If you’re a Zwaggle member in Denver and have some extra coats around the house, please check out this clothing drive to help those in need.

Every year, you see those costumes. You know the ones I’m speaking of - the insanely scary scream masks, the costume of little thought other than the desire to put on a mask and shout, “I’m in costume! Hand over the candy!” The costume that scares the pants off my kids - and me. I’m not too proud to admit that whenever I see the scream mask, my belly tightens and I’m tempted to run the other way. Only the Snickers bar in my hand keeps me in place.

Then there are the Cinderellas, Winnie the Poohs, the skeletons and bumblebees, pumpkins and Power Rangers. Those are the ones you see every year. Nothing wrong with those.  Some of my very favorite pictures of my kids are in those traditional costumes.

But I think there should be a special hall of fame for those really creative costumes, the homemade iPod (which, no lie, my husband made for our daughter two years ago), the court jester, the turtle whose shell was created by spray painting two aluminum turkey pans green, and the snow globe. In fact, more than a few really cool costumes have yet to be claimed over in the Halloween section -  head over there and take a peek. I think you’ll find just about everything you need to bring your Halloween visiting to a pinnacle of delight.

I want to hear the most creative costume you’ve ever seen, or created. I have three cards from Snapfish, each valid for a high number of prints, for those who share their costume highlights with us. You could take the pictures of your kids in costume and have them printed for free!

Now, head over there and find your costume, and leave me your answer. Go on! Scoot - there’s not much time left!

This has been one of the worst couple of weeks ever for our economy. The markets have fallen off a cliff. Businesses are shutting down.  People are losing their jobs.  Home sales are off more than 50%. Half of all who hold mortgages are behind on the payments. Gas prices are close to $4 a gallon once again. Banks are closing. Grocery prices are way higher, car sales are tanking.

Is anyone else scared out of their minds? Or, you know, is it just me? Am I the only one ready to crawl into my bed, stick my hands over my ears and chant, “Om, Om, Om” over and over? It certainly doesn’t help that in the next 10 weeks, our family has 5 birthdays - including my own! - and two major holidays. Two major GIFT giving and expecting holidays. And the money needed just isn’t there. Looking around my house, though, I see some things that I DO have. Kids. Love. Laundry. And toys. Lots and lots of toys.

It occurred to me what a great blessing the concept of Zwaggle is going to be this year, not only to me and my family but, in reality, to families all over the country. I’ve been looking around the house, trying to find items we aren’t using any more, and instead of moving them to the garage or even worse tossing them in a landfill, I’m listing them here in hopes of sharing them with other families.   Why shouldn’t another child enjoy these toys or this bike?  In the process I’m not just helping cash strapped parents make ends meet during these tough times, I’m also amassing quite a chunk of Zoints for my own purchases - those items that will help me be the superstar of the holiday/birthday season.

I can’t help but think about how great it would be if everyone came together on Zwaggle to help each other get through this mess?  So help spread the word about Zwaggle so we can make these tough times a little less rough.  We’re all in it together right?  Has there ever been a better time to do your share?