Helping Hands...from my kids

As the weather has been getting nicer I have been spending more time out doors doing yard work and projects. The kids love to get their gloves on and get their buckets or wagons and help, for about 20 minutes. Then they seem to get tired and want a break to go jump on the tramp, or swing, or play badmitten or kick ball. Funny how those things don't make them tired and that they can jump on the tramp for an hour.

Yesterday Hudson helped me move rocks, as that is all that we have for dirt, and put down 1/2 yard of bark. See photo on left, all the rocks are just sitting on top of the ground. The photo on the right is our boulders and rocks that came out of our foundation. Yes the pick ax is my favorite tool!

It is so funny to watch him struggle to get some bark on his shovel and toss it over. He is so proud of his work and it makes me so happy to see him help with the chores, with out my asking.

That is a good day...

Feds cut the rate by .25%

After a year of aggressively slashing interest rates, Federal Reserve policymakers signaled that their rate-cutting days may soon be over — for now. As expected, the Fed's Open Market Committee served up just a quarter-point cut Wednesday, leaving the benchmark for overnight loans between banks at just 2 percent — down from 5.25 percent when the rate slashing began last summer. Some Fed watchers say we may see one more cut before the Fed pauses to see if its easy-money policy has the desired effect of boosting a sagging economy — without setting off another upward price spiral. But the comments attached to Wednesday's decision lead some to believe the Fed is headed for the sidelines. "I think they're going to pause right now and that's the message we should be taking away," said former Fed Governor Susan Bies. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues may have little choice. That's because soaring food and energy prices are beginning to spill over into the wider costs of other goods and services. And the quickest known antidote to higher inflation is to move interest rates back up again. In explaining Wednesday's decision, the FOMC put less emphasis than in prior meetings on the risks of an economic downturn, and noted that " uncertainty about the inflation outlook remains high. It will be necessary to continue to monitor inflation developments carefully." Those developments include a continued surge in oil and gasoline prices. Oil recently came within a dime of $120 a barrel to set a record. Pump prices are up 55 cents a gallon in the past 10 weeks. Credit Suisse economist Jonathan Basile estimates that each penny at the pump costs American consumers roughly $1 billion in spending power. So even as $150 billion in rebate checks begin showing up in taxpayer accounts, about a third of that stimulus money will already have been spent to pay for higher fuel costs. Rate cuts have been the Fed’s main weapon against a slowdown, but each move usually takes at least six months to begin having the desired effect. While the economy has been flashing recession signals in the latest monthly data, Wednesday's report on growth in the fourth quarter of last year showed that the national Gross Domestic Product inched head at just 0.6 percent. Though very weak, the data have yet to confirm the economy is in outright recession. If, as many economists currently believe, the economy emerges from a shallow decline by year-end, the Fed is concerned that continued rate-cutting could make inflation worse when things begin to pick up again. So far, the latest series of rate cuts seem to have had only mixed success with a more immediate goal — calming financial markets.

Money Matters 4-28-08

Mortgage rate information 4-24-08

Rates are higher today resulting from yesterday's upward pressure. Sales of new homes were down 8.5% in March to reflect the lowest level in 16 1/2 years. Meanwhile the median price in March fell 13.3% compared to a year ago. This represents the steepest year over year decline since July 1970. LOAN PROGRAM RATE FEE 30 Yr Fixed (Conforming) 6.125% 0.000 Fixed Jumbo 7.125% 0.000 15 Yr Fixed (Conforming) 5.875% 0.000 Second 8.750% 0.000 This is not what any of us want to hear but it is a realistic view of our little market.

"Mommy, how long are you going to be here?"

This is what Hudson asked me today when I dropped him of at Christina's house. I ignored him like I didn't hear his comment. Then a few minutes later, of course Christina and I were still chatting, he asked again. Man...that kid does not like to share. He gave me a giant love and said "bye bye mommy." He couldn't get me out of there fast enough so that he can start his new fun day! He loves seeing all the girls especially Marissa, who he has a HUGE crush on! It is so funny to see him get all shy and embarrassed when she comes in the room. So sweet!! Oh, well at least he enjoys himself! Kuddos Christina!

Gardening is much needed... Mother's Day idea...

