The Dead End

Lower turnout than last year :(

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:30:00 +0000

But I had fun anyway. We only had about 30 or so actual trick-or-treaters this year, and about that many adults accompanying them. I was running behind, as usual, but I did manage to get into costume by the 2nd set of kids, so I was able to get out there and get a few scares in. Several people commented on "Peter", and I told everyone that the display will be different next year, so they must come back. Of course, we may not even be here at all next year, but that's a whole 'nuther story. ;-) I had a little fun with the post-Halloween photos when everyone was gone and it was nice and quiet. Photos located on the main site (http://www.theghostess.com) Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween.

Peter, Peter, Trick-or-Treat Eater

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:38:00 +0000

The past few posts have been my teasers for this one. It's been a very long time since I finished a prop - well over two years. I decided to finish that pumpkin head prop I started and gave it a body as well. I present to you, "Peter, Peter, Trick-or-Treater Eater".

Green again

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:23:00 +0000

Twisty brown...

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:19:00 +0000

And a splash of orange....

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:50:00 +0000

...makes me happy. :)

Green is the new orange

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:53:00 +0000

An amazing facade

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 21:01:00 +0000

http://www.davisgraveyard.com/slideshows/2011/

I've been following several haunters every year for a while now, and these are in my absolute faves group. LOVE the work this year!

Some thoughts and ideas for my financial future...

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:05:00 +0000

Some of you may know that I am again jobless. Right now, things are looking pretty bleak. I have been told by several people over the years to use my talents to make some extra cash, and I spent half the night last night and all morning this morning trying to figure a way to do just that. I'll admit, I do love to create things, but it is hard to find that one thing that I can do well enough to sell on a regular basis, not to mention I have no supplies or cash to buy any. Tombstones are a dime a dozen out there, and I pretty much gave away the one that I sold on Ebay thanks to shipping. I basically gave away the Pumpkin Head that I so lovingly created too - thanks to my ex's oh-so-savvy Ebay work when he sold it for me. I know Etsy is very popular right now, but I have nothing original to try to fit into the folds there.

I am really frustrated folks. I know I can do it, but I don't know WHAT to do. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated... I'm just really lost here. I don't wanna get rich, but if I can just bring in a little something to ease the stress of paying bills, I'd be a lot happier.

Halloween ornaments

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:44:00 +0000

http://www.trendytree.com/raz-christmas-decorations/raz-5-skeleton-cat-pumpkin-halloween-ornament.html

I really like these!

Halloween Buyback?

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:17:00 +0000

http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/

Interesting concept, unfortunately, it wouldn't make it to the post office if I were participating. ;-)

Worst costumes ever.... retro

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:13:00 +0000

http://www.retrocrush.com/costumes/

I remember these plastic things, but my mom usually made our costumes every year, sparing us from the hot sweaty plastic against our faces...lol

Chocolate Peppermintini!

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:59:00 +0000

This tasty treat is very reminiscent of a York's Peppermint Patty - but with vodka! We made some at our family Easter/Spring party this year, and it was a hit. Delicious - as my sister says, it's like a cocktail and a dessert all in one. I thought it would be a good mixer for the next Halloween party, and fitting because of the candy-like taste.

Woohoo - come on Zombies.... walk with us!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Tue, 10 May 2011 02:47:00 +0000

The next Jacksonville Zombie Walk is fast approaching!! Visit the website for the latest news, and stagger on over to the Facebook page for updates!! The walk is scheduled for May 20, 2011... and leads up to the Cult Fiction Drive-In Convention. Be there!!!!!

http://www.jaxzombiewalk.com/info.htm

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161021643961931

Florida Haunters converge on Ocala!

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Tue, 10 May 2011 02:34:00 +0000

The Florida Haunters had their first Make and Take of the year in Ocala at the Marion-Dunn Mason Lodge thanks to Doc TerrorEyes, who also taught the flicker circuit building segment of our get-together (fantastic job on that Doc!) It was a fabulous time, and I was so glad to be able to attend after a couple of years of not being able to go to any of the events due to work/money constraints.

We had a really good turnout for this one, and it was great to see many of my old friends and to meet some new faces as well! I also had the opportunity to introduce Tom to my crazy little haunter family, and I think he'll fit in just fine.... as well as my son's girlfriend who also loves Halloween and wants to help out with the prep this year. I'm really looking forward to the next one!

Here's a few photos from the day:

Haunt Cast!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 06:18:00 +0000

Show my buddies at Haunt Cast some love! Throw a buck their way and give the show a listen!

Prop-making supplies... what's important to you?

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 06:06:00 +0000

I was just sitting here, thinking about the tax refund that I'm getting back, and how to best spend some of it. Now, part of the reason that I haven't really made anything new in the past 2 years is due to a severe lack of funds for supplies - along with low motivation. I was thinking I could use some of the upcoming cash to put into my prop-making supply cabinets. The most important things to me are: carpenter's glue, latex paint, DryLok, joint compound, liquid latex, assorted paint brushes (mainly chip brushes), and foam sheets.

