I must have been nine or ten; I remember being almost as amazed that I won the auction for the pocket knife as I was that my mother let me bid on it. That was, however, the first of many knives and other weapons I owned -- a few of which my mother knew about and many which she didn't. Apparently, Angelina Jolie had a similar experience.
According to the Perez Hilton website, Angelina told W Magazine that her mother took her shopping for a knife when she was eleven years old and she is now continuing the tradition -- she recently took her son Maddox knife-shopping. Maddox is a bit younger than both Angelina and I were; he is only seven.
I'm not sure seven is old enough to have a knife of one's own but given his mom's experience, I'll bet Maddox will learn to use it safely.
As my daughter reminded me this morning, there are only 15 days left until Halloween. Halloween falls on a Friday this year, perfect for trick-or-treating that runs past bedtime, but also a great opportunity to throw a Halloween party.
Before you start thinking, A Halloween party? Now I have to entertain in addition to making costumes, baking cupcakes, and buying candy?, consider this. A Halloween party is a great way to enjoy time as a family, spend time with busy friends, or avoid going door-to-door, if trick-or-treating just isn't your thing.
Make magazine and its associated website are running a contest for do-it-yourself types. There are lots of categories, from hack-o-lanterns (no simple carvings here!) to costumes, food, and even green Halloween. Prizes are understandably DIY-ish, with grand prizes from the Maker Shed store and Plaid Craft Express.
This is the sort of thing I'd love to be involved in, if I had the time and I had any talent for such things. I do have a neighbor who could probably do pretty well in the "best decorations" category and we're making Jared's costume from scratch this year. I'm not sure it will be good enough to enter in a contest, let alone be prize-worthy. He's only six, though, so imagination goes a long way when it comes to Halloween costumes.
It will be fun to see the results of the contest although I think I might skip the "Food" category.
It is hard to find anything good to say about the economic crisis that has gripped not just the United States, but much of the world. People are losing their retirement savings, their jobs, their homes, their sense of security. Many of us have altered our normal spending habits and instead of going out to dinner or a movie, we stay home and find something else to do. Apparently in Britain, that 'something else' is sex. And according to some, this at-home recreation is having an impact on the sales maternity clothes, pregnancy tests, and sex toys (not necessarily in that order).
While many businesses are downsizing and wondering just how they will survive, those who specialize in sex-related merchandise are experiencing a boom. Pharmacies report a 20% increase in the sales of pregnancy tests and one chain selling maternity wear boasts of a 46% increase. As Miranda Levy, editor of Mother & Baby Magazine, points out: "What's cheaper and more fun than making babies?
%Gallery-15023%
Making babies with the help of sex toys, that's what! One online sex toy shop claims to have experienced a 27% increase in sales since the economy began melting down. "We are gobsmacked by the upturn in sales, while everyone else seems to be suffering. We've especially noticed the rise in sales of couples' toys, showing that people are buying for play with their partners," said Monique Carty, a spokesperson for the store.
I think it is great that couples are rekindling their romance in these times of trouble. But in about nine months, those who end up shopping in the maternity stores are going to find that staying home and having sex is a play now, pay later kind of fun. Ultimately, dinner and a movie would have been much cheaper.
Across the country, kids are gearing up for the one holiday when it is socially acceptable to ask perfect strangers for candy, and some people are scouting out locations that might offer a better selection for their little ghosts and goblins.
Just what makes a neighborhood prime trick-or-treating real estate? Thickly settled, well-lit streets with plenty of porch lights glowing, and low automobile traffic, well as a high ratio of homes decked out in Halloween finery. Perception doesn't hurt, either -- neighborhoods with a reputation for wealth are more likely to draw visitors from other areas.
Just how acceptable is it to engage in drive-by trick-or-treating? It depends on which side of the street you're on. Those in popular locations grumble that parents are looking for a way get "better pickings" for their kids, without having to reciprocate, while others claim it is a matter of safety. Imagine what it's like for parents of kids who live in Chicago's notorious public housing, for example.
