2010 October Weekly

[Craig]

HEY! Looks Like I get to start this one off!:)

Today, I will be painting facia on the house, CLEANING house, and setting up more props for Halloween.

Hope all are doing well:)

[Just Whisper]

Happy October. It was cool and fresh out at 6:30 this morning. Now it is in the 70's and humid as heck, going to get hot again this afternoon. I hate this time of year when I have to close all the windows around noon and turn on the AC, then open them again around 8 PM, then same thing next day for about 3 weeks.

[Rybcon]

October is "roaring" into SoCal. Lots of thunder. Some lightning. No rain (yet). Still supposed to be round 90, but we'll see.

Seeing October registers as holidays. Woot!

[Just Whisper]

If any of you are members on Hauntforum be sure to go look at the props in the Technological Terror Contest. Mine is not the best but I feel like for once I am actually competing. None of the props entered (mine included) are earth shaking, but they are interesting and fun. Be sure to vote for 3 of them. There are only about 6 entered.
Tech Terror contest link (http://www.hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=24164) Scroll down to the bottom to view each project then back to top to vote.

[Craig]

Well, JW, I voted in the contest (it was hard to choose):)

Got a few things done today. Got quite a bit done on sanding/priming/painting the facia on the house. Had to stop at about 8:00 this morning because of the sun's position. Can't paint in direct sunlight, it'll just end up blistering and failing.

I built a new shelf over the garage door for the revolving white christmas tree (the one that goes between the toy soldier blow molds) Like an idiot, last year I didn't weatherize the revolving tree stand, we had a doozie of a storm and it ruined it. I bought one just like it for this year, and will ABSOLUTELY weatherize it this year (and paint it white, while I am at it):)

Got the projector up and running today, currently, it is splashing a pic of JOL's on the garage door with a huge BOO!" I think it'll get the kids thinking.

Also, the SONY receiver that I bought on e-bay arrived today (HOORAY!):) I spent some time putting in speaker jacks on the inside of the house that ran through to the outside. NOW all I have to do is add RCA plugs on my outside speakers, and they are ready for Halloween and Christmas! I can sit in the office and watch the kids coming up the driveway (the receiver is connected to my computer) and I can cue up music and sound effects in real time (THIS should be fun!) While Mark is handing out candy, I will be messing with their MINDS!!!!! MOOOOHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!:)

[bethene]

hi guys! been so busy with work and trying to keep the secret reaper on track on the halloween forum, haven't been here, by the time I answer a bunch of PM;s and Pm them back plus the others who I need to ask questions of, it seems to take alot of time, but I am not really complaining, it actually went pretty well. we had about 130 people participating, and I believe(fingers crossed) that every ones has either received or has a gift in shipping, or soon to be shipped, whew, I see the end in sight!
have so much to do before my halloween camping trip it isn't even funny. plus working 9 hour days, never seem to have enough time!
Craig, you are a evil genius, that would be so fun to do!!
will be sure to go check out haunt forum, JW!!

[theedwin]

Craig, I would be yelling "BOO!!" every time someone walked up! You could probably scare the mailman as well! LOL

Busy working on Halloween stuff... I notice that I am doing alot of "skipping around". I work on this for a little, then I work on that, then I start something new... That is rather weird for me...

[chris]

Craig thats sounds soooo cool!

Edwin I do the same lol.

JW Very nice Halloween prop!

[putrid]

Just Whisper, checked out your prop, totally cool!

Other than work?....lol Do have an auction to go to tomorrow morning. Hopefully there will be more blow molds there than the one they have pictured. I already have the dancing Santa. If no one els bids on it I'll come home with it. Kinda hoping someone else will want it. Share the joy. If I do come home with it I plan on refinishing em. Still don't have my lawn mower. They're still waiting for parts. This should cost a fortune. I've got a friend who has a goat ranch. Wonder if I can borrow a few goats to cut my lawn. LOL

And speaking of work a new drama is unfolding. We got a visit from some guy from a different plant. No one on the floor knew who he was. He came by and we talked a bit. He talked to a lot of folks in the plant. Turns out this guy is going to be our assistant CEO. Now here's where the soap opera starts. Seems corperate is having trouble with a few of their CEOs. They want to train this guy. Guess who got the 'you have no choice. he's coming' speech. We'll call him the new kid in town.
The cast.
We have a guy in an office position who's mad as hell he didn't get this job. Fist off he's not qualified. Secondly no one in the plant really knows what this guy does. Other than being an extreme A hole. We'll call him the scorned house wife.

The next player in our new soap opera is a guy who's only talent is kissing a==. He has no qualifications what so ever but ended up with a management job. It's painfully obvious this guy doesn't know what he's doing. We'll call him the Lier.

Next is a guy who's surrounded himself with people who will lie threw their teeth to keep him from knowing what really goes on. We'll call him the Clueless CEO.

We have a few minor players as well.
A guy who's has a management position and pay but not listed as one because of the company's policy against nepotism. We'll call him the pool boy.

A woman who's unofficially in charge of a department because her husband happens to be the Lier. We'll call her the name dropper. again with the nepotism?

And to round off our cast we have a manager who can get away with what ever he wants. We'll call him the shyster.

So we have
The new kid in town
The scorned house wife
The Lier
The clueless CEO
The pool boy
The name dropper
The shyster.

Here's the soap so far

The new kid in town doesn't like the scorned house wife or the lier. Made that very clear. He's also got an ear full about the shyster. Imagine what folks talk about when they don't know who they're talking to.

Let ya'll know what happens as all this unfolds.

[Just Whisper]

This will be exciting Putrid. I like the way you gave them all cast names. But I hope it plays out well, with a happy ending.

Edwin, hoipe you are having fun.

I got 3 frames built and my son built 3 more. Only about 15 more to go. Each time I think I am almost done with that stupid crypt prop I find something else wrong with it. 3 steps forward 2 steps back. If I don't get it fixed it will be static, no biggie. I am rebuilding my witch this year. I want her to look amazing, not lame. Her face will still be lame, but I hope her body will be a little better this year.

Not much else to talk about. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

[Craig]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH Boy, Putrid.

Sounds like a soap opera alright...........

[Craig]

I did a LITLE bit of surgery on my "proposing groom" skelly this year. I will post a few pics as I take them.

Next year I will be doing a complete make-over on him AND his bride.

Didn't get too much done today. Battling migraine all day long, and Mark will NOT allow me to push myself when these things get going. (LORD I am spoiled - and I LOVE every damned minute OF it!):)

I DID manage to get the Bride and Groom up for today. I did a check on the speakers outside (they work GREAT!) I started taking measurements on all the beat-up boxes for the artificial Christmas trees (I promised Mark that I would build him some wooden boxes for the trees that have storage for the lights for each tree - I think he LIKES this idea)

I also told Mark that this is THE year we get an off-site storage unit for Christmas and Halloween. (We really DO need it) I think that made his day.:):)


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG HHHHHHHHHH!

So LITTLE time and so MUCH to do!

[chris]

Sounds cool Craig!

Lol I got my windows up on the house yesterday for Halloween then spent the next
three hours cleaning the garage. So this will give me all day to work on the yard.

[Sickie Ickie]

JW hope the pain is doing better.

Putrid I LITERALLY fell of my seat laughing when I read "housewife" Hope things will actually turn out better for you!

Edwin, you are doing great man! Keep it up!

B, all those people and you doing so well managing everyone. 'Tis a job I certainly wouldn't want to attempt!

[putrid]

This will be exciting Putrid. I like the way you gave them all cast names. But I hope it plays out well, with a happy ending.


I like happy endings too Just Whisper. But I think it would be a bit awkward in this situation. JK LOL Know what your going threw. Two steps forward, one step back has always been my way of doing things. LOL

Hope you get to feeling better soon Craig.

The auction was a bust. Not because of what was there. It was the time they started. Last one of theirs I went to said it would start at 9:00. It started at 11:00. This one did start at 9:00. Everything I was looking at had already been sold by the time I got there. It's OK though. Really did enjoy the drive there and back.

[Just Whisper]

Craig, I sure hope you are feeling better today. It is nice to be spoiled...it is even nicer to not need it. Hope your headaches don't get in the way for the holidays.

Got my tombstones up in the front yard. Gonna run to the mall and then hope to have time left to put up a few things in the back yard.

I am biting my nails. I never even come close to winning in any of the HF contests. And right now I am in third place. But only by one vote, and I think by the 9th I will be out of the contest. I really wanted the 3rd place prize. Oh well. I tried. It was fun. I am not giving up yet, but not holding my breath either. :) If any one else votes for Bourno's project I am toast. LOL But it is a good project.

[chris]

Go JW you will get it!!!:)

[bethene]

keeping my fingers crossed for you JW! good luck- !~
am taking a break from getting the 5th wheel packed for Halloween trip, man , I am probably going to have a charlie horse during the night, up and down the stairs, over and over! I also got a new witch on a fan going, the last fan broke, I had to saw off the metal thing that the blade goes on, have to do it by hand cuz you need to hold it still from turning, and I am such a clutz I don't trust myself holding it and using a skill saw. would end up cutting part of me off! so I think my arm is going to scream at me later too, old lady that I am, ~

[DanoNJ]

JW. What's the link to the contest? Well, we got hammered with rain Friday. sunny on Sat and got my dad's roof shingled. (didn't do it all myself - hired some helpers). Sunday has come and gone with not much done. Boat still in the water, coming out in a week or two. No Halloween display this year other than a few BM's and cutouts. Too far behind on Christmas, which escapes me how.

