Spooky Graveyard

It's always been a part of my October Tradition to turn part of my front yard into a really spooky grave yard scene. Almost as important time of year as Christmas my flikering strobe lights, creepy music, and fog machinge will really give you the heebie - jeebies if you happen to be walking alone at night.

I even get a little rise of goose bumps as I try to light the tiki torches.

It all started about 10 years ago when I was trying to get ready for Halloween and wanted to entice more trick or treaters to the house. Living on somewhat of a busy street, there are not many little goblins traveling the sidewalk, so I started in on my graveyard building. One hanging skeleton, led to another and then eventually the tomb stones, cob-webs and scary trees.

One year, before my mother was robbed from her normal life from a stroke (bless her heart) helped me along with my brother build a coffin from scrap materials which houses one of our skeletons. I remember how much fun we had as she helped paint the door and add the filament to the interior. It was then that I realized I had aquired my creativity and silliness from my mom.

Each year it has been a fun project for me as I find new ways to add a little more fun and oohs and ahhs to the ghoastly yard. Just my way of keeping that kid in me alive.

You all have a Happy Halloween and let that spooky side out and about.

US WINS!

USA WINS!

I just got back from Halmstad, Sweden where USA picked apart Europe on the final day of singles play to win the Solheim Cup!

This marks the first time the cup will be traveling back across the pond since 1996 when we (I happened to be on that team) stormed the Singles matches and won 9 ½ points to win the retain the Cup in Wales. Now again the Americans hold on for another 2 years of gleaming pride.

Although the weather was about as bad as I have seen in any previous Solheim, the gals played great as they wrestled the wind, rain and bitter cold. I myself trudged through the same elements although on the other side of the microphone, as I called the shots on several matches over the long 3 days of play.

My favorite match was watching Christie Kerr and Nicole Castrale come back from 5 down on the back nine against Annika and Catriona Matthew to stay in the match bringing Europe to the 18 hole with a chance to half the point. Although they ended up losing that match, it was a great display of guts and determination as what looked like a sleepy USA team on the front 9, bounce back on the final 6 to give them a run for their money.

We stayed in the adorable town of Halmstad, where a short walk along the Rivers Edge brought you to the town square, full of small shops, restaurants and pubs. The opening ceremonies were staged there so that all the town folk could experience the wonder of Solheim.

This Solheim was definitely a strange one for me having played 7 times before, I felt that cold detachment as I got lost trying to park my car around the corner of my hotel. One bad turn led to another, but thank God for my new Blackberry, I was saved by the hotel clerk as she talked me back in. Where were my teammates, where was my bus and driver, point me the right direction mentality I had been accustomed to at my previous 7 Solheims.

That’s when I realized, yep I did retire and life is changing for me. I welcome the challenge.