Some noteworthy progress!

Kudos to our easygoing builder for letting us start on the basement before the rest of the house is completed. It may just be completed before the rest of the house. :)

We are working hard to get it all ready for Christmas! There is much much more room down there than upstairs so that is the goal. A big thanks to mom and dad again for keeping the girls occupied while we painted again tonight. Thanks for letting them tag along to the pumpkin patch also.

Dave and I (mainly I) :) painted most of the day. I took the day off to watch Lauren while he was finishing a patio project here at mom and dad's and I have to say it turned out beautiful. Good job Dave (and Butch)!! Here is a picture of the finished product....aka..our rent. Bring on the firepit and the smores.

The "two twins" came over this morning to help keep "Lowlen" company while I continued to paint. Needless to say, they all three got a little dusty in the process but fun was had by all. Here are some cute pictures of them.

"PEEK"

"Fun in the shower"

"my helpers"

a little Sesame Street and snacks never hurts...

and here's the almost finished product.....

AND....as promised.....the livingroom "to scale" "Sutton style"

I actually have some more to post...but...this computer is in mom and dad's room and they have already gone to bed.......

and I have to admit....it's freaking me out a little in this "love shack." :)

More miscellaneous...

Last week was crazy and I am looking forward to a quieter maybe less rainy week..

We survived 3 doctor's appointments
2 flu shots
2 dentist appointments
a book fair
church with both girls :)
carpet shopping
and lots of work....

We are all healthy and that's the best part of course.

We got the go ahead to start working on our basement. I spent yesterday and today for a few hours wiping walls down and edging. Why do I enjoy painting so much? Anyway, I do and I can't hardly wait to continue. If we had power at our house I would work all night. Anyway, we are really trying to have the basement done by Christmas and we may actually be able to do it since we can start working already. Our builder is SO EASY to work with and it takes a lot of the stress out of it.

Mom and dad are in the market for new furniture (chair and couch etc. ) of course it's a huge difficult decision that involves many many trips to the Furniture Mart....(sorry dad, it will be over soon.)
Anyway, how I wish I had my camera because right as we speak....(or type) :) dad is downstairs cutting out tiny little couches, chairs and loveseats that are "to scale" with the "living room" that also is to scale. Now mom can play with the furniture and decide......maybe......what she wants. Whew, decisions, decisions, decisions.

I will try to take some pics with Brian's camera if I can remember to.

Miscellaneous....

Miscellaneous thoughts are all I am good for today.

First of all, my camera, which is more like an addiction is down for the count....
I had to take it in to the camera store and they had to send it off to "Canon" to get it fixed...
Oh yea, did I mention it will be $120. Oh well, gotta have it.
So anyway, I will be borrowing Stacy's old one for now because I have to have a digital camera.
I discovered it was broken while arriving at the pumkin patch last weekend. So, I had to buy a ten dollar disposable thing. (I couldn't stand the thought of not having this year's pics of the pumpkin patch.

Second of all, Saturday morning Dave noticed that our minivan had been hit somewhere, somehow and caused some damage. We then noticed that there was red transfer paint on it, so we started to backtrack thinking where this could have happened at. Hmmm! So, we get home later that day and mention it to dad, who says, "you know, that could have been me." (ok, seriously the easiest confession I've ever gotten). he went on to explain that Dave had "parked it all funky" in the driveway and that he "may have" ran into the fire hydrant. After some quick measurments, we had our suspect in custody. Ted, I think he needs representation. Anyway, I was all angry at this "hit and run" driver, then when I found out Dad had done it, I was sad. How can you be mad at that. :) So, that needs fixed.

oh, and did I mention that the brakes need work too on it. I guess it's due after 3 trips to Colorado and 3 trips to Minnesota. Gotta have it.

Good thing mom talked me into going to "Thrift World" tonight to shop for Halloween costumes. I bought both girls their costumes for $10 total. Yippee. Emma only wanted to be something "very scary." She was so worked up last year when she was a witch and everyone kept saying, "oh what a cute witch." She would respond (sometimes not so politely) "I am NOT a cute witch, I am a SCARY witch." Anyway, Lauren is going to be an adorable ladybug. I fell in love with this plastic chicken outfit. (Yes, you read that right) It is a riot and I decided to buy it. (hey, that rhymes) Anyway, mom and I were worried on the way home because it is definately not scary. So I pulled it out of the bag and Emma said, "mom, that's not very scary." Oh how I love 5 year olds and the fact that you can lie to them. I told her that usually a chicken is only "this tall" BUT her chicken outfit was so big that it made it very scary. SOLD!!! and it helps that Lauren is somewhat hesitant of Emma dressed in that big yellow plastic thing. Anyway, Emma wouldn't hardly take it off tonight and said she is going Trick Or Treating tomorrow.