[Just Whisper]

Dano, here is my post from a little ways back. Run...don't walk. http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/animals/animal0019.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net)


If any of you are members on Hauntforum be sure to go look at the props in the Technological Terror Contest. Mine is not the best but I feel like for once I am actually competing. None of the props entered (mine included) are earth shaking, but they are interesting and fun. Be sure to vote for 3 of them. There are only about 6 entered.
Tech Terror contest link (http://www.hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=24164) Scroll down to the bottom to view each project then back to top to vote.

Of course I want you to vote for the best one (you don't HAVE to vote for 3)....not necessarily mine. I would never suggest my best friends in the whole world vote for my prop just because I would do it for you. That would just be so unfair. BTW, Nice to hear from you. I saw that you guys were getting drowned. My friend in MD said it rained cats and dogs. I am sorry to hear you have poop (BM) all over your yard. LMAO But maybe the cut outs can take care of that for you. I am also sorry to hear it is almost time to pull the boat out. My pool was officially closed a week ago when I stepped in up to my thighs and got frost bite.http://smilys.net/winter_smilies/smiley3356.gif It is still in the eighties and nineties but it gets cool at night so the water doesn't get to warm up again.

I ran all over town looking for a few things I needed to finish a project or 2. After all day I could not find what I needed. As a last resort I stopped at a Big Lots I passed on the way home. They had everything I needed except for one thing. Well, to be perfectly honest I forgot to look for that one thing. But I could have saved myself 4 hours and lots of gas. At least it was a beautiful day for driving around in the convertible.

[Daisy-Duck]

Now that Christmas setups are in stores, I myself find the decorations disappointing. Went to Home Depot only 2 things worth buying. Lowes had better stuff and the 2 things I liked there wont even go with our theme but still that only had 2 things worth buying. Target was a wash, Big Lots a bust. Still need to check out KMart but they are farthest stores for me to travel but I will always drive out of the way and WalMart still needs to put their stuff in. Not that I need anymore stuff as I have zippo room to put anything but on the other hand that is still no excuse for me, if I like, gotta have it cuz if mama aint happy nobody will be till its in my cart and paid for....
Other than that just painting the train and I HATE painting. Slow progress right now, but crud its Oct I need to start pulling my Halloween stuff down and get busy.
Did I mention that you all are extremely creative and wacky as all get out, lol you guys are great bunch of people.

[Just Whisper]

Daisy-Duck, I love the way you titled your post "Random comments". I think that is all we ever post on the weekly thread. LOL You just never know what will be in the next post. I think the only store I have been in that has a great christmas display so far is Hobby Lobby. Everyone else is just kind of slowly putting it out. Nothing much yet in WalMart, Target or KMart. A few other places have maybe one small aisle. World Market had a few nice things. I am still in my halloween mode, but will start getting more christmas oriented toward the beginning of Nov. I also hate painting, Daisy. And thanks for the compliments. I agree we are a wacky and great bunch of people. And I hope you stick around and be one of us.

[theedwin]

Well, I was working on my Halloween stuff all day, but I had to go to work tonight and I have never ever seen this thing parked in front of my yard before! LOL

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq158/theedwin/House/cops.jpg

Yes, that would be the "Metropolitan Police Department" parking one of their cruisers in front of my house!

NICE!

I saw another cop car parked a couple houses down, but I feel honored that they decided to park in front of MY house! I felt like I could have let the windows and doors wide open when I left! :D (kidding of course)

[Craig]

Hey Edwin!:)

Since the police wiere so nice to park there for you, why don't you ask them if they cold LEND one of the cruisers to you for the month for your display?:) (I am SURE they would be happy to comply!) LMAO!:):):)

[bethene]

I agree , Hobby Lobby is the only on with nice Christmas out yet, Michaels does have some very nice things too,. just on a much smaller scale,
wow, lugging box after box up stairs has left a big crick in my back, I feel every one of my years and then some!

[putrid]

OK Theedwin, what ya do? JK LOL Haven't had cruisers parked on this street sense the noisy neighbors left.

All's quiet at work at the moment. New kind in town hasn't shown up yet. Wonder if we'll have a meeting announcing his arrival and position. Or will he just sneak in the back door because everyone knows about it already. LOL

[Craig]

Hey Everyone!:)

Well, I had PLANNED to do some work in the yard on the Halloween display tonight,, but when it is raining cats, dogs, mice, frogs, and FLAMING hail, (along with thunder that sounds as if Camp Navajo is firing off anti-aircraft guns in your back yard) one chooses NOT to go outside.

Aw well, it is SUPPOSED to be nice this weekend. We will see...:)

[Nephew Fred]

Hey Everyone!:)

Well, I had PLANNED to do some work in the yard on the Halloween display tonight,, but when it is raining cats, dogs, mice, frogs, and FLAMING hail, (along with thunder that sounds as if Camp Navajo is firing off anti-aircraft guns in your back yard) one chooses NOT to go outside.

Aw well, it is SUPPOSED to be nice this weekend. We will see...:)

We got a piece of that storm here too, Craig.
Sat. it rained on me as I was trying to finish the yard and
Sun. it blew over the mine shaft......
Glued ,tied and strapped everything down.
Only lost an arm or two today with the wind.
Must go play doctor and repair some limbs......:)

[Rybcon]

Rained a bit off and on all day in SoCal. Supposed to get real rain tomorrow and Wednesday.

[Just Whisper]

Fred, you may want to see a doctor about that. I understand losing a limb or two can be dangerous. Unless you are a tree. :)

I put my spot lights in my cemetery today but I do not like them. I NEVER like the way my lights look. They are always washed out looking and I never get that bright intense look I see in other cemeteries. I could move them closer to the stones but I don't want big spot lights sticking out all over the place. Right now I have them strategically placed behind other stones or the mailbox. I will have to play with them tomorrow and see if I can fix them.

Edwin, maybe the police chose your house because they want to admire your handy work while they sit.

[putrid]

Craig, for a change it's not raining here. Cool and dry.

Nephew Fred, stop waving your arms around in the wind and you wont loose them... JK LOL

Rybcon, I thought it wasn't supposed to rain in SoCal. Hows your pumpkins doing?

Just Whisper, adding a small amount of white light will keep the colors from looking washed out. Our eyes adjust to color. The white will give a reference to keep this from happening. It doesn't have to be a lot of white. Try a 40 w aimed at the side of the house behind or away from all your stuff.

Got the day off! Retune Doc appointment. Ya, looking forward to this one too. LOL

[Daisy-Duck]

Well we finally finished the sleigh, just took forever to figure out how to crimp a feral without the proper tool. We ended up using a heavy duty bolt cutter to crimp enough so the rope wouldnt slip through. So here are the before and after pictures.

[Daisy-Duck]

Thanx JW, but over here my family says I am queen of wacky cuz I can never do things in moderation, always have to go overboard. As for weather, just a typical overcast day I actually had to put socks on which is silly with shorts. They say 20% chance of a stray shower which in layman terms mean you may get hit by 4 drops of water today.

[Rybcon]

Putrid -

It has been raining this fall (so far). The clouds are piling up as I type. Rain this afternoon, evening and tomorrow. How much? We'll see. There's already a forecast of rain next week.

No pumpkins. HOWEVER, the vines are getting a second wind and there were as many as 6 flowers in bloom over the weekend. No homegrown pumpkins for Halloween, but maybe for the remainder of fall.

[putrid]

Good to hear your keeping up with em Rybcon. Bummer your not going to have any for Halloween this year. Hope you try this again next summer. Totally cool.

Survived my doc visit. I'm HEALTHY!!! And believe me, what i was checked for, it's good to be healthy. There's no reason to stick anything up anywhere it doesn't belong. LOL And yes, even my blood pressure is great!.

[chris]

Great to hear P!

Daisy your sleigh looks great nice work!

[Just Whisper]

Great job on the sleigh, Daisy.

Putrid, all I can say is, glad it isn't me this time. LOL Really glad to hear you are healthy.

It is getting pretty chilly at night which is wreaking havoc with my arthritis. Today I cannot use my right arm at all. I am not getting anything done. I am getting so depressed, I don't feel like doing this any more.

[theedwin]

[QUOTE=Just Whisper;47850]

I put my spot lights in my cemetery today but I do not like them. I NEVER like the way my lights look. They are always washed out looking and I never get that bright intense look I see in other cemeteries. I could move them closer to the stones but I don't want big spot lights sticking out all over the place. Right now I have them strategically placed behind other stones or the mailbox. I will have to play with them tomorrow and see if I can fix them.

QUOTE]

JW, I bought a couple of these a couple years ago, and I REALLY REALLY like them! http://www.harborfreight.com/20-watt-submersible-spotlight-47604.html They are waterproof and even submersible.... (and I paid alot more than $4.97) The green filter really does a great job, the red is really good as well, but the blue is not that great.

[Craig]

I am not getting anything done. I am getting so depressed, I don't feel like doing this any more.

Hang in there JW, you have friends here who DO give a @!)&$ about how you feel. It's tough right now, but you will get through it (sorry you're going through a rough patch right now)

[EnlightenedGrinch]

Sorry to hear your arthritis is giving you fits, Whisper. I hope you get some relief soon. We're anxious to see your haunt set-up with all of those fantastic props you've been making. It is hard work, I know.

Edwin--what about buying some of those cheap Dollar Store tombstones and use those to hide you spotlights? Then you could put them anywhere you want in the yard. Illuminate your best stones and leave the cheap ones (the ones hiding the spotlights) un-lit for just daytime viewing. Just a thought.

