HOW DOES THAT GO ` SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP? After your Thanksgiving meal you can head to the mall or shop on line. check below some of the retailers that will be open Thanksgiving Day.
With a slowly recovering economy, retailers are looking for ways to lure wary customers into their stores on Black Friday. OK that's good, everybody likes a bargain.
*Some retailers are attracting shoppers by staying open on Thanksgiving Day, in addition to extending their hours on Black Friday. Wal-Mart leads the pack, with most of its stores remaining open for 24 hours on Thanksgiving Day as well as Black Friday. WOW! I GUESS THIS IS CHANGING TIMES.
On Thanksgiving, the Gap will open at 9 a.m., Banana Republic at 11 a.m., and Old Navy at noon. Toys "R" Us stores will open their doors at midnight before Black Friday. BE CAREFUL SHOPPING AFTER MIDNIGHT, THE GHOST MAY GET YOU.
Others are employing social media contests to draw in customers, like J.C. Penney Co.'s Facebook sweepstakes, inwhich winners will receive a Penney's $500 gift card, assistance from personal shoppers, and a limo ride to the store. now this is more my style. HEY ACTIVE RAIN MAYBE YOU SHOULD GIVE US AN INCENTIVE TO MAKE IT AN ALL NIGHTER.
If you live in New Braunfels TX or Comal County we may see you at one of the discount stores. I don't plan on any home inspections on Thanksgiving Day. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving, Enjoy your day with the family and Stay Safe and Bless Our Troops and their families. May God Bless America.
Carl & Ceil Winters
Carl Winters, Advanced Inspector, #3630.Certified by Texas Real Estate Commission
11/18/09 Report: The front that went by on Monday took a lot of Maple leaves off the trees. After they turn any wind or rain is hard on the trees. We did get some near freezing temperatures the last two nights that will complete the turn on the twenty percent of the Maples that haven't turned yet.
This will also get the Red Oaks turning and the lacy Oaks should start looking better as well. The East Trl still has the best color and the one mile drive into the Park still looks good. The West Trail is just starting to show some color as the Red Oaks are starting to turn and a few Lacy Oaks looked to be starting. The west Trail should look very good about the first and/or second week of December.
The high temperatures are predicted to be in the high sixties and low seventies this week and low forties to high thirties for the low temperatures. Just a bit like fall should be.
If you are new to Texas be sure to plan a trip to Lost Maples. If you have been here for awhile load up the family and plan a fun day over to Lost Maples.
Localism Blog for Texas by Ceil & Carl Winters - If you should need a home inspection please call us. We live in the Texas Hill Country
Try to visit on a week day if possible, as weekends have been very crowded,
37221 FM 187 Vanderpool TX 78885 830/966-3413
History: Lost Maples State Natural Area covers 2174.2 scenic acres in Bandera and Real Counties, north of Vanderpool on the Sabinal River
Free Thanksgiving Dinner for Seniors is This Friday November 20th.
Dear Seniors New Braunfels, Texas
Thanksgiving Dinner for seniors at the Comal County Senior Citizens Center is coming up THIS Friday. This event is sponsored by the Senior Center and the Scooter Store for seniors ages 50 and older.
This annual tradition in New Braunfels TX would not be possible without the donations and volunteer support of the Scooter Store and its employees.
The dinner is set for this Friday from 11:30 to 12:30 at the Comal County Senior Center on Landa Street. No reservations are needed, but again, the dinner is THIS Friday November 20th. for seniors age 50 and older. For more information call 629-4547.
Do we really know what a dollar bill is really worth?
Is your dollar bill getting bigger or is it shrinking?
Have you noticed that every time you pick up an item in the grocery store that once cost 50 cents is now $1.00. Now, I ask who is in control? Who would have thought the price of bread and a gallon of milk would cost over $5.00. The only thing you see in the store is hot dogs for under a dollar and the bin is always empty. Does that tell you something?
Who's in control? You and I can debate that till the cows come home, but it's true our government is out of control. I don't see any indications that we are better off then we were two years ago. Everywhere we go folks are discussing, the economy, jobs,healthcare and our out of control government.
Who's out of touch? Hard working folks (if you are fortunate and have a job) or folks up in Washington collecting a big fat paycheck, deciding who gets what? I say the folks in Washington are out of touch. Most of them have all the money they would ever need or want so it makes no difference to them what a dollar is worth, its all about power.
This is my rant for Sunday evening.
Ceil Winters wife of the best home inspector in our area. Keep selling houses so Carl can keep inspecting houses so we can continue to pay our elected officials a salary and keep the economy going (even if the value of the dollar is shrinking). This is just my opinion and Sunday night rant.
_________________________
Carl Winters, Advanced Inspector, #3630.Certified by Texas Real Estate Commission
When a property is sold in "AS IS" condition , how do you know without a Home Inspection what you are really getting.
It is up to you the Buyer to take action to satisfy yourself that the property is worth the money. it may be well worth your while to consider a Home Inspection. You could possibly end up spending more then you had anticipated.
The Question: What is the true condition of the home? It may be worth to spend a couple hundred dollars (depending on the size of the home) to "know what your getting and if there may be some costly defects or repairs.
One Example:
The Attic
The attic will tell a history. The attic is an area not to be overlooked.
