Halloween Goings On...

First of all -- a Greeting from the Graveyard -- starring the Ladybug:

Do you all remember this cartoon?



Well, hang on to that memory for a little bit...

I also promise that, at the end of this post, I'll include a picture of ME in my Halloween finery.

So, on Halloween evening, as soon as Uncle Zombie got home from work, he and I headed out to "that place with tulips" (where Harley Mama and the babies live *grin*) to share some ghoulish fun and goodies for All Hallow's Eve.

One of the traditions in "tulip land", which still has all the small-town charm I remember from 30 years ago (in the town I grew up in -- which was not "tulip land"), is that all the businesses along Main Street welcome little (and not so little) goblins to show off their Halloween best and pick up a few goodies along the way. I knew this, because Harley Mama told me, but I'd never seen it in person before this. I'll tell you what -- I've never seen anything like it. Not even "back in the day". There were SO MANY people there! It was AMAZING!

Here are some random shots I took up and down Main Street:

Harley Mama was helping out (more on this a little later) at her workplace, which happens to have a storefront on Main Street. They also have a really, really big 'picture window' with an inside platform for their displays. Keep that in mind, too. Many of her co-workers were there and most of them, including HM, had their kids with them. So, they all took turns "minding the store" while each took their kidlings up and down the street themselves. After HM took her kids, Ladybug stood at the door (as a fully-decked out Vampire Cheerleader) handing out candy on behalf of Mama's company, seen here:

and Butterfly Baby just wandered around the lobby area, occasionally going outside to get in on the 'action':

and here's what they were handing out candy from:



(Harley Mama works for a medical equipment supply company *grin*)

After that was done, We all went back to Harley Mama's house and BB took a bath while Uncle Zombie and I took the Ladybug out to do some 'regular' trick-or-treating. Here's a look at some of THAT fun:

After we were done (when the Ladybug was tired) we went back and 'chilled' at the "tulip homestead" while taking turns trying to get a very wired Butterfly Baby to nod off to dreamland. The winner of the "Put BB to Sleep Prize" goes to none other than...UNCLE ZOMBIE! (Of course...)

Okay, you've waited for it.

I know you all (all two of you) are breathless with anticipation.

Here it comes...

Ready?

Oh...and do you remember the cartoon at the beginning?

Here she is in all her Halloween "Glory"

Presenting...... HARLEY MAMA!

...and "Rusty"

Tee hee hee!

Good likeness, no?

And, yes, in case you haven't seen her in a while, she did add some 'extra' padding -- she's not really that... ahem... 'blessed'. LOL!

And, lest you think I forgot -- here I am, all decked out in my costume and ready to GO!
Happy Halloween...

...until next year!

Happy Halloweeeeeeen!

Happy

Halloweeeeeeeeeen!

What I love (after) Wednesday

Jenny in Utah!


This post -- albeit on a Thursday -- is dedicated to my friend Jenny. We've been friends for a long time...a REALLY long time...fine, I'll tell you: 29 years.

And, since I'm only 21 (wink, wink) that's really saying something. :-)


I couldn't resist paying an homage to my buddy, and her "What I love Wednesday" post, and when I saw this:





...that sealed it -- this post was 'in the bag'.


Jenny is a wonderfully kind person and a very devoted and consistent friend. I'm certain I'm not the only one who knows this...or even who has said this.


As to *what* it was on this page that made me decide I had to copy it to the actual blog...well, first of all, Jen (that's what I call her -- pretty much always have) commented on my 'less than cheerful' post in her characteristic sweet and open way. Thank you, Jen, for not running away from the 'heavy' stuff that I fling out there sometimes. Second, I couldn't bring myself to navigate away from the comment page without copying it (when I clicked to read) when I saw that the 'random' letters that are generated to decrease automated postings to blogs (and stuff) not only spelled out real words, but those words -- Red Boat!

I'm not gonna spell out why, exactly, that's so funny...but it's pretty similar to a certain nickname Jen had many, many years ago. I didn't give it to her. I don't actually know (or I can't remember) who did, but when she told it to me, I laughed myself stupid. I still giggle about it all these years later. I think it might have been someone from the amusement park we both worked at in our late teens/early twenties...or had some kind of connection to it...Jen?


Anyway, I still have a lot of the cards and letters Jenny has written to me over the years. They are among the few (from non-family members) that I can't bring my sentimental self to let go of. *sigh* In one of them, she wrote this little verse:


Make new friends but keep the old,
One is silver and the other is gold.


I don't know who said that, but I couldn't have said it better myself.

I love yer guts, Red! You are gold!

Tuesday Musing

Hi again.

NOTICE: ***If you are looking for a cheerful post, skip this one.***

You've been warned.

