IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHY YOU FAILED, YOU ARE NO WISER THAN WHEN YOU BEGAN

There’s an old adage that those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. So it is with our failures. Unless we learn from our mistakes, we are likely to repeat them until we learn from such experiences and correct our course-or give up and accept temporary defeat as permanent failure. Every setback you encounter in life contains valuable information that, if you study it carefully, will eventually lead you to success. Without adversity, you would never develop wisdom, and without wisdom, success would be short lived indeed. When you make a mistake, say, "That’s good! I’ve gotten that out of the way. I will never do that again." You will no doubt make other mistakes, but they won’t bother you nearly as much when you treat them as learning experiences.

THOSE WHO CREATE GOOD FELLOWSHIP AMONG OTHERS WILL NEVER BE SHORT OF FRIENDS

If you have a friend who goes out of his way to help cement friendships between others, consider yourself fortunate indeed. In today’s frantic, mobile, throwaway society, such individuals are exceedingly rare. With the demands placed upon us by our careers, our families, and the hectic pace of daily life, most of us have little time for ourselves, and even less for our friends. Yet we know that friendship freely given and gratefully received is one of life’s greatest gifts.

Spring Home Tips

SUCCESS REQUIRES NO EXPLANATION; FAILURES MUST BE DOCTORED WITH ALIBIS

The surest way to achieve acceptance in any organization or in any line of work is to be successful. Unfortunately, life doesn’t work that way. No matter how carefully you study a subject, no matter how rationally you make decisions, no matter how well prepared you are, you will occasionally make mistakes. Human beings always do. The important thing is to realize that temporary setbacks are not permanent failures. Successful people recognize that we all experience temporary setbacks that require us to reevaluate our performance and take corrective action to achieve success. They know that adversity is never permanent.

Top Questions Home Buyers Have About the Tax Credit

Some of the more commonly-asked questions, and the answers, include:

How does a home buyer claim the tax credit?

The credit is claimed when the home buyer files or amends their federal income taxes. For qualifying homes purchased in 2009 or 2010, the taxpayer must complete IRS Form 5405 and attach a copy of the settlement statement. In most cases, the settlement statement is a properly executed Form HUD-1.

In circumstances where a HUD-1 is not provided, such as purchasing a mobile home or a newly constructed home, the IRS will accept an executed retail sales contract (mobile homes) or a copy of the certificate of occupancy (new homes).
Does the home buyer have to sell their current home in order to qualify for the $6,500 repeat home buyer tax credit?

A home buyer does not need to sell their current home in order to be eligible for the repeat buyer credit. They can continue to own both homes, and rent or use their former home for something else, as long as it no longer serves as their principal residence. The taxpayer is required to use the new home as their principal residence, and live in it for at least 36 months, or they will have to repay the credit.
Do married couples both have to meet the eligibility requirements in order to claim the credit, even if they file taxes separately?

Both spouses must fully meet all the eligibility requirements for either the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit or the $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit, regardless of if they file joint or separate tax returns. However, if an unmarried couple purchases a home and only one person qualifies, the eligible person may claim the full credit.
Do all home purchases need to be completed by April 30, 2010, in order to be eligible for the credit?

There are two exceptions to the April 30 deadline. If the buyer enters into a binding contract by the deadline, they have until June 30, 2010, to complete the purchase. The deadline has been extended a year, to April 30, 2011, for members of the uniformed services, Foreign Service or employees of the intelligence community who have been on qualified extended duty outside the United States for at least 90 days between January 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010.
NAHB's Web site www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com provides information including eligibility requirements for the $8,000 first-time home buyer and $6,500 repeat buyer tax credits, detailed question and answer sections, and links to additional home-buying resources for consumers.



For more information on the federal housing tax credit, visit www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com or NAHB's Home Buyer Tax Credit Toolkit.

Ross Bridge Community Yard Sale

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.

St Patrick's Day - March 17, 2010

Don't Forget Daylight Savings Time Begins 3/14/10

YOUR JOB WILL DO NO MORE FOR YOU THAN YOU DO FOR IT

Any job contains opportunities for personal growth if you approach it as a positive learning experience. Just as every business is required to adapt to new technologies, new competitors, and countless other changes that routinely occur, so is every individual. If you are not learning and advancing in your job, you are stagnating and falling behind. It is impossible to stand still. View each day as an opportunity to learn something new, to improve yourself, and then do one thing better than you have ever done it before. In a dynamic organization, it is impossible to master every task; just when you think you have everything figured out, things change. Accept such changes as a necessary aspect of business, one that makes life interesting and exciting. You will find your job much more enjoyable when you do, and you will indeed find that it does more for you than you do for it.

THOSE WHO DO MORE THAN THEY ARE PAID FOR WILL SOONER OR LATER BE WILLINGLY PAID FOR MORE THAN THEY DO.

If you consistently do more than you are paid to do-whether you are a professional, an executive, an hourly worker, or an entrepreneur-you will eventually be compensated for far more than you do. If you give more and better service than those around you, customers will beat a path to your door, and your boss will consider you irreplaceable. With the dearth of outstanding service that exists in the world today, you can instantly differentiate yourself from the competition simply by providing good service.

