All Hallow's Eve

I have a confession.

I hate Halloween.

Okay, so hate is a strong word, but I really don't like the ugly, scary decorations, I don't care for scary movies, I really don't like the greedy candy grubbing teenagers who think it's still okay to trick-or-treat, and I resent the very act of trick-or-treating, especially considering the fact that my kids have been eating sugar nonstop (okay, me too since we had lots of leftovers) for days.  Why make up a holiday based upon exploiting the generosity of your neighbors?  Can't we just dress up for some kind of Fall Festival that doesn't look like it was endorsed by the Devil himself?  Call me old fashioned, but I'd rather have the Johnny Appleseed kind of get together, and forget the whole Sleepy Hollow scene.

So this year, we practically boycotted Halloween.  We did dress up in last year's costumes for a ward trunk or treat on Friday and got all the candy anyone could possibly need (not enough chocolate though), but that was it.  No decorations, no scary movies (okay we did watch Arsenic and Old Lace if that counts), and no pumpkins.  Yes, not even pumpkins.

This year I was the Halloween equivalent of Scrooge.

It hasn't always been like this.   I went all out the year after my first child was born, excited to see what new and creative way I could dress up my little one.

"Ducky Balboa, our Prize Biter"
Don't ask what I was dressed up as.  I was going to wrap a curling iron cord around my neck, but decided that was a little too macabre for me.  It turned into just an excuse for a facial.

That year (2007) we even won first place in the apartment decorating contest our complex held.

And even though my husband --and my children for that matter-- hate the feel of pumpkin innards, I made them do it every year, secretly reveling in the sliminess of it myself, and recalling the words that we as kids used to chant: "Greasy, grimy gopher guts!"

See that disgusted look on his face. (2008)

Even I had fun getting in on the act a few times,

Here's me, letting people know I was pregnant. (2008)

and I do like dressing up my kids.

(2009) 

(2010)

I guess I just wasn't feeling it this year.

Perhaps it won't be like this in 2012, but right now, I am so glad for Halloween to be over and I am looking for some nice Thanksgiving decorations to put up.  (Is anyone else bothered by the fact that Christmas stuff is already taking over the stores?  What about poor little old Thanksgiving?)

P.S. Today's date is so cool!  I almost had fun paying my bills just because I could write that date on the checks.  I can't wait 'til the 11th!