[bethene]

JW, I am so sorry your arthritis is acting up, mine is a some what but doesn't sound like yours, I sure feel for you my friend, it is very frustrating!
I am leaving tomorrow for my first haunt, didn't get everything done I wanted, but it will be ok, sunny weather predicted with highs in the 70's which in Michigan is wonderful for this time of year, last year, , even though we didn't go, it was 40's , and 50's and rainy, so would of been miserable so am so happy with this years weather, just one more week end after this, and we are golden! just one more is all I ask!

[Just Whisper]

Thanks for the nice encouragement guys. I feel a little better today.

Good thought Grinch. I also might get a few more $ stones. I got almost nothing done today. Not because I am hurting. Just because I am slow. I decided to make new hands for my witch. Not only did it take ALL FREAKING day, but I am not quite done and I actually don't like them as well as before I started "fixing"them. Oh well! She's gonna wear them whether she likes them or not. LOL I put some new pictures in my haunt thread today (well, actually I will do that next).

Putrid, I tried the white light as you suggested. I think it looks better. I still have to play with it, but I see what you mean. Thanks. A lot.

[Craig]

Hey Everyone!:)

Just a short note from work.

My internet service is down due to tornado strikes in the area. Will be back on in a day or two when things are ironed out.

Till then, take care!:):):)

[putrid]

Glad to hear your all right Craig.

Planning on going to a different auction tomorrow night. They have this up for bid.

http://www.christmasfanclub.com/picture.php?albumid=8&pictureid=1796

Don't say weather it's just the wise men and shepherd or the entire set. Really hoping it's just what's pictured. Totally dig the shepherd.

Well things are already starting to happen on the soap opera.
The clueless CEO threw a fit over the amount of cigaret buts laying around the outdoor break areas. This is out of character. These buts have been on the ground for years. Why now? Wonder if this has anything to do with the factory the new kid on the block is from? They have a no smoking anywhere on the property rule. Funny how the pool boy is one of the biggest offenders. He's the one all up in arms about everyone ells's buts. The empty can rattles the loudest......
The clueless CEO wasn't in today. The jilted house wife decided to do something. He knows full well his job isn't going to last long. He decided to redirect what production was supposed to happen today. Fist 500 pieces of glass that needed to go out from one department was put on hold. Leaing that department with nothing to do. I'll find out tomorrow if they ever got that glass. They left before I did. Then he pulls up 180 pieces of glass due next week and has it cut today for my department. We don't have the space for that. Plus we have some large orders that need to be in the space that's in now. It's a real disaster and will only get worst. The boss in cutting argued with the jilted house wife about these 180 pieces. Told him straight up that there was no space for it. The jilted house wife yelled at him the threw him out of his office. My guess is the jilted house wife want's to leave us something to remember him by......

Everyone's talking but more speculation than anything. It should get real interesting in the next few weeks. My boss told me he doesn't see a few of the other leads having jobs. Personally I don't like to see anyone lose what they have. Besides, it would be more fun to watch them be held tight under the gun. Forced to and be expected to do their jobs under tight scrutiny. And finally held accountable. The fired.

[theedwin]

LOL P! Sounds like alot of fun! (and a great time to just be one of the Minions) LOL

Worked on the Halloween display today, got most of the stuff up. Will add a few things in the next few days. I am saving some things for Halloween night because I don't want them to walk off on their own - or with someone's help. Pics on my Halloween projects thread....

I hope your feeling better JW!

[Just Whisper]

Hey guys, I am excited. It looks like I won third place in the Tech Terror Challenge on Hauntforum. Thanks for any of you that voted for my project. I have never won anything, or even come close on the halloween forums. So I feel really honored. And I will get the really cool Here'sJohnny Wall Breaker kit. It is what I wanted.

[Craig]

[QUOTE=Just Whisper;47935]It looks like I won third place in the Tech Terror Challenge on Hauntforum.QUOTE]

Hey JW! CONGRATS!:):):)

[theedwin]

Congrats JW! Glad you got what you wanted! :D

[DanoNJ]

Happy for you, JW!!! Nice to get recognized for hard work!

[putrid]

Totally cool Just Whisper!!! Even better you got the prize you were after! Great job!

When to that auction tonight and came home a winner! Got everything pictured for $25.! That's $3.57 a blow mold! Yep I'm cheep. LOL

[Just Whisper]

Putrid, that is great. Congratulations on a great deal.

[Just Whisper]

Hey sickie, take a break from your play and the kids and working and come say hi to us.

[chris]

Congrats JW you deserve it!:cool:

Edwin every night I take my tombstones in and put them out in the morning.
It sucks wish I didn't have to do it lol. Your Halloween display is looking awesome!

P congrats again on your score those are some great prices. I am thinking you will
be running into more before Christmas lol.:)

Well I spent last night working on the lighting for the Halloween display
I am hoping to have it finished tonight.

[DanoNJ]

My small Halloween display is up and lit. I'll have to take some pics later this weekend. The new street light is playing havoc with me tho. I can perform brain surgury in my front yard now. Gota take care of that prior to Christams.

[Sickie Ickie]

JW, AWESOME 3rd! Congrats!!!! I plan on lining my driveway with Johnny's wall breakers for next Hallow's Eve.

[Just Whisper]

My small Halloween display is up and lit. I'll have to take some pics later this weekend. The new street light is playing havoc with me tho. I can perform brain surgury in my front yard now. Gota take care of that prior to Christams.

Maybe a Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot, range model air rifle...with a compass in the stock?


Sickie, thanks my friend. And glad to see you out of your box for a few min. How is the play going?

[theedwin]

Would LOVE to see pics Dano!

Tonight was Monday for me... (can you tell I am just loving my job right now???? LONG STORY!!!) Hopefully I will love it more next month!

Time to start working on the Halloween display at work... but my heart isn't into it like it is form my HOME display.

[Craig]

Hey Dano, I hear ya on the street light thing. We have one right smack in the MIDDLE of the front of our lot. I asked the city last year if we could at LEAST decorate the thing like a big candy cane. They replied that they loved what we do every year, but because of possible liability issues, it was a no-go. Ah well.....

Almost done with our haunt (not too much into it this year because of a migraine streak that is beating the heck out of me this month):( I have a little bit of lighting to do (spots, washes, etc) but other than that I am calling it "good" for this time around.

Still lots to do to prepare for the Christmas display (most of you know I am more of a decker than haunter, even though I LOVE the haunt):) I will get the Christmas display including the train up, no matter WHAT comes along.:):):)

[chris]

Craig your Halloween display will be great! Sorry to hear about your migraines:confused: I know your Christmas display is going to be AWESOME:)

Today I will be working on the roof laying more lights I also need to make a platform for my Bethlehem Star.

[putrid]

Looking forward to see the pics DanoNJ!

Looking forward to seeing what you do for the theater Theedwin. You always do some really cool work!

Craig, hope the migraines subside soon for ya.

Went to that auction this morning. Got a few indoor Christmas things. The lawn mowers were a bust. Must of been 30 of em there. All needed work. I got 4 in the shed that need work. Don't need anymore of that kind. LOL

[Just Whisper]

Craig, I sure hope the migraines stay away so you can finish your projects. It is no fun feeling crappy while trying to do something you really love to do. I wish you didn't have to deal with those headaches.

[EnlightenedGrinch]

Congratulations on your third place win in the tech. challenge, Whisper!
You deserve it!

[Just Whisper]

Thank you Grinch. I really appreciate that.

Wow, why are kids such a pain in the ass?

[Craig]

wow, why are kids such a pain in the ass?

roflmao!:)

[chris]

Well I got more lights up yesterday for Christmas.
I also got all the lights placed for Halloween last night then it
was time to try the fog machine and its toast:( I think one
of the copper lines are clogged.

[Sickie Ickie]

Heyya folks. Shows went well. Glad they're over for now. May have one more to do in Nov, but that's still a possible no-go. Glad to be done with that and focusing on the house again.

[Craig]

Welcome back Sickie!:)

I understand VERY well about shows.... ALWAYS fun to open, ALWAYS glad when they close:) Lot of hard work, but most usually REALLY worth it. Hope you had fun, Sickie!:)

[Craig]

Craig, I sure hope the migraines stay away so you can finish your projects. It is no fun feeling crappy while trying to do something you really love to do. I wish you didn't have to deal with those headaches.

Thanks JW!:) it is just something you deal with (I am sure you know how that is)

On a lighter (and better) note, I scored on Sunday.

The pic below shows a 4ft tree that normally runs around $33 each. I managed to get 8 of them for a total of $20! (That brings our total of these little guys to 10) I will be using them to line the driveway instead of the 18" trees we normally use (they get buried in snow and you can't even FIND them)

Pretty happy with that little haul:):):)

[Just Whisper]

Sickie, I am glad all went well. I also hope you got some enjoyment from it all. I am sure you would not have done it if you didn't enjoy it. Kind of like Decking and Haunting.... SOOOOO much trouble, Sooooo much fun, soooooo worth it, so glad when it is over, so looking forward to next time. LOL

Craig, what a great deal on a very nice bunch of trees. Those will look adorable. Don't forget to waterproof the plug area. Those are hard to keep dry because they are "innies". I have to bring all of mine in when it rains.

Got a spinal injection this morning. I was thinking how funny it is. Most of you may remember when I started these. I was going in for my first one and I was terrified. How things have changed...I thought this morning would never get here, and I wanted to go early to hurry and get there. Unfortunately, this is probably the last one I can have for 6 months. By then I hope to have had my spinal surgery. Anyway, I slept till 2 this afternoon, then sat on my butt and watched TV like a good girl. I didn't even go outside and turn on my Halloween lights. Ha ha ha...I was so exhausted from not sleeping lately and not at all last night, when they laid me on the table face down I fell asleep before they even injected me with the serum. What a great day sleeping. I hope none of you ever take for granted something like being able to lie down, or being able to sleep in any position you want. You can kind of compensate for things like not being able to walk (use a wheel chair), or having a broken right arm and have to use the left. But I just can't find a solution to not being able to lie down. Enough whining. I didn't mean to be depressing. Sorry.

