So this year wasn't the greatest.  I spent a lot of money, worked my butt off to set up, didn't get everything done, had weather issues, my actors didn't show up.  And this year was based on my actors!  NOT next year!  I'll have it set up so I will not have to depend on other people.  I'll build more animatronics.  I'll invite many actors- but if they don't show, it won't matter.  Next year will be based on animatronics!  And the actors who do show up will be a bonus.  And I will also advertise in the paper.  It's hard because I live in an area that doesn't get any TOTs.  There are so few houses here.  Perfect scary atmoshpere, though!! 

Yes, I will have a walk thru haunt.  I will have a lot of animatronics.  And I'm starting now!!  No time off!!  We hit the after Halloween sales and did quite well!!  I was watching the small skeletons at Wal-Mart for $10.  No one was buying them so I figured they would be there after Halloween.  I was right and piked up quite a few.  I have special plans for them!  And I picked up one of those bubble foggers among other little things.  Next year WILL be better.  I am starting now and nothing will stop me (insert evil laugh)!

6 comments View Entry

I didn't think we would get everything done on time- weather being like it was.  We worked our butts off all day!  Got it done.  Our actors were supposed to be there at 5:00 for pizza and then for a run thru.  Most of them didn't show up!  No calls-nothing!  I was so upset.  They swore up & down they would be there.  We tried to call & they didn't even answer their cell phones!  I had back ups, but they too didn't show up!  What a nightmare.  Needless to say, I had to cancel.  I made calls to those I knew were going to come & had them spread the word.  Some of them came anyway just to see the decorations.  That was nice.  And they loved it & appreciated all the work that went into it.

For the actors that did show up, they hung out & we made the best of it.  They stayed with us until the end  in case guests didn't get the message that it was cancelled.

Now I don't know what to do for next year!  This was going to be my first walk thru haunt.  I don't know if I can go through this again.  All the money & time I spent....for nothing!

5 comments View Entry

Tomorrow is the night for my first walk thru haunt.  The weather is NOT cooperating- at all!  Windy & raining.  Tomorrow night should be ok, but I had to take down several things to protect them from the weather and now will have to set up last minute.  I hate that!!!!

Several actors have backed out.  And now I find out there should be several hundred people showing up. 

Thanks to the weather, I have soooo much to do.  Panic time!!  Will I get it all done?  Will I be happy with it?  Will all the actors show up?  Will all the victims show up?  Will all the props work? Do I have enough cider?  Enough cups, etc.  Argh!  Will I live through this?  LOL

3 comments View Entry

We got to volunteer at the Weeki Wachee Wild & Wicked Nights!!  (The kids and myself.)

We went there on Friday as guests.  It was nice.  They need some help with their displays, but I think that it's great that they do something for Halloween each year.  We went on the river ride.  Just a pontoon boat down the Weeki Wachee River and they had some actors on the island.  Only about 2 displays.  But let me tell ya!  We thought we were gonna die!  LOL!!!!!  The "captain" of our boat couldn't see where she was going (too dark).  She ran over the torches in the river, hit many trees and ran over the boat that takes the actors to the island!!  Poor lady.  We were all laughing hysterically!

At the end of the evening, we found out how to volunteer for the Haunted Forest- we signed up.  My daughter & I were zombies and my son was Jason.  He's not all that into Halloween, but a friend of his wanted to do it.  He loved it!  Maybe we've converted him!  Only time will tell.

We had a good time, got a lot of screams, learned what to do and what not to do and may have recruited a couple of actors for my haunt!  Oh yea, and we learned that girls scream over just about anything and guys like to say, "Oh $#!t" a lot!

2 comments View Entry

Being in florida, I don't get to enjoy the fall weather like most of you.  But the air has been a little cooler lately- only in the morinings & evenings.  Hey-I'll take it!  lol 

My haunt will be October 18th, so I really have to get moving!  Lots to do!  I'm a single mom, have a full time job and also take care of my mother who suffers from strokes/dementia.  Been going through a lot with her lately.  Unfortunately, that leaves me with little time for projects & set up.

The recent weather has been an inspiration.  Last night my daughter & I began set up.  I've marked out the trail & am figuring out what will go where.  We will complete that today- along with setting out our extension cords & figure out what else has to be bought or repaired.  I know I won't be able to finish some projects that I've started, but that's ok.  It happens every year!  Darned real life gets in the way!  LOL 

I also have to get with my actors and give them their costumes and their basic script.  Hopefully  have them over next weekend for some sort of run through.

This is my first walk thru, so hopefully, it will all go well.  I know most people at my office will show up- they're really good about that!!  And probably most of the high school.  Hey- they need something to do on a Saturday night!!

And if all goes well, I may also do it the following Saturday.

I finally got to go to the Spirit Halloween store (it's about 40 minutes away!).  We were in Heaven!  Never fails, though.  Whenever we go into a Halloween store or Spencer's during Halloween, one of the sales people always latches on to us!  hee hee.  We had some fun with this one!  He was a really good sport!!

Thanks for letting me organize my thoughts here.

Happy Haunting!!!!!

2 comments View Entry

The Dollar Tree tombstones are just too small but they look good.  I took white foam insulation, cut it how I wanted it and then painted it.  Then glued the small one to the larger one.



I might use some Fleckstone on them....Might change the shapes....not quite sure what I want to do with them yet. 

5 comments View Entry

One of our wonderful Hauntspace members suggested Michael's wedding section to find an archway.  I found a white archway for $38 and figured it was too much for this year's budget.  So then I saw a green archway on the bottom shelf for $9.99.  Reasonable.  But it gets better!  It's now 50% off!  It gets even better!!  I picked it up and continued Halloween shopping.  Got home, checked my receipt and it was only 99 cents!!!!!!  I'm going back today to get the rest!  So Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!!

7 comments View Entry

Look what I found at ROSS (of all places)!!!!!



He's about 16 inches tall and was about $8.  But I love grim reapers!  Isn't he cute?! 

8 comments View Entry

I need to come up with a few skits for my haunt.  For one of them, I was thinking about someone digging a grave while the victim is tied up wiggling on the ground trying to break free.

I will have various ghouls, zombies & ghosts in costume.  But how can I use a couple of them in skits?

I also have this coffin costume:

Any ideas/suggestions? 
Thanks!!

2 comments View Entry