choices

It's hard to grow up.

Let me re-phrase that.

It's hard to be a grown up.

It seems as if my own life can be dissected into a series of choices and consequences. Suddenly, I'm 40-something and still questioning the decisions I made so long ago.

My almost grown up little girl is feeling the pressure of making her own choices. The first of many. Most of which will impact her for years to come.

Our college visit went very well. With the exception that Randy and I embarrassed Annie. Which caused several sudden outbursts as to Why on earth she even wanted us to come along with her. GEEZ! At first, it was when Randy took the free sample of deodorant (for Abe - he loves deodorant) Then the big issue with the map of campus.

Apparently, nobody gave us the memo. That would be to NEVER pull the map of the campus out in broad daylight to find our destination! Because when you do this it is most obvious that you are a visitor. As if a beautiful 17 year old girl being followed by a middle age bald man and Eddie Bauer-blue striped sweater wearing woman (with a mom haircut) weren't a dead give-away!

Now onto what this blog is all about. Me. And more importantly - What this college visit meant to me. It can be summed up in one word.

Bittersweet.

First, the sweet. That would be the visit itself. I didn't go on any college visits when I was her age. I didn't have the opportunity to listen to counselors tell me about a business degree or what it would take to become a CPA. I didn't tour a dorm and wonder how I would fit all my clothes into that tiny closet. This part is always fun for me.

I listened intently to every word they told her. When we toured the Senior Studio in the Graphic Art department I imagined her working on her final project before graduation. I could feel the camaraderie and the stress of those young adults. And then when she talked to the counselor about Elementary Ed I imagined Randy and I helping her get her classroom ready for the first day of school.

The bitter??? That stinkin' thorn in my side. The choice I made so long ago and how it still makes me feel.

My grown up choice is to support my daughters 110%. Wherever they choose to go. Whatever they choose to be.

And then when they are 40-something they can know that, back in the day when they didn't really know so much afterall, the choices they made were still good.

And, hopefully, they remember how I was cheering them on every step of the way.

Reality Bites!

We are going on a college visit tomorrow.

Annie has been on a couple of visits by herself but this will be the first visit Randy and I have went on with her. This is serious. Time is ticking and choices need to be made. We are all going with high hopes that this university will be the perfect fit. The highlight of the day for me will be finding out how much more debt we will incur.

It seems like only yesterday we were a family with small children and now, in only a few short months, we will be a family of two college age children.

And an eight year old.

Reality has finally hit.

Crazy.

conversations with my children

Me: What would you name the new babies?

Abe: I would have to see them first and see what they looked like.

Me: Daddy named you long before you were even in my tummy.

Abe: I know. Daddy prayed for me to be in the family.

Me: That is true and he named you for Abraham in the bible.

Abe: He should have named me Abram and then when I got older he could have changed it to Abraham. That it is how it really was in the bible.

Me: You are so smart! Who else had their name changed in the bible?

Abe: Saul.

I am feeling very very proud of my 7 year old at this point. He definitely takes after his oldest sister. She has always loved studying the bible as well.

Me: What did God change Saul's name to?

Abe is thinking very hard and a few moments have passed.....

Abe: I KNOW! BRUCE WAYNE!

Later in the day.....

Annie: When I gave blood today the lady asked me if I was Caucasian.

Me: That is weird.

Annie: I thought about telling her I was part Indian.

Disclaimer: Randy had a great-grandma who was a full blooded Indian and my family is so into claiming their Indian Heritage. They love it when people tell them they look like Indians. They seem to forget that I had a great-grandma from Poland. So they are just as much Polish as they are Indian. She should have told the Red Cross lady that she is a Polish Indian!

Jack and Jill

I'm going to be an Aunt again!
I'm going to be an Aunt again!

Double trouble is striking our family!
Double trouble is striking our family!

I would have never guessed that both of my brothers would have 4 children. EACH!

The girls grew up with no cousins and Abe is growing up with 8! That is what he calls them. THE COUSINS!

So over in our neck of the woods we are looking forward to a Walton Family Christmas next year (and Fourth of July. and Thanksgiving. and Halloween. etc)

Baby it's cold outside (and inside, too)!

So, it's Thanksgiving evening and we are all a little stir crazy. We decide (very last minute) that we should take in a movie.