How 'bout them Huskers. As I have heard a guy say at work...."A pimple hurts the most right before it explodes." (nasty huh) Well, the Huskers have exploded BUT atleast the University has figured that out and has made some changes hopefully to get the program back on track. We still are huge fans but don't expect a whole lot the rest of the season. Adios Peterson, Callahan? and Cosgrove? (Don't tell Brian, he is ready to have a heart attack and the mere thought of them firing his "best friend" Bill Callahan)

Rain! Rain! Rain! Have I ever mentioned that several days without seeing the sun can be a real downer. I think there is an actual "depression thing" that is associated with not seeing the sun for awhile. 5 or so inches in 3 days is plenty and I can do without the thunder all night long. Brother!

"The house" is moving along quite well. (yes, there cannot be an entry without the mention of "the house"......sorry! I spoke with one of the "drywallers" today who speaks pretty good English :) and he thinks they will be totally done on Wed or Thu of this week. It looks completely different in there. When Emma first saw it she was so excited...it was amazing. She kept jumping up and down and yelling, "it looks like a house, it looks like a house." Yep, finally. Anyway, thanks to mom and dad watching the girls on Saturday, Dave and I got a lot accomplished in the shopping dept.

Tomorrow is bosses day!

When will they have a general employee day?

As you can see, the thoughts are becoming more and more random. I guess that means my head is empty, which means it's bedtime.

The battle continues....

Things went fairly good today.......and I must write a positive entry since last nights was interesting.

Anyway, our builder wrote a note to the inspector guy telling him that the 3/8" thing is because he is accounting for carpet pad and carpet. :)

I'm not sure where he "pulled that one from" but I think it's worth a try.
In fact we were "reinspected" today and passed. YIPPEE!

BUT

There was another little note there stating that the "inspector guy" will measure during the final inspection and if we are still off....(dangerously off) :) then we will have to build a step under the window and affix the step to the wall. WHATEVER!!!

Needless to say, that room is going to have some really squishy thick carpet pad.

Insulation starts tomorrow and possibly drywall on Monday. I know that this is all I talk about sometimes but believe me, we have gone a month with very little progress and how great it will be to actually see some changes.

Anyway, I just worked my little butt off outside working on this "patio project." I have a new appreciation for construction workers as I was less than enthused by the sweat running down my back. It isn't easy "skimming off " about 4" of dirt to level the thing for concrete to be poured tomorrow. Dave makes it look so easy so I will let him do the rest tomorrow.

Oh yea.....today at work I forgot my gun downtown in a locker. (I took it off to interview this kid and forgot to get it after I booked him in jail before returning to our office.) :( Anyway, after I realized I had to go back downtown, one of the guys I work with said, "what kind of a cop are you anyway." GEEZZ! I can't catch a break in either profession. :) (motherhood or cop stuff)



That's it for tonight.

Dear Diary,

Seriously, I feel like this is my diary sometimes eventhough I have never had a diary. (that's not my style.) :) Anyway, of course I feel as if I should post as often as I can but sometimes I wonder if I only talk about the same things over and over and over again. I run out of cool or funny things to say, so dialogue turns to the girls or "the house." I don't mean to always be monotonous, but I can't exactly talk about work and cases (if you know what I mean) (this is a family blog you know.) ...AND I hope that no one is turned off by any complaining because truly life with the Spizzirri's is very very good.

Life at the Sutton household has been overwhelmingly better and going smoother than I had ever imagined. I have to admit that Uncle Brian wrote a note to me this afternoon about Emma. Those two have this bizarre love/bother relationship. (we don't use hate at our house. :)
I never saw the note because after he read it to me from the bottom of the staircase I told him he best get rid of it before mom gets home. (mom, pretend as if you don't know about this.)
ANYWAY, the note was addressed to "officer Sarah" which is a HUGE pet peeve of mine along with "Miss Sarah" (if I wanted to be "Miss Sarah" I would have chosen to be a preschool teacher.

AGAIN, ANYWAY,.......here it goes as best as I can remember.

Dear Officer Sarah, (cringe)
Please tell Emma not to mess with my pool balls, bathroom door, and other stuff.
Thank you, Brian Sutton

Now, Emma JUST got home from school......she has an alabi (I should know how to spell that)..just ask her teacher Mrs. Smith :)
Yes, she probably has been guilty of "messing with the pool balls" and "stuff" in the past, but what in the world could Emma do to the bathroom door? (I don't even want to know.)

I very politely explained that Emma just got home from school and she probably hasn't had a chance to commit one of these unspeakable acts. He assured me that the note wasn't rude and that's when I told him he best just get rid of the evidence.

I know that's not the story of the week but ugh, it didn't help the day that was already happening. In fact tonight on the way home I was so frustrated with Emma that I just started praying........(yes mom I did) anyway, after her trying to talk to me throughout all of my prayers without a response from me, she finally said, "what kind of a mom are you?" Ok I admit I had to smile, but not let her see it.

