Recently in Halloween Category

So, dudes, dudettes, and spawn of both, I've been a little busy planning this party thing. I've also been a little busy trying to not panic about said party thing. There are people I don't even know coming to this shindig.  I haven't a problem with friends-of-friends or friends-of-Super-Husband, but when someone makes a joke about I don't know some people attending and I realize that he was very much correct, it's a little disturbing. Crashers will be dunked in boiling oil. On to the Random!

• Had a dude come into the spa the other day and act severely suspicious.  Suspicious enough to wig me out and make me seriously paranoid.  We are now locking the doors a lot more often.
• NaNoWriMo is soon...very soon.  I kind of have a clue what I'm going to do.  Kind of.  I think it involves sweating, swearing, panicking, and a lot of tearing out of hair.
• Ya'll This Pumpkin and Cake Mix Thing? Total awesomeness with a sweet apple cider glaze!
• I have a turnip!
• I have come to realize how much I hate sleep.  There is too much I want to see and hear and do.  Sleep is a damned inconvenience.  Of course, Super Husband would say my lack of sleep is damned inconvenient to him, but you know, Tomato, Tomahto.
• I figured out why everything happens last minute with the parties: I over think decoration and such the weeks before.  The last minute stuff is where I get inspired.  Here's hoping that's a trend that continues this weekend because it's closing fast.
• We got four copies of Windows 7 in today.  Super Husband has been a happy geek.
• Yes, four.  And, that doesn't even cover all of our computers.
• I tried to warn our neighbors of the impending party.  They, in their typical "I've seen it all" old lady ways, they kept telling me it was all good.  Don't worry!  They were good with it!  I kept telling them that there was apparently an army of people coming and that it could run late and please let me know if it's too loud or they block driveways...They just pshawed me and smiled and went into their homes.  I love my neighbors.
• Well, there's some people a couple of doors down I am told are a little...suspicious...Might have to do some patrolling of vehicles that are parked in that area to make sure nothing happens.  I would hate to have to explain to my awesome neighbors that the cops weren't necessary even if our friends caught them robbing a car and decided the best retaliation was to turn them into a realistic Halloween prop.
• I thought Spa Owner was going to chew on someone today.  Our roof is leaking again.  Landlord/stupid-bastard-who-shouldn't-own-an-ugly-purse-much-less-a-building has yet to address it.  I personally encouraged her to call and shout at them.  I would have encouraged a little less on the angry side, but you see, this has been a fight that's been going on since February.  Yeah, it's time to get ugly.
• Turnip!

So, there we have our Totally Random Thursday totally late and totally with enough randomness to make you wonder why the hell you're here. You're welcome. _________________________ I can't tell you what Super Husband will be for the party.  He wants it a secret.  But, I will tell you that I have informed him if he wore said costume and/or performed said tricks befitting of said costume after Halloween, I would divorce him.  Yeah, it's that brillian.

...and, I am so not ready. The Big Ass Spider project has come to a screeching halt.  Apparently, my craft room is a little high on the humid side and the Big Ass Spider along with all the pumpkins would not dry correctly.  The pumpkins can be baked in the oven.  A 27" long spider?  Not so much. I've warned my mother they will be getting their pumpkins around Christmas.  It sucks, I know, but I need to focus on one thing at a time, and the party is imminent. Holy shit on a stick where am I going to put all those people?  There are people coming who couldn't make it last year!  With fingers crossed, lots of prayers to various gods, and maybe a sacrificed chicken, we are hoping it will be a nice night and we can just open the house up.  That should help. Next year will be easier.  No moving.  No lack of workspace.  No random encounters with kamikaze approaches to home renovation.  I have a path with which to work.  I have a plan.  And, yes, it will change as all best laid plans do, but at least I know this one will be seen through to its fruition. I just hope my peeps forgive that my house is more like Generic Halloween Party and less Zombie Apocalypse than I had hoped it would be.  At least I know that with my group, much fun will be had all around. I love my peeps. On another note, NaNoWriMo is in less than two weeks.  I have sort of a clue.  Maybe an outline.  A kind of preparation.  Man, the level of insanity this one will take will be epic!  Epic!  And, I've sucked some of my family into it.  This is a point where you should hear maniacal laughter.  I am wringing my hands in evil anticipation. Today, on top of it all - without mentioning I still need 12 hours of CEUs for my license - I had jury duty today.  It wasn't so bad, mostly explaining how the process that will randomly interrupt our lives will work.  The judge was very nice and indicated that they would work with us as best they can.  There's that at least.  I feel better at that reassurance - and the fact that they only need us 8 days.  What was it my friend Ashley said she had to endure?  25?  Ugh.  I suddenly feel very lucky. But, you know the worst?  The absolute worst?  I haven't a costume!  Super Husband doesn't have one either, but he'll come up with one faster than I will. We do this every year, he told me, we run the party but forget the costumes.  It's the curse of good hosts, I guess. Help? ______________________ My house? Still a mess.  My neighbors?  Still unwarned.  My ability to come up with party games?  Still pathetic.  Timmy eating a grotesque meal at the kitchen table and greeting people with a "I'm so happy to be consuming body parts, gimmer yours!" grin?  Priceless.

