Santa Was Good To Our Two Little Guys This Year..... - 12/26/09 12:32 PM
Although there may have been one too many pillows shreaded to bits this year, apparently Santa thought our two little guys still deserved to be on the "nice" list, and not on the "naughty" list..
You can see the look on both of their faces as I helped them open up their package from Santa.
He brought them 3 dried chicken breasts each!!
That lasted about 2 minutes as they both seemed to inhale them with very little chewing............
(I had just woke up so please excuse my major bedhead!!)

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Juliana Wetmore: A 6-Year Old Girl who could use a tiny bit ($1.99) of help from all of us. - 12/22/09 09:16 PM

A good friend of mine told me about this and I had to pass it on.
The song on on this video was written for a little girl named Juliana.  The song was written and produced by Skip Ewing. Skip was so touched by Juliana's spirit that he decided to create this song for her and sell it so that the proceeds could go to helping Juliana and her family.
This video and background information regarding Juliana and the story behind the song was relayed over to me by a good tennis buddy of mine.  Our Christmas Wish is that … (1 comments)

"Polar Bear: I Come In Peace" - VERY cool photos of a polar bear and dog - 12/22/09 10:54 AM
My sister had emailed me these photos and I was blown away by them.
They are photos taken by photographer Norbert Rosing. 
His striking images are of a wild polar bear coming upon tethered sled dogs in the wilds of Canada's Hudson Bay.
The photographer was sure that he was going to see the end of his dogs when the polar bear wandered in.
It's hard to believe that this polar bear only needed to hug someone!
The Polar Bear returned every night that week to play with the dog.
Check it out:






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Interest Rate Update 12-12-09 - 12/20/09 11:34 AM
Rates remain TERRIFIC! We had relative stability this week in terms of interest rates, and hopefully they will continue to be this low throughout the holiday and even beyond.
These rates are typical for the borrower with excellent credit and a sizable down payment, exclusive of FHA for the down payment. Take a look at FHA 5/1 ARM rates below, as those rates are at 3.75% for all loans up to $729,750-this is amazing.! This can be a very attractive alternative for FHA buyers.
 
Conventional Loans:
30 Year Fixed Conforming---$417,000 and Below: 4.875% with 1 Point
30 Year Fixed … (2 comments)

Thank you for keeping it fair, Senator Franken............. - 12/18/09 05:54 PM
This is a clip I found of an exchange between Senator Al Franken and Senator Joe Lieberman.
Basically, he's telling him that his time is up on the podium.
Everyone knows how much time they are given, and they've all prepared their speeches well ahead of time, so you know that you need to time your speech.
Senator Lieberman tried to slip into filibuster mode, but apparently got spanked and sent back to his chair.

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Wakefield Winter Wonderland - A must see for Santa Clarita residents - 12/13/09 12:56 AM
Went to the Annual Wakefiield Winter Wonderland this evening.
It really is a very special neighborhood Christmas light extravaganza.
It is on Wakefield court in the Saugus area of Santa Clarita.
It's such an extensive collaborative effort of all the residents on the street.  They have icicle lights running across from house to house and viewers in cars come from all areas just to see this wonderful event.
There's a wonderful story about how it all started after the 1994 earthquake when all the neighbors pooled together to support one another during a time of crisis.
I took several shots on … (8 comments)

Interest Rate Update 12/12/09 - 12/13/09 12:37 AM
Rates remain TERRIFIC!
We had relative stability this week in terms of interest rates, even though bonds were under pressure because of a better than expected Retail Sales Report for November, marking the third monthly increase over the past four months.
Consumer Sentiment was also reported quite a bit better than expectations.
Below are some rates for the week-end. These rates are typical for the borrower will excellent credit and a sizable down payment, exclusive of FHA for the down payment. Take a look at FHA 5/1 ARM rates below, as those rates are at 3.75% for all loans up to … (2 comments)

Maui 2009 - Day 4 - The Road to Hana!! - 12/06/09 12:13 AM
So in our fabulous vacation in Maui, today was the day for our road trip to Hana.
Hana is the city that is on the most eastern part of the island and it is about a 3 1/2 hour drive to get there with 617 curves and 56 one-lane bridges.
IT IS BY FAR, the most incredible and beautiful drive you will ever make in your life!
It is really a life-changing experience.
Our first stop was in a small town called Paia, which is a very cool sort of hippie town.  Very cute with old town buildings and of course, … (10 comments)

Maui 2009 - Day One - 12/03/09 12:23 PM
OK.
So I just got in yesterday to Maui.  Absolutely gorgeous!  That's it, I've decided I'm packing my bags and moving to Maui!!  How long would it take me to get my license out here?!!  Kidding (then again, maybe not).
I have to tell you, it's an ENTIRELY different way of life here.
The people here are like Canadians without the snow!!  So nice, so respectul, very laid back, not uptight at all.  It's kind of a culture shock for me, but in a good way.
And I'm learning that Hawaii has the most beautiful extensive culture that goes back many, … (9 comments)