Refinance

The word for today is “refinance”. Late last year we saw some of the lowest interest rates in a very long time. Not wanting to miss out on a chance to make our retirement funds go further we jumped on the band wagon. 

Well now let me tell you the ride was time consuming! It wasn’t a new loan…we were just “refinancing”!

The process started with, what seemed like a totally new loan submission of everything we have, copies and originals. Fortunately we were able to scan and send much of the requested data (down load, complete and rescan to PDF…don’t ya love technology?), forms and copies.

As the folder grew we “slogged” onward, interrupted by a trip to Pennsylvania, and Ohio (see blog on “Speakeasy”) we received, completed and resent enough data to qualify for a TOP SECRET national security clearance!

We began to wonder how anyone can get a loan today…if the lending institutions had been this diligent in the past…“maybe” we wouldn’t have had the financial crisis we have….”ya think”?

Before this blog becomes as long as the process…we finally completed the process and closed yesterday. Was it worth it…”oh ya”. We were able to reduce our interest rate by over (2) two points!

And that folks will buy a lot of dog food for Noel.

Noel (Part II)

We last posted on December 4^th. about our new puppy…a delightful Shih Tzu fur ball named Noel (cleverly named because we picked her up on Christmas Eve…well it seemed appropriate).

Christmas is always a blur of activity, hauling out and putting up the decorations, buying and wrapping presents and our annual dinners with friends and families.  Time flew by!

Christmas Eve dawned with overcast skies and a promise of rain. We were up early and anxious to head across town to pick up our newest family member.  Arriving just as the rains arrived (no complaints as we need the rain!).  Noel had really grown, but was still little more than a handful. We bundled her up against the cold rain and headed home.

Nervous at first, a strange new home, she slowly explored her new environment, sleeping often and liking to be cuddled and held. Even strange arms are ok when that’s all you have.

Day by day she ventured further from the bedroom, where her bed was and carpet…the wood floors in the living room gave her problems at first….slipper for her little paws.

She quickly learned what the pads were for and dutifully did her business.  

She played hard, chewing on shoes, untying shoe laces and growling ferociously (well just a little growl).

Slowly she learned to follow us around the house, her little world of three rooms.

Then she was introduced to the outside world….the leaves in the yard were as big as she was!

In a short week she has adapted, grown and thrived!  Now she rules the roost, bouncing around the house and yard, captivating all, old and young, she meets, living up to her heritage of finding a lap a sitting in it.

Still going in spurts of energy, interspersed with naps…sleep, play, eat and poop (sorry but it the only way to describe).

Every day is a joy to watch her developing her character...and "she is a character!"

"Noel"

Many years ago we found a sleepy eyed little Shih Tzu in a pet shop. Tapping on the window my wife got a heart tugging response…he sleepily opened one eye and “that was it”! That led to a sixteen year relationship that eventually grew to two great and loving Shih Tzu’s.

We struggled with a name for the first dog and almost as a joke (a co-worker said…”just name him DOG) it sparked an idea and “DIOGI” became his name. Diogi was a tricolored Shih Tzu, with flowing tan and white with black highlights. With long flowing hair he fairly “flowed” as he ran.

The second dog wasn’t intended, however, our daughter had a Lasso that Diogi really bonded with. When our daughter moved Diogi went into a real decline, wouldn’t eat, moped around and really looked sad. So enter the second dog…a cute little female we named Gigi.

Sixteen years passed…they traveled with us far and wide, were great and loving pets…”family members”.

When they passed we said “no more dogs”….losing them was tough!

It is said “time heals all wounds”…and so it does. My wife decided she wanted another Shih Tzu for Christmas. So the hunt began. There are many ways to find a puppy…and we researched them all. Finally we found a woman who owned the “mom and dad” and had four great little puppies for sale, one male and three females.

A visit to the basket full of these beautiful little puppies, their eyes barely open, and snuggled together in a tight little ball for warmth, resulted in an instant bonding with one…a tri-colored little female.

So…her Christmas wish is accomplished…we will pick her up on Christmas eve…MERRY CHRISTMAS.

How about “NOEL” for a name?

"Speakeasy"

About this time of the year we try to put our consultancy on hold and savor the aromas of holiday cooking and to reflect on our blessings, and we have a lot to be thankful for. So…to stay out of the way of the master chef…I slip away with a glass of wine and write. Digging into the memory banks and prompted by a recent road trip….

