Ready, Set, Let the Games Begin! - Link to new PTR/TR!

[franandaj]

Alison I'm confused you said "Good News" but than the lender is doubtful ? Doesn't the pre-qualifying not that long ago mean anything to them ?? I still say it WILL happen How are your parents ? Enjoying your weekend with them ?

Well the Good News was from the agent who is trying to sell us the home. They said our credit looks good and that they told the seller they had a really good offer that is just waiting on financing. That is good because hopefully if the seller gets another offer they might think about considering ours instead of just hopping on the first one that come along.

The bad part is that the financing is taking a long time. When we pre qualified before we had not yet filed our 2012 taxes. Evidently a tax even that happened in 2012 was great for our "cash flow" but seriously impacted our annual income. So it doesn't matter that we have a bunch of money in our bank account the fact that we won't be generating X amount of dollars per year hurts our bottom line.

Oh the mortgage process. We just did that & we had some loops to jump through due to having other property we own.


Since you poked me before about missing previous reviews. I did start a Pre-Trip of my own for all 3 of my fall trips.

I've heard people talk about what a headache it is. I am now finding out.

Oh good! I will have to come over and check it out!

Haha at putting in an offer within a week! Just like it was for me. I read an article recently that homebuyers say that all the time... But the reality is they had really been "looking" for months before they called an agent! Haha

We started last fall but got caught up in the building process since there wasn't anything out there we saw that met our needs. When we figured out building wasn't an option, we became more serious about buying. I'm sure that's why it went so quick and why I knew exactly what we wanted!

Is the seller patient? Any word on her other than she's downsizing to smaller with a great view?

I really hope this home works out for you, Fran and the fur babies. It's so lovely and peaceful. And a tiki bar; it just screams you!!

I don't even know if she is getting a great view with her downsizing. I just have to assume with what we are paying she is buying something pretty cool. Who knows maybe she has her eye on a condo in Northridge, but somehow I doubt it!

I really hope that we get it. It has been on the market since March so let's hope no one else it eyeing it. Our fur babies will love it. Other than Mac the others just love to hang out at home, just outside. We have all sorts of outside kitty condos as well as inside ones. Milo and Sam were just chillin on our carport the day we left. they were so cute in the kitty condos in the back.

We sold out home in 2 days. The second family who saw it put in an offer, they'd been seriously looking for less than a week. Sometimes it's just meant to be. They had an agent, we didn't. It went crazy fast. We were unprepared to sell so fast and moved in with my inlaws for 2 months.

 

[franandaj]

So enough talk about houses, back to a couple weekends ago. We had just finished perusing all the cars around the parking lot and had worked up quite an appetite. The hotel was offering a sumptuous lunch of cold sandwiches wrapped in plastic or burgers steaming in a hotel pan. We decided to venture out and look for something on our own.

When Fran asked me what I wanted, I really couldn’t tell her. I wanted something out of the ordinary, so not a coffee shop, diner, etc. I wasn’t in the mood to go to a Thai or Sushi restaurant, but I was feeling a tad bit Asian, Indian cuisine would have been nice, but Fran doesn’t really care for that. I really couldn’t put my finger on what it was I was looking for. As we drove down one of the main streets downtown, Fran noticed a restaurant called Novo which she had seen on the tourist TV local guide channel when she couldn’t sleep in the middle of the night.

Well, we couldn’t have found a better spot. They had samosa’s, hummus, a sausage trio, Korean short ribs, Korean chili chicken wings, avocado shrimp spring rolls, chicken satay, an assortment of sandwiches and salads (including a lamb kefta salad), chow fun, nachos, and chile verde. She couldn’t have suggested a better place to suit my ambivalent international taste buds.

The scenery was beautiful, we were seated in the shade on a nice patio that overlooked a stream (well if California wasn’t in a drought, there would have been a stream.) Under a large, very old tree.







