We have finally made it to Election Day. Since the beginning of October, many news organizations have described the past 30+ days leading up to today as a sprint to the finish. But dang, it has felt more like a never-ending marathon.

After what has seemed like an endless “Race For the White House,” the Presidential Election is finally here.

It seems well overdue that the Presidential Election—the actual voting at least—comes to a conclusion tonight. Even for an election news junkie like myself, the coverage and noise has all been a bit much. I can only imagine what it must feel like for someone living in a battleground state.

Even though many of us will breathe a sigh of relief that the campaigning and ads will cease after today, it won’t be a complete full stop. Because of how close this election is, it could be several days before a president-elect is declared. The ensuing process and uncertainty will bring with it even more anxiety.

Sloan about to put Sid’s ballot into the ballot drop box at the Spokane Valley Library.

There is also the possibility that a winner could emerge by the time we go to bed this evening. In that case, half the country will be happy while the other half might be tossing and turning.

What I am trying to say is that some of us should find a long-lost degree of comfort today. However, there is the real possibility that the marathon I referenced above will trudge on for a few more miles. If a winner is declared, many people on the wrong side of the victory might find it a very tough pill to swallow.

So as hard as it might be, let’s try to practice restraint, kindness, and gracefulness today and through the rest of the week. It Is best to keep in mind that many people are at wits’ end and our actions, social media posts, and interactions could push them even more over the edge.

Let’s continue to pray for the safety of both candidates, a peaceful day here in the USA, and general understanding/acceptance. No matter what happens, let’s be proud Americans. Don’t Blink.

It is time for a Don’t Blink annual tradition—the Halloween costume reveal of my children. This year marks the fifth time we have had the pleasure (or stress?) of dressing both kids for the spookiest day on the calendar. Although I usually publish this blog post on October 31, I am offering it a couple days early this year due to Halloween falling on a Thursday which I usually reserve for a rundown.

Our costumes this year are courtesy of Target. Although I prefer a more thrifty approach like we pursued in 2022, I realize that occasionally you have to start fresh. Drum roll please…

Introducing the 2024 Halloween costumes of Beau and Sloan.

How do you start fresh when you are the same thing for the third straight year in a row? You totally transform the basics of your costume! Just like in 2022 and 2023, Sloan is a witch. But instead of a black-clad witch from two years ago or an orange-clade witch from last year, Sloan is a battery-powered light up witch. Her costume is adorned with glittery stars to give her a celestial look. The costume helps her stand out from other witches and it helps me keep track of her in the dark. Even though Sloan flirted with dressing up as Wednesday Addams (like her mom did in 2015) or a cupcake, she kept with tradition.

For the third year in a row, Sloan is a witch.

As for Beau, he shocked us all by opting for something other than Spider-Man. After practically living in his 2023 costume for months and months after Halloween passed, he has embraced something new. This Thursday he will be a cuddly, cyclops monster. What you can’t see from the below photo is the big tail in the back. Beau loves to shake that thing with unrivaled passion. He also enjoys charging people head-first—even those he doesn’t know—to “impale” them with his horns.

Beau is a monster this year.

I think a witch and a monster make a dynamic duo. Hopefully they can keep themselves out of trouble and endear themselves to neighbors as they trick-or-treat. I am still in negotiations over whether I receive the candy from every third or every fourth house they visit. Don’t Blink.

It is the week before Halloween—are you ready?! If you have kids, you better be! Halloween festivities will be prevalent this weekend so it is important that your children have their costumes picked out and candy bucket ready to go. Let’s begin with my latest rundown…

Sloan Finishes Another Soccer Season – Last Saturday, Sloan concluded her fall soccer season. This autumn brought about longer games, bigger fields, and more practices. A new uniform color (purple) and team name (the Flying Purple People Eaters) also entered into the mix. For all the changes, Sloan still had Coach Caleb Hatch leading the team along with some of the same teammates from last year. It was another great season where Sloan played hard and honored her commitment to the team.

Sloan with her soccer coach, Caleb Hatch, after her last game this past Saturday.

October Surprise – The term “October Surprise” is meant to convey an unexpected development in a Presidential Election that takes place the month prior to the first Tuesday in November. But a lot of people—including yours truly—use the term loosely. We received an October surprise four years ago on this date when a storm dumped several inches of snow on Spokane. The surprise was magnified even more for Sidney, Sloan, and Beau who had moved out west just a few months prior and never seen snow in October before. Although the kids love the snow, I am fine if we don’t experience this type of “October Surprise” again.

Sid and Sloan out in the snow during the October 2020 snow storm.

Movies – It has been a busy week for movies in the Reser household. I watched the current #1 Netflix film, “Woman of the Hour,” and was underwhelmed and depressed by it. I found the Anna Kendrick-directed film lacking in substance and structure. I get that it is a biographical film on a monster, but there just wasn’t anything there. Sid and I took the weekend to watch “Unhinged,” the current #2 Netflix film. Russell Crowe plays a psychotic villain convincingly enough that it kept me on the edge of my seat. At the same time, the film also managed to instill a worthwhile message. Finally, I watched “Barbarian” on Hulu. It was rated in the highest tier of Huluween’s scary rankings (Very, VERY Scary). It was a unique horror film and provided some decent anxiety.

Three of the movies I watched over the past several days.

National Bologna Day – It is National Bologna Day and some readers might be surprised to know that my mom didn’t make me only peanut butter sandwiches growing up. She would also mix in a bologna sandwich (two pieces of white bread and a single slice of Oscar Mayer bologna) every now and then. Bologna would catch up to me in my adult years as well when the cold cut combo became my favorite Subway sandwich. But my love for the bologna/ham/salami sandwich dwindled when the $5 footlong price nearly doubled. Regardless of inflation paired with Subway’s price hike, bologna is still good!

I am not a huge fan of Subway anymore. But happy National Bologna Day!

Sloan’s Halloween Costumes – I hope my daughter is pleased because this Thursday Rundown has been filled with her…but she deserves it! With Halloween right around the corner, I thought I would share every costume she has worn for the holiday over the years. In order, they include flamingo, Peppa Pig, unicorn, Poppy, Moana, black witch, and orange witch. Any guesses what she will be this year?

From 0-6 years old, here is every Halloween costume Sloan has ever worn.

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Enjoy the Halloween weekend, friends. Take advantage of your annual license to eat candy, watch scary movies, and dress up in your favorite costume. Don’t Blink.