Thursday, October 30, 2008

What's the frequency, Kenneth, Part trois

Who knew, that a month after the initial request, I'd finally finish answering your questions? And who knew that I could stretch it out into three posts of blog fodder?

Jennifer P from The Peterson’s Go Public wants to know: what was your favorite Halloween costume ever? And along those same lines, Shannon of Welcome to the Nut House asks: What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid?

You know…I really don’t remember many of my costumes growing up. I know I was a gypsy one year. A ballerina. An Indian. Maybe even a cowgirl. But as far as stories go…this is my favorite costume.This was the year I decided to be the Wicked Witch of the West. Don't you love the plastic skirt? And matching cape?

Now, back in the olden days. Like when I was eight. You wore a plastic mask. (I even found pictures of me as a ballerina – but I still had a little girl mask to wear with it!)

Well, evidently, in the year of the witch, I complained to my mom that it was too hot to wear a mask. So, my mother had a brilliant idea. I would wear make-up. Instead of a mask. Brilliant, no?

Except that Mom's brilliant idea was to mix green food coloring with her foundation make up. And then paint my face with it.

Take a minute to let that "soak" in. She painted my face with green food coloring. Yep. She did that. Today she tells me that I insisted. I know I always listen to my eight year old.

The make up took about 10 days to wear off. And you know what? It all makes sense now. Now, I know why I love “Wicked.” I understand Elphaba. Because I, too. Have been green.That same year, my younger brother was Dr. Spock from Star Trek. But this was how he preferred to wear his costume.

(You don't think he'll get mad at me for posting this do you? I mean. I gave him a really big fig leaf.)

The most creative costume I have seen is one by our friend Mark. Do you remember when Roy of Siegfried and Roy was mauled by a tiger? Well…Halloween followed quickly on the heels of that event. And Mark wore a “tux” of sorts. And attached a white tiger to his arm. And had “blood” dripping from his neck all down his costume. I love topical costumes.And this is my favorite picture of my girls at Halloween. Not necessarily my favorite costume…but they look so sweet. And calm. And I captured it on film. It was a fleeting moment. So…what about you? When was the last time you went to a costume party? Do you have a favorite Halloween costume? What are your kids dressing up as tomorrow? Have you said "Happy Birthday" to my Mom today?

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PS--Guess what? Starting on Saturday, I am going to have TEN WEEKS of weekend give aways! Yes. I said TEN WEEKS of give aways. And the first giveaway is one of my very favorite things...

44 comments:

Rhea said...

ten weeks of giveaways?! No way!!

Rhea said...

Your brother as Dr. Spock is scary...not the nude one, although that one is cute.

You are green. That's scary!! lol

The girls look adorable. And I love the white tiger mauling costume. very creative of your friend!

I have one boy dressing up as a giant whoopee cushion, and the other as a Star Wars Storm Trooper with realistic sounding gun.

I may be my usual standby...a jailbird. :o)

Kori said...

Oh my gosh. I just happen to be up because my head hurts. Not to worry though I'm fixing to go back to bed.

Food coloring on your face. Priceless. I laughed out loud while holding my head saying "OW" and possibly cursing. Your Mom is absolutely the coolest Mom ever.

I will be posting a pic soon of the year I was a Punk Rocker.

Tell Mom's I said Happy Birthday!

Rosemary Q said...

We had a costume party last year at my house. My favorite costume was when I was Fred Flintstone as a kid. My daughter has 4 costumes that we made for her to wear to as many parties this Halloween. She has been Jane, of Tarzan and Jane, Eve, as in Adam and Eve, a Pin-Up Girl in a sailor costume and a Greek Goddess.

Happy Birthday to Kat's Mom! Hope it's a wonderful day and I wish you many more!

Rosemary Q said...

BTW...love your brother in his Spock mask and nothing else...that is a priceless picture! What a generous sister to add such a large fig leaf! LOL

Shannon said...

I don't know if I have a favorite costume...

I remember the days of the plastic costumes. Complete with plastic masks. I was Archie one year... yes, that Archie, as in Archie and Jughead. Why I was Archie, I have no idea.

I also remember wearing the costumes from my ballet recitals... I wore a turtleneck and sweatpants on under the costume!

The last time I dressed up for Halloween was when I was in the 6th grade (I was a witch)... I just wear a Halloween tee from Old Navy now!


I've got one girl being a cute witch tomorrow and the other will be a Bratz cheerleader.

Shannon said...

Happy Birthday, Kat's mom! :)

Twisted Fencepost said...

I dressed up as a witch a couple of years ago. Won 2nd place. 1st place went to "Lady Taking Bubble Bath". Can you believe it!!
10 weeks of giveaways? You've gone mad. Mad, I tell you!
Boo is too old for costumes. (sigh)
But he carved his first jack-o-lantern this year.
Happy Birthday, Cat's Mom!!!

