Are you (sweet) talkin' to me?

We had our home inspection this week. We were present during the inspection, asked a ton of questions and were given the inspection report. But, I still don’t know what to make of everything. There are problems; some bigger than others. Its all laid out in the extremely detailed 5 page report. The house is not perfect. We knew that. But seeing all of our home’s flaws elaborated upon and classified into such categories as safety concern, further evaluation, and repairs recommended seems….. heartless and impersonal. As I read through the report I was surprised that the mold and leaky faucet issues didn’t bother me as much how the rooms were labled in the report. I was angry that our pilates/laundry room was called an unpermitted 3rd car garage. And how the kitchen-adjacent room was arrogantly decided to be the game room instead of the office. And how our sunny guest bedroom as so coldly referred to as the back bedroom. The audacity. I guess the truth isn’t supposed to sound pretty. But some sweet talkin’ would sure make all of this a bit more bearable……

Sale Pending

Guess what? The bank accepted our offer! We are officially in escrow with our Dream House. Last night we celebrated by going out to dinner making soup and panini sandwiches for dinner, filing our taxes, nursing baby Ozzy back to health as he recovered from his neuter surgery, and toasting with a nice glass of riesling. Glamorous, we know. Up next is the dreaded home inspection. Wish us luck! We'll need it.

Home on the range

After watching Phil Michelson sink back-to-back eagles during Saturday's round of the Masters we were motivated to hit a few balls of our own.

A renovation, mid-century modern style

On one of our numerous house hunting trips we toured two mid-century modern homes designed by Charles Dubois. Both homes had the same floor plan. One looked as if it had been neglected for awhile and the other had been recently renovated.  It was really interesting to see the before and after of a MCM reno.

New door + paint = curb appeal

 

A dated master bath enters the 21st century.

Its amazing what a little updating can do in the kitchen when you keep the same floor plan.

Plan B

What can we say? We’re gluttons for punishment. Today we put in another offer on our Dream House. Remember our Dream House? The one that cheated on us and went into escrow with another buyer. The one that caused our real estate heartbreak. Well, its BOM and this time we have a Plan B. If the bank does not accept our offer we are going on a vacation! We get it, we get it. Going on vacation may not be the most responsible thing to do. Yes, we should probably save our little pennies for Dream House Numero Dos. Blame it on emotional exhaustion. But, we really need something happy to look forward to. So, Cabo here we come……(maybe).

Cabo Villa

Images via here 

BOM

BOM in real estate-speak means ‘back on the market’. Yes, our Dream Home is dating again. Right now I’m hopeful….and elated….and really, really nervous. I have that anxious / excitement feeling deep in the pit of my stomach. Do you know the feeling? The one you get just before you’re about to jump off a completely operable twin engine cessna and all the while praying that your flimsy nylon parachute will save you from plunging 15,000 feet to your death? “Dear God, if I survive this I will give up alcohol forever…and I’ll never use your name in vain....and I’ll adopt a Kenyan orphan...and I’ll never lie on my income tax returns again.” Oh, you don’t know the feeling? Well its TERRIFYING!

 Photo by skydiva2009 via here

Pascua at the Padre

We spent Easter weekend in Bakersfield, CA with family.  Unfortunately we didn't make it to (6am) mass. Instead we slept in, went on an 8 mile bike ride, then had lunch at and toured the newly renovated Padre Hotel.  If you are ever in Bakersfield, this hotel is a definate must-see.  Think 21st century baroque meets oil baron chic.....

Top three photos by Henry A. Barrios / The Californian via here

No April Fools

Our Dream House is in escrow....and not with us.  I'm sad and angry - in a Sandra Bullock sort of way.