Here Comes Halloween

For at least two weeks, the kids have been badgering me to get out the decorations for Halloween. Busy weekends combined with illness delayed us but we finally (their emphasis) got around to it Saturday. While I have a certain way I would choose to set things out, I knew that most of the fun for them was unpacking our expansive collection of decorations and placing each item. So I let them have at it. And this was the result:

Four boxes of various Halloween gear and this is all that ended up on the main floor. The balance is all in their rooms. I thought about remedying the situation when they go to school tomorrow but decided against it. Is the house well appointed? Not so much. But the kids are thrilled with their work and I would hate to take that away.

I also spent an inordinate amount of time on my Halloween costume. After going through page upon page of eBay auctions of the trashy variety, I found a dress someone had made themselves. It was flouncy and over the top, just like I like my costumes. And based on the measurements they gave, about the right size.

Then it came in the mail. I am not sure where they learned to measure, but this dress was huge - easily 5 or 6 sizes too big. Not to mention, the maker was not much of a seamstress. So I thought what the hell, I can sew. Why not alter it myself. Why not? Because it will end up taking hours and hours and hours. I essentially deconstructed the whole damn thing, made it smaller and reconstructed it, deciding along the way that the sleeves were all wrong and making some new ones from scratch. At this point, my brother Dominick, professional costumer, who completely abandoned me, lost the forgiveness he had received for said betrayal. [Not really DRV - you know I love you.]

But in the end, it's hopefully worth it. Morrigan said it is "The most beautiful costume ever." Granted, that's what she said last year too. Could I have topped Glinda?