With that said.....here comes the big whammy for the day......

someone explain to me how big a 1/4" or 1/2" is........
yea, yea, I know, but let me just explain the ramifications (sp?) of a 1/4" or 1/2".

Our "inspector guy" from the city was out yesterday and boy oh boy, does he not rate up there with me today. YES, he definitely has a very important job to do. BUT, atleast two of our windows are 1/4" to 1/2" too high..... I guess there's this thing called "code." Now, I know in my profession I have let some things slip by.......let me clarify.....some very minor things. It's called discretion. Maybe there is NO discretion when are dealing with "code." (which I am going to start referring to as the "c" word.)

What does this possibly mean for us? I know that we have one very frustrated builder and one very frustrated framer, both of which are very good guys. This definitely could mean that in order to move the window/windows in question to meet the "c word", siding would have to be pulled off and bricks would have to be knocked down. Neither of those things should be happening at this stage of the game. :(

Is this the end of the world.......HEAVENS NO!
Are there far worse things that could be happening in the Spizzirri life......HEAVENS YES!
Just a little frustration.
I have had two suggestions to raise the floors in the "dangerous" rooms.... :) We probably don't want to trip on the 1/2" everytime we go into the playroom or bedroom.

I have spent the second night in a row at "the house" sweeping the basement. (yes, i am particular about having as little dust/dirt as possible under my carpet) and to be honest I don't mind. It gives me some crazy thought in my head that it will speed up the process.....uh, no!
The girls have enjoyed riding their big wheels, playing in the mud, and running crazy.

Otherwise, life is good.
We (at work) watched a hilarious interview video yesterday. I would love to tell the story but this is neither the proper forum and it wouldn't be as funny without seeing what happens in the room when the detective left. Some of you....mom.....would definitely gag! I may have to check it out of the office library of "greatest moments in interviews" for the next family get together. ( Teresa, if you are reading this...don't tell) :)

I told myself that I was going to bed at 8 after the girls are down but I am sacrificing REM so that I can vent to my diary. Hope there was enough positives in this entry as not to shy any readers away.

Thanks for listening...hope someone had a laugh!
Yes, uncle Mel, I will try to post the paint selections. The only problem is that i painted around the windows that are "dangerously" too high, SO, that painted siding may get ripped off soon.

(ok, I promise, I'm done)

Back and busy!

Well, I am back from St. Louis and glad to be home with the girls although I had a great mini vacation. YES, I did go to most of the conference which was very average :( but we did manage to make it to the Anheiser Busch brewery and "The Arch."

The brewery tour was very interesting! At that plant, they produce enough cans in one day to stretch them end to end from New York to Miami ! (I think we all helped consume those cans on Wednesday night) :)

We went up to the top of the arch too which was a very interesting experience. They cram 5 people in a VERY SMALL egg like thing that rides up to the top along with about 7 other ones next to it. I felt as if I was on Mork and Mindi. The top was amazing and luckily it wasn't windy that day. I may have wet my pants.

Seriously, it was some great adult time, but I was thrilled to get back to my less calm and quiet life...

Tonight mom and dad and the girls and I took a ride out to the house. I was off work today and painted two different colors on the outside to try to decide on the exterior paint. The girls were their typical chatty selves. I think I sighed out loud and mom reminded me that she will miss all of this. I said, "yeah right, you'll miss the chaos?" and she said, "Sarah Ann, it's not chaos, what do you expect, they are two little girls."

Just about an hour later, on our way home, Emma was even more chatty.....(imagine that). Mom turned around and told her, "Emma, try to settle down a little." and I replied...."what do you expect, they are two little girls." :) to which we laughed.

Lauren is seriously talking like a three year old. She pretty much can say anything and knows how to ask for what she wants. Tonight in the van she said, "See ya later David." (ummm, that's dad to you little one) Then five minutes later she said, "Hi, Harv....Hi Harv....see ya later Harv." She makes us laugh constantly!!

Emma informed me that she has a very important job at school. She is the "door holder" for the "weather person." Wow, Emma, aim for the stars... :) anyway, the job is just as it sounds. She holds the door for the weather person to go outside and check the weather every morning. How cute is that. Oh yea and remember "Book It." It is that reading incentive for kids in cooperation with Pizza Hut. Yea, we have 20 books to read this month although that's really not too bad.

AND, for some reason tonight we talked about "trespassing" and how it is "against the law." (Emma loves to talk about things that are "against the law." Anyway, we said that "trespassing is against the law" and she said, "what about those who trespass against us?" What?

I knew that sounded familiar, then I realized she was referring to the Our Father. Grandma tried to explain it and couldn't so she referred it to grandpa. Poor Emma, she didn't get a very good explanation. Maybe her great Uncle Mel can help out at the next family get together.

AND last but not least HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY MACKENZIE !!!!!

(and check your Email)

Well that's it for tonight, it's back to work tomorrow. Oh well!