I look around my yard and am overwhelmed with the amount of yard work and gardening that I need to do. The front yard is still all torn up from the remodel and I had hopes to having in shape already, oh well. At least my transplanted Peonies are up and looking good so far. I was worried that they would be a casualty. I have made a list of all of the projects and tasks that I want to get accomplished this summer and I feel better. I have even managed to get out there a little bit here and there, keeping a close eye bursts of rain and hail. Gardening is very cathartic for me and is something that I love to share with the kids. Each year for Mother's Day the kids and I go to the nursery and pick out plants for the hanging baskets and flower pots. Then we come home and plant everything together. They love to have a say in the flowers that we pick out and getting their hands dirty is fun! This is one of my most enjoyable days of the entire year. They also help me weed and get the garden ready for planting each year. Of course their most favorite is planting the seeds and not quite so much the weeding. We do the watering in the evenings and they help with that also. Then their favorite time comes to pick the fruit and veggies. This is usually dinner and usually doesn't make it into the house for me to cook. But all of this is great for them to see how hard of work it is to grow our food and they learn to work together and are able to enjoy the "fruits" of their labors with one another. Do you have any great stories of things that you do with your kids?

How to COMPOST for our Earth - Earth day is TODAY

Composting is an excellent way to recycle kitchen and garden waste. It is very easy to build your own compost bin and use the compost to help your garden grow. How Composting Works Composting is the decomposition of materials that originated from animals and plants. These organic materials can be things such as plant trimmings, vegetable cuttings, eggshells and teabags. The composting process produces a dark, crumbly matter that can be used as fertiliser in garden soil. The main stages of composting are: Adding organic materials to a compost bin Micro-organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, break sown the soft material. This causes the compost pile to heat to around 60°C. This is the ideal temperature for micro-organisms to work at. The compost pile then cools to below 30°C. Small creatures such as worms and insects then break down the tougher material. The whole process usually takes about 3 – 9 months, and results in a nutrient-rich fertiliser to use in your garden. The compost that is ready to use can be taken from the bottom of the pile, leaving the rest to finish the process. How to Build a Compost Bin You can buy a compost bin or build your own. Compost bins are usually sold at DIY and gardening stores. Build a compost bin by creating a frame out of wood and attach it to the ground using posts. Your compost bin should be able to hold about 200-300 litres, try and use a bin with a lid to keep out the rain. The compost bin should be placed in a well-lit and well-drained area of the garden. Try and keep the compost bin out of the wind. Improve drainage by breaking up the soil underneath the compost bin. What You Should and Shouldn’t Compost What to add to your compost pile: Hair and fur Shredded paper Straw and hay Animal bedding and sawdust Crushed egg shells Grass and plant cuttings Raw fruit and vegetable trimmings Teabags and coffee granules Horse manure Leaves What not to add to your compost pile: Meat or fish Coal Ash Animal waste Nappies and used tissues Dairy products Cooked foods Coloured or treated paper Chemically treated wood Diseased plants Persistent weeds

Money Matters 4-21-08

Everyone Is Always Welcome

Come in the evening, or come in the morning, Come when you're looked for, or come without warning, Kisses are welcome you'll find here before you, And the oftener you come here the more I'll adore you. ~ Thomas O. Davies - The Welcome

Two peas in a bucket

This web site has a TON of fun stuff for scrapbooking and journaling. I love to visit this site and get fun ideas and see what other people are doing around the country. http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/ Tell me what you think of this site.

Weekend Rates 4.18.2008

Rates are up slightly. There are no major economic news releases scheduled for today. Friday's trivia: 25% of all photocopier faults world-wide are caused by people sitting on them and photocopying their behinds. LOAN PROGRAM RATE FEE 30 Yr Fixed (Conforming) 6.250% 0.000 Fixed Jumbo 7.500% 0.000 15 Yr Fixed (Conforming) 6.000% 0.000 Second 8.750% 0.000

Childhood

My lovely living Boy My hope, my hap, my Love, my life, my joy. Hudson is such a special little man to me. I just love to see him smile and see new things every day! AHHH...

To-Day

Out of Eternity

The new Day is born;

Into Eternity

At night will return.

