Candy Corn and a leaf Blower.

There is something about fall that makes me want to clean and organize and decorate. Forget spring cleaning, I save that for outdoor activities, who wants to be washing curtains and scrubbing like a scullery maid when it is gorgeous out? So this weekend I did our annual clean and purge. We try not to hang onto unnecessary things or things that might benefit someone else, we no longer need. It’s crazy to carry excess when you move every three years.

This means that no one in my family was happy except my husband who is in Germany and truant for the drudgery. It’s the story of his life, any odious task like moving or deep cleaning is done while he is in another country, witness protection or both.
So we set out to clean and make room for the holidays.
I try to instill in my children a sense of fairness and generosity, by teaching them to give toys to charity to make room for new things they will receive at Christmas. For my older children this task was difficult to do at first but once they got the idea, they now run with it every year.
Our youngest child has not nor will she ever I am certain, embrace the idea of giving things away. She could have a Barbie that looks like Sinead O’Connor, because she decided to get creative with her Fiskar scissors and still not want to surrender it. We did not want to leave her with a negative feeling about giving but are usually at a loss for what to do. Then one evening I was watching Clean House, the program where Niecy Nash promises gifts and items to homeowners if the obstinate couple lags or drags their feet as an inspiration to purge. I don’t understand hoarding, but that is a whole other blog.
I felt this was pure genius.
The youngest favorite candy of the season is Candy Corn, she loves it so much she once ate them dried glue and all, off a paper that she brought home from school for math and counting, bless her little candy corn heart.
I shamelessly used the power of the candy corn for my own selfish purpose.
A half of a bag of candy later I had a clean room and a happy child. I know it’s a lot like rewarding a dog, but don’t judge, three very bald Hannah Montana dolls are worth 6 candy corn. Every six broken happy Meal toys you throw out gets you one candy corn. My way is painless and tasty.
I also love decorating my house for the changes. We are lovers of gourds, pumpkins, bales of hay and colorful leaves swagged on the mantel. I like mowing the lawn for that last time and setting up my decorations, the family gets right into the spirit. Moving makes the rituals and decorations a constant for us, giving us a center and great memories. This is the time of year I make lots of chili and soups, it all feels cozy. We will press leaves and break out our sweaters.
This year for Halloween we are feeling a little Roman and are inspired to be Gladiators and or maybe wear togas. Last year we were Rastafarian. We have no shame when it comes to costume ideas. One year I wore pink camouflage.
I only have one complaint, I hate raking leaves. It is frustrating and time consuming. I am lazy and will not hesitate to tell you I have what I refer to as, “The leafsuckerblower” to do my dirty work. No, that is not the name, but what I, as a true chick decided to call it. There is a bag for mulching and it blows and sucks all errant leaves into submission. It is my favorite fall item ever. I love to attack leaves and see my progress. I am almost methodical and obsessed with this activity. No one else gets to touch it and the children speak of it in hushed whispers wondering if they will ever get the chance to wield its awesome power. Someday Grasshopper, if you can take the pebble from my hand… well maybe not even then.