Thursday, November 12, 2009

YAHOO!!! I love living in the dust, If I can have this....

It's been four years of planning and wishing and wondering, but it took Britt and Brett to move here to make it happen...WE ARE REMODELING....

Of course we had to finished the room Britt and Brett are living in first, to move them out of the dark dungeon space of the basement.

Real teak hardwood floors. So beautiful.

Where the dresser sits now will be a new door into the future Jack-n-Jill bathroom

The 2nd bedroom -

The new bathroom. I would be so jealous of all the remodels we did with their new bathrooms, It's nice to have a new one. Although, I wish it was the master bath.

The beginning of the demolition of the monster hallway and closets...oh yea, and HVAC system. The future plan is to have a wall where the bathroom door is, and open up two doors each into the adjoining bedrooms for a new Jack-n-Jill Bathroom.

Logan and Brett took to tearing of a small portion of the deck and digging out the dirt for the placement of a new bedroom window. Mind you, these are cement block walls, and the dust was pouring out of the basement door, it looked like smoke pillowing out from a fire.

So the view won't be that breath taking for sometime, but the new window is in. The plan is to dig out all this dirt, remove the existing concrete steps and create a walk-out basement.
Next year.

I took a moment to capture the beautiful fall colors.

The guys have put in a new load bearing beam and opened up the walls for the creation of the new family room.

The guys hard at work, late into the night, each and every night. I suppose about now Brett is wondering what he got himself into.

The formation of the 3rd bedroom.

I made a small minute important discovery tonight. Couches take up lots of room and these rooms are not mega rooms, actually all are on the small side. After shopping for some furniture for the new family room, I talked to my contractor about moving a door over, I just need 10 more inches. Dang it!!...to say the least he really didn't complain. (I wonder what that little change is going to cost me). But what timing, he was about to complete the electrical and then I would have been left with purchasing arm chairs instead of a sectional couch or two love seats, I can't decide.

I am so blessed, so thrilled, so happy, the guys are willing to work so hard to complete (almost complete) this project, for the Thanksgiving onslaught of kids.

And we girls will LOVE the dust until it's done.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Murder Mystery Dinner

About six weeks ago, Britt was telling me about a Murder Mystery Dinner she hosted while in Rexburg, I think she did so to egg me into wanting to host our own Murder Mystery Dinner. I asked Logan about doing so and he gave his blessing, not knowing what I had in mind. Unfortunately for me, he'll ask more questions next time. The planning consisted for painting several rooms in the house, hunting down candelabras, chandeliers, candles, dishes, sending invitations, putting together individual clue sheets, not to mention costumes. The End Results....

Each plate had as a party favor, a chocolate gun.
We had 21 people for dinner.
This was the first time I've really used grandma's crystal goblets.

Drinks on ice.

I love the candelabras, and the harlequin wall.

Brittany decided we needed to find pictures for our large variety of frames. We search on line for days for Post-Mortem photos from the 19th century. Yes, they are family pictures taken after the death of a loved one. The deceased is dressed and propped and posed for a family portrait.

Second hand junk art we found, as the story line stated the murdered millionaire was an art dealer.

The clues...



We painted the entry way, burgundy and printed more post-mortem pictures.

and we lined the hallway next to the dinning room with more post-mortem pictures. Brett added his special spider web touch and blue lights were put in the light fixtures.

We found this portrait and designated him our deceased millionaire, framed his picture as a tribute during the reading of the will.

and our greatest treasures was this chandelier, which we cut the electrical wire out of and put candles in their place and hung from the ceiling of the living room.
Now we are ready for our guests....One couple said after seeing the amount of work we had gone to, "We're obligated to have a good time". I believe everyone had a very good time, who knew so many people could ham it up.
Dinner

"Neal" the Chauffeur

The victim, The Maid, Neal's Mother.

Having been recently deceased, I had nothing left to do, but visit with "Eleanor" the mother of the deceased millionaire. I suppose I thought I was really done, after everyone had gone and I was cleaning up, as maids do, I discovered all the cheesecake I forgot to serve.

Many wheelings and dealings and bribes took place in the entry way. I believe even the officer was crooked and on the take.

The chef, "Sam the Cook" seemed to be everywhere, listening in on all conversations, searching for secrets to share and sell.
"Faith" the sister of the deceased millionaire confronting his daughter "Elizabeth".

"Elizabeth and the "Lawyer Reilly" sharing secrets, probably conspiring.

For "Allison" finding money was not problem to her, if you left it lying around, she would find it.

"Barbara" the accountants wife flirting with "Sam the Cook", trying to steal secrets, and I don't think we're talking secret recipes.

"Jessica" the ex-wife and the newly widowed wife, "Jasmine" and "Katherine" one of the twin daughters, threats are being made. Looks as if it wasn't a happy loving family.

"Elizabeth" with the "Butler" and her latest flame, "Neal"

The mystery is solved and awards were handed out.

THE ACTORS
"Allison", "Barbara", "Faith", "Katherine", "Josephine"

"Faith", "Eleanor" and "Katherine"

"Officer Welsh" and the former ex-wife and business partner "Jessica"
(So the deceased millionaire apparently divorced Jessica because she could not have children...wonder what he would have thought if he knew she was 4 1/2 months pregnant.

The Youngs
"Katherine" a Twin Daughter and "Adam Nichol" Son-in-Law
The Rafaels

"Jean Thoughtful" Family Psycologist and "Sam Cook" Chef
The DeMartinos

"Michael" a Nephew and "Tanya Tease" Personal Assistant
The Finks

"Barabara and Bob Bucks" Accountant and Wife
The Hages

"Jasmine" the Widow and her lover "Fabio the Pool Boy"
The Mannions

"Jon Jacobs" Good Friend and "Faith" Sister to the deceased
The Gettys
"Elizabeth" Twin Daughter and "Reilly Ravish" the Lawyer
The Jacksons
"Neal" Chauffer and son to the Maid and Butler and "Allison" the Oldest Daughter
The Strazzos

It was a great evening, lots of fun and laughter. We enjoyed the company and the silly story plot. We are fortunate to have such good friends who are willing to dress up and come play with us.
a special thank you to Janelle for coming and taking pictures.

and us...the Butler and the Maid.