Carl's Blog

Winning Matters: Silver is just not good enough.

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:19:49 -0500

I watched a lot of the Olympics. My favorite sport is womens softball. We were the dominant team going in. We walked all over teams like Pro Players playing against a Little League Team. We were favorites to win the Gold Medal easily.

But we did not win the Gold. Japan upset us.

How much coverage have you seen of Team USA, Jennie Finch, and the others, in the Final Ceremony or on TV or on the internet. Barely any. BUT, if they had won Gold it would be a different story.

Gold matters. Silver is just not good enough sometimes. I know that sounds harsh, and 2nd place in the WORLD is incredible and those girls worked hard and should hold their heads up high. But, I would guess Jennie Finch, Cat Osterman, Jessica Mendoza and a few others would already have been doing interviews and probably would have already signed new endorsement deals. It will be interesting to see what they get now. Maybe I'm wrong and nothing will be different, but I doubt it.

How many interviews will those girls not be on, and how much money are those girls not going to make, because they got Silver instead of Gold? I hope I am wrong, it stinks. But that's life. We love a winner.

My favorite Olympic moment was Shawn Johnson winning Gold on the beam. I had a tear in my eye. But ponder this. If she had not won that Gold and just came home with 4 Silvers, would they have interviewed her during the finale. How many millions $$ more will Shawn Johnson earn because of that one Gold medal. Sure 4 Silvers is amazing, but it's not Gold. It's a lot cooler for the announcer to say "And with us now, Gold Medal winner Shawn Johnson" as opposed to "Here we are with 4 time Silver winner Shawn Johnson"

Michael Phelps, Misty May, same thing. Now I know that Gold means more than how much money you will make in endorsements. It's about representing your country and working hard, and overcoming obstacles. Those are all great life lessons that we can all learn from. However, they all worked hard and it is very interesting to see who is in the spotlight, and who is swept under the rug because of the color of their medal. Winning matters.

And not just for the money. It's also for the pride of winning for the USA. I bet those softball players feel horrible they couldn't bring home Gold for their country. My heart goes out to them. I know how hard they worked. But again, winning matters.

My point is, that winning is awesome, and losing stinks, and I think that is a good thing. These Olympics teach people to excel and try to be the best. Winning and competition are healthy. The emotions either high or low are things you remember for the rest of your life. When you work hard, and win, it is one of the best feelings in the world.

So that brings me to my main point. How about these kids soccer games, or tee ball games where they don't even keep score for fear of hurting the kids feelings. I can't stand it when I hear about this. I think it's good to teach kids about winning and losing. The Olympics show us that winning matters. I like that.

When I win a new life insurace case, it's awesome. I have never lost that excitement of a new account.

Winning matters.

Great way to cook thick steaks

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:54:07 -0500

I read about a great way to cook thick steaks in Cooks Illustrated magazine. I thought I would share my results.

I have used it with fillet mignon and also a whole venison loin. It works really well. You get alot of crust on the outside and wonderfully moist pink meat on the inside. It really is good.

First off the steak should be at least 1.5 inches thick.

Season it however you like. I usually like just salt and pepper.

Put the steaks on a wire rack in an oven safe pan and preheat your oven to 200 degrees. Then stick a digital meat thermometer in the meat. I have the kind that has a wire attached to it and you can run it from inside the oven, to the actual thermometer on the counter. It works really well.

Stick the steak in the oven and cook until the temperature gets to 98-100 degrees for medium rare. The time will vary. I would say allow 25-40 minutes. This gentle heat really keeps the meat tender.

Then take out the meat and char the outside until it's nice and brown. It happens pretty quick. You can do it on a super hot grill or in a super hot pan on your stove top. I like the stove top. You get a really nice crust.

I learned that meat will not brown until the surface moisture is gone. So if you put a steak right in the hot pan it actually steams the meat for a bit until the surface moisture has evaporated, then the meat starts to brown. When you start it in the oven in this way the surface moisture evaporates in the oven and when you put it in the pan it starts to brown right away. Since it browns quickly you avoid cooking the steaks too long and getting too much grey and not enough pink.

From what I understand, this process also achieves the same result as aging the meat.

If you do this with a nice fillet mignon, it will be better than a restaurant.

