Hallowed weenies

Well, Halloween is over for another year. I found it to be a bit anti-climactic; a bit too rushed for my liking. It all started up at 5:15 p.m. and was over by 7:30 with all ghouls accounted for.

Doesn't help the spirits to know that CU-1 and 2 both have two tests each this week, and CU-1 and I usually spend a couple of hours doing the review (sounds excessive I know, but if you really knew and saw what was going on ... it really boils down to 1.75 hours telling CU-1 to stop playing with the cat, teasing CU-2 and 3, fiddling with this and that.)

DN (dear neighbor) came over to throw candy at the kids for us while DH and I prowled the neighborhood with "the spider", the red-and-black modern lady, and "the-visitor-from-the-spirit-world". They had a great time, though we didn't cover nearly as much ground in previous years, so the haul isn't as great. (That's just perfect with me. I'm looking for the children to have the experience of dressing up and running around with friends, then spending more time in the dentist's chair or on a treadmill later in life.)

We had about 100 revelers (98 but who's counting). Some without costumes, and well beyond their teenage years, though reports are that there were fewer then last year.

We also got some good feedback on the decorations. I figure it's just a warm-up to the winter installation. :D

All Saints Day followed with good, then bad, then good then bad, then neutral bits of news, a real roller coaster of stuff.

I found out that one of CU-3's teacher's has had a rough Fall with her FIL and her brother both passing away within two weeks of one another. She's holding it together very well. (I'd be a wreck.)

We also got the quick estimate from one of the contractors for a proposed rebuild of part of our modest house. Let me just say the price was immodest and a bit over the top. DH and I are going to start with pre-Christmas celebrations by trying to find places to trim the budget to make it more palatable to bankers from whom we need to seek a loan or new mortgage.

On the positive side of the register, for the first time this year, CU-1 got a red note in his agenda, and it wasn't berating his abilities, or lack there off. His teacher actually acknowledged that Georges was making a little effort to work in class and that she was pleased with that. Though, as backhanded complements go, the zing was that he still struggled during lecture time.

I guess I'm having an Oscar moment where I'm just grateful he was nominated.

But seriously, all things considering, it's swell that she tossed him, me, that bone. I appreciate the little enthusiasm she could muster. CU puts in the butt-in-chair-time that got him to this point and, reinforced by my not-so-idle threats (no books, no trips to the library, reduced computer time, and generally an unpleasant existence for the week he's home, and then there's the threat to go sit in class with him) are not falling on deaf ears.

CU2 and 3 are noticeably jealous of the time I spend with him, so I try to balance it out during weekends, and other times when it can be fit in. Time with CU1 isn't always fun and games and an whole lot of fighting goes on, so I can't see what there is to be jealous of. I *really would* like to watch Dora L'exploratrice or Sixteen with you, rather then reviewing geography or the multiplication tables.

But, that's the life I lead. With the exception of a few bumps along the way, it’s a good life.

Besides, it's just one more sleep to coffee night with Perpetual Chocoholic. Woo hoo.