My neighbors made me feel like a celebrity the other day. It was a long story so I hope the short version makes sense. I told 2 neighbors I was going to try to expand my haunt into the back yard this year. The other night I was talking to a neighbor I NEVER talk to and she said..."I hear you are going bigger and better this year". I asked where she heard that and she said "I don't know. People talk." I replied "Why would the neighbors be talking about me?" And she told me they can't imagine how I could get better and they are anxious to see what I come up with. I was so flattered and was smiling inside SO BIG!!! I have now had to recruit my daughter and son to help me because I know I cannot do this by myself this year. I bit off WAY more than I can chew.

[Just Whisper]

Sorry to post twice in a row, especially since I talked your eyes off a min ago.

Have any of you ever used the NuWave Oven? I bought one for many reasons, and I can't wait to get it this week. But I just wondered if anyone here has any experience with it? Not familiar with it? Here is the link (http://www.mynuwaveoven.com/nd12/index.asp?promotion=). I hope it really works as advertised, it may make a big difference in our lives.

[theedwin]

Great about being a celebrity JW! :D Never tried the oven, and don't know anyone who has. If it is any consolation, I have never seen one at a thrift store so it just may work as they say! LOL

Not much going on on my end of the world. Work is really slow and boring... It should pick up soon tho.

Put the FCG up in the window tonight, but haven't seen it lit up yet as it was light out when I went to work. (I am at work right now waiting for movies to let out). I hope it looks as good as I imagine. :D (will post a video on my Halloween projects page tonight or tomorrow.)

Glad you had a good "run" Sickie!

[Craig]

JW, I am so glad you were able to get some rest and SLEEP! I can't imagine going as long as you had to. Keeping my fingers crossed for your spinal surgery too. Hope all goes well.

Edwin, can't wait to see the FCG in action (have any pics of the "guts"?)

Hoping to feel well enough when I get home this evening to finish up the painting on the house. Got home yesterday too exhausted from battling migraine to do anything (can't get anything accomplished THAT way):)


Hope all have a great day!:):):)

[putrid]

The soap continues...

In our next installment the Lier had an idea. In reality it's his first idea. You can't fault someone for having an idea. But this is this guys first idea. He's had this job for a few years now and has never did anything. So it's only natural when your job is on the line to lash on to the first idea you have. No matter how bad. It's almost as if the Lier didn't want to be outdone by the Scorned House Wife. His idea has also crippled my departments ability to do our jobs. The same department that was highly praised by the New Kid in town. New kid hasn't shown up yet. I'm wondering which one of the two, The Lier or the Scorned House wife he'll be most impressed with.......

Change of seen...
Clueless CEO's office.
CEO is talking to my boss...
"Are you guys busy?"
My boss.
"Are you joking?"
Clueless CEO,
"Well I was wondering why there is so much overtime in Fab."
My Boss.
"Your joking right?"
Clueless CEO.
"Do you have that many large orders?"
My Boss,
"Your joking right?"
Clueless CEO.
"No. Are you that busy?"
My boss proceeds to tell him about the 400+ order for thin glass in ONE day. The multiple orders leading up to 150+ pieces of heavy glass IN ONE DAY. The fact that they let one costumer order next day till 5:00 PM and they don't care how many pieces get ordered. And we have to stay and get it done. Then my boss asks him if he'd like to hear more.

Clueless CEO had NO idea what goes on in the factory he's supposed to be running. All he knows is what The Lier, Scorned House wife, The pool boy and the Shyster tells him.

you can't make this stuff up....LOL

[Just Whisper]

Soooooo...is he still as clueless or did he actually glean anything from that conversation? Hope he got a bit enlightened.

[theedwin]

I am loving these stories P! :D

[Craig]

So, Putrid,

Are things getting any better, or is it still sliding downhill?:)

Finally managed to kill that bloody 5 day migraine yesterday. I got home and was so tired and sore from the fight, that I went straight to bed.

Some GOOD news, however. Yesterday the new pair of outdoor speakers arrived, so I can get them set up for the holidays. This will give us 4 outdoor speakers for music, sound effects, etc. (happy for that)

Mark has volunteered to do a bit of the outdoor lighting (after my being laid up for 5 days, ANY help is appreciated!):):)

Will be too late, when I get home this evening) to get anything done. Barring any return of the headache, I SHOULD be able to get a few things done this weekend (and not a moment too soon, either):):):)

[putrid]

Theedwin, guess they would be funny if you didn't have to live them out 8 to 12 hours a day. I really do hope something good comes out of all of this. Will have to wait till the New Kid in town shows up.

Totally cool your feeling better Craig. We're not sliding down hill. More like foot on the gas, hands on the wheel and head up the..... LOL

Just Whisper, nope, don't think so. LOL He did ask someone in the department a question today. So maybe he's curious enough to start looking........

And that brings us to the soap.....
Today Clueless CEO asked one of the guys in our department what was wrong with the crane over the thin polisher. John replied,
"There is no crane over the thin polisher"

There used to be. But a few years ago someone decided to move the thin glass polisher to a place where it would be impossible to put a crane overhead. Making it impossible for us to do all the thin glass on this polisher. Now we have to butt in and use one of the heavy glass polishers to do it. Guess who authorized that move?

To be perfectly honest I don't remember ever decision I've made over the last few years. But if I did make a decision that stupid, I'd want to forget it too. It's not everyday you can go against a corporate mandate. OSHA And turn a piece of equipment into a potential safety violation.

and by the way, guess who works thew lunch to get the oversized thin glass out on the heavy polisher ....I think about the Clueless CEO every time.

[Sickie Ickie]

he must be flattered. (j/k)

Yepper everyone, this run was something I wanted to do to stretch my acting. Every once in a while you get too comfy as an actor and have to stretch your horizons. So, I did what a lot of pros wouldn't even attempt. Roughly a 16 page monologue. Scary as all get-out, but I did it, I'm pleased with myself for the most part, and it definitely was a stretch!

[Rybcon]

Congrats. I can't memorize 16 words.

[Craig]

Sickie, 16 PAGES!!!???surprise:

And I was proud of MYself, when I did a 3 1/2 page one-sided phone conversation as Sydney in "Deathtrap"

As our friend Putrid would say "Your kung fu is better than mine!"

WOW!:):):)

[Just Whisper]

Sickie, I am so impressed and very proud of you for doing it successfully as well.

I am getting the front yard finished up this week. Got my trees in the cemetery today, most of my lights are installed, and just need to hang my FCG, and a few little things. I will start on the back yard around Sunday. We are having a BBQ for my son's 21st birthday on the 24th and I want it ready for that. I am also dying my pool red and floating skulls with tea lights for the party and for Halloween night. I think I will wait till tomorrow to post pics as I am kind of tired and my elbow hurts. Think I will go to bed. See ya tommorrow. G'night all.

[Sickie Ickie]

Craig, I directed Deathtrap years ago. :D That's where I taught myself to make styrofoam logs.

Thanks for the kudos, guys. :)

[Sickie Ickie]

JW, how much food dye does it take to dye your pool red???

[theedwin]

My sister was in town again for business, so we went out to eat then I brought her to the house to show her my Halloween decorations. She was quite impressed! :D It was good to see her again as it has been a while.

[Craig]

JW, sounds like you have a busy time planned (I am sure all will go well)

Edwin, I am glad you had a good time with your sister! (and she SHOULD have been impressed with your yard, it is COOL!):)

Sickie, I remember those styrofoam logs, (as Sydney, I had my head bounced off the stage floor one night because my co-star and I didn't have our timing "just right".) I saw stars for a few moments, but it was REALLY "realistic, and HOW did you do it?" (according to some of the audience) went home with a headache that night, but I was pretty happy with the performance. :)

Well, got up this morning with migraine threatening again (I said the heck with THAT!) took some vicodin, THAT ought to kill it!:) I have WAY too much to do to lose another weekend to migraine!:)

Came home after work last night to see the lights Mark put up in the yard for me (as he said he would) Of course, I LOVED it! Will be doing some more in the yard this weekend, AND putting up Christmas in the back yard (might as well get to it!):):):)

[Just Whisper]

I actually use a special dye designed for swimming pools. It comes in a bottle about the size of school glue. Not sure how much I use as I have not read it yet. I know it doesn't take a lot. You can't swim in it though as it WILL stain, but not your pool liner.

Edwin, I am happy you and your sister had some nice time together. I agree, she should have been impressed. It is an impressive display.

Craig, I am glad you cut that headache off before it could get dug in. Do your headaches get worse this time of year with allergies and temp changes?

I think I will post pics on my halloween thread now.

[Craig]

Craig, I am glad you cut that headache off before it could get dug in. Do your headaches get worse this time of year with allergies and temp changes?



Heat is REALLY what sets them off (and stress will too) JW.

I FINALLY got the south facing facia and trim painted on the house today. HOORAY!:)

[Sickie Ickie]

My MIL says freezing temps will sometimes set hers off. I'm betting it has to do with cold constricted muscles.

[Just Whisper]

I tend to get worse headaches from heat also Craig. Migraines are mostly caused from too much blood coursing thru the vessels, so I imagine in the cold as they shrink down so does the blood flow. But freezing temps make my sinuses so painful it will sometimes cause a chain reaction headache. In the past 10 yrs or so my migraines have been blessedly few and far between. And I don't get the pain much any more, but just the tunnel vision associated with them. Blurred vision, kind of dizzy. It doesn't usually last long, but feels really freaky.

