Halloween – A Blog, A Magazine. It's JustsumInspiration!

It’s Fall, So Are You Doing These 5 Things To Prepare?

Published on October 3, 2019October 17, 2019 by Roshonda B2 Comments

Featured photo by Roshonda – B Creative

Yes, Yes, Yes – It’s Officially October, time for pumpkins, Halloween and time changes! Are you ready to FALL back? Soon we’ll be gaining an hour and sipping everything from Spiced Apple Cider to Pumpkin something. I mean they come out with some new way to put pumpkin in your drink and food every year, right? Ah-hum..”Hence the Pic below”

Yes, this reallyyyyy does exist! – Read it here! (After you’ve read this post that is, wink =)

It seems like Starbucks jumped the gun by offering PSL (Pumpkin Spiced Latte’s) on August 27th!!!! Okay, Starbucks??? We see you!! However, to get a PSL during that time seemed a little off-season (literally) I mean, we were still suffering through the heat of the summer and the sound of a PSL didn’t feel like fall to me. While Starbucks broke the trending record that day, I personally like to drink “Pumpkin Spiced” anything during the “actual” time for it. (I know, I can be a weirdo about certain things, but I digress)

Anywho, while we “truly” prepare for fall which also includes the cutting of a delicious turkey and bringing down the Christmas tree…..Okay, I’m pushing it but this year has already pushed itself out the door already!! One more blink of an eye and we’ll be in……..2020!! Okayyyyy, hold your horses Ro!, sorry = ( didn’t mean to take ya that fast, so, let’s back up and enjoy this blissful fall and all the pumpkin things it brings, deal?

Now that we’re officially two weeks and some change into fall, there’s a lot of switch-a-roo’s that’ll be going on; such as switching out short sleeves for long sleeves and sandals for boots! So, let’s get into the 5 things that you need to be doing NOW in order to be TRULY, FALL READY!

1. longer sleeves – oh YES!, OH no?

Photo by **rawpixel.com** from **Pexels**

Yesss now’s the time to put up all the summer wear (if you haven’t already, most people start early) in which I’m a very late bloomer when it comes to this. I hate covering up! I’ll milk the short sleeves and sandals until my arms and feet can’t take it anymore and I absolutely hate big, overly huge coats. Just give me a scarf, gloves, hat and a very light jacket and I’m good. But now’s the time to pull out those long johns (does anybody say that anymore?) and long sleeves. It’s also the time to purchase a scarf, hat, gloves, and earmuffs. If you’re like me, I have to buy a pair every year.

2. Replace the batteries in the Smoke Detectors!

This is the time of year where smoke alarms are not in the best of use, especially around the holidays. Unchecked batteries won’t’ be much help to a smoke detector or even a carbon monoxide detector if something should happen (God Forbid!) but it’s best to get them checked out every season. Have you heard any beeping noises lately? Check it out and make sure your batteries are good and give it a quick push of the button just to make sure it’s working. Better safe than sorry, eh…

3. Any plans for the New Year?

I know we’re a couple of months away and NO ONE wants to think about this now but hey, Fall’s the PERFECT time to plan out what goals you want to accomplish in the upcoming year. “Did you complete the goals you started out with this year?”” Where were your pitfalls?” “What is it that you need to do to make sure you stick to it next time around.” “Did you set the bar too high to reach?” Right now is the time to think about what you want to do going forward. Short steady goals ensure you complete them on time.

4. The Best time of year to work out!

Photo by **Luis Quintero** from **Pexels**

I believe the fall/winter is the bestest time to workout. It’s not too hot to go outside for a walk or run and since its fall/almost winter. It’s also the best time to work on your skincare and nutrition routine. I always say, you know what people do in the winter when you see them in the summer. You’ll know if they’ve been taking care of their skin, body and etc. While you’re in hibernation, use this time to work on that health, skin and summer body…now’s the time. (I’m definitely going to be getting some workout time in ; )

5. TRY SOMETHING NEW for a change!

Let’s face it, fall is the time of year where all types of parties are going on. From Halloween all the way to Christmas, someone’s going to be throwing a party or there’s going to be some type of event going on, I mean “Tis the Season?” literally! So, while you’re scheduling your party plans, whether to throw one yourself or attend one. Add, doing something NEW to the list! Maybe a new recipe (if you need a little pumpkin inspiration, for the whole month of October 2017 I cooked up a different “pumpkin” inspired recipe! – Just put pumpkin in the search engine to check them all out and let me know if you do one!), hair-do (Gosh knows I do this one regularly) or whatever you want to try!

