edeeandme

When am I REALLY taking care of myself?

I think it is is important to think in positive terms - I pretty much always see the glass as half full - visualize a bright and successful future -  as if it is inevitable. The good news is, is that I usually get what I want. Sometimes I have to wait longer than other times, sometimes the getting there takes a direction I did not expect -however the journey is still always interesting. The journey is the learning experience for my soul - for me!

I tend to think that healthy eating, exercise, quiet times, doing what I like to do and having positive thoughts is what taking care of my self is all about and forget the adage "I don't have the luxury of having a negative thought." When I allow myself to: 1. stay in "bad for me relationships" 2. do thinks I really don't want to do 3. react in negative ways to others verbally or internally 4. have lots of noise in my head about how I am not doing something the way I 'should' and the numbers can go on and on... I am not taking care of my self.

When I am in fear about anything and not seeing a way out - seeing it as a reason to go deeper into myself - I am not taking care of my self. When I am mad at you, I am not looking at myself and my part in the mutual exercise - I am not taking care of myself.  I just read the following quote which led me to this blog:

"When your heart is singing, you are allowing Well-being. When you are appreciating, you are allowing Well-being. When you are yelling at somebody, you're not. When you're feeling insecure, you're not. When you're frustrated, you're not. " --- Abraham

So I say to you  - take care of yourself today - expect what is good - change your reality by changing your mind. Let your heart sing. It is really just that simple.   edee

Winter Wonderland

I think I like snowy days as much as I like sunny breezy days. I was just thinking about yesterday and all the snow that fell. When dusk set on the City of Huntington Woods the streets were very clear and the the beautiful trees lined the streets - in all their snow touched glory - it made my heart happy. I was talking with a neighbor and both of us were outside (without coats), it was like Spring with snow. Well, that may be stretching it a bit - but I loved yesterday.

I can tell I am ready for a vacation - when I am quiet and hear the train go through Royal Oak I picture myself on the train - wanderlust -I am going anywhere! And now I am going back to work.   edee

Where am I going...and where have I been?

One more note on my thoughts for the new year.  I am spending some time looking in the rear view mirror and what was I thinking about when we turned the corner from 1999 to 2000.  Where have I gone in the last 10 years. OMG is all I can say. Who thought that I would have moved - 2 times - been in and out of the same relationship, oh my, 3 times- not saved as much as I wanted to save - I mean no where near - weigh the same, trying to lose the same 10 - 15 pounds...again and again and now yet again! I had no plans to walk in the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk - I did it, 60 miles. I became a blond ( I thought I'd be red forever). I now have 2 wonderful grandchildren - terrific children - one mother who is doing just fine, a loving family, wonderful friends and I am a woman filled with integrity. I shall make new commitments for this year - all around the same issues - money, health, happiness, time - TIME - that is my focus for this year. I want to be where I am and with whom I want to be. I do not want to waste precious time on things, places, or people that do not hold a special place in my heart.  Wasted moments cannot be retrieved - I shall pay attention this year! I think that this article below from Success Magazine was pretty good. Enjoy, I think it worth your time!   edee

“Ah 2010, what a poetic-sounding number.  We just finished the first decade of the new millennium-time to take an accounting.  Over the last 10 years, how’d you do?  Are you living the life you envisioned for yourself?  In 1999, when you were watching the ball drop for the new millennium, is this the life you pictured for yourself back then?  Ten years ago did you think you would be richer and healthier, have a better marriage and more friends, experience more joy and have more peace of mind than you do now? 

If so, it’s time for a turning point.  You’ve probably heard the definition of insanity – doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.  If you don’t want the next 10 years to be like the last, then now is the time to do something different. 

Humans are unique.  We are the only species who can completely change the course of our lives.  Ants can’t do it, alligators can’t and lions can’t.  If a goose wanted to fly west instead of south for the winter it couldn’t.  All other animals besides humans are directed entirely by impulse written into their genetic code.  As a human, if you don’t like the story of your life thus far, you can rip up the script and write a completely new one. 

Ask anyone who has achieved great success in life – there was a turning point, a time when they made a clear and resolute decision that from that moment forward, their life would never be the same.  They drew a figurative line in the sand and separated the patterns of their past from their new vision of themselves and the life they were committed to leading.  Some make that turning point at age 15, some not until they’re 50; some do it several times throughout their lives and some never at all. 

My challenge to you is this – NOW is your turning point.  This year, this month, this day, this moment.  What you have accomplished so far is only a fraction of what’s truly possible for you.  You are far more powerful, capable and gifted than you allow yourself to be.  The only thing separating you from your grandest vision of your life is courage.  Muster the courage to declare that right now, this year is your turning point. 

Make a decision.  When the clock strikes midnight 10 years from now, you’ll be able to look back with 2020 hindsight at this moment and this year as your pivotal turning point for the dream life you will be enjoying.  Kick start your 2010 and let the grand adventure begin!”

Darren Hardy -  SUCCESS  - Publisher and Editorial Director - January 2010 Issue

edee

It's Winter!

As the winter months bring colder temperatures, make sure your home is properly insulated. Caulking windows and doors will help you save energy and money. If you have exposed pipes, be sure to insulate those to prevent them from bursting as temperatures drop below freezing.

Winter is also the prime time for illnesses such as colds and flu, so decrease indoor pollutants by cleaning and vacuuming dust from your vents. Maintaining your thermostat is another important step to efficiency. Keep it set at the lowest possible temperature that will keep everyone comfortable (usually in the 68 to 72 degree range). You may want to consider purchasing a programmable thermostat that will adjust your temps automatically.

