The Year without Halloween

The Year without Halloween

There’s one time of year when we get to pretend
We put on our costumes and go out with friends
Some outfits delight us while others offend
Some parties we wish somehow never end

But, what if, one year we had not a sight
Of witches, nor ogres, nor ghouls that will fright
No creatures that bite and no houses with light
No fear of the things that go bump in the night

And what if there’s neither a trick nor a treat
No bobbing for apples, no candies to eat
And everyone just gave up on the sweets
Our dentists may have to find work on the streets

What if, by chance, not a sign read “BEWARE”
To warn us before we go in on a dare
No spirit can haunt you if nothing is there
Your hair could stand up and no one would care

What if October gave us no rewards
A grim vision of no future to look towards
No candles to light up inside of our gourds
No costume awards for ladies or lords

No goblins or devils or anything scary
No vampires, werewolves, or anything hairy
No corpses or zombies or mummies to bury
No hocus or pocus but quite the contrary

The most shocking story you could ever mention
Is one without any sense of direction
If Halloween is ever put on suspension
Please send me into another dimension

I could not imagine that night without terror
Who makes that mistake? It must be an error
Whoever's at fault better say a prayer
Don’t fall asleep ‘cause I’m your worst nightmare

You do not want to be the one I despise
For recommending a holiday downsize
You should reconsider, this I’d advise
A compromise would be very wise

So, before you take down your décor for good
Please don’t let me be misunderstood
I’d make Halloween be every day if I could
That is to say, I mean, if you would

But shed not a tear, no, everyone cheer
The truth of the matter is so crystal clear
There’s only one night that we should all fear
‘Cause Halloween comes but one time a year

What's new? Our puppy is growing and growing! Enjoy these videos!

It has been too long! Therefore, we have a lot to talk about!

We have a new addition to our family!! One Saturday morning, we felt it necessary to make our way to the Charleston Animal Society JUST to have a look around...you know...no big deal! 

We saw some great looking dogs, but this unspoken feeling was that we were really looking for a pup. We turned the corner and saw three tan and black cuties playing around and being goofy together. We were sold! We took the smallest one, originally named "Trace", and had a blast in the play pen. Brian was holding "Trace" as he started to whimper. Brian put him on the floor and "Trace" went potty! We were sold! He was already smart enough not to go potty on us!! We put "Trace" on hold, went home, and spent a million hours at PetSmart asking a million questions to anyone who would listen just to make sure we were ready to adopt "Trace".

So it was finalized. The next morning we were pumped and ready to pick up our baby! We bought all of the necessities; crate, bed, dog food, toys, and leash! Made our way to North Charleston, signed some papers and, the rest has been history! A few days after getting to know him, we decided on the name CASEY!

The first week was insane...waking up at all hours of the night, feeling entirely too guilty about keeping our pup in his crate every night and day, cleaning up PEE AND POOP!...but it has been well worth the effort! He knows how to sit and lay, which is fantastic! He is a very good dog, but definitely acts like a typical puppy!






We have more great news! After Brian's 70 work weeks, he was promoted at Lowe's from part time delivery rider to full time plumbing specialist! He is learning all there is to know about everything in the plumbing department inside and outside of his store--creating special orders is his specialty! Leaving 94.3 was tough--he'll miss the excitement of being on air and running the background of the morning show. Maybe someday he'll get back into radio, but Lowe's is home for now!

My birthday just came and went! It was a very fun day--the entire week at school was Teacher Appreciation Week AND Spirit Week, so I was showered with gifts and my birthday fell on "Tacky Day" where I pulled out some outfits I would have been wearing during high school!  Here is a picture of one of my students, Judah, and I in math class! After school, Brian took me out to dinner to one of our favorite restaurants, Amalfi's! We wanted to get some Menchies after, but we were so full from dinner! Yesterday, we went to the Greek Festival with our friends and had delicious GYROS and a BAKLAVA sundae! It was nice to have some real Greek food!