Jean & Judes Hot Dogs Anyone?: Chicago

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:36:46 -0500

I was driving home from our softball game today in Forest Park Illinois.

I had such a craving for Jean & Judes hot dogs at River Rd and Rand in River Grove IL.

I don't crave Superdawg or other hot dogs like I do Jean & Judes.

First off the place has not been remodeled in 30 years, there is no where to sit, and the line is out the door whenver you go there. So we ate in the parking lot.

Then low and behold if you like ketchup on a dog (A girl on the softball team). They look at you like you have a booger hanging out of your nose. NO KETCHUP.

Mustard, Onion, Relish and Peppers. That's it.

But man you combine that with their home made fries and it it by far my favorite dog.

Any other hot dog lovers in Chicago?

i want to try Nathans in New York and Pinks in California sometime.

Busiest agent I know, doesn't blog.

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:28:08 -0500

My buddy Ken wrote me and said "You haven't written anything in a while. write something."

I have a few topics that have been stewing with me. (Mainly Politics, but I'll save those for another time) This was more of an observation than anything. I am merely conveying the words from someone else.

From what I read on ActiveRain and from my friends blog it has been really tough out there for Real Estate agents. Mortgage crisis, home sales plundering, no one wants to sell (At the right price), no one wants to buy.

I see that Active Rain is over 100,000 subscribers now. If I write a blog it moves down quickly on the front page because there are so many people blogging.

Yet I notice that the blogs about Real Estate rarely have any comments. At the same time I also noticed that blogs about recipes, or cigars, or anything unrelated to real estate generally have multiple comments. I admit I barely ever read the real estate entries.

So I coach girls softball. One of the Moms is an agent for Caldwell.

I'm assuming that business is horrible for all agents because of what I read on Active Rain.

So I ask her "How business?" I was expecting. "Oh, real tough, real slow," or something like that.

To my surprise she says she is working her tail off. She has 15 listings and another 2 coming that week.

I say "Holy crap. I know of agents that don't have any listings right now. And you have 15"

I asked her if she blogs on ActiveRain.

She says "What's ActiveRain?"

I was shocked. She had never heard of ActiveRain and has no clue on how to blog. She is #2 for Caldwell in our area. I figured she would know Active Rain.

So I tell her what ActiveRain is.

And she says "I can't fathom how an agent doesn't have any listings right now with all the supply out there. Maybe they are spending too much time blogging."

Again. Not my opinion. Not my words. Just the words of the busiest real estate agent I know of.

I'll admit, it made me think of my insurance business and the things that actually get me results, compared to the things that "I hope" lead to results.

Pro 2nd amendment rally in Chicago

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:17:54 -0500

I took the morning off today and went with my father to the 2nd Amendment freedom Rally at The Thompson Center in Chicago today. Anybody else go?

I thought it was fantastic. Here we are, a couple hundred freedom loving gun owning Americans right next to Daleys office in downtown Chicago, a city with the some of the worst gun laws in the country.

It doesn't matter if you like guns or not. It's more than that. It's about Freedom, and your right to protect yourself and your family. The keynote speaker was excellent. She was eating dinner with her family back in 1991 in Texas and in comes a shooter. He executes 21 people and because of the gun laws in her state none of the law abiding citizens could defend themselves. She had her pistol in her car 100 feet away, but it was useless because she was obeying the law that said she could not carry it on her person. She could have taken the shooter out and saved lives. Her mom and dad were killed.

The gun laws did nothing but take away the right of the law abiding to defend themselves. The murderer didn't care about laws.

Another speaker was a female Doctor. She made some great points. She is licensed to distribute medicine, other women are licensed to drive a bus to take your kids to school, other women are licensed do all sorts of things that we are entrusting our lives to them.

Yet our Illinois politicians feel that these same women are too stupid and irresponsible to protect themselves and their family with a handgun.

With the recent Supreme Court decision that upholds THE INDIVIDUAL right to bear arms, I can only hope that Illinios quickly joins the other 48 states that do allow their citizens some kind of opportunity to carry a gun and protect themselves.

Update to Easy BBQ Rib recipe

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:29:45 -0500

I wrote down my easy rib recipe right before Fathers day. (See that blog for details)

I made the ribs on Fathers day and they were really good. I mean really really really good. Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce, fall off the bone ribs with a nice char on the outside.

