Happy Halloween!!!

Well tonight was our first Halloween at the Ranchero. Harry and Homer were down at the Park facilitating the Halloween festival while I passed out candy at home. I ran the festival last year but with everything going on this fall, I had to say NO. That might seem insignificant, but for me, it's a pretty big deal - to say no.

I ran out of candy pretty early on, as in like 7ish or so. I saw some great costumes, one girl was an autumn fairy and she just looked too cute. Apparently, our street is where EVERYONE comes for candy. Seriously, everyone, as in buses come from out of state and the impetus for the festival at the park was to quelch the residents who were fed up with too many trick-or-treaters. Happy Holidays!

So, since I had no candy and would have been forced to give out used pens and pencils, I blew out the candles, turned the lights off, shut the doors and sequestered myself in the back of the house. This was alright, as I used the time to put the final (almost) coat of paint on the built-in bookshelves in the yellow room. I have to give one cubby another coat (when Harry painted them initially, he could not reach the top and since all need two coats...) I would like to see this room done by Thanksgiving. I still have to paint that cubby again, refinish the floors, reattach all cabinet doors and hardware as well as change the light fixture and outlets and their covers. I think this is a reasonable goal.

In addition, I need to start work on the bathroom. I am hoping that we can get an electrician in next week to do some needed things and then onto drywall and tiling.

Our neighbors invited us to an "after Halloween" party so that was pretty cool. Lots of yummy dips - I just can't get enough dip recently. I thought I would stay forever at the shops in Biltmore just running around and sampling dips and don't get me started on Sam's and Costco...Anyway, the party was a good time - I ran into my friend Susan and her daughter Erin who were both in the wedding and that was a pleasant surprise.

Homer and I are sitting here in bed, each with our laptops out and messing on the computer....hmmm....something seems wrong with this picture....

Back Into The Swing

So today was the day that we had to try to begin getting back in the swing of things, so to speak. It has been a busy day, as I returned to the office to find my mailbox overflowing, and papers stuffed under my door needing my attention. On top of that, it was Halloween, which meant an office birthday party, costumes, and the Town's Halloween celebration in the local park, part of which I was responsible for organizing.

Everyone was glad to see me back, and commented that they had enjoyed the wedding. Of course, everyone wanted to see the new wedding ring, and asked about the honeymoon as well. So, with all that going on, I guess it wasn't truly a return to normalcy, but it was a start.

The event in the park went well tonight! Harry helped me run the scavenger hunt and pass out candy, and all in all, I am guessing we had between 600 and 700 kids come through. Definitely a fun time! Afterward we went across the street to our neighbors for a Halloween party, and had a great time. I am now blogging, getting ready for bed, and getting ready to head to camp tomorrow for a training weekend for Indian Activities for the Scouts. We will come back Sunday, and then get ready for the week ahead.

So, just what is normalcy? I still haven't completely moved in, and my stuff is in a huge pile in the living room of the house. I am looking forward to getting it sorted out and put away, but when is that going to happen? I have a meeting on Monday and Wednesday night of next week, and will probably be glued to the computer/tv on Tuesday with the election going on, so it is looking like at least Thursday evening before I get some time to start settling in more. It is so easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of everything, I don't see how people can find time to make a home! That is priority for me though--moving in and working with Kris to continue making a home for both of us! I am excited!

I am looking forward to the weekend--it is the 2nd Annual Josh Davis Memorial Featherfest at Raven Knob--a weekend for working with kids who are interested in Native American Singing and dancing. Some of the South Carolina crowd is coming up, and there should be a lot of singers there this weekend. I am looking forward to using the new drum!

I am tired now. It has been a long day of reintroduction to life as a married man, both at home and at work. Maybe the weekend will be a good time to wind down, relax and get in the mindset of coming back home and getting busy getting settled in. Have a great weekend; if I get the chance, I may update from CRK.