Can you guess which one of the following statements are true and which are false?
1. Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
2. Alfred Hitchcock didn't have a belly button.
3. A pack a day smoker will lose approximately 2 teeth every 10 years.
4. People do not get sick from cold weather, it's from being indoors more often.
5. When you sneeze all of your body functions stop, including your heart.
6. Only 7% of the population are lefties.
7. 40 people are sent to the hospital for dog bites every minute.
8. Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until 2-6 years old.
9. The average person over 50 has spent 5 years waiting in lines.
10. The toothbrush was invented in 1498.
11. The average housefly lives for one month.
12. 40,000 Americans are injured by toilets every year.
13. A coat hanger is 44 inches when straightened.
14. The average computer user blinks 7 times a minute.
15. Your feet are bigger in the afternoon than any other time of day.
16. Most of us have eaten a spider in our sleep.
17. The real reasons ostrich's stick their head in the sand is to search for water.
18. The only two animals that can see behind themselves without turning their heads are the rabbit and parrot.
19. Michael Jackson owns the rights to the Southern Carolina State Anthem.
20. Prince Charles and Prince William never travel on the same airplane,just in case there is a crash.
21. The first Harley Davidson motorcycle, built in 1903, used a tomato can for a carburetor.
22. If coloring weren't added to Coca-Cola, it would be green.
They are all true!
From the Healthy Utah March 2008 issue
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
1000 Marbles
1000 Marbles
Author: Unknown
The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.
A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with the morning paper in hand. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one o f those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:
I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice.
You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He as telling whom-ever he was talking with something about "a thousand marbles." I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say...
"Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It's too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital and your mother's birthday." he continued, "Let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities."
And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles." "You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person ives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.
"Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900, which is The number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime.
Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part.
It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail", he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays.I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear."
"Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."
"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container.
I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is alittle more time."
"It was nice to talk to you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band.This is a 75 Year old Man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!"
You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few people to work on the next club newsletter.
Instead, I met an old friend for breakfast that day and he said, "What brought this on?""
My reply, "Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together and hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."
Author: Unknown
The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.
A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with the morning paper in hand. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one o f those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:
I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice.
You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He as telling whom-ever he was talking with something about "a thousand marbles." I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say...
"Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It's too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital and your mother's birthday." he continued, "Let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities."
And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles." "You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person ives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.
"Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900, which is The number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime.
Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part.
It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail", he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays.I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear."
"Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."
"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container.
I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is alittle more time."
"It was nice to talk to you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band.This is a 75 Year old Man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!"
You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few people to work on the next club newsletter.
Instead, I met an old friend for breakfast that day and he said, "What brought this on?""
My reply, "Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together and hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."
10 Ways to Prepare for Homeownership
10 Ways to Prepare for Homeownership
(Tips from Realtor.org)
1. Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.
2. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list.
3. Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you'd like to live in, taking into account items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety.
4. Start saving. Do you have enough money saved to qualify for a mortgage and cover your down payment? Ideally, you should have 20 percent of the purchase price saved as a down payment. Also, don't forget to factor in closing costs. Closing costs - including taxes, attorney's fee, and transfer fees - average between 2 and 7 percent of the home price.
5. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report to make sure it is accurate and to correct any errors immediately. A credit report provides a history of your credit, bad debts, and any late payments.
6. Determine your mortgage qualifications. How large of mortgage do you qualify for? Also, explore different loan options - such as 30-year or 15-year fixed mortgages or ARMs - and decide what's best for you.
7. Get preapproved. Organize all the documentation a lender will need to preapprove you for a loan. You might need W-2 forms, copies of at least one pay stub, account numbers, and copies of two to four months of bank statements.
8. Weigh other sources of help with a down payment. Do you qualify for any special mortgage or down payment assistance programs? Check with your state and local government on down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers.
9. Calculate the costs of homeownership. This should include property taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities, and association fees, if applicable.
10. Contact a REALTOR®. Find an experienced REALTOR® who can help you through the process.
(Tips from Realtor.org)
1. Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.
2. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list.
3. Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you'd like to live in, taking into account items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety.
4. Start saving. Do you have enough money saved to qualify for a mortgage and cover your down payment? Ideally, you should have 20 percent of the purchase price saved as a down payment. Also, don't forget to factor in closing costs. Closing costs - including taxes, attorney's fee, and transfer fees - average between 2 and 7 percent of the home price.
5. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report to make sure it is accurate and to correct any errors immediately. A credit report provides a history of your credit, bad debts, and any late payments.
6. Determine your mortgage qualifications. How large of mortgage do you qualify for? Also, explore different loan options - such as 30-year or 15-year fixed mortgages or ARMs - and decide what's best for you.
7. Get preapproved. Organize all the documentation a lender will need to preapprove you for a loan. You might need W-2 forms, copies of at least one pay stub, account numbers, and copies of two to four months of bank statements.
8. Weigh other sources of help with a down payment. Do you qualify for any special mortgage or down payment assistance programs? Check with your state and local government on down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers.
9. Calculate the costs of homeownership. This should include property taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities, and association fees, if applicable.
10. Contact a REALTOR®. Find an experienced REALTOR® who can help you through the process.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Utah is a Great Place to Live
Obviously I enjoy living in Utah. I have called Utah home for about 25 years. I love it here. My favorite part, other than the great people that I am surrounded by, is that Utah definitely experiences all of the four seasons. We experience wonderful winters with lots of heavy white snow. We have super spring with the flowers blooming and the 'just right' temperatures. We have scorching summers with 100 degree temperatures and cool family activities. And we have fabulous fall with the leaves changing colors making red, orange and yellow spots all over the mountains and enjoying the crisp mountain air.
So it is no surprise to me that Forbes.com rated Salt Lake City, Utah as the #1 place to live because of great housing!
Here is part of that article:
"Timing a market is tricky business, and prices alone may not be the best way to determine a bargain opportunity. What you need is a buyers' market, where there is healthy job growth and more houses available than people to buy them. This is not due to foreclosures and economic downturn, but to overbuilding that should balance out in time.
#1. Salt Lake City, Utah
Of the major metros in the U.S., Salt Lake City is adding jobs faster than anywhere. The economic boom in SLC has drawn residents from all over the country, and more than a few home builders trying to make a profit in these otherwise woeful times. Housing supply has gone up quickly, and there hasn't been a high rate of foreclosure."
By Matt Woolsey, 02.07.08 on Forbes.com
So contact me for more information about the current housing market!
So it is no surprise to me that Forbes.com rated Salt Lake City, Utah as the #1 place to live because of great housing!
Here is part of that article:
"Timing a market is tricky business, and prices alone may not be the best way to determine a bargain opportunity. What you need is a buyers' market, where there is healthy job growth and more houses available than people to buy them. This is not due to foreclosures and economic downturn, but to overbuilding that should balance out in time.
#1. Salt Lake City, Utah
Of the major metros in the U.S., Salt Lake City is adding jobs faster than anywhere. The economic boom in SLC has drawn residents from all over the country, and more than a few home builders trying to make a profit in these otherwise woeful times. Housing supply has gone up quickly, and there hasn't been a high rate of foreclosure."
By Matt Woolsey, 02.07.08 on Forbes.com
So contact me for more information about the current housing market!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Home Enhancement
Some proven practical ideas on how to successfully prepare your home for sale:
1. First Impression of the EXTERIOR
(The buyer develops an opinion of your home within 15 seconds)
Check the street, fire hydrant, sidewalk, fence, mailbox, light fixtures, walkway, driveway, siding, roof, windows, gutters, and doorway. Make sure they are free of debris, clean, freshly painted, working, washed, replaced, or freshened up!
2. Appeal to the senses
(Buyers react favorably to a home in bright light with clean smells)
Check for good lighting, neutral colors, peaceful sounds, and fresh clean smells
3. First Impression of the INTERIOR
(The entry creates the first impression and the kitchen is the most important room)
Make sure the entry is light, neutral, clean and updated. The kitchen should be virtually spotless and smell fresh. Update appliances and cabinets if they are looking dated and old. Organize your kitchen and remove a lot of small gadgets from the countertop. Check the counters and flooring for damage, then replace or repair.
4. Small details
(Focus on the impact of small details)
Refinish, replace, refreshen, renew, reorganize! Don't forget to clean up the garage, basement, crawl space, and attic.
By showing attention to details and understanding the buyers needs, you can really increase the chances to sell your home quickly! I would be happy to assist you with recommendations to help your house sell for the highest price in the shortest amount of time.