Abby hops online and finds a showtime of 9:30 for Fred Claus at a theater fairly close. Fairly close in Chicago is a good 25 minute drive and parking is always blocks away from your destination. With a parking meter.

We all bundle up, coats, hats, gloves and scarfs, and head out into the frigid Chicago night.

We park several blocks away (no parking meter plus the men were very talented parallel parkers) and walk to the movie theater. In the freezing cold.

We tell the attendant we need tickets to Fred Claus. He doesn't think Fred Claus is playing there. We insist that it is so he jumps up from behind the counter and runs out to look on the marquee (first day on the job?) I get a little nervous. There really isn't anybody else coming to the movies. I ask Jeff if he thinks it is a safe place for us to be. He shakes his head.

Fred Claus IS showing BUT the attendant tells us to go and check out the theater because the heat has not been turned on in the building yet.

To make a long story short, we decide to stay and watch the movie.

In our coats, hats, gloves and scarfs.

The funny thing is the movie theater was actually warmer than our basement!

So now I have a basket of coats, hats, gloves and scarfs for us to slip into when we watch movies at home.

Our trip in pictures.

Friends.

On the train

Heading downtown

Eating Thanksgiving Dinner

Watching movies

Chicago

We're thankful that we are here.

We drove all night. Thanks to GPS we didn't get lost.

I have learned that the radio plays the best songs in the middle of the night. My faves from highschool.

Both kiddo's slept the night away. I was in and out of consciousness, myself.

Instead of pancakes at McDonald's (our tradition the night before Thanksgiving)
we're heading out on the town tonight for our favorite Lou Malnati's Chicago style pizza.

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm counting my blessings. Count yours, too!

Slow Learner

I was looking forward to getting our house ready for Christmas. Not the actual WORK that it involves but the end result.

The part when Randy and I are sitting on our couch, steaming mugs of coffee in hand, looking at the tree. Remembering Christmas past. Talking about how fast time goes. How time changes things.

I also enjoy our family all working together. Hanging lights. Hanging stockings. Hanging ornaments. Hot chocolate and popcorn. Lots of laughter and joy.

The perfect Sunday afternoon.....

I have decided that decorating for Christmas is like taking a family vacation. You have all these expectations and in the end they don't materialize exactly like you would have wished.

The part about Randy and I drinking the coffee is true. Everything else is how I would have chosen it to be. If I would have a choice. But I didn't.

Someone is always tired. Someone is always cranky. Our family always has a talker. The child who talks non-stop about everything and anything. And is always trying to show us something.

We were in shorts and it was too hot for hot chocolate.

Lights that worked in January didn't work now. Furniture needed to be totally rearranged.

After a trip to Wal-Mart, our tree has working lights. Not decorated but it does have lights. And gifts. Lots of gifts, which tomorrow will all be loaded up for the Thanksgiving trip.

When we come home I will flip a switch and have instant Christmas.

With all that Christmas decorating stress behind me I can now look forward to a relaxing Thanksgiving trip. Making those wonderful family memories. 12 glorious hours in the car with my family that I adore.

More thoughts.....Trip List

I have three lists going for our upcoming trip. I'm trying really hard not to confuse myself. Which is easier said than done!

1. Christmas gift list - Chicago family
   
2. Grocery list - what I'm bringing and what Abby should have on hand.
   
3. Things to take list - involves way more than my suitcase!
   

Here are some things on my list #3.

• Folding Chair - Abby is short one chair
• Clown Doll - This was Abby's when she was little. The kind that you learn how to button and tie and snap. This is for Stella. It reminded me that I just sold Abe's bear like this. Just a couple of months ago at a garage sale. Should I have kept this?????
  
• Electric Heater - Specifically, Abby's. This was a gift from one of her friends while she was still in high school. She is ALWAYS cold and so it was an appropriate gift.
  
• Full Size Sheets - I feel like we're going to church camp. I wonder if we should bring our own bath towels, too. Quarters for the laundry mat???
  
• Wedding Gift - There was one large gift dropped off after they had already moved.
• Christmas Gifts - Not wrapped yet. Hopefully, this will be complete before we head out.
• Christmas Tree Skirt - Abby doesn't have one. Luckily, I bought one last year the day after Christmas.
• Christmas Ornaments - My mom and I have both always gotten the kids an ornament each year. These are boxed up and ready to go on a brand new tree.

