Hello all you Fabulous Divas,
I'm doing my posting from one of those delightful cafe's that have internet access.
Well Michelle and I have been having the most marvelous time, and thank goodness we are using today as a chance to catch our collective breaths.
We took the Capitor Corridor train on its mid-morning run to Sacramento, and then from the station we took a taxi to the Delta King, our floating hotel on the Sacremento River next to "Old Town Sacramento". Poor cab driver, we had so much luggage that it couldn't fit into his trunk so we had to put some in the back seat, so I sat in the back and Michelle sat in the front. We tipped him handsomely for his hard work.
Remember that dear Diva's if anyone give you extra service or they take that extra step to help you out, be sure to tip them for their work, it's always appreciated.
It only took two hours by train to get to Sacramento, which is a marvel because if one drives it takes the same amount of time, so why stress one's self and it can be so relaxing.
The Delta King is just a beautiful thing, I almost felt like Rhett Butler was going to be walking the boards of it. Our rooms are comfortable and most importantly Warm.
Since it's on the river and since it is Winter time, it will be Cold, and since we were also going to Reno we packed for cold weather, which is a good thing, gloves, wool scarves are a must.
My dear Friend Mean Kitty has always said to me "If you're going to the North Pole, don't pack a bikini". And she is right Darlings, one of the first steps in traveling is packing, always check what the weather conditions are like where you are going and with the internet you can always get last minute weather conditions.
Well we arrived just a bit after lunch time, so we decided to get settled in our rooms first and then see about a late lunch and do a little sight-seeing in Old Town Sacramento. We lunched in Old Town, and I have to say I am so glad they were able to preserve it. It felt like we had stepped back in time or that we were some how between time periods. We didn't have much in the way of crowds because many people were not there yet to take advantage of the Holiday Weekend, and I do belive that the cold may have kept some people away. But it was enjoyable.
And at night it just lit up and took on a hazy feeling, like a dream in a way.
The Delta King even had that quality as a hazy fog from the River drifted up and surrounded it; it felt like old ghosts were paying a visit to the old dear.
Well we returned to the King after we had lunch and walked around the town a bit, so we rested and finished getting settled. Later we had drinks and a light dinner, and it was very good, there were some dishes that I felt could have been better but I was not disapointed. We finished off with de-caffe coffee and later an after dinner drink.
I thought that with being on a large ferry that when I slept I would feel some movement from being on the water but I slept like a baby. On Friday morning we had brunch, and took in the Sacramento Railroad museum. Michelle had never seen it and we felt in a way like school girls, just looking at the old history and in some ways all the idea of travel by rail. Michelle said that in taking the Coast Starlight up to San Francisco she really had an appreciation of travel by rail that in many ways it was a great improvement over air flight. That is was a shame that people had gotten way from traveling by rail.
I told her that half the fun of travel is getting there, it's not so much the destination but traveling to it.
Watching our time, we had an early dinner and then took a chauffered vehicle to the ARCO Arena. Yes darlings I said "chauffered vehicle" now remember when you were going to your Senior Promp and a group of you would make arrangements to have a chauffered limo take you around, well as Diva's you can also make arrangements to get you to events. We did not ask for a Limo but we did ask for a nice sedan. Imaging my surprise when a Bentley showed up to take us there and bring us back to our hotel. Michelle made the arrangements and I do not know what service she used but we made sure that if there was any parking fees for the Bentley that they were covered.
And the "Blue Man Group", Darlings I cannot begin to describe this experience short of saying it was fantastic, it was music and performance art at the same time. If any of you have a chance to see them or if they ever show any of their earlier performances on Cable or DVD do see it, sadly it is not the same as seeing a live performance that "sucks you in to it" and grabs your senses, but do see them at least once.
We were just so overwhelmed by it that after the driver dropped us back at "The King" we decided to have a drink to just analize what we had seen. Michelle said that if they had been around when she was managing in the entertainment industry she would have leaped at having them as part of her "stars". She said that it was so much lack of talent and so much posturing that is what made her leave the entertainment industry and start doing real estate and later investments, she like Moi had the sense of when was the right time to get out of something before the bottom fell out.
Saturday we both slept in and then had a very light breakfast, Michelle wanted to take in one of the historical tours and we felt that afterwards we could relax a bit before we took in the Mystery Dinner theatre on the Delta King. Fortunately I have excellent walking shoes and the tour we had around "Old Town" was so informative and entertaining. I was wishing that we had some time to take in Sutter's Fort and a tour of the Capital as well as the Crocker Art Museum but I'll have to save that for another time.
Afterwards we stopped at a Lounge for a drink and a nosh, and that's when Michelle and I had a chance to do a bit of catch up.
I asked her what she had been doing of late since it had been nearly 5 years since I'd seen her although we had kept in touch with cards, letters and e-mails.
She told me that after I gave her the warning to sell out of the dot.com investments based on my "gut feelings" (and just in time too) she put some of her money into hotels that were in the process of being renovated and upgraded.
She still was representing talent but it was getting more and more exhausting for her. She said "I was representing 20 somethings that had not paid their life dues and wanted everything on a platter and just try and keep the drugs away from them, selfish, spoiled and without control the minute they had cash and this was long before the Paris Hilton
and Brittany Spears fiasco. I did have a few really talented people and I knew I had to get rid of those that were trouble but part of the problem is that those trouble makers were also my biggest money makers.
The decision came after I fainted in my office and was rushed to the hospital. It was what the doctors told me that made me make the final decision to get out of the business. I wasn't going to die for spoiled babies. But what to do with those that really counted?
I had to be brutal and yet find a way that would preserve my reputation in the business. I decided to let the "spoiled brats" know that I couldn't represent them any more and why and gave them the names of others that I said would take them up in a heartbeat. I didn't even recommend anyone to them.
But those that I knew worked hard and were paying their dues, those I gently guided them to those that I knew could give them the right venues, give good advice and treat them fairly, they are doing well. The "spoiled brats" ? Well some of them faded away on their own drug induced dreams, and some are still out there but not as well.
My hotel investments paid well and steady, and then when I felt better I did real estate on the side until I had that feeling that things might go down the "tubes" and got out at the right time. My investments are paying me well and I'm contacted by charity event coordinators about talent recommendations and seeing who would be available for fund raising events, so I act as a laison making the initial connections and then guide them through the rest of the process. It's not too tiring and leaves me with plenty of free time to see what other talent is out there and connect with them for future charity venues, keeps my hand in and saves me from heart attacks."
From there we talked about changes in L.A. and S.F., families, politicial issues, and the future.
Then Michelle stopped talking and was listening to the piano player who was singing in the Lounge, after the player stopped and took a break Michelle went up to her and exchanged cards with the singer, and then joined me "She is good, local preferrs, to stay around here, but I've got some people and such that might be interested in her for a few events around here. Smart too she's got a good manager, I've heard of him. I'll give him a call after I get back to L.A."
I could only smile, no matter what, my friend was still working and she just grinned at me when I smiled, it was like a silent secret message. Even I have to confess, I was looking around for things that might become a sign post towards good investments.
We returned to the King and freshened up and went to the Mystery Diner Theatre they have on board, Michelle and I had a lot of fun, I'm not going to even explain it to you, but I have to say you never know if you are going to be seated next to the victim or the killer. The food was good if not spectacular but I feel that one is in there more for the Mystery, but having good food helps.
Michelle said one drink after and then to bed, Sunday is going to be a busy day----And she was right!!
I have never seen professional bull riding or a rodeo and this was unbelievable! We had wonderful seats very up close and it was so dangerous, diffinetly a young persons sport. Forget Football, Soccer or Rock Concerts! Darlings THIS is something else!! It's one on one, mano e mano but between human and bull. It was in a way a sense of something almost primeval, and yet in the back ground I could sense that all though there was competition there was a form of comadre as well, not perfect because every one wants that prize money, but it's like they all know the chances.
I have seen Portugues Bull Fighting, which I preferr over Spanish Bull Fighting and I've seen the running of the bulls in San Marcos and this bull riding had all the excitment that one could ever want as in Portuguese Bull Fighting. It felt very Hemmingwayish if Hemmingway ever wrote a western, it was more competitive and the danger was more immediate. It was like grabbing a Tiger by its tail and knowning that it was trouble. And they breed these bulls for their abilities and strength, they were not going to be someone's meal after the ride.
Even Michelle was taken breathless by it all and she had seen it before. "It's Earthy" she said "but it's real and more exciting than any football game or rock concert and not snooty like a highclass horse or dog show. Not as glamourous as horse racing but more exciting."
Well Darlings I am "Hooked" as they say.
Well I must go my time is almost up and Michelle is has lunch for us planned. Once I get my business cards of all the places we've been too sorted out I'll post the places we've stayed and lunched at and what I recommend you see.
Just a quick up date for all you pet lovers----Princess is doing very well, I called Betty and Princess and Jezebelle are having a lot of fun together and Princess is eating well. A sort of Diva Darling vacation for her too.
Tomorrow Michelle and I will catch the Capitol Corridor train connection to Reno and we'll be staying at the Silver Legacy. One of the first things we are going to do is get a massage from head to toe, traveling and seeing the sights is fun but so tiring.
Until Anon Darlings, Kisses
Monday, January 21, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Travel Plans-----
Change in Plans Darlings,
Well my dear school chum Michelle or as the young people would say BFF, called me and there is a change in plans.
Oh yes, we will see the Blue Man group but not in Reno, in Sacramento instead. I don’t know how she manages it, but she wasn’t in the entertainment industry twiddling her thumbs, she has pull and can still effect changes at the last minute. I guess it’s who you know. And that is called Networking Darlings.
So as she has it planned we will leave a day early go by train to Sacramento, stay at the Delta King Hotel (something I’ve been planning to do). See the Blue Man group on Friday, tour Old Town Sacramento Saturday, take in the Delta King’s Mystery Dinner Theater that evening, and take in, of all things, the Professional Bull Riding competition on Sunday. Rest our poor bodies on Monday (and have fun catching up on each other’s lives), catch the train on Tuesday to continue on to Reno.
Where she made another change, we’ll be staying in the Silver Legacy instead of Circus, Circus and take in as many shows and acts that we can for the next week or so, as well as availing ourselves of the spa treatments. We even may take in the Slot Machine exhibit at the Nevada Museum if we have time. Then come back by train, Michelle will stay overnight with me (it does pay to have a fold out couch in the Library/Office) and then catch the train to Los Angeles.
Just thinking about it makes my head whirl and I may need to rest just from having fun, but it will be worth it.
So I’ve been packing and making arrangements, Princess poor dear, will not be able to come along, Diva Darlings like her, are not allowed on the Delta King or at the Legacy, but my friend Betty said she’d be happy to watch Princess, she gets along very well with Jezebel and Princess’s vet is also Jezebel’s vet as well, so it will work out fine.
Well I’ve been thinking about a trip to Old Town Sacramento and Reno for sometime, and this will take care of two things at the same time and being in the company of a dear friend always makes it so much fun. And she managed to get joining rooms.
Now Darlings, as I said “Why the Train?” Well for one thing you do not have to deal with those lines as you do at the airport, granted the departure and arrival times are not the best, but you can walk around the train, nap, stretch out, eat, and sight see out of the train, all that scenery that you can see, which you can never see out of an airplane and you do not have to worry about how much luggage to take or that they will lose it. And you are not stuck with seeing a movie that you have already seen or do not care to see and you are not crowed together like sardines.
I indulged in one of those Ipod devices and down loaded classical music and my favorite big bands, (well Kenneth showed me how, he’s so clever with all this electronic things and he teaches so well)
If more people took the train, there would not be all that crowding at the airports or flight delays, of course people have to get some place in a hurry, but the whole idea of a trip is to enjoy getting there. If you know where you’re going, when you get to the station you can take a cab to your hotel and make arrangements to rent a car from the concierge for your stay. That is why earning the Diva Bucks is important, so you can enjoy things in style and do things in style.
Of course there is going to be some delay but the trains do have to meet a schedule as well, because fright trains also use the same tracks and being on time is very important.
You know Darlings you should think of taking the train to a destination, now some people take the train to Yosemite they get off at a particular station and the Yosemite shuttle bus will take you to the park to your hotel. Think of how stress free it can be.
I remember some 30 years ago, a girl friend and I took what was called the “Happy Hop” tour to Disneyland, we were crammed into a commuter flight, only had nuts and a small glass of wine (which I substituted water instead) but then it was only a one hour flight. Arrived at the Anaheim airport and took a shuttle service to a main drop off point where people waited for the shuttles for the different hotels there was a direct phone service there to each hotel and I will never forget this one man with a large stomach, wearing shorts with sandals and socks (why sandals and socks with shorts) and he had very hairy legs really not a good fashion choice and he was yelling into the phone “There are people waiting here!! When is that bus going to come!!??” And he arrived on the same main bus that I and my friend did.
He hung up not satisfied at all. I went to the phone to the same hotel that he called and said “Hello this is ‘so and so’ and guest, I would like to confirm that you are still holding our rooms? Wonderful… and what is the approximate time of arrival for the shuttle bus?... All right allowing for traffic congestion, thank you, please continue to hold the rooms for us as there was a bit of a delay getting here….Excellent, Thank you.”
The hotel staffer on the other end was friendly and informative and helpful, and I and Mr. Angry Man were going to the same hotel, so I tipped my hard sided Samsonite on end and sat on it and my girl friend did the same (old hands we were) she asked me “How long for the shuttle?” And I said “15 minutes allowing for any traffic delays, I recommend we take a quick shower as it’s so hot, to refresh ourselves after we check in” and I said this loud enough for Mr. Angry Man to hear me. He looked at me and my friend and we were looking as cool as cucumbers, totally not put out by the delay.
We then had the pleasure of hearing Angry Man’s wife saying to him “If you would just calm down and understand that delays happen and that it’s just what happens, you wouldn’t have ulcers. Look at those two ladies, they understand delays, but oh no you’ve got to have it done right now, you are going to die from ulcer problems if you don’t calm down and behave like a gentleman instead of a boor.” He did look sheepish after her scolding and us fanning ourselves with our magazines.
But that’s the whole idea of traveling; know that there are delays and plan on a trip in which you don’t have to be delayed, taking the train is, in many ways, the way to go. And packing correctly for your trip is also a plus.
Many hotels have laundry facilities now a days, and have irons and ironing boards in one’s room; you can plan on where to stay as you travel by car on where to stay even based on amenities.
If anything a Diva knows how to plan and also knows that there may have to be sudden changes in plans.
Well Darlings, to bed I must go, I’ve been busy today and I have more to do tomorrow, so if you don’t see me “blog” for a while-----Well I’m having fun!
Until Anon, Kisses Darlings.
Well my dear school chum Michelle or as the young people would say BFF, called me and there is a change in plans.
Oh yes, we will see the Blue Man group but not in Reno, in Sacramento instead. I don’t know how she manages it, but she wasn’t in the entertainment industry twiddling her thumbs, she has pull and can still effect changes at the last minute. I guess it’s who you know. And that is called Networking Darlings.
So as she has it planned we will leave a day early go by train to Sacramento, stay at the Delta King Hotel (something I’ve been planning to do). See the Blue Man group on Friday, tour Old Town Sacramento Saturday, take in the Delta King’s Mystery Dinner Theater that evening, and take in, of all things, the Professional Bull Riding competition on Sunday. Rest our poor bodies on Monday (and have fun catching up on each other’s lives), catch the train on Tuesday to continue on to Reno.
Where she made another change, we’ll be staying in the Silver Legacy instead of Circus, Circus and take in as many shows and acts that we can for the next week or so, as well as availing ourselves of the spa treatments. We even may take in the Slot Machine exhibit at the Nevada Museum if we have time. Then come back by train, Michelle will stay overnight with me (it does pay to have a fold out couch in the Library/Office) and then catch the train to Los Angeles.
