Monday, March 2, 2015

The Green Thing


               
The "Green Thing"               Author Unknown

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the much older lady that she should bring her own grocery bags, because plastic bags are not good for the environment.  The woman apologized to the young girl and explained, "We didn't have this 'green thing' back in my earlier days."

The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today.  Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

The older lady said that she was right - our generation didn't have the 'green thing' in its day. 

The older lady went on to explain:  Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store.  The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over.  So they really were recycled.  But we didn't have the 'green thing' back in our day.

 Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags that we reused for numerous things.  Most memorable besides household garbage bags was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our school books.  This was to ensure that public property (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings.  Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags.  But, too bad we didn't do the 'green thing' back then.

We walked up stairs because we didn't have an escalator or elevator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn't have the 'green thing' in our day.

Back then we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind.  We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts.  Wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days.  Kids got hand -me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right; we didn't have the 'green thing' back in our day.

Back then we had one TV or radio in the house - not a TV in every room.  And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief(remember them?) not a screen the size of the state of Montana.  In the kitchen we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us.  When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.  Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power.  We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club and use the machines powered by electricity. But she's right; we didn't have the 'green thing' back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blade in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn't have the 'green thing' back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24 hour taxi service in the family's $45,000 SUV or van, which cost what a whole house did before the 'green thing'.

We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. We didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the 'green thing' back then? 
  

Monday, February 16, 2015

Thought for the Day


The Law of SUCCESS

Give Thanks Every Day
by Napoleon Hill
 

Many successful men and women claim they are "self-made." But the fact is that no one reaches the pinnacle without help. Once you have set your definite major goal for success—and taken your first steps to achieve it—you find yourself receiving help from many unexpected quarters. You must be prepared to give thanks for both the human and Divine help you receive.

Gratitude is a beautiful word. It is beautiful because it describes a state of mind that is deeply spiritual in nature. It enhances one's personality with magnetic charm, and it is the master key that opens the door to the magic powers and the beauty of Infinite Intelligence. Gratitude, like other traits of the pleasing personality, is simply a matter of habit. But it's also a state of mind. Unless you sincerely feel the gratitude you express, your words will be hollow and empty—and sound as phony as the sentiment you offer.

Gratitude and graciousness are closely akin. By consciously developing a sense of gratitude, your personality will become more courtly, dignified and gracious. Never let a day pass without a few minutes spent in giving thanks for your blessings. Remember that gratitude is a matter of comparison. Compare circumstances and events against what they might have been. You'll become aware that no matter how bad things are, they could be much worse—and you'll be grateful they aren't.

Three phrases should be among the most common in your daily usage. They are "Thank you." "I'm grateful. . . " and "I appreciate. . ."

Be thoughtful. Try to find new and unique ways to express your gratitude. Not necessarily in material gifts, however. Time and effort are more precious, and the amount of these you dispense in showing gratefulness will be well worthwhile.

And don't forget to be thankful to those who are closest to you—your wife or husband, other relatives, and those you associate with daily, whom you might tend to neglect. You are probably more indebted to them than you realize.

Gratitude takes on new meaning—new life and power—when spoken aloud. Your family probably knows you are grateful for their faith and hope in you. But tell them so! Frequently! You'll find a new spirit pervading the household.

Make your gratitude creative. Make it work for you. For example, have you ever thought of writing the boss a simple note telling him how much you like your job and how grateful you are for the opportunities it offers? The shock power of such creative gratitude will bring you to his attention—and could even bring you a raise. Gratitude is infectious. He might catch the bug and find concrete ways of expressing his gratefulness for the good services you are rendering.

Remember there's always something to be grateful for. Even the prospect who turns down a salesman should be thanked for the time he spent listening. He'll be more likely to buy next time.

Gratitude costs nothing. But it's a big investment in the future!

Friday, January 16, 2015

Reminder: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday 1/19/15

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy to a friend"    Martin Luther King Jr.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Be Thankful


Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

~Author Unknown

Saturday, November 1, 2014

3 Questions to Ask Before Buying a House

3 Questions to Ask Before Buying a House
 

1. Why am I buying a home in the first place?


This truly is the most important question to answer. Forget the finances for a minute. Why did you even begin to consider purchasing a home? For most, the reason has nothing to do with finances. A study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University reveals that the four major reasons people buy a home have nothing to do with money:

  • A good place to raise children and for them to get a good education
  • A place where you and your family feel safe
  • More space for you and your family
  • Control of the space

What non-financial benefits will you and your family derive from owning a home? The answer to that question should be the biggest reason you decide to purchase or not.