Suzann said...

Okay, I have tears streaming down my face because of your brother's photo. I'm seeing a new trend at the Star Trek Conventions.
I so remember plastic costumes. Too funny.
Love your friend's costume too - that is priceless and extremely creative.
I'm so sorry your face turned green. your poor mom - she was trying to be creative and frugal.

Jen said...

it is very sad, I have never been to a costume party. Someday, I hope to remedy that.

Unknown said...

I was laughing at your witch cape, because I had the same one. Then I scrolled down to your brother. Spock in the Garden of Eden, perhaps!

Skeller said...

"I understand Elphaba. Because I, too. Have been green."

Bwahahahahhaaaaa! That's got to be amongst your best lines, EVER! :-D

Mama Dawg said...

I love the Spock/fig leaf combo. Much more original.

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite people that I've never met...your mom!

I loved it when I dressed up like a dead bride when I was 15. That was awesome. I also loved when I dressed up as a football player when I was 17. Pads, helmet, cleats and all!

Brandy said...

Happy Birthday Kat's MOM!

Last time I dressed up with a complete costume was about 3 years ago. I was a mad scientist that had escaped from the mental ward. I wore a hospital gown, robe and slippers to work along with some other accessories. My cubicle was decorated as a lab...it was really cool.

I have a picture somewhere that I will try to find and post tomorrow.

OMG! 10 weeks! And we already know your favorite things are my favorite things...YIPPEE!

Elena said...

Oh man, the plastic costume. The ones that ripped the second you put them on. I loved those! I was smurfette one year. LOVED it, and I think it's the only year my mom didn't take a picture of me. You babies are adorable in there cute little costumes. And the naked brother pic was awesome! Can't wait to see what the give aways will be! I'm hoping hoping hoping Wicked will be one. Woo-hoo!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Kathy! Long may you Reign! And for the record, I'm pretty sure Katrina asked for the green food coloring face. yep.

I was Miss America for like 4 Halloweens in a row--and before that Wonder Woman was my ultimate favorite! The truth lasso was the best!

jennifersusan said...

Happy Birthday, Aunt Kathy!
there now, I've told your mother happy birthday. :)
Does your brother read your blog? I'm still cracking up at the naked spock--that's too cute!
ten weeks of give aways? i'm trying to explain to my mother how to comment so we'll see if she gets in on the action soon. :)

Rhea said...

Damnit, I missed your sentence about your mom. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Kat's MOM!

Any special plans or cool gifts prepared?!! I hope she has a wonderful day!

Aleta said...

Green make-up that took that long to wear off. Oh no. Oh no, that's just.... hilarious! OMG. LOVED the pictures.

My favorite Halloween was my 16th birthday party - it was a mix of Sweet Sixteen and Halloween fun! I was a witch, which my brother claims comes natural for me!

Aleta said...

And that Spock get up or no get up - Ohhhhhhhh, someone's gonna be mad at you! LMAO

Carrie said...

I used to be the queen of dressing up, but I've slipped...

I dressed up as a pumpkin troll one year. I used a plastic pumpkin leaf bag and stuffed it with newspaper and completed it with my own hair teased to stand up about a foot and sprayed green, just like troll hair. It took about a week to get all the snarls out of my hair.

I also dressed up as a tube of toothpaste one year. I used a pleated lampshade as a hat, painted my face light blue, wore all white and pinned on Crest letters made out of construction paper.

But my all-time favorite Halloween costume was a home made taco. I cut two taco "shells" out of cardboard, covered it with yellow construction paper and cut out construction paper meat, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. The one problem was that it was quite difficult to walk through doors! I had to turn sideways to get in. I'm so bummed that I have no pictures of that!

I love naked Spock! Too funny!

I totally remember the plastic costumes and masks!! They used to come in actual boxes! I bet my mom has some boxed up somewhere at her house!

Elena said...

Oh dear, I got so excited about 10 weeks of giveaways, that I neglected to say Happy Birthday Kat's mom!!

Teri said...

First, Happy Birthday Kathy!!!!!!!!

My favorite costume for me was when I was an adult and I dressed up like a Hari Krishna. I was strapped for time, so I quickly thought up this great idea. A sheet, a bunch of flowers from Kroger and my hair pulled back in a really tight ponytail. Do you remember how they would pounce on people at the airport or rest areas? Or maybe that's way before your time?

Matt is going to be a pimp. Nice, hmm?

Susie said...

My favorite Halloween costume was when I dressed up like Madonna:-) I told you guys I was a product of the 80's:-) Hee, hee, hee.

My daughter is Super Girl:-)

Lula! said...

Your mom needs a b-day hug from me.

Your brother probably needs a bigger leaf now. Ahem.

Your girls are always sweet.

I finished prepping my costume today, but I'm not telling what it is in your comments. You'll have to ask me later. 'Cause I think you'd dig it.