Just thinking about it makes my head whirl and I may need to rest just from having fun, but it will be worth it.
So I’ve been packing and making arrangements, Princess poor dear, will not be able to come along, Diva Darlings like her, are not allowed on the Delta King or at the Legacy, but my friend Betty said she’d be happy to watch Princess, she gets along very well with Jezebel and Princess’s vet is also Jezebel’s vet as well, so it will work out fine.
Well I’ve been thinking about a trip to Old Town Sacramento and Reno for sometime, and this will take care of two things at the same time and being in the company of a dear friend always makes it so much fun. And she managed to get joining rooms.
Now Darlings, as I said “Why the Train?” Well for one thing you do not have to deal with those lines as you do at the airport, granted the departure and arrival times are not the best, but you can walk around the train, nap, stretch out, eat, and sight see out of the train, all that scenery that you can see, which you can never see out of an airplane and you do not have to worry about how much luggage to take or that they will lose it. And you are not stuck with seeing a movie that you have already seen or do not care to see and you are not crowed together like sardines.
I indulged in one of those Ipod devices and down loaded classical music and my favorite big bands, (well Kenneth showed me how, he’s so clever with all this electronic things and he teaches so well)
If more people took the train, there would not be all that crowding at the airports or flight delays, of course people have to get some place in a hurry, but the whole idea of a trip is to enjoy getting there. If you know where you’re going, when you get to the station you can take a cab to your hotel and make arrangements to rent a car from the concierge for your stay. That is why earning the Diva Bucks is important, so you can enjoy things in style and do things in style.
Of course there is going to be some delay but the trains do have to meet a schedule as well, because fright trains also use the same tracks and being on time is very important.
You know Darlings you should think of taking the train to a destination, now some people take the train to Yosemite they get off at a particular station and the Yosemite shuttle bus will take you to the park to your hotel. Think of how stress free it can be.
I remember some 30 years ago, a girl friend and I took what was called the “Happy Hop” tour to Disneyland, we were crammed into a commuter flight, only had nuts and a small glass of wine (which I substituted water instead) but then it was only a one hour flight. Arrived at the Anaheim airport and took a shuttle service to a main drop off point where people waited for the shuttles for the different hotels there was a direct phone service there to each hotel and I will never forget this one man with a large stomach, wearing shorts with sandals and socks (why sandals and socks with shorts) and he had very hairy legs really not a good fashion choice and he was yelling into the phone “There are people waiting here!! When is that bus going to come!!??” And he arrived on the same main bus that I and my friend did.
He hung up not satisfied at all. I went to the phone to the same hotel that he called and said “Hello this is ‘so and so’ and guest, I would like to confirm that you are still holding our rooms? Wonderful… and what is the approximate time of arrival for the shuttle bus?... All right allowing for traffic congestion, thank you, please continue to hold the rooms for us as there was a bit of a delay getting here….Excellent, Thank you.”
The hotel staffer on the other end was friendly and informative and helpful, and I and Mr. Angry Man were going to the same hotel, so I tipped my hard sided Samsonite on end and sat on it and my girl friend did the same (old hands we were) she asked me “How long for the shuttle?” And I said “15 minutes allowing for any traffic delays, I recommend we take a quick shower as it’s so hot, to refresh ourselves after we check in” and I said this loud enough for Mr. Angry Man to hear me. He looked at me and my friend and we were looking as cool as cucumbers, totally not put out by the delay.
We then had the pleasure of hearing Angry Man’s wife saying to him “If you would just calm down and understand that delays happen and that it’s just what happens, you wouldn’t have ulcers. Look at those two ladies, they understand delays, but oh no you’ve got to have it done right now, you are going to die from ulcer problems if you don’t calm down and behave like a gentleman instead of a boor.” He did look sheepish after her scolding and us fanning ourselves with our magazines.
But that’s the whole idea of traveling; know that there are delays and plan on a trip in which you don’t have to be delayed, taking the train is, in many ways, the way to go. And packing correctly for your trip is also a plus.
Many hotels have laundry facilities now a days, and have irons and ironing boards in one’s room; you can plan on where to stay as you travel by car on where to stay even based on amenities.
If anything a Diva knows how to plan and also knows that there may have to be sudden changes in plans.
Well Darlings, to bed I must go, I’ve been busy today and I have more to do tomorrow, so if you don’t see me “blog” for a while-----Well I’m having fun!
Until Anon, Kisses Darlings.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
A Diva Health Guide~~~
Hello all you Lovely Diva’s,
I could not believe the sun shine this morning! Instead of lying in bed as I would on a gloomy morning (with Juanita coaxing me out with a fresh brewed cup of coffee) I just had to get out and enjoy it.
So I walked with Princess in tow, to the beach, and marveled at the gloriousness of it all.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I do need sunlight, although I do not sun bathe and take care to not over expose myself to the sun, but sun light is needed to help get that Vitamin D going into one’s system besides drinking it in Milk. Yes Darlings even I at my age I still drink milk, it’s good for you keeps those bones strong, good for your teeth and it can be very calming for your nerves.
I realized this morning that I needed those light bulbs that imitate sunlight, and decided that I needed it in my bedroom, next to my desk in my library/office, and also next to my favorite chair where I read. So I’ve placed that on my list of things to buy.
Now Darlings were is this all leading to….
Health Darlings, Health…
One of the most important things a Diva needs to remember (besides lots of money and a fabulous wardrobe) is Health, it’s so easy to over look that most important of personal things and it is personal.
If you are in good health you will look good no matter what. This translates to your bones, your teeth, your hair, skin, eyes, nails and the muscles and nerves in your body.
First always get an annual check up with your general physician, your dentist, your eye doctor (not to be confused with where you purchase your glasses or contacts) and your GYN, find out how often you need to have a mammogram based upon your age and your family’s’ health background.
Darlings this is more important than a mani-pedi or having your hair styled.
If you are a bit overweight get into a good health loss program that can encourage you to eat right and healthy, but not unrealistic. Don’t go all vegan or on a faddy diet. It can do you more harm than good.
Find out about your family’s medical background, some people do family genealogy but what you should do is a medical genealogy, this will tell you what your family’s medical problems can be. I know that in my family there is a tendency towards heart attacks and heart problems, some people have diabetes in their family, some cancer. Do you see the picture my dears?
With that knowledge in hand then you can approach anything your doctor finds with realism and practicality.
Another thing is exercise, I do not recommend running as that can cause all kinds of foot and shin problems, but dancing can be wonderful. If you’ve watched “Dancing with the Stars” well you know doubt have heard them rave how much weight they’ve lost. Balance this with swimming as a low impact exercise, followed by Yoga for stretching and relaxing.
Alright you say you can’t afford dance lessons? Check with your Adult Education courses or with your city’s park and recreation department and see what they offer at a more affordable rate, another thing is walking, get good walking shoes that are comfortable, supportive and reduce any impact upon your bones or the Plantar of your feet. (Look that up Darlings, I can’t explain everything to you)
Some people say “well do bicycling” which is fine except that I have seen too many people foolishly ignore the vehicle laws, Remember your Bicycle is also a vehicle and since it’s a slower vehicle it MUST move over to the far right of the road way and you must obey all vehicle laws, do not “blast through” a stop sign it could mean your death and it would be your fault. And always wear a helmet and forget those Ipods, you must always be aware of the area around you. No one else will.
Weight loss cannot happen quickly, it took you years to put the weight on, and it will take you years to get it off, but remember, each pound that you lose is a victory, so keep at it.
Eating---one of the worst things that has developed over the years is the “all you can eat Buffet” and the supersize meals.
It is much better to eat six very small meals than 2 very large ones, because you will stretch your stomach. Eat only until your hunger is satisfied, not until your are stuffed.
Talk to your Doctor about healthy nutrition programs or join Jenny Craig and have them teach you how to eat healthy.
Another thing that can help you make healthy eating choices is attenting nutrition classes at your local hospital or health club, be on the watch for such program, taking them can be an eye opener as to what is healthy and what is not.
Alcohol---it can be a very bad thing, and that is one of the problems many young Divas-in-training forget, they drink to excess and think that being buzzed as they call it is fine. It is not. It can eat out your stomach, give you a bad headache, cause you to exercise very poor judgment and also someone can slip you a “Mickey Finn” or knockout drops, which could lead to being raped.
As they say “Drink Responsibly” and as a side comment, if you drink don’t drive, if you know you are going to drink then take a taxi and have a taxi bring you home, make sure you have enough for cab fare and tips. Do Not go home with some seemly kind stranger.
One of my nieces made the mistake of driving to a party and couldn’t drive some young fellow offered to drive her home in his car. Fortunately she gave him my address and she had a copy of my house key (this was at my old house) but her parents were not home (which was true in a way) so he opened the door and in the living room attempted to attack her, I was aware that there was someone coming through the front door because my alarm in my bedroom went off, so I called the police immediately.
I heard a female voice saying “stop it!” Imagine the young man’s surprise when I turned on the lights and said “Don’t move, I have a gun pointed at you and I will use it!” I told him to stay the way he was and to let my niece up, and she let in the police, I called my lawyer, he went to trial and jail, my niece knows better. That is why I say “Drink Responsibly”.
Of course Darlings that does come under the heading of Safety, but safety is also Health.
Now to continue----
Avoid soft drinks and sweetened fruit juices as a regular drink, even those waters that have a fruit taste has sugar in it, and soft drinks destroys the enamel on your teeth, drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated, milk is good too, but water will quench one’s thirst on a hot day.
You can have a soft drink or fruit juice on occasion but more as a treat.
And remember if you drink too much water you can wash out your electrolytes, 1 liter
a day maximum is good.
Always care for your skin, young people think that getting a tan is a good thing, but it like smoking can age one’s skin very quickly.
I take walks in the morning when the weather is good before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. I still get my Vitamin D and healthy sun exposure, but not to the point of being unhealthy for the skin, I always cover myself on hot days with hats and long sleeves, I even use gloves especially during the winter and light cotton gloves during the summer. If one goes to a vintage shop or sale you can find gloves in a light tan color that is good all year round, if they are made of cloth you can wash them as if you were washing your hands, to remove any soil.
And when I visit friends or have friends over and we are sitting outside I always make it a point to sit in the shade, you still will get enough sun to be healthy. At the most a 15 minute exposure a day is all one needs.
Find a good skin lotion that is hypoallergenic to put on your skin and hands to help keep it soft. Do not wash your body with a harsh soap. I’ve found that Dove soap for sensitive skin is an excellent choice.
Teeth---we often don’t think of our teeth except to brush them, but also use flossing thread and a gum massager to keep the gums healthy as well and to help remove food partials.
The old maximum of brushing after every meal is important, you can carry in your cosmetic case a small tiny toothbrush and one of those small travel size or sample size tubes of toothpaste, I even have found a collapsible cup which I use to rinse out my mouth.
If you don’t want to do it at the sink in the ladies room, use the cup to fill with some water and then brush in the bathroom stall. If you are unable to do that then at least brush morning and night, or when you get up, as soon as you get home and after dinner or when you come home from a date, then before bed. The evening brushing is very important to remove food particles from the day. The use of a mouth wash is also recommended, you dentist will be able to tell you what toothpaste and mouth wash is best.
Your eyes and your hearing are very important----when you are young have your eyes checked every year for any changes in vision or any problems, if you are constantly using a computer get glasses that have a tint to reduce glare, even if you don’t need glasses for reading, they will work like sun glasses and reduce the possibility of cataracts.
And speaking of Sunglasses, every time you go outside always use Sunglasses with a high glare ratio, if you wear prescription glasses then have your sunglasses as prescriptions as well. It comes in handy when driving, walking or just doing anything outside and it will protect your eyes from cataracts. Always make it a practice to wear sunglasses and if you wish have it as part of your wardrobe, be glamorous with them.
Your hearing is also important, having a hearing test every couple of years or if you sense that you have some hearing loss have it checked immediately.
Many young people are losing their hearing because of loud music at concerts, and at clubs, and also those young men that have their car stereos cranked up to the point that the car is vibrating are also going to be suffering hearing loss, we are developing a nation of young deaf people, and losing your hearing will deprive you of listening to natures’ joyous sounds, the songs of birds, the oceans’ waves, your baby saying it’s first words.
My friend Mean Kitty knew she was going to a concert with some friends and she knew that the concert hall had a strong echo reverb problem which for rock concert goers is just fine, but for someone who wants to preserve her hearing presented a problem. She solved it by wearing hearing plugs that are used when one goes to the gun range. She was able to hear the concert just enough to enjoy it but without it paining her ears.
So if you are going to a venue where it’s going to be very loud deafening music, wear ear plugs, it will save your hearing, they don’t cost much but what it will save is priceless.
Now one last thing, Vitamins Darling, Vitamins--- a good vitamin problem will help with teeth, hair, eyes and bones. Because many people are under a great deal of stress, the B vitamin complex is the most important, but make sure that your are getting enough minerals as well.
Be careful to not over do taking vitamins, one can get poisoned by too much Vitamin A and some of the others.
Now what Vitamins to take? Well Darlings there are many out there; Trader Joe’s has a thirty day supply packed in individual daily packets, you can put them in your purse and take each pill though out the day, and that way it will be spread out and keep your system going. They have them in what looks like a coffee tin, with or without Iron, I recommend always taking Iron, to help keep up your blood count.
But there are many others out there. Find the one that suits your body and lifestyle the best, and remember dear Diva’s you can always look stylish wearing hats, gloves and sun glasses, make it your style, have it make you look glamorous and mysterious, that is the Diva style.
Try to avoid stress, which if you are working hard to get the Diva Bucks can be hard to do, but no matter what, make time to relax and meditate to relieve stress. Remember Diva Darlings, STRESS is one of the biggest killers, so take up some healthy practices to help relieve stress, Yoga is one way, meditation is another. At work use the 10, 10, 10 rule in decision making how will it affect you in 10 minutes, 10 days, 10 weeks, 10 months, 10 years.
And if possible allow 1 to 5 minutes to gather your thoughts before going into a meeting or dealing with a situation that little pause will be enough for you to be confident in dealing with anything, even a flat tire.
And lastly, always get plenty of rest and sleep, the adage of getting 8 hours sleep is important, of course some of us can get by on a little less, but no less than 6 hours, remember Darlings, all that partying can take its toll on the Diva’s beauty.
If you can don’t be afraid to take a 15 minute nap in the afternoon, I’ve found that about 3 p.m. I get a little drowsy, a 15 or 20 minute nape can be very refreshing. But remember rest is very important.
There are many other things a Diva can do for her health, ask your dentist and your doctor. Remember you have only one body and all the face lifts, body tucks in the world cannot give you good health.
Now I must get to bed, it is past this Diva’s bedtime, but I wanted to be sure to post this for all of you.
Until Anon Darlings, stay healthy, be healthy. Kisses
I could not believe the sun shine this morning! Instead of lying in bed as I would on a gloomy morning (with Juanita coaxing me out with a fresh brewed cup of coffee) I just had to get out and enjoy it.
So I walked with Princess in tow, to the beach, and marveled at the gloriousness of it all.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I do need sunlight, although I do not sun bathe and take care to not over expose myself to the sun, but sun light is needed to help get that Vitamin D going into one’s system besides drinking it in Milk. Yes Darlings even I at my age I still drink milk, it’s good for you keeps those bones strong, good for your teeth and it can be very calming for your nerves.
I realized this morning that I needed those light bulbs that imitate sunlight, and decided that I needed it in my bedroom, next to my desk in my library/office, and also next to my favorite chair where I read. So I’ve placed that on my list of things to buy.
Now Darlings were is this all leading to….
