Giving Thanks

Gee, it's been a few days since I posted, but it doesn't feel like it. I think I'm still living in Halloweenland. My yard looks like it, anyway. There has been so much to do this week, I haven't taken everything down yet. Tomorrow I need to go back over to the hospital for a competency testing on the new upgrades to the computer system before it goes live on Sunday. Even if census is low, everyone scheduled will have to come on in to work, because the system will crash and nothing will go as planned. That's always the way it is when we go through a major "upgrade." But hey, it's a living!

Today was MD appointment day. First J-Man saw our primary physician and had another clotting test done. These results were therapeutic, so he stays on the same dose of the blood thinner. His color is better, less sallow, and the swelling is minimal. Except for some lingering tiredness, he's feeling well. Everything's status quo.

Then we saw the gastroenterologist who reviewed the biopsy results with us and questioned us in detail about J-Man's meds and medical history. They still have no answer as to why his liver shut down, but Dr. R. is going to research the past medications and one of the ongoing ones to see if there are any rare incidents of liver failure with them. It's possible there was a latent liver problem from even as far back as the stroke and some medication may have triggered a strange reaction. He's still a walking mystery. But there's nothing that needs to be done there, either. Next visit is 3 months.

We have been so fortunate to have the terrific doctors and staff that we do. Because of his swiss cheese memory, J-Man's perceptions and timelines can be unreliable, and I have to be his walking memory bank. But everyone always asks him the questions first, which is so vital to maintaining his dignity. Then, if I have to modify or correct his answers, no one makes me feel like an overbearing wife. We have dealt with many healthcare personnel in the last month and not once have we had an unpleasant experience. Not once.

Well, if you don't count insurance issues.


And we don't.

Photos of the Night

Somewhere I read to leave your setup in place until the night after, so you can take pictures.  For those of us (like me) who are up to the last minute placing or rearranging props, this is a mental sigh of relief.  There was no rain today, only a strong breeze, so it was easy to go out and relight all the candles and pumpkins and take some photos. 

Here are some daylight photos and their night counterparts:

And some of my favorite pictures:

(Y'all were right--this garnered the most goosebumps from visitors!)

(A reluctant Tandi)

In the Midst...

...and the mist! 

The rain stopped for about 3 hours--and has started drizzling slightly again.  Not enough to deter many ToTs and not yet enough to put out the candles or the tiki torches, thank goodness.

Had to scrap so many plans--the corn stalks died and the X fell for the last time.  I propped it back up, but ditched the corn stalks on it.  One of the teens just asked me where was "the PVC guy", because I finally just dismantled him.  He kept falling apart in the mud, because his supports gave out, and wouldn't hold up wet clothing.

I've had them from about 18 months old (you know who's eating their candy!) to teens in hockey masks and skeleton masks.  And as long as they make an effort, I don't care how old they are.  I've even offered a couple of them grocery sacks to take around, because all they had were their pockets!

The best part of the evening so far?  A little guy about 3 years old in prisoner stripes came early.  His mom prompted him "Now, say Trick or Treat!" 

Instead he looked up at me and said "I wike your house." 


Worth every anxious, frustrated moment of the season!

Not What I'd Planned

Yesterday was spent putting the last layer of papier mache on the hands.  Yes, I was cutting it close. I also picked up 6 more pumpkins and last-minute supplies to finish the outside, and stopped by Wally World to get a new DVD and some munchies.

 I just barely got home before the rain and my guests arrived--two gals from work who came over for a short movie night.  They are not into horror movies and Halloween madness, but we sat around and watched the old black-and-white version of "Night of the Living Dead" and ridiculed the blond bimbo and the police chief with the ammo belt slung over his shoulder.  It's a little hard to be frightened by that movie anymore.

We also watched "Trick 'r Treat"--just released this month.  It was never at the theaters; it was supposed to come out in 2007, but was released to DVD instead. I liked it myself, and even though there were some dark moments, we didn't really find it scary. 

Maybe the levity of poking fun at the first movie was still hovering around, or maybe it was because we were all together. Whatever. It was still a good movie, with some really interesting twists.  I'd definitely recommend it.

It's still raining.  15 hours and counting.  I haven't weather-proofed the tombstones or the hands yet, haven't stuffed and dressed the farmer/hatchet man, haven't carved the first jack-o-lantern, and now I'm wondering if it will be worth the effort. I'm thinking the kids will all go to the malls or to indoor carnivals and festivals rather than traipse around in the dark, wet night.  

See the PVC dude back there?  Hatchet man?  He might just be a ghost instead, with sheets thrown over him at the last minute. 

The birdbath was supposed to hold a bunch of old sticks and leaves and 3 foam skulls.  IF I get the jack-o-lanterns carved, one may go there instead.  Somehow, skulls floating in a birdbath just aren't scary.

Sigh.  I may get to watch a LOT of scary movies tonight.

A Celebration of Sorts

J-Man and I never got to celebrate our anniversary the end of September.  I worked that weekend, and the next one was when he was so weak, just before the hospital admission, and well, you know the rest of that story.

So today we went to The State Theater of North Carolina--the Flat Rock Playhouse--and saw The  Woman in Black.

They did an AWESOME job!  It was a 2-man play within a play, and the two actors played every part.  There was absolutely no doubt as to when they switched characters, and even roles, as the younger man portrayed the older man in his youth.  Sounds confusing, I know, but it was so well acted, we had no trouble following along. 

The story is based on a novel by Susan Hill, and was adapted to the stage by Stephen Mallatratt.   The Fortune Theatre in London where The Woman in Black has been running since 1989 is reported to be haunted by a ghost - a woman in black - who began appearing shortly after a break-in at the Covent Garden theatre. She was witnessed being in the wings by all actors mid-performance, watching in silence.  Isn't that creepy? It's especially creepy if you know the story--but don't google it--that will ruin the storyline for you. Just mark it down as one to see if you ever get the chance.

J-Man mentioned wanting a season ticket to the Flat Rock Playhouse for next year, which I think I might just get him for Christmas. Then, we read in the program that the theater is having a raffle for two free passes for life--at $2.00 a chance.--so we bought 10 chances.  The drawing is Dec. 21, so keep your fingers crossed for us.  What a Christmas present that would be!