Rates May Be Headed Up Soon...But Why?

You've heard a lot over the last several months about historically low home loan rates...but lately, you've probably been hearing the buzz that interest rates may be heading up in the near future, due in part to the Fed ending their purchases of Mortgage Backed Securities.

All of this begs the question: How and why do rates move...and what is happening right now?

The answer involves a number of factors and can seem complex. But it doesn't have to be!

To help you understand how interest rates move, take a look at this easy to understand video. You'll learn what the Fed has been doing to keep rates low, as well as the connection between interest rates and Mortgage Backed Securities.

Take a look at the video now for an easy explanation: Just click on the title of this article and it will take you to the video...How Rates Move - and What it Means Right Now

ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE THE HABIT OF GOING THE SECOND MILE EVER FIND THE END OF THE RAINBOW

It is a fact of life that most of us try and fail many times before we ultimately achieve the level of success that we desire. You can expect to travel the extra mile many times only to find fool’s gold at the end of your rainbow. But you will most certainly miss out on the great riches that await you if you quit trying. A superficial commitment to doing more than expected based only on what you expect to receive will not sustain you in the long term. Great achievement results from a commitment to do the right thing regardless of the consequences, and that commitment will ultimately lead you to the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow.

REMEMBER THAT EVERY TIME YOU GO THE EXTRA MILE, YOU PLACE SOMEONE UNDER OBLIGATION TO YOU

When you do something to or for another, whether your deeds are good or bad, people feel compelled to "retaliate" in kind. If you are a kind and decent person, you can expect to be treated well in return. If you use others for your own advantage without giving anything in return, you will soon find that they have little use for you. People like working for and with positive, considerate people. Start now to develop the habit of going the extra mile.

Great Superbowl Commercials !!!

Cell Phone Directory Assistance Calling From ATT

As you know, directory assistance calls from your AT&T cell phone cost $1.99 each now and can add up fast. I imagine Verizon and other carriers have a similar fee,

Here's a toll free directory assistance number from AT&T. There is no fee per use like the 4-1-1 call on the cell phone, you only pay for minutes like you would for a call to any other land line. If you have Verizon or other service, I would imagine it would work the same way, but you could check with them.

Here's the 800 Number: 1-800-935-5697 (that's 1-800-YELLOWP ). I have put it in my phone, please put it in yours. Name it what you like, I named it '411' so it would show up at the beginning of the list. Feel free to give to your friends, too!

HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT

Update on the HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT:
The federal law that extends and expands the homebuyer tax credit continues to be the most important news we can share with buyers and sellers.
Who Qualifies for the Extended Credit?
► First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
► To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.
► Current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight
Which Properties Are Eligible?
The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.
How Much Is Available?
►The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000.
►The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.
How is a Buyer's Credit Amount Determined?
Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by two additional factors:
► The price of the home. ► The buyer's income.
PRICE OF THE HOME: Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.
BUYER’S INCOME: Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, which is effective on November 7, 2009, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000—may receive the maximum tax credit. These income limits have changed from the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit limits.
If the Buyer(s)’ Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He or She Still Get a Credit?
Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.
The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income—over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.
Can a Buyer Still Qualify If He or She Closes After April 30, 2010?
Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, as long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close.
Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?
No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount credit will be recouped on the sale. For answers to specific tax questions you may want to contact a tax professional or the IRS: 800-829-1040.
FOR MORE ONLINE: www.realtor.org

Chlorine in Tap Water - What You Should Know

EarthTalk: Chlorine in tap water
Dear EarthTalk: I am very concerned about the amount of chlorine in my tap water. I called my water company and they said it is safe just let the tap run for awhile to rid the smell of the chlorine. But that just gets rid of the smell, perhaps, not the chlorine? -- A.F.Thousands of American municipalities add chlorine to their drinking water to get rid of microbes like nitrates, arsenic and pesticides. But this inexpensive and highly effective disinfectant has a dark side. “Chlorine, added as an inexpensive and effective drinking water disinfectant, is also a known poison to the body,” says Vanessa Lausch of filter manufacturer Aquasana. “It is certainly no coincidence that chlorine gas was used with deadly effectiveness as a weapon in the First World War.” The gas would severely burn the lungs and other body tissues when inhaled, and is no less powerful when ingested by mouth.
Lausch adds that researchers have now linked chlorine in drinking water to higher incidences of bladder, rectal and breast cancers. Reportedly chlorine, once in water, interacts with organic compounds to create trihalomethanes (THMs)—which when ingested encourage the growth of free radicals that can destroy or damage vital cells in the body. “Because so much of the water we drink ends up in the bladder and/or rectum, ingestions of THMs in drinking water are particularly damaging to these organs,” says Lausch. The link between chlorine and bladder and rectal cancers has long been known, but only recently have researchers found a link between common chlorine disinfectant and breast cancer, which affects one out of every eight American women. A recent study conducted in Hartford, Connecticut found that women with breast cancer have 50-60 percent higher levels of organochlorines (chlorine by-products) in their breast tissue than cancer-free women.
But don't think that buying bottled water is any solution. Much of the bottled water for sale in the U.S. comes from public municipal water sources that are often treated with, you guessed it, chlorine. A few cities have switched over to other means of disinfecting their water supplies. Las Vegas, for example, has followed the lead of many European and Canadian cities in switching over to harmless ozone instead of chlorine to disinfect its municipal water supply.
As for getting rid of the chlorine that your city or town adds to its drinking water on your own, theories abound. Some swear by the method of letting their water sit for 24 hours so that the chlorine in the glass or pitcher will off-gas. Letting the tap run for a while is not likely to remove any sizable portion of chlorine, unless one were to then let the water sit overnight before consuming it. Another option is a product called WaterYouWant, which looks like sugar but actually is composed of tasteless antioxidants and plant extracts. The manufacturer claims that a quick shake of the stuff removes 100 percent of the chlorine (and its odor) from a glass a tap water. A year’s supply of WaterYouWant retails for under $30.
Of course, an easier way to get rid of chlorine from your tap water is by installing a carbon-based filter, which absorbs chlorine and other contaminants before they get into your glass or body. Tap-based filters from the likes of Paragon, Aquasana, Kenmore, Seagul and others remove most if not all of the chlorine in tap water, and are relatively inexpensive to boot.
CONTACTS: Aquasana, www.aquasana.com; WaterYouWant, www.wateryouwant.com.
SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk®, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.

