Kara's Blog

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE STATS SHOW THAT 8 OUT OF 12 AMERICANS WILL BE A VICTIM OF CRIME AT LEAST ONCE IN THEIR LIFE.   MAYBE WE CAN CHANGE THE STATS.   WE GOTTA TRY - THAT NUMBER IS WAY TOO HIGH.

After reading an associates blog about a recent mail theft incident, I thought I would post a list of prevention tips.     These tips are provided by The City of Orinda, CA -  but apply to everyone! Thank you City of Orinda, CA Police Department. 

Tips to Prevent Theft from Residential Mailboxes and Collection Boxes

• DO NOT leave outgoing mail in your unlocked mailbox.
• DO deposit mail in a blue collection box or inside at your local post office. Use a collection box that is NOT FULL.
• Make sure your mailbox is in good condition. Mailboxes in poor condition often expose mail to theft and bad weather. Your local postmaster can advise you on current postal regulations and steps you can take to improve the condition of your mailbox.
• Promptly pick up your "Incoming" mail once it is delivered to your mailbox.
• Get together with neighbors and the Postal Service and arrange for the neighborhood delivery. These group mailboxes are known as Neighborhood Delivery and Collection Box Units (NDCBU). With an NDCBU mailbox, each address has an individual locked unit for delivery and collection. (Note; A minimum of seven neighbors are needed to sign a petition requesting a NDCBU.
• Purchase a locked mailbox or convert your unlocked box to a lockable type.
• (Look in the telephone directory yellow pages or on the internet under "Mail Boxes" for some informational leads). On your locked box, make sure the mail slot is large enough and safe enough for the letter carrier to insert your mail. (Note: The mail carrier cannot pick up mail from this type of unit.)
• Arrange to have you mail delivered to a Post Office Box for a small fee.
• Consider having regular income checks deposited electronically right into your bank account via Direct Deposit. It's easy and in most cases, it's free! Contact your bank for details.
• To avoid fraudulent use of your checking account in the event your mail is stolen (from your mailbox, from a blue collection box, from a postal vehicle or from your letter carrier), utilize the following suggestions when writing checks to pay your bills:
• Write out in full the payee and memo portions. Fill up the entire lines with letters or a squiggly line.
• Use thick, dark ink (red ink is best) to write your checks. Opt for roller-ball pens. Avoid felt-tip ones.
• Purchase checks through institutions that use tamper-resistant paper and ink.
• Never send cash or coins through the mail. Always send a check or money order instead.
• Promptly report non-receipt of expected credit cards, checks, and other valuable mail to the senders.
• Immediately notify the post office and mailers if you change your address. If you are going on vacation, notify the post office, or have a trusted friend or neighbor pick up your mail promptly after delivery.
• Join a Neighborhood Watch Program  Call your local Police Department/ Public Safety Department.  Remember, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
• Be observant of activities on your street, including those near your letter carrier, his or her postal vehicle, residential mailboxes and collection boxes.
• IMMEDIATELY report any suspicious persons or activity by calling 9-1-1 while suspects are still present. Remember; do not jeopardize your safety, but BE A GOOD WITNESS!
• The Postal Service pays rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of mail thieves. Report suspect or crime information to Postal Inspectors, 877-876-2455.
• READ IT then SHRED IT!!
• Destroy anything with your name, address or other identifying information on it before discarding, especially credit card and home loan applications. Junk mail to you is a gold mine to a thief. They often use those discarded applications to open fraudulent credit accounts in names of unsuspecting victims.

Great tips -   The US Postal Service has this to say:

"

U.S. Postal
Inspectors:
Protecting you
from fraud.

Did you know...?

Every year American consumers lose billions of dollars to fraud. Today's popular schemes range from simple work-at-home scams to credit card and investment fraud; from identity fraud to Internet scams; from medical "cures" to fraudulent prizes, sweep-stakes and foreign lotteries.

You or any member of your family can become a victim of a fraud scheme. Fraudsters may approach you by e-mail, phone or the U.S. Mail. Protect yourself and your family by following these tips:

• Check out offers before making a decision.
  
• Get all information in writing.
  
• Don't give personal information to people or companies you don't know.
  
• Older Americans are particularly vulnerable to scams.
  
• If you respond to even one of these "offers," your name will be added to a "mooch" list-and you'll be targeted again.
  
• Protect your parents or older relatives by sharing these tips with them. "

Thanks again to USPostal Service,and The City of Orinda CA Police Department.  THis is great info to share with family, friends, neighbors, clients, customers, associates....everyone.      ActiveRain may not give me points for this blog, but that doesn't matter right now -  I'd rather get the info out there :)   

You may or may not agree.   I think a rainy day is a perfect day for looking at houses.  You can tell if the gutters are working, if the roof is leaking....and other things that can only be discovered on a rainy day.