2. Where are home values headed?


When looking at future housing values, Home Price Expectation Survey provides a fair assessment. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists about where prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of all 100+ experts into a single number. Here is what the experts projected in the latest survey:

  • Home values will appreciate by 4% in 2015.
  • The cumulative appreciation will be 19.5% by 2018.
  • Even the experts making up the most bearish quartile of the survey still are projecting a cumulative appreciation of over 11.2% by 2018.

3. Where are mortgage interest rates headed?


A buyer must be concerned about more than just prices. The 'long term cost' of a home can be dramatically impacted by an increase in mortgage rates. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Association of RealtorsFannie Mae and Freddie Mac have all projected that mortgage interest rates will increase by approximately one full percentage over the next twelve months.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Thought For The Day.....7/10/14

There is a vast difference between failure and temporary defeat.

 There is no such thing as failure, unless it is accepted as such. Every defeat is temporary unless you give up and allow it to become permanent. In fact, temporary defeat often makes us stronger and more capable. Each time we try and fail, we learn something that helps prepare us for eventual success. Only in the classroom is there a single correct answer for every problem. If you try an approach that doesn’t work, try something else. When you view adversity as nothing more than a learning experience, your successes in life will far outnumber your failures.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Great Tips For Home Maintenance

Brought to you by:

Lee Ramey
Mold & Mildew Solutions / To The Rescue
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In this issue...
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TIPS

Light Bulb Buying Guide

Standard 40, 60, 75 and 100 watt incandescent bulbs can no longer be sold. CNET says, " With all of the new options out there (not to mention the disappearance of some important old ones), finding the perfect bulb can seem pretty daunting. New lights that promise to last 20 years and save you hundreds of dollars might sound good in theory, but how do you know which one is the right one for you? How do you know the bulb you're buying is going to be bright enough? And what if you're just not ready to say goodbye to your incandescents?” Fear not, because they've got you covered with a handy guide that's chock-full of all the information you'll need to make sure that your next light bulb is the right bulb.



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Bob Vila's Essential Toolbox

Home Improvement and DIY guru Bob Vila says," Whether you’re a rookie handyman or a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, a range of basic tools is essential to doing the small jobs around the house… What tools will you need? Your skills and the kinds of jobs you do must be your guide, but a good basic selection would include a tape measure, square, and torpedo level for measuring and setting. A handsaw or handheld circular saw; a utility knife; a cordless drill; and maybe a glass cutter will take care of your cutting and drilling tasks. For fastening, how about a small set of screwdrivers; a staple gun; pairs of electrician’s, waterpump, and locking pliers; and a hammer?" See the article.



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Install an Electrical Outlet with Built-in USB Ports

To a reader's question about installing electrical outlets with built-in USB charging ports, Popular Mechanics replied, "These receptacles are great—they eliminate the need for bulky USB adapters that hog valuable outlet space. They are especially useful by the bed, where many of us stash all kinds of USB-equipped devices, such as phones, tablets, and e-readers. That stuff competes for space on a standard duplex outlet that may already be serving a desk lamp or a clock. But to answer your question: Yes, USB receptacles are fairly easy to install, but there are a few things you should know before you switch off the breaker and remove your old outlet."

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

WHY ARE NEW HOMES GETTING SO BIG?


New post on Eye on Housing


 

Why are New Homes Getting so Big? Look at Who’s Buying Them

Preliminary data provided to NAHB by the Census Bureau on the characteristics of homes started in 2013 show the trend toward larger homes continued unabated last year, as did the share of new homes with 4+ bedrooms, 3+ full baths, 2-stories, or 3-car garages.  The average size of new homes started in 2013[1] was 2,679 square feet, about 150 square feet larger than in 2012 and the fourth consecutive annual increase since bottoming out at 2,362 square feet in 2009.
fig1New homes started in 2013 were also more likely to have additional features: nearly half, 48%, had 4 or more bedrooms; 35% had 3 or more full bathrooms; 22% had a garage for at least 3 cars; and 60% were 2-stories.  The share of new homes started with these features has been increasing consistently for 3 or 4 years, and the most obvious question is “why?” Why are homes getting this BIG?
fig2To get an answer, just take a look at WHO is buying new homes?  The typical new home buyer in recent years has been someone with strong credit scores and high levels of income.  To the first point, the graph below shows how the average credit rating of all US consumers has remained rather flat over the last few years (blue line), while the average credit rating of mortgage borrowers (red line) took a dramatic jump after 2007.  By 2013, the gap between the two measures was 58 points, compared to 33 points in the early 2000s.
fig3
To the second point, the graph below shows the rising trend in new home buyers’ income in recent years.  In 2005, the median income of new home buyers was $91,768.  By 2011, it had increased by more than 17% to $107,607.  It is not too surprising, therefore, to see home size and features continuing to trend upward, given that those buying new homes are precisely the kind of buyers who generally purchase large, feature-loaded homes.
fig4

