The Fun Times Guide

Lots Of Fun Adult Halloween Costumes You Can Make Yourself

Hey, who says Halloween is just for kids?

Not me. I love playing dress up on this fun holiday. When I answer the door, I always get lots of compliments. Plus, it's neat to see the kids get a kick out of my Halloween costume each year -- it makes it more fun for them, as well as for me. 

So as you can see, Halloween is not just for the little kids, it's for the big kids too.

If you'll be dressing up for Halloween this year -- either for a Halloween party or just for something to wear when you're handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters -- then you'll enjoy these awesome DIY ideas for adult Halloween costumes...

Continue reading: DIY Adult Hallowee Costumes

What Makes Men Happy -vs- What Makes Women Happy

I found the following Top 10 lists in the January 2009 issue of Real Simple magazine. The responses are based on a survey of 2,600 men and women.

It's fun to think about what makes you happy, compared to what you think would make your partner happy. I found some of the "men" ones interesting...

First, the women. My $.02 appear in parentheses...

10 Things That Would Make WOMEN Happier:

#1  A permanently clean home. (I strive for this daily; I'm doing much better than I used to.)

#2  A luxury trip. (I'm grateful that we now take one each year!)

#3  A big house. (I recently got one, and I have to admit, it ranks pretty high.)

#4  Losing 10 pounds. (Or 5... and for longer than just a weekend.)

#5  A great body. (Ehhh... I've stopped comparing myself to others these days.)

#6  Time for themselves. (I agree... very important! I've always done pretty good with this one.)

#7  A really romantic relationship. (Again, I'm grateful.)

#8  Being smarter. (Naaa... at this point, I am what I am.)

#9  Saying "No" more. (Not an issue for me... no kids, so I've always been in control of my own time & activities.)

#10  A luxury car. (I'll pass. I'm pretty happy with my fun Jeep Wrangler.)

From this list, I think I'd have to rate #4 "losing 10 pounds" as the #1 thing that would make me happier. Which is a big bummer since the only reason I'm not 10 pounds lighter is my own fault, darn it.

And now for the men...

Continue reading: Mens' Happiness vs Womens' Happiness

Cleaning LCD Screens 101 - TV Screen Cleaning, Plus Tips For Cleaning A Computer Screen Safely

Years ago when TV screens were made of glass, it was easy to clean a TV screen with simple glass cleaner (like Windex) and a couple of paper towels.

However, today's modern video screens are made differently. As a result, extra care must be taken when cleaning flat screen TVs and computer monitors.

Harsh chemicals such as ammonia or alcohol can do serious damage to LCD screens, plasma TVs, and computer monitors. This also includes all laptop computers and portable video games, as well. Virtually any device that produces a picture that is manufactured today will be damaged by harsh cleaning chemicals.

Many owners clean a laptop screen or LCD TV as they would clean any glass monitor or TV - DON'T make this mistake. An LCD (liquid crystal display) consists of a soft film that is very prone to damage from scratches, smudging, and clouding caused by the use of improper cleaning agents and harsh cloths. Plasma HDTVs do have a glass substrate but its surface is also very delicate because of anti-glare coatings.  Source
 

Here's how to safely clean your flat screen TVs and LCD computer monitors...

Continue reading: How To Clean Flat Screen TVs & Computer Monitors

Best FREE Pumpkin Templates For Carving Jack-O-Lanterns

Some things in life really are free -- including these pumpkin carving templates!

Yes, this Halloween you can carve a world class Jack-o-Lantern simply by choosing from the best free design templates found online.

Following are the best sites to find literally thousands of FREE pumpkin templates...

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Dozens Of Group Halloween Costumes You Can Make For Kids And Adults

Halloween is a great holiday to get together with friends.

Why not pick a theme for your group and then make your own group costume?

I've done this with my friends when I was younger. Not only is making the costumes together fun, but so is shopping at thrift stores (which I highly recommend, by the way).

If you are missing any parts for your group Halloween costume or simply don't want to use your own clothes because you'd have to alter them in some way, then thrift stores are perfect!

To get you started, here are lots of fun group Halloween costumes you can make at home...

Continue reading: Group Halloween Costumes You Can Make

Best Resources For Halloween Special Effects & Props You Can Build Yourself

With Halloween right around the corner, you can do the same old thing and leave the porch light on with a bowl of candy near the door. Or, you can make a serious effort to make Halloween special for the children in your neighborhood!

How many houses stand out from your past as going the extra mile each Halloween? You want to be like one of those, right?

Well, you're in luck. You should be able to find a lot of great ideas from the following Halloween props & special effects sources.

There are lots of Ideas that will help you decorate your house and yard and create a storyline that will surely provide some lasting memories for all the visitors who will be flocking to your door this Halloween! 

Continue reading: Best Resources For Halloween Special Effects

Photos & Video Of Alan Jackson's Home For Sale In Franklin, TN

I guess we'll have to find another Nashville celebrity home to take the lead spot in our informal "Tour of the Stars Homes" that we take visitors on when they visit Nashville for the first time.

Sadly, Alan Jackson's 19,000 square-foot home is now for sale. His house has been the highlight of our tour for many years.

Asking Price

Alan Jackson and wife Denise have said that they've been wanting to downsize, but it wasn't until recently that they put their house up for sale.

The house is located at 1301 Moran Road in Franklin, Tennessee. The stonework at the gated entrance to the house says "Sweetbriar", the name he affectionately gave to his 135-acre property.

The asking price for Alan Jackson's 6-bedroom, 7-1/2 bathroom house built in 1997 is $38 million.
 

Photos Of Alan Jackson's Home

This 4-minute video shows everything that you can't see from behind the gate when you're driving by Alan Jackson's house.

We've driven by several times (often, in our Jeep Wrangler that we named AJ), and we've even seen photos of various parts of his home in the past. But it's nothing compared to this: 

Continue reading: Alan Jackson's House For Sale