It's a quarter to three in the am, and I am wide awake.  A few hours ago, I was dead asleep, but then around one am my eyes popped open and I haven't been able to get back to sleep since.  My stomach has been feeling ooky most of the day.  I just had some miso soup to try and quiet it down.  I don't feel like I'm coming down with something, but I can't explain the ickiness in my stomach today. So, I'm awake. In the middle of thoughts of "can't add another layer to the spider yet because it's not dry enough" and "I wonder if paper mache glue will keep if I mix a large amount and store it in a covered bowl," I decided that a blog post might help me relax enough to sleep.  Worth a shot. The plans for the Zombie Apocalypse party are coming along.  The theme itself will mostly exists through the guests.  I wanted to build zombie props and all sorts of things, but my laboratory didn't get finished in time and there is only so much time in the day.  Barring that, it's still coming along.  The official email invite went out yesterday.  I've slowly gotten some of the decorating done.  The props I'm working on are coming along.  People seem genuinely excited.  I think it will be pretty cool. There is only one problem: apparently a newbie to our group posted an evite for her own Halloween party happening on the same day.  Now, I don't care that she's throwing one, but there does seem to be a sense of competition seeing as how after I sent my invite, she posted that she just "wanted to point out" that it was also their first wedding anniversary and she would love to celebrate it with everyone.  Now, I'm not going to lie, that little guilt trip made me twitch on the inside a little.  Multiple parties are great because it means people can wander to different venues, but don't guilt people into going.  On the advice of Super Husband, I wrote her a letter expressing that we are not putting on our party at the same time as hers as competition.  Our party has been in the works for a year.  However, instead of inadvertently competing, I suggested we combine our parties at one venue and celebrate all our anniversaries and really have a bash. She has yet to respond.  I thought it was a fab idea.  We'll see if she ever emails back. Until then, I have no time to worry about it.  Lots of props to finish. Speaking of, why am I the only one in this group that works with paper mache?  If I had about two other people who worked in it, we could so get some zombie parts out by the party. Oh, well. The good thing is now that I have a dedicated room for working with mache, I will be able to get props worked on throughout the year.  Next year's theme for the party will be Freak Show, and boy, do I ever have some ideas... ...I wonder who is going to be willing enough to lend us their pavillion for the sideshow attractions... But, I'm getting ahead of myself.  I need to focus on the current party. I just wish there wasn't a major SCA event this weekend, but barring illness or other disasters, I have to go.  I guess there will be some late nights over the coming weeks. If this night is any indication, that won't be a problem since apparently my sleep pattern has been randomized. It's going to be an interesting month. _________________________________ I don't know why I start to get nervous around the time of the party.  I guess there's a part of me that's afraid that people will be bored, which in this group is a nie impossibility.  They always find something to do or blow up.  That reminds me, I need to send warnings out to the neighbors soon...

