For as long as I can remember, Halloween has been my favorite holiday. I enjoy it more as an adult than I did as a child. Each October, I put out lots of decorations – tablecloths, candles, and even a wreath for the door.
Though I rarely mention it here, I was married once upon a time. I’ve been divorced for more than eight years and rarely even think about that relationship. It wasn’t a good one, but I do remember the Halloweens. We bought a house in 1997, and there were lots of kids in the neighborhood. Ex-hubby spent his Halloween nights (as well as most other nights) partying with the guys, and I was left to tend to the trick-or-treaters. I had a blast! I’ve never been particularly fond of babies, but I do like kids who are able to walk, talk, and use the toilet without parental assistance. I had two wonderful Halloweens at that house. The trick-or-treaters came in packs; there were so many that I lost count.
I divorced in the summer of 1999. I moved into an apartment for a year, and then bought my own home in 2000. I sold that house earlier this year and bought another one. Sadly, I haven’t had a single trick-or-treater since I divorced.
My current home is in a very nice community and is in walking distance of both an elementary and a high school. There is a school bus stop at the end of my driveway. I have been pretty excited about the opportunity to finally give out lots of Halloween candy. There is a very nice older couple who lives next door to me. I stopped by and asked them how many trick-or-treaters to expect. I wasn’t expecting to hear, “We usually just get the two boys next door.”
What?
By this time, I had already loaded up on candy. Butterfingers, Snickers, Dum Dums, Smarties, and this really cool superhero candy. Actually, the superhero candy is crap, but the boxes are really cool.
The two boys who live next door are gonna hit the lottery tonight.
My Halloween night will be spent like most others – lounging on the couch, watching scary movies!
Happy Halloween!
October 31st, 2007 at 10:02 am
I’m sorry you won’t get many trick-or-treaters…
We’re hardly ever home on Halloween, usually taking the kids to the grandparents houses because their neighborhoods are larger and better lit. Tonight we’ll be doing trunk or treat for the first time - should be fun.
Then back home to watch scary movies
By the way, thanks for joining me on Twitter! Now get back to that Facebook account - I’ve sent you like, 20 messages
October 31st, 2007 at 10:04 am
When we moved into our neighborhood, we really raised the roof the first Halloween (decorations…sound effects..etc., etc.). Then, the sun went down…and we realized that every single one of our neighbors shut off their porch lights because they didn’t want to pass out candy.
We got, like, 6 kids.
So now on Halloween we pack up the kids and drive a few blocks to a neighborhood where the people AREN’T jackasses.
…then we eat the kids’ candy.
October 31st, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Cool superhero boxes and all the Butterfingers I can fit in my trunk? Damn. I’m so on my way. Be on the lookout for an Irish-looking Luigi…
And a Happy Halloween to you too, T!
October 31st, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I’m going to work this Halloween…the only real trick-or-treater story I have, I was in college, in my college apartment. I hear a knock at the door. There’s a boy and his mother there. He’s wearing a Power Rangers costume. I recognize the mother from the complex.
Me being a poor college student at the time, I had Ramen Noodles and half a jar of peanut butter. Undaunted, though, I end up telling them to wait and second, and loaded the kid down with my roommate’s LIttle Debbies.
The roommate got angry at first, but was strangely calm when I told him what I’d used them for. Didn’t even make me pay him back.
Anyway…hope you have a good Halloween. Watch a scary movie for us workin’ folks….
October 31st, 2007 at 3:58 pm
We’ll be spending Halloween like any other - the porch light off, popping popcorn, and watching regularly schedule programming.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:23 pm
We should trade houses for the night - we get loads of kids! Too many for my taste. Don’t eat too much candy, K? unless you share of course! Woofs, Johann
October 31st, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Lucky boys… Happy Halloween Tish!
October 31st, 2007 at 9:04 pm
I would almost drive the 2 hours just to knock on your door and get a Butterfinger. I have had NO Halloween candy. It’s just not the same this year….I’m a little sad I didn’t get to go trick or treating with my niece.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:17 am
oh i’m sorry! i’m the same as you though - i love to get those cute kids! you might have seen the posts about the construction fiasco on my street this summer which has been putting in the new sidewalk. i was hoping that would bring tons of kids. in years previous, the street has been too unsafe (it’s very busy and not very well lit so parents probably don’t let their kids come here). i did get more kids this year than in the past but still not the packs i’d hoped. o-well.
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:46 am
It seems that most people go to organized events now. We don’t do anything to celebrate…. Thanks for the card, though! That was so thoughtful!
I honestly never knew how unhappy you were in your relationship. I didn’t know that your husband was such a loser. He seemed so jovial all the time, so when we talked about your relationship, I thought that perhaps you were just stubborn. I had no idea how things really were. I’m so glad you are out of that now, and I hope that you forgive me for whatever ill-suited advice I gave in my ignorance.
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Hey Tish,
Belated Happy Halloween!
So, did the boys win the candy lottery?
I just loved this post…sorry about your divorce :(!
Cheers