Omigosh----I really need to think twice about this....

I have to admit,  I'm usually kind of a Scrooge or Grinch when it comes to Halloween.  I love answering the door and handing out candy,  but when it comes to getting an invitation to an adult Halloween costume party,  I break out in a cold sweat.   I've always hated the dressing up part----at least as an adult..  I think it's cuz I was never very creative in this department,  and my costumes would usually really suck.  I always enjoyed the huge college toga parties----it's hard to go wrong with a sheet.  Who wouldn't want to dress up like a Greek goddess?  And there's always the discussion as to what  (if anything)  should be worn underneath.  I'm not saying, but you can probably guess.   

Before................                                                                                    

 
                                                                                                                ........and after.


One year for Halloween,  my college roommate and I dressed as mummies.  We were so well-wrapped!  What the heck were we thinking?  Did we forget that when you drink copious amounts of a little beer you sometimes need to use the facilities?  Ugh....major problem.  Not enough forethought on that one.  The next year,  we went as bags of leaves.  Hello......did we not remember the fiasco of the prior year?  We were now ensconced in Hefty bags filled with leaves (and whatever might be lurking among the leaves).    They itched.    A lot.     Stupid idea.     We'd see all of these fabulous costumes down on State Street and wonder why we couldn't come up with something funny/cool/shocking.  It's difficult to imagine seeing anything down there though---there were wall-to-wall people .   (I'm thinking that I was dating someone at the time who got arrested......but the facts are a little fuzzy in my mind.  Don't even want to venture a guess as to what that was all about.  It was Madison in the early 80's.  Nuf said.).

I don't have a lot of memories of my costumes as a kid---I'm guessing most of then were of the ballerina variety---depending on the weather up north, sometimes necessitating a snowsuit thrown into the mix.  Try fitting a tutu over that!

But today,  something changed.  Mike forwarded me an invitation to a party,  and the more I thought about it,  the more excited I became.  Get this-----you have to dress like someone or something with your initials.

Little detour here......Just about the time I got the email,  I was dropping off a trunkful of stuff at Goodwill.  Decided to park and go into the store looking for some stuff for Jackson's Halloween costume.  I have never been to a Goodwill Store.  (I guess I should have thought about Goodwill when I was in college when I desperately needed ideas).   I felt so at home. It's all organized by color----just like my closet. lol !!!  I must say,  I had an absolute blast browsing. You wouldn't believe the stuff they have there.  (I've probably provided a half-dozen van-fulls in the past year,  but I didn't see anything that used to live in my house. That would have been a hoot!).  I did find a pair of pants for Jax---he's going to be a hippie.  They're striped and are pretty retro-looking,  but they're not bell-bottoms.  Maybe my sister-in-law can help me change that. (I found them in the women's section,  but don't tell Jackson!)  They will look awesome with his fringe vest,  tie-dye shirt,  round pink wire rim glasses and peace sign necklace.  I had to buy him a wig, as I don't think there were many buzz-cut hippies back then. I got 2 of them so he can choose----one is an  afro (those of you who knew Mike in college will probably remember his hair!) and a long-haired wig.  So it's his choice.

Ok,  enough about that and back to me and the party.  So my initials are JG,   or JLG if I want to really go overboard and use my middle initial too. Hmmmm......Judy Garland......Jane Goodall.......Jersey Girl.....or maybe Jersey-licious Girl!!!!  That's it----one of those famous-for-no-good-reason women on Jersey Shore---SNOOKI!!! .  I've never seen that show,  but I'll have to watch it before the party.   I found a slinky animal print halter dress at Party City.  And a wig.  But I'm definitely going to need a major-league push-up bra so my boobs are just beneath my chin.  Hoping I can pull this off.  What do you think?

When I talked to Mike about his costume,  he suggested Michael Grimm  ( you know, the guy with the hat on American Idol?).  Maybe I can talk him into piercing his ear (I've been known to do that before).  lol.  I suggested Mel Gibson.   That could be interesting.

 the next day......Saturday........

Ok,  so I'm still excited about the party. However,  I tried on the Snooki dress. The package said it fits up to a Size 12 dress.  Figured I'd be fine since I usually wear an 8.   OMIGOSH!!!!!  For one thing,  there is absolutely no room for a push-up bra.  Might have to use duct tape to hoist up the girls!  It is so tight....and short.  Not sure if I have the guts to wear it .  But..........the invitation said  "Prizes awarded for most clever,  most elaborate and the one it took the most nerve to wear."   Ok,  that just might be me.  I've got the shoes and the wig.  Maybe tomorrow I'll try it on for Mike & see what he thinks.  I guess with my wig on people wouldn't have to know that I'm his wife  (if he's embarrassed).