~ Carlyle - To-Day

Trust and treatment of one another

Trust men, and they will be true to you; treat them greatly, and they will show themselves great. ~ Emerson - Essay on Prudence

The BEST pot roast recipe ever!

There was this restaurant in Anacortes that my parents used to take us to that made the BEST pot roast. I always wanted to make it just like Terry did. I tried many, many, many times unsuccessfully to make the perfect pot roast meal. Mike finally said, "Please just give up", but I refused. Each of these attempts were unedible, no matter what I did to doctor them up. Then I found this fabulous recipe that actually turned out how I had always wanted. PERFECT. If anyone is interested in trying my recipe send me a email and I will send it to you. (My sister didn't know that I knew how to make it and was surprised when she tasted it, that it really was quite good.) P.S. This magazine is my favorite for cooking techniques and recipes. Cooks Unlimited.

Thursday, April 17, 2008 Interest rates

Bond Market Update Rates are higher today.

The initial jobless claims are up 17,000 to 372,000. A New York conference board said its forecast of future economic activity rose .1% in March. Economists had expected a .2% increase.

LOAN PROGRAM RATE FEE

30 Yr Fixed (Conforming) 6.250% 0.000

Fixed Jumbo 7.750% 0.000

15 Yr Fixed (Conforming) 5.875% 0.000

Second 8.750% 0.000

Quote by Benjamin Franklin

"Plough deep while sluggards sleep." ~ Poor Richard. Preface to 1758

Getting color in your spring garden

My favorite flower is the Paeonia (pay-on-ee-ah) or commonly called the Peony. No garden would be complete without the large, silken blooms of peonies in late spring and early summer. Ever present in gardens but with good reason, peonies are among the longest-lived of perennials, widely adaptable, with flowers readily produce with little effort. Thousands of cultivars and hybrids are available, providing a wide range of flower forms and colors.

Growing Guide

Full-sun, partial shade in hotter climates. Humus-rich, moist but well drained soil. Important to set the eyes, or red sprouts, at the proper depth, about 1 inch below the soil line. Taller types may need staking. To prevent botrytis blight, cut off all stems and leaves in the fall. Peonies need a certain number of chilling hours to break dormancy, so in hotter areas select cultivars proven in these areas; also it's better to grow early to mid-season and single or Japanese flower forms in these areas. Use a winter mulch where needed to prevent heaving. Use fertilizer cautiously, as too much results in foliage rather than flowers.

Through a child's eyes

I find it so enjoyable to be able to watch my kids do or see or experience something for the first time. It really brings tears to my eyes to see the delight in their faces at something that is so special to them. Like watching Hudson see Eyeore, at Disneyland, and the huge eyes and the giant giggle at how big he is and how funny it is when Eyeore covers his eye when I am taking their picture. It just makes everything that I go through in life not matter, just to see that face light up with glee!

The value of the Mortgage Broker increases because banks no longer can sell loans well

We can kiss WAMU goodbye as it preps itself for an acquisition. Today's news gives all the indications...We've talked about how bricks and mortar will disappear as local centers of real estate commerce (or at least they should change their sterile function as meeting and signing places). WAMU, along with a $7 billion cash infusion (yes, another fire sale) that dilutes its shareholders about 48%, is closing 186 home loan centers. Frankly, more loan offices should be closed - rental expenses are too costly now that loans are becoming commoditized and the application processes don't require a visit to the loan officer.And WAMU also closed their wholesale lending division. That means mortgage brokers won't be able to sell WAMU loans to their borrowers. Borrowers must now deal directly with the bank... but what consumer wants to do that now at a time when credit tightening makes it more critical to efficiently source all their loan options.In one fell swoop, WAMU admits the obvious - 1. We're not in the loan sales business any more 2. We're re-capitalized, and retrenched... 3. Making us a safer acquisition for a bigger bankThe banks are hurting themselves by making it so difficult to get a loan now. With credit tight and public perception of banks as either unsafe, unsavory, inefficient or even idiotic, doesn't this imply that the consumer needs more guidance than ever for their loans? Doesn't it portend the rise of the good mortgage broker? This is a window of opportunity for new mortgage business models (mostly of the online variety) and for the competent mortgage brokers whose blogs we follow.