What do you think? Would you drop your child off in a "better" neighborhood on Halloween, or do you find the practice obnoxious and greedy?
If you are heading out to a fair or amusement park this weekend, don't be surprised to find the YO-YO ride closed. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Chance Rides Manufacturing Inc. have closed down about 85 of the rides in order to inspect and repair them. This action was brought about by two incidents in which children and adults were injured when the sweep arms suspending the circular swinging chairs broke free from the ride's center rod. Yikes!
Chance Rides is offering ride owners and state safety officials inspection and repair kits and has also created new inspection and maintenance guidelines for the rides. CPSC has jurisdiction over amusement rides, but state and local officials are responsible for inspections and oversight.
For more information about which states have amusement ride inspection programs and which agencies carry out those responsibilities, CPSC has published a Directory of State Amusement Ride Safety Officials which can be downloaded in PDF format from the CPSC Website.
They disagree on the economy. They disagree about foreign policy. They even disagree on how to pronounce "Pakistan". But whatever their philosophical, economic, military or social differences, there is one thing the two presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, can agree upon -- pirates are cool.
In interviews with Nick News, both candidates told the thirteen-year-olds quizzing them that their favorite costume from their own past was that of a pirate. Now, having dressed as a pirate for a friend's son's birthday party, complete with real saber, I can understand that. There's something to be said for the romantic notion of a pirate's life -- sailing the seas, answering to no one, sort of an ocean-going hobo. Only, with plundering and pillaging thrown in.
McCain seems partial to that part; "When I see the way they behave in the United States Senate," he said in the interview, "sometimes I wish I (could) put my costume on and take my sword out or my dagger and get 'em back in line."
Obama, on the other hand, remembers fondly the costume he wore when he was three years old. He says it was "one of the best costumes of all time," adding that it even came complete with a pirate sword and a "little mustache."
I think we've finally found something that truly crosses all party lines and that everyone, republican or democrat, liberal or conservative, boxers or briefs, can agree on. And if we're all into being pirates, surely the rest of these problems can be solved? What say ye? Arrr!
Is it time to carve the pumpkin yet? Depends on where you live. Having spent most of my life in a warm climate, I've learned that no matter how anxious the kids are to slice into that pumpkin, sometimes it is best to wait. If you cut too early, there is a good chance that the pumpkin you carve today will be a moldy pile of mush next week.
But even if you've already got some frost on your pumpkin, a knife-free jack-o-lantern might be the way to go. There are lots of kid-safe ways to dress up that orange gourd of October that are guaranteed not to involve a trip to the emergency room for stitches.
The easiest and fastest way to turn a pumpkin into an objet d'art is to paint it. For the best results, lightly sand the pumpkin first so the paint will adhere without flaking. Then set your kids loose with a brush and some acrylic paints to create a scary face, black bats or even pretty flowers. When complete, a top coat of clear sealer will ensure that the masterpiece lasts until Halloween and beyond.
Get out the glue for another knife-free alternative to prettying up a pumpkin. Buttons, leaves, felt cut-outs and even glitter can turn an ordinary pumpkin into an extraordinary pumpkin.
For kids who are a little bit older, try sequins and straight pins. Sketch out a design first and then bring it to life with sparkly sequins held in place with the pins. This takes patience, but in the end you will have the most glamorous pumpkin on the block.
Those are just a few ideas for safely turning a pumpkin into a unique work of art. How do you dress up a pumpkin without a knife?
At some point in all our lives, we become officially too old for trick-or-treating. This doesn't mean that we stop celebrating Halloween, it just means we do it in a completely different way. For most, that means hosting or attending a grown-up Halloween party. I've been to many adult Halloween parties in several different parts of the country and there is one thing that seems to hold true no matter where I live: on Halloween, men like dressing up in women's clothing and women like dressing up in as little as possible.
