The Halloween Spirit!

So I decided to do a little history lesson for myself about what Halloween is so I turned to the highly regarded site, Wikipedia-- Halloween is an annual holiday observed on October 31. It has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints' Day, but is today largely a secular celebration.

Common Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and attending costume parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, ghost tours, bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, committing pranks, telling ghost stories or other frightening tales, and watching horror films.

Many Christians ascribe no negative significance to Halloween, treating it as a purely secular holiday devoted to celebrating "imaginary spooks" and handing out candy. To these Christians, Halloween holds no threat to the spiritual lives of children: being taught about death and mortality, and the ways of the Celtic ancestors actually being a valuable life lesson and a part of many of their parishioners' heritage. In the Roman Catholic Church Halloween is viewed as having a Christian connection, and Halloween celebrations are common in Catholic parochial schools throughout North America and in Ireland.

Other Christians feel concerned about Halloween, and reject the holiday because they feel it trivializes - or celebrates - paganism, the occult, or other practices and cultural phenomena deemed incompatible with their beliefs. A response among some fundamentalist and conservative evangelical churches in recent years has been the use of 'Hell houses', themed pamphlets, or comic-style tracts such as those created by Jack T. Chick in order to make use of Halloween's popularity as an opportunity for evangelism. Some consider Halloween to be completely incompatible with the Christian faith because of its origin as a pagan "Festival of the Dead". For example, Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Halloween because they believe anything that originated from a pagan holiday should not be celebrated by true Christians.

Celtic Pagans consider the season a holy time of year. Celtic Reconstructionists, and others who maintain ancestral customs, make offerings to the gods and the ancestors. Some Wiccans feel that the tradition is offensive to Wiccan practitioners for promoting stereotypical caricatures of "wicked witches".

Growing up I enjoyed going out trick-or-treating and dressing up in fun costumes--yes even dressing up as an adult. Growing up I was blessed to have many memories of Halloween! One of my favorite stories was when my "highly regarded" uncle and his wife dressed up in Ape costumes and went climbing on the cars parked out on the street while the area Catholic Church's evening mass was letting out.

I also remember my Nana and Poppy dressing up as Olive Oyl and Popeye! I have to say that there are times like this where I wish I had a picture or two of some of these great costumes. I also remember when my Poppy dressed up as a Chimney--now I don't remember when this took place but I know I was still very young because he took me to 2 of our neighbors houses and he couldn't get through the doors.

Now I swear I have had every costume known to man! For some of the people that I grew up with or older--remember those plastic costumes that came in the box?!?!?! At the time you would go into K-Mart, because that is the ONLY store we had around here, and search what seems like hours for the "perfect" costume. Now thay weren't the most comfortable costumes or the most sturdy. That stupid rubber band on the mask would get wrapped in my hair and by the end of the night it would take "FOREVER" to get it out!

I also remember that the small mouth and nose holes where you were supposed to be able to breath from would make your face all sweaty because they were NEVER big enough for your mouth or nose. However, over the years I think I was also a "rocker", a ghost, a devil, a madame, a prisoner and a clown--I am sure that there was more, but I can only think of some of the obvious costumes.

I should say that the picture off to the left was being contemplated as to whether or not I should post, but this blog is meant for me to rip away all my walls and reveal the true ME (both in thought and personality)! I don't think I was ever allowed to wear my costume out for halloween-- maybe that had something to do with living in the Northeast where 9 times out of 10 you would wear a snowcoat under your halloween costume.

Now I have to say that my all time FAVORITE halloween memory is the photo posted below. Now I should apologies to my Nana for posting this, but I have to say that this is probably the BEST halloween memory I have of her and my Poppy.

(Poppy, me and Nana)

The Secret Can FINALLY Be Revealed!

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about this big secret I was keeping! I said that I would be able to tell everyone at the end of September--well that wasn't exactly true, I can say it now. So the question is what have I been up to?!?!?! Well it is 5:23 am and I am sitting in the Albany airport waiting to board my plane to Wisconsin! Yes, you did read it right I am on my way to Wisconsin. Now before Cindy gets too excited I am not going to Green Bay to protest the departure years ago of her love, Brett, I am heading out today to surprise my friend Jen for her birthday that was on the 5th of this month!