What I did not account for is differences in stoves or the amount of meat on the ribs when I said cook them for 3.5 hours at 225 degrees.

I found 3 slabs of nice big thick baby back ribs at Sams Club and it took over 4.5 hours in the oven to get them right. So this is where the finnesse comes into play, (But it's still easy)

So here the modifications I made.

After 3 hours I bumped the oven up to 275.

I peeked at the ribs about every 20 minutes (They were still inside their aluminum foil)

You have to cook them until the meat starts to peel away from the bone. You should see about 3/4 of an inch of the bones sticking out and you may actually see a little of the side of the bone thru the meat.

When the ribs look like that and bend but don't quite break in half when you hold them up, they will be nice and tender. If you don't cook them long enough they will still be good, but not as tender.

The juice inside the foil pack is actually the conective tissue that melts away. that is what gets them tender.

Hope that helps for any future rib makers.

BBQ ribs for Fathers Day: EASY RECIPE

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:48:07 -0500

Ribs can be a scary thing to cook. You spend alot of money on them and if you screw it up, they get tough.

No problem. If you follow this recipe, they will turn out real nice. Tender, flavorful, and the meat falls off the bone.

Ingredients

Baby Back Ribs (Cut into 1/2 slabs to handle easier. They already come that way from Sam's)

Your favorite spice rub (I like "Emeril's Essence" and if you look online you can get the ingredients for his rub.)

Aluminum Foil

How to do it. (I reccommend the stove to do most of the cooking. Unless you have a nice gas grill that can maintain a low temperature for 3 hours, I just think the margin of error is ALOT less with the stove)

The easiest way is this. Put the spice rub on the ribs the night before. WRAP THEM IN ALUMINUM FOIL and stick them in the fridge.

Allow 4 hours cooking time and plan everything else accordingly. Pre heat the oven to 225. (Keep the ribs wrapped in the foil when you cook them in the stove) Put the ribs in and forget about them for 2 hours. At the two hour mark rotate the foil wrapped ribs and let them go for another hour.

Now take out one of the packets and look at the ribs (Be careful there will be hot liquid inside) What you want to see is the end of the bone sticking out about 3/4 of an inch and the whole slab should bend but not quite break in half)

So you may need to cook them for another 15-30 minutes. (Total time in oven about 3:15 to 3:30)

Preheat your BBQ grill when the ribs have about 15 minutes to go. Take the ribs out of the foil and char both sides on your hot grill. Just a couple minutes per side.

I like to heat the BBQ sauce inside on the stove in a big skillet and dip the ribs in there and then serve. Or if you want you can put the sauce on when you put them on the grill.

This is very simple. And very good. The ribs don't dry out because you are cooking them long and slow in the stove, and then just charring the outside over the hot grill.

I plan on doing a few slabs this way on Sunday for my Pops.

Anybody watching the NCAA Womens Softball World Series?

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:09:21 -0500

Arizona State looks pretty tough. I was rooting for Arizona and Alabama from the get go, but now that they are gone I have to root for somebody. I really like Arizona States centerfielder Katie Cochran. Good player.

It was frustrating watching UCLA intentionally walk her.

I would watch a college softball game over ANY baseball game, 100 times out of 100. I just think it's a better game.

The bunting, the slapping, the speed. On defense you can't make even the smallest mistake. It's a beautiful sport. And some of the players are pretty cute I must admit.

My park district summer coaching season just started. I am looking forward to that. If I could find a way to make $100k coaching softball, that would be my dream job.

Any other fans out there?

My first game as an umpire

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:20:29 -0500

I played baseball for 10 years then softball for 18 and now I am on my 4th year coaching girls softball. But none of that compared to what I did today.

I umped a softball game for the first time. It was 16u girls softball. I was really nervous. I have never taken an umping course. I know the rules, but it's different when you are behind the plate.

The mask gets heavy after a while, your back starts to hurt. (I'm getting old I guess)

And after the 5th inning my focus started to wander. It was very difficult to concentrate on all the different things.

Balls and Strikes
What's the count
Are the girls leading off too soon
Get out of the way of passed ball
Run out on the field when there is a play
Infield fly rule
Dropped third strike with less than 2 outs
Dropped third strike with 2 outs
And a dozen other things

I have always had respect for umpires, but now it's even more. I blew one call today but it was OK.

