Displaced Beachbums

Last night was the start of “Halloween Week” with plenty of upcoming events over the next 6 nights. Favorite Man (FM) usually takes Favorite Girl (FG) to Halloween events. Mostly because he has as much fun as the kids do. We go together whenever we can but, last year, they went to the Andersen Air Force Base “Haunted House” ~ I skipped it. Not to be a snob, but how scary can it be with gorgeous warm weather and palm trees all around 😉 

Since FM is gone for the month of October, I took FG on the Haunted Hay Ride on post last night. As with most events I’ve been to at this post, it was very well-organized. Much like a ride at Disney. Long lines, but everything moved along smoothly. We were even transported to the location in a van decorated for the event, complete with skeletons on the front bumper.

The ride itself took us through the wooded area of Remington Park. Just being in the chilly, dark woods at night is scary but, with frightening creatures jumping out at every turn, the kids (OK, me too) were screaming and trying to hide. There was even a ghoul on a zip-line flying between the trees. My favorite was the “Jason” look-a-like who just followed the ride, but he looked and walked just like Jason Michael Myers from the movie “Halloween.”

The Hay Ride dropped us off at the “Haunted Pavilion” which seemed more like a fun house to me, but terrified the kids. The clowns were creepy as they always are to me. Once we traversed the Pavilion, it led us to a graveyard with ghouls at every turn. The only way back was walking through a wooded area and across a bridge. I thought one of the statues was a fake until it leaped out at us. Too much fun.

I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard in a long time. Don’t get me wrong, it was plenty scary but it was so much fun watching the kids get such a “scare” out of it all. Or, maybe, it was a nervous laughter.

We’re going to miss spending Halloween with FM’s family this year since we had so much fun at their costume party last year. We’re just hoping FM makes it back home in time to Trick or Treat with FG. She doesn’t have many years left of going door to door.

 When do kids age out of trick or treating?

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First off, I have no idea where the last two weeks went ~ it seems to be going by at warp speed. There’s so many volunteer opportunities available on a military base and it’s hard not to get overly involved. I’m thinking I need to get a job so I won’t be quite so busy.    😉

FG is part of the Cheerleading team this fall and is enjoying every minute of it. The schedule is pretty intense: it was two hours every week night in August and now it’s three nights a week. Thankfully, there are three other girls on the street who also cheer so we’re able to car pool and only have to drive once a week.

FM is traveling a little more these days. Last week, he went to Walter Reed Army Hospital to visit wounded soldiers from his unit. It’s so sad they’re still there a year later but thankfully they are all outpatients at this point and are doing better. I coordinated the goodie bags for this trip (we try to send something at least every other month) and was thrilled everyone is so willing to bake goodies for the soldiers. The bags were packed full of home made yummies. 

FM missed seeing Gene Simmons from KISS, Celebrity Apprentice and the current A&E show “Family Jewels“, by a couple days. Gene Simmons was at Walter Reed on Friday and FM got there on Sunday. Gene is a huge supporter of the military and has visited Walter Reed patients in the past. I’m sure the soldiers are glad they’re not forgotten while they mend.

FM’s birthday came and went last week without a whole lot of fanfare. He didn’t get home from DC until early evening on his b’day so FG & I decided to take him to the Lonestar Steakhouse restaurant. May not seem like a lot but, for two vegetarians, it was quite a sacrifice. We were both apalled by the butcher-like meat display at the entrance of the restaurant, but the bread and salad were tasty enough. I’m secretly glad FM’s ribs were so-so and he has no big desire to go back anytime soon. It’s back to Panera Bread for FG & I.  Yummy!

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…or more like a fun stroll. FM’s unit put together a 5K Fun Run. They had several categories including: fastest male, fastest female, fastest couple and fastest family. It was both FG and my first 5K. We started out just fine but she went a bit too fast and ended on a whimper. I’m happy she finished though and we’ll practice before attempting another.

I really enjoyed it and will try another 5K where I’ll run on my own and not as a family unit. FM’s too fast for me and FG’s too slow. It’s the opposite of our skiing style ~ FG is too fast and FM is too slow. 😉

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