Tradition - Old and New

I like tradition. I find much comfort in repetitiveness. I blame it on my OCD. This year, however, things are going to be much different than Thanksgivings past and I'm perfectly OK with the changes.

First, we always go to McDonald's for pancakes the night before Thanksgiving. That's not happening this year because our plan is to already be in Chicago Wednesday. Also, McDonald's is currently closed.

I have spent 42 Thanksgiving Days with my parents. This year, we are getting together the Saturday before. My kids have spent everyone of theirs with Grandma and Papaw, too.

All of us have always decorated the tree the day after Thanksgiving. Not this year. We won't be home. I have all of that to look forward to later. (minus Abby)

I have never cooked a Thanksgiving dinner. Ever. Oh! I have baked a turkey. And I have baked sweet potatoes. But I haven't done our traditional Thanksgiving meal ON Thanksgiving. I still have to call my mom to ask her if I cover the Mac & Cheese. And what about the sweet potatoes. And the turkey. And how long do I thaw the turkey and how long do I bake it? And we three girls are going to be doing it ALL. By ourselves. And all the food needs to be ready at the same time. On the same day. This will be a miracle in and of itself.

I am looking forward to all the memories we will have from this year. I am so blessed and I wouldn't change a thing!

Here is my top 10 Thanksgiving list. (no particular order)

1. Mom and Dad - It will be bittersweet on Thursday without them. We may be driving their car so I will think of them often.
2. My baby brothers - one of whom is lending me his GPS so we can get out of Chicago. The other brother - who loaded new songs on Abe's I-Pod.
3. My Sisters-in-law - One who is bailing out on Thanksgiving dinner Saturday. She is headed for a well deserved girls weekend. And my other SIL who lives only steps from my back door.
4. My husband - He really didn't know what he was getting into when he asked me to marry him. This, I am sure.
5. My daughters - Each so different and each so alike. I am going to cherish every minute of the holiday weekend with them both!
6. My little guy - I'm so in love with him. It is crazy how he completes our family so perfectly.
7. My son-in-law and his daughter - they have made Abby so happy.
8. My Faith - I rely on it daily.
9. My friends - Quality is my motto here. I am very picky about a lot of things. My friends are no exception. They are each carefully chosen.
10. My family's health - Sometimes I find myself going days without thanking God for it and I don't want to ever take this for granted.

still working on that budget...

I am starting this morning off with an unusual "glass 1/2 full" attitude. My blood pressure is killing me and nobody can turn that around except myself. So I am FORCING a positive outlook on myself.

So today I am oh-so-happy to be able to take my 7 year old to the dentist. With a cheerful heart and attitude.

We know the office very well as he has spent several hours in the dental chair. Kicking. Screaming. Not opening his mouth at the appropriate time. Opening his mouth at the wrong time. Me, by his side. Me, in the waiting room. Me, in the car. Me, at home. His dad leaving work early to take over. Me, begging Grandma to take him. Get the picture?

I'm not sure what happened early on (I have my ideas) but he had a bad run of cavities. Which led to several fillings (Ok. Six).

Needles and holding ones mouth open with a drill and other metal objects hovering above you - this all FREAKS toddlers out. After laughing gas and much bribery, lots of dental work was accomplished.

But then we had to go and have re-work done. He had two fillings which kept falling out. It happened to between his top two teeth. So now, that he has lost those teeth, we have a fresh start. A fresh, crooked start.

Our last visit was when we heard that he would most definitely, probably, need braces. He is 7 for heavens sake! Now they do braces in "phases". Phase 1 is usually around the age of 7 or 8. You have got to be kidding? The girls did not need braces so I'm no expert but braces in phases sounds like...well, like Cha Ching.

It looks like I will be adding another line item to my budget. Better yet I may just consolidate every single expense into one category.

KIDS!

Counting Sheep

I could not fall asleep last night. Not for anything. There was some earlier conversation about not being able to stay asleep and maybe this jinxed me. Or maybe there were other issues.

Like some of these:

• 3 cups of really good coffee late yesterday afternoon.
• And yet another cup of Chocolate Creme Brule' after dinner. (A surprise from Annie. She brought it home from her new job at the coffee shop - YUMMO!)
• BIG announcement earlier in the day.
• The thought of all of our money. Spent. On a lot of Mexican Vanilla.
  
• An evening laughing (and whining-that would be mostly me) with friends.

All of this left me wide awake. Until 2 a.m. And it's only Tuesday. And I'm tired. Oh! so tired.