I was mentally exhausted after the game.

But I had fun. And made 40 bucks so it was all good.

I'll probably do it again if they need help.

Lock in 5% interest for 5 years (Beats bank cd's by 1.5%)

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:25:13 -0500

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**Rates subject to change.

What's your favorite peanut butter (Anyone try PB Loco?)

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:04:53 -0500

I have a friend in the food business and he let me try a few jars of PB Loco peanut butter. I had never heard of it before. This is good stuff.

Have you tried it?

I grew up a JIF boy and it is still my go to peanut butter but this PB Loco has different flavors mixed in with their peanut butter, and some of them are amazing. They have a website www.pbloco.com

They mix these ingredients right into the peanut butter. These are the ones I have tried.

Raspberry White Chocolate (Very good, you get a hit of the chocolate and the raspberry, not overpowering but a nice background flavor with the peanut butter)

Sumatra Cinnamon & Raisin (Awesome, Awesome, Awesome, thats all I have to say)

Dark Chocolate (Very Good, put it on some warm toast and let the peanut butter mixed with chocolate melt a little bit, it's almost life having desert for breakfast)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (Very Good, not my favorite but good)

Banana (OK)

Caramel Chunk (I did not like)

PLUS they have the REGULAR and CHUNKY whch were both really good. They were a little bit thinner consistency than the JIF.

I have also enjoyed the Whole Foods house brand and their grind your own. This is very thick and a little gritty but WOW talk about real peanut flavor. If you are ever at Whole Foods I recommend trying some of the GRIND YOUR OWN

Trader Joes also has a very good VALENCIA NATURAL peanut butter. Very real nuttty flavor.

Yes, If I was stranded on a desert island, I would take peanut butter. I love it.

I recently introduced my niece and her friend to one of my favorite snacks

Peanut butter, banana and honey on toast or a toasted bagel. Try this. You will love it.

Any Ayn Rand Fans ?

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Fri, 09 May 2008 23:49:12 -0500

Atlas Shrugged is my favorite book. I read it 2-3 years ago and I am thinking on tackling it again.

I think Atlas Shrugged, and The Constitution should be required yearly reading for everyone in the country, especially if you want to be a public servant. (Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell should be third on the list)

Government can't keep screwing the producers of the world. The people that make things happen. Otherwise they won't have anybody left to tax. That would be funny. Actually it would be sad, but what if all the RICH people, all the people who employ us, and build things, and invent things and make lots of money doing it. What if all of them finally said. "Enough, we are done, we are sick of the government telling us how to run our business and taxing us to death"

WE QUIT

What would we have left? Nothing to tax anymore because no one is producing anything. No one would be employed because the employers all quit. What would all the leeches do?

You can see the same battles from Atlas Shrugged "Rearden Steel or Taggart Railroad or Francisco's mines VS the government" going on right now. Big Oil, we have to take their profits. Big Drug, we have to regulate them, Big WalMart we have to unionize them.

It would be funny if Big Oil said 'Screw you, we are going to live on a beach, you guys dig your own oil"

I also enjoyed The Fountainhead and Anthem.

Sponsoring A Softball Team

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:43:35 -0500

Anybody who knows me, knows I love coaching girls softball. I played softball for 18 years and now I coach. I am in my fourth year. It's a travelling park district league that my niece plays on. I love it.

I decided this year to sponsor the team I am coaching with my life insurance business.

I think that will be pretty cool wearing a softball shirt with my business on it.

Any realtors ever sponsor a Little League or Softball team?

Any business come from it?

We need a cool team name. Last year we were the Des Plaines Hornets. I'll let the girls decide.

What's your favorite backyard game?

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:43:27 -0500

I was at a Cinco De Mayo/ Birthday party on Sunday. I brought out the bean bags (Cornhole) game for the first time this year.

This is by far my favorite backyard game. It can be super competitive if you get a couple great teams playing each other. Or it can be real mellow with beginners. It's a great game for kids, or for adults while they are drinking their favorite adult beverage.

The hardest part for me is keeping track of the score. (Pencil and notepad sometimes)

It's portable. You don't really need any special skills and EVERYBODY wants to play.

Bocce ball is OK, I haven't played croquet in years. Lawn jarts is only fun with the old metal tips that were banned. I like horseshoes but not as much as bags.