Now let me tell you this hasn't been the easiest secret to keep! On Monday Jen had started to get a little snoopy! Now I can't blame her for that--her mother has convinced her to take a day off of work because she had a birthday surprise for her. On Monday night I received a text from Jen saying that she had a feeling that her surprise had to deal with a person and that the person was me!!! Dang! Everything went through my head--do I tell her, do I lie to her, do I ignore the text?!?!?! I decided after a few moments of panic and searching to see if her mom was online I would just respond. I told her that I would love to see her (which I would), that I ws unemployed and had a lot of bills (which I am and do) and that I didn't have cash for a plane ticket (true as well)-- now see I didn't lie to her!

Cathy (her wonderful mother) IM'd me last night and said Jen was spending the night at her house and would I like her to bring her to the airport or surprise her when we get back to her house--knowing how much Jen LOVES surprises (saracasm 101) I decided that Jen should sweat out her surprise a little longer and wait until we got back to Cathy's house. Come on what type of friend would I be if she showed up at the airport to see me when I can torture her an extra hour :) . I figure it is only right after her post on Facebook last night and I quote, "Tomorrow is the day of my so-called big surprise...this better be good, it's been driving me insane for weeks...lol!!" Well I hope it is good because keeping this from her is killing ME!!!!

So the question I have been asked a lot when I have told people about my trip was-- How do you know Jen? Jen was part of my most EXCELLENT Ireland trip a few years ago. She was one of the two Jen's and just an awesome person. I have been lucky enough to stay in contact with her since we departed from the Jury's Inn at Christchurch where we shared a love for men with an Irish accent, Guinness, Jamesons, that woman that was from there originally and Leo Burdock's ontop of other things! The below picture is of the group of us with a sample of the greatest beer on earth! I should add that this was after all of us (minus Jen's mom because she was a good girl) stayed out until 2 am drinking with our tour guide and that hot guy from the hotel bar! :) Please excuse the still drunk look that some of us are sporting!





(Front: me, Cathy, Jen Back: Jen and Josh)





So I just landed in Cleveland and am waiting at my gate. Departure is in 32 minutes and I can't wait!!! It means my travel on the planes are almost done for the day! I am not to fond of small planes and I was just on a 58 seat plane--the only good thing was I was able to sleep for about 45 minutes. So while I have a quick stop in Cleveland I will then be off to Wisconsin! I find it only appropriate that I attach the bottom clip to honor Wisconsin!

The Wedding To End All Weddings!

On Saturday, August 21, 2010 my beautiful cousin, Stephanie, married Chris Shank (aka Shank). Now for the longest time we never knew Chris's name was Chris--Stephanie ALWAYS referred to him as Shank. So it came as a surprise when she told us his first name. At first thought some of the family members gasped for air as flash backs started to develop in our heads...Steph's ex-loser-boyfriend was named Chris and we were dreading having a repeat performance (the good thought was if he was anything like his predecessor, he wouldn't be around long at all).

However, to our happy surprise Shank was NOTHING like the prior. Here was a guy that came into our family with a running start...he was calling our grandmother Nana like the rest of us. He was laughing and joking around with the cousins (we are a tough crowd) and he even got along with our Uncle Doug (who is a tougher crowd). From the beginning Shank fit in. Even better--Stephanie was happy!

***On a side note*** I don't want to paint the picture that Shank is the hero that came in and saved our family from ourselves, but in all honesty HE is! He has taken it upon himself to settle the years of fighting between all the grandkids on who is Nana's favorite...Shank has singlehandedly declared HIMSELF our Nana's favorite. Now not to go into great details, but a few of us grandkids (ok, ALL 6 of us) have decided to question the validity of this!!! Judge Judy may need to be called in!

