So I go to Virginia to visit my sister for about 2 weeks. I borrowed SIL's luggage and loaded up one bag with muffalattas, (a really stinky, yet delicious sandwich), and king cake; naturally that was the bag the airline lost. When I got the bag back it took a couple of days for the smell to go away.

The first week there was snow, (yea!), and I went sledding for the first time in my life. Apparently you are not supposed to put your foot down flat to stop. I learned that when I...

Last night I had a dream that I can't get out of my head. Recently I made the decision to completely retire. Even though I can afford it, I still wasn't sure it was the right decision.

The dream I had was that I was visiting a small town in my home State that I always enjoyed. I was out for a walk and feeling happy when an older man walked by and told me everything would be alright. I didn't recognize him by his features but instintively regonized him as a deceased uncle whose opinion...

4% mortgage rate plan scrapped (article from OC Register and the Associated Press)

February 6th, 2009, 10:38 am · posted by Mathew Padilla, Reporter


The Associated Press reports:
A plan by Republicans in the Senate aimed at pushing mortgage rates lower has gone down to defeat at the hands of Democrats.
The plan by Nevada Republican John Ensign would have encouraged banks to issue mortgages with interest rates of 4 to 4.5 percent. The government-controlled...

Pending Home Sales Show Healthy Gain (NAR stats from Realtor magazine)


Pending Home Sales Show Healthy Gain

Pending home sales increased as more buyers took advantage of improved affordability conditions, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Big gains in the South and Midwest offset modest declines in other regions.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in December, rose 6.3 percent to...

It's snowing. Again.
Wait! This is Southern California, land of sunny beaches, surfers, mansions, wildfires, orange groves and Valley Girls!
Not if you live at 4,200 feet above sea level.
I don't mind. As long as the animals are comfortable and sheltered, I don't worry. We have a nice fire going and it is very pleasant inside.
The horses are sporting their water-resistant blankies and are dry underneath. They both hate the blankets, but it really is best for them in inclement...