It's definitely bags for me as my game of choice.

Anybody else have any thoughts?

Or are there any other bean bag (Cornhole) fanatics.

PS If anyone in the Chicago area wants a good set of homemade bean bag (Cornhole) boards, I can set you up. They are handmade, and hand painted. And the guy uses 3/4 inch plywood. They are built real nice.

If anyone is looking for good bean bags I like www.americanbeanbaggames.com I have nothing to do with them, I just like their bags.

Kids can't be kids anymore

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:12:44 -0500

Lately I have been hearing some horror stories about high school kids who get caught with a cigarette or having a beer OFF THE SCHOOL GROUNDS on their own time.

And the punishment they get is horribly severe. My sisters co workers son got caught off school grounds with a pack of smokes. He was suspended for 13 games.

I also heard of a couple cheerleaders that were caught at a high school kegger party that were kicked off the Varsity cheerleading squad.

I loved high school kegger parties. They were a blast. No one got hurt and we all had fun. Now it's a practically a prison sentence.

I also heard of a kid who put two lawn ornament deer is a "compromising position". He was also kicked off his high school sport team.

What are we in Russia now? What's next?

I think ZERO tolerence has really bad unintended consequences. Severe things should obviously have a severe punishment.

But these minor infractions?

What's next? "You were caught jaywalking so there goes your college scholarship." "You said the word s&*t so you are suspended for 2 months."

Plus most of these things happen off school grounds. Since when have the high schools become the KGB.

Obviously I don't condone smoking or drinking from underage kids (Although I did I admit) and drinking and driving is horrible. I know this.

But ruining a kids high school athletic career because he had a pack of smokes on him. Cmon.

What's your favorite beer?

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:11:06 -0500

I have been sampling some different types of beer lately. I found a website www.ratebeer.com that is pretty cool and I printed out their top 50 widely available beers and have been going down the list.

Right now I would have to say that my top two favorite types of beer are

1) Porter

2) India Pale Ales

If you have never tried a Porter I highly recommend you do. Lots of flavor, not too heavy. I have tries these 3 and they were all excellent. In order of preference

1) Fullers - London Porter

2) Sierra Nevada- Porter

3) Anchor Steam - Porter

When it somes to the India Pales Ales or IPA, I need to try more but so far Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA (It is so hoppy) is my favorite.

After these my list would go

1) Guiness 2) Modelo Especial 3) Miller High Life

Anybody have any good recommendations?

I broke my finger

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:30:43 -0500

I am having trouble typing because I have a big splint on my left middle finger right now. I may have shattered the tip of my finger. I'll know more tomorrow when I go to the Doctor.

And I couldn't be happier.

I pitched some batting practice to my niece Katilyn and one of her teammates Alli today. We have recently purchased a really nice softball bat and I wanted to let the girls get used to it.

So the girls were ripping the ball and sure enough one of them comes back and nails me right in the finger. Blood started coming out from my now fractured fingernail and I yelled a couple choice words. Now it's purple and about twice the size of my right middle finger.

I iced it and now have it in a splint.

It was too bad that practice had to end because the girls were really hitting the ball hard.

I learned a lesson though. I am going to stand behind one of those big nets the next time we have batting practice.

I love softball.

What is the role of government?

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:14:54 -0500

I commented in someose else blog on this, but I thought it might make for my own interesting post.

What are your thoughts on the role of government? Our founding fathers founded the country on the principals that they believed were important. That's the way our country was run for 150 years. But it doesn't look much like their vision anymore. Universal Health Care? Are you kidding me. The government can't run anything well and now they want to run my health care. Forget it.

Then when we got into the early 20th century, with the New Deal, creation of the Fed, etc. and the powers of government were increased dramatically.

Now I think it's horrible. Seat belt laws, smoking bans, trans fat bans, outdoor fireplace bans. Can't I think for myself anymore? Do we need a law for everything?

Where is Thomas Jefferson when we need him?

There is a city near Chicago (Palatine) that is talking about seceding from COOK county because of excessive county taxes. I hope Palatine does it and that leads the charge for other people to start saying. ENOUGH I am sick of your laws, your taxes, your rules, leave me alone.

I am a libertarian, and most people I talk to realize they are libertarians when they understand the postions. I believe in small government, obeying The Constitution, low taxes, don't stick our nose in other countries businesss, and government stay out of my life, I know how to run my life better than they do.