Today, I think we're going to see Dark Shadows--starring my FAVORITE, Johnny Depp!

Thanks for being patient with the blog update! We're coming back to MI in June for a few days for my cousin's wedding--should be tons of fun!!

Bye for now!


PS--for your enjoyment, a video for you!

The Festive Life

Being born and raised in Michigan certainly has conditioned us for a winter full of snow, pleasant family gatherings, and of course LIGHTS! And, while temperatures in South Carolina were low enough to put frost on our cars this morning, it still warms up to the 70s even into December! Well, that didn't stop us from checking out the James Island County Park Festival of Lights in Charleston a couple of weeks ago. For over 3 miles, cars were at a stop-and-go as gawkers were awed by a marvelous display of locally-sponsored lights separated into traditional holiday themes as well as some more non-denominational inspirations. Since moving to the Low Country in May, We've heard a lot of hype about the Festival of Lights and our first impression absolutely lived up to our expectations!

Now, I know what you're thinking. Brian, what about the Christmas displays along Lakeshore in Grosse Pointe? Brian, surely you're forgetting the Wesner house on Irval Drive in Sterling Heights! Brian, it's just not the same - where's the snow?!! Well, while I will never forget any of that, what made the Festival of Lights such a memorable experience was a little thing called spontaneity.

In a spur of the moment decision, I took Alyssa to James Island County Park for a drive-by light display. As we slowly passed a splendiferous show of snowmen, penguins, spacemen, and comets, one thought passed through my head - "When?" As we approached an awesome array of bridges, angels, candycanes, and reindeer, one idea approached the forefront of my brain - "Where?" And as we drove by some beautiful beams of sharks, fishermen, and Stars and Stripes, one intention kept me driven - "How?"

We finally arrived at the end of the Festival of Lights and I parked the car on the side of the road directly in front of a HUGE "Happy New Year" layout. I said to Alyssa, "Let's do something crazy" and she took that as my cue to exit the vehicle. I allowed her to pass in front of me towards the sign while I searched my phone for a particular song to play. She turned to me as the familiar drum beat reached her ears. Then the soft, melodic guitar came on and we joined in a hug to begin dancing. The singer began - "Maybe it's intuition. Some things you just don't question" - I parted from my love with the sweetest of objectives - "Like in your eyes, I see my future in an instant" - I put my left foot forward and my right knee on the cooling blades of grass below - "And there it goes, I think I found my best friend" - Still holding my phone in one hand, I grasped a lonely box in my pocket with the other - "I know that it might sound more than a little crazy but I believe" - She already covered her mouth with both hands in disbelief. I opened the box and asked her, "Would you be my future wife? Would you marry me?"

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" she shouted. "YES!! YESS!! YUSSSS!!!" she added as she ran back to me for the closest, tightest hug we've ever shared at that point. The chorus "I knew I loved you before I met you" played on, agreeably the most appropriate song considering the back story of our relationship. And I stood to collect her even closer with no awareness of our surroundings. Apparently, several cars had passed us, some honking in anger because we were blocking the pretty lights. But, more importantly, a white SUV parked almost directly behind my car whose occupants witnessed the entire moment! We were congratulated immediately by on-lookers Jason and Angela Woolfe with their two children in the back seat. They managed to capture the romantic event and, after an exchange of contact info, forwarded them to us.









We thanked the Woolfe's endlessly and wished them happy holidays as we got back into the car and drove off towards our future together (and towards some amazing authentic Italian cuisine complete with wonderful, complimentary wine!).

Alyssa and Brian are engaged! We want to thank everyone for their love and support as well as their patience while we make our decisions regarding a date, planning, etc..

Bookmark our blog and stay surfed for more updates to come including a post about moving into our new house and I'll remind you never to let me babysit your garden.. What the hell happened to my tomato plant?! Poor thing..

This is Life in the Lowcountry.