HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES - WITH COMMENTARY

We had a very busy two days.

For the edited version of this post, click here

Today, I was at Derek's school, helping with the class party.  I made 24 white cupcakes with orange icing (with pumpkin faces on top).  There are sixteen kids in the class, but there were no cupcakes left over.  They were a big hit.  I had made Halloween spice cookies (A Martha Stewart recipe), but I decided that maybe it would be a little too spicy for the kids.  (I ATE THEM ALL)

Last night, there was a Halloween parade at the park.  The kids walked around the baseball fields a few times.  It was dark, and a little cold.  I was not thrilled about that, since it started at five, and we usually have dinner at 5:30.  It screwed up my whole schedule, but Derek had a good time, and that is what was important.  (I BLAME THIS ALL ON CLAUDIA PERKINS.  IT WAS HER STUPID IDEA TO HAVE THIS PARADE AT NIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE.  NORMALLY IT WOULD BE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY ON HALLOWEEN)

After dinner last night, Philip and Derek carved the pumpkin and displayed it in the bay window.  (THEY DIDN'T WANT MY HELP, OR LISTEN TO MY SUGGESTIONS) Afterwards, we watched “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” on DVD (I WAS ACTUALLY CLEANING THE KITCHEN AT THIS TIME, AND IT WAS OVER BEFORE I WAS DONE)

Tonight (Halloween), Derek dressed as a pilot, in a brown jumper with Air Force logo and white helmet.  I do not know where he got the idea, but he has wanted to be a pilot for the past year.  Unfortunately, it was so cold and windy outside today that Derek had to wear his winter jacket.  He was not happy, but I did not want him to be sick for a week.  There were not many kids out there today; meanwhile, Philip, Derek and I were out for two hours. (I REALLY DO HATE HALLOWEEN- I'D RATHER JUST BUY A BAG OF TREATS AND BE DONE WITH IT.  BUT, DEREK LOVES HALLOWEEN, AND SO DOES PHILIP.  HE SEEMED TO TAKE A KEEN INTEREST IN ROBERTA, WHO WAS DRESSED IN A SKIMPY CAT COSTUME AND WALKING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE SOME KIND OF TRAMP.  I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY SHE WAS OUT THERE.  HER KIDS DON'T TRICK OR TREAT ANY MORE)

Once home, I made apple cider for the three of us, then we went through Derek’s bag.  (POCKETED A FEW DOZEN MINI-CHOCOLATES FOR MYSELF WHEN THEY WERE NOT LOOKING.  HEY...I WAS OUT THERE TOO)  I was so happy to be home and done with Halloween for this year. 

It is time to start planning for Thanksgiving.  GOD HELP ME

WHEN FRIENDS MOVE AWAY - WITH COMMENTARY

Philip, Derek and I went to dinner last night at our next door neighbor's house on the left side, the Girardi's (Roberta is on the other side). AND ROBERTA AND I DO NOT GET LIKE EACH OTHER AT ALL.  They said that they had something to tell us (WHICH IS NEVER A GOOD SIGN), and since it was a school night, I thought that it was a little out of the ordinary.  While we were there, they told us that they are moving to Texas because Bob has been transferred.  They will be gone within the month (SON OF A BITCH! NOW I'M STUCK WITH ROBERTA AND WILL HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN WITH SOMEONE ELSE ON THE OTHER SIDE!).

I am heartbroken for Derek .  The news hit him especially hard because he is friends with their two children, Jackie 10, and Curtis 8.  He and Curtis are like two peas in a pod, and Derek plays with him just about every day. (TO SAY THE LEAST- CURTIS IS HIS ONLY REAL FRIEND. WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO NOW?)  He doesn't seem to understand why things like this happen, and both Philip and I spent a lot of time talking to him about it.

I'm not looking forward to that day.

ALL HAIL THE FOOTBALL WIDOW

I decided to take this whole post off my other blog, and put it here.  Too much truth.


Philip is now watching the Eagles.  Two hours ago, he was screaming at the Jets.  Another Sunday has gone down the drain.  I hate football season, but baseball season is longer, so I'm screwed either way.

I made a great dinner today.   Roasted chicken...beautiful bird.  Mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy, yummy.  I wish that I had taken a picture before I carved it up.

Had to call the boys in from the living room to eat it.  I say boys, because on football Sunday, Philip acts like one. He spends the day yelling at the tv and making a complete ass out of himself.  

I thought that I timed the dinner well enough: 4:00.  It was supposed to be between games.  But they did not want to miss the beginning of the Eagles game, so they shoveled down their food like it was take out from McDonald's.  Then they parked their butts back on the couch.  I was left to clean the table, wash the dishes, and put them away,  with no help from either one of them.  I felt like the maid.

Maybe I'm just overreacting, but I would love to spend at least one Sunday out with the family.  I'm sick of being a football widow.

THE NOT SO NATURAL - UN-EDITED

THIS IS THE UN-EDITED version of the post on my other blog.  I decided that it would be best to edit some stuff out just in case anyone reads my blog.  For the edited version, click here.  This version tells you what I really think.

Well, I've come to realize that Derek is not a natural soccer player.  He barely runs to the ball and spends most of his time twirling to see his shadow.  He does like that shadow. It's pretty embarrassing, but that's my boy.  I don't think that he would even be in sports if Philip didn't push him to do it.  Philip is trying to build character, and thinks that it's good for Derek to embarrass himself on a weekly basis.  I can't say that I agree with him.  Thank God that today was the last game.

Of course, Claudia Perkins (PTA boss) was there proudly watching her grandson score three goals.  The kid is a monster (and a bully, by the way).  The children seem to part like the Red Sea to let him through.  Maybe they are just trying to preserve their own lives.  I don't know.  I really makes me sick.

After the game, I drove Derek to the mall and we went to Sprinkle City. I was going to take him to see a movie, but I didn't know what time Philip was going to be home from work.  Had to get dinner ready, etc.  The lasagna came out great as usual.  Love that stuff.

After ice cream and lasagna today, I can safely say that I'm off the diet until Monday.