T’was the Week Before Christmas

Editor's Note: We have some super talented people at Mortgage Master.  This poem was written by Shelli Nixon at our office and shared during our RESPA training today.   This is posted at Mortgage Porter with her permission to share with you!

 

T'was the week before Christmas

When all through the lands,

LO's and Closers were wringing their hands.

RESPA Changes are coming,

They all started to worry,

We'd better get trained, and trained in a hurry!

We all kept on hoping

There would be a delay.

But HUD said, "No Way," it's all here to stay.

"We love our new HUD

And our new GFE,

Don't fret, don't worry, it's as simple as can be."

We all shook our heads,

Threw our hands to the sky.

What were you smoking?  You must have been high!

You took a one page doc

And changed it to three.

Easier?  More simple?  How can that be?

The Regs don't match up,

So now what do we do?

HUD says, "No comment, It's all up to you."

No info on TILA,

HMDA, REG B.

We are totally screwed, why can't they see??

In a time when some borrowers

Think lenders are scary,

You've given 3 pages to make them more wary.

This doesn't make sense,

Not one little bit.

We are all trying hard to not throw a fit.

So we all do our best

To put borrowers at ease.

But make more reform, please, please, please!

Please bring someone in

Who knows what to do.

What is best for both borrowers AND lenders too.

We are all still waiting,

Though not holding our breath

And hoping the government doesn't "Reg" us to death.

So on this week before Christmas,

I'd like to wish you

Good luck with RESPA, I need it too!

~Shelli Nixon, Mortgage Master Service Corporation<

Where is the Best Hamburgers in Seattle?

IMG_5907 A conversation started on my Facebook profile over a review I did via Yelp on a West Seattle restaurant, Spring Hill.  We were drawn there because one of my husband’s co-workers insists the hamburgers there are amazing and worthy of their gourmet price.   He did like the burger, although prefers one you can eat with your hands (Spring Hill is kind of a knife and fork place).   

Jan suggested that we check out Zippy’s in White Center, which we’ve been meaning to do but we just haven’t.  However, when we were at the West Seattle Thriftway last night, I just happened to look at the coupons on the back of my receipt and there was coupon for Zippy’s.   We decided to check it out and cook our planned dinner we bought groceries for on another night.  

Zippy’s Giant Burger does not disappoint.  My husband and teens had the Zip Burger with Bacon and Cheese and I had the Lil Zip (of course with bacon and cheese).   This is a classic whole in the wall burger joint.  I wish we could have devoured them there but our kids were back at home and the place was packed!  I recommend calling in advance to place your order.  Parking can be an issue with the quicky mart next door aggressively protecting his few spots next to the popular Zippy’s.  Here’s my review on Yelp.

I’m really looking forward to Thursday where I’ll be joining David Gibbonsand others to start planning RE Barcamp Seattle 2010 (taking place in mid-March)…we’re going to Latona Pub to try what David claims is a fantastic burger.  I’ll be sure to report back!   My son claims that Jak’s in West Seattle may have the very best hamburger…so that’s gladly on my to do list to check out as well.

Who do you think makes the best hamburgers in Seattle?

UPDATE January 17, 2010:  We tried Porterhouse Pub in West Seattle last night (located by the Admiral Theater).  Hubby had their hamburger and is still raving about it.  

UPDATE April 2, 2012: I’ve had Latona Pub’s hamburger with bacon and blue cheese, twice now and it quite possibly be the best hamburger in Seattle. Hubby agrees!

Late Night Friday Fun

Please don't count on this type of entertainment from me… I just had to share this incredible video from Seattle's Shorecrest High School with one of my favorite tunes "Hey Ya"  

Hat tip to West Seattle Blog via Gabby Cat

Friday Funny: Seattle Tunnel Vision

We’ve all seen the nicely produced video (to the tune of $80k) of what could happen to the viaduct if Seattle experiences an earthquake… but have you seen the low budget version of what would happen to the proposed tunnel in a similar circumstance?

Note: I’m trying out posting mortgage rates at Rain City Guide on Friday’s and on Mortgage Porter on Mondays.

PS:  Don’t forget to VOTE by next Tuesday.

A Long Overdue Friday Funny

If you live in the Seattle area, you've most likely heard about the cougar that's been spotted in the Magnolia neighborhood…but did you know that this tricky feline has her own Twitter page?

Magnoliacougar

She's been taunting trappers and posting pictures of recent tasty tidbits with Twitter updates.  I'm sure this will make the evening news…in fact this kitty is following local reporter Rebeca Stevenson who recently received a tweet from King 5 (competing station and her former employer) that the cougar is on the prowl:

RT @KING5Seattle: .@StevensonRebeca — watch out for @MagnoliaCougar! Red lipstick and cocktail in hand. 🙂

It's all good fun and has really given me a good chuckle today.  You can check out what the "SEEADDLE Kitteh" is up to by visiting www.twitter.com/magnoliacougar

WARNING:  This kitty does like to drop the f-bomb in tweets.

Back from Vacation

The family just returned our annual summer trek, which must include a long car trip.  This year we checked out Sandpoint, Idaho which is located off of the north end of Lake Pend Orlielle.  We had fantastic weather and I had fun doing goofy photos of where my feet traveled during our trip and posted them on Facebook.  (It doesn't take much to amuse me).

P8170047 

It's good to be back home and Monday will be business as usual…if I have time, I might even post a mini-rate update.  I'm trying to take the remainder of the weekend "off" since our kids all start school this week.

How Do I Plant my Keikis?

A while back I shared a photo of my baby orchid, called a keiki.  This plant (which is my only still living orchid from the plants I started with) has produced three keikis. They're in bloom but I'm sure I need to separate and plant them.  Are any of my readers orchid experts? 

DSC_0165

Have a Safe and Sane? Independence Day

Mortgage Master is closing early today at 2:00 pm in observance of Independence Day.  We will reopen for business as usual on Monday, July 6, 2009.

Lol2 

Angle Lake neighbors used to light this replica of the Statue of Liberty fondly named "The Lady of the Lake" to celebrate Independence Day…this is from many years ago…this local event has sadly since ceased.  It's fun to remember.