Health Darlings, Health…
One of the most important things a Diva needs to remember (besides lots of money and a fabulous wardrobe) is Health, it’s so easy to over look that most important of personal things and it is personal.
If you are in good health you will look good no matter what. This translates to your bones, your teeth, your hair, skin, eyes, nails and the muscles and nerves in your body.
First always get an annual check up with your general physician, your dentist, your eye doctor (not to be confused with where you purchase your glasses or contacts) and your GYN, find out how often you need to have a mammogram based upon your age and your family’s’ health background.
Darlings this is more important than a mani-pedi or having your hair styled.
If you are a bit overweight get into a good health loss program that can encourage you to eat right and healthy, but not unrealistic. Don’t go all vegan or on a faddy diet. It can do you more harm than good.
Find out about your family’s medical background, some people do family genealogy but what you should do is a medical genealogy, this will tell you what your family’s medical problems can be. I know that in my family there is a tendency towards heart attacks and heart problems, some people have diabetes in their family, some cancer. Do you see the picture my dears?
With that knowledge in hand then you can approach anything your doctor finds with realism and practicality.
Another thing is exercise, I do not recommend running as that can cause all kinds of foot and shin problems, but dancing can be wonderful. If you’ve watched “Dancing with the Stars” well you know doubt have heard them rave how much weight they’ve lost. Balance this with swimming as a low impact exercise, followed by Yoga for stretching and relaxing.
Alright you say you can’t afford dance lessons? Check with your Adult Education courses or with your city’s park and recreation department and see what they offer at a more affordable rate, another thing is walking, get good walking shoes that are comfortable, supportive and reduce any impact upon your bones or the Plantar of your feet. (Look that up Darlings, I can’t explain everything to you)
Some people say “well do bicycling” which is fine except that I have seen too many people foolishly ignore the vehicle laws, Remember your Bicycle is also a vehicle and since it’s a slower vehicle it MUST move over to the far right of the road way and you must obey all vehicle laws, do not “blast through” a stop sign it could mean your death and it would be your fault. And always wear a helmet and forget those Ipods, you must always be aware of the area around you. No one else will.
Weight loss cannot happen quickly, it took you years to put the weight on, and it will take you years to get it off, but remember, each pound that you lose is a victory, so keep at it.
Eating---one of the worst things that has developed over the years is the “all you can eat Buffet” and the supersize meals.
It is much better to eat six very small meals than 2 very large ones, because you will stretch your stomach. Eat only until your hunger is satisfied, not until your are stuffed.
Talk to your Doctor about healthy nutrition programs or join Jenny Craig and have them teach you how to eat healthy.
Another thing that can help you make healthy eating choices is attenting nutrition classes at your local hospital or health club, be on the watch for such program, taking them can be an eye opener as to what is healthy and what is not.
Alcohol---it can be a very bad thing, and that is one of the problems many young Divas-in-training forget, they drink to excess and think that being buzzed as they call it is fine. It is not. It can eat out your stomach, give you a bad headache, cause you to exercise very poor judgment and also someone can slip you a “Mickey Finn” or knockout drops, which could lead to being raped.
As they say “Drink Responsibly” and as a side comment, if you drink don’t drive, if you know you are going to drink then take a taxi and have a taxi bring you home, make sure you have enough for cab fare and tips. Do Not go home with some seemly kind stranger.
One of my nieces made the mistake of driving to a party and couldn’t drive some young fellow offered to drive her home in his car. Fortunately she gave him my address and she had a copy of my house key (this was at my old house) but her parents were not home (which was true in a way) so he opened the door and in the living room attempted to attack her, I was aware that there was someone coming through the front door because my alarm in my bedroom went off, so I called the police immediately.
I heard a female voice saying “stop it!” Imagine the young man’s surprise when I turned on the lights and said “Don’t move, I have a gun pointed at you and I will use it!” I told him to stay the way he was and to let my niece up, and she let in the police, I called my lawyer, he went to trial and jail, my niece knows better. That is why I say “Drink Responsibly”.
Of course Darlings that does come under the heading of Safety, but safety is also Health.
Now to continue----
Avoid soft drinks and sweetened fruit juices as a regular drink, even those waters that have a fruit taste has sugar in it, and soft drinks destroys the enamel on your teeth, drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated, milk is good too, but water will quench one’s thirst on a hot day.
You can have a soft drink or fruit juice on occasion but more as a treat.
And remember if you drink too much water you can wash out your electrolytes, 1 liter
a day maximum is good.
Always care for your skin, young people think that getting a tan is a good thing, but it like smoking can age one’s skin very quickly.
I take walks in the morning when the weather is good before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. I still get my Vitamin D and healthy sun exposure, but not to the point of being unhealthy for the skin, I always cover myself on hot days with hats and long sleeves, I even use gloves especially during the winter and light cotton gloves during the summer. If one goes to a vintage shop or sale you can find gloves in a light tan color that is good all year round, if they are made of cloth you can wash them as if you were washing your hands, to remove any soil.
And when I visit friends or have friends over and we are sitting outside I always make it a point to sit in the shade, you still will get enough sun to be healthy. At the most a 15 minute exposure a day is all one needs.
Find a good skin lotion that is hypoallergenic to put on your skin and hands to help keep it soft. Do not wash your body with a harsh soap. I’ve found that Dove soap for sensitive skin is an excellent choice.
Teeth---we often don’t think of our teeth except to brush them, but also use flossing thread and a gum massager to keep the gums healthy as well and to help remove food partials.
The old maximum of brushing after every meal is important, you can carry in your cosmetic case a small tiny toothbrush and one of those small travel size or sample size tubes of toothpaste, I even have found a collapsible cup which I use to rinse out my mouth.
If you don’t want to do it at the sink in the ladies room, use the cup to fill with some water and then brush in the bathroom stall. If you are unable to do that then at least brush morning and night, or when you get up, as soon as you get home and after dinner or when you come home from a date, then before bed. The evening brushing is very important to remove food particles from the day. The use of a mouth wash is also recommended, you dentist will be able to tell you what toothpaste and mouth wash is best.
Your eyes and your hearing are very important----when you are young have your eyes checked every year for any changes in vision or any problems, if you are constantly using a computer get glasses that have a tint to reduce glare, even if you don’t need glasses for reading, they will work like sun glasses and reduce the possibility of cataracts.
And speaking of Sunglasses, every time you go outside always use Sunglasses with a high glare ratio, if you wear prescription glasses then have your sunglasses as prescriptions as well. It comes in handy when driving, walking or just doing anything outside and it will protect your eyes from cataracts. Always make it a practice to wear sunglasses and if you wish have it as part of your wardrobe, be glamorous with them.
Your hearing is also important, having a hearing test every couple of years or if you sense that you have some hearing loss have it checked immediately.
Many young people are losing their hearing because of loud music at concerts, and at clubs, and also those young men that have their car stereos cranked up to the point that the car is vibrating are also going to be suffering hearing loss, we are developing a nation of young deaf people, and losing your hearing will deprive you of listening to natures’ joyous sounds, the songs of birds, the oceans’ waves, your baby saying it’s first words.
My friend Mean Kitty knew she was going to a concert with some friends and she knew that the concert hall had a strong echo reverb problem which for rock concert goers is just fine, but for someone who wants to preserve her hearing presented a problem. She solved it by wearing hearing plugs that are used when one goes to the gun range. She was able to hear the concert just enough to enjoy it but without it paining her ears.
So if you are going to a venue where it’s going to be very loud deafening music, wear ear plugs, it will save your hearing, they don’t cost much but what it will save is priceless.
Now one last thing, Vitamins Darling, Vitamins--- a good vitamin problem will help with teeth, hair, eyes and bones. Because many people are under a great deal of stress, the B vitamin complex is the most important, but make sure that your are getting enough minerals as well.
Be careful to not over do taking vitamins, one can get poisoned by too much Vitamin A and some of the others.
Now what Vitamins to take? Well Darlings there are many out there; Trader Joe’s has a thirty day supply packed in individual daily packets, you can put them in your purse and take each pill though out the day, and that way it will be spread out and keep your system going. They have them in what looks like a coffee tin, with or without Iron, I recommend always taking Iron, to help keep up your blood count.
But there are many others out there. Find the one that suits your body and lifestyle the best, and remember dear Diva’s you can always look stylish wearing hats, gloves and sun glasses, make it your style, have it make you look glamorous and mysterious, that is the Diva style.
Try to avoid stress, which if you are working hard to get the Diva Bucks can be hard to do, but no matter what, make time to relax and meditate to relieve stress. Remember Diva Darlings, STRESS is one of the biggest killers, so take up some healthy practices to help relieve stress, Yoga is one way, meditation is another. At work use the 10, 10, 10 rule in decision making how will it affect you in 10 minutes, 10 days, 10 weeks, 10 months, 10 years.
And if possible allow 1 to 5 minutes to gather your thoughts before going into a meeting or dealing with a situation that little pause will be enough for you to be confident in dealing with anything, even a flat tire.
And lastly, always get plenty of rest and sleep, the adage of getting 8 hours sleep is important, of course some of us can get by on a little less, but no less than 6 hours, remember Darlings, all that partying can take its toll on the Diva’s beauty.
If you can don’t be afraid to take a 15 minute nap in the afternoon, I’ve found that about 3 p.m. I get a little drowsy, a 15 or 20 minute nape can be very refreshing. But remember rest is very important.
There are many other things a Diva can do for her health, ask your dentist and your doctor. Remember you have only one body and all the face lifts, body tucks in the world cannot give you good health.
Now I must get to bed, it is past this Diva’s bedtime, but I wanted to be sure to post this for all of you.
Until Anon Darlings, stay healthy, be healthy. Kisses
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Diva Ideas for a tax deduction for one's car------
Darling Divas
It seems I’ve opened a whole new chapter of information, I was enjoying my little trip to the city yesterday, I like to take the BART system (but the cars do need some clean up) and on my train I ran into an old friend of mine, Wallace.
Wallace is a wonderful gentleman who introduced me to my tax preparer. I told him about my “blog” and he said that he had come across it by accident and thought that it sounded familiar, and has it flagged when ever a new posting is put up.
He loved the information that I had come across, but he felt that I left another part off.
He informed me that just as it is important to keep all paperwork on home repair and improvement on one’s home, especially for re-sale, it was equally important to keep all receipts on work done on one’s automobile or van.
I thought that was a bit unusual, but he said that if one plans to sell one’s vehicle, by having a copy of what has been done and at what mileage, when it comes time to sell your car to a private party, you as the seller, can give all full information on what has been done to your vehicle, as a form of full disclosure.
He said that sometimes for those that use a personal vehicle for their job by having all these receipts for repair and maintenance it maybe possible to take it as a tax deduction, but always check with your tax preparer because the tax laws change every year.
But even so it did make excellent sense to keep this information on your vehicle, especially if there is any sort of warranty on the repair. It did make sense especially if your job is in real estate or as a wedding or event planner or something of that sort, which a lot of traveling to different locations or clients is required, therefore because of that type of work it then requires keeping receipts for tax information, but to also have it for your personal information on repair and maintenance is equally important.
Now the tax law does vary a bit if your vehicle is used both for business and pleasure, so I do believe keeping a mileage report is important, but do ask your tax preparer about the tax laws covering this.
He also said that it didn’t make sense to buy a brand new vehicle especially since one loses value the minute it leaves the lot, but to buy one that has low mileage, is gently used and is from a reputable dealer that has gone through it completely to check it out to ensure that it is safe makes sense, and to hold on to it for no more than 10 years at the very most, perhaps only 8 years, because after that time it begins to cost more to repair than the worth of the vehicle , unless one has a car that is a collectable (like a Packard or an Aston Martin) or has proven very reliable in the long run.
I have a dear acquaintance of mine who is in advertising and she has a car that’s 20 years old and is so reliable that she is loath to get rid of it. She told me that she will use it until is drops and can’t move anymore, which is what I was planning with my old car, until it was stolen by those 3 hoodlums (which the police eventually caught, we are now in the process of going to court) and wrapped around a pole. This forced me to buy a new car, Ms. Wicked, which I adore.
Although I do have to confess that there are times when one just simply wants a brand new car, in spite of the drop in value once it leaves the show room and even Wallace agreed with that, he said there are times when nothing but a brand new car will do.
Another thing, have full insurance which would also include being hit by an uninsured driver or catastrophic damage such as fire, flood, or falling trees, if you want to know who are the top quality insurance companies you can check with Consumer Reports, for their ratings, but rule of thumb for many people is this~~~go to an insurance company that also has a “brick and mortar” office, so you can deal with real people, not over a computer or over the phone. It may take some of your personal time, but the personal touch to get your claim processed is very important.
My Dear Friend Mean Kitty had that happen to her, she and her husband were traveling and were at a stop light and they were in a multiple rear end collision. Fortunately their car was drive able, so with the information from CHP, and everyone exchanging insurance information, Mean Kitty also had the added photo information of taking pictures of the entire accident to confirm that her car was not at fault.
When she got to her destination she called her insurance office to report that she was in an accident and when she would be coming into the office to do the claim since no one was injured in the accident, if there was an injury of course reporting the incident immediately even over the phone, is very important.
She was very pleased by her insurance company, they made the process of getting their vehicle repaired, the rental of another vehicle and processing their claim very painless, and it went smoothly, she did recommend that it’s best to be patient about receiving your claim especially if multiple vehicles are involved or if there maybe a dispute or investigation. But she received her claim in less than 3 months. She also said that the auto repair shop that was recommended by her insurance company made the process very easy and the car rental company also was very accommodating.
(Now I have to say that Mean Kitty had her auto insurance with State Farm and the car rental company was Enterprise, I mention these companies because they are fairly nationwide, although I’ve been told other well-known insurance companies also give excellent service, but remember the “brick and mortar” rule.)
She recommends and I do to, to keep no less than 2 disposable cameras in one’s glove compartment as well as your insurance information, by taking pictures right at the time of the accident showing the location and positions of the cars and the damage it can strengthen your claim.
She also says refresh or replace those cameras on Dec. 31 of every year, and use the ones that you’ve removed for holiday pictures. She said that if one does it at the same time that you replace your batteries in your smoke alarms as part of your check list it helps to remember these things.
Now why disposable point and shoot cameras? Well Darlings, they are there, they won’t fail if your camera cell phone is dead and it’s much easier to have the film developed especially with one hour processing. Nor do you have the worry that the pictures will be accidentally erased which could happen.
Well with this delightful and informative chat that I had with Wallace we also exchanged cards, so I could update him on my new home location, and we could plan on having dinner together with him and his wife Marsha and I with possibly Kevin or Kenneth (I do love to have several handsome men dancing in attendance)
So it seems that I have started a new venture with gathering this very practical information to share with all you Diva’s and Diva’s in training. This is all very important, even Mean Kitty has to agree about this.
Oh and why was I going to the City? Well darlings, there are a couple of stores that I love to purchase my DVD’s and music from, Rasputins just below Union Square and Virgin Records, I couldn’t take my Diva Darling, Princess, but I’m so glad that Juanita is back, she loves watching her and spoiling the little dear, although she said I made her work very easy for her because I called in Molly Maids, so Juanita tells me she is going to go through my closet to see what needs to be repaired, she is so through, sometimes I feel like I have a mother watching over me, that is why I just want to do my best for her as well.
And clothing maintenance will be another subject I will be touching upon in the future my Dears.
Until Anon Darlings, this Diva is going to treat a dear friend to lunch, and relaxation. Kisses Darlings.
It seems I’ve opened a whole new chapter of information, I was enjoying my little trip to the city yesterday, I like to take the BART system (but the cars do need some clean up) and on my train I ran into an old friend of mine, Wallace.
Wallace is a wonderful gentleman who introduced me to my tax preparer. I told him about my “blog” and he said that he had come across it by accident and thought that it sounded familiar, and has it flagged when ever a new posting is put up.