Salon

It's pathetic when a haircut can turn my mood around.

I am always under the assumption that I will come home a changed person. An improved person. Maybe smarter. Taller. Skinnier. Cuter. Heck, I don't know. Just different. All it takes is a few cuts with that magic scissors.

The daily grind has gotten to be just that. The daily grind. I've had a rough couple of days. I won't go into all the blood and guts of it here, but there has been much in my world that makes my mind do crazy things. Like want to jump ship.

I am really a "glass 1/2 empty" person. Always have been. Potentially, always will be. My mom, bless her heart, always tried her best to change that. With some of her Psychology 101.

I would complain about my short chubby legs, and she would say, "Atleast you HAVE legs." Or I I would complain about my short chubby feet (to match my legs), and she would say, "Atleast you HAVE feet!" And you know what? I'm glad she reminded me of that. Because, to be perfectly honest, I would actually forget that my legs and feet were mine. And I should also never forget that I was not some homeless, starving girl in Africa. I had a family who loved me and took excellent care of me. Thanks to her gentle reminders, all was put back into perspective. Thanks, Mom!

So these past few days I've been trying to practice my mothers wisdom....

1. Atleast I have a job.
2. Atleast my husband has a job.
3. Atleast I have a house.
4. Atleast I have transportation.
5. Atleast the bank will cover all those debits to Mexico.
6. Atleast Abe has been our only child with crooked teeth.

Least I forget all my blessings. I'm counting them. Several times a day.

Oh! There was a bright a spot in my day. A little messenger boy came to visit me today. I can't share the news too publicly yet. I will be sure and shout it from the roof top when I have permission. His announcement really did put the miracle of life back into focus for me.

Tomorrow - I will be back. New and improved. With a cute haircut to boot!

Powderpuff. Seniors Rule!

Last year, when they were juniors, they beat the seniors. This year they beat the juniors!! Final score. 21-7!

November 10, 1986 ~ 12:10 pm ~ 6 lbs 4 oz

Dear Abby,

From the moment I saw your darling little jaundiced face and perfectly round head I had feelings I had never experienced before. What surprised me the most over the years is how much "mommy guilt" I have felt.

You know how I hate surprises. I would have given anything to have known boy or girl. Technology wasn't what it is today and they just couldn't tell. Had I known you were a girl, I would not have called you Benjamin my entire pregnancy. I wanted a girl so bad that I had convinced myself I was having a boy. Crazy. I know. I am thankful you have no gender issues from those first 9 months.

When people would ask me if I wanted a boy or a girl I would give them the politically correct answer.

"I don't care as long as it's healthy."

but what I really wanted to say was,

"I want a girl."

I didn't have a sister and so I really needed you to be a girl. To fulfill that void in my life. Someone to laugh with. Shop with. Share clothes with. (I'm wearing your hand-me-down jeans as I write) Most importantly, someone to talk and share life with. I started talking to you from the minute I found out about you. That is why you have been talking, like an adult, since the age of 1. That is how I always talked to you. Like a big person.

The first few months of life with you were rough.

I was under the impression that babies ate and slept. I wasn't prepared for the constant crying (colic) and constipation and eczema. And all you wanted to do was nurse. You wouldn't take a Binky. Just Mama. All those cloth diapers. Then you wouldn't take a bottle. What that means is that we didn't ever leave the house. For 12 months straight. We were home. Or in dad's noisy truck getting you to be quiet.

You outgrew the crying. And dad gave you an enema. You walked at 9 months. Completely potty trained at 18 months and FINALLY quit nursing. Over time we learned more about your skin issues. In particular, your pine allergy. I'm sorry for making you endure years of pine Christmas trees. It does explain your excessive crankiness and skin rashes around the holidays.

We also learned more about your asthma and allergies to every single tree, grass, fruit, vegetable, nut and meat. I'm sorry for not believing that carrots and cantaloupe and watermelon and corn made your throat itch and swell up. I'm sorry for not taking you serious when your face was turning purple and you grabbed your throat and muttered "IT'S THE CARROTS!" Who knew you could be allergic to carrots? I believe you now.

I always tell people you were ready for college at the age of 5. That is not an exaggeration. You were very bright and also very independent. In kindergarten you arranged the kids in the line so when the PE Teacher numbered off your friends would be on the same team. Ms. Gullborg caught on to you, though, and told us she had NEVER had a 5 year old "fix" the teams.