I've never been to a costume party. Ever. Sad, huh?

My girls are dressing as angels. Libbey is the good angel, Caroline is the fallen one...with a crooked halo and bent wings. Bless her heart.

Did I answer all your questions? Good.

Aubrey said...

"I know I always listen to my eight year old." THAT cracked me up! I couldn't stop laughing! What great costumes!

My husband and I went to a 70s/Disco theme costume party a few years ago. It was so much fun rockin' the fros.

This year my little one will be a monkey and his big brother is being such a good sport and dressing as a banana. My Tween will be a devil.

Aubrey said...

Oh! I forgot. I'm SOOOO looking forward to your giveaways! Whoo-hoo

Michelle said...

That is great, green food coloring. I love your brother!!

Happy Birthday to your mom.

The only costume I can remember as a kid was a clown with a plastic mask, isn't that terrible.

Have a Happy Halloween.

sassy stephanie said...

Don't cha just hate it when a bloggy friend posts a pic like this (fig leaf Dr. Spock) and you start cracking up only for your kids to ask over and over and over and over again "what? what? whaatttt?"?

Finding Normal said...

10 weeks? YAY!
Happy birthday, Kat's mom!
Last costume party--probably in college. I think I went as a farmer and Shawn went as a woman. No picures of that, please.
Noah will be Mater tomorrow, and Addison will probably be a monkey. Unless that's too big, then she'll be a frog. I'm all about recycling the costumes!

Brandy said...

I just posted my mad scientist picture.

Go have a laugh.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! (30 minutes early!)

Unknown said...

ARRRRGGGGHHHHHHH !!! COSTUMES !!!!

A few moments ago, I finished a Halloween costume Ive been making for a friend's teenage daughter. Which explains why I have been MIA for the last week.

I figured out at about 2am this morning, that I'd had to gather about 9 1/2 yards of net for the petticoat alone. And it had stays in the corset and so on.

Right now, I'm all costumed out !!!

The green food coloring had me giggling :-)

LORI said...

THIS IS HYSTERICAL! GREEN FOOD COLORING MIXED WITH FOUNDATION...FABULOUS PLAN. ONLY 2ND TO LETTING US WALK AROUND IN THOSE DISGUSTING PLASTIC MASKS THAT WERE PROBABLY LEACHING CARCINOGENS INTO OUR SKIN WITH EVERY BREATH! THEN AGAIN, I DON'T RECALL THOSE PLASTIC NUMBERS COSTING UPWARDS OF $40.00 EITHER...

Sarah said...

stopping by through sits. Not sure what my favorite costume was. I think I was a stoplight when I was little once and that got the most comments. The tiger one is very creative ;)

The Joye of Teaching said...

Love that homemade witch mask idea, hahaha green face for weeks- priceless

Brooke said...

Now those are some sweet costumes. I love it! ha ha

Tracy P. said...

Oh Kat, you are too funny! "I know I always listen to my eight year old." Seriously! We had the plastic masks too. Remember how stinky and sweaty they were? Blecchhh!

Our neighbors used to have a halloween party each year, and probably in 2001 my husband and I went as contested ballots, complete with hanging chads and write-in votes. For Mickey Mouse, because that was before we knew Hot Tub Lizzy!

Tara Bennett said...

TOO funny!!!

Unknown said...

Mr. B's youngest was the Hulk last night... he said the bath water was lime green when they got done - but he was the proper shade of peach when they got done.

Sometime I'll have to post my Lady Gadiva pic.......

Tiffany said...

Green food coloring.. you got love moms.

Queenie Jeannie said...

WOW!! Thank you for "taking me back"!! I DO remember those stupid masks and how sweaty they made your face - blech!!

Had to laugh at the nakey-nake Mr Spock!!

Your girls are adorable!!

Jeannie

J'Ollie Primitives said...

oh dear....for about a nanosecond I thought the fig leaf was part of Dr. Spock's costume.
Then I came to my senses.
Green food coloring ~ goes well with the fig leaf!
Happy belated birthday to your mom!

Nissa said...

Oh my goodness! I almost peed my pants when I saw the Spock picture!

I can't believe your mom dyed you green! :)

My favorite costume.. I was never super creative.. I just remember loving to dress up.

Hope your mom had a great birthday- after you teased her some more about the Halloween 'green incident'!

Angie's Spot said...

OMG, I am CRYING! First, you being green is just so funny to me. Not sure why, but it is. And your brother as naked Spock, well it's about 10x funnier after meeting him yesterday.

I have never been to a costume party and haven't dressed up in MANY MANY years. My fave costume as a kid was the french maid outfit that I wore as an 11/12 year old. I'm sure my parents are STILL regretting that decision.

My girls went as Belle and a butterfly. They were adorable! I'm hoping to have those pics up later this week.

And happy belated bday, Kat's mom.