You could find broken trusses or rafters or that they had not been installed properly. You can find stress cracks that would hinder the integrity. (very important)
*Proper insulation is an important factor. Without going up into the attic you would never know if it were propertly insulated.
*Rodent damage would be found if squirrels, mice or rats had been in the attic.
Did you know? Rodents can cause severe damage and may even cause a fire. Rodents have been known to
eat the plastic from wiring.
We specifically look for leaks around the chimney.
Looking for evidence of water, stains on the wood is a good indication of leaks
and water damage.
Yes, the roof may look just fine from the outside, but if there are leaks it will be evident when you climp up into the attic and look for signs of damage.
This is just ONE EMAMPLE of a specific part of the home. If there are defects would YOU NOT WANT TO KNOW before you purchase?
With homes that have been in foreclosure, sitting for months unoccupied, it may be well worth your while to consider a Home Insnpection. You could end up spending more in repairs or replacement then you had anticipated.
Localism Blog for New Braunfels and Canyon Lake Texas November 15, 2009. Need a home inspection, call Carl Winters at 830-660-0131. Member of Activerain Real Estate Network, Certified by TREC, License #3630 (since 1994) Complete Inspection Service.
Thank You Carl and Ceil Winters
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Carl Winters, Advanced Inspector, #3630.Certified by Texas Real Estate Commission
Missy and Lissy sure have grown since spring. Thank goodness we finally got some rain; now they have plenty acorns to eat.
We love to watch the Hill Country deer in our area. Be careful this time of the year when you are driving, seems deer don't look both ways when they cross the road.
I suspect Missy and Lissy will soon be leaving us. We will be waiting for our next fawns when they arrive in the spring.
Blog: November 13, 2009 by Ceil Winters....Loving and Living in Comal County Texas
SamsungT Over-the-Range Microwaves Recalled Due to Shock Hazard
Please feel free to pass this on if you know someolne that may have this product
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Samsung Over-the-Range Microwave Ovens
Units: About 43,000
Importer: Samsung Electronics America Inc., of Ridgefield Park, N.J.
Hazard: If an installation bolt comes in contact with an electrical component inside the unit and the microwave is plugged into an ungrounded outlet, it could create a shock hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The recall involves Samsung 1000 watt over-the-range microwave ovens. The following model and serial numbers are included in this recall:
Affected production lots / Affected Serial Number Range (From serial number To serial number)
All SMH9151x produced from January through May 2009: / xxxxxxxS1xxxxxx to xxxxxxxS5xxxxxx
Some products produced in June were also affected: SMH9151B / xxxxxxOS600001 to xxxxxxOS600100 and xxxxxxTS600001 to xxxxxxTS601100 SMH9151S / xxxxxxTS600001 to xxxxxxTS601386 SMH9151ST / xxxxxxTS600001 to xxxxxxTS600330 SMH9151STE / xxxxxxTS600001 to xxxxxxTS600330 SMH9151W / xxxxxxOS600001 to xxxxxxOS600200 and xxxxxxTS600001 to xxxxxxTS602055
Sold at: Retail stores nationwide from January 2009 through July 2009 for between $180 and $200.
Manufactured in: Malaysia
Remedy: Consumers should immediately unplug and stop using the recalled product, and contact Samsung to schedule a free repair.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Samsung toll-free at (888) 402-6974 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET 7 days a week, or visit the firm's Web site at www.samsung.com/otrrecall
In case you forgot a few weeks back you helped me decide what granite to use on my new countertops. In case you missed it I choose CANELLE. So far I have started to remove the drawers, take everything out from underneath the cabinets (just a couple so far). I went to Home Depot and purchased some packing boxes, already have four sitting in my dining room. All myl cabinets are finished and if I do say so for being 50 years old look pretty good. I removed all the hardware, cleaned it and will reuse it.
Today I started to remove the countertrops. OMG I am already beginning to think maybe I made the wrong decision. I banged, no movement. So I thought well I don't see any screws, it must be really good 50 year old glue. Maybe I'll take the formica off and see where I need to cut.
Back to the computer to make sure I understood all the directions. Here are some pictures of what I have done so far.
Sample: Canelle Oak Cabinets
Removed some of the 50 year old formica so I could figure out how to get the countertops off
They say on DYI you can do it. Yes I can! Can you see my new rubber mallet and heavy duty hammer.
Tomorrow I will get the courage to remove the stove top and work on the next section. Anything has to be better then that "old yellow" formica.
They said I have about 21 days before delivery; hope I have all the countertops removed by that time. Looks like Carl is going to have to eat allot of cold cuts for awhile.
Carl Winters, Advanced Inspector, #3630.Certified by Texas Real Estate Commission
www:home-inspection4u.com
The inspection is the examination of a home or business. The standard inspection includes a review of the heating and air-conditioning systems;
plumbing and wiring; roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, foundation (structural & mechanical).
Buyers, Sellers, New Home Phase Inspections are encouraged to have the inspection.
Service Area: San Antonio, Texas and Surrounding Counties (San Antonio, New Braunfels, Boerne, Wimberly, Bulverde, Schertz-Cibolo, Spring Branch, Blanco). Carl Winters, Advanced Inspector, License 3630...830-660-0131
(Since 1994)
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