When you were young my only goal was to beat you at Dr. Mario. You provided me with hours of healthy mother/daughter competition. You were really good at Nintendo. Way better than me. It was only natural that you and I made the perfect Pitch partners. WINNERS!

You have never been afraid to try anything. I admire your competitive spirit and have learned so much from you.

I will always remember cheering you on at the Aqua Pup tournaments. It was me and Dad and Annie and all the other swimmers (even swimmers from the other towns) who had already finished the relay. We would all cheer you on because you were always the last swimmer. We were just as proud when you finally climbed out of the pool as if you had finished first. You always wore that black, waterproof Timex watch like it was your badge of honor. Your eyes were swollen for three months straight because of your latex allergy and your goggles were latex. And I just shrugged it off as a sunburn. Please forgive me for not finding latex free goggles sooner.

I was so proud when you went out for track in middle school. You did not come from an athletic family and I am glad you did not ever let that stop you. What I remember most about your experience in track isn't how fast you ran but how you got all your clothes and jewelry stolen out of the locker room. Which reminds me that you also had your purse stolen. And most recently your stuff stolen in Chicago. You've had more stolen in 21 years than most people have their entire life. I'm sorry for that.

When you were three you wanted to name your new little sister Mabel. Dad put his foot down and frankly, I'm glad he did.

Darling daughter of mine, there are many things I would like to do differently if I had the chance but one thing I wouldn't change is the person you have become. You were always the kid who followed her heart. You are very self-confident. I adore your sweet and kind spirit and contagious laugh. I miss you terribly but know you are living your life as only you can.

Happy 21st birthday to my favorite winner! I can't wait to see how you change the world!

XOXOXO

All my love,
Mom

10 - Abby

A top 10 to honor my oldest child on the eve of her birthday.

I should do 10 annoying things but I'm feeling nice today so here it is. 10 things I love about Abby.

1. Her very curly hair (don't know where on earth this came from and these days she works really hard to make it straight)
2. Her Brown Eyes (from her daddy)
3. Her size(she is short - like me!)
4. Her smile (lights up a room)
5. Her laugh (miss it at our dinner table)
6. She loves to read (also, from me)
7. She is a great painter (from her dad)
8. She can make a decision quickly (and never second guesses)
9. She follows her heart (which is HUGE, BTW)
10. Her fierce independence (this has been apparent from her due date forward)

Aqua Dots

Recently, at a friends house, we discovered Aqua Dots.

I immediately put them on my Christmas shopping list. For Abe. For Stella. For my nieces.

Abe was hooked. He spent much time making a master piece. A Pumpkin.

When it was time to leave Allie's house, his pumpkin wasn't quite dry enough to bring home. We promised him that he could get it the next day.

Well, the next day turned into the next day and then the next. It's been almost 2 weeks.

I am not kidding when I say that every day Abe has asked for us to go by Allie's and pick up that Pumpkin. I have been promising him we will get around to it. We just haven't.

Then I get a call from my friend last night. She has thrown all Aqua Dots in the trash. Including my son's treasured pumpkin.

Why?

Because of this breaking news. It seems Aqua Dots have a chemical, which converts to the date rape drug when ingested.

At first, I thought Jamie had overreacted by throwing them all away. Especially, the pumpkin. Abe is big enough not to put them in his mouth.

Then Randy pointed out that the night that Abe played with the Aqua Dots at their house, Jamie (a mother of two) had been sucking on them herself. Trying to get the glue to loosen to pull apart the orange dots for the pumpkin. He didn't want them in our house, either!

We had real tears last night. Over the Picasso Pumpkin. Over the masterpiece Abe could never re-create. All the time he spent on that art project...wasted.

I had tears, too.

What am I going to put on my shopping list for the little girls that doesn't contain lead, the date rape drug or finger amputation?

Good News. Bad News.

I am routine oriented. The same thing. Over and Over. Day in. Day out.

1. Wake up.
2. Shower.
3. Put contact lenses in.
4. Wash hands.
   
5. Moisturize.
6. Wash hands.
   
7. Up Lifting foam.
   
8. Wash hands.
9. Apply make up.
10. Wash hands.
    
11. Blow Dry.
12. Straighten.
13. Transforming Paste & Spray.
14. Wash hands.
    

I NEVER stray from this. The only exception is if I'm wearing glasses. Then I skip #3.