[Craig]

Had to chuckle this morning.....

When I got to my computer, there was a note from Mark asking me to wake him up when I got up. Seems all his buddies at the bar last night kept buying him drinks for his birthday and he had to walk home (only about 3/4 mile) to be safe. This morning we have to go get his car:) Well better THAT than the alternative.....:):):)

Yesterday, I bought colored bulbs for the washes on my display, brought them home and promptly hid them from myself. I have NO idea where I put the things, and I may have to buy more to replace the ones I got yesterday (gotta love that memory....):):):)

I DID get the speakers up and running properly with the addition of the new pair I got on-line. It sounds GREAT! So, at least I did SOMETHING right.:):):)

[Rybcon]

Mark had this birthday bash an you weren't there?

[Rybcon]

Our son and his car . . .

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3125/krcarv.jpg

[Rybcon]

Humble Fall/Halloween decorations in the kitchen hutch . . .

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2483/img3025v.jpg

[Craig]

Mark had this birthday bash an you weren't there?

We celebrated last evening:)

He likes to see his friends at the bar where he watches f-ball, I am not that much of a social butterfly (I would make a great hermit!):)

He had fun, and I played in the garage.:):):)

[chris]

Happy Birthday Mark!:)

AWESOME car Rybcon!!!

[Just Whisper]

Ryb, the car came out great. Looks like new.


Craig, tell Mark Happy 25th Birthday.

[theedwin]

Great pic of the car and your Son RYB! Thanks for sharing that! It is always good to see happy kids! (great outfit too!) :D

Glad Mark was SMART Craig! Yes, much better than the alternative!

I ACTUALLY had fun at work tonight! It was busy! LOL I guess people wanted to watch a bunch of guys be "Jack A$$"es. LOL

[putrid]

Totally cool pics Rybcon. Dig that car! And dig you fall decor as well. That rodent in the pic is the scariest thing there. Nothing more frightening than a happy rodent in the kitchen. LOL

Been working with the plans for the front yard this year. I'm at my electrical limit for the blow molds with the ones I have now. If I keep them on one breaker and the Nativity on the other. In order to add the 11 blow molds I'm going to have put the lamp posts and all the red candles on the breaker with the Nativity. And I'll only be able to add 2 more trees. Still planning on putting a Nativity on the north side of the driveway. Will have to see how that turns out.
Maybe next year I'll be able to afford to put a few outside outlets in. Like 4 pr 5 of em. LOL

[bethene]

hi guys, am back from my last Halloween camping trip, it went pretty well, some problems with the electric in the fifth wheel, so on Saturday couldn't use every thing ,most of it, but a couple of spot lights and the music, and the FCG, oh well, just put a spot light on her and it just hung there, but Friday night it worked. instead of a fuse blowing, a wire actually melted, so hubby needs to get in there and figure it out. had about 500 TOTers, and great weather, lots of folks commented on my stuff, couldn't believe I made the faces on the props, will post pics soon, right now I also have a head ache and am going to bed, just wanted to say hi to everyone, I am enjoying reading every ones threads,
oh, and BTW. the moving company job my son was going for fell through, but tonight he got a job as security at a local night club that is part of a much bigger corporation, so there is room to advance at some point, but at least it is a job!! He starts Thursday!

[Daisy-Duck]

Too much trouble to log into 2 forums, so I will just stick with Christmas forum... and post my yard decorations I have up for Halloween... Did I mention I suck at taking pictures, I tried to get the evening light involved but dang it still looks like I took them at midnight, so if anyone has any night goggle maybe you can see the pictures better.

!. Porch view looking down the sidewalk you have to walk under the arbor of lights.
2 New little kids added this year.
3. Partial view of the front yard, you can see the walkway of lights off to the left side.
This year we only decorated in front of the house, the rest of the yard is past the walkway and all the around the house to the neighbors yard and on the other side of the driveway but since the cars are in the driveway constantly we dont add anything over there.

[theedwin]

Wow! That's alot of lights Daisy! I really like it! Great job! :D

[Just Whisper]

Great job Daisy. It looks so cute.

Craig, I sure hope your reaper holds up in the rain..

Regarding Edwin's FCG......I feel your pain. I FINALLY got my ghost finished last night. I couldn't hang it until this morning. Half way through I had to leave to go run errands with my mother. Got home late. Finished hanging ghost. Looks great. Turned it on to test drive it. Laughed my ass off while crying and cussing furiously. That is hard to do, by the way. He/She looked like Jack Lelanne (yes, I know I am giving away my age). Apparently I wasn't paying attention and put my 65 rpm motor in the FCG instead of my 12 rpm motor. They look the same. So, will redo tomorrow. Hopefully it will be a quick R&R, without even having to disconnect the actual ghost.

Spent all morning sorting out bank problem between bank, Visa, and Tom Thumb. When my husband bought gas Tom Thumb put a $250 pre-authorization charge on our card in addition to the gas (that should be illegal). Our bank flagged it and called us and when we said we hadn't approved the charge they tagged our card as stolen and closed the card. BIG hassle getting it straightened out and getting our card reset. I was sooooo pissed. So Tom Thumb has lost 6 customers over that. Which sucks because they have the cheapest and best gas around here. I am calling their corporate HQ tomorrow. Guess it's back to WalMart.

[Sickie Ickie]

$250 for gas?!?

[putrid]

Just Whisper, I think that IS illegal. Especially if it wasn't authorized by you. Never heard os such a thing. That be like going to the Olive Garden and they charge you for the next ten meals. Weather you go back or not they have your money and your paying the interest on it. They should change their name to ,
'Got you under my thumb'
Perhaps 'Tom' stands for,
'This Obvious Mistake'

I don't think a business like that would stay open very long around here.

The problem with the yard display isn't the number of blow molds. it's the number of trees with mini lights. Going to see what would be cheaper, LED's or running more extension cords from an upstairs outlet. Each 100 strand mini is 40 watts. I use two per tree. The 60 watt bulbs in the blow molds are ruffly 15 watts. I can get 5 blow molds for every tree. Had 7 trees last year. Would like to have 11 this year. And a second Nativity set.

[Just Whisper]

Putrid, that makes my head hurt trying to think about such things. I could never figure all that out. I just plug it all in and hope the circuits don't pop. LOL Well, good luck with it. I know you will get it all figured out, and it will look great when finished.

The charges from the Tom Thumb ($250 pre-authorization) came off our card today. It is not actually a charge, just more like a guarentee they will get their money first. But it really caused a lot of problems with our bank and I am not buying from them any more. BTW, it is not specifically this Tom Thumb. Most gas stations do this when you pay for your gas with a debit card. You probably just aren't aware of it if you aren't looking at your online statement when you buy the gas. It is usually only a small amount though like $50, NOT $250. And it comes off the card as soon as the payment is processed by your bank. The bank told us to get around this by choosing to run our debit card as a credit card when we pay for gas at the pump. I almost always run mine as a credit card anyway because my bank gives me cash back when I do. But my hubby does debit. So that will change now.

Putrid, I am guessing TOM stands for "Take Our Money". LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

Our gas stations charge only $1 so they know the account is valid, before the money comes out.

[putrid]

Just Whisper, I've never had anything like that and i use my debit card all the time to buy gas. Not even $1. I just wait till the scanner says 'accepted' and then get the receipt. "Take Our Money". LOL Now that's more like it.

The soap continues....

You know how a good story always has unexpected twists and turns in it? Un expected things always makes for an interesting tale. For years now Shyster has walked on everyone. Covered his mistakes by convincing The Clueless CEO that everything can be explained by blaming it on others. And gotten away with that for years now.
The story......
We've always had problems with the way the coolant is circulated in out department. I have to clean out one pump 3 times a week. Been doing that for months now. Even with this extra effort we still burn up pumps. Go threw one every three or four weeks. It's well known, documented and seen by all that I do this. Shyster sent out a company wide and to Corp email stating that I only clean the pump out once a week and it's my fault that the pump goes out. Clueless CEO and The scorned house wife were furious. For the first time sense they came to this company they stood up for me. Shyster stayed in character and blamed this miss information on someone else. "He" told Shyster that I told "Him" I only clean the pump once a week. I was asked repeatedly today if I had ever told 'Him", even jokingly, that I only clean the pump once a week. Because we all joke with everyone around us my answer was always the same. I don't remember if I jokingly did our not. But would have never stated that i only clean it out once a week. All I know is no one is looking my way. I was told that upper management knows Shyster is lying. Never expected I'd ever hear that. LOL It's funny, Shyster is digging himself a hole even before the New Kid in town shows up.....

...wonder if they'll all turn on each other after he's here...

[Craig]

Hey Putrid!

Sounds like the shyster FINALLY is about to get his comeuppance! (about time too):)

Well everyone, I have been surveying the readiness we have for Christmas, and I have to say that we are in pretty good shape this year.

I am waiting for my welding shop to call and tell me the hinge for the mega tree and the waterbox for the train engine are completed (remember, I DID tell him that as long as I got them by November, it would be cool.)

I still have to construct the rest of the track (no big deal there) but I have been thinking about not using the flexible pvc brick mould as I was talking about earlier. I have access to the chop saw at work (and I KNOW the angles required) I may just build the whole thing out of 2x2 material and cut the angles needed for the curves myself. I think it would look better in the long run to tell the truth. I will be doing a lot of measuring and figuring in the next few days and keep you all posted on what I decide to do there.