We chose our food and I decided to get a glass of wine. But first I saw this menu of spirits that they offered. Brandi, I took this one for you!



They brought us some freshly baked bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.



We started off sharing the lettuce wraps with shrimp. Oh and I forgot to mention, this place catered to every cuisine that us freaky Californians fancy, they had symbols for which items could be prepared, vegetarian, vegan or gluten free in addition to the full carnivorous items.



Fran went with the grilled chicken breast on focaccia which had brie, caramelized onions, local apple, and garlic dill aoli. For her side, she chose the salmon bisque.



I went for the special of the day which was a seared ahi, with a wasabi cream sauce, Japanese pancake and a sunomono slaw. It was awesome!



We got back to the hotel room around 4PM, which gave Fran some time to rest. I worked on the TR and started to pack some of our stuff. Originally we had booked through to Monday morning, but when we found out there was really nothing going on Sunday we decided to go home early. The hotel was going to charge us a fee to change the reservation, but it never showed up on our bill, so yay!

We went down to enjoy the Happy hour around 6PM and ran into our friend Jon again. He offered to sell me this wonderful outfit for only $200, but then later confessed if I was willing to wait three months, I could order my own from China for only $100.





After drinks, we headed into the awards show and dinner. Tonight the tables were decorated for the British rather than the Russians.



We were served a salad. Nothing special, but it was a little more creative than your standard hotel catering salad.



The stage for the awards presentation



This was the beef option, Fran said it was pretty good for hotel beef wellington.



This was the chicken, it was stuffed with some sort of sausage mixture.



After dinner they read all the winners of the car show. I tried to list them when I posted the cars because I had far too many beverages to be able to recount them accurately now. I told you all I remembered. These were the guys who announced the winners. Note the guy with the jacket with little James Bonds glue gunned onto his jacket. He had to take it off most of the night because it weighed like 30 lbs with all those little james bonds on there!



As the big party poopers we were, we went to bed after the ceremony. They did serve us some dessert, but we didn’t take pictures. Too many drinks I think!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Thanks for the update on the house and TR! Loving the pics and food porn! Omg that James Bond Jacket that guy had on. Brilliant! That restaurant looked nice. I laughed at the photo of you and the grumpy woman in the background with the man. Not having as much fun as you two!

You both looked stunning! Wow only $100 dollars for that outfit. Add to cart I bet! I love you and Fran's outfit you ate wearing too.

Good luck with your house offer and mortgage red tape hoop jumping. Seems it is the same across the pond. When we bought our house just when we thought they had every detail known to man the lawyer would call 'can we have your mother's birth cert' she was born in Ireland or something silly. But you get there in the end and it's worth it!

Not long now till our Disney trips just checked in for SSR and our 4 night cruise! Just got the check in back at AKV to do!

 

[lisaviolet]

Indian cuisine would have been nice, but Fran doesn’t really care for that.

What?

What is Fran's problem?

Such utterly blasphemous behaviour on her part.

They had samosas, hummus, a sausage trio, Korean short ribs, Korean chili chicken wings, avocado shrimp spring rolls, chicken satay

Well HELLO! Especially on the bold - love me some Korean barbeque.

Oh brought back some memories. I lived in Japan for a bit and remember making Okonomayaki at the restaurant (no I had no memory how to still spell it! - had to google!)

I went for the special of the day which was a seared ahi, with a wasabi cream sauce, Japanese pancake and a sunomono slaw. It was awesome!

LOVED the update Alison. Thank you, you provide such wonderful reading and photos for us all!!!! I don't know why I'm being so loving at this atrocious Sunday morning hour (I've been up since 6 am after bed after 1 am - I don't enjoy early!). But nonetheless.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Good luck with finance and closing the house sale. It's fine, whichever way the keys drop, with me.

Your lunch and dinner looks great!

Are you ordering your own bling dress?

 

[dgbg100106]

Alison, Thanks for the picture... I would have had a hard time deciding what I wanted from that list. It was huge....


