Fright Week is upon us. Yes, I said week, not night. Halloween, like many other kid things, it seems, is much more of a production with my kids than it was in my day. We started with the school Halloween Party on Friday night � costumed controlled (?) confusion in the school gym, complete with games, hot dogs and a DJ (the school is K-8 so it's a full-service operation). This Tuesday we have the school parties during the day; I'm doing some drinks for the third grade. Then, of course, we have the MAIN EVENT at night. We will chasing Cinderella and an Equestrian (easy “costumes� - Yah!) among the bushes and trees. Next Friday, my eight year old is going trick-or-treat on horseback at the barn. By then I should be really done with Halloween.

In the midst of this craziness I have my own form of fright � two midterm exams. We had one in Policy on Friday, which was just what the professor had said it would be � 105 True/False. I felt I knew the material but don't like to guess in advance how I did. It's out of my hands now anyway. Tuesday (ie. Halloween) we have the Human Behavior midterm. I should be studying right now. But I find it hard to focus when there are stray things that need doing, so I have to clear the slate first. I know, that's a form of stalling, but it's just how I work best.

Things seem to be settling down a bit. Two of the three major papers for the semester are in good shape and, once mid-terms are behind us, I see some light at the end of the tunnel. I hope I'm not jinxing myself by saying that.