Happy Halloween 2010!
Oh, how I love halloween! The creativity of costumes, the dressing up, and of course, the collection of candy !
I don't think of myself as "old". I go and play on Halloween with the kids, and we have a blast.
But it's just not the same.
I'm not aware of when it all changed.
When we were kids, we'd dress up, and gather with all the neighbor kids on someones front lawn- I mean 10 to 15 kids, from age 6 to 12-14.we had quite the 'block" . On top of that, we would all also have an exta personal pal or two to go with us. we'd have one or two parents along, who usually got left behind or split up, and no one panicked, because all of us kids stayed together, and knew where to go.
door to door , we even trick or treated our own houses!
These evenings usually ended on another lawn, costume masks and capes tossed around, jackets scattered, and the trading and snacking of candy all over the place.
the next morning of course we'd all meet there again, at the demand of our parents, and walk up and down the street collecting the wrappers.
I understand that times have changed. . . parents are waaay paranoid, and being one myself, rightfully so. there are reports of crazies pulling children into thier homes, picking them up off the road, putting harmful items into the candies...
these things were happening "back in the day" as well , just perhaps not as well known. We were all very trusting of our neighbors, because we did everything as a community.
These days, people keep to themselves, the kids are all but secluded in paranoia.
They load up into parents trucks and vans, and ride from house to house.( the case here because the houses are miles apart!) the parents looking down each sidestreet, desperately hoping to see more than one porch light lit. ( and there are few, as all the people with kids have left to share the same mission,leaving no one to give out goodies)
When this becomes too much for the wired out excited children, the parents seek "trunk and treat" events. This is actually a good idea. The churches, & community centers decorate their cars and vans for halloween, fill their tunks with candy, and park in well lit parking lots. the kids go 'trunk to trunk" .
The problem I have with this, is that parents end up driving all over town to get to each of these events before they close down. Many times its a repeated mission of find the event, and get there AS they close down because they are out of candy already.
back to the porch light search, and then to relatives' homes, hoping they're home so the kids can knock on just one door.
It almost becomes more of a seek n search mission.
Husband and I have decided we will be creating our own halloween event here at the nuthouse in years to come. we will set up spooky trails, craft tables, games, and of course, trick or treating.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Welcome Lyla !
Our dog, Huey, had a run-in with a truck back in september, and he lost. We were all very upset by the loss of him.
My daughter primarily, she loved that dog to no end. he was her "baby", and in turn he adored her as well.
There's a huge diffence between loosing a dog to age, and loosing a dog suddenly, by accident.
With age, you somewhat know the end is coming, and prepare yourself emotionally for the loss.
With an accident, there's no warning, no signs, no goodbyes, no preparing . its a nasty shock.
The kids took it really hard, but tried so hard to be "big" about it. They helped to bury him, ( we had wrapped him, as we didn't think the kids should have seen him post-truck) they pitched in to buy the chain for his site...
Daughter would talk to me eevry night about it. She misses him. she would get herself to tears every time.
wednesday night, when I tucked her in, she asked if she could talk to me about something, "pretty serious".
of course !
" I don't think I'm going to make a wish list this Christmas, Mom. Just tell Santa that I don't care about all the toys n other stuff. All I want him to bring me is a dog."
Oh people. If i could find one word to explain how this tore at my heart....
We talked about it, and she explained " I don't need the toys because I could play with the dog, and it would mean so much more because it is playing with love, not just a plastic toy. toys don't comfort you or cuddle, and they don't lick your face when you're sad. A dog does all that, and I'd feel alot better because it would be a friend."
I told my husband about this talk, and he just nodded a little. I thought that odd, I was sure he'd have something to say. We agreed we would wait to get another dog though, probably until spring. ( we both knew we'd cave by christmas, especially now!)
Friday, I go out to run my errands in town. I live outside of town ,and drive a very thirsty SUV. So to avoid gas issues, I only go once or twice a week, and make multiple stops. This is a peeve of husbands, on the few occasions i do go for just one stop.
I make my first stop, at the library to make returns. As I get back into the truck my phone rings.
"where are you?" husband asks.
I'm at the library, just running errands. whats up?
"ooooh no.really? you're all the way out there?
um, ok... well, um how long will you be?"
I have to do the post office and the store... what do you need hon?
"oooh. . . uh... well i guess i could.... ugh, man.... um... Well i can't leave... um...can you come back? I have to meet with a customer."
what ???
where are you, and why can't you leave?