He loved the information that I had come across, but he felt that I left another part off.
He informed me that just as it is important to keep all paperwork on home repair and improvement on one’s home, especially for re-sale, it was equally important to keep all receipts on work done on one’s automobile or van.
I thought that was a bit unusual, but he said that if one plans to sell one’s vehicle, by having a copy of what has been done and at what mileage, when it comes time to sell your car to a private party, you as the seller, can give all full information on what has been done to your vehicle, as a form of full disclosure.
He said that sometimes for those that use a personal vehicle for their job by having all these receipts for repair and maintenance it maybe possible to take it as a tax deduction, but always check with your tax preparer because the tax laws change every year.
But even so it did make excellent sense to keep this information on your vehicle, especially if there is any sort of warranty on the repair. It did make sense especially if your job is in real estate or as a wedding or event planner or something of that sort, which a lot of traveling to different locations or clients is required, therefore because of that type of work it then requires keeping receipts for tax information, but to also have it for your personal information on repair and maintenance is equally important.
Now the tax law does vary a bit if your vehicle is used both for business and pleasure, so I do believe keeping a mileage report is important, but do ask your tax preparer about the tax laws covering this.
He also said that it didn’t make sense to buy a brand new vehicle especially since one loses value the minute it leaves the lot, but to buy one that has low mileage, is gently used and is from a reputable dealer that has gone through it completely to check it out to ensure that it is safe makes sense, and to hold on to it for no more than 10 years at the very most, perhaps only 8 years, because after that time it begins to cost more to repair than the worth of the vehicle , unless one has a car that is a collectable (like a Packard or an Aston Martin) or has proven very reliable in the long run.
I have a dear acquaintance of mine who is in advertising and she has a car that’s 20 years old and is so reliable that she is loath to get rid of it. She told me that she will use it until is drops and can’t move anymore, which is what I was planning with my old car, until it was stolen by those 3 hoodlums (which the police eventually caught, we are now in the process of going to court) and wrapped around a pole. This forced me to buy a new car, Ms. Wicked, which I adore.
Although I do have to confess that there are times when one just simply wants a brand new car, in spite of the drop in value once it leaves the show room and even Wallace agreed with that, he said there are times when nothing but a brand new car will do.
Another thing, have full insurance which would also include being hit by an uninsured driver or catastrophic damage such as fire, flood, or falling trees, if you want to know who are the top quality insurance companies you can check with Consumer Reports, for their ratings, but rule of thumb for many people is this~~~go to an insurance company that also has a “brick and mortar” office, so you can deal with real people, not over a computer or over the phone. It may take some of your personal time, but the personal touch to get your claim processed is very important.
My Dear Friend Mean Kitty had that happen to her, she and her husband were traveling and were at a stop light and they were in a multiple rear end collision. Fortunately their car was drive able, so with the information from CHP, and everyone exchanging insurance information, Mean Kitty also had the added photo information of taking pictures of the entire accident to confirm that her car was not at fault.
When she got to her destination she called her insurance office to report that she was in an accident and when she would be coming into the office to do the claim since no one was injured in the accident, if there was an injury of course reporting the incident immediately even over the phone, is very important.
She was very pleased by her insurance company, they made the process of getting their vehicle repaired, the rental of another vehicle and processing their claim very painless, and it went smoothly, she did recommend that it’s best to be patient about receiving your claim especially if multiple vehicles are involved or if there maybe a dispute or investigation. But she received her claim in less than 3 months. She also said that the auto repair shop that was recommended by her insurance company made the process very easy and the car rental company also was very accommodating.
(Now I have to say that Mean Kitty had her auto insurance with State Farm and the car rental company was Enterprise, I mention these companies because they are fairly nationwide, although I’ve been told other well-known insurance companies also give excellent service, but remember the “brick and mortar” rule.)
She recommends and I do to, to keep no less than 2 disposable cameras in one’s glove compartment as well as your insurance information, by taking pictures right at the time of the accident showing the location and positions of the cars and the damage it can strengthen your claim.
She also says refresh or replace those cameras on Dec. 31 of every year, and use the ones that you’ve removed for holiday pictures. She said that if one does it at the same time that you replace your batteries in your smoke alarms as part of your check list it helps to remember these things.
Now why disposable point and shoot cameras? Well Darlings, they are there, they won’t fail if your camera cell phone is dead and it’s much easier to have the film developed especially with one hour processing. Nor do you have the worry that the pictures will be accidentally erased which could happen.
Well with this delightful and informative chat that I had with Wallace we also exchanged cards, so I could update him on my new home location, and we could plan on having dinner together with him and his wife Marsha and I with possibly Kevin or Kenneth (I do love to have several handsome men dancing in attendance)
So it seems that I have started a new venture with gathering this very practical information to share with all you Diva’s and Diva’s in training. This is all very important, even Mean Kitty has to agree about this.
Oh and why was I going to the City? Well darlings, there are a couple of stores that I love to purchase my DVD’s and music from, Rasputins just below Union Square and Virgin Records, I couldn’t take my Diva Darling, Princess, but I’m so glad that Juanita is back, she loves watching her and spoiling the little dear, although she said I made her work very easy for her because I called in Molly Maids, so Juanita tells me she is going to go through my closet to see what needs to be repaired, she is so through, sometimes I feel like I have a mother watching over me, that is why I just want to do my best for her as well.
And clothing maintenance will be another subject I will be touching upon in the future my Dears.
Until Anon Darlings, this Diva is going to treat a dear friend to lunch, and relaxation. Kisses Darlings.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
What is the world coming to?~~~
Well Darlings,
Irma, Betty and I have gathered our information together and made lists, we’ve even gone on the internet to see what the best spots are. But from what we’ve discovered so far is that many coffee shop places appear to be for internet users, nothing relaxing and elegant, with good coffee and a little nosh.
We’ve even wondered if our focus is wrong.
But then Irma suggested that we simply put together first from our experiences, places we like first give it a review and what we think is best for it, like lunch, dinner, atmosphere, comfort, cost, what it’s close to, and how hard to get in, dress code (casual, tie, formal etc)
We’ll also keep in our purses a note book of each new place we find and write down our opinion of it, if possible get its business card.
So we’ve agreed to get together once a month and compare our excursions. This will be so much fun, and we’ve enlisted the husbands and Kevin and Kenneth and several other persons that we know, we may even expand on it to cover other subjects.
My friend Mean Kitty has suggested for very casual eating, the Country Way Inn on Mowrey Avenue in Fremont, retro early 70’s with comfort food, good prices and large portions. The waitress’s call you dear, or honey and is very friendly without out being snobbish, just down home as she calls it. I had to laugh because she always has a way of taking things down a peg or two.
She said to me, “Men Folk don’t want ‘elf food’ and micro bionic food, they want MEAT and plenty of it, they want to remember Mom’s or Grandma’s old fashioned
Cooking and ‘if you don’t eat it there’s children starving in India who’d love it’ type reminders and this place has it”
She also told me about Mel’s Drive-in Dinners (which are not drive in, just eateries) “Real good hamburgers, filling, good fries, and the one on Geary and Van Ness in San Francisco is good, but get there just before the crowd, I had the Tuna Melt, with a little potato salad and it was a good size sandwich, I couldn’t finish the potato salad and that was just a small amount, guess my stomach is shrinking.”
What I love about Mean Kitty is she keeps things “Real” when I tell her how much I paid for my luggage she broke it down to “Gee, I could get new gutters for the house and maybe a drive way patch job”
Mean Kitty and I had dinner last night at my “secret dinning place” which we’ve promised not to divulge, and I looked at her very closely----I know she is going to read this “blog” but I say these things with real love for her.
I want to make it clear I do admire her, I’ve come from a “privileged life” wealthy parents, made my money, married well if not for love, have a marvelous income, never had to really hold down a job, excellent college education, as well as being lucky to have a natural investment and business acumen. I’m slim, trim, in excellent health, have money, furs, jewels, a housekeeper, expensive car, and can hire anyone at any time when I want without worrying about funds.
Oh yes, I’ve had my disappointments, sadness, loss, but I’ve also had many joys and I never have to look over my shoulder or worry about how I’m going to be taken care of.
But I look at Mean Kitty, she came from a upper working blue collar class family, college did not come easy for her and the money ran out when her father became ill, by the time she was 22 everything she knew and loved was gone, because of so many changes she clung on to her mother and father, cared for them, lived with them and never got a chance to live her own life.
She’s worked from the time she was 18 till now and even before she worked, cleaning her parents and grandmother’s home, washed dishes, sewed and repaired her own clothes, got up on the roof and cleaned gutters, or replaced roofs as she said “I got so many splinters in my hands one time that I had to spend the evening with my Mom pulling them out before I could eat, it hurt so bad.”
If she had to have sometime done she had to save the money up or get a loan to pay it off, her cash flow has always been difficult, and “there were times when I felt among my own peers that I was always 5 years behind them in experience or just plain naïve”.
Until now she had always been unlucky in love “Just chose the wrong ones until my Man came along” and she chose for love not money. For her to go into a 4 or 5 star restaurant would as she’d put it “freak me out, because I know I just don’t belong there, like they know I shop at Mervyns’s not Saks 5th Avenue.”
And yet we’ve met, we share things and she helps keep me grounded, she knows a lot of things, and her information is so useful. But when I offer to help---well she has her pride “I don’t want to be beholden to anyone, a loan can break up a beautiful friendship, somehow I’ll manage”
She plans on working until she drops, for her it’s the only way she can pay the bills, and afford medical coverage, she never had enough for retirement or investment, she prays that she will never be laid up with a stroke or anything like that “I saw what it did to Mom, she just gave up, became bed ridden I had to use up all the money she saved, hire a caregiver to cover while I was at work, had visiting nurses, deal with Medi-cal and Medicare, use up all my savings. I refuse to give up---Dad had a stroke and he came back, but he could never work again, but he kept going until his heart attack----I’d like it to be that way, to be able to function and then just fall asleep and not wake up, no burden to anyone”
I look at the beautiful home I have, the beautiful things I have, blessed with good health and she says about her home “well the ceiling is peeling but at least the roof is sound and no leaks, but I can’t afford to paint the interior for some time or patch the cracks, I just hope the heater holds out until I can replace it and forget refinishing the wood floors, not a high priority right now.”
I am still a size 8 and have all my teeth but for her “ The stress of caring for Mom and then when My Man came down with congestive heart failure and dealing with Medi-cal and Social Security constantly denying his rightful benefits and then me hiring a lawyer and taking on a second job to pay for the bills has caused bone density loss especially in my jaw, so my teeth loosen up and become infected then they have to be removed, I hate eating with dentures, I don’t care what they say I’ve had to give up a lot of my favorite foods and I loss 2 inches in height”
As she puts it “Getting Old is NOT for Sissies”.
And yet I admire her, her command of the English language, how she can phrase things, be diplomatic, and yet honest, hard working even with her aches and pains. Her enjoyment of the simple things in life and yet even she is a “class Act” she knows what is proper and right, she can be elegant in her own way, and I’ve seen her in action, when we’ve gone shopping together, we were at Tiffany’s the other day (I was looking for a gift for my niece who has turned 13) she was looking at all the beautiful jewelry a staffer asked her if she needed assistance, instead of being flustered (as one would if they know they are in a place that they don’t feel they belong) she simply remarked “No Thank you, I’m just browsing and admiring, but ‘thank you’ for asking, one quick question are these “fancy diamonds?” I’ve seen pink sapphires, but I didn’t know diamonds are also pink---thank you, most informative”.
I did make my purchase and we went into the Westin St. Francis to see what we could find, I had the chance to ask her over coffee “Where did you learn to speak that way?” and she replied “I use to watch the old movies from the 30’s and 40’s (another reason why I love her) and I’d listen to how they talk. The “Thin Man Movies” are wonderful for style, and “The Women” , I just love the T.V. show “Mission Impossible” I always thought Barbara Bain was so elegant, she’d always play her character just so cool and classy, also I’d watch all the PBS mysteries like Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, and the Dorothy Sayers “Lord Peter Whimsey” mysteries, some of the verbiage is fluff, so I don’t use it, but it taught me the best way to phrase things, I also paid attention in my high school English classes, it just pains my ears (and mine too) when I hear the teenagers using words like ‘that’s hecka cool’ instead of saying that’s really nice, or using profanity, there are millions of words in the English language that one doesn’t have to resort to profanity”
I had to agree with her, we both came to conclusion that the young people didn’t have the right role models in front of them, they were too caught up with Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, the slut gangster persona and feel that, that is whom they must emulate. No Jackie Kennedy, no Audrey Hepburn, No Marlene Dietchrine, No Barbara Bain, no one to be in the forefront to show the way of how to be cool, elegant, classy and with style.
She said to me, “the other day I was watching ‘Judge Joe Brown’ and having a late lunch and he had on these 5 African American girls, one girl (who had a witness) was suing the other 3 for attacking her and these girls were big, I think collectively they could life up a bus.
She was beaten up real bad by these 3 girls, had to go to the ER, do a police report and such, and the 3 girls had an attitude like they were proud of what they did and brought in a video of the attack, and they just stood there posturing and rolling their eyes, while the plaintiff was explaining her case and her witness was verifying everything, now when the 3 defendants started talking, the plaintiff and her witness didn’t do any of that, they just stood there and quietly shook their heads at the lies and attitude of the 3 defendants.
Judge Joe Brown read the riot act to those three girls, told them what they really were and found for the plaintiff. And I have to admit, I could not believe those 3 girls even before I saw the video, their attitude put me off, made me believe that they were the aggressors and when I saw the video what I really saw was the plaintiff defending herself, I did not see her starting the attack. So the 3 defendants were in the wrong and yet they refuse to believe it.
And that is what this world is coming to.”
I could only agree with Mean Kitty, it is a sorry state of affairs, and we’ve lost what culture we had and it’s come down to all that.
But last night at dinner, in part I felt my faith somewhat restored when she said “If you always act like a class act, everyone will have to act that way too eventually, maybe indirectly it can influence some young person, give them the subconscious nudge in the right direction, what people don’t understand is that they themselves create the ghetto instead of improving it. Remember that movie ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ it’s based on a true story and that guy is making a lot of money now a days, but he’s helping others, as they say ‘You’ve got to have that fire in your belly’ if you want to improve yourself, it’s just that too many young people are afraid to leave that which they are familiar with, but all it takes is one step and then another and another and keep going, and then you are free of the ghetto, but I think a personality needs to be in the forefront and is a strong influence to make change for the better. It will happen, it will happen slowly, but it will happen.”
And that is when I realized that even I have to be an example Darlings and give you this next lesson----remember it-----
DIVADOM IS NOT BEING RICH OR WEALTHY BUT BEING CLASSY EVEN WITH LITTLE MONEY, TO SPEAK RIGHT, ACT RIGHT, DRESS RIGHT WITHOUT TRASH OR BEING TRASHY.
It’s knowing what is right and what is wrong, it’s being responsible and helpful, it’s being considerate of others and yet, knowing what is legal and right. The world is not handed to one on a platter, it must be earned and also earning the respect of others.
You can be a Diva even if you can only afford to buy at Goodwill, Salvation Army or St. Vincent De Paul. The key to Divadom is EDUCATION.
If any of you Diva Darlings are putting together your notebook based on my “blogs”, then put what I have just written as your prolog and always remember it.
Now Darlings, I must go and do my beauty routine and get my Beauty Sleep, Juanita will be back tomorrow and I need to get myself on track for the New Year.
Until Anon Darlings, Kisses.
Irma, Betty and I have gathered our information together and made lists, we’ve even gone on the internet to see what the best spots are. But from what we’ve discovered so far is that many coffee shop places appear to be for internet users, nothing relaxing and elegant, with good coffee and a little nosh.
