Happy Halloween - Where to go this weekend.

Halloween is one of the best holidays we celebrate all year.  It's the one day that you can dress up and pretend to be anything you want to be, from a baseball player to a sexy Osama bin Laden (yes, that costume really exists).  Halloween is the only day in the year that people knock on their neighbors doors, say "trick or treat" and are expecting to be handed free candy.  The activities surrounding the holiday are endless, such as pumpkin carving, haunted houses, corn mazes and more...  Due to our appreciation of the holiday, Two Cents has dedicated this post to all things Halloween. Wahaaa Wahhahaahaa

http://www.statesvillehauntedprison.com/

Statesville Haunted Prison is one of the best known Haunted Houses in the Chicago area.  Something about walking around a dark prison, while people dressed in horrifying costumes jump out at you, is just truly scary.  This haunted house is a little pricey though, regular price is $30 (I am assuming for the patient people) and $40 for the VIP (people more like me, not willing to stand in line).  It is only open on Friday and Saturdays.

103.5 Kiss FM has a page dedicated to Scary Savings...I purchased a voucher from their website for Halloween Land and payed $7 for the voucher which was worth $25 at the store.  They also have discounted Haunted Houses listed.



http://chcgo2.halfoffdeals.com/





http://www.pumpkinfarms.com/SBarrington.html

Goebbert's Farm, one of the more well known pumpkin patches in the northern suburbs, is located in South Barrington.  At Geobberts, you will find a pumpkin patch, corn maze, wagon rides and a haunted house. 

  



http://www.prairieghosts.com/mt_carmel.html



Looking for a haunted cemetery?  Check out Mt. Carmel Cemetery, located on the south side in Hillside, Illinois.  The cemetery is known for the notorious gangsters buried inside, which include Al Capone.  The cemetery is also known for being haunted by Julia Buccola Petta "The Italian Bride."  Julia died during childbirth and was buried in her wedding dress in 1921.  Soon after, her mother reported that she was having nightmares about Julia.  She dreamed that Julia was telling her that she was still alive.  Six years after her death the body was exhumed, and even though the casket had decomposed, Julia's body had not.  It was reported that Julia looked like she was sleeping, not dead.  Since then, several reports have been made that a young woman wearing a glowing bridal gown can be seen wandering across the cemetery at night.

 Boo! at the Zoo, Saturday Oct. 29 and Sunday Oct. 30



http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/CZS/boo



Brookfield Zoo is the perfect place to spend your Halloween weekend with your young child.  All of the kids dress up and as their website states "You are sure to have a howlin' good time." 

  

Navy Pier's Really Big Halloween Party - Friday through Monday, Oct 28-31

http://www.navypier.com/halloween/halloween.html

Navy Pier might be the place for you if you like live music and dancing, photo ops with sideshow characters, trick-or-treating up and down the Pier and a daily magic show.  Harry Caray's Tavern, which is located on the Pier, will be having a Halloween scavenger hunt.  For adults, they are offering spooktacular cocktails with fun names such as “Casper the Friendly Ghost” and “Mad Scientist.”



  Have fun and be safe this Halloween!!!

Single, Dating, Married? Still getting those awkward questions?

It doesn't matter whether you are single, dating someone or married? It seems like those annoying questions keep coming.

When are you going to get a boyfriend, when are you getting married and when are you having a baby? It doesn't stop there, it seems like no matter what stage of life you are in, there are always going to be annoying situations and questions coming your way.

Are you Single?

What's worse than getting the "When are you going to get a boyfriend?" question?

Your mom is always trying to set you up, whether it be with a state cop or your hometown dentist.

You can never go anywhere that is mostly couples, like a wedding, group dinner or Christmas party.  We all remember the dinner party that Bridget Jones attended when a smug cow asked her "Why is it...there are so many single women in their thirties...these days, Bridget?"

You hate getting asked, when are you getting married? Um, let me start dating someone first then I'll send you the invite.

You hate the bouquet tosses at weddings. Does anyone else run to the bar during this? That's my go-to place.

You don't know whether the guy you like is into you for you or just for the booty calls.  Though, if he only calls you at night or isn't interested in taking you out...I think its pretty clear.

Your gyno dr tells you to get a boyfriend, after you admit you haven't had "relations" in a while.

Friends, family and co-workers start to say things like "Have you considered online dating?"

Are you in a relationship?

At every wedding you attend, you get the question "When are you two getting married?," "Are you two next?"

Your friends always tell you, "I'm sure you'll be the next to be married." Like something is wrong with you for not being engaged yet.

Friends and family always ask, "When he is going to propose?" I don't know. Ask him.

Your mother tells you, "Why would he buy the cow, when he gets the milk for free?" Thanks Mom.

When you are in a relationship, after each holiday you get asked "So, did he propose?"

After a few years of dating and no proposal, your friends and family start asking "Are you sure he's the one?"  They just might not get that WE aren't ready yet.  It will happen when it happens.

Are you Married?

Everyone and their mother starts asking you "When are you going to have kids?" Even minutes after you just said your vows.

Every doctor appointment you go to, they seem to ask the same question and you aren't even at the ob/gyn.

People start to say things like "Your biological clock is ticking."

Your pharmacist asks you about family planning before your flu shot. Thanks! I wanted the whole Dominicks to know.

Every time you hold a baby, someone says "You look like a natural."

A random co-worker comes up and starts talking to you about family planning, etc. Telling you way too much info about his wife giving birth. Um...Thanks for sharing.

Single, dating, married? What are some of the things you've heard?

Two Cents' Book Club, Next pick is --- The Hunger Games

Hey Friends!


Thanks for joining us for our second virtual book club pick which is --- The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins.

This is the first book in The Hunger Games trilogy. The second is Catching Fire and the third is Mockingjay. It has gotten so much attention lately because it is being turned into a movie, due out next year.


Now if you are like a friend of mine, you don't like to know who the movie actors are before you read the book. She always pictures them very different and can't get the actors out of her head when reading. So don't google 'The Hunger Games' movie before you read it, if you are the same way.


This is a young-adult science fiction novel, now don't base your decision on the made for young-adults part. I myself am not into the science fiction genre, but this book is like no other....its addicting.  Everyone that I've told about this book, has read it and loved it! 


Our book club read this recently and we have gotten even more people hooked on it. The best part is all three books are published already, so if you get started you won't have to wait forever to read the 2nd and 3rd book!




The Hunger Games introduces a sixteen-year-old girl, Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world where North America once existed. This is where the government, called the Capitol, holds power. The Hunger Games are an annual televised event where the Capitol chooses one boy and one girl from each of the 12 districts for a massive televised battle in which only one person can survive.

I promise this is excellent. So get your copy of The Hunger Games today and start reading! We will post some questions in November.