Why wait until the new year to make a resolution or try something new for yourself. Time is of the essence and as we all know, it waits on NO ONE! At least not the last time I checked, that is. So join me in saying YES! before 2020! You’re worth it and hey, you only live once right? I mean it’s okay to have a little fun, in retrospect that is…lol.

So there you have it, That’s my FAB 5 things you should be doing to prepare for the Fall or I guess I should say, that you should be doing NOW that fall is already here…

What about you? Do you have any other suggestions for fall preparation? Let me know in the comments!

Thoughts: Is Halloween Reallyyyyyy, The Devil’s Birthday?

Published on October 31, 2018April 18, 2019 by Roshonda B2 Comments

I recently glanced over a post (linked below) that asked a similar question, it got me to thinking – so I decided to write my thoughts about it…

So, I just have to say before I start this post that if you have a different opinion, while it’s appreciated because we all have one, right? But if yours is STRONGLY opinionated to the point of arguing (because I’m a lover, not a fighter = ) then please – STOP HERE and don’t go any further…

But, for everyone else who just want to read something today – let’s forge ahead….shall we? Okay, so I’m just going to put it out there – I’ve been told ALLLLLLLLL my little life that Halloween was the devils night and we should all stay in the house on that day. I was told that the devil uses that day to disguise himself as well as his counterparts because everyone’s in costumes so you’ll never know if it’s really a child or something else lurking behind it.

This made me scared and if I can be honest, put a bad complex over me and the holiday altogether. Does the devil really have a birthday??? Like Jesus does??? I guess because Halloween has been linked to everything “evil” that was the most common day that seemed like it would be well-fitting for such an evil person.

However; I don’t think that Halloween is the devil’s birthday – just as I don’t think Christmas is Jesus’ birthday (I know I just got nailed to every cross imaginable, for that statement) but I don’t. I know the bible makes references to the night he was born and the many things that happened but there’s no real (or at least I haven’t seen it) conclusion as to when Jesus was born and if I can be honest, I really don’t care to know – the only thing I know is that I LOVE HIM and appreciate him. We honor him every day when we give thanks for the things he has done, the things he has brought us thru and the things that we know, that we know, that we know should have happened to us but by his mercy and grace – we’re still here (can I get an amen for that?!)

If Halloween was really the devil’s birthday, then why do Christians still celebrate the day by doing trunk or treat or little parties and etc. I mean, that’s still a celebration for the day, right? I say, people believe what they want to believe and if you have kids then let them enjoy the day, trust me as they get older – they’ll form their own opinion about what they really think and not because of something, someone forced them to believe.

As a Christian, I’m not much into any holidays really – especially my birthday but that’s another post discussion. But I do have kids and they desire to hang with friends and do fun things on that night just as anyone else and I let them. In the past, we’ve watched scary movies, ate cupcakes and had pizza on that night.

Do I believe spirits are real? yes, I do…

Do I believe they only come out on Halloween? No, I don’t…

We live in a world full of spirits – Good as well as Bad ones

The question we should ask ourselves is “WHICH ones we’re entertaining the most”

So, this was just my two cents – which probably doesn’t matter much but anywho, I hope you have a GREAT Halloween, whether you believe in it or not. Whatever you decide to do on this day, just make it fun and not “intentionally” scary or bad on purpose. Holidays are what you make them out to be….whether you’re a Christian or not.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

5 Spooky/Thriller Movies You Must See Before Halloween Ends!

Published on October 30, 2017October 30, 2017 by Roshonda B7 Comments

picture above courtesy of mashable

So, tomorrow is Halloween and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably wondering what to do and how to celebrate it. First let me say, I’m not a big Halloween person myself – although I do love seeing the crazy, ridiculous, scary or cute costumes that people come up with; but now that I have older children, I’ll get to why I said “older” in a minute. They are always pumped about going trick-or-treating or participating in costume contest at school, well my son is that is, my daughter, ehhhh….she’s all about the treat instead of the trick, so I find myself every year, trying to figure out someplace cool for them to go….I mean, just because I’m not a major Halloween fan doesn’t mean that I want them to suffer in the process.