Here's a neat political quiz. It tells you where you are at according to the issues.

http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html

So, my guy this year was Ron Paul. I held up signs, I talked to my friends, and sent out emails. For the first time in years I was excited about politics. His message of small government was music to my ears. Unfortunately most of the voting public never took the time to research him and the press barely gave him any time.

I don't like any of the three candidates right now. But I would probably vote for McCain if you put a gun to my head. Or I might write in Mickey Mouse.

I don't like liberal policies of "more government is the answer". I think it is evil and that's all Obama and Hillary talk about is how the government is going to fix all your problems.

Government is the problem!!!!!!!!!!!!.

We are the greatest nation on earth and these 3 are what we get to pick from. It's sad.

Update phone prospecting

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:06:29 -0500

I just finished my phone prospecting for the day. It's Saturday around 1:30 PM

100 dials. 16 contacts. One lead.

It's actually getting fun to do it again. I have a good product and a good offer.

I have a deck of cards on my desk and every time I dial I flip a card. It gets my mind off dialing. I am just trying to get to all the ACES as quick as I can. The faster I dial. The more ACES I see.

And that's how I am looking at the dialing. I am just trying to locate the ACES. (People who want to hear about what I sell)

I had one lady say put me on your DNC list. And one guy was funny. He answered the phone "SHALOM" and after I read him my offer he said "N.....O N......O N.......O NO" I had a chuckle and said "OK goodbye" and he thanked me for calling.

People do not get mad if you respect them. But most people who call give you the old "ASSUME CLOSE" or "ALTERNATE CHOICE" close. Most of the time they don't even ask me if I even want what they are selling. I like answering the phone and listening to how people pitch me. Most are horrible, so I learn what not to do.

If I just keep trying to IDENTIFY good prospects, and don't try to convince or persuade anyone that they"need" what I am selling, it makes the whole phone prospecting much easier and fun.

The phone still works

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:54:13 -0500

Lately I have had more fun prospecting than I have had in years. I started in the stock brokerage business back in 1993. We were no strangers to dialing the phone probably averaging 300-400 dials every day. But the "Buy or die" way of selling really takes a toll on you after a while. That was back in the 1990's. I don't sell that way anymore.

Lately I have sent mailers, emails, etc on what I think is a pretty cool annuity. I received some response, but not as much as I would have hoped for.

So I said screw it. I'm gonna get back on the phone. And call people that fit my demographics. In 4 days of calling I have gotten 11 new people that want to go thru the annuity. I am averaging 1 in 10 who say yes, right now which is a pretty decent number, and most of them I have never spoken to before (Yes I am complying with the Do Not Call List)

So then I started calling the people that also received my mailers and some of them want to go thru it too. They may have been curious before I called, but now that I called, they want to go thru it.

So I guess for me right now, my best way of drumming up interest is old school phone calls.

Is your dog shedding?

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:15:20 -0500

The family dog started shedding more the past couple days. So it was time to get our my new secret weapon.

Over the winter we bought a product called THE FURMINATOR from Petco. It was 30-40 bucks but I tell you it is the best dog groomer I have ever used. You'll be amazed at the amount of fur that comes up.

What sold it to me was when I was standing in line at Petco they had a tv with a dvd demonstrating the product. They had different dogs and cats and you watched them as massive amounts of fur came out. So I was sold.

If you are looking for something to use on your dog so there isn't hair all over you and the house I would give the FURMINATOR a try.

Really good Guacamole

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:44:51 -0500

This Guacamole recipe is really good. My sister and niece are Guacamole fiends and they have yet to find a restaurant that makes better Guac than this.

5-6 Avocados (Buy them at produce markets instead of chain supermarkets, save money)

1/2 red onion minced

1/4 cup minced cilantro

1 jalapeno seeded and minced

1 lime juiced

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons of canola or vegetable oil

Halve the avocados. If you have never done it before, take your chefs knife and slice in to the pit, then rotate the avocado around the knife. Separate the two halves. Remove the pit. then take your knife tip and cut checkerboards into the flesh of the avocado. Then take a spoon and scoop out the avocado. Presto, it's already cubed for you.

Combine all the other ingredients and mash with a potato masher of something similar. Leave it a little chunky.