"I'm at home. hell, sorry , you're gonna have to come back so I can go."
WHY?
"well uuuh I got you something, and um... you need to just come home. "
oh God. is it alive?
"I uh, ..." click.
uh oh. this can't be an appliance he's fund, because he wouldn't have a problem leaving a sink ,or a dishwasher.
When I get home, there is a very pretty girl in the doorway.
a tall, lean, brown eyed , cutie.
Lyla is a 7 month old shepard mix.
She was rescued by one of husband's customers.
Husband , aka dr.dolittle, worked at her home on a leak under the house. Lyla had welcomed him, and stayed with him, even under the house.
the customer asked if he wanted her, and well.... he got soft. brought her home, "to show the wife"
yeah right. she had him wrapped around her big ol paw before he had finished fixing the leak.
He only got lucky in the fact that Lyla is a beautiful pup, and so well behaved ..
She is a very BIG pup, but amazingly seems to know her size and yes, weight. she's very agile.
Of course, the kids were tickled silly with her, and she loved playing with them... which sealed the deal.
The Nuthouse feels 'full' again, my Daughter has gotten much happier, and can discuss Huey without so much hurt.. . she seems whole again.
to me thats priceless in itself.
We have alot of training work to do with Lyla, ( she is trained, but will have to adjust to US giving the commands) but we all agree that she seems to belong here.
Welcome to the Nuthouse Lyla...
Huey, we miss you bub.
My daughter primarily, she loved that dog to no end. he was her "baby", and in turn he adored her as well.
There's a huge diffence between loosing a dog to age, and loosing a dog suddenly, by accident.
With age, you somewhat know the end is coming, and prepare yourself emotionally for the loss.
With an accident, there's no warning, no signs, no goodbyes, no preparing . its a nasty shock.
The kids took it really hard, but tried so hard to be "big" about it. They helped to bury him, ( we had wrapped him, as we didn't think the kids should have seen him post-truck) they pitched in to buy the chain for his site...
Daughter would talk to me eevry night about it. She misses him. she would get herself to tears every time.
wednesday night, when I tucked her in, she asked if she could talk to me about something, "pretty serious".
of course !
" I don't think I'm going to make a wish list this Christmas, Mom. Just tell Santa that I don't care about all the toys n other stuff. All I want him to bring me is a dog."
Oh people. If i could find one word to explain how this tore at my heart....
We talked about it, and she explained " I don't need the toys because I could play with the dog, and it would mean so much more because it is playing with love, not just a plastic toy. toys don't comfort you or cuddle, and they don't lick your face when you're sad. A dog does all that, and I'd feel alot better because it would be a friend."
I told my husband about this talk, and he just nodded a little. I thought that odd, I was sure he'd have something to say. We agreed we would wait to get another dog though, probably until spring. ( we both knew we'd cave by christmas, especially now!)
Friday, I go out to run my errands in town. I live outside of town ,and drive a very thirsty SUV. So to avoid gas issues, I only go once or twice a week, and make multiple stops. This is a peeve of husbands, on the few occasions i do go for just one stop.
I make my first stop, at the library to make returns. As I get back into the truck my phone rings.
"where are you?" husband asks.
I'm at the library, just running errands. whats up?
"ooooh no.really? you're all the way out there?
um, ok... well, um how long will you be?"
I have to do the post office and the store... what do you need hon?
"oooh. . . uh... well i guess i could.... ugh, man.... um... Well i can't leave... um...can you come back? I have to meet with a customer."
what ???
where are you, and why can't you leave?
"I'm at home. hell, sorry , you're gonna have to come back so I can go."
WHY?
"well uuuh I got you something, and um... you need to just come home. "
oh God. is it alive?
"I uh, ..." click.
uh oh. this can't be an appliance he's fund, because he wouldn't have a problem leaving a sink ,or a dishwasher.
When I get home, there is a very pretty girl in the doorway.
a tall, lean, brown eyed , cutie.
Lyla is a 7 month old shepard mix.
She was rescued by one of husband's customers.
Husband , aka dr.dolittle, worked at her home on a leak under the house. Lyla had welcomed him, and stayed with him, even under the house.
the customer asked if he wanted her, and well.... he got soft. brought her home, "to show the wife"
yeah right. she had him wrapped around her big ol paw before he had finished fixing the leak.
He only got lucky in the fact that Lyla is a beautiful pup, and so well behaved ..