Today I'm thinking about my MOMS...yes, Mom"s", plural. I have more than most people do, by a lot.

I have one Mom that gave me life. I have one Mom that raised me up. I have one Mom that took care of me for a few weeks before I met my "new" Mom -- I haven't met this Mom in my adulthood, although I hope that might someday be a possibility. I have a Mom that took care of my sweet husband, the Zombie, until I could 'take over'. (Tee hee) I have a Mom who is married to my Dad (the Dad the contributed 1/2 of my DNA). I haven't met this last Mom, either... and, I don't really know if she'd think of herself as a "mom" to me at all (which is fine) but she is married to my Dad, so I include her.

As you may have guessed, if you don't know me well or aren't one of the above-mentioned people, I am an adoptee. I was born on one side of this nation and adopted (nearly) on the other.

I'm thinking (and therefore writing) about this because I belong to a few different online support groups relating to adoption. I've been looking for a 'live' one, but haven't found any within a reasonable area with the 'feel' that I'm looking for. I'll keep looking.

Anyway, one of my groups is for adoptees only. I like all of my groups (for varying reasons) but that one is probably my favorite -- or at least in the top 3. Every single person there has a different story and a different experience and yet we all have many, many things in common. We ALL were born to a set of parents (or, for some, just a mother) and raised by a different set of parents (or, sometimes, just one).

I reunited with my Mom in 2004 -- just about 4 years ago next month. I reunited with my Dad in 2005 (3 years ago this week). Now, here's one of the things that is interesting about adoption -- and specifically about BEING adopted. There is not one, single standard for what it means to be "reunited". This has been a topic of conversation in all of my groups at one time or another. So, here's what I mean: two-way contact. Both parties (me, the adoptee, and whoever I'm 'reunited' with) know who the other is and have received and responded to communication from the other.

Some adoption reunions continue indefinitely (I hope all of mine are like this) and some don't. Some people meet in person and some never do -- I have 'one of each' on this count. Some adoptees are looking for answers, history, information...in a nutshell, closure. Some are looking for relationships. And then, these relationships take all sorts of different forms, too.

Well, I've gotten a little off track, here... I'm never 'bored' with the topic of adoption. (Just ask the Zombie... *grimace* Sorry, honey.) But, I started this 'musing' post because I'm thinking about my Moms.

What got me thinking about them was several of the topics that have come up in my groups lately. The question of who is a "real" parent^. The question of "language" as it pertains to adoption (i.e. what we call ourselves, what we call other members of the 'triad', how we refer to *being* an adoptee -- "am adopted" or "was adopted", etc.), how we feel about adoption in general and our OWN adoption (no matter which 'position' we hold in adoption), and so on.

^Any of the typical topics that we (adoptees and/or triad members) talk about regarding moms can also be applied to dads. I always wondered about my dad, too. Dads don't come up as much in general conversations about adoption, though. That makes me sad, too.

These kinds of discussions always get me in a really reflective mood. And, I suppose, they bring out the tender-hearted side of my nature (some might call it "raw" or "sensitive"). I get frustrated sometimes, and I get sad sometimes and I get really, really lonely sometimes. (Just in case you're wondering, THAT'S what good belonging to a group of adoptees does me -- having someone to talk to who's been there and IS there.)

So, I was just thinking about who's "real". Sometimes I get kinda mad at some of the things people say in one specific (to remain nameless) group, and sometimes I respond with a little more 'spice' because of it. It drives me CRAZY when people say, "The people who pay the bills, come to the games, wipe the noses, hold you when you're sick, worry when you're out, etc. etc. THOSE are your 'real' parents." Now, don't get me wrong...they ARE my real parents. What 'gets' me --deep down -- is how dismissive it is of my FIRST parents. THEY ARE REAL, TOO! Very real.

Today, I didn't get mad, I got sad. So, I didn't respond 'over there' -- I retreated to 'my own' place to say my peace.

All of my parents are real. Even the ones I haven't met (yet, God willing.) None is any less 'real' than any other. I love ALL of them. And, as far as I can tell, they all love me. What's wrong with that? Why does it have to be either/or? Why are people so defensive? (Especially, I've noticed in a few cases, when it has NOTHING to do with them.) Nothing about my parents' parenthood is negated by anyone else. My Mom didn't become NOT a Mom when she surrendered me for adoption. My Mom isn't less my Mom because she didn't give birth to me. My Dad is my Dad whether or not he's ever seen my face in person, or I his. There are a lot of things about me that are ALL DAD -- even some we haven't really talked about. My Dad is my Dad even though we don't share any DNA, and (Bless him!) we don't have much in common.

Anybody have any trouble telling which is which or who I'm talking about? Didn't think so.

Why does it have to be such a big deal? Why? It hurts my heart.

Okay, I'm done.