We’ve even wondered if our focus is wrong.
But then Irma suggested that we simply put together first from our experiences, places we like first give it a review and what we think is best for it, like lunch, dinner, atmosphere, comfort, cost, what it’s close to, and how hard to get in, dress code (casual, tie, formal etc)
We’ll also keep in our purses a note book of each new place we find and write down our opinion of it, if possible get its business card.
So we’ve agreed to get together once a month and compare our excursions. This will be so much fun, and we’ve enlisted the husbands and Kevin and Kenneth and several other persons that we know, we may even expand on it to cover other subjects.
My friend Mean Kitty has suggested for very casual eating, the Country Way Inn on Mowrey Avenue in Fremont, retro early 70’s with comfort food, good prices and large portions. The waitress’s call you dear, or honey and is very friendly without out being snobbish, just down home as she calls it. I had to laugh because she always has a way of taking things down a peg or two.
She said to me, “Men Folk don’t want ‘elf food’ and micro bionic food, they want MEAT and plenty of it, they want to remember Mom’s or Grandma’s old fashioned
Cooking and ‘if you don’t eat it there’s children starving in India who’d love it’ type reminders and this place has it”
She also told me about Mel’s Drive-in Dinners (which are not drive in, just eateries) “Real good hamburgers, filling, good fries, and the one on Geary and Van Ness in San Francisco is good, but get there just before the crowd, I had the Tuna Melt, with a little potato salad and it was a good size sandwich, I couldn’t finish the potato salad and that was just a small amount, guess my stomach is shrinking.”
What I love about Mean Kitty is she keeps things “Real” when I tell her how much I paid for my luggage she broke it down to “Gee, I could get new gutters for the house and maybe a drive way patch job”
Mean Kitty and I had dinner last night at my “secret dinning place” which we’ve promised not to divulge, and I looked at her very closely----I know she is going to read this “blog” but I say these things with real love for her.
I want to make it clear I do admire her, I’ve come from a “privileged life” wealthy parents, made my money, married well if not for love, have a marvelous income, never had to really hold down a job, excellent college education, as well as being lucky to have a natural investment and business acumen. I’m slim, trim, in excellent health, have money, furs, jewels, a housekeeper, expensive car, and can hire anyone at any time when I want without worrying about funds.
Oh yes, I’ve had my disappointments, sadness, loss, but I’ve also had many joys and I never have to look over my shoulder or worry about how I’m going to be taken care of.
But I look at Mean Kitty, she came from a upper working blue collar class family, college did not come easy for her and the money ran out when her father became ill, by the time she was 22 everything she knew and loved was gone, because of so many changes she clung on to her mother and father, cared for them, lived with them and never got a chance to live her own life.
She’s worked from the time she was 18 till now and even before she worked, cleaning her parents and grandmother’s home, washed dishes, sewed and repaired her own clothes, got up on the roof and cleaned gutters, or replaced roofs as she said “I got so many splinters in my hands one time that I had to spend the evening with my Mom pulling them out before I could eat, it hurt so bad.”
If she had to have sometime done she had to save the money up or get a loan to pay it off, her cash flow has always been difficult, and “there were times when I felt among my own peers that I was always 5 years behind them in experience or just plain naïve”.
Until now she had always been unlucky in love “Just chose the wrong ones until my Man came along” and she chose for love not money. For her to go into a 4 or 5 star restaurant would as she’d put it “freak me out, because I know I just don’t belong there, like they know I shop at Mervyns’s not Saks 5th Avenue.”
And yet we’ve met, we share things and she helps keep me grounded, she knows a lot of things, and her information is so useful. But when I offer to help---well she has her pride “I don’t want to be beholden to anyone, a loan can break up a beautiful friendship, somehow I’ll manage”
She plans on working until she drops, for her it’s the only way she can pay the bills, and afford medical coverage, she never had enough for retirement or investment, she prays that she will never be laid up with a stroke or anything like that “I saw what it did to Mom, she just gave up, became bed ridden I had to use up all the money she saved, hire a caregiver to cover while I was at work, had visiting nurses, deal with Medi-cal and Medicare, use up all my savings. I refuse to give up---Dad had a stroke and he came back, but he could never work again, but he kept going until his heart attack----I’d like it to be that way, to be able to function and then just fall asleep and not wake up, no burden to anyone”
I look at the beautiful home I have, the beautiful things I have, blessed with good health and she says about her home “well the ceiling is peeling but at least the roof is sound and no leaks, but I can’t afford to paint the interior for some time or patch the cracks, I just hope the heater holds out until I can replace it and forget refinishing the wood floors, not a high priority right now.”
I am still a size 8 and have all my teeth but for her “ The stress of caring for Mom and then when My Man came down with congestive heart failure and dealing with Medi-cal and Social Security constantly denying his rightful benefits and then me hiring a lawyer and taking on a second job to pay for the bills has caused bone density loss especially in my jaw, so my teeth loosen up and become infected then they have to be removed, I hate eating with dentures, I don’t care what they say I’ve had to give up a lot of my favorite foods and I loss 2 inches in height”
As she puts it “Getting Old is NOT for Sissies”.
And yet I admire her, her command of the English language, how she can phrase things, be diplomatic, and yet honest, hard working even with her aches and pains. Her enjoyment of the simple things in life and yet even she is a “class Act” she knows what is proper and right, she can be elegant in her own way, and I’ve seen her in action, when we’ve gone shopping together, we were at Tiffany’s the other day (I was looking for a gift for my niece who has turned 13) she was looking at all the beautiful jewelry a staffer asked her if she needed assistance, instead of being flustered (as one would if they know they are in a place that they don’t feel they belong) she simply remarked “No Thank you, I’m just browsing and admiring, but ‘thank you’ for asking, one quick question are these “fancy diamonds?” I’ve seen pink sapphires, but I didn’t know diamonds are also pink---thank you, most informative”.
I did make my purchase and we went into the Westin St. Francis to see what we could find, I had the chance to ask her over coffee “Where did you learn to speak that way?” and she replied “I use to watch the old movies from the 30’s and 40’s (another reason why I love her) and I’d listen to how they talk. The “Thin Man Movies” are wonderful for style, and “The Women” , I just love the T.V. show “Mission Impossible” I always thought Barbara Bain was so elegant, she’d always play her character just so cool and classy, also I’d watch all the PBS mysteries like Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, and the Dorothy Sayers “Lord Peter Whimsey” mysteries, some of the verbiage is fluff, so I don’t use it, but it taught me the best way to phrase things, I also paid attention in my high school English classes, it just pains my ears (and mine too) when I hear the teenagers using words like ‘that’s hecka cool’ instead of saying that’s really nice, or using profanity, there are millions of words in the English language that one doesn’t have to resort to profanity”
I had to agree with her, we both came to conclusion that the young people didn’t have the right role models in front of them, they were too caught up with Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, the slut gangster persona and feel that, that is whom they must emulate. No Jackie Kennedy, no Audrey Hepburn, No Marlene Dietchrine, No Barbara Bain, no one to be in the forefront to show the way of how to be cool, elegant, classy and with style.
She said to me, “the other day I was watching ‘Judge Joe Brown’ and having a late lunch and he had on these 5 African American girls, one girl (who had a witness) was suing the other 3 for attacking her and these girls were big, I think collectively they could life up a bus.
She was beaten up real bad by these 3 girls, had to go to the ER, do a police report and such, and the 3 girls had an attitude like they were proud of what they did and brought in a video of the attack, and they just stood there posturing and rolling their eyes, while the plaintiff was explaining her case and her witness was verifying everything, now when the 3 defendants started talking, the plaintiff and her witness didn’t do any of that, they just stood there and quietly shook their heads at the lies and attitude of the 3 defendants.
Judge Joe Brown read the riot act to those three girls, told them what they really were and found for the plaintiff. And I have to admit, I could not believe those 3 girls even before I saw the video, their attitude put me off, made me believe that they were the aggressors and when I saw the video what I really saw was the plaintiff defending herself, I did not see her starting the attack. So the 3 defendants were in the wrong and yet they refuse to believe it.
And that is what this world is coming to.”
I could only agree with Mean Kitty, it is a sorry state of affairs, and we’ve lost what culture we had and it’s come down to all that.
But last night at dinner, in part I felt my faith somewhat restored when she said “If you always act like a class act, everyone will have to act that way too eventually, maybe indirectly it can influence some young person, give them the subconscious nudge in the right direction, what people don’t understand is that they themselves create the ghetto instead of improving it. Remember that movie ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ it’s based on a true story and that guy is making a lot of money now a days, but he’s helping others, as they say ‘You’ve got to have that fire in your belly’ if you want to improve yourself, it’s just that too many young people are afraid to leave that which they are familiar with, but all it takes is one step and then another and another and keep going, and then you are free of the ghetto, but I think a personality needs to be in the forefront and is a strong influence to make change for the better. It will happen, it will happen slowly, but it will happen.”
And that is when I realized that even I have to be an example Darlings and give you this next lesson----remember it-----
DIVADOM IS NOT BEING RICH OR WEALTHY BUT BEING CLASSY EVEN WITH LITTLE MONEY, TO SPEAK RIGHT, ACT RIGHT, DRESS RIGHT WITHOUT TRASH OR BEING TRASHY.
It’s knowing what is right and what is wrong, it’s being responsible and helpful, it’s being considerate of others and yet, knowing what is legal and right. The world is not handed to one on a platter, it must be earned and also earning the respect of others.
You can be a Diva even if you can only afford to buy at Goodwill, Salvation Army or St. Vincent De Paul. The key to Divadom is EDUCATION.
If any of you Diva Darlings are putting together your notebook based on my “blogs”, then put what I have just written as your prolog and always remember it.
Now Darlings, I must go and do my beauty routine and get my Beauty Sleep, Juanita will be back tomorrow and I need to get myself on track for the New Year.
Until Anon Darlings, Kisses.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
An Important piece of furniture to have~~~~~
Darlings,
I know I suggested keeping your password accounts in a binder in your home, but what of a fire or worst your home is broken into , That is where a heavy duty Fireproof safe is important.
Most casual thieves will take what they can easily transport, T.V. Dvd player, jewerly, ready cash, but if your safe is installed in your closet and bolted to the floor and the back wall that is best.
Mine is bolted and since I have concret underneath my flooring it's bolted to that I also have it disguised as a back wall since there is a hollow space in that area, so only the most descerning thief will spot it. Also if you are going away for any length of time, have a reliable, bonded house sitter staying at your place.
Another thing that my friend Mean Kitty mentioned (as a matter of fact she is here right now and we are going out to dinner---my treat). If you are a gun owner, keep your records that show the legal purchase of the gun in your safe deposit box, and if you should sell it write that down on your previous proof of purchase----Also, and she cannot stress this enough---IF YOUR GUN IS STOLEN REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE POLICE AND INCLUDE THE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AS WELL this is to protect you from any legal action.
If Darlings you are just starting out in saving your papers, the first thing to get is a safe deposit box.
Another thing my friend Mean Kitty mentioned is this, if you have the space and are a coin collector, put your coins in your at home safe or at least in your safe deposit box.
Well Darlings, I must go, we are going to have a lovely Dinner, and then take in a movie---Mean Kitty wants to see "National Treasure" oh well, it's all in good fun.
Until Anon Kisses Darlings.
I know I suggested keeping your password accounts in a binder in your home, but what of a fire or worst your home is broken into , That is where a heavy duty Fireproof safe is important.
Most casual thieves will take what they can easily transport, T.V. Dvd player, jewerly, ready cash, but if your safe is installed in your closet and bolted to the floor and the back wall that is best.
Mine is bolted and since I have concret underneath my flooring it's bolted to that I also have it disguised as a back wall since there is a hollow space in that area, so only the most descerning thief will spot it. Also if you are going away for any length of time, have a reliable, bonded house sitter staying at your place.
Another thing that my friend Mean Kitty mentioned (as a matter of fact she is here right now and we are going out to dinner---my treat). If you are a gun owner, keep your records that show the legal purchase of the gun in your safe deposit box, and if you should sell it write that down on your previous proof of purchase----Also, and she cannot stress this enough---IF YOUR GUN IS STOLEN REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE POLICE AND INCLUDE THE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AS WELL this is to protect you from any legal action.
If Darlings you are just starting out in saving your papers, the first thing to get is a safe deposit box.
Another thing my friend Mean Kitty mentioned is this, if you have the space and are a coin collector, put your coins in your at home safe or at least in your safe deposit box.
Well Darlings, I must go, we are going to have a lovely Dinner, and then take in a movie---Mean Kitty wants to see "National Treasure" oh well, it's all in good fun.
Until Anon Kisses Darlings.
Organizing what important papers to keep and other thoughts~~~~
My goodness Darlings,
All that rain and wind yesterday! I was watching the 5 o’clock news and I am so glad that I stayed home all day, but how frightening it must have been for those drivers on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
It reminds me of the storms we had nearly 10 years ago and all those houses sliding down from the Hills. Some of my friends were nearly in that situation, fortunately their support pillars held and they had a chance to fix things so it would not be a problem again.
Well today Darlings I had to venture out into the rain, supplies for the house and groceries too, but I thought it would be best to have Princess stay at home, I didn’t want her to get wet in all of this. And my goodness did anyone see the lightening?
Fortunately Betty and I decided it would be best to join forces, so planning our trip like Generals we purchased the non-perishables first, then had a light lunch of soup and salad at one of our favorite eateries and I put Irma’s and mine idea about forming a booklet of places to go to, to rest have coffee, a light snack, or dinner, or other ideas----that way we wouldn’t have to rack out brains out.
She loved the idea so we are getting together tomorrow afternoon to plan how to focus our project---even if it’s for just our own use it will help take out any guess work and also give us a chance to plan on trying new places as well.
But I did promise to find a list of important papers to keep for your files. And Darlings, I was lucky and came across a web site that has listed from a government brochure what is important to keep, the brochure is no longer printed----but it’s alright to copy this information.
And trust me on this, you Darling Divas, this is very important information to have
Here it is-----there will be comments from me set within ( ) to add to it.~~~~~~~
Now Darlings at the bottom of all this Wonderful information is a list of how long to keep financial records, and although many places say 6 years I strongly recommend 10 years, it’s so much easier to keep track of decades.
Keeping Family/Household Records KEEPING FAMILY/HOUSEHOLD RECORDS
This brochure is no longer available in print. It is based on a chapter
from the U. S. Department of Agriculture's 1973 Yearbook of Agriculture
and has been adapted for use online by the Federal Citizen Information
Center of the General Services Administration as a public service. The
chapter on which this brochure is based was originally prepared by
Constance Burgess, a retired Cooperative Extension consumer education
specialist from the University of California. The information is in the
public domain and you are welcome to reference or copy it for educational
purposes.
What to Discard
When was the last time you couldn't find an important paper you knew you
had carefully put away someplace? How much time do you spend trying to
straighten out your household business affairs, especially at income tax
time?
How, in fact, do people decide what records are important to keep and what
they can discard? How do they decide where to store and keep such records
and papers?
Even though each family or household must work out its own system, some
general guidelines can be helpful. As a starter, ask yourself a few
questions:
How easy or difficult would it be for other members of your household to
figure out your record system? Or…do you even have a system?
Who besides you knows where to turn for necessary information about the
family household assets and obligations? Do you have a listing of people
who are important contacts, such as tax counselors, attorneys, bankers,
brokers, insurance representatives, employers, creditors, and debtors?
Are you sure titles to property and possessions are held in the best way
for all concerned? If not, you may want to ask an estate attorney or a
trust officer at your bank for professional assistance.
A good record system will provide a bird's-eye view of what happens to
property after you die or when a member of your household dies. Other
changes can alter plans too---for example, divorce or separation,
children reaching legal age, a long illness, a lawsuit, a natural
disaster, loss of a job, and retirement.
