#CountdownToHalloween2024 - trials & errors

Sometimes, things don't always go as planned.  

For the last couple years, I've been miffed that the step-in fence posts I've been using to stand my skeletons up are too short.  They literally come just to the lower back of the 5' skeletons and some of them have really arched backs, so they really leaned backwards when I put the zip ties on.  So I was on a quest to find taller fence posts.  I like the step in kind because if you want or need to move the skeletons, it just pulls up out of the ground and move it wherever easily.

So last January, I was travelling across the state to a conference and happened to notice there is actually a Rural King store in Michigan!  OK, so there's actually 2, but the other is less than a mile from the Indiana border.  But anyway - that tidbit of info stayed in my mind until April when I was shopping.  

Rural King carries 63" fence posts!

And they arrived at my house from the store in less than 24 hours!

Totally worth the $20 shipping, considering the box was taller than I am. 

Chuck for scale.

I was really happy that I was able to find long ones.

But I was mildly concerned that they were a lot more flimsy than the 4' ones.  

And I was correct to be concerned!  

So now I'm back where I started from.  I only ordered 7 posts, so even if I ziptie 2 together, I'll only be able to make 3 stand up.  If it even works! 

I might have to go with the PVC / rebar route.  It's not as easy to move them around, but it's do-able. 

Then next!

Last October I won an ebay auction for these guys. 

Wouldn't you know that they arrived ~ after ~ Halloween?  

So they've been hanging out in the garage since then

.  

Since they were faded & the eyes kinds of wonky, I decided to spray paint them. 

and of course - after I sprayed the black and was taping them off - it dawned on me that they had teeth!  And you know - whites of eyes!

Doh!

So I painted the white areas with acrylic paint and the last thing I need to do it give them a nice clear coat to seal all that in. 

I think they look pretty cute!

I probably would have left the orange alone and only did the black areas if I planned on lighting them.  But they're destined to stand on each side of the cemetery sign, so interior lights would either drown out the sign, or the light on the sign would drown out the pumpkin lights.   

Almost time for the Countdown!

I just signed up over at the Countdown to Halloween blog for this year's bloghop!

I always love to check out all the other "Cryptkeepers" because there are always a variety of topics to read. 

Oh, and signups for the Secret Reaper are happening over on the Halloween Forum, too!

Anywhooo.  

Watch out for scary monsters!

 Actually - the bay (brown) horse is named Ghost!

They were mooching treats from me. 

So I have a dilemma. 

After I went & ordered the raccoon from Oriental Trading (right) - I learned that Michael's (left) also carries them this year!  I like the Michael's one a lot more, even if it is gray.  I'm on the fence about keeping the OT one. It doesn't really look like a raccoon, and I don't even think painting the trail rings would help. 

I need to decide soon!

I really like the hand sanitizer holder from Bath & Body Works.  The eyes flash green & purple, too. 

I also like the car fragrance thingy but my car doesn't like it!  It's barely holding onto this vent.  The vents in the middle of the dashboard are vertical so it won't hold and I can't hang him from the visor because his arms & legs dangle! 

In case you don't know - CVS has awesome earrings!

And they have some H'ween ones out!

Snacks, too!

The Spouse & I went to Tractor Supply to get my hen & donkey!

I might have to go back & get the rooster, too.  

But first I'll see if they send me a birthday coupon.  

Can you believe this nonsense???

I've seen more since I took these a week ago, too. 

This astounds me!  This tree never changes color this early!  

I am usually still raking leaves off my maples at Thanskgiving! 

Compared to October 23, 2023 and every other year.

The burning bush is blushing!

I got this cute little blowmold from Big Lots.

The only issue is that he's battery operated so he won't get to spend all of October out in the Mosh Pit with everyone else. 

I bought him online since the BL website said the closest one available in store was about 1/2 hour drive to the east of us. Of course the one right in town didn't show any.  But the kids in the store told me that the BL website is not accurate at all.  It said they had 2, which is why I hurried and bought online, but they had 4 on the shelf, plus mine they were holding.  So the closer one probably did have them.  Oh well.  I also took the opportunity to go into Lowe's which was right next door to get the plywood & screws I needed for a project. 

This is the inspiration picture I took last year when we went to Tillson St.  I like to go there during the day just for this reason!  It helps to direct spot / floor lights and also blocks them visually from the road.  I usually hide mine behind a headstone, but this will give me more options to put the spot/floodlights. 

I'll make a post about that for the Countdown.  

The Spawn and I were just talking about the cemetery this weekend.  The big project this year is sealing & repainting most of the headstones!  There's a couple that need updates, too. 

We'll have to get those out soon!  87 days - time is getting short! 

# countdowntohalloween day 5 - Tillson St, part 2

Here we go with part 2 of the Tillson Street tour.

This house on the corner always does the Tillson Theater.

This house always does the Tillson Cemetery.

Of course the guy in the electric chair is wearing an Ohio State shirt!

Not sure why anyone would want political signs in their display.....

I like the magic show - kind of a unique theme.

This castle didn't feel 'done' to me - I wonder if the cannon is still in there?

That giant white mask is new this year - it was super creepy because they eyes followed you!

The Bridal Salon is always fun.

This was a surprise - this house usually has a hockey rink set up, complete with a real Zamboni, boards & penalty box.

I really like the real carriage & harness on the horse.

The red carpet is a nice touch.

The Headless Horseman had a nice setting in the cornstalks.

But this was funny!  He must have gotten dumped off this horse!

We thought this was pretty funny - the dumptruck dumping body parts onto the sidewalk....

I stopped to take Chuck's "selfie" and a lady in the garage next door (they always sell cider & snacks there) saw me and told me she was obsessed with skeletons and asked if she could take his (and mine) picture - I hope she sees where I checked us in on FB! 

Across the street from here is a Dairy Queen with a nice little walk-thru haunted house on their sidewalk.  They're making that bigger every year!