Then dice two plum tomatoes and stir them in. (They add nice color) Let your Guac sit for a while in the fridge covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap.

Right beofre you serve it you need to taste it. My secret is I add a little more salt and lime juice right before serving. It really brightens up the flavors.

Serve with chips, tacos. or anything else.

Cooks Illustrated ranked the Tostitos Restaurant Tortilla chips as their favorite and I would agree that they are good chips.

Enjoy.

Any girls softball fans?

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:56:43 -0500

I am so pumped the weather is finally nice. My niece made the JV high school softball team and 7 of their games have been cancelled due to bad weather. But now that it's nice the fields are drying out, they are starting to play, and I have caught the softball bug.

Me and my sister even splurged today and split a $270 bat for my niece. I can't wait to see how well it works.

I LOVE girls softball. I would rather watch a good college or high school game than the Chicago Cubs any day. Plus I have met some great parents that have become friends over the years, and the games become our social hour.

I also really enjoy coaching. This will be my 4th year after giving up playing the game for 20 years.

My ego exploded today. One of the girls I have coached in the past took some private hitting lessons. I talked to her today and she said "Oh they were just teaching me all the stuff that you told me last summer" Talk about making me feel good.

Anybody else a softball parent ?(or softball Uncle as in my case)

Live To Age 150? ....... Barbara Walters Video Says It's Possible

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:20:45 -0500

Barbara Walters just had a special on living to age 150. I watched it. WOW. It sounds a little far fetched but take a guess at how many Americans are 100 or older right now? The answer : Over 84,000. There will likely be over 1 million baby boomers that live to 100.

Think about that. You retire at 65 or whatever and you live another 35 years. If not more. And with medical advances and new drugs it's very possible.

Here's a link to the video. I watched all 6 parts. Very interesting.

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/live-to-be-150-can-you-do-it-part-5-of-6/4166727402

That brings up a dilemma though. How do you make sure that your retirement money lasts you for 30 years?

The stock market has no guarantees on what your mutual funds will do. They could be worth less than they are now in 10 years. And mutual funds do not guarantee a lifetime of income.

So what else is there. What can guarantee an income for as long as you live and still let you maintain control of your money?

Well I put together a video on something that does just that. You can watch it by clicking on this link.

http://www.protectmyira.com/files/2008-04-02_10.37_Guaranteed_Income_Provider.wmv

An easy hummus and saganaki recipe

Carl Ostenson (Ostenson Group) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 01:00:04 -0500

Who wants to impress the crap out of some guests at your next dinner party. Make this. It's easy and they will think you are a pro. I was in charge of Easter dinner this year. I went with a Mediterranean theme and found two fantastic recipes. There is NO reason for you to ever buy store bought hummus again. This is absolutely delicious and very easy to make.

HUMMUS

2 cups Garbanzo beans drained

1/3 cup tahini

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

2 cloves garlic

Put all of this in a food processor and let her rip for 2 minutes. Make sure it is all smooth. Spoon it into a bowl and put it in the fridge and let the flavors get together for a while. When you serve it drizzle some olive oil, a pinch of paprika and a pinch of minced parsley over the top.

Then rub some olive oil on pita bread and warm them up in a nonstick pan.

Warm pita and fresh hummus. Unbelievably good.

Then hit your guest with some fresh saganaki OPAAHHH. This is easy, and don't be afraid.

You need Kaserri cheese. I found it at a Garden Fresh Market here in Chicago land.

SAGANAKI

Wedge of Kaserri Cheese cut so it's 1/2 inch thick

1 egg beaten

1/2 cup of flour

Brandy

Fresh lemon juice

Heat some olive oil in a nonstick pan. Get it pretty hot. Then dip your cheese in the egg and dust it in the flour. When the oil is hot put in the cheese. Let it get nice and a little dark brown (it tastes better if it's dark brown) and then flip it. Let that side get brown then get ready for the fireworks

Take the pan off the stove and pour a shot or two of brandy in the pan. Tilt the pan towards you so the brandy runs to one side. The grab your lighter and yell OPAAAHHH. Then squueze some lemon juice over the top to put out the flames and serve it hot. It's better than the restaurant, and there's is something about the smell of fried cheese and brandy that will make the house smell wonderful.

This will impress and it's so good.