What happens if the place where you live is burglarized or there's a
fire and records are destroyed? What do you do when you lose track of
important paper. Which can be replaced, and how do you go about that?
Which ones cannot be replaced, and what do you do about those?
Papers to Keep in Safe Deposit Boxes
Every family household has some important records. Each of us should have
a birth certificate or an acceptable substitute. Since there are many
occasions when the information on your birth certificate will be needed,
it is important that you keep it in a safe place, preferably in a safe
deposit box.
If you have lost or misplaced birth certificates, consider applying for
replacements now, before there is a pressing need. Otherwise, you may have
to wait for one you need quickly.
State registration of births has been mandatory since 1920, and you can
contact your State agency to get a copy. The Bureau of the Census also
will search its files for proof of age.
By the same token, there will be death certificate for every person
someday. These will be needed occasionally and also are best kept in a
safe deposit box.
If you need to obtain these kinds of records, the publication, Where to
Write for Vital Records is available for viewing or purchase from the
Federal Citizen Information Center, Pueblo, Colorado 81009.
Other important documents to be kept in your safe deposit box include
marriage certificates, divorce or other legal papers regarding dissolution
of marriage, adoption papers, citizenship records, service papers, and any
other document that is either government or court recorded. The original
copy of a will, in most cases, is kept in the safe of the attorney who
prepared it.
This is highly desirable, since it may save complications
later. The client receives two carbon copies, one of which may be put into
his or her own safe deposit box. However, there could be a legal delay in
getting this copy at his or her death. The third copy, therefore, should
be kept at home where it is readily accessible.
Some of your important papers, such as investments, are of a business or
financial nature. Certificates for securities are nonnegotiable (can't be
sold or legally transferred) until they are signed by the owner.
Nevertheless, such certificates can be lost or stolen, and the signature
can be forged. In either case replacement involves both cost and delay.
Such certificates then, when not left with the broker, should be kept in
the owner's safe deposit box.
Government bonds can be replaced without cost, but there will be a delay
of several months. So it is best to keep these in the box also.
Among other investment-type documents that require safekeeping are papers
that serve as proof of ownership, such as deeds for real estate, other
mortgage papers, contracts, automobile titles (if this applies in your
State), leases, notes, and such special papers as patents and copyrights.
Renting a Safe Deposit Box
If you don't have a safe deposit box, then consider getting one. The
yearly rental, at your bank or savings and loan company, is inexpensive.(Darlings, even I cannot stress this idea enough)
Often the smallest size is adequate, though larger sizes are available at
slightly higher charges.
If you do have a safe deposit box, ask yourself if it is large enough to
hold everything that should be in it-and small enough to keep out things
that don't need to be there. If you store documents from investment
properties or securities, the rental can be claimed as a deduction for
income tax purposes. The box should not be used as a catchall for
souvenirs and unimportant papers.
What Goes In And What Stays Out
A guideline as to what goes in and what stays out of your safe deposit box
might be: Put it in if you can't replace it or if it would be costly or
troublesome to replace.
Many items can be replaced rather easily. Copies of insurance policies can
be obtained from your insurance companies. Copies of cancelled checks are
usually available at your bank. Generally speaking, you do not need to
keep the following in a safe deposit box: income tax returns, education
records, employment records, bankbooks, social security cards, guarantees,
and burial instructions.
Keeping Tax Records
How long should you keep tax records? The Internal Revenue Service has 3
years in which to audit Federal income tax returns. However, this limit
does not apply in unusual cases. If you failed to report more than 25
percent of your gross income, the Government has 6 years to collect the
tax or to start legal proceedings. Also, there are no time limitations if
you filed a fraudulent return or if you failed to file a return.
(Darlings, my late husband was an attorney and even if he wanted to conceal something from me he NEVER concealed anything from the IRS)
But you don't have to keep everything for tax purposes. You can lighten
your record load by discarding certain checks and bills once they have
served their purpose.
For example, you can throw away weekly or monthly
salary statements---assuming you are paid in that way---after you check
them against your annual W-2 Form.
But save cancelled checks that relate directly to an entry on your tax return, and keep all medical bills for 3 years to back up your cancelled checks.
(Darlings, I recommend that you keep all your medical bills permanently, for those of you who have relatives that are on Medicare and Medical, those bills can help prove your case, especially if there is any type of wrong doing, Mean Kitty’s Mother’s estate was being sued by Medi-Cal for monies even though there was no estate, but Medi-Cal insisted there was---and it was strange that the amount being sued for was the exact amount Mean Kitty had to pay for her Mother’s Funeral---she hired a lawyer to deal with Medi-Cal and they reduced their demands to $500 always get a lawyer on your side to do the fighting, if they are smart they will have connections)
The IRS generally keeps records for 6 years. You can obtain a copy of your
tax return by writing to the IRS center to which your return was sent.
Make sure you include your social security number and a notarized
signature.
Making Household Inventory Records
Among your important papers keep a household inventory. If there is a fire
or burglary in your home, this record will help you remember what has to
be replaced and how much each item is worth. An inventory also may show
that you need to increase your insurance because your possessions are
worth more than you thought.
The best way to go about compiling a household inventory is to start with
a sheet of paper for each room in the house, apartment, etc. Forms on
which to record items are available from several places, sometimes from
your county Extension office.
When you make your inventory, start at one point in the room and go all
the way around, listing everything. For each item, list what it is, how
much it cost, when it was purchased, and what it would cost to replace it.
Include the model number, brand name, dealer's name, and a general
description. If you take pictures of the rooms and your household
possessions, it will make identification or replacement, easier. Arrange
expensive collections, silver, and jewelry separately and take close-up
pictures.
When you have finished all the rooms, including the basement, garage, and
attic, add up the total replacement cost. That figure will represent what
your household is worth and is what your insurance should cover.
Update your inventory every 6 months or so by adding new purchases and
adjusting replacement costs.
(Darlings it would be best to keep the house hold inventory record in your safe deposit box---but if you do not have a chance to do that, then keep it in a fire proof safe or have two copies one in your safe deposit box and one in your at home safe)
Organizing A Home Filing System
A system for personal records is a necessity. No matter how modest your
home facilities might be, you need a special place to keep your papers.
That could be as elaborate as a room or home office or as simple as a
corner of the kitchen, bedroom, or hall.
Records, regardless of the filing system used, should be reviewed at least
once a year to discard items no longer needed. January is a good time for
an overhaul, since it's just before you begin to work on taxes.
The equipment you will need doesn't have to be elaborate. Think about a
filing cabinet before you think about a desk. The two-drawer type can be
covered with paint or wallpaper. A wooden slab or hollow-core door
stretched across the top of two cabinets can make a practical home office
desk.
If you don't have space for a small cabinet, buy accordion folders, a
storage chest that fits under the bed, or get sturdy cardboard boxes of an
appropriate size.
A home computer or portable typewriter and a pocket calculator can be
handy, but they are not essential. The essential thing is to know where
everything is.
(Trust me Darlings, there is often enough a time when having a manuel portable typewriter can be a God-send and they still are making them, just check the internet)
Two Home Files
You should keep two home files, in addition to your safe deposit box at
the bank. These two files are your active file and your dead storage file.
Your active file will hold:
1) unpaid bills until paid,
2) paid bill receipts,
3) current bank statements,
4) current cancelled checks,
5) income tax working papers.
After 3 years, move these items to your dead storage file.
There are other items which should always be kept in your active file.
These include:
1) employment records, such as resumes, recommendation letters, health benefit information;
2) credit card information, including the number of each card, by company name;
3) insurance policies;
4) copies of wills;
5) family health records;
6) appliance manuals and warranties;
7) education information, such as transcripts, diplomas, etc.;
8) Social Security information on benefits and regulations; and
9) an inventory of what's in your safe deposit box (you might store a key in the inventory folder).
10) (Darlings I also recommend a power of attorney as well as a Medical Power of attorney, and a letter recommending what should be done if you do or do not want to be resuscitated----also give a copy of these papers on Medical information to your lawyer and to a responsible, reliable family member on your family side not on your spouses side Remember the Terri Shaivo case)
Finally, keep a record book of the whereabouts of your important papers.
If you use a loose-leaf binder, you will be able to change papers easily
Or copy a page or two.
The book should contain a list of all your savings and checking accounts.
(Darlings with ATM’s and such do be sure to include your passwords with each account)
This way you won't become one of the missing depositors who have forgotten
Their accounts or who have died without telling relatives about them.
Also, include the name and branch of the bank where you keep your safe
deposit box.
The book also should have all of the family members' social security
numbers, and all of the insurance policy information. It's a good idea to
keep a copy of your household inventory here as well.
Don't forget to record all your household improvements.
Finally, make sure someone else knows and understands the family
record-keeping system.
Preparing A Net Worth Statement
Have you tried filling out a net worth statement as a means of keeping
tabs on yourself and your family possessions? Such a record provides a
good overall picture and can be prepared in an hour or less. If you do it
annually, you can see quickly whether you are getting ahead financially or
falling behind and, in either case, how fast.
An accurate net worth statement can serve as a point of departure for the
year ahead. If you're not making as much progress financially as you had
expected to, you can decide whether to stay on course or to change
directions for the coming year.
Where are you going to find a net worth form that will meet your needs? Try your county Cooperative Extension Service office. Or ask at your bank. Better yet, perhaps you can make one to fit your family.
All you do is list your assets, list your obligations, and subtract the debts from the assets. Hopefully the plus side of the ledger will get larger each year and the minus side smaller. But there may be good reasons why you'll fall behind sometimes, such as when you buy a
new home or when other expenses are heavier than usual.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Use the checklist chart below to remind yourself what to keep and what you
can discard.
Safe Deposit Box
Birth Certificates
Citizenship Papers
Marriage Certificates
Adoption Papers
Divorce Decrees
Wills
Death Certificates
Deeds
Titles to Automobiles
Household Inventory
Veteran's Papers
Bonds and Stock Certificates
Important Contracts
Active File
Tax Receipts
Unpaid Bills
Paid Bill Receipts
Current Bank Statements
Current Cancelled Checks
Income Tax Working Papers
Employment Records
Health Benefit Information
Credit Card Information
Insurance Policies
Copies of Wills
Family Health Records
Appliance Manuals and Warranties
Receipts of Items Under Warranty
Education Information
Inventory of Safe Deposit Box (and key)
Loan Statements
Loan Payment Books
Receipts of Expensive Items Not Yet Paid For
Power of attorney and Medical power of attorney and Medical Directive
Dead Storage
All Active File Papers Over 3 Years Old
Items To Discard
Salary Statements (after checking on W-2 Form)
Cancelled Checks for Cash or Nondeductible Expenses
Expired Warranties
Coupons After Expiration Date
Other Records No Longer Needed
NET WORTH STATEMENT as of ________________
(update annually)
Assets
Cash on Hand$______________
Bank accounts (checking and savings)$______________
Credit Union account$______________
Savings & loan accounts$______________
Any other savings accounts$______________
House, market value$______________
Other real estate, value$______________
Household furnishings, value$______________
Automobile(s), blue book value$______________
Life insurance, cash value$______________
Stocks and bonds, today's value$______________
Profit-sharing or retirement plans$______________
U.S. Savings Bonds$______________
Money owed you$______________
Other assets or investments$______________
Personal property$______________
Total Assets$______________
Obligations
Mortgages, balance due$______________
Other loans (bank, credit union)$______________
Installment debts, balance due$______________
Credit cards, balance due$______________
Charge accounts, owed$______________
Other debts, total owed$______________
Insurance premiums due$______________
Taxes owed$______________
Other current bills$______________
Total Debts$______________
Net Worth (assets minus debts)$______________
Now Darlings this following list maybe a repeat of what is listed above but at the time that the government brochure was printed it wasn't listing IRA's or 4o1 k's and other things, so the information below maybe a repeat of above but it is an update.
Tax returns and proof of filing: Forever - in case you are audited.
Documents Supporting Tax Returns (W-2, 1099, receipts to prove deductions,
etc.): Six years. The IRS has up to three years from when you file to look for
errors on your return and up to six years to audit you if it suspects you
underreported income by 25 percent. (There’s no limit if fraud is involved.)
Receipts: Until the warranty expires, or for as long as you need them for tax
purposes.
Securities Statements (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.): For 6 years after
you sell them; to prove a profit or loss for tax purposes
Medical Bills: 1 yr, unless deducting for taxes, then 6 years.
Pay Stubs: Until your W-2 arrives; (Be sure to double check it for accuracy on
a regular basis!)
401k and IRA Statements: Until your year end statement arrives. Keep your year
end statements for at least 6 years for tax reasons.
Bank Statements: 1 year to confirm 1099.
Utility Bills: 1 year to track usage, assist with budgeting. If you claimed a
home office on your taxes, keep your records for six years.
Credit Card Statements: 1 month for most, so you can reconcile your purchases.
Keep them for longer if needed for tax reasons.
This is great advice to simplify book keeping and getting rid of clutter! It’s
much easier to do if you take care of things as they come in instead of trying
to do a year’s worth of book keeping in one sitting. So take the 15 minutes a
week and get organized!
Don’t forget to shred any documents that have important personal or financial
information before throwing them out! Many of these important documents contain
all the information identity thieves need to steal your identity and ruin your
life.
What financial records to keep and how long to keep them Inside: Home
You can't take everything with you, but the following are
suggestions about how long you should keep personal finance
and investment records on file:
Financial records timeline
Type of record Length of time to keep -- and why
TaxesReturns
Canceled checks/receipts (alimony, charitable contributions, mortgage interest and retirement
plan contributions)
Records for tax deductions taken Seven years
The IRS has three years from your filing date to
audit your return if it suspects good faith
errors.
The three-year deadline also applies if you
discover a mistake in your return and decide to
file an amended return to claim a refund.
The IRS has six years to challenge your return if
it thinks you underreported your gross income by
25 percent or more.
There is no time limit if you failed to file your
return or filed a fraudulent return.
(Remember my Diva Darlings, never try to cheat the IRS, you will lose, always have a good tax preparer do your return, espeically if you are in business or work hard to earn your money)
IRA contributions Permanently
If you made a nondeductible contribution to an IRA, keep the records indefinitely to prove that
you already paid tax on this money when the time comes to withdraw.
Retirement/savings plan statements From one year to permanently(I recommend permanently Darlings, Never trust the IRS)
Keep the quarterly statements from your 401(k) or other plans until you receive the annual
summary; if everything matches up, then shred the quarterlies.
Keep the annual summaries until you retire or close the account.
Bank records From one year to permanently
Go through your checks each year and keep those related to your taxes, business expenses, home improvements and mortgage payments.
Shred those that have no long-term importance.
Brokerage statements Until you sell the securities
You need the purchase/sales slips from your brokerage or mutual fund to prove whether you have capital gains or losses at tax time.
Bills From one year to permanently
Go through your bills once a year.
In most cases, when the canceled check from a
paid bill has been returned, you can shred the
bill.
However, bills for big purchases -- such as
jewelry, rugs, appliances, antiques, cars,
collectibles, furniture, computers, etc. --
should be kept in an insurance file for proof of
their value in the event of loss or damage.
Credit card receipts and statements From 45 days
to seven years (Espeically for any tax deduction or business related expense that is taken as a tax deduction)
Keep your original receipts until you get your
monthly statement; shred the receipts if the two
match up.
Keep the statements for seven years if
tax-related expenses are documented.
Paycheck stubs One year
When you receive your annual W-2 form from your
employer, make sure the information on your
stubs matches.
If it does, shred the stubs.
If it doesn't, demand a corrected form, known as
a W-2c.
House/condominium records From six years to permanently
Keep all records documenting the purchase price
and the cost of all permanent improvements --
such as remodeling, additions and installations.