I'll never forget the cutest apartment we were looking at.  It was a beautiful, sunny day.  The apartment was great!  Couldn't beat the location!  And the price, wow!   We couldn't believe this was even available.  We wanted it bad :)      And the landlord was great, too.     We were going to be signing the lease on the 15th, but he allowed us to move some belongings in way before that.  Nice guy :)

I couldn't wait to start taking some boxes to the new place.  It was a rainy day, but that didn't bother me.  It's only water, right!       The first thing I noticed when I got there was the waterfall pouring from the roof directly in front of the front door.   Good thing there was another entrance.    The next thing I noticed was as soon as I opened the door.   It hit me right away.  A terrible odor.  ugh.   From what I can remember, it was a bad mix of musty basement/filthydirty oven/and dog urine.   It was gross.  There was no way I was leaving any boxes there, let alone moving in!    Thank goodness it was raining, or it would have been too late by the time we found out. 

Thank you Mother Nature, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!!

Anyone else have any rainy day stories???

I don't know how everyone else does it, but I don't title my blog until I have finished writing.  I usually have a main topic that I plan to write about - and the title usually ends up being pretty much about the subject matter, but sometimes I like to throw a reader off a little, haha.  So that is why I wait till last to fill in the title.  My subject is about the answer to a question that I get asked alot.  How did a Jersey girl end up in Aiken,SC?  It usually one of the first things people ask when they meet me, lol.  It is pretty much the same story that everyone has.  This is the readers digest condensed version:  I came here on vacation - loved Aiken - and moved here......          

This is the full blown version,.  My sister-in-law and her family moved to the area in 1986. They kept saying how nice it was, yet nobody ever went to visit.  Some of their friends went to visit, but nobody from the family.  Well, we finally came down to visit in 1996 - a whole 10 years since they had moved down.  It was during all the excitement of the Olympics in Atlanta, GA - which I learned was only 3 hours away! (and less than 3 hours to the beach - and less than 3 hours to the mountains - and about 7 hours to Disney!!!)  We stayed for two weeks.  It was a little boring out in country where she lived, but when we came to Aiken  - wow. it was nice. We loved it!  What a nice city, everyone is so friendly, the cost of living was so much lower down there than what we were used to, the weather was great!  We saw an ad in the newspaper for apartments for rent - I don't remember exactly, but I think they were like $325/month.  At the time, we were paying $675/month for a small two bedroom.  We thought - OMG, what could they possibly be renting for that price! This is going to be funny - a joke...and what a story we will have for when we get back home, lol.   So we made appointments to go see the apartments.   Well, the joke was on us!  The apartments, although older than ours, were very nice.  Not only was it a great location - it was larger than our present apartment, had a swimming pool on the property, a huge laundry room on the property (we had one washer/dryer in the basement for four apartments to share...ugh), tennis courts, and playground across the street.  We were shocked!  It was great :)   During our 12 hour drive home, after a great vacation, we discussed maybe moving to Aiken.  Our 4th grader was not happy about that at all.  By the time we got home - the decision was made.  We were moving.  We looked at the calendar - picked a date - called the apartments to see if they had one for us.......and we moved to Aiken six weeks later. .....

.........and been loving it ever since :)       

Yes, right here in the center of lil' ole Aiken, SC, pop. @25,000, is Hitchcock Woods. Over 2000 acres - one of the largest urban forests in America. Over 75 miles of walking/riding trails. ONLY HOOF AND FOOT TRAFFIC ALLOWED!! (oh, horse drawn carriages are also permitted) It is so beautiful, that I just don't have the words to describe. Peaceful, serene, beautiful. So many different trees, birds, flowers, animals, plants - even a river of sand running through it.! People have been riding their horses and foxhunting on this land for over 100 years , (It didn't become Hitchcock Woods till 1939), and the hunt continues today. Of course they don't use live foxes...the hounds follow a scent trail......the horses follow the hounds..... up hills, through meadows, over fences...... very exciting! You can walk your dog in The Woods, go for a stroll, jog, take a picnic........ Walking (or riding) along Kalmia Trail in late spring is so pretty with all the Kalmia blooming, and there is another trail where you can see Spanish Moss (like the Old South)..and beautiful wildflowers - - every trail is different, but just as beautiful.

All of this natural beauty and history right here in the middle of our great city!

The Hitchcock Woods are not funded by The City - but depends on private support.

If you want to learn more about The Hitchcock Woods... you could visit: www.hitchcockwoods.org

Check it out on Google Earth! It is pretty cool. Look at Central Park.... then look at The Hitchcock Woods.

As far as real estate goes....The Hitchcock Woods is like our ocean.....and the property surrounding it is prime beach front property!! LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!! And ohhh - the homes that Aiken's Winter Colony built are absolutely AMAZING! but that will be a different blog!

