Some days I look in the mirror and think, "Lady, you've got it goin' on." Other days I think, "Lady, WHAT is going on? Quit your worrying!" 

I understand the parameters of reality, so why am I such a worrier? I know it's pointless. In fact, worrying to excess is harmful. I know better, so what gives? I think I have an answer.

If the idea of opening up your home to a gang of screeching, writhing, sticky little boys and ghouls makes you shudder, it should. Hosting a kids' Halloween party can be scary. Though it doesn't have to be a nightmare. Here's how to make it less gruesome. 

Rules of (severed bloody) Thumb:

1. Don't make it too fancy. Fancy is for adults who actually give a care.

So you have a crafty kid, do you? A child who loves a home party, you say? No need to panic. Here's a suggestion for an easy and entertaining home party that anyone can host without busting your hump.

WHAT TO BUY:

  A few themed party items. I bought tie dye cups, napkins and a table cloth from the party store on sale. Keep in mind, no child worth his sugar cares how the party is styled as long as there's cake.

Who doesn’t like cheese? And when it’s all hot and gooey...it’s tongue heaven. Here's how to make a HOT AND CHEESY SPINACH DIP that will have your guests begging for more! But ladies, I urge you to please step away from the dip. Too much cheese is binding and nobody wants to mingle with the bunged up party guest. Also, you *may* have a little something between your teeth... 

Ingredients:

None of us feels 100% comfortable in every social situation. Most of us have to work at it. When I was a teenager, I used to practise aloud what I might say at a party or to a boy on the phone. It made me feel more prepared and ultimately more comfortable. What wasn't comfortable were the elastics wound tightly around my braces or the jeans so obscenely snug I had to zip them up with a wire coat hanger—my spleen still quivers at the memory.

House parties are a hoot, but some occasions warrant pulling out all the stops. Like a friend's 40th birthday for example. Recently I was in charge of planning such a party. I put on my thinking cap (sparkly and topped with a feather) and decided on a "Party on Wheels" theme. 

Here's how to plan this portable party — STEP-BY-STEP

1. Come up with a guest list and send out a "save-the-date" invite outlining the party idea. 

My daughter relishes any opportunity to eat food from a stick. And hello, no dishes for me to wash! If we could install a fire pit in our kitchen, I totally would. 

This summer we cooked by campfire a lot. Great family fun and, more importantly, I discovered how to make shooter cups from toasted marshmallows! It's a little finicky, but fun. So while the kids are toasting marshmallows for S'mores, get them to toast a few extra for you to use for your Marshmallow Campfire Cups! 

Here's how:

Picture me typing in a Tilley hat with one hand cupped over my brow, visor-style, searching, searching, always searching. 

I'm not on the hunt for my misplaced set of car keys or my lost Interac card (it has honestly been missing for two weeks). As always, I'm in search of the ever elusive "life balance." Have you seen it? Maybe it fell between the couch cushions or slipped in behind the dryer. As hard as I look, I can't seem to find it. 

I asked my husband. He hasn't seen it. 

Random Complimenter: “Those jeans look great on you!”
Me: “What? No, they’re waaaaay too tight. Gawd. Just look at my butt!”

Random Complimenter: “I enjoyed that story you wrote.”
Me: “Thanks, but it's way too long and rambly. It sounded better in my head.”

If you're a mom (which you probably are if you're visiting this website. Afterall, this isn't The Yummy Fly Fisherman's Club or The Yummy Brick Layers Association) you probably know about the "Mom Cut."

If you're a brick layer or a fly fisherman, please let me explain. 

You start out with fine hair (fine good, not fine thin/limp). It's long-ish perhaps. Possibly highlighted and coiffed.

For my son’s 11th birthday we hosted a Movie Under the Stars party. According to my son it was “ultimate.” Apparently this means it was cool. In my opinion, it was cooler than cool because:

I used to think GIFT CARDS were lazy. Hostess gifts, teacher gifts, thank you gifts had to be special, unique, and, gosh darn it, thoughtful.

That was then. This is now. And "now" is alarmingly busy. Suddenly gift cards aren't lazy, they're essential! Yes, they can be boring and seemingly a last minute slap dash attempt at a present, but they don't have to be.

Here's a SIMPLE way to turn ordinary gift card gifting into something unique, special, and pretty darn thoughtful: 

From league play to impromptu matches in my living room, my kids are obsessed with Canada’s number one sport. With the World Cup in full swing, the entire planet has been whipped into a “football” frenzy.  Why not try to capture some of this enthusiasm by hosting a neighbourhood soccer party?

Here are some simple tips for throwing your own SOCCER SHINDIG:

There's a reason 'dada' rhymes with 'haha.' It's because fathers are funny. At least, they think they are. My dad believes he's hysterical. I don't have the heart to tell him his jokes are painful. Thankfully he usually butchers the punchline by mixing it up with the ending of a completely different joke or by losing the plot altogether. And THAT my friends, is hilarious. 

Speaking of hilarious, here are some "dad" themed jokes for you to share this FATHER'S Day. 

Lionel Ritchie has been dancing in the streets (and occasionally on the ceiling) since 1983. I want to dance in the streets too! And maybe try pilates in the park, or yoga in a parkette, and hula hoop down the street!

Hey, do you know why did the hula-hooper crossed the road? . . . trick question. She didn't cross the road at all. She hung out and hula hooped right in the middle of it!

I'm afraid for our brains. Not in a zombie apocalypse way, but in a the-internet-is-turning-our-brains-into-swisss-cheese way. 

I'm on my computer all day and then on my smart phone to some extent for the evening.

Check out these 10 Ways The World Wide Web Has Changed Our Lives

My mother stayed home with my brother and me until we were in Junior High, and I can't remember ever hearing her complain about how tough it was to be a mother. I'm sure she vented quietly to her friends, but I never got that vibe from her.