Keep records of expenses incurred in selling and
buying the property, such as legal fees and your
real estate agent's commission, for six years
after you sell your home.
Holding on to these records is important because
any improvements you make on your house, as well
as expenses in selling it, are added to the
original purchase price or cost basis. This adds
up to a greater profit (also known as capital
gains) when you sell your house. Therefore, you
lower your capital gains tax.
)(Again Darlings when it comes to your house or condo never trust the IRS, I would keep it permanetly as an active file for 7 years then as an inactive file)
(Remember Darlings to also keep Medical Receipts for non-chronic and chronic illness and paid in full loan documents for at least 4 years although I would suggest permanently.
Keep all bank statements—including all canceled check, and receipts for living expenses, vacations, clothing and entertainment for 3 to 7 years especially if you are using it as a tax deduction---perhaps to be on the safe side-then permanently)
Source: Marquette National Bank and Catherine
Williams,
President of Consumer Credit Counseling Services
of Greater Chicago
Now Darlings, I got this information from several different sources but Bankrate.com information (posted just above) was the most recent as of 2005.
There is one piece of equipment that I MUST Recommend and that is a Cross Cut Shredder, heavy duty at that. Remember there is always the threat of Identity theft.
Must go Darlings, Kisses
All that rain and wind yesterday! I was watching the 5 o’clock news and I am so glad that I stayed home all day, but how frightening it must have been for those drivers on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
It reminds me of the storms we had nearly 10 years ago and all those houses sliding down from the Hills. Some of my friends were nearly in that situation, fortunately their support pillars held and they had a chance to fix things so it would not be a problem again.
Well today Darlings I had to venture out into the rain, supplies for the house and groceries too, but I thought it would be best to have Princess stay at home, I didn’t want her to get wet in all of this. And my goodness did anyone see the lightening?
Fortunately Betty and I decided it would be best to join forces, so planning our trip like Generals we purchased the non-perishables first, then had a light lunch of soup and salad at one of our favorite eateries and I put Irma’s and mine idea about forming a booklet of places to go to, to rest have coffee, a light snack, or dinner, or other ideas----that way we wouldn’t have to rack out brains out.
She loved the idea so we are getting together tomorrow afternoon to plan how to focus our project---even if it’s for just our own use it will help take out any guess work and also give us a chance to plan on trying new places as well.
But I did promise to find a list of important papers to keep for your files. And Darlings, I was lucky and came across a web site that has listed from a government brochure what is important to keep, the brochure is no longer printed----but it’s alright to copy this information.
And trust me on this, you Darling Divas, this is very important information to have
Here it is-----there will be comments from me set within ( ) to add to it.~~~~~~~
Now Darlings at the bottom of all this Wonderful information is a list of how long to keep financial records, and although many places say 6 years I strongly recommend 10 years, it’s so much easier to keep track of decades.
Keeping Family/Household Records KEEPING FAMILY/HOUSEHOLD RECORDS
This brochure is no longer available in print. It is based on a chapter
from the U. S. Department of Agriculture's 1973 Yearbook of Agriculture
and has been adapted for use online by the Federal Citizen Information
Center of the General Services Administration as a public service. The
chapter on which this brochure is based was originally prepared by
Constance Burgess, a retired Cooperative Extension consumer education
specialist from the University of California. The information is in the
public domain and you are welcome to reference or copy it for educational
purposes.
What to Discard
When was the last time you couldn't find an important paper you knew you
had carefully put away someplace? How much time do you spend trying to
straighten out your household business affairs, especially at income tax
time?
How, in fact, do people decide what records are important to keep and what
they can discard? How do they decide where to store and keep such records
and papers?
Even though each family or household must work out its own system, some
general guidelines can be helpful. As a starter, ask yourself a few
questions:
How easy or difficult would it be for other members of your household to
figure out your record system? Or…do you even have a system?
Who besides you knows where to turn for necessary information about the
family household assets and obligations? Do you have a listing of people
who are important contacts, such as tax counselors, attorneys, bankers,
brokers, insurance representatives, employers, creditors, and debtors?
Are you sure titles to property and possessions are held in the best way
for all concerned? If not, you may want to ask an estate attorney or a
trust officer at your bank for professional assistance.
A good record system will provide a bird's-eye view of what happens to
property after you die or when a member of your household dies. Other
changes can alter plans too---for example, divorce or separation,
children reaching legal age, a long illness, a lawsuit, a natural
disaster, loss of a job, and retirement.
What happens if the place where you live is burglarized or there's a
fire and records are destroyed? What do you do when you lose track of
important paper. Which can be replaced, and how do you go about that?
Which ones cannot be replaced, and what do you do about those?
Papers to Keep in Safe Deposit Boxes
Every family household has some important records. Each of us should have
a birth certificate or an acceptable substitute. Since there are many
occasions when the information on your birth certificate will be needed,
it is important that you keep it in a safe place, preferably in a safe
deposit box.
If you have lost or misplaced birth certificates, consider applying for
replacements now, before there is a pressing need. Otherwise, you may have
to wait for one you need quickly.
State registration of births has been mandatory since 1920, and you can
contact your State agency to get a copy. The Bureau of the Census also
will search its files for proof of age.
By the same token, there will be death certificate for every person
someday. These will be needed occasionally and also are best kept in a
safe deposit box.
If you need to obtain these kinds of records, the publication, Where to
Write for Vital Records is available for viewing or purchase from the
Federal Citizen Information Center, Pueblo, Colorado 81009.
Other important documents to be kept in your safe deposit box include
marriage certificates, divorce or other legal papers regarding dissolution
of marriage, adoption papers, citizenship records, service papers, and any
other document that is either government or court recorded. The original
copy of a will, in most cases, is kept in the safe of the attorney who
prepared it.
This is highly desirable, since it may save complications
later. The client receives two carbon copies, one of which may be put into
his or her own safe deposit box. However, there could be a legal delay in
getting this copy at his or her death. The third copy, therefore, should
be kept at home where it is readily accessible.
Some of your important papers, such as investments, are of a business or
financial nature. Certificates for securities are nonnegotiable (can't be
sold or legally transferred) until they are signed by the owner.
Nevertheless, such certificates can be lost or stolen, and the signature
can be forged. In either case replacement involves both cost and delay.
Such certificates then, when not left with the broker, should be kept in
the owner's safe deposit box.
Government bonds can be replaced without cost, but there will be a delay
of several months. So it is best to keep these in the box also.
Among other investment-type documents that require safekeeping are papers
that serve as proof of ownership, such as deeds for real estate, other
mortgage papers, contracts, automobile titles (if this applies in your
State), leases, notes, and such special papers as patents and copyrights.
Renting a Safe Deposit Box
If you don't have a safe deposit box, then consider getting one. The
yearly rental, at your bank or savings and loan company, is inexpensive.(Darlings, even I cannot stress this idea enough)
Often the smallest size is adequate, though larger sizes are available at
slightly higher charges.
If you do have a safe deposit box, ask yourself if it is large enough to
hold everything that should be in it-and small enough to keep out things
that don't need to be there. If you store documents from investment
properties or securities, the rental can be claimed as a deduction for
income tax purposes. The box should not be used as a catchall for
souvenirs and unimportant papers.
What Goes In And What Stays Out
A guideline as to what goes in and what stays out of your safe deposit box
might be: Put it in if you can't replace it or if it would be costly or
troublesome to replace.
Many items can be replaced rather easily. Copies of insurance policies can
be obtained from your insurance companies. Copies of cancelled checks are
usually available at your bank. Generally speaking, you do not need to
keep the following in a safe deposit box: income tax returns, education
records, employment records, bankbooks, social security cards, guarantees,
and burial instructions.
Keeping Tax Records
How long should you keep tax records? The Internal Revenue Service has 3
years in which to audit Federal income tax returns. However, this limit
does not apply in unusual cases. If you failed to report more than 25
percent of your gross income, the Government has 6 years to collect the
tax or to start legal proceedings. Also, there are no time limitations if
you filed a fraudulent return or if you failed to file a return.
(Darlings, my late husband was an attorney and even if he wanted to conceal something from me he NEVER concealed anything from the IRS)
But you don't have to keep everything for tax purposes. You can lighten
your record load by discarding certain checks and bills once they have
served their purpose.
For example, you can throw away weekly or monthly
salary statements---assuming you are paid in that way---after you check
them against your annual W-2 Form.
But save cancelled checks that relate directly to an entry on your tax return, and keep all medical bills for 3 years to back up your cancelled checks.
(Darlings, I recommend that you keep all your medical bills permanently, for those of you who have relatives that are on Medicare and Medical, those bills can help prove your case, especially if there is any type of wrong doing, Mean Kitty’s Mother’s estate was being sued by Medi-Cal for monies even though there was no estate, but Medi-Cal insisted there was---and it was strange that the amount being sued for was the exact amount Mean Kitty had to pay for her Mother’s Funeral---she hired a lawyer to deal with Medi-Cal and they reduced their demands to $500 always get a lawyer on your side to do the fighting, if they are smart they will have connections)
The IRS generally keeps records for 6 years. You can obtain a copy of your
tax return by writing to the IRS center to which your return was sent.
Make sure you include your social security number and a notarized
signature.
Making Household Inventory Records
Among your important papers keep a household inventory. If there is a fire
or burglary in your home, this record will help you remember what has to
be replaced and how much each item is worth. An inventory also may show
that you need to increase your insurance because your possessions are
worth more than you thought.
The best way to go about compiling a household inventory is to start with
a sheet of paper for each room in the house, apartment, etc. Forms on
which to record items are available from several places, sometimes from
your county Extension office.
When you make your inventory, start at one point in the room and go all
the way around, listing everything. For each item, list what it is, how
much it cost, when it was purchased, and what it would cost to replace it.
Include the model number, brand name, dealer's name, and a general
description. If you take pictures of the rooms and your household
possessions, it will make identification or replacement, easier. Arrange
expensive collections, silver, and jewelry separately and take close-up
pictures.
When you have finished all the rooms, including the basement, garage, and
attic, add up the total replacement cost. That figure will represent what
your household is worth and is what your insurance should cover.
Update your inventory every 6 months or so by adding new purchases and
adjusting replacement costs.
(Darlings it would be best to keep the house hold inventory record in your safe deposit box---but if you do not have a chance to do that, then keep it in a fire proof safe or have two copies one in your safe deposit box and one in your at home safe)
Organizing A Home Filing System
A system for personal records is a necessity. No matter how modest your
home facilities might be, you need a special place to keep your papers.
That could be as elaborate as a room or home office or as simple as a
corner of the kitchen, bedroom, or hall.
Records, regardless of the filing system used, should be reviewed at least
once a year to discard items no longer needed. January is a good time for
an overhaul, since it's just before you begin to work on taxes.
The equipment you will need doesn't have to be elaborate. Think about a
filing cabinet before you think about a desk. The two-drawer type can be
covered with paint or wallpaper. A wooden slab or hollow-core door
stretched across the top of two cabinets can make a practical home office
desk.
If you don't have space for a small cabinet, buy accordion folders, a
storage chest that fits under the bed, or get sturdy cardboard boxes of an
appropriate size.
A home computer or portable typewriter and a pocket calculator can be
handy, but they are not essential. The essential thing is to know where
everything is.
(Trust me Darlings, there is often enough a time when having a manuel portable typewriter can be a God-send and they still are making them, just check the internet)
Two Home Files
You should keep two home files, in addition to your safe deposit box at
the bank. These two files are your active file and your dead storage file.
Your active file will hold:
1) unpaid bills until paid,
2) paid bill receipts,
3) current bank statements,
4) current cancelled checks,
5) income tax working papers.
After 3 years, move these items to your dead storage file.
There are other items which should always be kept in your active file.
These include:
1) employment records, such as resumes, recommendation letters, health benefit information;
2) credit card information, including the number of each card, by company name;
3) insurance policies;
4) copies of wills;
5) family health records;
6) appliance manuals and warranties;
7) education information, such as transcripts, diplomas, etc.;
8) Social Security information on benefits and regulations; and
9) an inventory of what's in your safe deposit box (you might store a key in the inventory folder).
10) (Darlings I also recommend a power of attorney as well as a Medical Power of attorney, and a letter recommending what should be done if you do or do not want to be resuscitated----also give a copy of these papers on Medical information to your lawyer and to a responsible, reliable family member on your family side not on your spouses side Remember the Terri Shaivo case)
Finally, keep a record book of the whereabouts of your important papers.
If you use a loose-leaf binder, you will be able to change papers easily
Or copy a page or two.
The book should contain a list of all your savings and checking accounts.
(Darlings with ATM’s and such do be sure to include your passwords with each account)
This way you won't become one of the missing depositors who have forgotten
Their accounts or who have died without telling relatives about them.
Also, include the name and branch of the bank where you keep your safe
deposit box.
The book also should have all of the family members' social security
numbers, and all of the insurance policy information. It's a good idea to
keep a copy of your household inventory here as well.
Don't forget to record all your household improvements.
Finally, make sure someone else knows and understands the family
record-keeping system.
Preparing A Net Worth Statement
Have you tried filling out a net worth statement as a means of keeping
tabs on yourself and your family possessions? Such a record provides a
good overall picture and can be prepared in an hour or less. If you do it
annually, you can see quickly whether you are getting ahead financially or
falling behind and, in either case, how fast.
An accurate net worth statement can serve as a point of departure for the
year ahead. If you're not making as much progress financially as you had
expected to, you can decide whether to stay on course or to change
directions for the coming year.
Where are you going to find a net worth form that will meet your needs? Try your county Cooperative Extension Service office. Or ask at your bank. Better yet, perhaps you can make one to fit your family.
All you do is list your assets, list your obligations, and subtract the debts from the assets. Hopefully the plus side of the ledger will get larger each year and the minus side smaller. But there may be good reasons why you'll fall behind sometimes, such as when you buy a
new home or when other expenses are heavier than usual.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Use the checklist chart below to remind yourself what to keep and what you
can discard.
Safe Deposit Box
Birth Certificates
Citizenship Papers
Marriage Certificates
Adoption Papers
Divorce Decrees
Wills
Death Certificates
Deeds
Titles to Automobiles
Household Inventory
Veteran's Papers
Bonds and Stock Certificates
Important Contracts
Active File
Tax Receipts
Unpaid Bills
Paid Bill Receipts
Current Bank Statements
Current Cancelled Checks
Income Tax Working Papers
Employment Records
Health Benefit Information
Credit Card Information
Insurance Policies
Copies of Wills
Family Health Records
Appliance Manuals and Warranties
Receipts of Items Under Warranty
Education Information
Inventory of Safe Deposit Box (and key)
Loan Statements
Loan Payment Books
Receipts of Expensive Items Not Yet Paid For
Power of attorney and Medical power of attorney and Medical Directive
Dead Storage
All Active File Papers Over 3 Years Old
Items To Discard
Salary Statements (after checking on W-2 Form)
Cancelled Checks for Cash or Nondeductible Expenses
Expired Warranties
Coupons After Expiration Date
Other Records No Longer Needed
NET WORTH STATEMENT as of ________________
(update annually)
Assets
Cash on Hand$______________
Bank accounts (checking and savings)$______________
Credit Union account$______________
Savings & loan accounts$______________
Any other savings accounts$______________
House, market value$______________
Other real estate, value$______________
Household furnishings, value$______________
Automobile(s), blue book value$______________
Life insurance, cash value$______________
Stocks and bonds, today's value$______________
Profit-sharing or retirement plans$______________
U.S. Savings Bonds$______________
Money owed you$______________
Other assets or investments$______________
Personal property$______________
Total Assets$______________
Obligations
Mortgages, balance due$______________
Other loans (bank, credit union)$______________
Installment debts, balance due$______________
Credit cards, balance due$______________
Charge accounts, owed$______________
Other debts, total owed$______________
Insurance premiums due$______________
Taxes owed$______________
Other current bills$______________
Total Debts$______________
Net Worth (assets minus debts)$______________
Now Darlings this following list maybe a repeat of what is listed above but at the time that the government brochure was printed it wasn't listing IRA's or 4o1 k's and other things, so the information below maybe a repeat of above but it is an update.