The food looked very good, I love it when we find little gems like that.

 

[dolphingirl47]

The food and the location sounded lovely. I love all the themeing at dinner. I love those China bargains. I just commissioned another evening gown yesterday.

Corinna

 

[rentayenta]

Novo looks great and what a beautiful setting. We've got a place here with a similar setting, less fancy food, call the Oaks. It's sits on a running river, The Ogden River, and it's gorgeous. In fact we're heading up today to take the boat out. No Oaks though but we'll pass it.

The seared Ahi looks incredible. And slaw of any kind is a hit. Love the tux and black dress.

Sending more good vibes on the house.

We lived with my inlaws and I have I got a doozy of a story to tell. My MIL is kind and fairly loving though an emotionally guarded person and has lightened up over time however when we lived with them for 2 months some 8 years ago, that was not the case. The kids were 8, 6, 3 at the time....it was winter....I needed to do laundry. We were not allowed to use her washer or dryer because it would add wear and tear to her machines and take up electricity. Should I mention their home sits on the 9th hole of a lovely lake and golf course, mortgage free? Anyway, one winter morning it was snowing like crazy, like blizzard, and I needed to do some wash. I begged M to ask his mother for the use for just 2 loads; they could add in the estimated wear and tear plus approximate electricity, of which I was already paying. They figured this from any increase in the previous year's bill based on the addition in cost. Yes, I would get a monthly invoice for every ounce of energy we used. I kid you not. Every penny. Gas too. You name it, we had a bill.

Anyway we were allowed to do two load of wash but that was it. Two days later I was again trudging 3 kids with loads of laundry to the laundromat in the snow. Up hill.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Novo looks great and what a beautiful setting. We've got a place here with a similar setting, less fancy food, call the Oaks. It's sits on a running river, The Ogden River, and it's gorgeous. In fact we're heading up today to take the boat out. No Oaks though but we'll pass it.

The seared Ahi looks incredible. And slaw of any kind is a hit. Love the tux and black dress.

Sending more good vibes on the house.

We lived with my inlaws and I have I got a doozy of a story to tell. My MIL is kind and fairly loving though an emotionally guarded person and has lightened up over time however when we lived with them for 2 months some 8 years ago, that was not the case. The kids were 8, 6, 3 at the time....it was winter....I needed to do laundry. We were not allowed to use her washer or dryer because it would add wear and tear to her machines and take up electricity. Should I mention their home sits on the 9th hole of a lovely lake and golf course, mortgage free? Anyway, one winter morning it was snowing like crazy, like blizzard, and I needed to do some wash. I begged M to ask his mother for the use for just 2 loads; they could add in the estimated wear and tear plus approximate electricity, of which I was already paying. They figured this from any increase in the previous year's bill based on the addition in cost. Yes, I would get a monthly invoice for every ounce of energy we used. I kid you not. Every penny. Gas too. You name it, we had a bill.

Anyway we were allowed to do two load of wash but that was it. Two days later I was again trudging 3 kids with loads of laundry to the laundromat in the snow. Up hill.

Omg sorry to intrude but I couldn't get the imagine of a poor young mother trudging 3 shivering kids to the laundromat in the snow with a shiny working device back at the MIL house. Her grand babies! Out in the snow! Poor you! I bet you were glad to get your own place. I bet though through this experience when your darling children are grown and if you have a son and the situation comes about that him and his family need to stay a while with you. The first thing you will show your DIL is the laundry room she can use anytime lol!

 

[franandaj]

Thanks for the update on the house and TR! Loving the pics and food porn! Omg that James Bond Jacket that guy had on. Brilliant! That restaurant looked nice. I laughed at the photo of you and the grumpy woman in the background with the man. Not having as much fun as you two!

You both looked stunning! Wow only $100 dollars for that outfit. Add to cart I bet! I love you and Fran's outfit you ate wearing too.

