November 8, 2007

•      About 6-7 months ago we purchased a piece of property with the intention of building a home.  We figured it would take a few months to get plans approved through the city in order to obtain permits and we would be finished building by early next year.  It has been a bit of a saga.  The guy working for the city who has been in charge of approving them is on a bit of a power trip and keeps coming up with new changes.  We can understand resubmitting twice and 3 times if we had messy plans (which we didn’t),  but every time we have resubmitted (I think we are on #5 now)  he comes up with something that was never mentioned before.  And it is really nit picky stuff.   For instance the latest is we had to get a signature from not only the water department but the fire department indicating we had enough water in case of a fire and that the house doesn’t require indoor sprinklers because of the size.   (It takes weeks and money to get those signatures. (unless you pay double and then you can get it the same afternoon) According to the codes etc. we shouldn’t have to have either one.  We  are complying though just to save time and argument.  Anyway, we THINK that this may be it.  We haven’t wanted to go over his head because to anger him might cause more problems.  If he comes up with something new this time Brian declares he will have to go over his head as it is starting to cost us a great deal of money.  If we indeed are able to obtain the permits this go around we should break ground this month, and be in a new home by the end of next summer.  Keeping fingers crossed.
       We had a mild go about with some colds this last month but nothing that required doctor visits.  Brian thinks I should take them in at the first sign of a sniffle but I guess I don’t want a doctor to tell me what I already know.  Drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest, humidify, etc…  Everyone is well again without any fancy meds or a hefty doctor bill.  
       We made it through Halloween this year and are gearing up for the rest of the holidays.  I am trying to get everything done early because things are getting increasingly difficult as my size increases.  Everything is going great with this pregnancy and by the time this letter goes out we will be at 29 weeks.  Serra~V~ is a massive help to me.  At 5 she is capable of doing quite a bit and she helps with little complaint.  The biggest things she does is pick up the house and vacuum the stairs.  Those are things that make me very tired and makes me have contractions.  She also runs upstairs and fetches things for me.  Rosie, at nearly two, is amusing but a lot of work so Serra balances that out for me.  Serra thoroughly enjoys kindergarten and is learning a lot.  Rosie is speaking in sentences that are understandable if you know the context.  She has a very bright and contagious smile and giggle. 
  I love this time of year although it is still in the 80′s.  I am hoping for it to cool down a little more so I can get a little use out of the few maternity sweaters I have. 

  Here are the leftover Halloween pictures I have.

  We carved pumpkins and can you believe I didn’t get pictures of the finished product.  Serra thought the cleaning out part was the greatest. 

  

  Rosie helped by sitting on the table and sticking her fingers in the goo and holding the pumpking lids.  Here are the girls all tricked out for treats.  Rosie has a eucalyptus leaf in her dress that I didn’t notice until we took her costume off.  I’m at a loss as where it came from and how it got in there…

  

  Serra knew the trick or treat routine but it took Rosie about 4 houses before she caught on to what was happening.  I’m a little worried that she will now escape the house and go knocking doors for candy after this.  She stopped at every house and admired the decorations before holding out her sack for treats. 

  

  One guy asked if Serra was Carol Channing.  Most of you probably don’t know who that is but if you do it’s really funny cause she does look like her in that getup. 

  

  About half way through our neighborhood Rosie parked herself on a well lit doorstep and decided it was time to partake of some booty.  It took us a few minutes to convince her we should keep going.

  

  The reason Rosie lags behind is because she stops and looks at everything.  Some housed were really decked out too. 

  

  • 3:05 pm
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