On a serious note, over the last few years we all have gotten to know Chris by spending a lot of time with him. You know Stephanie found a keeper when he would come up to Nana's for "family lunch Sunday's" when Stephanie wasn't around or had to work. It was like he has been a part of our family forever! Now there are only two reasons for him voluntarily spending all of this time with the crazy lot of us--A) he was either nuts or B) he loved Stephanie. Come to find out it was BOTH!!!

Now it didn't surprise us when Chris proposed, even though he had threatened to delay it every time the topic of "marriage" was brought up. The entire family knew that Stephanie would be persistant and Shank would grow weaker and weaker--hey what can I tell ya she's a Wright and we don't know how to back down when we find something we want.

Now I know I have been speaking a lot about Shank and what a great guy he is and all of that stuff. I haven't forgotten about Stephanie, it is just difficult to put into words what Stephanie is really like. From people on the outside she is beautiful, fun, energetic, and just alway a happy person. But for those that know and love her she is so much more. Yes, she is all that I described above, but the words sensitive, loving, caring, compassionate and smart are just a few others. Stephanie ALWAYS sees the best in people and is willing to give them a chance time and time again. She has a heart as big as this world! (love you Steph!)

So on August 21st when my Uncle Don gave away his eldest daughter.There was a part of all of us that was sad, but we were more overjoyed with the beauty and grace that Stephanie had walking down the eisle.
To say Stepahnie was a beautiful bride is an understatement. She looked gorgeous all dressed up and ready to spend the rest of her life with the man standing at the alter. Ok, I will give Shank some props too--he looked handsome in his white tux but, as anyone who has ever been to a wedding before--it is all about the babe in the gown! A traditional church wedding it was not, but I would expect nothing less from these two. They are both unique individuals and that showed during the ceremony. Through the readings, song and vows the ceremony proved to be a great chance to show this to the people gathered to witness this happy occassion. With a beautiful reception that followed Stephanie and Chris had spent their night dancing and celebrating with the rest of their family and friends.

I think the one thing that I would like to say to Steph and Shank is to always remember how much you loved each other on that day. That there will be some potholes in the road ahead, but you are going to be able to make it through and do anything you put your mind and heart to because you have your bestfriend in your corner. Oh and never let the music end...

Lots of love to you both,

April

Secrets

I am not into the keeping of secrets especially when it will hurt another person! Surprises--not a fan either! The only time where I am OK with surprises are when they are not going to happen to me. I don't want to have surprise birthday parties! I don't like being the one where everyone knows something that is going to happen to me before I know it! I do think that some secrets are good to be kept to oneself and surprises are probably the most fun--when they are happening to someone else!.

Over the years I have been asked to keep probably thousands of secret--some good and some not so good. I think the greatest one was a few months back when my friend's husband turned 40! He had no clue that he was going to a party for himself. When he walked in the look on his face was priceless--meaning that Krista pulled it off and she was able to keep the secret!

A few years back family and friends gathered for my Uncle Don and Aunt Tammy's surprise anniversary party. In order to keep this surprise going Makenzie, their youngest child, was not informed until she got to the restaurant. So when my uncle and aunt walked in to the hall they were blown away!

Makenzie wasn't informed because she wasn't able to keep the secret at that time. As people get older they are able to keep secrets. They learn that telling the person that this is supposed to happen to would not mean as much as if they were surprised by it! Makenzie has grown up over the past few years and she is now more trustworthy in keeping secrets--just a few months ago she was able to keep the surprise bridal shower for her sister Stephanie under lock and key!

So how come some people are better equipped at keeping secrets over others?!?!?! I have no idea!!! I think it is the fact that certain things excite us more than others and we are able to hold on to those secrets with more difficulty!

So what's my secret....you will have to wait a little while to be informed!

I Swear They Make These Commercials To Torture Me...