Good luck with your house offer and mortgage red tape hoop jumping. Seems it is the same across the pond. When we bought our house just when we thought they had every detail known to man the lawyer would call 'can we have your mother's birth cert' she was born in Ireland or something silly. But you get there in the end and it's worth it!

Not long now till our Disney trips just checked in for SSR and our 4 night cruise! Just got the check in back at AKV to do!

I didn't even notice the grumpy woman in the background. Sort of looks like Grumpy Cat!

I may have to do the AKV one for you, let me know if you want me to do that. I guess I'm getting close on my check in as well!

What?

What is Fran's problem?

Such utterly blasphemous behaviour on her part.

Well HELLO! Especially on the bold - love me some Korean barbeque.

LOVED the update Alison. Thank you, you provide such wonderful reading and photos for us all!!!! I don't know why I'm being so loving at this atrocious Sunday morning hour (I've been up since 6 am after bed after 1 am - I don't enjoy early!). But nonetheless.

Well she always tells me that she doesn't hate Indian and we can have it occasionally, but every time I ask she is not in the mood.

Yes! I looked up Okonomayaki and that was exactly it! The waitress described it as sort of like Egg Foo Young. It was really good, but I couldn't finish my whole lunch. Very tasty though!

Good luck with finance and closing the house sale. It's fine, whichever way the keys drop, with me.

Your lunch and dinner looks great!

Are you ordering your own bling dress?

Well, you never know, they submitted our finances to underwriting and we'll see what they say on Monday. Otherwise we are back to the creative financing.

Alison, Thanks for the picture... I would have had a hard time deciding what I wanted from that list. It was huge....

The food looked very good, I love it when we find little gems like that.

I was really impressed, it was a good thing I was in the mood for a glass of wine instead of a cocktail! I wish we knew of a place like that near our house, I would be there often.

The food and the location sounded lovely. I love all the themeing at dinner. I love those China bargains. I just commissioned another evening gown yesterday.

Corinna

I got my wedding dress from China and it was such a bargain. I hope to order another one someday. I can't wait to see your dress, yours are always so beautiful!

Novo looks great and what a beautiful setting. We've got a place here with a similar setting, less fancy food, call the Oaks. It's sits on a running river, The Ogden River, and it's gorgeous. In fact we're heading up today to take the boat out. No Oaks though but we'll pass it.

The seared Ahi looks incredible. And slaw of any kind is a hit. Love the tux and black dress.

Sending more good vibes on the house.

We lived with my inlaws and I have I got a doozy of a story to tell. My MIL is kind and fairly loving though an emotionally guarded person and has lightened up over time however when we lived with them for 2 months some 8 years ago, that was not the case. The kids were 8, 6, 3 at the time....it was winter....I needed to do laundry. We were not allowed to use her washer or dryer because it would add wear and tear to her machines and take up electricity. Should I mention their home sits on the 9th hole of a lovely lake and golf course, mortgage free? Anyway, one winter morning it was snowing like crazy, like blizzard, and I needed to do some wash. I begged M to ask his mother for the use for just 2 loads; they could add in the estimated wear and tear plus approximate electricity, of which I was already paying. They figured this from any increase in the previous year's bill based on the addition in cost. Yes, I would get a monthly invoice for every ounce of energy we used. I kid you not. Every penny. Gas too. You name it, we had a bill.

Anyway we were allowed to do two load of wash but that was it. Two days later I was again trudging 3 kids with loads of laundry to the laundromat in the snow. Up hill.

Wow! I can't even imagine....that's pretty severe to send you a bill for everything. I wouldn't put that past Fran's mom to have done something like that. I'm glad your relationship has improved.

 

[Pinkocto]

Great update Alison. Novo looks absolutely delicious.

Fingers are still crossed about the house.

