Having not grown up celebrating Halloween, it is a really big step for me to allow J to go out and prowl the neighbourhood. My family is Christian and do not believe in endorsing a holiday that celebrates the dead, amongst other things. I totally understand where my parents come from and did not feel like I missed out on anything, but rather revelled in the fact that we went to fun awesome restaurants and were just plain different than other families.

Hubby was a big time trick-or-treater. Since we have been together he has made me hand out candy while he took A out collecting it. Last year, since the weather was nice we hung out outside with the neighbours while distributing candy. J was only two so we did not dress him up. As the night went on he got the gist of trick-or-treating and walked up to the neighbour and said “Trick-or-Treat?”. Thus began the countdown until this year. Since Opa was going to be here, he requested to take him out. A decided he wanted to be with J too, and Hubby went. I stayed home and gave out candy. Again it was a nice night so I hung out with the neighbour and chatted to the kids that came by. They thought I was a nut, but hey, they are begging for candy!

J brought home a huge haul, almost as much as we gave out. The boy kept going and going and going. Hubby, A and Opa all had pockets full of candy as the little pumpkin didn’t hold much and they did not bring an extra bag. J has been pretty good, allowing me to dish out a few treats here and there. He asked me if we could have Halloween again today, so I had to explain the holiday thing to him. Of course, the biggest mistake I made was saying that we have Christmas next. All he has talked about today is Christmas. Yikes and with a month and a half to go!

**Edited to add photo.

Of Nanowrimo.

I have characters in my head, a few lines sketched about them and a setting. I may possibly have a plot, but am not entirely sure as it may change as I go along.

I am a little nervous and a lot excited. I think I can do it, write a 50,000 word novel that is. I have enough ideas stored up in my mind. The key will be to write at least 1667 words everyday. Or write 5000 for ten days, wouldn’t that be awesome? But not likely.

If I acheive this, I will be able to strike another thing off of my 10 things before 40 list, of which, I need to remember two more. Or else it will become 8 things before 40 and that just doesn’t seem right.

Let’s hope I can stay inspired for a whole month.