I have to say that this Halloween wasn’t like any I remember.

I am very used to sitting inside, on the couch, watching tv and maybe munching on some popcorn while the kids come in packs every 10-20 mins.  The doorbell rings, you get up and hand out about 20 pieces of candy. Sit back down and watch a few more minutes of your show, rinse and repeat.

Not so this year. First off, the times here are very definite. 5:30-7:30. It may have it go about 10 mins before and 10 mins after but you don’t have anyone coming at 9 or so like happened sometimes in Hobbs.

And there was no sitting on the couch. Oh no. At about 5:20 I noticed some kids walking by the windows. I got my candy and discovered the kids here don’t ring the bell, they just walk by and you stand/sit on your stoop.  The porch light is not a signal. So I went out to man my station.

It was loads of fun. Had a nice glass for red wine, was out there on the beautiful evening, talking to the neighbors from their stoop and gave the kids candy as they came by. There was a steady flow for the entire time. About every 2-4 minutes a kid was there. Had one little ghoul reach right into my sack throwing in the piece of candy I had given him saying he didn’t want it and trying to grab a Reese’s peanut butter cup stating “That’s the one I want”. I calmly removed his hand and told him that isn’t done and his mother not so calmly chewed him out as they walked away.

To give you an idea of how many kids came, I had bought 12 large bags of candy. I gave each kid one piece (I know some came by more than once, but hey, no biggie). I had no candy left by the end of the night. Not one fun sized snickers or sweet tarts.  So I average at about 450-500 kids came to the stoop.  But I am thankful. That way I don’t have that leftover candy! And my hips rejoice!