I'm UP with That

From the movie Up

Every year in Utah they have a Parade of Homes. It’s really expensive and we never go. And I’m OK with that…most of the time. But this year they had an amazing house that all of us were just dying to see. Our neighbor and his crew had designed and built an awesome replica of the UP house.

UP is a Disney movie that came out a couple of years ago about a guy and his wife. They had many plans that never seemed to work out and eventually the wife dies. So the guy attaches balloons to the top of his house and sails away with it to try to fulfill one of their fondest dreams. The movie is full of vibrant colors in the balloons and in the house itself. Just looking at the pictures, I’m not sure I’d want to live there, but I was sure I wanted to see it in real life. They even licensed the house with Disney.

So the home show ended last Sunday and today I called my neighbor to see if we could tour this cute little house. We headed out there at 8:30 after what I thought were special arrangements to see it. Turns out we would have been OK anyway. There were still dozens of people taking pics and waiting to go in. Our poor neighbor looked like he could use a nap!

The house was very authentic right down to the hose reel near the front porch. They even had furniture custom-made to match the movie. I loved the retro appliances and kitchen fixtures. In the basement they had a smallish family room with a projector playing…what else?… UP! They also had two bedrooms downstairs that were furnished for two kids from the Make-A-Wish foundation, one boy room and one girl room.

The upstairs had huge walk-in closets and a nursery identical to the movie. They even managed to find an oversized tub and you would not believe the shower! I want it in my house for sure. It had water spraying from the ceiling! Even my tall sons could get completely wet in a shower like that.

As we were finishing up, my sweetie noticed that the bookcase was hinged. I suggested that he pull it open. He glanced around and since no one was looking, he swung the doors out. The kids crowded closer. “What’s in it?” they asked. We were expecting maybe a water heater or something. “Balloons!” he exclaimed.

The house was perfect, top to bottom, completely finished and furnished. The Drama Queen would have plunked her money on the counter today (if she had any). She loved the house and honestly, it would have suited her. I know they are still looking for the right buyer. Maybe in ten years…save your money, Drama Queen.