Switched to The Woody Woodpecker Show during breakfast. The only cartoon on the show made directly for television was the Halloween-themed "Spook-a-nanny." Woody spends most of the episode between cartoons blowing up balloons for his boss Walter Lanz. The rest of Lanz's creations try to keep him out of their Halloween party. He eventually gets in by following a ghost rock band, but forgets he can't walk through walls like they can.
Headed out for Halloween brunch next. It was so dead at the Pop Shop when I got in, I think I was the first one there. My pumpkin cheesecake "Bettys" consisted of two regular pancakes topped with two huge scoops of pumpkin cheesecake filling. Not bad, but so huge and rich, I couldn't finish them. Watched parents come in with their younger kids in costume as I ate, including a ghoulish princess in a fancy blue dress and scary make-up and two boys with their faces made up.
After a very quick stop at PNC Bank for the rent, I dodged noon traffic down Cuthbert to the Westmont Acme. I didn't really need much here anyway. Mainly wanted to restock yogurt. Also picked up shampoo and conditioner on a good sale and the Kind kids' bars with online coupons and more Olipop soda. They were relatively busy, but no more than usual for a Thursday during lunch hour, and I was in and out.
Next up was job counseling with Dawn at the Haddon Township Library. I did apply for a receptionist and office assistant job at a cheesecake bakery Dawn said was right down the street from her in Burlington, but Dawn's main interest was applying for government positions. I don't know. I don't have my driver's licence, don't know if I could handle the stress at the post office, and it just seems so complicated to apply for them.
Rushed to Sprouts next. They were having a buy-one, get-one sale on cookies. I tried the seasonal flavors pumpkin chocolate chip and ginger molasses. Also grabbed more of the Nixie soda with the dollar coupon, a bag of black grapes, and lemon raspberry dried mango pieces.
Went straight into getting my costume together when I got home. I was originally going to be a cat this year, but I saw lacy bat's ears and a "wings" cape at Walmart last week and changed it to being a bat. Alas, those makeup "crayons" I bought from Dollar General proved to be worthless. The black one broke after I'd colored in my nose and done two whiskers. I finished the rest with regular makeup. Uses the purple jack o'lantern candy bucket to give out treats and carried my cutie-pie stuffed bat Bela.
Watched Halloween Is Grinch Night while I got organized. I went further into this bizarre Dr. Seuss special at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog in 2018 (along with Garfield's Halloween Adventure).
I was sitting outside and reading The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories by 3, but the kids didn't really start coming around until 4:30. And when they came, they came in droves. It was too gorgeous to not do something outside for Halloween! The weather was sunny and ridiculously warm for Halloween, in the lower 80's, but the strong wind was deliciously cool. In fact, I'd never seen so many adults sitting outside on their stoops or driveways to give out candy, including our next-door neighbor.
Saw some terrific costumes this year. And for once, I actually got to see all of them. The warm weather meant there was no need to cover costumes with coats or heavy sweaters this year! There were lovely girl ghouls and pretty witches in lacy mini-dresses. Saw three ninjas in red, black, and blue, Beetlejuice, an Oompa Loompa, Rubble from PAW Patrol, a tiny female Incredible Hulk, and parents in Incredibles suits with a girl monster. A mom Elphaba and dad Fiyero pushed a tiny Glinda in a stroller. At least five Ghostbusters, Dorothy, a mom in her nurse's uniform, another mom dressed as Mrs. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus in a planet-print dress, three Army soldiers in fatigues, and the little girl with the short hair from Stranger Things came later in the afternoon. Another family toted a small and adorable Buzz Lightyear, while another chased a boy in an inflatable dinosaur costume. Older boys wandered around in leisure suits and ugly wigs.
The Mystery Bags vanished in less than a half-hour. Good thing I bought more candy at the Acme to go with what I already had and a friend brought out a box of mini-Pringles containers. In fact, the Pringles were probably the biggest hit of the afternoon. All of the kids loved them and kept asking for more, especially the teenagers who weren't all that into candy.
By 6 PM, I was down to half a bag of Sour Patch gummies and Swedish Fish. Not to mention, it was time for dinner and to head down to West Clinton for the parade. I went inside and ate really quick, then used the bathroom, left the remaining candy with my friend for her kids, dropped my wallet and Bela in the purple pumpkin, and went on my way again.
To my delight and surprise, I ran into Rose, Finley, and Craig with Cider at Tonewood Brewery's outdoor patio. I was able to give Rose Fin and Khai's Mystery Bags in person. Craig took Cider home and Khai was out with friends, but I was able to chat with Rose. Rose went 80's in a slouchy blue shirt and tight shorts. Finley was a dark fairy and a sleeveless purple dress, a flower crown, beige ballet flats, "vines" drawn on her legs, arms, and face with glitter makeup, and actual fairy ear tips kept on with latex glue. She played with mini dinosaur toys while her mother and I talked and the other parents there broke out pizza for dinner.
The costumes at the parade were even cooler. One little girl went as a peacock, complete with genuine peacock feather tail. There was a dad in a construction outfit pulling his son in a wagon made to look like a bulldozer. A Little Mermaid family had a truly adorable Ariel and toddler Flounder, while a sweet Anna chased her little Olaf brother. Another boy wore a lavish steampunk suit, jacket, and top hat. There was a teen group with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet whose high spirits were remarkable considering how hot their costumes must have been. Two pretty princesses sported poofy pink and purple gowns. Saw another Beetlejuice and three more Ghostbusters. Finley's best friend was Barbie in her pink flared western costume from mid-way through the movie. Parents went as Frankenstein and his bride, gangsters, and a mom Chucky and dad Tiffany.
Thankfully, the parade was only slightly late this year. As the group started down West Clinton, I couldn't help noticing that it was more than twice the size it usually is. Everyone must have decided to come out and enjoy the still-warm evening. Even Finley and her friends rushed out to join me as we hiked past Tonewood.
With all those great costumes, neither Finley nor I won anything. I suspect Finley was more disappointed than I was. She and Rose vanished right after the elementary school kids were judged. I hung around to get candy and two balsa wood gliders for a friend's kids.
Got yet another surprise after I got home, washed my makeup off, and put my costume pieces away. The owner of the Match Game Productions channel ran a previously-unmentioned Halloween game show marathon. I came in to see Vincent Price as the Mystery Guest on a 50's episode of What's My Line? In addition to repeating the Match Game '90 Halloween episode, we had two Family Feud episodes from the 90's (one with Ray Combs dressed as Robin Hood, the other with Richard Dawson and lavish Halloween decorations), two Super Password episodes with trick and treat bags, a mid-70's Halloween Squares episode with Paul Lynde as Frankenstein in the center square, and a Price Is Right episode from the mid-2000's with an older Bob Barker and two spooky witch-based Showcases.
Play this marathon at your spooky parties this weekend and see who plays along!
Finished the night with The Midnight Hour. I go further into this TV teen horror comedy from 1985 at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.
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