Halloween is for kids… October 31, 2008

Okay, it’s Halloween and my kids went out Trick-or-Treating with their friends.  Dave followed Soren and his buddy Ben around while I stayed home and got ready to pass out the loot.  Well, we live at the beginning of a long road and there are no little kids near us.  So, the only loot I passed out was to a cute little witch, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter.  Yes that’s right… only 3 kids came a-knockin’ at our house!

Now, my kids were in different subdivisions with their friends where my one friend told me she went through 10 bags of candy!  These areas are filled with nice houses and wonderful folks.  The word must have gotten out that some of them even give out full-sized candy bars.  Thus, many people come to trick-or-treat from across the city.  I really don’t mind this.  Kids are kids– candy is candy.  What I do have a problem with is when their parents (yes, parents) actually ask for candy too!  Dave was finishing up with Soren and Ben at Ben’s house when a kid came to their door.  Right behind him was his mother– complete with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth (NOT a part of any costume, mind you…) with her bad out to get some candy.  I just don’t get that!  Now, Ben’s mom gave her candy– I probably would have too as I would have worried about any “trick” that might be played on my abode at a later date.

All I can say is that Halloween is for kids…

Indiana Jones and a CloneTrooper            “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?”

I Love My Dad… October 30, 2008

My parents came for a quick visit on their way out to their winter home in Utah.  As is typical when my dad visits, I had made up a “Daddy-Do” list.  I’m pretty handy around the house– I think I get it from him– but there are some things, usually dealing with electricity, that I won’t try alone.  My dad is an electrician– but, he can pretty much fix anything.  Growing up we never called a repairman.  Dad just fixed stuff.  So, when our furnace quit working on Friday night, I was glad he was coming the next Monday.

I had the “furnace guy” come to diagnose the problem and was told that the part I needed would cost me around $440.  (The price without labor, mind you.)  My dad told me to forget that and to wait until he got there.  After a few phone calls he found the part locally for only $230.  He replaced it and that was that.  All of this spurred a discussion of how certain businesses seem geared to rip people off.  I ended up calling the heating/cooling company and expressed my “frustration” at the difference in price.  The woman on the phone even had the nerve to ask if I wanted one of their “experts” to come and make sure my dad installed the part properly.  My reply was a terse “no thank you”.

After the furnace, my dad and I proceeded to replace the aging ’70s era, shell-shaped sink in our downstairs bathroom.  (Blech!)  The best part was taking a hammer and smashing it to pieces.  Or maybe the best part for me was going to the hardware store with my dad.  I have such fond memories of tagging along to pick up parts, tools, etc. with my dad.  Even now when I head into Menard’s or Home Depot, I think of him and all he can do.  His attitude is, “You can fix it– just try.”  I’ve called him over the years with various house issues and he’s talked me through most of them.  A few years ago I replaced our sump pump by myself with his help over the phone.

I know I’ll never be as handy as he is, but I know that I can try things– and that I just might fix what is broken.

I can’t put my arms down!! October 4, 2008

Life in the Campbell Clan has gotten a bit busier lately.  Recently both kids auditioned for the South Bend Civic Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Story”.  They both were terrific and out of the experience, Soren got the part of Randy, Ralphie’s younger brother.  Needless to say, we’re all a bit excited.  The movie is a holiday staple for us (though we enjoy the TBS marathon each year as it allows us to watch whenever we like, it does get a bit excessive!)

I cannot wait to see my boy whine, “I can’t put my arms down!” and listen to him snort when asked to “show me how the piggy eats!”  Heck, I’d use that tactic at home if it meant that he’d eat better.

So, our lives will be in Christmas mode now.  I feel better about this as I stroll the isles and Target and Meijer and see that they already have their Christmas stuff out.  I don’t know if Soren will add a BB Gun to his Christmas list or not– I do know that Dave covets the leg lamp though.