 “Speakeasy”

On a recent trip across Indiana we were detoured off I-70 through Terra Haute Indiana due to an accident blocking the bridge.  Winding our way, with all the other displaced travelers, through town and connecting with Route 40, we finally crossed the Wabash River.

Late in the afternoon, with low dark clouds rushing across the late fall landscape, a flood of memories came back as we crossed the river.

Rewinding life back to the late 1960’s I remembered a night much like this one. We had landed late and the Captain suggested we go “up river” to an old “speakeasy” for dinner. Not having a clue what he was referring to and as a young co-pilot I eagerly agreed.

After checking into the hotel, an old creaky floored hotel in downtown Terra Haute, we quickly changed out of our uniforms and “headed up river”.

The Captain, seeing my confusion explained…”Speakeasies were numerous and popular during the Prohibition years. Some of them were operated by people who were part of organized crime. Even though police and agents of the Bureau of Prohibition would often raid them and arrest their owners and patrons, they were so profitable that they continued to flourish.”

Once out of town we headed up a winding tree covered road along the Wabash River. The road was dark, very few homes or businesses and only the reflections off our headlights guided us through the night. Finally we turned off the narrow winding two lane road onto a gravel road. It was really dark now and only the crunching of our tires across the gravel broke the stillness of the night.

Up on a rise, safe from the annual flooding of the Wabash, stood a non-descript building with no signs of live and certainly not of business.  Cars were parked in the dark, haphazardly under trees and on the grass.

Really curious now, and not wanting to look any “greener” to my Captain I withheld my doubts to his claims of a great steak dinner (I’m the new guy…maybe this is a joke?)

A single bare bulb burned above the door. My Captain walked confidently up to the door and rapped the old brass knocker twice. What happened next I had only seen in movies…the peep hole opened up and flash of light appeared before “an eye” replaced it and a gravelly voice asked us what we wanted…now this really happened, my Captain said…”Joe sent me”.

We were admitted into a very nice restaurant and seated. The beverages washed away the days fatigue, the food was excellently prepared and served…my doubts vanished.

Though many years had passed since the need for secrecy and a password this restaurant had thrived on its historical (and perhaps a little shady) background…”ambiance” we call it now.

So back to now…as we drove into the gathering dusk and away from the Wabash I couldn’t help smile and wonder at the many adventures (blessings) life allow you to experience.

If anyone asks tell them…”Joe sent you”.

Encouragement

“And peace rolled over the land…first one then another were awakened to what negativity was doing to them”.  Strife and turmoil blanketing their lives were taking a terrible toll. One by one they decided to offer a smile and extend the hand of fellowship to someone in need, to use positive words instead of criticizing, to encourage instead of discourage.

It wasn’t easy…time, disappointments and setbacks had hardened them. However, one positive exchange with another gave way to another and another until (regardless of the rebuffs) the smiles on their faces and their positive attitudes began to take root…good roots make strong plants.

“Mighty oaks from a tiny acorn grow”.

They didn’t think they could control the outcome of their times, nor change the circumstances of their neighbors…but took the first steps toward change.

While this may be a fanciful, wishful story…it is possible…I am going to plant the seed of positivity and give it a try.

Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving and a most joyous Christmas.

Knock Knock

Knock, knock…”anyone still here?”

I know…I seem to have wandered off the edge of the earth into some dark hole…swallowed up in cyber space…the bits and bytes no longer flowing.

Truth is…it took me a few years to figure this out, but my little consultancy gets busy late in the year. Seems any budget surpluses cause folks to think…”let’s get that consultant in here”…so (not complaining) I “hop to” and hit the road when they call!

From Mississippi to California, Texas to Pennsylvania…driving and flying I make my rounds.

As I said…I am not complaining (I would rather spread this out over the year)…”but gotta go” when they call!

I specialize in two areas…so I have variety and constantly meeting new people and challenges…both I thoroughly enjoy.

Opppsss…gotta go, phones ringing and the computer is “binging” …”you have mail”.

American Greatness!

American greatness is still here...we are just confused by the debate. However, the core essentials are still here...hearty people, democracy, and opportunity.

 Nothing has changed...just confused...listen to the debates on the channels and listen to them all, liberal to conservative, read the blogs, talk to your friends... the basics are still here...just confused as we are increasingly polarized into "no move camps"!

Where is the voice of reason and reality? Where is that voice that transcends politics and agendas and strikes to the heart of the issues? This...disregarding personal agendas and speaks only to the core issues...and with realistic solutions?

We are still the nation that ALL want to come to...that should tell you something...and we CAN prevail!