[1] Preliminary data cover first half of the year.
Rose Quint | February 25, 2014 at 10:40 am | Tags: economics, home building, housing, housing economics | Categories: Data | URL: http://wp.me/pRufg-2B4

Saturday, January 11, 2014

The New Welfare Map




These 11 States now have More People on Welfare than they do Employed! Last month, the Senate Budget Committee reports that in fiscal year 2012, between food stamps, housing support, child care, Medicaid and other benefits, the average U.S. Household below the poverty line received $168.00 a day in government support.
What's the problem with that much support? Well, the median household income in America is just over $50,000, which averages out to $137.13 a day. To put it another way, being on welfare now pays the equivalent of $30.00 an hour for a 40-hour week, while the average job pays $20.00 an hour.
*************************************
Furthermore:
There are actually two messages here. The first is very interesting, but the second is absolutely astounding - and explains a lot.
A recent "Investor's Business Daily" article provided very interesting statistics from a survey by the United Nations International Health Organization.
Percentage of men and women who survived a cancer five years after diagnosis:

U.S. 65%
England 46%
Canada 42%

Percentage of patients diagnosed with diabetes who received treatment within six months:

U.S. 93%
England 15%
Canada 43%

Percentage of seniors needing hip replacement who received it within six months:

U.S. 90%
England 15%
Canada 43%

Percentage referred to a medical specialist who see one within one month:

U.S. 77%
England 40%
Canada 43%

Number of MRI scanners (a prime diagnostic tool) per million people:

U.S. 71
England 14
Canada 18

Percentage of seniors (65+), with low income, who say they are in "excellent health":

U.S. 12%
England 2%
Canada 6%

*************************************

And now..for the last statistic:

 

National Health Insurance?

 

U.S. NO

England YES

Canada YES

*************************************
Check the last set of statistics!!

The percentage of each past president's cabinet... who had worked in the private business sector...prior to their appointment to the cabinet. You know what the private business sector is; a real-life business...not a government job. Here are the percentages.

T. Roosevelt................38%
Taft.............................40%
Wilson .......................52%
Harding.......................49%
Coolidge......................48%
Hoover.........................42%
F. Roosevelt.................50%
Truman........................50%
Eisenhower..................57%
Kennedy.......................30%
Johnson.......................47%
Nixon............................53%
Ford.............................42%
Carter...........................32%
Reagan........................56%
GH Bush......................51%
Clinton ........................39%
GW Bush.....................55%
Obama............... 8%

This helps explain the incompetence of this administration:
ONLY 8% of them...have ever worked in private business!
That's right! Only eight percent---the least, by far, of the last 19 presidents! And these people are trying to tell our big corporations...how to run their business?

How can the president of a major nation and society...the one with the most successful economic system in world history, stand and talk about business...when he's never worked for one? Or about jobs...when he has never really had one? And, when it's the same for 92% of his senior staff and closest advisers? They've spent most of their time in academia, government, and/or non-profit jobs. Or...as "community organizers."

They should have been in an employment line.

Pass this on, because we'll NEVER see these facts...in the main stream media!!!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Silver Pockets Full


This is the only time you see this phenomenon in your life.
                                      
Calendar August 2014
Zon
My
Din
Woe
Don
Vrij
Zat
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August, next year, will have 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This happens only once every 823 years. The Chinese call it 'Silver pockets full. " So: send this message to your friends and in four days money will surprise you.  Based on Chinese Feng Shui. Whoever does not transmit the message ... may find themselves poor.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

October Home Tasks

To prevent freezing detach hoses and remove all paints, caulks and liquid materials from garage or garden sheds. Inspect weather stripping around doors and windows and repair or replace if necessary. Set thermostats and automatic sprinklers for winter. Clean gutters after leaves have fallen. Make sure downspouts are in good repair. Check gauges on home fire extinguishers to ensure a full charge: replace if necessary. To prevent duct fires and save energy have dryer exhaust duct and vent professionally inspected and cleaned every one to three years, depending on how often you use the dryer (remove lint from dryer filter after each use). To avoid water damage check washing machine hoses for leaks, cracks or bulging. Also prevent water damage and electrical malfunctions by inspecting water heater for rust or cracks (drain the tank every six months).

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Thought For The Day

Some people are never free from troubles, mainly because they keep their minds attuned to worry.  the mind attracts what is dwells on.

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