Ski Resorts in Alabama - Ski Close to Home

Cloudmont Ski & Golf Resort
PO Box 435
Mentone, County Alabama
256 634-4344
http://www.cloudmont.com
Tips for skiing in Alabama: When it comes to snow, there’s more to do with it than just making snowangels. Skiing – downhill or crosscountry – along with snowboarding are two great winter activities everyone (even a klutz) can enjoy. We’ve gathered a list of resorts near you perfect for winter fun; here are some tips to get the most out of them. Review the stats: Besides snow conditions, you’ll want to know how many trails are available for your level of expertise, and whether lessons are offered. Families will also want to check and see if the resort is suitable for kids. And snowboarders will want to find out if they’re welcome on the hill. Beginners should look for a mountain that has a dedicated area for newbies; the last thing you need are experts whizzing past you as you put a deathgrip on the poles. For the experienced skier, you’ll want some challenging advanced terrain to keep the day interesting. Purchase lift tickets online: Most places let you do this, and often offer a discount. Get a package: No matter what level of skiier you are, a package is the way to go. Resorts may offer anything from a deal that includes all-day lift tickets and equipment to one with hotel rooms and private lessons. Avoid the weekends: Ski mid-week (Tuesday –Thursday) and you’ll avoid the crowds; you may also get a break on the cost, too.

Fabulous 50's Christmas Songs

Here's your own personal Holiday Selection...just click on the one you want to hear....


Fabulous 50's Christmas Songs

A Holly Jolly ChristmasBurl Ives
Away In A MangerLoretta Lynn
Christmas AlphabetThe McGuire Sisters
Christmas Country ChristmasThe Statler Brothers
Christmas In My HometownSonny James
Christmas SongAlvin & The Chipmunks
Christmas Times A ComingBill MonroeAnd The Bluegrass Boys
Christmas WaltzFrank Sinatra
Christmas Without YouKenny RogersDolly Parton
Frosty The SnowmanGene Autry
Grandma Got Run OverBy A ReindeerElmo & Patsy
Hard Rock Candy ChristmasDolly Parton
Hark The Herald Angels SingNat King Cole
Have Yourself A VeryMerry ChristmasRosemary Clooney
Home For The HolidaysPerry Como
Its Beginning To LookA Lot Like ChristmasBing Crosby &The Andrew Sisters
I Saw Mommy KissingSanta ClausJimmy Boyd
Its a Most WonderfulTime Of The YearJohnny Mathis
Jingle Bell RockBobby Helms
Jingle BellsRoy RogersMost Interesting Middle!
Jingle BellsPerry Como
Jingle BellsThe Jingle Bell Piggie
Joy To The WorldNat King Cole
Leroy, the Redneck ReindeerJoe Diffie
Let It SnowAndy Williams
Lets Put ChristBack Into ChristmasTammy Wynette
Little Drummer BoyNeil Diamond
O Christmas TreeNat King Cole
Please Come HomeThe Platters
Pretty PaperRoy Orbison
Rocking Around TheChristmas TreeBrenda Lee
Rudolph The RedNose ReindeerGene Autry
Rudolph The RedNose ReindeerUnknown Group
Santa BabyCynthia Basinet
Santa Claus IsComing To TownBing Crosby
Santa Claus IsWatching YouRay Stevens
Silver BellsBing Crosby/Peggy Lee
Silent NightDean Martin
Sleigh RideJohnny Mathis
The First NoelAndy Williams
Up On The HousetopGene Autry
White ChristmasBing Crosby
White ChristmasThe Drifters (1954)
Winter WonderlandBrenda Lee
ChristmasWith Elvis