When they were younger, (like some months old, one or two years of age) I didn’t have to worry so much of them looking at me with sad eyes wanting to go trick or treating, Of course I would dress them up when they went to daycare so they can participate in their classes, but doing anything that night was totally out of the question, However; I do remember taking my daughter around in a stroller when she was 1yrs old from house to house getting candy (my mom’s idea). I just put a little mask on her and there we went, from house to house on Halloween getting candy. It felt a little awkward at first as I surely believed everyone thought, a young baby like that was not going to be eating the candy…but the grown woman was. (Probably why I didn’t get that much)

Yeah Right Face — **The look I received when I walked up to the door with my daughter….LOL**

Anyway, it was an okay night but I couldn’t wait to get back home – the things we do for our parents…While that was great, years ago – now that my son and daughter are much older they look forward to doing something “great” on Halloween. Let’s face it, Halloween isn’t like it used to be when I was growing up in which is why the “trunk or treats” have become ever so popular alongside organizations having a big Halloween bash within a safe environment for everyone to enjoy. I have to say I do take notice of those things and do attend but I’m a home body and also enjoy staying indoors. So if you’re not that into trunk or treats or big crowds – maybe you can have your own Halloween gathering safely inside your own home.

One year, I did this and it was awesome! – I rented a couple of scary movies, bought some pizzas, chips, cupcakes, candy bags, drinks and we celebrated Halloween at home. So, if going out and celebrating Halloween is not your thing; then maybe staying indoors will fit the bill. While I won’t be able to help with the party food, I can definitely suggest a couple of scary/thriller movies to rent that will make your Halloween night “indoors” spookier.

Listed below are my recent favorite thrillers in which you and the kids (even their friends) or you and your friends or family can watch to SPOOK the night off.

Annabelle Creation – My Rating 9

She’s back! In Annabelle: Creation, several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a doll maker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home. They soon become the target of the doll maker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.

Wish Upon– My Rating 8

Clare Shannon, a 17-year old, is haunted by the memory of her mother’s suicide. Her father Jonathan, a former musician and compulsive hoarder who dumpster dives as a hobby, finds a Chinese music box and gives it to her as a gift. Clare deciphers one of the numerous inscriptions on the box as “Seven Wishes,” and absent-mindedly wishes for Darcie, her tormentor and school bully, to “rot,” at which point her wish comes true and the girl is admitted into the ICU. That same day, Clare’s dog Max dies in her house’s crawlspace after being eaten alive by rats. Clare realizes that the box grants wishes, but does not realize her wishes come with consequences.

Don’t Breathe – My Rating 9

Three young thieves fight for their lives after breaking into the home of a blind man who has a dark side and isn’t so helpless as he seems.

Get Out – My Rating 10

It’s time for a young African American to meet with his white girlfriend’s parents for a weekend in their secluded estate in the woods, but before long, the friendly and polite ambience will give way to a nightmare.

Lights Out – My Rating 8.5

Rebecca must unlock the terror behind her little brother’s experiences that once tested her sanity, bringing her face to face with an entity attached to their mother a dark spirit by the name of Diana.

The Boy – My Rating 8

An American nanny is shocked that her new English family’s boy is actually a life-sized doll. After she violates a list of strict rules, disturbing events make her believe that the doll is really alive.

Dead Silence – My Rating 8.5

A young widower returns to his hometown to search for answers to his wife’s murder, which may be linked to the ghost of a murdered ventriloquist.

*** **** ***

And that’s it, those are my top faves. I hope this post was helpful to you and provided some great choices for picking out a movie for Halloween, most of these movies can be found at your local redbox – in which makes the night even more affordable. I wish you and yours a very good Halloween and if you have a scary movie that you enjoy, let me know in the comments – I would love to watch it!!