Minnesota snow, just like in the U.P. this year...

Today, I took the task of scooping snow off the roof of the house, we have had so much snow, more than usual.

Here is the roof before (notice the depth):

and after:

The pile on the ground:

and snow blowing it:

Living room...

Living room before I moved in.

Living room after I hung sheers, curtains, curtain rods, and with couch, chairs, and lamps.

Now with rug... (see Grandpa's baby on the couch.)

8214 5th Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55420

...although the idea and dream were always on my mind and not far from my heart, I longed for a home, a place to call my own.

In the beginning of the 21st century, luck wasn't having it's way with me, I soon found myself "homeless" - yet in this moment, I found that luck had it's way of showing what I needed to do, that was to find myself in the place where I was born and to be of a help to my loving parents.

Soon many years have past, and my birth place had become a place of the past. Again, I felt "homeless", but this time it just wasn't me, but my new found "love" Mango. Mango needed a place to be free, a domain - that he could become "Lt Mango CMC - i.e. Chief Mouser in Charge".

The hunt began in October 0f 2010, first with a call to a realtor who had a "short sale" house on the market - well, that day she became my realtor and she recommended a mortgage broker - who became my mortgage broker. First step was to get a pre-approval for a mortgage and how much I could afford...that comes with "employment verification"... the website says... 5 business days...painless right? Well, not so simple... because the ownership has changed 3 times in the last 2 1/2 years... so after 3 weeks and because of my organization... I had everything my company needed to "giterdone"... now we are in later October.

During this time, I didn't want to "waste" anyone's time, until I was in a position to make an offer. Finally, after much ado, I found a house that could be my home... I made an offer and it was accepted...

Then... 10 days before closing... a "hiccup" - nothing that I was aware of, nothing of my own doings... well, except my naming my daughter after myself... something shows up on my credit report. I am now going to miss my closing date on December 27, 2010... I get an extension to December 30, 2010... again... we miss it.

The last week of December 2010, the seller (bank owned house, Fannie Mae) - decide they want to cancel the deal - I refuse to sign, which means, the house is tied up for at least 30 days - which means, I might be able to "force" them to close... 50/50 chance... I already have hundreds of dollars invested in this deal, beside, I really love the garage!!!!

After the 1st of January 2011, the seller comes around and realize I am serious about this deal, and again agrees to continue with the deal. My mortgage is finally done and I close on time on January 12, 2011...

I am now the owner of a house which is to become "MINE and MANGO's HOME"!!!!