She is a very BIG pup, but amazingly seems to know her size and yes, weight. she's very agile.
Of course, the kids were tickled silly with her, and she loved playing with them... which sealed the deal.
The Nuthouse feels 'full' again, my Daughter has gotten much happier, and can discuss Huey without so much hurt.. . she seems whole again.
to me thats priceless in itself.
We have alot of training work to do with Lyla, ( she is trained, but will have to adjust to US giving the commands) but we all agree that she seems to belong here.
Welcome to the Nuthouse Lyla...
Huey, we miss you bub.
No Tresspassing !
Maybe its just me. This has some ignorant humor to it.
The Nuthouse is located on 5 acres of property, which was previously a campground. We found out quickly it is also a huge topic in the area, as it is a huge site, in an area where most are only 1 acre sites. Its our quiet little sanctuary, our asylum.
When we had moved here, the property had been closed and empty for several years. Naturally , we had alot of neighbors driving through, to see what was going on. we also had many walkers.
What bothered me about this was that not one stopped to say "hi, welcome". When we saw someone come through, we'd stop them, and ask if they needed something, a polite version of "why are you on my property?"
The replies were rediculous.
"we thought it was part of the state park" (said park does back up to us, but the entry is miles away)
"we thought is was still open as a campground"
"oh! this isn't a dog park?"
These are rediculous, because all of these neighbors knew better, and WE knew they knew better, which made it very frustrating. We figured they believe its easier to appear completely ignorant through lying than just being honest and saying they were curious.
Husband and I purchased big bright "closed" signs, and "private property" and "no tresspassing for any reason at any time" . We hung them at both entries, along the driveway, and also in the back woods.( for the ATV trail- they get a it too close at times- and folks seem to like hunting back there. no thanks!)
once folks got used to us being here, the wandering slowed down.
We had several folks in campers or huge rv's show up from time to time as well, who were just as rediculous.
" we came all the way frombecause we camp here every year.."
Is that right ? because the campground hasn't been open for several years, and you were silly enough to drive all that way without calling for at least a reservation? ( note, many of these overly intellegent rv'ers had local plates.)
These folks we told about other campgrounds, or, if thier plates matched their sad tales, we would offer them the night at regular camp rates.
The neighbors haven't given up however .
Every time something changes here at the nuthouse, they all miraculously become health nuts and walk by 3 or 4 times a day. when we got our pool, when we had a trailer placed here for friends, ( THAT caused a silent uproar along the grapevine) whenever we have a party or event, and recently when my husband started cutting down the dead trees.
Not long ago, I was working at my desk, near a window that looks out on the driveway. I see an older couple and a dog, just strolling along. To have reached the point they were at, they had to have passed FIVE signs stating no tresspassing, private property. There is no way they didn't see the signs.
Out I go, to politely tell them they are not in a dog park or park trail...
I haven't seen these folks before, so todays question, " Excuse me? ? can I help you? are you lost?"
The woman turned very abruptly, and gave me a nasty look that implied I was an awful person for thinking she could possibly be lost.
" no, we are not lost. we are just taking a stroll through the area." ( which comes with the biggest, phoniest, grin I have ever seen)
"oh" I reply, " There are some great tree colors this time of year isn't there? the temperatures have been perfect for walks. But, you're on private property, as the signs you passed state very clearly. "
I can't believe this, but the woman wanted to debate it with me !
"nooo.. this must be part of the park. it looks just like those walking trails. we figured it went through. do you know where?"
oh this is a new one.
" no, it doesn't go through. you aren't IN the state park ma'am. you're actually in my driveway, not a hiking trail. . the park entrance is on the other side, through town."
"Well that can't be right."
still stunned she's actually arguing this with me, I mean, really ?? I'm trying pretty hard not to get overly obnoxious with an overly obnoxious person.
"Ma'am ,this isn't the park, the park does not have tresspassing signs along thier trails, the park does not park lawnmowers on the trails, the park does not have an appliance graveyard... ( hubbys a plumber, brings home replacemet rejects for scrap) ... can you honestly tell me this looks like a state park ?
the signs you passed , all five of them, are not there for decoration. they are there to keep strangers out of my yard, away from my children and pets, much like I imagine you do at your own home.
It's not a park, its not a dog trail, its not a campground, its my HOME, and being that I don't have time to argue with you, I will plainly say, you're tresspassing, and I ask you to leave my property."
"oh. "
At this point i was actually worried she'd ask me if she could see the property deeds!