The inside of our home is looking VERY Christmasy (at this point, I just want Halloween to be over so I can get BUSY with Christmas!):D:D:D

I told Mark this morning that I just didn't know HOW he managed to do all those trees year after year and keep making them looks so good (they really DO look good, guys):D:D:D

[theedwin]

Great story (again) P!

I am having my own "soap opera" at work, but I really don't want to get into it here. (Not because I don't want to tell all of you, just because I don't feel comfortable posting it on the internet at the moment...... I hope you understand.) BTW, I am a very minor character in this "soap opera". YAY!!!

Your 65 RPM FCG sounds hilariouse JW! I wish you would have taken a video of it! Maybe after Halloween I will put one of my AAT motors on the FCG and take a video! ROFL!!!

I have been having trouble with my smileys and caps tonight when I post. I try to do an "ROFL" but it turns out "Rofl". I started a thread on the "site feedback" about it. (no, I didn't have the caps locked....) Weird! Maybe it's the internet goblins messing with me! LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

At the very least it's nice to know that others have a healthy respect of you, P.

Edwin, here's hoping everything turns out well for you, bud.

[Craig]

Edwin and Putrid,

I hope all the crap at work gets resolved soon for BOTH of you (sounds like a big fat pain in the behind)

I am beginning to run out of things to get done for the holidays (oh the HORROR):)

I need to repair my "head popper" for Halloween (the crank just needs to have a screw put back in it - no big deal)

I will be building the cables for staking down the mega tree. I have everything I need, just need to take the time and DO it.

Will finish the minor bit of painting required for the candy cane holders.

I need to replace the headlight on the train engine (I managed to break the old one by NOT paying attention when I was working on it) Also need to think up a new way of keeping the "tail light" attached to the back end of the caboose (hot glue AIN'T making it!)

I will be checking out the replacement cost of the white christmas tree vs repainting the old one (something tells me that it'll be cheaper to replace it)cry:

I have pretty much decided to build my train track curves with 2x2 instead of the flexible pvc brick mould. THAT is going to require some figuring out (sholdn't be too difficult, though..... I HOPE!)think:

And while I am at it, I may as well get busy with decorations in the back yard and fence.

I think I will manage to stay busy this weekend.:):):)

[putrid]

Bummer about the tree Craig. Might be a good idea to look for em in after Christmas sales. Keep them boxed up and use them as needed.

The Soap continues....

We had a meeting today. New Kid in Town is here. Well he was at the meeting but said nothing.....not a word. Just sat there and listened to the meeting with the rest of us. Kinda odd that we were all told that he was sent to be trained to take over a CEO position because the company is having problems with some of them. We were told at the meeting by the Clueless CEO that he chose The New Kid in town as his second in command. So now we have two stories as to why this guy is here. Both from the same guy. Clueless CEO. it's of interest to note that The pool boy, Shyster,and The Lier all stayed clear of The New Kid in town. That group hovers around anyone from corp any time they show up. All wearing brown covered noses and cherry red lips Also to note. The Pool boy stayed in his department all day. Spent more time doing his job today than he did all last week. .....the smell of change is in the air....

[Just Whisper]

And what a nice smell Putrid. I hope it does change, and for the better. Get the useless riff raff out of the business.

[Daisy-Duck]

I have pretty much decided to build my train track curves with 2x2 instead of the flexible pvc brick mould. THAT is going to require some figuring out (sholdn't be too difficult, though..... I HOPE!)think:
[/QUOTE]


Use the Brickmould, its so much easier.... you just need to build a template first and it will be much quicker.
Currently working on getting the smoke stack and lights for the engine, need to build the caboose, and decorate the 2 flat cars. We are hoping to have it up and running by Thanksgiving weekend when the real decorating starts...

I need to look back in the postings and find out who suggested the snipping of the PVC pipes to make chain links... whoever you are please step forward.... or run and hide...lol we have a corner lot so there are 28 posts and 26 swags, so my hair brain idea was to make PVC chain for it, but to make it stand out I went with 2 in pipe and cut 1414 rings, did 3 colors, Red/Green/White, well heck, it took cans of spray for the red and green and gave up and just cleaned the white rings as I am not putting anymore money into that project. Plastic spray doesnt really stick to plastic PVC. Hubby is now stringing them altogether, ummm going on 3 hrs. But SOMEONE else suggested the dollar store and the single light plug, well, I added another project of doing the 28 posts, with a 8 1/2 in wooden flat star, dowel rod, the light plug and 6 in acrylic dome cover. I have made them all and painted the star shape wood. So its one piece to prop onto each fence post with the never sticking painted PVC rings...lol BUTTTTTTTTTTT I need to see about converting each bulb with a LED replacement. Give me 2 weeks and I'll cave into switching the lights posts out.cry:cry:cry:

[Just Whisper]

Dang Daisy, I am sure as heck worn out after reading that. I agree that after all is said and done that it must be cheaper to buy those chains online on sale. I see them on sale occasionally. That is a lot of work.

I finished a few projects and got started on my back yard. I had to stop tonight to give a handful of kids a tour of the yard. It keeps them from roaming through my yard uninvited.

[putrid]

Why is everybody crying? LOL

Nothing offered at either auction tonight. Plan on hitting yard sales to the east tomorrow morning. Yep, going to try to get up early. LOL If I find some that I'm looking for I'm going to have to bight the bullet and put a third timer out a back window from the computer room. Don't really like the color of the LEDs to spend that much on lights. Maybe this year they'll come out with a better match to the old minis.
Molds I'm still looking for,
A bear with the gift,
Angels,
Choir kids
Another Ms Claus,
Deer,
Snowmen.
And if I can come across some more of those Santa with the blue gifts. Still would like to have one in each color of the old C7 lights. Need a green, orange and white one.

The soap so far.......
The new kid in town made some rounds today to talk to folks. I really couldn't talk to em because of the way I have to work when there's only one of use doing a two person job. But not to worry. He got plenty to hear from a co worker of mine. A new sub member to this soap. This co woker is a lazy, prima dona bit.... . He refuses to do anything but 'his' job. Leaving me to do my job and everything else. Been that way for as long as I've known him. Today was different. It was a good day in my department. Primadonabit.. (as good a name for him as any.LOL) spent 25 minutes telling the New Kid in Town how great primadonabit.. is. How he works harder than anyone else in the department. How he does two peoples jobs everyday. And how no one else can do what he does. ( funny I do his job when he calls in or is on vacation. And my job And all the extra jobs he wont do....LOL) Today was a good day for me. Stuck on my machine by myself with the knowledge of having to do the shape polishing and radius corners. All before 7 PM. Well looks like Primadonabit.. took his own words to heart. For the FISRT time this year he's over there where I was planning on being till 7 tonight doing the shape polishing and radius corners!!! I don't look a gift house in the mouth. I'm a happy man today. I didn't have to do all that extra work! And the best part? We all use computers to keep track of everything we do. Each piece of glass and all that's done to it can be traced to who did what and when. If it ever comes up to (and I'll make sure it does) "And what do you do in the department?" I'll sit The New Kid in Town in front of a computer and go to Jan. 2010 and ask him to pic a week. Then go to Feb, Mar, April, May...Figure by the time I get to June he'll have it figured out himself. LOL But today I didn't have to do all that extra work. Think I'll use this a leverage. I really don't think I'll be stuck with all this extra work wile primadonabit.. plays with his celphone and talks to people for hours everyday. As long as he's trying to impress The New Kid in Town he might as well do it for months on end. I'm a happy man. ....I can smell and feel change now....

[Craig]

Congrats Putrid!:):):)

[bethene]

I am glad change is coming, Putrid!
well, the halloween camping haunts have come and gone, working on the small one here at home, but today we have a wedding, out side under a gazebo, good thing, it is raining, at least it hasn't been so cold! well, catch up later!

[chris]

Sounds like everybody is very busy right now.
8 days till Halloween and lots of Christmas props to finish.

[putrid]

Glad ya'll are doing the camper haunts again Bethene. Hope ya'll keep doing it for years to come. Always sounds like a lot of fun! Totally cool.

No new blow molds today so i started to strip the finish off of the boy rabbit. I tried the 3M stuff again. After 2 hours I only got maybe 1/3 of it stripped. Guess I'll try another stripper tomorrow. This stuff isn't working for me. Both rabbits will have green outfits with red trim. Still haven't decided what to do with the eggs in the basket. If it comes to it I'll poke holes in em and fill the basket with poinsettias. Also want to make the rabbits either gray or brown. I have enough white in the yard with all the snowmen. Making the rabbits a different color will help them to sand out.

[bethene]

well, had a good time at the wedding, out side along a river walk, fall colors, very beautiful, very small and personable! hubby was best man, so actually got pics of him, where he couldn;t stop me!. now tomorrow have to empty and clean the fifth wheel for the winter, then set up the outdoor haunt at home, such as it is, I keep trying to sneak it bigger every year by just a bit, so hubby doesn't have a cow, am going to get bigger yet this year, not that it is all that, but well, it;s mine!

[Craig]

Sounds like you have a busy day ahead of you Bethene (along with a busy WEEK getting ready for Halloween!):)

I need to repair my "head popper" today. I THOUGHT I got it done yesterday, but apparently, it is going to take a little more effort than just putting a screw back where it came out. Not a BIG deal, just one more thing to get done.

Yesterday, I spent some time de-thorning the russian olive tree in the front yard, getting it prepared to be wrapped in Christmas minis. Will be doing the same thing today in the back yard. Also have to get the rest of the trees in the back yard wrapped as well. I am SURE I will be "helped" to death by Chloe:) Big, lovable slobberpuss that she is....:):):)

I also want to get started on hanging lights around the windows and back door in the back yard AND lights on the fence.