I've been a little busy with the paper mache thing. How busy? Behold my once empty and neat creative lair: [caption id="attachment_482" align="alignnone" width="200" caption="I swear the picture makes it look neater than it actually is."][/caption] There are two pumpkins that have to be done within the next couple of weeks and sent to Mom. There are more I want to do and get done just to have.  The thing in the lower left corner that looks like it's in some fetish play involving painter's tape is actually the beginning of a very large spider.  (Yeah, the party is themed "Zombie Apocalypse" but I just don't have the time to do zombies.  They are more involved than a spider.  So, we will pretend we are having a party during the apocalypse.  Hey, it happens during hurricanes all the time.) The pipes and blue foam monstrosity is the innards of the Grim Reaper.  He is in need of some repairs. As you can tell, the room is badly in need of shelves.  As Super Hubby is fond of saying, "Step at a time."  Right now, I must focus on getting things ready for the party.  This weekend will include massive unpacking and decorating.  At some point in the next few weeks between making with the party readiness and work and stuff, I have to come up with a costume. I'm still thinking 50's housewife with Valium-induced insanity.  So insane she's adopted a zombie child... [caption id="attachment_483" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Ya'll remember Timmy, right? He's such a good kid; eats all the brains on his plate..."][/caption] Timmy is currently sitting at the dining room table, waiting for "Mom" to feed him.  Oh, I have ideas...oh, yes...ideas... Until then, I have to get those damned pumpkins done.  Sleep?  Yeah, not so much this weekend. Of course, I have no one to blame but myself.  I promised Mom and Dinah pumpkins.  Pumpkins they will get. And, it has to be soon. Wow.  No pressure. ___________________________ Timmy likes his brains with lots of ketchup because it reminds him of blood.  Timmy is such a Good Child...

So, Halloween. Well, it hasn't so much snuck up on me as it has leaped down from the top of a shelf and brained me. I'm really, really behind.  Of course, after the whole house-buying and job moving thing, no one should be surprised.  Let's add to that the fact my craft/mess room was non-functional until a couple of weeks ago...just before we had to go to two major events way the hell out of town. Are these excuses?  Nope, but these things definitely put me at a disadvantage when it comes to time to get several props done and this house ready for the impending Halloween party. If these are not excuses, then what does it mean?  It means that I am officially challenged.  (No, not mentally challenged, you lunatics, although some people would argue with me over that one.)  You guys all know that I don't function if I'm not suitably challenged.  (Stop snickering!)  I have, what, three weeks to make this place look like George Romero exploded all over it. I can totally do it. Totally. I'm not at all feeling pressured or stressed. Not at all. I am totally in control. I have one jack-o-lantern experiment on the table...umpteen more to go, plus zombie hands, fake boards, some heads... I can totally do this... Please, send all donations of spirit-sustaining alcohol to The Crochet Cultist c/o Papermasks the Nuts. _________________________ You know, I promised my mom and my cousin some mutant jack-o-lanterns this year.  They are first priority, but man, the zombie heads would've been cool.  I might need to recruit some aid...  I will not say that next year this rush will not happen, but dammit, now that I have my room ready, there will be much work on next year's theme, Freak Show.  I really want the neighbors to know what they're getting into.  Heh.

Okay, so I missed a week or two. Shoot me. No, don't.  I have too many projects to finish. Either way:

• My brother is out of Afghanistan! He is safe and sound with his family!  I am so grateful!
• I had a wicked awful dream that could make a killer plot for NaNoWriMo if I can flesh it out more.  I always wanted to write at least one horror novel.  Just one.  One that is enough to make the skin crawl in the shadows of the night.  Just one.
• On an SCA front, we will have a new Baron and Baroness this weekend, and I'm already seeing those I determined will be total dickheads fulfill my expectations and several I thought would fall to the wayside declare they will do the best they can for the good of our Barony.  Those latter folks make me feel proud.  The others will definitely get a good scowling.
• My craft room is functional!  Super Hubby taught me to lay tile, so I spent the weekend ripping up carpet and laying said tile in a non-sexual manner, and feeling quite proud of myself.  Of course, I wish he had some advice for not wearing most of the adhesive.  I couldn't get my damn shoe off...
• My craft room is functional!  It bears repeating.  It's not finished, but oh, the paper mache and paint will splatter once again!  I'm all giddy and stuff!
• I finished an emergency embroidery project that was well-received by our baroness-elect.  Of course, I forgot to take pictures.
• Apparently, Zombie Apocolypse is the theme for this year's Halloween party.  That was the original plan, sure, but we couldn't get the venue we wanted, so I thought I'd put it off until next year when there's more time to plan...  Yeah, I had people and their children - seriously, their kids - pout at me.  The words "But, Richard has been planning this all year." came to me and I had to relent.  So, zombies.  This is not a bad thing, but the difference in venue definitely poses some interesting hurdles.  No time to teach the zombies how to do the Thriller dance, though.  Bummer.
• Next year's Halloween party theme is Freak Show.  Oh, yes, baby, I so have plans...
• It's going to be hot as hell for the event this weekend, isn't it?  *sigh*
• Oh, wait, it's supposed to rain all weekend, so the humidity will prevent me from actually being able to get out of my dresses.  Joy.
• Weight Watchers...still doing it...sort of...I keep hoping for the jello-giggly mindset to turn to concrete...
• Holy moley I want a whole lot of chips.
• Tomorrow will ben an adventure of juggling.  Eventually, we will get to site.  Whether or not we have food, we'll see.