That's right - you heard me, lol.  The way I look at it, everytime a buyer picks a house to look at , it's like setting up a blind date! You want your house to make the best possible first impression, so that maybe there will be a second date...and who knows!  The buyer will either like you - or not.  Just like in the dating world.  I joined one of those online dating sites, and you would not believe some of the things I've seen.    Like this one guy, what a great smile!, got my attention, haha.....and then when I click on it to see the larger pic....behind him - through the doorway, is the MESSIEST kitchen I have ever seen.  Double sink full of dirty dishes, dirty window over the sink, overflowing ashtray,  the counter space that I could see was full to the hilt as well with dirty dishes, assorted trash.... UGH.    Now,  he probably looked at the picture, and only saw himself and that great smile.    

How to Give Your House Curb Appeal

Getting buyers through the front door is often the first hurdle in selling your home. If potential buyers don't like what they see outside, they may never walk inside. How your house looks from the outside can often mean the difference between a house sitting for months or selling in a few weeks. According to Scott Griffith, president of ERA Griffith Realty in Brighton, MI, "With more homes competing for your eye, the home with curb appeal has the advantage."

And with an increasing number of homebuyers using the Internet to shop for a new home, a good first impression - the view of your house from the street - is key. According to 2001 figures from the National Association of REALTORS^{®, over 40% of all homebuyers use the Internet to shop for a new home. "People shopping on the Internet give it one look. If they don't like what they see, that's it," says Dan Lee, vice president of First Weber Group Inc. in Madison, Wisconsin.}

Here are a few tips to improve the curb appeal of your home:

• Examine the big picture - Recognize that people are not going to look at your house the same way you will. After you've lived with fading trim or a shutter that hangs crooked for a year or two, you may not even see it anymore. Ask your REALTOR® or close friend to look at the front of your house with a fresh set of eyes. Ask if they would be interested in the home if they didn't know you? If not, what are their turn-offs?

 • Do the obvious - Keep the lawn mowed and gutters clear. Trim brushes, get rid of any dead branches and fix anything that's hanging or broken. Keep working outdoor lights on in the evening.

 • Fit into the community - Keep your audience in mind as you show your house. For example, if there are many kids in the neighborhood, it is okay to have a bike in the yard. Not so if your neighborhood is mostly retirees

 • Use flowers - If you have the room, place two traditional large planters on either side of the front door or walkway. Fill them with overflowing flowers in the spring or summer and evergreens in the winter. This creates a focal point for homebuyers, forcing them to focus on one area rather than the whole house at once.

 • Make your home inviting - Consider hanging a colorful flag out front or put a seasonal wreath on the door. It sends the message to potential homebuyers that they are welcome and "to come on in."

 • Apply pressure - If the exterior needs a brighter look, consider getting it pressure washed. This is a great way to clean trim or walkways and give them a clean, white look.

 • Invest in landscaping - If you have just a little money to spend, consider landscaping. If you have a small yard, plant it with flowers and greenery. If you don't have a lot of time or a green thumb, create one or two informal garden areas in the front yard, such as a birdbath. A quick way to create the look of a manicured yard is to put some fresh mulch or bedding materials around plants in the yard and use a hoe to make the bedding edges sharp.

Source:  Dratch, Dana. "8 Tricks to Give Your House Curb Appeal." 1 July 2003.  http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/real-estate/curb-appeala1.asp

ANNUALLY:                                                                                                         

• Check your heat and A/C systems.
• Check windows and outside doors for drafts. (important in the warmer months, too)

SEASONALLY:

• Check furnace switch, fuse and breakers.
• Check furnace blowers, oiling motor and changing belt if necessary.
• Check thermostat accuracy by taping thermometer to wall next to it. if discrepancy, have serviceman re-calibrate unit.
• Check central air condensing unit for obstructing leaves and debris, and hose out if necessary.
• Keep shrubs pruned back to maximize airflow.
• Check room A/C condensate drain outlet for plugging.

MONTHLY:

• Check and clean/change room A/C filters.
• Check room A/C condenser coils and intake vents for obstructions.
• Check furnace filter and change if clogged

GENERAL:

• Check insulation for type/thickness, beginning in attic/top floor. Upgrade if inadequate.
• During humid weather, check central A/C condensate drain to ensure it is carrying off excessive moisture.