Went to bed tired last night, and woke up at 1:30 this morning. Gonna be a loooooong day!:):):)

[putrid]

Worked some more on stripping the boy rabbit. Used a stronger chemical. Worked faster but still takes a wile to get one of these done. Especially when the original finish was in perfect condition. The yellow is almost impossible to get off. That's still what's left after four or five tries at it. May end up with a yellow scarf after all. LOL

http://www.christmasfanclub.com/picture.php?albumid=9&pictureid=1808

Hope to get em to look like this. But a gray or light tan body.

http://www.christmasfanclub.com/picture.php?albumid=9&pictureid=1809
Haven't even started on the girl rabbit.

[Sickie Ickie]

It'll look great, P!

[Craig]

Fantastic work P!:)

Now you AREN'T using anything you are allergic to, RIGHT?idea:

I am tired, but content with all I got done this weekend. I COULD have kept going, but my body was telling me "You ARE on the back side of 50 OLD MAN!":):):) (I decided to quit while I was ahead!):)

[bethene]

well, didn't get done what I wanted, took more out of the fifth wheel but don't have anything up yet on the cemetery, I only put orange lights on my light post and two blow molds out by it, a less scary area, my son came over to help me down load pics, will try to get some up soon. too tired tonight, but will post them, such as they are, I need a new idea for next years camping haunt, am tossing ideas around, want more animation and maybe more interaction, but it also has to be stored and hauled to the park,so that is a problem, but am thinking of a lab. AKA Dr. Frankenstein,/mad scientist, want some thing to make people go wow!
Craig, I hear ya!! being on the back side of 50 makes a big difference, I have been so tired at night lately, more than usual!

[Just Whisper]

I am in the boat with you two. Been on my feet all day trying to get the back yard cleaned up and a few props finished. Had my son's 21st birthday party tonight. Had to clean the house too. thank goodness my kids helped. But now I finally get to sit down and relax. It has been so hot here too. My A/C runs all the time and I just can't seem to get cool. We got a little rain tonight so it is a little cooler, but 98 percent humidity. Think I will get a cold drink and go to bed. It was a pretty nice day, in all.

[Daisy-Duck]

Well dang that 90% rain we were suppose to get turned out to be nothing but heavy mist and the Harvest festival went on as planned rain or shine, so I did my 1 hr in the booth and 30 mins to find the kiddies and poof I was outta there, that event is boring as heck. Go back about 12 yrs and it was awesome but for some reason its tanking now. Well one more week till trick or treat day, still deciding to answer the door or walk for miles in the dark....

[theedwin]

Loving the Christmas bunny P!

[theedwin]

Oh, what a day at work! We have a new software program for our tickets and concessions. It is much better than the old system that we had, but it is still new and no one knows exactly how to use it yet! LOL I mean, it is easy enough to use if everything goes ok, but if something goes wrong.... no one knows how to fix it! It caused major headaches for me tonight, but I think I got it taken care of (not figured out... but taken care of.) (I was cursing worse than a Drunken Sailor all night!!!!!) LOL

Oh the Spam that I could talk about! There was so much spam on the forum tonight it was funny! Ironically, one of the spams was on Putrid's "axing his computer" thread! How ironic! LOL!!!! :D I almost didn't report that one in hopes that Putrid would find it! ROFL!!!!! blush:

I have really been getting alot of things done around the house that I haven't gotten to lately. Working on the yard, the pool (too cold to swim) but cleaned the DE filter, then re-did the filter since I didn't know what I was doing the first time... Cleaned out all the rain gutters since it has been raining... Adding lighting to the back yard since the "Street Light" has been turned off. I have had a very productive few weeks lately! :D And I feel really good about it!

Work has really been taking alot out of me lately, as have the roommates. It feels good to have a "Friday Night" all alone for once! (my Friday). Me and a few MGD's! LOL :D

[Rybcon]

I'm really looking forward to this weekend. First of all I'm off Friday so it's a 3 day weekend. Second Halloween will finally have come and gone. Third we're bringing down the Christmas boxes from the attic, garage and other stashes. It's time to transform the house!! Saturday and Sunday we're supposed to get some rain and temps in the low 60s. I just may have to bake some cookies to go with the decorating.

[putrid]

Yep seen some of the spam Theedwin. I thought it was funny too that it decided to spam my thread on my last windows computer. LOL Good to see they got the axe as well. Guess it's that time of year again. The forum usually starts to get hit heavier towards Christmas.

Worked a bit more on the rabbits. The cooler it gets outside the slower the strippers seam to work. Hopefully I'll be able to get them both stripped this weekend.

The soap so far...

Last week my partner in crime (the guy who runs the machine with me) was on vacation. I ran into The New Kid in Town and made a comment on how I was doing two peoples jobs. His facial expression changed to a glare. You have NO idea how happy that made me. Taking into consideration that he didn't know my partner in crime was off. So technically I was doing a two person job. But he didn't know that. His glair let me know that this guy is not impressed with BS. Today he walked into our department and I said something about my comment last week. Told him the my partner and I work as a team. When one of us is gone it's harder because you tend to rely on the other for allot.

New Kid in Town,
"Was 'your partner in crime' off last week?"
me
"Yep. All week. Took a vacation"

New Kid in town then spends the next 30 minutes or more taking to my partner in crime and I wile we did our job.

Usually the only time I'm happy about someone glaring at me is when I have the upper hand. This time it let me know a little bit more about this guy. Can't say I'd ever spend time with em outside the job. But I do have more respect for him than I did before.

And speaking of glaring...The Pool boy, who usually has a 'That's right. I can do what ever I want to' grin on his face, was looking like someone kicked his favorite puppy today. He hasn't been able to 'grin' for two weeks now. And having to actually do his job all day makes The Pool boy mad. Not used to working for that pay check he gets. His usual overly loud narcissistic greeting was replaced with a glare at me as I walked by. That glare made me happy too. After all The Shyster, his dad, got into real trouble with that email blaming me for the failed pump. And like daddy shyster junior isn't getting away with anything either. Yep, that glare made me really happy.

I can see change in other peoples faces....

[Sickie Ickie]

I'm glad things are going well, P.

Jeeesh. Spam and eggs time again folks. Thanks P for reminding everyone about the triangle when coming across spam!

[Just Whisper]

Putrid, I am really glad to hear things may be turning around at work. I hope it comes around quickly and with great force. Meaning, I hope the boot hits the ass(es) really hard and soon.

No news here...still putting up Halloween stuff. Too stressed to talk much. I will be glad when it is over. I need a camping trip.

[Craig]

Great news coming from your way Putrid!:)

JW, I got done with our haunt (such as it is) and spent my time this evening after getting home, wrapping the trees in the back yard with lights (while trying to convince a VERY insistant dog that "NO, Daddy is NOT trying to play a new game, he is BUSY, now GO AWAY!") I finally had to break down and play ball for a while.:)

The deer motor in my head popper died (and at such a CONVIENIENT time too) Well, he will have to be static this year. next year I intend to give him a complete make-over anyhow and will install a wiper motor (THAT ought to give me enough torque to not have the "dead motor" issue again):):):)

[Sickie Ickie]

Ain't motors fun? LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

I just got through the massive editing job again of the SantasProjects.com (http://santasprojects.com) website. I have 122 projects on it currently, but there's always room for more!

If anyone wants to add their project (or someone else's) , click here (http://santasprojects.com/addproject.php). It's free, and I'd like it to be the HauntProject or MONSTERLIST of Christmas Projects. :)

Also congrats to the top three projects from members here!

1) Animated Rockin' Reindeer - visited 783 times!

2) Penguins on ice - visited 723 times

3) How to Build a Blow Mold Carousel - visited 723 times

[putrid]

Congrats on the success you've had on your site Sickie Ickie.

A good soap always has side stories so here goes...

We have a guy in our department that's hard to get along with. He's self righteous and arrogant to the point he's impossible to talk to. My partner in crime and I both refuse to work with him. He's more of a problem than an asset. He refuses to listen. If you do try to tell him something he walks away. Or looks at you and moves his mouth. You end up working harder with him than you would by yourself. He recently had a review. As a machine opp you are held at a very high standard. If you have any bad marks on a review you either step up or get sent home. That being said he's not had a good review and has been put on a 30 day probation. This is the jest of the conversation that went on in the office between my boss, Scorned house wife and our new player, 'righteous'...

Righteous
'I can't work any harder than I do now."
Boss
"There's nothing on the review about how hard you work. We need you to work more as a team with everyone else in the department.?
Righteous
"There is no team. The only one I care about is me."
Scorned House wife,
'We need you to work with everyone in the department."
Righteous.
"No. I don't care about anyone else. The only person I look after is me. There is no team."

Now this isn't this guys only bad spot. And for those of you in the know, 'you don't work well with others' has been misused in many cases. This isn't one of them. In this department no one will come to you with a list of things you need to do. No one will tell you how long you stay or when to go home. Our boss is also a machine opp who doubles as a message boy only when needed. He works just like we do. Both me and my partner in crime work directly with two different departments. Indirectly with the main office and shipping. The only time our boss is notified is when there's something that will compromise the flow of product out of the department. 99% of the time our boss is happily clueless because he doesn't need to know. It's our job to know. It's important everyone in the department works that way. That's why there's only high job classifications in this department. And if you don't measure up you wont last. And that brings us to 'Righteous'. He has to be told what to do. Has to be told what's needed. Has to be baby set. And even then there are times when he wont listen to our boss. It's not right to hold the rest of the department up to high standards and let this guy refuse to do the same. I look for him to treat this in the same arrogant manner he's treated everything and everyone in the past. And look for him to be gone in 30 days or less.

