As Halloween creeps closer...

• Halloween is now just a few days away, and I am so enjoying the spooky season thus far!  I only have a few movies left on my list to watch, and I shouldn't have any trouble getting them done by the end of the day Saturday.  I have my Halloween outfits planned for both tomorrow and Saturday.  My treat bags are all ready and I have a plan in mind for setting up outside safely for the trick-or-treaters. If anything, I almost feel a little bit sad that it's soon going to be over!
  
  
  
• At this moment, I am MOST excited about tomorrow evening.  Have I mentioned one of the few perks of Covid is never having plans?  I've learned that I really love never having having plans for a Friday night lol.  So my Mat Night plan is to make homemade pizza, cozy up, and watch at least two of the movies left on my Scary Movie list.  I'm thinking Doctor Sleep and Beetlejuice.  I might even throw in the Disney version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow if time permits.  I have snacks and I have a giant bowl of "extra" Halloween candy, hot chocolate, pumpkin scented candles, crocheting projects to keep me awake... perfect Friday night in my books!!
  
  
  
• It is kind of wild to me to think that in two weeks time, I'll be decorating for Christmas.  Almost unbelievable.  And no, I don't have to decorate for Christmas that early, but I LOVE having it done, I love how cozy my home feels when it is decorated and the only light in the room is the glow of the Christmas tree, and I love being able to enjoy it extra-long.  The weekend of Nov. 13-14-15 is circled for decorating, and it will be here before I know it.  Just crazy!!!
• I had an evening earlier this week where I felt kind of blue.  Not depths-of-despair like I felt in the spring, or even super-anxious like I felt for most of the summer... just a little tinge of sadness, as this pandemic stretches on and is starting to feel like it might never end.  Truly, I have become quite comfortable with this less-busy, no-plans, no-events life we are now leading.  But our PM said in a press conference that as Christmas draws nearer, it is looking less and less likely we'll be able to gather with our families.  That is honestly the element of all of this that bothers me most: not being able to be with my family, and feel safe, all under one roof.  I don't know yet how we are going to be dealing with this, and I guess we have to wait and see what restrictions and rules might be imposed, but my one greatest wish for this Christmas is to be able to gather at my mom's for our Christmas Eve games and snacks and fun, to open gifts together Christmas morning, and share our Christmas meal together.  I'll sacrifice everything else, if I can just have that.  Please, God.
• On the bright side... It isn't even Halloween yet, and I am almost done Christmas shopping!  I still need to get stocking stuffers, and tie up some loose ends, but for the most part... DONE!  Now I just need all the parcels to start rolling in...
• OK... this wasn't intended to be a Christmas post.  Or a Covid post.  Back on track, Jill!!  
• Remember in my last post, I told you all I got an Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer?  I think I told you about it, anyways.  Well, guess where it is.  STILL in the box on the floor in my kitchen.  I keep reading up on it, storing away tips and recipes, and I can just picture all the fun I am going to have with this appliance in the winter, trying out soups and chili and mac & cheese, air frying everything possible, maybe even a whole chicken?? I'm excited.  Really, I am.  I just have to get it out of the damn box first...
  
  
  
• As I get older, I am realizing just how important sleep is to me.  I mean, I'm a pretty solid sleeper, I get between 7-8 hours every night, and I usually sleep quite well.  Last night, I stayed up to watch the finale of Big Brother (which ended exactly the way I wanted it to!!!) - and it was on from 9-11 pm.  A good hour after I usually pack it in for the night.  I decided to stay up anyways, because I was afraid I'd hear who won on Twitter or somewhere else before getting to watch it myself on the PVR.  This morning, I literally felt hung over. Groggy, tired, fuzzy-headed... when my alarm went off, I was like, "Are you KIDDING ME??"  And I stayed up ONE HOUR later than usual.  Oy vey!!  
• I feel like I did a really good job curating a scary, but not too scary, list of movies for myself this year.  So far, I've been able to sleep without trouble, and while I've had a few good jumps and gasps, nothing that has REALLY bothered me.  The Haunting of Bly Manor was probably my favourite (and I was so happy to have a real "binge", finishing it all within one weekend).  I was also really glad I finally watched Friday the 13th, and it was scarier than I expected...It probably didn't help that much of the movie involves teens running around in a thunderstorm, and then a thunderstorm actually started while I was watching it last Friday night!  I thoroughly enjoyed Scary Movie Marathon last Saturday, which included The Nun (insane craziness), The Exorcist (I had never watched the whole thing, and I admit I still haven't as I slept through parts of it), Premonition (I had already seen it, and it's not really scary, but suspenseful for sure), and Contagion (again, not classic scary, but considering our current state of affairs...)  The movie that probably bothered me most was Annabelle.  Apparently I really do not like possessed dolls... And of course, I always love those fun ones sprinkled in, like Hocus Pocus and Casper!!  It has been a fun season of spooky movie watching for me!
  
  
  
• As we sink further and further into this cozy, hygge time of year, I am really relishing it.  I can't wait to make a macaroni & tomato casserole, and try out a few new soup recipes.  I plan to rake leaves next week when the weather is a touch warmer, and I'm so glad the grass cutting is done for another year.  I have so many crochet projects in mind.  I just LOVE being cozy and soaking up this time of year!!!

Well, I think that's it for today, friends.  I hope you are all gearing up for Halloween, however you choose to celebrate it this year.  Enjoy it!! Happy Halloween!!