1. First Impression of the EXTERIOR
(The buyer develops an opinion of your home within 15 seconds)
Check the street, fire hydrant, sidewalk, fence, mailbox, light fixtures, walkway, driveway, siding, roof, windows, gutters, and doorway. Make sure they are free of debris, clean, freshly painted, working, washed, replaced, or freshened up!
2. Appeal to the senses
(Buyers react favorably to a home in bright light with clean smells)
Check for good lighting, neutral colors, peaceful sounds, and fresh clean smells
3. First Impression of the INTERIOR
(The entry creates the first impression and the kitchen is the most important room)
Make sure the entry is light, neutral, clean and updated. The kitchen should be virtually spotless and smell fresh. Update appliances and cabinets if they are looking dated and old. Organize your kitchen and remove a lot of small gadgets from the countertop. Check the counters and flooring for damage, then replace or repair.
4. Small details
(Focus on the impact of small details)
Refinish, replace, refreshen, renew, reorganize! Don't forget to clean up the garage, basement, crawl space, and attic.
By showing attention to details and understanding the buyers needs, you can really increase the chances to sell your home quickly! I would be happy to assist you with recommendations to help your house sell for the highest price in the shortest amount of time.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Home Warranty
Your home is your most valuable asset. You protect your home with homeowner's insurance, but what about the items not covered by insurance? Your home systems and appliances will not last forever. The average life expectancy is about 13 years. You can help protect yourself against the financial sting of repairs by purchasing a home warranty!
Affordable coverage can save you thousands of dollars. Homeowners spend an average of $900 each year for repair on home systems and appliances. Whether you are selling or buying you can benefit from the financial protection of a home warranty. The cost of the home warranty now can save you from budget-breaking repair expenses later. A seller can have warranty coverage for the listing period up to 180 days or close of escrow. The buyers coverage begins at close of escrow and will continue for one year after close of escrow.
Make sure you know what your home warranty covers and what it doesn't. Your home warranty does not cover ALL systems and appliances. Lack of maintenance of your appliance or home system will result in denial of coverage. Also, improper installation of an item that results in damage will be denied. And finally, code violations of a home system or structure may result in denial of the warranty service.
Some systems that can be covered by a good home warranty are:
Plumbing, water heater, electrical system, dishwasher, garbage disposal, built in microwave, range, oven, trash compactor, garage door openers, ceiling fans, telephone wiring, central vacuum system, doorbell and smoke detectors.
A home warranty will also offer coverage for other home systems for an additional small fee. These include:
Heating system, ductwork, air conditioner, refrigerator, washer, dryer, well pump, pool, spa, and septic.
There are several home warranty companies. Your realtor can give you some recommendations. It is best to spend a little money now on a home warranty to protect yourself from costly repairs later.
Affordable coverage can save you thousands of dollars. Homeowners spend an average of $900 each year for repair on home systems and appliances. Whether you are selling or buying you can benefit from the financial protection of a home warranty. The cost of the home warranty now can save you from budget-breaking repair expenses later. A seller can have warranty coverage for the listing period up to 180 days or close of escrow. The buyers coverage begins at close of escrow and will continue for one year after close of escrow.
Make sure you know what your home warranty covers and what it doesn't. Your home warranty does not cover ALL systems and appliances. Lack of maintenance of your appliance or home system will result in denial of coverage. Also, improper installation of an item that results in damage will be denied. And finally, code violations of a home system or structure may result in denial of the warranty service.
Some systems that can be covered by a good home warranty are:
Plumbing, water heater, electrical system, dishwasher, garbage disposal, built in microwave, range, oven, trash compactor, garage door openers, ceiling fans, telephone wiring, central vacuum system, doorbell and smoke detectors.
A home warranty will also offer coverage for other home systems for an additional small fee. These include:
Heating system, ductwork, air conditioner, refrigerator, washer, dryer, well pump, pool, spa, and septic.
There are several home warranty companies. Your realtor can give you some recommendations. It is best to spend a little money now on a home warranty to protect yourself from costly repairs later.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Service Guarantee
This is a commitment that Coldwell Banker and your realtor will perform as part of the exclusive agreement on marketing your property.
* CMA (Competitive Markety Analysis)
I will provide you with a current Competitive Market Analysis and assist you in determining the most effective list price for your property.
* Market Action Plan
I will give you a plan to market your porperty.
