tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17025951858202495232024-03-12T20:21:38.886-07:00Whine Country ChroniclesCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-89908908817677349182008-08-07T15:33:00.000-07:002008-08-07T20:50:57.538-07:00I've Had the Time of My LifeIt's been such a fun ride for me--writing this blog and getting to know some of you. I have no complaints and every bit of it has been a blast! At this point in my life and in the growth of our family and business, I have no choice but to end the run of this blog. The great news is that, after over a year of steady increases, the company that we started from absolutely nothing (technically, it Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-25975575709378175802008-07-28T10:22:00.000-07:002008-07-28T10:29:20.871-07:00Confessions of a Former TV AddictHere is the column that I wrote for the August edition of The Temecula Bugle:We fell in love with Wine Country Temecula the first time we drove through. We wanted acreage, but couldn’t find the right area—until our jaunt through the groves and vineyards.It was 2003 and finding a home proved to be a race. Every time we wanted to make an offer, someone beat us to it. We finally purchased a house onCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-47762327185108300882008-07-24T19:10:00.000-07:002008-07-24T19:13:03.908-07:00Time, What's Become of You?No time to post for a few days. I'll try to be back as soon as possible--maybe this weekend. Not sure. It's all good! Business has me hopping and my other writing obligations take priority. I have a few posts in draft form that I need to edit before I publish, so I'll try to get to it soon.Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-86715617640275475642008-07-23T00:33:00.000-07:002008-07-23T00:33:00.942-07:00Back in TimeWouldn't it be great to go back and revisit some of the happiest times of your life (assuming that you've had good times)?In 1996, we moved from the stadium area of San Diego to Sabre Springs, a north San Diego suburb near Poway. I started homeschooling that year. A friend of mine, who has never homeschooled, introduced me to a group in the Poway area. This started some of the best times in my Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-80171074379972458002008-07-20T20:35:00.000-07:002008-07-20T20:39:52.112-07:00A Picture Is Worth Thousands of Square FeetI had told you about how commercial properties and developments keep popping up regardless of the state of the economy. If big corporations are behind all the building, I can understand how they can float the cost until a recovery takes place.But what do you make of regular homeowners adding on and improving their homes now? I know the market will recover, but spending tons of money on a Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-32397285249970376812008-07-17T15:43:00.001-07:002008-07-17T16:09:28.763-07:00The Deal of the CenturyWell, maybe not the century, but definitely the decade. We owned two just like it, one on the same street. The floor plan is wonderful, but the lot is the size of a postage stamp--literally (Z lot--meaning that eves from this house and one next door over lap with each other). The one we bought on this street was our very first rental. We paid $187,000 in 2000, including the upgrades, and sold it Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-23364900520572654602008-07-17T05:33:00.000-07:002008-07-17T05:33:00.625-07:00How Would You Like to Have This Job?I think this is worse than the foreclosure auctioneer.Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-82880616041443806132008-07-16T06:00:00.000-07:002008-07-16T06:00:01.371-07:00DistractionsGuess what my husband and I have been doing for the last few days. Focusing on our business? No. Concerned about the bank situation.If you're reading the mainstream media or any of the blog sites that like to elicit panic, you know that any bank that has real estate loans on its books is in danger of failing. The more they have, the worse off they are. Many analysts believe that other banks will Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-33685964973228679782008-07-14T00:33:00.000-07:002008-07-14T00:33:00.421-07:00Business NewsYou may have noticed that I didn't post much about business or real estate last week. I was teaching a class of fourth graders at Vacation Bible School. I hadn't been returning home with the kids until mid-afternoon (because we live in the boondocks), so I don't know much about what's going on in this world. I'll have to do some major catching up this week.However, I do know what's going on in Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-3750238084926060592008-07-11T00:08:00.000-07:002008-07-11T06:21:24.019-07:00Yet Another Advantage to Living in Whine CountryWe've lived out in the "country" for five years now. I have to say that, so far, this is the worst year for summer bugs. Winter is nice because there are few crawling critters and flies. When the temperature goes up, though, we have enough bugs to make an entomologist jealous.I have had ants and spiders crawl up my arms and legs--or on my bed and in my nose. I woke up choking on a little spider Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-87788574205691709722008-07-10T06:57:00.000-07:002008-07-10T20:32:51.365-07:00"Things You Don't Say To Your Wife" by Tim HawkinsCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-43064745768985288172008-07-08T06:03:00.000-07:002008-07-08T06:03:00.325-07:00Where Did You Put My Underwear?Here is a copy of my column in the July edition of the The Murrieta Bugle:How difficult is it to sort, fold, and properly distribute the laundry? Evidently, in my household of nine, it's impossible.I'm more than happy to wash several giant loads of laundry every other day. When it comes out of the dryer, it's stacked sky high on our couch. For a day and a half (longer on weekends), we're Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-71606551655356648932008-07-07T05:42:00.000-07:002008-07-13T07:23:08.704-07:00Here's Your ChanceFor the past few months, I've noticed a large vineyard on Rancho California Road that seemed to be a bit neglected. The vines are growing quite nicely, but the acreage is marred by weeds and tall grass.Today, the property was lined with "Private Auction" signs along its frontage, and one giant sign on the corner. So, of course, I rushed home and looked it up. Here is your chance to own your very Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-3939782610149955592008-07-04T06:45:00.000-07:002008-07-04T22:39:34.828-07:00No Whining TodayAs much as celebrating the 4th of July is a great tradition for this country, it's a shame that we need a reminder to appreciate that which we so frequently take for granted. We have freedoms that so few other countries enjoy. My dad, who served in the Army-Air Force in WWII, would wake me every morning and tell me to be grateful that I have the privilege to live in the United States of America. Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-74303780394019036172008-07-02T23:14:00.000-07:002008-07-03T22:28:11.206-07:00Texas RoofUpdate: As of the end of today, my insurance company didn't return either of my calls. I've told you about the possible roof damage to our rental in Texas due to earlier hail storms.After my property manager said that he would have a roofer check it out, I never heard back from him. So I e-mailed him twice more. This was the response that I finally received:Dear Carol,I am sorry no one got back Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-83409422801249432322008-07-01T09:22:00.000-07:002008-07-01T09:54:28.814-07:00They're Not Extensions"Your hair is getting so long!"I hear that at least once a day from my friends. I guess it is long, but I haven't really noticed. The people who I know now have never seen me with hair too far below my shoulders, so the current length must be a shock to them.My local friends all have great hair. I can't think of one who changes their style. They look good all the time and take great pains in Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-16490748712469321602008-06-28T15:56:00.000-07:002008-07-02T23:06:22.612-07:00Multi-Family ForeclosureSorry, folks, but I couldn't remember when I posted last or what I posted about. I was shocked when I logged on to find that I hadn't updated my blog since Wednesday. Too long! I haven't looked at my site meter in months.I have a bunch of material (really, I do) but don't have the time to put it up lately. I want to update you about where our business is going, but that will have to wait for Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-58701540779151985182008-06-25T22:28:00.000-07:002008-06-25T22:28:15.380-07:00Do Fingerprints Count As Confidential Information?We reorganized the office last weekend. We were able to throw out catalogs and other unnecessary items, and shift desks. When I cleaned off a desk and shelves, which my husband wasn't using, for my own personal space, he decided that he liked it better and moved in. No problem. I just cleared off the desk he had occupied, so that I could finally have someplace to put my ever burgeoning workload (Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-56141347765227660532008-06-24T07:50:00.000-07:002008-07-02T23:26:30.229-07:00Reward for Being ResponsibleWe see and read much of the plight of homeowners who are experiencing foreclosure. For most, we now know that it's due to rising interest rates and unmanageable new payments. We've been told about rotting pools, abandoned pets, homeless children, and vandalized properties, and bankrupt lenders.In some areas the foreclosure rate is estimated to be as high as 40-50%. When I drive through some Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-10550869774359901092008-06-20T00:07:00.000-07:002008-06-25T22:30:20.318-07:00Homeschoolers Threaten Our Cultural ComfortThanks to MB for this article.*SONNY SCOTT: Homeschoolers threaten our cultural comfort *6/8/2008 Daily JournalYou see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.It's a big family by today's standards - "just like stair steps," as the old folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair and girls with braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom through the store as she fills Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-3347322279940048042008-06-18T16:32:00.000-07:002008-06-18T16:33:32.067-07:00Hats Off to Single Working ParentsFor the past 11 days, I've been a single working mom.No, it's not what you think. I'm not permanently single. My husband took our two oldest sons to Rome for their respective graduations. A few years ago, when he was working for a Catholic non-profit agency, he organized a trip to Rome. Unfortunately for me that year, he also went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, a couple of cruises, and other Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-14047144067105890722008-06-12T21:07:00.000-07:002008-06-12T21:09:48.575-07:00Can't Blame HimI'm extremely busy this week and have many work-related duties outside the home. Since I'm dealing mostly with suppliers, I've been able to take the children with me. I also had to drop off some orders. One was at a school, so I thought that I'd take the kids so they could see what one looks like. I walked into the administrative offices and had to stifle my gasp. It was beautiful and resembled aCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-18081673103362242712008-06-10T00:27:00.000-07:002008-06-10T00:27:01.927-07:00How HUD’s Mortgage Policy Fed The CrisisPut down your fork. Here's an article that you don't want to read while you're eating. It really made me sick.Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-51281325332437074742008-06-09T08:30:00.000-07:002008-06-15T13:41:00.892-07:00Who Benefits From Class Actions?Lawyers.But you probably already knew the answer to that one. No offense to my many legitimate attorney friends.It seems that almost every week we receive a notice of a class action, of which someone in my family is fortunate enough to be in the "class." It seems that the lawyers are working overtime to find something to sue big corporations for. Whether it be cell phone service, automobile Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702595185820249523.post-33735913074837585222008-06-05T20:36:00.000-07:002008-06-05T20:50:51.694-07:00Outside My Kitchen WindowI woke up early this morning and did the first thing that I do every morning after I leave my bedroom. I moseyed up to my kitchen window to take in the peaceful view. Today I noticed, through an opening in the wall of trees at our property line, that there were people on the other side taking pictures. I thought it was rather odd to be posing for photos at 6:00 in the morning on an empty field. Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630416235731386998noreply@blogger.com