Of Ghouls and Guises

Yesterday, my dad (a.k.a. the King of Ghoul) came over to help us decorate for Halloween. He helped us last year, as well, and we were a big hit with all the kids in the neighborhood. I usually don't love all the guts and gore involved in his decorating style, but the kids seemed to really enjoy it, and the guys had a ton of fun dressing as leaf-stuffed dummies and startling every unexpecting soul that passed our house.

Their disguises were pretty convincing... can you tell which one of these stuffed dummies is my husband??

And here's Dad, patiently waiting for someone to scare...

I think this year's set-up is even better than last year...it's pretty similar, but we added some cool things. We just have some finishing touches to add before trick-or-treating begins tonight, and I'll be sure to take some pictures once it's all done!

I meant to think of a costume for tonight (because when I was a kid, I always loved when the people handing out the candy were all dressed up) but I never really thought of anything..so I will probably just put on a witch hat and call it good...or maybe some whiskers?


I always think it's cute when pets are dressed up, too, but my cats would never leave anything on. My dog is willing, but far too big for any store-bought costume. He does have a hat and tie, though...

He is surprisingly tolerant of the silly little hat being strapped to his ears with elastic...What a good pooch!


 

How about something like this for the Crispies?

Seems fitting...

Or maybe something more like this:

Because they are my ANGELS!





                                        HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Your savings today is: $35.34

 I've been trying really hard to be better at "couponing" lately...just trying to save some money on the things I already buy. I'm actually pretty terrible at it, though. I print most of them from the internet, then stick them in my little book, then spend a terribly long time shopping and figuring out the best deal, then I go and forget half the coupons at the check-out. So basically, I end up paying full price for things I never would have even considered if it weren't for the coupon! But I'm getting better... Besides, I usually remember before I leave the store, and most places will let you add a coupon after the fact and refund the difference (if you're willing to go through the trouble for that extra dollar in your pocket..) Today it was pillows at Target...didn't really need them, but the coupons made them cheap, and who couldn't use a few more pillows on the bed?? Maybe it was silly to go back through the line to have them refund $2 for the coupon I forgot...but I hate paying retail for anything if I can avoid it.


For the most part, I think I am getting the hang of it...and actually have snagged a couple of good deals. My favorite deal of the day:

A sale and a $2 coupon for this....

and using the coupon off the container to get this....
 

for FREE!!

I love free.

There is also a Target coupon for these...

 which, when paired with the current sale, makes them free, too :)
I'm building up a pretty good supply of cat treats (not that they deserve them)!

Therefore, this couponing thing is benefiting both me AND the Crispies!

Anyway...there are some pretty decent deals out there if you are willing to put some time into it...I haven't delved into it too much, but Target usually has some good ones, as well as Kroger (which also gives you the option to load them directly on to your Kroger card, making for less shuffling through papers in the grocery store!)

In other news...

I knitted my very first sock!

Here it is on my foot....

I'm wearing it around the house...and maybe I look silly wearing just one sock...but that's alright, because one warm foot is better than two cold feet!

It took me exactly one week to do this one, start to finish, so I figure I can probably get the next one done in a just few days (since I'm an experienced sock knitter now!!), minus the time it is going to take me to untangle this mess:

You didn't think the girls would let me get away with having all this yarn in the house, did you?
 They had a blast with the ball that I left on the kitchen counter... what made me think it would be safe there, I wonder?

They had fun helping me knit, as well...they are both very fond of this new hobby.

Now, on to sock #2!