We had our flock social tonight. Flock is an acronym for fellowship, leadership, outreach, caring and knowledge and is in reference to Henderson Hills Baptist Church.
Tonight the men had an "iron chef"dessert contest. The winner was an awesome German chocolate cake recipe from Gordon's grandma. He said that in the day they actually grated fresh coconut for it. I am sure they baked it over hot coals as well. Second was Ron's Big Kahuna. It was very good but looked more like it should have had a bit daintier name.
Third were Bob's crepes. They were quite good. He should have won just for tackling crepes. I cannot imagine a man with that kind of patience.
After this I am sure we will be seeing some real man behavior to cancel out any feminine side that may have emmerged.
The girls had lots of time to catch up. It was really fun, thanks to Jeannenne for hosting.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Advise from the Next Generation
Since I am not of the blogging generation, I often ask my daughter for help. She is amazing. One speck of advice is that I am not supposed to replace articles. Another is that I am supposed to blog daily rather than trying to play catch up. She and I are planning a road trip from Tampa to Kansas. I am looking forward to spending a lot of extra time with her and the boys, namely Eric, Mark, Zack and Ben. These good looking men are 6,5, almost 3 and 1. It should be a blast.
We will meet my son and his bride in Panama City which should also be fun. I am so excited.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Lawn and Garden Tips:
Rules of Thumb for Water Use on Lawns and Gardens:
One deep watering is much better than watering several times lightly.
Lawns need about 1 inch of water each week. If the weather is very hot, apply an inch of water about every 3 days.
Watering to a depth of 4-6 inches encourages deeper, healthier root development. It allows longer periods between watering.
To measure the water, put an empty tuna can (or cat food can) on the lawn while watering. Stop watering when the can is full or if you notice water running off the lawn.
One deep watering is much better than watering several times lightly.
Lawns need about 1 inch of water each week. If the weather is very hot, apply an inch of water about every 3 days.
Watering to a depth of 4-6 inches encourages deeper, healthier root development. It allows longer periods between watering.
To measure the water, put an empty tuna can (or cat food can) on the lawn while watering. Stop watering when the can is full or if you notice water running off the lawn.
Quote of the Week
Truth is always about something,
but reality is that about which truth is. C. S. Lewis
but reality is that about which truth is. C. S. Lewis
Preparing for Homeownership
Homebuying GuidesEven before you begin looking for a home, the homebuying process requires diligent preparation. Buyers who have been preapproved for a home loan often have their offers taken more seriously by sellers. With advance preparation, you can tackle the process of acquiring the financing you need with more confidence. To help you on the path to homeownership, NeighborWorks® offers* free step-by-step guides, developed by the Fannie Mae Foundation, that can help you get closer to achieving your dream:
Knowing and Understanding Your Credit
Opening the Door to a Home of Your Own
Choosing the Mortgage that's Right for You
Borrowing Basics: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
T hese authoritative homebuying guides (in PDF format) are available in nine languages, including English, Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. You can download a guide or order a print version online from HomeBuyingGuide.org.
Knowing and Understanding Your Credit
Opening the Door to a Home of Your Own
Choosing the Mortgage that's Right for You
Borrowing Basics: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
T hese authoritative homebuying guides (in PDF format) are available in nine languages, including English, Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. You can download a guide or order a print version online from HomeBuyingGuide.org.
Permanent Loan Limit Increase would be good for Homeownership, Says NAR
WASHINGTON, May 22, 2008
Making the temporary loan limit increases authorized by the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 permanent will give families in high-cost areas equal access to fair and affordable loans on a continuous basis, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
“Congress created Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to provide liquidity and stability to the mortgage markets. Making the Economic Stimulus Act limits permanent will significantly boost home buyer, lender and investor confidence and will bring more families in high-cost areas back to the marketplace with greater access to affordable financing,” said Realtor® Vince Malta, Chair of NAR’s Public Policy Coordinating Committee, in testimony before the House Financial Services Committee today. “This will also make more affordable interest rates available for families regardless of where they live because of the added liquidity to the mortgage market. We believe the result will be additional sales, lower inventories, and stronger home prices.”
Research studies have found that home prices have the biggest impact on foreclosures, and that strengthening and stabilizing home prices would reduce foreclosures.
“While jumbo mortgages were once associated with luxury housing, today every region of the country has areas that qualify for jumbo conforming loans,” said Malta. NAR estimates that adopting permanent high-cost area limits of 125 percent of the local median home sales price, up to $729,750, will allow more than 500,000 homeowners to refinance into lower interest rate loans every year, helping to reduce foreclosures by as many as 210,000. Additionally, this would generate over $35 billion in increased economic activity, strengthen home prices by 2 to 3 percent, increase home sales by up to 350,000 and save homeowners up to $600 per month.
“For all of these reasons, NAR urges Congress to make the Economic Stimulus Act loan limit increases permanent. Doing so is the right move for the nation’s housing markets and economy and is a matter of simple equity for American families residing in higher cost areas. Stability is what we are after and stability is what this action would provide,” Malta said.
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
Making the temporary loan limit increases authorized by the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 permanent will give families in high-cost areas equal access to fair and affordable loans on a continuous basis, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
“Congress created Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to provide liquidity and stability to the mortgage markets. Making the Economic Stimulus Act limits permanent will significantly boost home buyer, lender and investor confidence and will bring more families in high-cost areas back to the marketplace with greater access to affordable financing,” said Realtor® Vince Malta, Chair of NAR’s Public Policy Coordinating Committee, in testimony before the House Financial Services Committee today. “This will also make more affordable interest rates available for families regardless of where they live because of the added liquidity to the mortgage market. We believe the result will be additional sales, lower inventories, and stronger home prices.”
Research studies have found that home prices have the biggest impact on foreclosures, and that strengthening and stabilizing home prices would reduce foreclosures.
“While jumbo mortgages were once associated with luxury housing, today every region of the country has areas that qualify for jumbo conforming loans,” said Malta. NAR estimates that adopting permanent high-cost area limits of 125 percent of the local median home sales price, up to $729,750, will allow more than 500,000 homeowners to refinance into lower interest rate loans every year, helping to reduce foreclosures by as many as 210,000. Additionally, this would generate over $35 billion in increased economic activity, strengthen home prices by 2 to 3 percent, increase home sales by up to 350,000 and save homeowners up to $600 per month.
“For all of these reasons, NAR urges Congress to make the Economic Stimulus Act loan limit increases permanent. Doing so is the right move for the nation’s housing markets and economy and is a matter of simple equity for American families residing in higher cost areas. Stability is what we are after and stability is what this action would provide,” Malta said.
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Quote of the Week
It is not that we fail to know that God is and who God is; it is that we refuse to believe what we know to be true. R.C. Sproul
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