Count down-two weeks, two days. What am I counting down? Why, Halloween of course! Halloween is by far my most favorite holiday. When else are you encouraged and rewarded for dressing up and causing trouble? Not to mention the loads and loads of candy and treats. But my all-time most favorite part of Halloween is the costumes. I love being creative and trying to out think the other costumers. My cousin once went as a basket of laundry. He cut the bottom out of an old laundry basket that went over his waist and then tied straps to the handles so it would stay on his shoulders. Then he pinned socks and underwear to his shirt. I thought that was awesome. The best part of that costume I think is that he made it himself. Well, my aunt helped out, I'm sure. My biggest pet peeve about Halloween costumes is that most of them are pre-made and packaged with nothing left to creativity. All you have to do is decide what you want to be, and go to the specially designated Halloween store to pick it up. Oh there might be a small selection of hair color or tail length, or if your lucky, there will be three or four witch costumes to choose from. I would much rather spend a few days searching family attics and thrift stores for just the right pieces to make my costume exactly how I want it. Its usually cheaper that way too. So, with this wonderful, joyous event almost upon us, please, think twice about getting a pre-fab costume from a store that is only open two months out of the year. Make a trip to your local thrift store and exercise your creative side. Thanks for listening.