And, this introduces your Friday.  Friday will be as plain or awful as you see it.  It's Friday.  It's always better than monday by default.  Live it up! ________________________ I am totally counting the points for these italics.  Totally.  Maybe.  Well shit.  This was easier on paper.

Let's see: The mask is done and given to it's rightful owner.  There is need for some correction, but we'll get to that.  (Damn polyurethane.) I'm nearly done with one piece of embroidery and the other will not take long, so they will be put in the mail soon. I've got two dragons to do, but they sort of work themselves. And, one Ball of Bun, which is a whole day of work. So, here it is...the moment...the moment I can look at my paper mache table (which is our kitchen table, but the hubby doesn't give me grief about it) and can honestly smile that knowing smile of someone who can start a new project. "But, you have all those others!" you might shout. Not that you will because many of you who visit here have the same problem of not enough time in the day to satisfy the Monster of Creation. We all have one.  You have to sacrifice at least one pound of creative service a day to it or it gets very growly and wants to chew on your ears. Mine, poor dear, was hiding in a closet, locked in a box for a very long time. In the beginning, it was running free.  Running in circles mostly, but really only until it found a direction.  But, then, a change, a move made it a little more wary.  It found itself a little less accepted.  When it did attempt to crawl out and shine, it was frowned at, told it wasn't good enough, and forced into a little box.  Sometimes, it would peek out of the box, but there would be the same coldness.  It would shiver and duck back into the box.  Eventually, the box went into a very deep, very dark closet... Many years later, I found the little box, and opened it, and the Monster of Creation blinked at me in the light but was a little too nervous to come out just yet and sought out a shadowy corner of the box... It took a lot of months to coax it out.  But, after using soothing music, a few happy comments, a few carrots and the odd cupcake, the once shy, huddling thing has decided it no longer needs to be afraid and is currently jumping up and down on my head. The problem with that is it's had a lot of pent up energy, meaning,  it's a little hyper-active.  This is probably the source of my Project ADD.  My Monster of Creation is just so excited all the time that it flits from one project to the next.  I think it feels like it doesn't have enough time left in life to do everything it wants to do. Silly monster. I often lose to it.  It's hard to say no to it when it's suffered so.  As this blog post has been written over the weekend, a new paper mache project has surfaced.  A new mask based on a nightmare I had.  The good thing about it is that it's not needing to be finished Now.  It can develop as the Monster sees fit.  That's rather nice. And, oh yes, it's going in the Halloween pile.  Oh, a new jack o'lantern will be started, too.  Also, Scratch.  Scratch is a creature that has been in the works for years.  I can never get his skeleton right... Halloween is months away. Good time to start all of these new ideas.  No rush.  No stress.  And, besides, every time I start a new Halloween project I tend to stand in the kitchen and cackle like a mad scientist.  (No, that is not an exagerration.  Ask the hubby.) It's a good feeling seeing your evil plans coming to fruition. The next Halloween party has a Zombie Apocolypse theme.  By the gods, I will have the crawling zombie torso and the squirming zombie head on a plaque... I think when I get this way, my Monster of Creation hops up and down happily wringing its hands because other than crochet, Halloween stuff is the only time it gets really excited. I just had a thought, though.  I think I need to give my little Monster of Creation a form.  No one else can see him, of course.  All of our Monsters are very personal, but I think some times they wouldn't mind people knowing they're there and what they look like.  I'm betting mine would hope I would make him fiercer than he is, but we'll have to see on that one. In fact, I challenge everyone to show off their Monsters of Creation.  I've seen what you guys can do.  This challenge is a walk in the park. That is, of course, if you can get the little boogers to sit still long enough to copy them... Wouldn't hurt to give them a name either.  I never really had a name for mine before.  He was always just my little monster.  Have to give him a name... ________________ There are times I wonder if my monster shouldn't be on some medication to try to focus its energies, but you know, that would be stupid.  Mosters of Creation are meant to be wild, untamed, and annoyingly everywhere.  It's their nature.  I don't think I'll mess with that.