Halloween 'Sneak Peek'

Hi again! Last night Harley Mama, Ladybug and Butterfly Baby came over to our house (Zombie Manor? LOL) for a visit. We girls took a trip to a local party store to see what we could come up with for Halloween costumes. When we got home, the Zombie had done the dishes (thanks, honey!) which is my job -- what a sweetheart!

Although the 'official' version will be much spookier, here's a sneak peek at some of the frivolity to come.

Butterfly Baby as "Frankenstein's CUTE Monster":

Ladybug as "Vampire Cheerleader":

And, of course, Harley Mama as her silly self. No costume required.

This is just a sneak preview, so there will be a little face painting with both girls (or all three...or all four...) and for the Vampire Cheerleader, there will be [fake] blood...lots of blood! Eeeeew!

Aaaah, what would the world be like without kidlings? Not good...not good at all.

One more thing. Harley Mama has a GREAT idea for her own costume. But, I won't give it away ahead of time. I can't wait to see how she, er...'pulls it off' myself. :-0 You'll just have to wait for the "big reveal". They say a picture is worth 1,000 words... ;-)

Love you all! :-) TTFN!

More from the Ladybug's Birthday Party

I've been meaning to post more pictures from the Ladybug's birthday party (Sept. 20th) but being so 'daunted' by making the pictures work in the layout has kept me timid about taking it on again. Today I've decided to take FlyLady's advice and break this 'task' into manageable pieces. I REALLY REALLY want to do this! It's not writing and posting pictures about the party that has me 'frazzled' -- it's my blasted lack of knowledge when it comes to blogging in general (and, as mentioned, about making the pictures work). Well, I'm over it. I want to post this before it's too late. I'm gonna do it a little at a time -- and I *have* learned a few things, too, since my last attempt. :-)

Today, I'm just going to post about the Bouncy House that was the absolute highlight and main attraction of the party! Harley Mama -- you are a GENIUS!


Below are a bunch of pictures of the kids having a GRAND time in the Bouncy House:








Ladybug even tried some cartwheels, sommersaults and flips (standing up)...



...and shared some time with her "sissy", Butterfly Baby -- just the two of them:



And, when the party had "died down" somewhat, Harley Mama got in on the fun, too:

I had to separate these last two pictures from the rest because they have a funny story all their own. Ladybug and one of her friends (who stayed a little longer after the party) devised a "game" that Uncle Zombie was more than happy to help them with. They would lean up against one side of the Bouncy House, where the sides were mesh, and Uncle Zombie would "launch" (push) them away and into the middle. Most of the time they 'flopped', but a few times they really 'flew'. He even (very gently) pushed Butterfly Baby this way a few times.



It's hard to capture the giggles and gasps that this brought out of all three girls in a written blog with still pictures, but I'll never forget them! Their "game" was one of the highlights of the party (for me, Auntie Zombette) and it warms me still, from head to toe, when I think about it.

Love Y'all! :-)

p.s. I posted this up and looked at it...then I just HAD to come back in and say, "WHEW!" I can't believe it actually worked. This is very encouraging. Uh oh...I may start using a lot more pictures now, so if you see me with a camera -- you've been warned! :-)

Ketchup (or is it "catch up"?)

So, I substituted at a High School today. I was there for the girl's P.E. coach -- well, one of them. It was fun but not nearly as fun as the other time (at the Jr. High) that I did. Wait...Did I even write about that day yet? Or was that post just in my head? Now I can't remember.

If I didn't write about that one yet, I'm really behind, and getting 'behinder' (no wisecracks about my "assets" now y'all) all the time. :-) I definitely need to put that one in. That was a really funny day!

Anyway, today was pretty good -- but High School girls are just waaaaay too into themselves to be as funny as the younger kids. So, I did this one purely for the $$$ I guess. Not much blog material this time. I have to go back there tomorrow (same teacher, different classes) and I really should try to get some sleep, so this needs to be a short post.

Here's where the ketchup (catch up) comes in. I mentioned about going through 15 totes with my sis, Harley Mama, the other night and how I'd post pics of the "what was I thinking and why am I keeping this" hall of shame items soon.

Well, here's the first one:

Yes, friends...that really is a pair of "peg" (aka: tapered) white jeans tie-dyed with pink, purple, varying shades of blue and...I'm not sure what else. *sigh* I can't believe these ever lived in my possession. I'll never admit to having worn them. Actually, I don't know if I ever did. I have a feeling they may have belonged to Harley Mama at some point in the past. Or, they may have belonged to a dear friend I'll call "toad" (mainly because that's what we called her in grade school/jr. high). If not, I can't explain why seeing them made me think of her. I'll have to think about that one some more...

More to come on the 'wwitawdikt' hall of shame photos. Stay tuned.

Laters! :-)