I'm curious though, what would everyone else consider a "must-have" for their supply list? I want to pick up a new medium in the hopes that it will spark some of that creative flow that I used to have, while I have the temporary means to try it. Please chime in!

Happy New Year (Hi 2011, please be a good haunt year!)

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:29:00 +0000

Well, already a week into January and I finally got the boxes put back up in the attic from Halloween. Did the party, had fun, pics posted on the site. I really REALLY hope I can get back into my Halloween groove this year. I miss making props and getting excited about October. The past couple of years have just been severely lacking in all areas concerning haunting. Wish me luck, good karma, whatever.... I just need my mojo back. :-(

I guess I've lost my dang mind...

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 22:13:00 +0000

So, before we went on vacation from work a couple of weeks ago, my boyfriend's sister made a comment about my not doing the part this year and not having the inside set up so they could all see it. Tom and I have only been together just less than a year, so his sister was not in my life last year, so she didn't get to see the craziness. Next year she and her husband and children will be in California and won't get to see it, which makes this year the only time in the foreseeable future for it to happen. After some thought, I figured I'd at least set up most of it so she could come out, plus the ToTs would probably like to see it back since I didn't do tours last year. Then while I was at work, I made the crazy snap decision that if I'm going to go through the trouble of setting up the inside, I might as well go all the way and have the party. Now... call me nuts, but I'm kinda looking forward to it this year. Last year and the year before were such let-downs that I swore this year I wouldn't put myself through it again and take a break. Anyway, I told my co-worker Devin about my decision and she immediately started jumping up and down and cheering. She was at the lame party last year, and she loves A. parties and B. dressing up for Halloween, so her enthusiasm totally made me happy about my decision to go forth and party. I revealed to Tom what I wanted to do, and he said "Looks like we have some work to do." That made me even happier, being that he used "we". :) Then I told everyone else via a Facebook status update... and the positives just came rolling in. My friend Ivy said it'll be a great year since we don't have the oppression of the "ex" around and Tom is much cooler. I am really stoked now. Even my best friend was positive about it, and she hates Halloween. I think the fact that I'm not making costumes mandatory plays a big role in that... lol Anyway, Tom and I have most of the gossamer up in the house, and all the boxes down from the attic. It really makes a difference having someone who is HELPING me, rather than running off and doing his own thing all the time. I am REALLY looking forward to this year, even if it is on a much smaller party scale. I am going to keep it simple and enjoy it.

Did I mention I collect magazines too?

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:48:00 +0000

I have always been a book-lover, so it's natural for me to collect Halloween books, but magazines catch my eye too, especially when I have time to peruse them on breaks at work. Lately, the fall and Halloween issues of the standard women's mags (BHG, Family, Southern Living, etc) have been showing up on the stands and they definitely have a way of catching my eye. I picked up a copy of this season's "Taste of Home" "Ultimate Halloween" offering last week, and while it has a lot of cutesy things in it, the recipes are what really prompted my purchase. (It's actually a softcover cookbook, but we'll call it a magazine since it was in the magazine section and all. :)

I'm always looking for something different and tasty to whip up for the yearly event, and even though it's not happening this year, I want to get a jump on next year's party by scouring for new recipes to try out during my hiatus. Now, there's always the same ol' thing in most of these magazines, but I did find a few things I want to try, and every one of these mags inspires me, so that makes it worth the extra bucks I spend on them.

A lot of what I love most about these kinds of magazines is the presentation of the food. The spicy skeleton ribs and sausage stuffed slithery snakes above are two of my favorites from thes particular magazine. (Though I think I would add some mozzarella cheese to the tops of the peppers after stuffing them and bake them in the oven for a bit instead of serving them up with the peppers raw.)

Anyway, Taste of Home doesn't disappoint this year, at least not me and I'm happy to have another Halloween reading goodie in my growing collection. You can also check out the recipes in the Halloween section of their Holiday recipes on tasteofhome.com. Enjoy!

The great garage clean-up of 2010........

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:16:00 +0000

is drawing to a close, finally. Andy came and got the rest of his crap out of my garage, now all that is left is to organize my tool and supply cabinets, and the prop building can commence!!!!!!!

Wanna go a little "green" with your props?

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:02:00 +0000

http://www.inhabitots.com/2009/10/12/brian-dettmers-ghastly-recycled-cassette-tape-skulls-skeletons/

Very cool use of old cassette tapes!

I want!!!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:51:00 +0000

I Love Halloween With Scary Witch Flying her Broom Tshirt from Zazzle.com

Score!!!!!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:31:00 +0000

Got some camo netting today from my ex-Army neighbor who is moving today. Two boxes of desert camo. He figured either my son could use it for his airsoft gatherings, or I could use it for my Halloween display. He thought right on both counts! :) Score!!!!!!!! Thanks Charlie!

Halo Elite Costume

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:10:00 +0000

For you Halo fans out there.......... this is AMAZING!

http://www.geekosystem.com/halo-elite-costume/

Anoka Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Ghostess) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:57:00 +0000

Anoka, Wisconsin - I wish ALL towns were this enthusiastic about Halloween!

http://anokahalloween.com/