And by the way. This is now the second time this year I haven't had to do the shape polishing. I like change.

[Craig]

Hey Putrid!:)

I never have been able to understand people who just REFUSE to try and get along. It makes the day go so much easier and faster when everyone is watching out for each other. Sounds like this guy needs to learn a thing or two about human nature.....

[chris]

Hope everybody has a good Halloween weekend!

JW I know you are very busy right now, your Halloween haunt is going to be AWESOME!

P glad to hear all is good bud!

Sickie I will try and add to your web, I am just bad at writing instructions lol.

[Sickie Ickie]

Chris, I am looking forward to it. I also need to add everyone's recent projects- especially in the challenge.

P, I hope you are correct about the changes for the good. I tend to be more paranoid myself. Kinda like things are going well, so I wonder when the other shoe will drop on me. heh

[putrid]

Didn't go to the auction tonight. Nothing there I was interested in. To cold to work on the rabbits. Hopefully I'll get em both stripped tomorrow.

Sickie Ickie, got to take things day to day. Right now it's good. Can't worry about tomorrow because I can't do anything to change what hasn't happened yet.

The soap so far. Side story continues. The main player was off yesterday and today.

Partner in crime and I decide how long we need to be at work everyday. ( no, it's never " let's leave before 3:00." We're not that lucky. LOL ) It's based on what's needed and not our personal needs. We can look at the orders and tell how long it will take to get them out. Boss doesn't ask us how long we'll be there. Most of the time we don't tell Boss when we leave. And there are times when Boss goes home before we do. It's the job. It's what the company expects of us. Including 'Righteous' because he happens to be part of this department.

In order for this to make sense ya'll need to know that Partner in Crime and I are responsible for different orders than Righteous.

Todays installment of the soap.

It was a bit after 3:00. I was telling 'Boss' about the glass that hadn't been cut yet for our department. Today it happened to be one shower door. Told em that PIC ( Partner in Crime) and I were on our way home. Wile I was talking Righteous walked by.

Righteous,
"I'm going home."
Boss
"I really need you to stay for a few hours so we can stay caught up with these orders"
Righteous
"No."
Righteous went home.
If you were on a 30 day probation and being faced with a firing wouldn't you handle that differently? First, Boss should never have to tell Righteous he needs to stay. Righteous is being paid to find that out for himself. It's his job. Then to just say no and go home?

Be interesting to see if Righteous still has a job come Monday.

[Craig]

Hey Putrid!:)

I gotta say if I were in "Righteous" shoes, I think I would be a LIIIIIIITTLE more co-operative when it came to working with requests from work. What a jerk.

Well, I can't wait for Monday to roll around. I will be getting my 3 strings of C-9 LED lights AND the PVC brick mould. I want to get up on the roof ASAP to get it going (never know when snow and ice are gonna hit around here) the sooner it gets done, the better.

I did manage to get two more trees wrapped with lights yesterday. I got started on the new 4 ft white Christmas tree (yeah, it WAS cheaper to buy a new one than to paint the old one)

I tore apart 3 of the exterior outlets to find just WHERE the short was that was causing the breaker to trip (found it, fixed it) Got some work done on the train, and EVEN had time to get laundry done!):) THEN I got clobbered by migraine again. At 3:00, I called it a day and laid down.:confused:

Will be going in to work today. Perhaps I will get more of the 1x4 needed for the rail road ties (Like Edwin, "Always thinking"!):):):)

[Sickie Ickie]

P, yikes! Not quite sure what the guy was thinking...or maybe he wasn't!

[putrid]

Looking forward to reading more about your progress Craig.

Sickie Ickie and Craig, ya the guy is something else. After seeing Righteous in the break room getting ready to leave Partner in Crime and I walked over to the time clock.

Me,
"Righteous is more than a few fries short of a Happy Meal."
Partner in Crime
" A few fries? The box is missing."

Didn't get anything done on the rabbits today. Kinda under the weather. After another hard week all I want to do is sleep. Looking at setting up a site in the basement and using the Scotch 3M stripper because it doesn't have a heavy fume.

You can usually find anything your looking for on Ebay. Especially if you've been looking for years. Except for the two Halloween die cuts I've been looking for. Now 10 years. They're simple orange and black. No more than 6 inches tall. A two color print of an old house in black silhouetted against an orange full moon with a few bats. The only difference between the two is the color of the moon. One is a darker orange. 10 years have come up with nothing. No idea who made them or when. I've found Halloween die cuts in the past. Found the complete witch set with more pieces than I had as a kid. All in one auction. Got those a good 7 or 8 years ago. But no sign of these two. There's always next year. Maybe them someone will come across them and put em up for bid. The hunt continues.....

[theedwin]

When I came home last night, I found that someone had stolen 3 of my tombstones.... I was expecting it, but was also hoping that it wouldn't happen.... I have some spares that I will put out so it will look good anyways. At least they didn't steal any of my good props (the rubber rats and skellies etc.) And they didn't take the Skelemingos either! :D A little disheartening, but nothing I didn't expect.

Hope you can find the cut out P. They sound pretty cool.

[Craig]

Hey Edwin,

It really sucks that someone would think it is ok to steal something that you put our for your display. How can anyone enjoy something they stole from someone else?:(

[Rybcon]

My wife still enjoys my heart she stole.

[putrid]

Bummer Theedwin. Glad to hear you had replacements and a good attitude about it. Can't keep kids from being kids.

Rybcon, does she keep it in a jar? JK LOL

Got a chance of getting another blow mold today. It's an auction on Ebay but close enough to drive to. It's a deal without the shipping. LOL Let ya'll know if I end up with it or not.

[putrid]

Oh well, Just learned I was outbid. There'll be others.

[bethene]

oh, Edwin, that's too bad!! some people are such jerks!
Putrid, too bad about the blow mold,!!!
spent today ripping out the living room carper, whew, what a pain. we are going to keep the hard wood floor instead of new carpet. so need to take out staples next, won't get to stripping it til after the holidays, but it looks ok til then, have a piece of berber that we are going to use as a area rug for the time being. I wish I could get rid of all the carpet thru the whole house but don't think that is happening any time soon. oh well. it's a start!
we had about 30 TOTers last night, less than last year, more than the year before,. so not too bad. will get pics up of my small home haunt( by most standard small indeed- all of mine are.Que sera sera)
got only a part of what I planned to get done done this weekend , didn't work Friday, but that was spent grocery shopping and finishing up the cemetery set up, then time just got away from me the rest of it, well, it isn't going any where!LOL

[Craig]

Hey, HEY!:):):)

We had a GREAT time with our TOT's this year!:)

We had around 150 show up (a little slower than usual, but it WAS a Sunday night, and tomorrow IS a school day.

I had a BLAST running the sound effects from my computer as Mark gave out candy to all our little ghouls and goblins. (Honestly, as much fun as the kids have, WE have way more!):) We gave out about 2 1/2 bushel baskets of candy to the kids (yeah, I know, THAT is a lot for 150 or so kids, but what the heck, SOMEBODY has to make it fun for the little rascals):):)

Some very good friends of ours stopped by to see how we did everything (that was high praise in my book):)

From what we have been told by many of the parents, we are known (by the kids here in town) as the "vacuum cleaner house" (because of Witch Hazel who rides side saddle on her vacuum cleaner!) I AM SO PROUD!!!!!!!!!!!:):):)

New ideas and desires for next year's display are already in motion....:)

And so tomorrow, it all begins to come down and Christmas season is OFFICAILLY OPEN at the Church/Lucas house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):)

HOOOOOORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

[theedwin]

What a great and fun Halloween we had here tonight! It was a bit stressful for a little while tho... We ran out of candy, so I was giving out glow bracelets, then ran out of those and was giving out glow wands.... Ran out of those and I was giving out boxes of Cracker Jax (bought some chap at the store today... Good thing!) Had to send one of the roommates to the store to get more candy so we actually made it. :D We had about 224 TOTs here, which really surprised me! (I know there were a few repeaters) but we made it through the night. :D Got lots and lots of compliments on the yard display so that made me feel good. :D I will post more on my Halloween thread here. :D

Gosh, for some reason I can't wait, and am really in the excited for Christmas! :D

[Just Whisper]

OMG OMG OMG

I don't even know where to begin...The evening started off filled with disasters as it always does when you have a large haunt. Popping circuit breakers, failed props, didn't get everything put out that I wanted, etc. But I had a lot of help yesterday and we got an excellent haunt put together for the kids.

Was it a success? Several of my neighbors from several blocks away said when the kids got to their house they were still talking about mine. I have no idea how many we got as most everyone went through from 3-5 times. I had some kids that stayed all night. I had one adult neighbor dressed as Michael Myers that came and never left. He ended up working in my haunt with my live actors scaring the kids. He did a great job. I didn't even know him before last night. LOL One of the biggest hits was my red swimming pool. Some of the kids were actually trying to decide if it was real blood. hehehe. I am ecstatic!!!

Now I have to find a place to put all this stuff!


Edwin, I am really sorry about your tombstones getting jacked. I hope they weren't your really cool ones. I know your yard was a hit anyway. It looked so cool.
Thanks Chris. Yeah, I was a little busy. I will try to get pics up today or tomorrow on my haunt thread too.

Putrid, I am really enjoying your soap opera. You present it in such an amusing manner.
I am glad you guys all had a great time on Halloween.

I am now looking forward to Christmas Too.

[Craig]

Hey JW!:)

Congrats on another GREAT haunt!:):):) (Ya KNOW the kids will be talking about it all year, til next October, don't you?):)

[putrid]

Totally cool! Glad ya'll Haunts were a success this year!