[zombieprincess]

Ok people, all of these threads about being frustrated or down are great to vent but let's see what is going right this Halloween?
While my timeline isn't exactly what I want it to be, I am still working on some awesome props that will be done in time for Oct 31 as long as I limit my TV time during the week. Last weekend the whole family crawled onto our bed (all 6 of us) and watched scary movies which was lots of fun.
I only have a few tombstones in my yard and people in the neighborhood were already honking and waving because they know what's coming.

What Halloween thankfulness do you have (no matter how small) that makes/made you smile?

 

[Madame Leota]

Thanks for this thread! I'm just not naturally one of those "half-full" people, so I have to put real effort into it. But we all know negativity breeds negativity, so let's turn it around.

I drove around a little today to see if anybody else decorated over the weekend, since we had such nice weather. They did! Nothing on a really grand scale, except the "house of inflatables", but it was nice to see some effort being made. Quite a few pumpkins, some hanging ghosts, a few small graveyards, and many of these were houses that normally have not decorated at all. It looks like it's going to be a good year!

 

[TJN66]

I have the plan worked out in my head on how the yard is going to be set up. I have my skelly sitting on top of my wishing well as a start. Hubby is finishing up the fence boards that had to be re done from last year then its set up time! I have already bought lots of candy and have my "special" home made treats list to make the week before the big night.

Does everyone else feel like the excitement like kids do at Christmas? Im so excited I cant stand it!!! Even if everything is not perfect..it will still be a great night and lots of fun =) Sigh...I love Halloween!

 

[Hilda]

I'm still here. My husband is too. We've been working side by side creating a mess in our yard and house. LOL
Neighbors stop by to talk to us while we are working.
The leaves are changing. The weather is cooler. I love the sounds of geese and flocks of starlings.
I've scarfed down more pumpkin bread in the past two weeks than any person should.
My six year old helped me paint cemetery fence yesterday and exclaimed he was the 'bestest cemetery fence painter ever'.
My disabled son asks me every day if his costume arrived and if I bought the candy yet.
Just now... we stopped the car on the side of the road and watched the farm workers picking pumpkins and followed the tractor down the street. My boys eager to see if any pumpkins would fall out of the wagon.
It's all of it. The little things. Life.

I absolutely adore this time of year.
Thank you for asking.

 

[GodOfThunder]

I did my front yard setup yesterday and had neighbors slowing their cars WAY down to ogle my stuff. It made my day.

And we had a nice respite from the Houston heat to the point that we slept with the windows open each of the past 3 nights. With most of my hard fabrication work done, I'm finally able to enjoy things and prep for our party on the 25th!

 

[Skeletoncrew]

Love the Ghostbusters theme!!!!!

 

[Scatterbrains]

Ditto on the Ghostbusters

What's awesome is that I found the lights for the eyes for my horsies...to be continued

 

[huchon]

From a more general perspective.
That Halloween is on a Friday this year. So hopefully more trick-or-treaters and a longer time that they will be out.

 

[Deadview]

Friday yes, but a new FCG will be going up along with an Axworthy, several new tombstones, better lighting for the cemetery and it better not rain.

 

[Deadview]

That Ghostbusters setup looks great !

 

[Paint It Black]

Our theme is working out way better than I expected. We've had it planned for a year now. Everyone in the family was excited about having a Western theme this year; but I was kind of luke-warm to the idea by the time Fall came around. Now that we have started putting together the props and the display, I am more than pleased with how it is looking. I guess you could say I am really getting into it. So is my husband, who today is helping me get things ready to go onto the roof.

Now I want some pumpkin bread.

 

[Jezebel82]

I have to agree with everyone else, that is a seriously fantastic Ghostbusters setup! I'm excited today because I finally got all the pieces for my costume so now I just have to work on putting it all together. I'm attempting to make a Headless Horseman costume(Fox's Sleepy Hollow version). If I can pull this off it will be the best costume I've ever had. Usually I go crazy on the decorations and the costume is more of an afterthought.