Stay warm and healthy!  edee

Huntington Woods Pumpkin Day! (Saturday October 17th)

 
                          See You There!  Pick a big one - pick a small one - pick the one you love - Then carve it - eat the pumpkin seeds and bob for apples. Its a great season . 11-2 pm at the Huntington Woods Lutheran Church on 11 mile road on Saturday October 17th. I am really excited about meeting and seeing all my neighbors.  edee

60 Days of Huntington Woods Real Estate

When you think diversity - think Huntington Woods. Not just in ideologies - because we certainly are a community of diverse thinkers (I know this because the more involved I get in Huntington Woods the more I am learning about its complexion). It is amazing to me that we have 65 homes currently on the market ranging for $59,900 - $1,100,000.  In our bustling "metropolis"  the last 60 days brought us 8 closed deals - 13 houses went pending and 6 new listings came on the market. Oh, and we have 6 homes offered for lease - these are pretty good statistics. Huntington Woods is holding its own in a market that is certainly making waves.

When it is time to put your house on the market and when you look at numbers it is important that you know what is behind the numbers. Some houses appear to have sold in say 30 days, however when you look at the history of that home, it has actually been on the market for 230 days. It sold in 30 days only after it came to the right price. Currently homes are listed at $148/sq ft - went pending at $137/sq ft and actually sold for $115/sq ft. These are the numbers that have to be addressed when you want to sell. It is so important to really take a close look at your goals (financial and otherwise) so the the proper marketing plan can be created for your house.

Homes are selling! They are still selling for less - so both the Buyer and the Seller get an advantage - what you lose (or don't make) on one side, you make up on the other side in a purchase price. There is still talk about extending the $8,000 tax credit to first time home buyers and perhaps opening it up to others in the home buying population. This has been an unbelievable boost to the real estate market. Our office alone wrote $30,000,000 worth of business last month - this is a huge number in any market.

If you are thinking of buying or selling your home, have any questions about the process - need info on short sales, leasing, foreclosures, or just about anything real estate  - I'm here.  edee

Fall is here - so is Pumpkin Day!

I love this time of the year - The crispness in the air, the donuts and the cider - and of course Halloween and the pumpkins. This year I am working on a really really good soup - I'll post it later or bring a copy to Pumpkin Day Huntington Woods - on the 17th - Saturday - 11am - 2 pm at the Huntington Woods Lutheran Church on 11 Mile. I am also going to use this opportunity to start this blog site over again.

I am going to recommit to new and interesting information about our community - the community at large and well just more useful information so you will come back and share your thoughts too. Check out the photos from prior years and stop by so I can start a new gallery. edee

The 4th of July is coming

I love the Holidays...I love any holiday...and I especially love the 4th of July in Huntington Woods. The parade, the fireworks and the memories. I remember as a kid watching them and hearing them from my bedroom window some years. As I got older it was fun to join the crowds of families enjoying and "oooooing and ahhhhing" right up close. This year as a special touch I have decided to line the streets of Huntington Woods with American Flags. What better tribute to a country that I love and a city that I love than to bring the two together in the spirit of community, beauty and love. With all that is going on in the world that is confusing, maddening and frightening there is for me, and I suspect many others, a belief and trust that we will prevail as a country and a people as we have in the past. I love being an American. I love being a part of and resident of Huntington Woods. Both have a sense of self and community and a Spirit that is untouchablee. Both carry a Pride that just feels good. Happy 4th of July to all of my neighbors and friends..

On a tectonical note. There is a glitch in this blog site that I am in the process of repairing. When you blog it takes you to a military site. Since I will distributing flags today, if you come to blog and it doesn't work, please come back. I should have it back up and running smoothly by this afternoon.  Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts.  edee

Is Huntington Woods ready for the change of season?

 The weather is changing and while driving the streets this weekend it looks like everyone is ready. Brooms and rakes and soccer balls - we all want to get outside. It's a good time to walk around the house and do a visual of what needs to be done to keep your home in tip-top shape. Here are a few suggestions:

• Outside inspection. Check your entire house for any damage to the roof and exterior walls.
• Gutter Cleaning. Make sure gutters are clean.
• Window maintenance. Clean and install screen windows and doors.  Also, lubricate window channels for easier opening and closing.
• HVAC Maintenance. Have your unit inspected and clean all the vents to ensure proper operation. 
• Landscaping.  Check for downed branches and dead trees. Look at shrubs an bushes and where the house can be spruced up with flowering plants or a new design.
• Sprinkler System. Have your system checked for leakage and heads that could have been broken over the winter.

If you need any help in finding a handy man or an inspector, just give me a call - I can lead you in a good direction. 248-229-6021.   edee

Obama's Forclosure Prevention Plan

Last Thursday the administration unveiled a Website to assist homeowners to determine whether they are eligible for assistance in foreclosure prevention. The site can be found at makinghomeaffordable.gov. In Obama's plan, monthly mortgage payments can be reduced to no more that 31% of the borrowers' pre-tax income or makes it possible to refinance eligible mortgages even if the homeowner has little or no equity. There are also thousands of dollars offered to borrowers as incentives to participate in the program,

 

This website helps homeowners determine whether they would qualify for either refinancing or loan modification. There are questions that help you see if you qualify for the program - the interactive tool is very helpful in showing the borrower how low their payment could go. For example: if you earn $4000 a month and you pay $1400 a month, you could see your payment drop to $1250 under the modification plan.

 

The refinancing tool provides links to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and lets borrowers determine whether they have loans held by either mortgage finance company, a key eligibility criteria for this program. You will also find a checklist of the financial documents you will need when applying for the program, i.e., pay stubs, tax returns and credit card statements.

 

Feel free to give me a call 248.229.6021 and I will be happy to direct you to competent servicers who can assist you in this process.   edee