This morning, while I was putting my contacts in, I thought I saw Up-Lifting foam in my hair. That would be step #7 and I was only on step #3.

I NEVER put hair products in before my contacts. I want my hands to be extremely clean when I do this so I do this first thing. Always. Equally strange is that I did not remember putting anything in my hair.

This got me to thinking. Is it possible that I have done my morning routine so long that I do things and don't even remember?

The good news is that upon closer inspection, using my magnifying mirror (bad eyes) I did not have Up Lifting foam in my hair. Whew. I'm not loosing my mind (well - that is debatable).

The bad news is gray hair. Lots and lots of gray hair. Enough to look like Up Lifting foam. Right after I spray it and before I comb it through.

A True-Blue Buddy

Abe went to his very first sleep-over on Friday. The boys went to a soccer game and ordered Pizza. They watched Star Wars, played Harry Potter, Club Penguin, Webkinz, and video games. They stayed up really late and woke up really early.

When we were packing for the big event I had some reservations about packing Rascal. My little guy is 7, after all. I am in no hurry for him to grow up so I don't push the issue. In fact, I find it endearing. He is our one and only child who has been attached to anything. That said - I don't want him to be made fun of, either. So I came up with a wonderful plan. I offered to have a sleep-over with Rascal at our house. That idea went exactly like I thought it would. Out the window. Abe said he would pack Rascal. Then he would make a cozy bed in his bag and just sleep with the bag right next to him. On the floor.

When it was time for bed, Cole pulled out Cody. His monkey. The monkey he can't sleep without. And Abe pulled out Rascal. The little boy he can't sleep without.

I have a feeling they will be buddies for years to come. Cody and Rascal, too!

10 - counting the days

• 8 days until Abby's 21st birthday (I know - I don't look a day over 21 myself!)
  
• 19 days until we leave for Chicago (This can't come soon enough and happens to be more exciting than Christmas Eve this year)
  
• 36 days until our family trip to Great Wolf Lodge (and Randy's birthday)
  
• 42 days until my company Christmas dinner (I'm in charge....you all know how I feel about that)
  
• 52 days until Christmas Eve (my favorite day of the entire year)
• 53 days until Christmas (first one without Abby. it will be a tough day for me)
  
• 109 days until Annie's 18th birthday (when did this little girl grow up? I blinked!)
  
• 122 days until our 24th wedding anniversary (next year- CRUISE!)
  
• 196 days until my baby is 8! (He is incredible....incredibly spoiled!)
  
• 197 days until MHS graduation (and yet another open house for me and Grandma to host)
  

Cat Whisperer

It was my brilliant idea that we visit only the houses with the porch lights on.

And I know what you are thinking. You do that, too.

However, it was still broad daylight when were trick-or-treating. I'm not sure how that porch light rule works in the daylight but people did have their lights on already. And since I am a rule follower I was just trying to follow Halloween etiquette.

We had walked past a big white house (no porch light) when an 80 or possibly 90-something little old lady stuck her head out the door. She wasn't talking but grinning from ear to ear and her old bony hand was waving us over. About that same time her cat ran out of her front door.

She was very concerned over "Gypsy" being out all night on such a night as Halloween. My compassion for the elderly kicked in overdrive.

"I will get your cat!" I said with much enthusiasm.

My friend was so affirming towards me, too.

"Since you are a cat-whisperer?" she mocked. Clever, I thought.

I ignored her snide remark. At that moment I really thought I WAS a cat whisperer. She would be so impressed when I was holding that cat.

I squatted and said...

"Here kitty kitty kitty. here Gypsy. Nice kitty,"

Usually, kids and dogs flock to me. The same cannot be said for cats.

The little old lady had handed out candy to the kids while I was attempting to round up the cat. It was not going to happen. I headed towards her talking all the while about Gypsy.

"Will Gypsy be alright? Will she come back home? What should we do?"

She did not hear a word I said.

She was pointing that old bony finger right at me and shaking it wildly.

"Did you get candy?" she said to me. "I want to make sure all you kids get a piece of candy. I don't want to leave anyone out."

And then she giggled and said, "Oh! You are not a kid - are you?"

I think I threw her with my home-made costume. (see picture below) Can't you tell? I'm a Jogger.



But Hey! I'll take free candy anyway I can get it!