I am sure that some of you will be able to relate to what I am about to say! Others may just think I am crazy--you know I am willing to accept that! Some people can't cry and other can cry at the drop of a hat! Me--I am the one that can watch a movie and cry through the whole thing! Which brings me to this post! It will probably be the shortest of any blog I will ever write, but I had to say it...Walmart has made one of the most touching commercials! Now some of the people I know (you know who you are) don't like Walmart and don't agree what they do or stand for on some topics, but nobody can say that they don't bring certain social issues to the light! Here is a commercial that gets me every time!

Family Traditions

Every family I know has some sort of tradition. Some have to do with holidays while some are about the typical family vacation-- I myself am lucky enough to have both. I have done the Cape Cod family vacation for years (maybe even 27 years,but who's counting). Maybe I will share a Cape Cod story or two later on, but now I want to talk about the tradtion of all traditions--Christmas. I know it is August and Christmas is still a ways off, but as I was looking through an online cataloge today and I came across something that sparked a fantastic memory.


For those of you that know me and my family--it is NOT the making of Nana's famous fruitcake cookies (which I am sure I will blog about right after we make them). While that is fun, this has another sentimental meaning. It is one of those traditions that people, especially people in my family DO NOT like (don't worry Aunt Tammy I won't tell them it is you!!!)-- the watching of "A Christmas Story!" While this may not seem like a tradition to some of you my cousin Justin and I have it down to an artform! Infact--it isn't Christmas without that movie playing over and over again. I should mention that I don't think we have ever watched the full movie on Christmas-- we tend to get bits and pieces here and there (you know all the interuptions from family complaining abuot having to watch it AGAIN!!!





TBS which highlights this classic movie for a full 24 hours each Christmas (Justin and I have probably watched about 18 hours--give or take a few each year) is the choice channel at Nana's house. I can tell you personally there is nothing like curling up on the couches with the ones you love watching poor sweet Ralphie desire that infamous Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifel--that yes he will shoot his eye out with. Or even better him charging at the bully Scut Farkus blooding his face while swearing non-stop as he nails him blow for blow.



I also appreciate the small but memorable scenes that make you smile-- Ralphie's bratty little brother Randy who can not move in his snowsuit, the pink bunny costume, the "major award" that Ralphie's father won that led to the battle of the lamp (which Ralphie's mother won in the most unthinkable way), Flick being "trible dog dared" to stick his tongue to a flagpole (who knew this movie would lead to an adult film career for Flick-who knew!!!) and last but certainly not least Bumpuses's bloodhounds that led to disaster and Christmas dinner at the Chinese returant.
I can still hear that line coming out of Ralphie's father's mouth..."Damn you Bumpuses'!!!!"

While thinking about this movie I realised that there are a lot of similarities between Ralphie and his family and my own family (not as many as "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" but still a lot of similarities--yes I said it we are like them and they are like us!!! Now I don't have an Aunt Clara that bought me or my cousin's a pink bunny suit, but I did have a Great great Aunt Ida who bought me outfits that I would not wear (her intentions were wonderful, but like Ralphie I just wouldn't be caught dead in some of them).

No I should say I am sorry to my Uncle Doug right away, but I compare my him to Ralphie's father, but only in one way (and this is where my Nana's fruitcake cookies come in to play)--my uncle can smell those cookies from 100 miles away without us telling him that they were made or being made. It is like he has a camera hidden in that kitchen or an internal warning light like a submarine! He takes to those cookies as Ralphie's father takes to that darn turkey! The one disappointment is the we don't have the Bumpuses' as neighbors!

While thinking about it in greater depth, I have to say that my Poppy was like Ralphie's father in another way. A few years before he passed away he went back to Vietnam to see the country. When he came back my Nana was surprised by the "lawn statue" that he returned with--a nude woman laying on her side! Yup it was a real prize and it was fragile-- you know it was from Italy. If this was the comparrison for my Poppy then that would make my Nana 100% like Ralphie's mom-- she won that battle against my grandfather and the last time I saw that statue it was inside my aunt and uncle's pool shed hidden from the world! My Nana didn't have to break it to get rid of it!!!