I attended the Memorial Day Parade earlier this afternoon.  It was a very nice parade, a lot of different troups marching or on floats.  I have alot of respect for our servicemen.  So many lost their lives.  So many lost some physical and/or mental abilities.  So many were chastised for what they did ---when they were just doing what their government was asking them to do.  I say Thank You. To all servicemen.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  THere was a young father next to me with his little boy.  Like all little boys, this one was asking alot of questions.  The father was half-ass answering them.  Then the sheriffs dept bloodhounds came by. The child asked what the hounds did. The father said they found bad guys.  The child said 'oh'.  I spoke up - (sorry, I do that sometimes, can't help it!) - anyway, I mentioned that the hounds also helped to find lost/wounded soldiers in battle and they save lives by searching for land mines, etc.....  The fathers eyes got big because he had never thought of that. All he thought about was the negative. What a way to shape a childs thoughts, you moron.   Duh, we are at a Memorial Day parade.  It's  not a parade for bad guys, you ass.  It's a parade for our fallen servicemen.  hhhhhhhhhffffff.  Well, I felt better after I said that.  On the walk home, there was an older woman waiting to cross the street at the same time. Of course I started talking, lol.  I said how great the parade was, and she said she was just thinking the same thing.  We talked for a couple blocks while I walked home, and she walked to where her car was parked. Very nice woman.  She gets emotional on Memorial Day just like me.  And she said that when she was a little girl, during one of the World Wars (sorry, I forget things sometimes) anyway - her mother used to be one of the people that recorded the planes that flew over.  She had to climb up a tower, look through a scope of some sort, and write down the numbers of the plane. Imagine that.  I guess that's it.  I just wanted to vent about the father and the bloodhounds. It was a lovely parade.  So many people came out to show respect and to honor the memory of lost loved ones.  Even thought my dad didn't die during service, he was a serviceman, and I always miss him so much more on days like this. I wish everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day. Let's all say a little prayer tonight for World Peace.  There are too many guys and girls losing their lives.  These are moms, dads, brothers, sisters, teachers, neighbors, cousins, aunts & uncles, nieces & nephews....the list goes on.  Let them all come home safely and let us never have to worry about it happening again.
Thanks for listening.  Where are my tissues?????

Did you know that there are people out there that haven't got a clue what people are trying to say to them.  It's not their fault.  They are listening - and reading, and just don't get it. It is probably that nobody ever taught them.   Are you in with the techno lingo?   Do you text on your cell?  I have one client that always communicates with me thru my myspace page!  Talk about a generational gap.  I consider myself lucky in that respect.  I have always had friends of every age - older and younger.  And I don't mean by just a few years, lol.   One of my best friends is 40 years older than me ---and another is 20 years younger.  

Now, for those of you that are new to the texting/chat/email lingo - here is a little chart for you!    And if the rest of you want to add some - feel free to do so in your comments.

lol = laugh out loud
:)  =  this is a smiley face.  (look at it sideways)
:(  =  not so happy face.
:D =  big excited smile!!
:P =  sticking a tongue out, haha
lmao = laughing my ass off
rotflmao = rolling on the floor laughing my ass off
ttyl = talk to you later
brb = be right back
k = okay
u/ur = you, your, you're
im = instant messenger
ty = thank you
yw = you're welcome

That's enough to get you by :)
Have a great day,
kc

Here is a little peek into our great city.  I came here on vacation about 12 years ago...and was so 'taken with Aiken' that I moved here 6 weeks later!    I hope you get the opportunity to visit soon.  You may be 'taken with Aiken', too :) A quiet little horse town - very near Augusta, GA. (you know - where they play The Masters Golf Tourny every April)

The children are grown and out on their own. Now what? If you think you are ready to downsize - check out this article.  Alot of great points made.    kc

Flying the Empty Nest: Strategies for Downsizing

Are your children living on their own, married, or off to college? Have you

decided to replace your family home with a smaller residence? Whether you want

to focus on other priorities, or build the cottage or beach house you've always

dreamed of, or simply no longer wanting to spend energy maintaining a large

home, consider the following strategies for downsizing your home:

• If schools have always prioritized where you have lived, now think about

other criteria important to you, such as rural living or closer proximity to

recreational pursuits.

• Consider laying the groundwork for a retirement lifestyle. Your new home

could also be the one you retire in.

• With fewer living expenses, you may have more expendable income and

find that you can increase the luxury or convenience of your lifestyle.

• Determine how much space you actually need. Examine your current

home and subtract the square footage of rooms you don't need anymore.

Add in the measurement of new spaces you might want, such as a

workshop or sunroom.

Sort Through Your Stuff

• Where do you begin if your current home is packed full with a generation's

worth of accumulation?

• If you have grown children's belongings in the house, next time they are

home, have them sort their things into four piles: what they'll take right

now, what they need you to hold for them, what they want to give away,

what can be tossed.

• Go through the rest and determine future needs. Some possession might

be family-sized, such as camping gear. Do you foresee future activities of

a similar nature? Other possessions might be house-oriented. For

example, if you're moving to a townhouse, you can sell the lawn mower

and weed whacker.

• Keep memorabilia and other sentimental keepsakes in the family while

getting them out of your house. Give your grown children the arts, crafts,

projects, trophies, and holiday decorations they had as kids. They may

appreciate having them as they start creating their own family traditions.