I SAW TRICK OR TREATERS ... !!!

Back when I lived on "the farm," the blocks were miles around and you had to drive said miles between trick or treat houses, meaning my brothers and I sometimes got to hit as many as five houses, and we once had a trick or treater come to our door. When I moved to "the city," I expected to be inundated by costumed candy seekers, but until tonight ... that dream had gone unfulfilled.

Tonight, with two of the three kids in tow, we trekked around the block, meandering a bit beyond here and there, picked up a couple of my eldest's school pals on the way, and hit house after house after house where the lights were on, plenty of folks were home, and we even found a house or two that hands out "the BIG candy bars." (I thought this was the stuff of legends.) A couple houses had great grave yards and haunted yards and actually made the kids jump when the door was opened (enough for a jump and laughter, not tears thank heavens).

Back at home, a steady stream of trick or treaters wandered by the house to get a handful of our eclectic bowl of treats. Some we knew, some we didn't know. But plenty to make it worth the fact that we bought more than one bag of goodies!

It has not always been like this. Five years ago when we first got here, we also didn't have to wander far ... but the streets were darker. We got the OCCASIONAL trick or treater. And I think everyone stuck to Proctor treats and then went straight home.

The weather was on our side tonight, but it seemed to be more than that. There are a TON more kids on our block this year, too (more than 10 vs. less than 5), but it seems more than that. I'm really not sure all the magical elements that came together, but it's been a magical night.

I think there's just something in the air. And it is good.

p.s. Great party last weekend, Ms. Zesty! It's been awhile since I've stayed up to grownup hours ...

p.p.s. Super kudos to the ketchup bottle and twister game that stopped by! I'm so consulting you on costume-making next year.

Best chain letter ever!

Be it known, I'm not a big fan of chain letters and e-mails. But today, a little bag of Halloween goodies landed on our doorstep with a ghost drawn on one piece of paper and the following note attached ...

You've been boo'd!

This friendly ghost has come to our neighborhood to leave you these goodies that you have now found. If you do not wish this curse to befall (curse? someone must've removed that by the time it got to our house, this is just fun!), continue this greeting and look around. Find two homes without the Boo Ghost and spread the fun by following the directions below.

Buy or make two treat bags of ghoulish fun. Then copy this ghost and Halloween note. Look around your neighborhood and find two neighbors who may have been missed. Leave your treats and these papers where the Boo ghost has not hit. Deliver at dark where there is no light. Ring the doorbell, run, and stay out of sight.

You have only two days to act, so be quick. Don't forget to tape your ghost on your window or door, so a sneaky ghost won't hit you once more. Last but not least, come join the season. It's great to give treats and there is good reason. Have lots of fun and remember not to be seen. Share in the spirit that is Halloween. Boo!

Thank you to our mystery ghost for the goodies ... now it's our turn. Muah hahahahahaha. :)

Happy Halloween everyone!

Tacoma rocks.