It's that time of year when the kids start to talk about Halloween. What costume to wear, what accessories, who they are going to go trick or treating with. How long they will be out for.Where are they going trick or treating. The 'where' part is funny because they know which neighborhoods give out the big chocolate bars,LOL !! Kid's don't care about the whole voo-doo-hoo-doo hollabulloo about Halloween. It's just about getting candy.I mentioned this in a post I did last year about Halloween, this is the one time of year we encourage our kids to 'take' candy from strangers,LOL !! Usually we do all we can as parents to protect our kids from strangers. " Don't talk to strangers".." Don't accept candy from strangers".."Don't walk with strangers"

"Stranger Danger!". Halloween comes around and there are kids galore!! There are also parents galore out walking with them. All the little girls are wearing princess costumes, and all the boys are pirates, or something from a gross scary movie.To the kids, it's their chance to step out and dress up and be something that they imagined in their heads. Up here in the North, it's cold for Halloween. Half the kids are dressed up, and then they have to put on a winter coat over top there creations. All us parents are walking with our coffees and chatting it up with people as we watch our kids race from house to house to get the free offerings of candy. They are probably racing to keep warm ! LOL !!

"Eat healthy, don't rot your teeth." Another phrase we have always told them. This one day out of the year is the exception to the rule about eating candy. The dentist's must be thriving businesswise about a month after the great pumpkin came out. As far as candy goes, it's all in moderation....or so I like to think. Now, I like to 'think' I control my kids when it comes to the sugar high that they get after working their butt's off for 2-3 bags of candy. "Give it to me" I say, " Let's sit down and check it all over and make sure there is nothing bad in these bags." Well, not only are we looking for the typical scare's of Halloween candy, razor blades in the apples, tampered candy packages, questionable homemade stuff etc.....the whole bag, or 'bags' are a threat!!! This is 3 bags of sugar!!! 3 bags of little packaged monsters about to be released. Hyper kids, cranky kids, headaches,sleepless nights from gut aches!!....oh how I 'love' halloween. The moderation part....there isn't one!!! I try and be strict, but they still find it and devour it. I think it's time for a new tactic on monitering the candy eating/intake this year. Not sure what it is , but I'll find one. I'm sure kids have already figured it out and mine are one step ahead of me, LOL !! Blessings to all!! Be safe!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I have about 16 people coming over today. There will be turkey, stuffing, gravy, creamed carrot's, buns, ham, mashed potato's, roast, scalloped potato's, green bean casserole, pasta salad,spaghetti squash,pumpkin pie, ice cream....hmmm, that's a lot of food!! Blessings to all for a thankful long weekend!

Things I am thankful for:my husband, my children, my family, my friends, love, friendship, peace,laughter. I am thankful for the things I have and the things I don't have. Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when your tired and weary, it means you made an effort. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they will become your blessings.

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

Time passes

Life happens.

Distance separates.

Children grow up.

Jobs come and go.

Love waxes and wanes.

Men don't do what they're supposed to do .

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favors.

Careers end.

BUT......... Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful. I just did.