 

[mariposa0283]

Everything is awesome about every Halloween. The whole frustration in preparation for the holiday is what makes me NOT want to ever become one of those big time super extravagant haunters. I don't get ToT's where I live but I'm still excited about Halloween and I still put up decorations inside and outside, albeit scarce and not at all how I want to decorate, but I work with what I have and some is better than nothing at all. Halloween is meant to be fun, if its frustrating for anyone, they're doing too much. I get to go to scarywood haunted nights on Halloween this year and ride some roller coasters and go through some scary mazes and junk. That's what I'm excited for!

 

[NotTheBatesMotel]

The neighborhood kids have been really enthusiastic this year about my display. Yesterday I went to one of the local amusement park's haunt and it was so much fun. The best part of the year has been my 2 year old's reaction to the various props. He calls the pumpkin scarecrow "bones" and lovvvves the Ghost Maid projection. He calls her "goap" (ghost), waves to her when she waves and goes "shhh" when she shushes.

 

[Skeptic]

Oh, my little guy can't wait to set up with me tomorrow and my girls are pumped, one doing amazing make up in preparation, the other sewing her own costume. The atmosphere is palpable, it's going to be the best Halloween yet...even my wife is showing some signs of wanting to be more involved. I can't wait and we're having a blast!

 

[HexMe]

The weather has been fantastic lately and the colors and falling leaves are really inspiring. Those leaves, that smell... Doors and windows open, crisp, clean breezes, no more sweating.

Getting my Halloween stuff out feels like Christmas. There were things I've bought in the last few years that I forgot about and never saw the light of day until now. I feel so lucky to have what I do.

I feel happiest, most at peace with myself and my world, when I'm creating something. This holiday and season inspire so much creativity in me! I can't help but love it.

 

[Spats]

This Halloween is huge for me.

I wrote my first novel, a story about the holiday, and released it this year. I suppose this holiday will always be huge for me.


For those of you maybe not feeling it yet, or perhaps dealing with other things in life, I understand. Sometimes, Halloween is a creepy movie, some sinister music, one lone jack o'lantern faithfully guarding the front step and a couple of chocolate bars - and that is all it needs to be.

I have a lot of heroes on this forum, folks who spend many a sweaty hour in dusty garages and cluttered living rooms crafting fantastic moments for strangers, neighbors and friends. You give us visions and and encounters we only dreamed of.
Your house is the house we all remember when we were children, the house that understood, the residence that set the standard.
You taught us that conquering fear has its rewards, that fright was to be laughed at and turned into a plaything on Halloween.
You gave us respite from our troubles as winter came creeping, and you inspired us to try the same.

Don't you dare feel obligated. Don't let this festival become a chore, or worse, fill you with a sense of loss if you don't go hardcore each and every year.

I'd rather see your homes after batteries are recharged and spirits renewed.
I'd rather see you walk through Autumn's handiwork relaxed than burn the season away with stress and depression.

I'd rather you let Halloween, just every now and then, treat you to some ease and horrible joy, ghoulish delights and ghastly fun.

How can a chef improve if he doesn't stop and eat? And how can he relish the meal without an appetite?

Let Halloween happen as it will.
This will be a great Halloween, even if it's only a cup of warm cider and this forum.

Good thread, thank you for starting it.

 

[The Real Joker]

I too LOVE the Ghostbusters set up and the handmade
buildings including the GB firehouse / headquarters!

 

[Berserker]

Halloween is on a Friday.

 

[tomanderson]

This year, I am focusing on seeing what other people are doing. For the past several years I have put on a big "show" with lights and sound and monsters, this year is a bit different. It's fun in a different way, in its own way. While putting on a show is lots of fun, there are other things to do too! I have seen three haunted walk-throughs in the Los Angeles area over the recent weekend. Lots of fun!