* Home Enhancement
I will provide you with a copy of the Coldwell Banker Home Enhancement Guide and discuss recommendations to attract the most amount of buyers.
* MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
I will submit your property to appear in the local Multiple Listing Service web site.
* Promotion to other Brokers
I will promote your property to other Brokers and sales associates in the area.
* Direct Marketing
I will distribute promotional materials on your property to key market areas to attract potential buyers.
* Yard Sign
I will provide a Coldwell Banker for sale sign on your property to help generate calls from prospective buyers.
* National and Local Advertising
Coldwell Banker has national and local internet, print and other advertising which will help attract the greatest number of buyers to your property.
*UtahHomes.com
The #1 real estate website in Utah.
* Coldwell Banker.com
The award winning national brand web site which will promote your property online 24 hours a day.
* Realtor.com
Your property will be designated as an enhanced listing on the official web site of the National Association of Realtors. Realtor. com is the internets #1 real estate web site.
* Multiple Images
I will post multiple photos of your property and a detailed property description on all of the aforementioned web sites.
* Servicing Interested Buyers
I have the latest lead notification technology so I can respond immediately to internet buyers who inquire about your property.
* Marketing Activity Report
I will report to you on a weekly basis to keep you informed of the competitive market conditions, buyer activity, and the actions I have taken to market your property.
* Timely Response
I will return your email or phone call within 24 or LESS!
* Offers to Purchase
I will review with you all of the purchase offers as they are presented.
* Closing the Sale
I will monitor and inform you of the progress of the transaction.
* Financing
I will encourage prospective buyers to obtain a written pre-approval letter from their lender.
* Estimated Net Proceeds
I will discuss with you an estimate of your net proceeds with each received offer.
* Representation
I will review with you how I will represent you in this transaction.
*Home Protection Plan
I will provide you with information regarding a warranty on the operating systems of your home to increase marketability.
* Relocation Services
I will offer to assist you, your friends, and your family should you need to relocate anywhere out of my local area.
This is my promise to you so you can be assured you will have the best representation and marketing possible. You will like what I can do for you, because good things are going to happen.
* CMA (Competitive Markety Analysis)
I will provide you with a current Competitive Market Analysis and assist you in determining the most effective list price for your property.
* Market Action Plan
I will give you a plan to market your porperty.
* Home Enhancement
I will provide you with a copy of the Coldwell Banker Home Enhancement Guide and discuss recommendations to attract the most amount of buyers.
* MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
I will submit your property to appear in the local Multiple Listing Service web site.
* Promotion to other Brokers
I will promote your property to other Brokers and sales associates in the area.
* Direct Marketing
I will distribute promotional materials on your property to key market areas to attract potential buyers.
* Yard Sign
I will provide a Coldwell Banker for sale sign on your property to help generate calls from prospective buyers.
* National and Local Advertising
Coldwell Banker has national and local internet, print and other advertising which will help attract the greatest number of buyers to your property.
*UtahHomes.com
The #1 real estate website in Utah.
* Coldwell Banker.com
The award winning national brand web site which will promote your property online 24 hours a day.
* Realtor.com
Your property will be designated as an enhanced listing on the official web site of the National Association of Realtors. Realtor. com is the internets #1 real estate web site.
* Multiple Images
I will post multiple photos of your property and a detailed property description on all of the aforementioned web sites.
* Servicing Interested Buyers
I have the latest lead notification technology so I can respond immediately to internet buyers who inquire about your property.
* Marketing Activity Report
I will report to you on a weekly basis to keep you informed of the competitive market conditions, buyer activity, and the actions I have taken to market your property.
* Timely Response
I will return your email or phone call within 24 or LESS!
* Offers to Purchase
I will review with you all of the purchase offers as they are presented.
* Closing the Sale
I will monitor and inform you of the progress of the transaction.
* Financing
I will encourage prospective buyers to obtain a written pre-approval letter from their lender.
* Estimated Net Proceeds
I will discuss with you an estimate of your net proceeds with each received offer.
* Representation
I will review with you how I will represent you in this transaction.
*Home Protection Plan
I will provide you with information regarding a warranty on the operating systems of your home to increase marketability.
* Relocation Services
I will offer to assist you, your friends, and your family should you need to relocate anywhere out of my local area.
This is my promise to you so you can be assured you will have the best representation and marketing possible. You will like what I can do for you, because good things are going to happen.
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