Halloween is a fun holiday for me. It's all about candy and having fun. Here in south Texas, it can be 90 degrees or 60 degrees, depending on the weather! I made tombstones last year out of styrofoam, but the dogs knocked over the stack they were in and broke them when we were moving things out of our old shed. I put out skeletons, pumpkins, black cats, bats and ghosts. None of the gory, scarey stuff, just the fun kind. I don't like the blood and gore decorations. Save that for the commercial haunted houses. Halloween was definitely much more fun when my kids were younger. They don't seem to get into it too much, except to see what the trick or treaters are dressed up as, or to see how much of the candy bag they can devour before the 31st. I usually end up having to buy more candy, not because of the trick or treaters, but because of my kids (well, okay, us adults are guilty of digging into the candy bags, too!) Pat, I love the idea of the murder mystery party. A friend of my daughter's had one a couple of years ago and it was a real blast. Our HOA hosts a Halloween party for the little kids each year. Activities are bobbing for apples, face painting, ring toss, cake walk, costume contest, etc. One of the parents got industrious and made a cardboard box haunted maze for them to crawl through. They served punch and cookies and cupcakes and gave out goodie bags. Another parent provided the flat bed trailer and hay bales so the kids could take a hay ride. (The same person does this at Christmas for the neighborhood carolling.) Fun time for all that ends about dark so the kids can head off to trick or treat or parties. As for the bad side of Halloween, our humane society and animal control services stop adopting out black cats well in advance of Oct. 31st. Sad that there are weirdos out there that still commit outrageous acts, but we have been lucky that nothing has happened locally in a few years. ~Kathy

I am here tonight for a favor. I am in need of quick prayers for my 24 year old daughter. She went to the emergency room yesterday because she first started having stabbing pains in her chest then her left side began tingling and she was dizzy and had difficulty concentrating. She was tested for stroke and bloodclot and when they could not find anything, sent her home. Her pain went away but not the tingling. I took her to the chiropractor and she didn't do any work on her because just simply looking at her and her reactions to certain tests made the chiro ask me to take her back to the er. I took her to a different hospital and they have admitted her. I know someone asked if MS was in the family and I do have a cousin. They are doing an MRI tomorrow and after reading the symptoms tonight, realize that Elizabeth has several of them and they even mentioned some patients had pains described as stabbing which is how this started. I am scared for my daughter and pray that MS is not the problem. Please keep her in your prayers and I will keep you posted. Thanks Margo

Gosh I can't believe I didn't post about receiving Theresa's box!!! I must've written it late when I was tired and then turned off the computer before I posted it -- I'm a big dummy! Therea thank you soooo much. I received a pink AND a purple rueilla. I love these, they are so easy to care for and one of the few flowering desert plants that I really really like. And a white antique climbing rose. (So thoughtful Theresa, I just love this). Also apple cinnamon potpurri (I have this in a basket by the back door so you can smell it when you go in and out). And Apple cinnamon scented facial mask (I love these homey smelling things!) and fall-themed pot holders (mine are geting so ratty - thanks!), carmel apple candy corn and very nice bath bubble beads and a thanksgiving sun catcher for my entry window. And a big Busy Persons Guide to 20 Minute Gardens book - boy does that describe me - will certainly come in handy. Thanks soooo much Theresa, have a wonderful Fall!!!

Kris, count me in on the swap again. Hope that you had a good vacation. Im readdy for another one. We went in July but that seems like it has been longer then that. Where did you go? We went to Seattle to see my brother and family. I have been there before but my husband never had been there before. We are going on a cruise next year in march and can't wait. I will send you a e-mail.