yuck, the postponed Trick or Treat to November 1. I guess since the kids were all suffering from cabin fever they were ravenous as well as I ran out of candy almost an hour before ToT was supposed to end. And I had a lot.

We also didn't have our normal Halloween party due to a bundle of issues that came up with everyone. 

But we had some wicked cool costumes this year!

My friend was Rose the Riveter and it was FANTASTIC! She even made a great backdrop for photos! 

I had planned on being Indiana Jones the year before but decided to do my gypsy costume first, so Indy was postponed to this year. My husband kept his costume hush hush, but when he walked in the room I laughed so hard and chuckled all night long.

 Harrison Ford x2!

He decided since I was going to be Harrison Ford he would be too! And his mom he worked hard making a really neat Han Solo costume. We didn't get pictures of every aspect of his costume, but she went to great lengths to create small pouches on the belt and many other little details.

After about 15 minutes of trying to get a good picture of Xerxes with the backdrop this was the only non-blurry one we could get. Cats aren't very good models.

In home decor news...

The spare room is coming along slowly since we can't get the furniture we need for it right now. But I did get some window treatments up and I have some ideas for wall decor with one piece waiting to be painted.

We have been doing some crazy cleaning lately too and my husband worked his butt off to clean the carpet. It looks brand new!!! I was astounded. I couldn't speak... I just spat out gibberish. My coworker suggested peroxide and holy crap! The results are amazing!!! Our carpet was horrendous in some areas and... wow.. I just... 

Wow.

Speaking of carpet, you may want to consider the below if you had new carpet within the last couple of years.

We had new carpet when we moved into our house (August 2010). After we moved in the furniture, the carpet fiber kicked up was a pain. We vacuumed so much that the vacuum became a mess and is now dead (it was brand new in 2007). The fibers are mostly gone from the carpet, but while I was upgrading my computer's OS I decided to clean out my keyboard. What did I find? (Besides chips and cat hair...)  CARPET! Lots of it! Unnecessary amounts of carpet fibers! IN MY KEYBOARD! 

So if you have newer carpet, you may want to start carefully popping keys off and check inside your computer tower too. The tower makes sense cause it is on the floor and the processor fan and whatnot... but the keyboard?!

This is why we can't have nice things. It is also part of the reason why we have respiratory issues.

Pandas, Gyros & Fur Capelets, Oh My!

I was gonna do some posts, but then suddenly, Pandas!

My fine artistic skills while at work, a bat playing the computer.

Rather, Mists of Pandaria came out and I've spent what little time I have in the evenings playing. I was planning on leveling a character to 90, but my husband was very excited to play a Pandaren. So we are working on our monks mostly (or at least I am... he has been on vacation and has hit 90 on one character without me!)

Since we are covered in heirlooms and the monk quests make leveling SUPER fast (50% xp buff daily and every 10 levels? Yes please!), we have been moving fast. 53 levels in less than 20 hours of play.

I have been hopping around on other characters too in between.

I have actually been doing things other than gaming with my time. We went to the Greek Festival and enjoyed a delicious gyro each (yum!) and then hit up our favorite vintage thrift store to try on fur and other such goodies (not the original intention of our trip but they were there. They called out to us). 

My husband got a sweet new fedora out of the trip and has been in love with it since.

We also got up almost all of our Halloween decorations. Just have to hang the severed heads and we're set (till we get more).

I should have more pics next week or this weekend because Friday is a very special day.

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL!!!!

I'm so excited I can barely contain myself. I blurt out exclamations about it a few times per day. Woohoo!! Can't wait!



For now I leave you with an autumn photo of my handsome little man...

Atkins Annual Halloween Shindig

Last Night was our annual Halloween party. They aren't big events with lots of people, but they are always fun and filled with silliness.

Here are some pictures for your possible enjoyment.


I was a gypsy and Chris was a Medieval alchemist.


Nikki was Daria. Very well done indeed. And Our friend Jess was Jane and she did a great job, but for some reason, despite telling myself I needed to get a picture of them together, I never did... I am regretting it now cause it was fantastic.


Chris made potions of Hawaiian punch and grape drink. They were a nice touch.


This is Samuel. A candle we bought at Target about 4 years ago. We light him every year in hopes that he will fulfill his destiny to bleed from the eyes. Well... he finally did. it took 4 years of lighting him, but he finally did it!


Now for the food...

everyone helped by bringing some food since I started my new job this week and we weren't sure when I was going to get paid and Mortgage is coming up.



Nikki brought some truffles on pretzel sticks, I still haven't tried one because I instead gorged myself on the ugly bean dip she brought, but I saved one and I will!


I created a build your own s'mores arrangement with witch burning pyres and a graham cracker graveyard.



I was going to put ghost peeps on sticks, but waited too late and we didn't get any.
I did snag the Martha Steward Vials on sale and filled them with M&Ms.... I mean pills that would turn you into a monster....

I also made crescent mummies because I always do, though I didn't make as many since the food to people ratio was low and I have to make them again today.



I have another party tonight at church and I'm pretty sure it involves launching giant stuffed birds with a catapult. I'm pretty excited!

A Day Late, Better than Nothing. Or is it?

So I apparently broke my promise of posting this week. It's been hectic as it was my last week at my old job and I was training until late in the evening and was feeling rather crappy at the start of the week. And frankly, when I got home, I wanted to do nothing.

I had intentions of posting yesterday after a scheduled girl date, but it got delayed to this afternoon somewhat so I never posted. The date was to get some wardrobe assistance as my new job starts tomorrow. It's professional dress and my weight loss over the last few months has resulted in a severe lack of clothing. I've been picking up pieces here and there, so I'm sure the clothing issue will be fine.
I am so incredibly nervous though. I fear disappointing my mew employers and just hope I can measure up to meet their needs.

Since we didn't see each other yesterday, we had lunch at Pita Pit and talked for a long while and had some laughs.



You can only look this 'thug' in Huntington on a Sunday in the afternoon. It's not safe to do it any other time.


Also, I promised pictures of Halloween decorations. Nothing amazing I guess, but Halloween is the greatest and my favorite holiday.





Halloween Happy Meal buckets from McDonald's decorated by yours truly.


Mr. Giggles and Stitches



Various jars labeled with yucky ingredients and two fall arrangements


An old school Happy Meal Halloween bucket and other pumpkin friends.


I have a week of festivities and parties ahead of me with our annual Halloween party to plan and cook for, but photos of costumes will follow next week for sure. Maybe some before then as well!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Christmas? What? No Way!!! The most wonderful time of the year is Halloween! It's a big deal in our household and today we put up most of our decorations. Just a few headstones and bones to set out in the yard and we're good to go till we get new things and pumpkins. (Pictures later)

I also snagged this adorable apron at Target before I left for my business trip last week. It's precious!

Xerxes photo-bomb!

I just got back from a business trip last night (10-12 hour days, 4 days in a row+ being stuck in a car with my boss for almost 6 hours), had to work today, have to go to Chapmanville to work tomorrow and no day off till Saturday. Ugh...
I am hoping to get a good phone call within the next two days, if not. I'll be a sad panda for sure. Also, I may snap and go postal. We shall see.
Perhaps my overwhelming love for all Hallow's eve will calm my burning rage.

I just need to find peace of mind in hitting up Hobby Lobby and getting the mats for my costume.