 

[Pinkocto]

We lived with my inlaws and I have I got a doozy of a story to tell. My MIL is kind and fairly loving though an emotionally guarded person and has lightened up over time however when we lived with them for 2 months some 8 years ago, that was not the case. The kids were 8, 6, 3 at the time....it was winter....I needed to do laundry. We were not allowed to use her washer or dryer because it would add wear and tear to her machines and take up electricity. Should I mention their home sits on the 9th hole of a lovely lake and golf course, mortgage free? Anyway, one winter morning it was snowing like crazy, like blizzard, and I needed to do some wash. I begged M to ask his mother for the use for just 2 loads; they could add in the estimated wear and tear plus approximate electricity, of which I was already paying. They figured this from any increase in the previous year's bill based on the addition in cost. Yes, I would get a monthly invoice for every ounce of energy we used. I kid you not. Every penny. Gas too. You name it, we had a bill.

Anyway we were allowed to do two load of wash but that was it. Two days later I was again trudging 3 kids with loads of laundry to the laundromat in the snow. Up hill.

What an atrocious story. I sincerely hope she got her comeuppance.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Thank will let you know about check on at AKV! I will try and see! Exciting that you are close to check in too! Have you booked your flights yet? Do you fly economy or do you manage to get upgrade with Fran's joints and your poorly leg?

 

[lisaviolet]

.
Should I mention their home sits on the 9th hole of a lovely lake and golf course, mortgage free?

Yes, you should. Because it added such hilarity to your story. And caused me to swear a la WT F?

I'm sorry to laugh Jenny.

But what can you do besides taking a nine iron to her washing machine and throwing it into said lake!!!!!

People are so bizarre, eh? My goodness.

Sorry that you had that absolutely lovely experience and glad she working through her demons.

I have no clue why this is all making me laugh so - please know I have empathy for you.

Fingers are still crossed about the house.

Ditto.

 

[lisaviolet]

Well she always tells me that she doesn't hate Indian and we can have it occasionally, but every time I ask she is not in the mood.

:

OMG, aren't loved ones and our relationship dynamics the most hysterical things on earth at times.

Fran is priceless.

_____________________________

Here's to a beautiful Monday!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

OMG, aren't loved ones and our relationship dynamics the most hysterical things on earth at times.

Fran is priceless.

_____________________________

Here's to a beautiful Monday!

I love Indian and so does Jo my DW but I can't eat it anymore because of my medical condition so I treat her to a complete Indian meal they do at our local store in a box you reheat at home. With Naan bread and all the trimmings! She loves it! I just have a different meal I can eat ( something boring and plain lol ). I sit longingly gazing at the Indian lol..but don't tell her that!

 

[jedijill]

The awards ceremony looked fun! Love the James Bond jacket. The restaurant looked really good. I confess...I do not like Indian food. I've tried but it just doesn't do it for me. <hanging head in shame>

Good luck on the loan approval!

Jill in CO

 

[franandaj]

Omg sorry to intrude but I couldn't get the imagine of a poor young mother trudging 3 shivering kids to the laundromat in the snow with a shiny working device back at the MIL house. Her grand babies! Out in the snow! Poor you! I bet you were glad to get your own place. I bet though through this experience when your darling children are grown and if you have a son and the situation comes about that him and his family need to stay a while with you. The first thing you will show your DIL is the laundry room she can use anytime lol!

I know really! I don't have kids, kids-in-law, or any of that and still anyone who comes to my house is welcome to just about anything.....

Great update Alison. Novo looks absolutely delicious.

Fingers are still crossed about the house.

I'm kinda wishing I could go there again about now. I really hope something good comes through on Monday!

Thank will let you know about check on at AKV! I will try and see! Exciting that you are close to check in too! Have you booked your flights yet? Do you fly economy or do you manage to get upgrade with Fran's joints and your poorly leg?

Oh we've had our flights for months now. We book our flights for free on airline miles and usually travel First Class. We fit better in those seats, plus we don't have to pay baggage or booze charges! We just have to keep our credit card spending up enough to get the frequent flyer miles to pay for all our trips!