"guess we'll be on our way then."
through this entire exchange, the man said nothing. not a peep.
Instead of continuing up the driveway to the closest exit to the road, she turned around, to go all the way back through the property!
unbelieveable.
A week later- I notice they have moved in two houses up from ours.
Better get more signs. maybe some big dogs, wearing signs.
The Nuthouse is located on 5 acres of property, which was previously a campground. We found out quickly it is also a huge topic in the area, as it is a huge site, in an area where most are only 1 acre sites. Its our quiet little sanctuary, our asylum.
When we had moved here, the property had been closed and empty for several years. Naturally , we had alot of neighbors driving through, to see what was going on. we also had many walkers.
What bothered me about this was that not one stopped to say "hi, welcome". When we saw someone come through, we'd stop them, and ask if they needed something, a polite version of "why are you on my property?"
The replies were rediculous.
"we thought it was part of the state park" (said park does back up to us, but the entry is miles away)
"we thought is was still open as a campground"
"oh! this isn't a dog park?"
These are rediculous, because all of these neighbors knew better, and WE knew they knew better, which made it very frustrating. We figured they believe its easier to appear completely ignorant through lying than just being honest and saying they were curious.
Husband and I purchased big bright "closed" signs, and "private property" and "no tresspassing for any reason at any time" . We hung them at both entries, along the driveway, and also in the back woods.( for the ATV trail- they get a it too close at times- and folks seem to like hunting back there. no thanks!)
once folks got used to us being here, the wandering slowed down.
We had several folks in campers or huge rv's show up from time to time as well, who were just as rediculous.
" we came all the way from
Is that right ? because the campground hasn't been open for several years, and you were silly enough to drive all that way without calling for at least a reservation? ( note, many of these overly intellegent rv'ers had local plates.)
These folks we told about other campgrounds, or, if thier plates matched their sad tales, we would offer them the night at regular camp rates.
The neighbors haven't given up however .
Every time something changes here at the nuthouse, they all miraculously become health nuts and walk by 3 or 4 times a day. when we got our pool, when we had a trailer placed here for friends, ( THAT caused a silent uproar along the grapevine) whenever we have a party or event, and recently when my husband started cutting down the dead trees.
Not long ago, I was working at my desk, near a window that looks out on the driveway. I see an older couple and a dog, just strolling along. To have reached the point they were at, they had to have passed FIVE signs stating no tresspassing, private property. There is no way they didn't see the signs.
Out I go, to politely tell them they are not in a dog park or park trail...
I haven't seen these folks before, so todays question, " Excuse me? ? can I help you? are you lost?"
The woman turned very abruptly, and gave me a nasty look that implied I was an awful person for thinking she could possibly be lost.
" no, we are not lost. we are just taking a stroll through the area." ( which comes with the biggest, phoniest, grin I have ever seen)
"oh" I reply, " There are some great tree colors this time of year isn't there? the temperatures have been perfect for walks. But, you're on private property, as the signs you passed state very clearly. "
I can't believe this, but the woman wanted to debate it with me !
"nooo.. this must be part of the park. it looks just like those walking trails. we figured it went through. do you know where?"
oh this is a new one.
" no, it doesn't go through. you aren't IN the state park ma'am. you're actually in my driveway, not a hiking trail. . the park entrance is on the other side, through town."
"Well that can't be right."
still stunned she's actually arguing this with me, I mean, really ?? I'm trying pretty hard not to get overly obnoxious with an overly obnoxious person.
"Ma'am ,this isn't the park, the park does not have tresspassing signs along thier trails, the park does not park lawnmowers on the trails, the park does not have an appliance graveyard... ( hubbys a plumber, brings home replacemet rejects for scrap) ... can you honestly tell me this looks like a state park ?
the signs you passed , all five of them, are not there for decoration. they are there to keep strangers out of my yard, away from my children and pets, much like I imagine you do at your own home.
It's not a park, its not a dog trail, its not a campground, its my HOME, and being that I don't have time to argue with you, I will plainly say, you're tresspassing, and I ask you to leave my property."
"oh. "
At this point i was actually worried she'd ask me if she could see the property deeds!
"guess we'll be on our way then."
through this entire exchange, the man said nothing. not a peep.
Instead of continuing up the driveway to the closest exit to the road, she turned around, to go all the way back through the property!
unbelieveable.
A week later- I notice they have moved in two houses up from ours.
Better get more signs. maybe some big dogs, wearing signs.
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