A Room No Child Could Resist (or Maybe Even an Adult)

This sign was on the door of the bedroom, which should have given me a hint to the "AmaZingness" inside.

I opened the door and on the ceiling was this elaborate village on the ceiling, created with plaster and dried plant, and other crazy stuff.

I was hoping I might find a thoughtful spot for me.

I was too bad the house was on a terrible street and needed much more work than I was willing to put in.  Although, just being able to witness the work of this creative mind made my house-hunting day worthwhile.

Sad, but Not Over

Unfortunately, I heard back about my offer and they are not going to accept it.  The loan that I was trying to purchase it has minimal standards that the home has to meet.  The bank that owns the home doesn't want to meet those standards.  They would prefer to sell the house "as is."  I already knew this, but I was hoping the additional loan to fix it up would made the offer possible.  I guess that I will have to use a government fix it up loan, for part of the repairs....at least the mandated repairs.  So, tomorrow I will be talking with the loan man and seeing what I can do.  The other two offers that were given we also turned down, so I will send it in again after I get it figured out.  I will keep you posted.

An Offer

Well, today I grew up a little.  I put in an offer on a home.  I found out that someone else had put in an offer on it yesterday, but that they Realtor was not very excited about the offer.  So, I upped my bid a little more than I was originally going to offer.  We will see.  The house needs some serious upgrading, but has potential.  If you want to get a look at the ugly interior work from some other individuals who owned the home...take a look.  It is a listing that is not quite correct....there are four bedrooms, one den, what may or may not be called a family room, a living room, two bathrooms, and an informal dinning room.  Plus, a garage which will be nice in this cold weather.

http://www.trulia.com/homes/photos/Minnesota/Saint_Louis_Park/sold/20533649-4236-Utica-Ave-S-Saint-Louis-Park-MN-55416#item-0

Bad news is that I found out the offer that was given was a cash offer.  I have been told that cash speaks.  I do have two things going for me.  One is that my offer was more than the cash offer and that I am wanting to buy the property to live there.  The other offer is someone who is wanting to invest.  I have been told that the banks really try to favor individuals who are purchasing homes to live in them.  I should know by Thursday evening.  Keep your fingers crossed for me....and have lovely dreams of baby blue kitchens with 1970's appliances.

The Hamburger

Today as I was doing my typical blog search I came upon this cake.   I made me want both cake and a hamburger.  Then I remembered that I have eaten my allotted calories in hamburger this weekend.  This week I had a Minnesota invention, the Juicy Lucy. One might ask what is a Juicy Lucy.  Above, you can find a photo of this MN classic.  It is essentially just a cheeseburger with the cheese cooked in the the patty.  There are two places in Minneapolis that both claim to be the founders of the grease-filled dream.  One spells it "Juicy Lucy," while the other goes with "Jucy Lucy."  Well, whatever the name I can tell you that the grease contained in this hamburger is amazing.  When the cheese fat has no where to melt and roll off, you then get the complete opportunity to consume it with pride.  I will admit that it tasted good, but I don't know if it was the best thing I have ever eaten.  Another "MN must do" checked off the list. 

Dad Just Can't Help Himself

This weekend I went home for a legal deposition.  Now that I have completed my deposition it is public record.  It is a relief that I don't have to tell everyone that I can't talk about it.  Luckily I was just a fact witness, so there was no real stress on my part.  A 69 year old patient came to the ER thinking that he was having a heart attack, with pain between his shoulder blades.  Ironically, the patient was impatient and wanted to go home.  The patient went home and died the next day after calling the paramedics.  Since, family was not with the patient they were suing the hospital.  I just happened to be the person that the patient asked to leave multiple times.  So, now the state of Utah will be sending me a copy of my deposition in the mail.  I have something I said in the public records through the judicial system.  I am always up for something new.

The lawyers paid for me to fly to Utah for the weekend, so I am here with the parents.  I had the opportunity to attend the Carl Block exhibit at BYU.  It was very good.  I loved the iPad presentations that were put together for you to watch and listen to while you looked at the art.  It was very well done.  I have also attended John's clarinet recital, where Maren accompanied him.  Her part was amazingly hard. Sorry John, I was more impressed with Maren's part than yours.  Although, it was fun to hear you both play together.  I got to participate in the annual tree trimming transfer of the branches to the truck, so they can go to the dump.  It was a smooth process.  We have got it all figured out so that it was done lickety-split.

The part of this vacation that I have chuckled about (of course internally and not externally) was the living room couch.  My mother and I were cleaning the living room.  The traditional Saturday activity.  When I was about to move the couch see got this look on her face and told me I probably shouldn't because it was broken.  Then she decided that since the two of us were there that perhaps we could move it.  The story behind the broken couch has something to do with Uncle Tom and some crazy maneuvers that I don't quite understand, but the point is that on of the foots of the couch broke off.  Me, being me, said I think I can fix this.  I took the foot that was till partially attached to some wood and glued it together with a c-clamp.  Then in the evening began to look place it back under the couch and figure out how I could attach some additional pieces of wood.  My dad told me he didn't want to fix the couch right then, but he just couldn't leave.  He had to know what I was doing and put his two sense in.  I had a great idea, but alas, his additional ideas made it work.  The foot on the couch is now better secured than any other foot of the cough.  My dad just can't help himself.

This morning my mom made me some made from scratch blueberry pancakes.  It is nice to finally feel like I am having down time.  For months my body has been so wound up and stressed.  I hope this will last when I get home, but I doubt it.  I will just have to hold onto the memories of being at my parent's home.