While I guess my family could be compared to much worse (i.e. The Bundy's (I mean Al and Peggy), The Simpsons or those crazy kids from The Jersey Shore (they say they are not only friends--they are family--plus who in my family could be Snooki?!?!?!)) All in all Christmas at my Nana's and "The Christmas Story" are what makes my holidays!

For all of you who haven't seen it -- a) where have you been living all these years and b) run don't walk to your nearest dvd/video/beta store and get a copy!!!-- here is a highlight of some of the best lines (but still missing a lot of classic ones)

A Night With Sue

Last week I was lucky enough to spend some time with Sue up on Lake St. Catherine in Vermont. There is never a dull moment while spending time with her. We laugh, we cry, we drink wine and work. The first night that I was there one whole side of the lake lost power. Lights out at 9:45 pm! I spent some time feeling my way around the cottage looking for a flashlight and found matches instead, then I remembered I saw candles earlier in the day--only where!?!?!?! Found them, then the wine and we were good to go-- however, 10 mins later the lights came on again.

***As a side note a blackberry phone is not the greatest source of light to find anything!!!

So with no power the first night should mean that night #2 should be uneventful...not with Ms. Sue!!! Here is my e-mail to some people that I knew wouldn't believe me when I told them about my whole ordeal, but the timestamp I figured would give me some pull, plus anyone that knows Sue would have to believe me.

It's 2:18 am and you won't believe what Sue has me doing...

Please be seated while reading this--if not you may fall over laughing! So I am going to bed about 12:30 am--Sue is already in her room asleep. I finally get to sleep after tossing and turning for a little while. Then I hear, "April, oh my gosh, April, oh my gosh!" I ask if everything is alright and that is when Sue tells me that she just turned the light on in her bedroom and there staring at her is a skunk! Yup, there is a skunk in the house and it just came out of Gwen's bedroom (which is right next to both of our rooms). Yup, you can guess what happened next--I broke into full on chicken mode over having this stupid skunk in the house and ruining my good night sleep.

Sue then informs me--while carrying a pillow to protect herself from this skunk, that it walked down the hall and it looks like it went into the living area! So with just a pillow carried by Sue and both of us in our pj's we take off down the hall like some of the great detectives; Holmes and Watson, Gibbs and McGee...Laurel and Hardy, just to name a few!!! We get to the end of the hall and I see out weapons of choice that will be sure to protect us from this sinister skunk...wait for it...an umbrellas! Yes I know a complete Rocket Scientist, but what do you expect from me in a major crisis!!!

Anyways, back to our bravery...we searched the living room, looked behind everything and under everything else. We searched the kitchen, just in case it came in for a midnight snack and Sue opened the kitchen door to get outside to open the porch door...wanted to make sure that the skunk wasn't waiting to out on the other side---finally the porch was cleared for entry from this terrorist intruder! We found NOTHING!!!!

"Don't skunks have the ability to climb stairs???" I asked Sue. Next thing I know Sue with her pillow and I with my umbrella made our treacherous climb up Everest. Let me tell you our palms were sweaty and our knees were a clinking--there are no doors upstairs only curtains in the doorways. That way it was easy access for us to search, but for the skunk to spray us...what a great thought going into this scary mission. We scoured the area and again found nothing!!! After the search our only concern was why there was a Have-A-Heart trap in an upstairs bedroom?!?!!?

At 2:05 am the two of us dragged the trap down the steep stairs and onto the porch. We secured in with some lovely fixings for our new house guest, if he decides to stay the night we will all have a nice morning hike around the lake---just the 3 of us!

I should conclude this with some information about that night--

No we never found the skunk!

Yes the stupid thing had his little snack of fresh veggies, but never set off the trap!
Yes I only had 4 hours of sleep!

Finally, no skunks or individuals were hurt in the creating of this real life experience!!

Oh and after all this bonding with the skunk...I have decided to call him Joe!

After our attempt at playing Rescue 911 with the skunk I believe the above photo of the skunk sticking it's tongue out is the perfect way to explain:

Joe the Skunk-1

Humans-0