Yes, you should. Because it added such hilarity to your story. And caused me to swear a la WT F?

I'm sorry to laugh Jenny.

But what can you do besides taking a nine iron to her washing machine and throwing it into said lake!!!!!

People are so bizarre, eh? My goodness.

Sorry that you had that absolutely lovely experience and glad she working through her demons.

I have no clue why this is all making me laugh so - please know I have empathy for you.


Ditto.

You crack me up!

OMG, aren't loved ones and our relationship dynamics the most hysterical things on earth at times.

Fran is priceless.

_____________________________

Here's to a beautiful Monday!

She is priceless!

I love Indian and so does Jo my DW but I can't eat it anymore because of my medical condition so I treat her to a complete Indian meal they do at our local store in a box you reheat at home. With Naan bread and all the trimmings! She loves it! I just have a different meal I can eat ( something boring and plain lol ). I sit longingly gazing at the Indian lol..but don't tell her that!

I can't say that I love everything, but I do have my favorites, Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Dahl Mahkani, Samosas, Pakoras, Basmati Rice, Lamb Kefta, Naan bread....OK, maybe I do like a few things

The awards ceremony looked fun! Love the James Bond jacket. The restaurant looked really good. I confess...I do not like Indian food. I've tried but it just doesn't do it for me. <hanging head in shame>

Good luck on the loan approval!

Jill in CO

I can see why people wouldn't necessarily like it, the spices are very different that what a lot of American diets consume. I just like exotic foods and really enjoy the odd flavors.

 

[franandaj]

So we woke up our final morning and headed down to breakfast. Fran told me that if you get the scrambled eggs in a pan right when they come out of the kitchen they are pretty good. She was right. This was my last breakfast for the trip.



And Fran’s last breakfast.



After we ate, we headed back up to the room and finished putting all of our stuff back in suitcases and got ready to load up the car. I was hoping that no one was really in the lobby when we came down. We really did over pack and that darned luggage trolley was completely overstuffed when we pushed it out of the elevator.

There were several people who were happy to help us load up and I thought that was very sweet. We were on the road before noon and decided to stop at the outlets in Pismo Beach to get me some shoes and see if there were any dresses at Dress Barn. I scored and got two pairs of shoes and two dresses, both with polka dots.

Then we started down the coast.









We had a destination in mind. Fran had seen something on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives about a place in Santa Barbara, a bloke from the UK had come over and needed to find a way to make a living. He couldn’t find any decent Fish & Chips, so he decided to open his own restaurant.





It’s not really traditionally a British thing, but Clam Chowder still sounded good.



We got an order of bangers.



We got one order of Fish and Chips and then another order of just fish.





I had never had a deep fried candy bar before, and had been dying to try one. Rather than get an American candy bar, I got some kind of Cadbury bar. As I look at their website, I think it was a Boost bar, there was a wafer, caramel and chocolate and this seems like it fits the bill.



Since this actually looks somewhat disgusting, I took a picture of the ooey gooey goodness inside.



I think all that fried food ended up giving me indigestion later because I had to take some antacids on the way home!

[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

After we were totally stuffed we headed on out of town. Here are some gratuitous shots of the town.







Back on the highway we passed some trees that local birds had taken over.





I love the way that the trees at the coast grow with the wind sculpting them.



I just kept snapping random shots of the coast as we headed further south. I’m posting some of the ones that didn’t come out too blurry.







Then we hit this, bumper to bumper traffic.



After about an hour the traffic let up and we were back in business.













By this point Fran was starting to fall asleep, so we pulled over at Ventura and I took over the driving for about an hour. Since I don’t like to drive over the steep grades, we traded back just before climbing the Conejo Grade and she finished the driving home, but by that point it was dark and there was no point in taking pictures. I will leave you with this one picture of the pecan sticky bun that we picked up in Morro Bay. She had that for her snack once we got home that last night.