I don't know what the deal is with that, but I am not into it. Not that I have anything against tramps or cross-dressers, I just think it is a little unoriginal. Not to mention chilly. My main goal when choosing a costume is simple: warmth. My secondary goal is to achieve my first goal without spending lots of money. Last year I was a candy corn. My costume was a homemade affair consisting of white, yellow and orange felt sewn together in wide bands into a floor-length A-line dress. Held up by simple straps, worn over a white turtle-neck, and topped off with a white beanie, it was like wearing a blanket and required only basic sewing skills.
Speaking of basic sewing skills - you got 'em? If so, are you whipping up a costume for yourself this year? Do you have a great adult costume idea that requires little or no sewing? Most importantly - is it warm?
Okay, so maybe the Sarah Palin Baby Name Generator wasn't of interest to you. Maybe your politics make you more interested in her opponent, the charismatic senator from Illinois. So how do you support Obama and get your fledgling democrat involved in the 2008 presidential election at the same time? Easy! Just ship him or her off to get a kiss from the candidate.
Kissing babies is a longstanding tradition in American politics and, even in this era of modern campaigning, Obama is not one to ignore the past. The only thing is, he can't be everywhere. So, if you've got a baby and you want Obama's blessing, just go to the Send Barack your baby website for instructions on how to pack up the little one and send him on over to campaign headquarters.
Upon arrival, your baby will be unpacked, given your choice of a hug, a kiss, or hope, and then packed up again to be sent home. And as if that weren't enough, there's also a slideshow of adorable little Obama supporters. Too bad they're not old enough to vote!
Did you know that the first jack-o'-lanterns were carved out of turnips? Legend has it that Jack was a man cursed to walk the Earth forever, banned from both Heaven and Hell. The devil, the story says, gave Jack a crude lamp to light his way. The Irish were the first to make these early jack-o'-lanterns, carving out the inside of a turnip and placing a piece of coal inside.
In America, of course, jack-o'-lanterns are carved out of pumpkins, the signature squash of Halloween. If you haven't picked up your pumpkins yet, it won't be long before your kids are dragging you to the nearest pumpkin farm. Celebrate the harvest and Halloween season with some family activities, all centered around pumpkins.
I must have been nine or ten; I remember being almost as amazed that I won the auction for the pocket knife as I was that my mother let me bid on it. That was, however, the first of many knives and other weapons I owned -- a few of which my mother knew about and many which she didn't. Apparently, Angelina Jolie had a similar experience.
Make magazine and its associated website are running 
It is hard to find anything good to say about the economic crisis that has gripped not just the United States, but much of the world. People are losing their retirement savings, their jobs, their homes, their sense of security. Many of us have altered our normal spending habits and instead of going out to dinner or a movie, we stay home and find something else to do. Apparently in Britain, 
Across the country, kids are gearing up for the one holiday when it is socially acceptable to ask perfect strangers for candy, and some people are scouting out locations that might offer a better selection for their little ghosts and goblins.
If you are heading out to a fair or amusement park this weekend, don't be surprised to find the YO-YO ride closed. The 
They disagree on the economy. They disagree about foreign policy. They even disagree on how to pronounce "Pakistan". But whatever their philosophical, economic, military or social differences, there is one thing the two presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, can agree upon -- pirates are cool.
Is it time to carve the pumpkin yet? Depends on where you live. Having spent most of my life in a warm climate, I've learned that no matter how anxious the kids are to slice into that pumpkin, sometimes it is best to wait. If you cut too early, there is a good chance that the pumpkin you carve today will be a moldy pile of mush next week.
At some point in all our lives, we become officially too old for trick-or-treating. This doesn't mean that we stop celebrating Halloween, it just means we do it in a completely different way. For most, that means hosting or attending a grown-up Halloween party. I've been to many adult Halloween parties in several different parts of the country and there is one thing that seems to hold true no matter where I live: on Halloween, men like dressing up in women's clothing and women like dressing up in as little as possible.