Tax returns and proof of filing: Forever - in case you are audited.
Documents Supporting Tax Returns (W-2, 1099, receipts to prove deductions,
etc.): Six years. The IRS has up to three years from when you file to look for
errors on your return and up to six years to audit you if it suspects you
underreported income by 25 percent. (There’s no limit if fraud is involved.)
Receipts: Until the warranty expires, or for as long as you need them for tax
purposes.
Securities Statements (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.): For 6 years after
you sell them; to prove a profit or loss for tax purposes
Medical Bills: 1 yr, unless deducting for taxes, then 6 years.
Pay Stubs: Until your W-2 arrives; (Be sure to double check it for accuracy on
a regular basis!)
401k and IRA Statements: Until your year end statement arrives. Keep your year
end statements for at least 6 years for tax reasons.
Bank Statements: 1 year to confirm 1099.
Utility Bills: 1 year to track usage, assist with budgeting. If you claimed a
home office on your taxes, keep your records for six years.
Credit Card Statements: 1 month for most, so you can reconcile your purchases.
Keep them for longer if needed for tax reasons.
This is great advice to simplify book keeping and getting rid of clutter! It’s
much easier to do if you take care of things as they come in instead of trying
to do a year’s worth of book keeping in one sitting. So take the 15 minutes a
week and get organized!
Don’t forget to shred any documents that have important personal or financial
information before throwing them out! Many of these important documents contain
all the information identity thieves need to steal your identity and ruin your
life.
What financial records to keep and how long to keep them Inside: Home
You can't take everything with you, but the following are
suggestions about how long you should keep personal finance
and investment records on file:
Financial records timeline
Type of record Length of time to keep -- and why
TaxesReturns
Canceled checks/receipts (alimony, charitable contributions, mortgage interest and retirement
plan contributions)
Records for tax deductions taken Seven years
The IRS has three years from your filing date to
audit your return if it suspects good faith
errors.
The three-year deadline also applies if you
discover a mistake in your return and decide to
file an amended return to claim a refund.
The IRS has six years to challenge your return if
it thinks you underreported your gross income by
25 percent or more.
There is no time limit if you failed to file your
return or filed a fraudulent return.
(Remember my Diva Darlings, never try to cheat the IRS, you will lose, always have a good tax preparer do your return, espeically if you are in business or work hard to earn your money)
IRA contributions Permanently
If you made a nondeductible contribution to an IRA, keep the records indefinitely to prove that
you already paid tax on this money when the time comes to withdraw.
Retirement/savings plan statements From one year to permanently(I recommend permanently Darlings, Never trust the IRS)
Keep the quarterly statements from your 401(k) or other plans until you receive the annual
summary; if everything matches up, then shred the quarterlies.
Keep the annual summaries until you retire or close the account.
Bank records From one year to permanently
Go through your checks each year and keep those related to your taxes, business expenses, home improvements and mortgage payments.
Shred those that have no long-term importance.
Brokerage statements Until you sell the securities
You need the purchase/sales slips from your brokerage or mutual fund to prove whether you have capital gains or losses at tax time.
Bills From one year to permanently
Go through your bills once a year.
In most cases, when the canceled check from a
paid bill has been returned, you can shred the
bill.
However, bills for big purchases -- such as
jewelry, rugs, appliances, antiques, cars,
collectibles, furniture, computers, etc. --
should be kept in an insurance file for proof of
their value in the event of loss or damage.
Credit card receipts and statements From 45 days
to seven years (Espeically for any tax deduction or business related expense that is taken as a tax deduction)
Keep your original receipts until you get your
monthly statement; shred the receipts if the two
match up.
Keep the statements for seven years if
tax-related expenses are documented.
Paycheck stubs One year
When you receive your annual W-2 form from your
employer, make sure the information on your
stubs matches.
If it does, shred the stubs.
If it doesn't, demand a corrected form, known as
a W-2c.
House/condominium records From six years to permanently
Keep all records documenting the purchase price
and the cost of all permanent improvements --
such as remodeling, additions and installations.
Keep records of expenses incurred in selling and
buying the property, such as legal fees and your
real estate agent's commission, for six years
after you sell your home.
Holding on to these records is important because
any improvements you make on your house, as well
as expenses in selling it, are added to the
original purchase price or cost basis. This adds
up to a greater profit (also known as capital
gains) when you sell your house. Therefore, you
lower your capital gains tax.
)(Again Darlings when it comes to your house or condo never trust the IRS, I would keep it permanetly as an active file for 7 years then as an inactive file)
(Remember Darlings to also keep Medical Receipts for non-chronic and chronic illness and paid in full loan documents for at least 4 years although I would suggest permanently.
Keep all bank statements—including all canceled check, and receipts for living expenses, vacations, clothing and entertainment for 3 to 7 years especially if you are using it as a tax deduction---perhaps to be on the safe side-then permanently)
Source: Marquette National Bank and Catherine
Williams,
President of Consumer Credit Counseling Services
of Greater Chicago
Now Darlings, I got this information from several different sources but Bankrate.com information (posted just above) was the most recent as of 2005.
There is one piece of equipment that I MUST Recommend and that is a Cross Cut Shredder, heavy duty at that. Remember there is always the threat of Identity theft.
Must go Darlings, Kisses
Friday, January 4, 2008
How A Diva can start Orgainizing her life--the beginning
Well Darlings I wish I could say “Rain, Rain go away, come again another day.” But we need the rain and the snow.
It’s coming down good right now and I looked out onto the lagoon and saw that some ducks had settled down to sit out the weather just underneath the sun shelter on my dock.
Princess, of course, considers them interlopers, but I have to take pity on them, even wild animals that are use to suburban life need a safe place during a storm.
Molly Maids came in and did a wonderful job sprucing things up yesterday, and one of the ladies even helped me fold and put away laundry that I had washed and dried that morning. And in a matter of a few hours it was done and all is sparkling.
I was also surprised yesterday morning when Manuel, Juanita’s son-in-law showed up, just after the Molly Maids arrived, he said that his mother was worried that there maybe things outside that would need to anchored down because of the high winds and rains that were coming.
I’m glad he did because there were some things that did, indeed, needed to be taken care of. He made quick work of it and said that Juanita has been so happy to see her family from Mexico, but they would be leaving this Sunday, so she’s going to be a little sad, and would it be alright for her to come back on Monday as she wants to go to a special mass Sunday evening with the family, I said of course that would be fine.
It seems that by starting the New Year in getting back to normalcy on Monday seems just right, since Sunday would be Epiphany, which as my friend Mean Kitty says is the last day of the Christmas Season, which means taking down the Christmas decorations.
And that is the way to start off the New Year and to get organized for the year to come.
The rain is coming down; I have a small fire going in the fire place just so things won’t seem so gloomy, Tommy Dorsey is playing on the Stereo.
I have a stack of local magazines and will be looking through them to see if there are any wonderful places that are elegant and relaxing that Irma and I had talked about the other day.
January is the best month for Diva’s to get themselves organized for the entire year, it’s slower and you have all that paper work from the previous year to get organized and filed. And with a rainy, gloomy day like today this is the perfect time to start that organization.
The first thing in the New Year is to first take down all the Christmas decorations both inside and outside, traditionally that should be done on January 6th, Epiphany or the Sunday closest to January 6th. Of course the outside decorations may have to wait if it’s storming.
Secondly, if you can afford it, hire a cleaning service to do a good cleaning of most of the living quarters of your home so you can start the New Year with a clean house.
This also means replacing filters on your central heating system, and batteries in your fire alarm system, Now Darlings although there are times when I simply detest the woman, Martha Stewart in her magazine does give some very good suggestions for organization and what to do to get the year started right.
Consider the month of January the time to do upgrades on your cell phone, your computer, to renew your antivirus system, and renew your gym membership---yes Darlings, if you want to have the lovely shaped Diva figure you do need a gym membership or at least an excerise program to keep fit (more on that later).
Also to start your separate Christmas savings account---Mean Kitty has what she calls a sub-account at her Credit Union (and they are a good thing to join as well)that is a Christmas Club account, she can put money in, but she cannot touch it until they release it in late November. This way you know exactly how much to spend for Christmas and it's always best to have a goal of what to put in. Multiply it by 10 or 25 dollars either everyweek or everyother week, depending on what is your payroll schedule, this way you do not max your credit cards.
This is also a good time to see what maintenance needs to be done on your car, and make regular appointments for it.
I consider January a paper month and an organization month.
First I go through my Day Runner for 2008 to mark in birthdays, Holidays, Anniversary’s, when to make appointments for things---you know Darlings, Doctor, Dentist, Hair Stylist, Pet Care, Auto mechanic, and make a list of cards to buy for various occasions, such as Thank yous, condolences, congratulations (on different events), and start putting things in order for my tax preparer.
I have the perfect location to hold my stationary supplies. In my home I have a modest room that I use as my library/office, but it has a closet, and in that closet I’ve had an electrician put in a good bright light and a carpenter put shelves (in white—it’s reflective of the light) and with that and some pretty baskets or canvas storage boxes I’m able to put in my supply of stationary items, cards, paper, envelopes, paper for the printer, some computer supplies. And a two drawer file cabinet on wheels, the idea of the cabinet being on wheels is that I can wheel it out when I need to work and put it away when I’m entertaining or I have work staff over.
The high upper shelves I use to hold past years IRS Tax information----there is a lot of questions of how to safely store this important information, many people I know use the cardboard shoe boxes, but they are flimsy, can get wet and generally fall apart, I use the plastic shoe boxes with the heavy plastic lids, they keep the damp and dust out, will not collapse under stacked weight and they look nice and neat, be sure to put the year that they cover on them so it can be clearly seen.
Another thing that I do is I keep my yearly personal calendar from the pervious years, you can get inexpensive ones with flowers or kitties on it and it’s just the right size to put in one’s purse or tote bag, it’s handy to quickly write down appointments, events, and phone numbers---do keep a pen clipped to it. Then when you get home and at your office transfer this information to your Day Runner and office calendar. This way you have 3 to 4 “tickle” areas to remind you of appointments, meetings and upcoming events.
Another good thing is that it acts like a shorthand diary in case you need to know when something was purchased, or when was a medical procedure done---this way you don’t have to rely just on memory. As they say “It takes the guess work out”. Keep the past years in a separate plastic container so that you can use it to refer to any particular file box.
Now Diva’s here is an important lesson-----
All Diva’s should have a very well organized desk and file, this is so important.
The idea of a file cabinet will help to keep important things like warranties, Insurance policy’s, Property taxes, and all your bills from the last year.
Now a photographer friend of mine has a two drawer file cabinet with a box on top to hold those things just received to be ready to file and I’ve found that idea works very well---but she takes it one step further----in case of an emergency earthquakes, fires that threaten the neighborhood, she has it so that if need be she can scoop things up and put then into two heavy duty tote bags and also thrust her lap top into it as well and just toss it into her car/van.
She also keeps any prescription bottles of medication on top of that same filing cabinet for the same reason and with one of those “dispense a day’ plastic containers to hold what pills she needs to take for the day next to her bed.
The idea is that since her file cabinet, like mine is next to her desk, when her prescription needs to be refilled it’s all right there next to the phone.
Now Darlings I do know that you all are going to ask me, “why do I keep referring to a Day Runner, isn’t that what electronic devices are for?” Well electronic devices fail, short out or get stolen, but a Day Runner is quick, easy to use, will not short out and you would know if you left it anywhere. A pencil never fails unless it breaks, a pen does not short out unless it runs out of ink. And it’s much quicker to use and to transfer all the information where you need to put it.
Never assume that trying to create a “Paperless Society” is going to happen, by having it down on paper in black and white it’s a solid piece of evidence of any transaction. Another thing, all those heat transfer receipts will fade, so photocopy them for a permanent record.
Several of my friends who work always plan on taking a week off in January to do this organization. Not the week of New Years, but starting around the weekend of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, by taking that week off as a time to put all things in order, it helps them get their paperwork and files prepared for the Tax man. This is really a good time to do it.
The Reason is that you have come back from the Christmas holidays, caught up with the paper work at work and then can allow for this time. If you cannot take a full week off the MLK jr weekend plus a day before or after would be perfect.
Hmmmm it seems that I’m creating a line of thought here----All right Darlings what I’m going to do is post lessons and idea’s on how you Marvelous Diva’s and Diva’s-in-Training can organize your life.
That will be for the Month of January and then we shall go on from there
So watch for my next posting on what important papers to keep and for how long.
Until Anon Darlings, it is time for an early lunch and to do some organizing. Kisses Darlings.
It’s coming down good right now and I looked out onto the lagoon and saw that some ducks had settled down to sit out the weather just underneath the sun shelter on my dock.
Princess, of course, considers them interlopers, but I have to take pity on them, even wild animals that are use to suburban life need a safe place during a storm.
Molly Maids came in and did a wonderful job sprucing things up yesterday, and one of the ladies even helped me fold and put away laundry that I had washed and dried that morning. And in a matter of a few hours it was done and all is sparkling.
I was also surprised yesterday morning when Manuel, Juanita’s son-in-law showed up, just after the Molly Maids arrived, he said that his mother was worried that there maybe things outside that would need to anchored down because of the high winds and rains that were coming.
I’m glad he did because there were some things that did, indeed, needed to be taken care of. He made quick work of it and said that Juanita has been so happy to see her family from Mexico, but they would be leaving this Sunday, so she’s going to be a little sad, and would it be alright for her to come back on Monday as she wants to go to a special mass Sunday evening with the family, I said of course that would be fine.
It seems that by starting the New Year in getting back to normalcy on Monday seems just right, since Sunday would be Epiphany, which as my friend Mean Kitty says is the last day of the Christmas Season, which means taking down the Christmas decorations.
And that is the way to start off the New Year and to get organized for the year to come.
The rain is coming down; I have a small fire going in the fire place just so things won’t seem so gloomy, Tommy Dorsey is playing on the Stereo.
I have a stack of local magazines and will be looking through them to see if there are any wonderful places that are elegant and relaxing that Irma and I had talked about the other day.
January is the best month for Diva’s to get themselves organized for the entire year, it’s slower and you have all that paper work from the previous year to get organized and filed. And with a rainy, gloomy day like today this is the perfect time to start that organization.
The first thing in the New Year is to first take down all the Christmas decorations both inside and outside, traditionally that should be done on January 6th, Epiphany or the Sunday closest to January 6th. Of course the outside decorations may have to wait if it’s storming.
Secondly, if you can afford it, hire a cleaning service to do a good cleaning of most of the living quarters of your home so you can start the New Year with a clean house.
This also means replacing filters on your central heating system, and batteries in your fire alarm system, Now Darlings although there are times when I simply detest the woman, Martha Stewart in her magazine does give some very good suggestions for organization and what to do to get the year started right.
Consider the month of January the time to do upgrades on your cell phone, your computer, to renew your antivirus system, and renew your gym membership---yes Darlings, if you want to have the lovely shaped Diva figure you do need a gym membership or at least an excerise program to keep fit (more on that later).
Also to start your separate Christmas savings account---Mean Kitty has what she calls a sub-account at her Credit Union (and they are a good thing to join as well)that is a Christmas Club account, she can put money in, but she cannot touch it until they release it in late November. This way you know exactly how much to spend for Christmas and it's always best to have a goal of what to put in. Multiply it by 10 or 25 dollars either everyweek or everyother week, depending on what is your payroll schedule, this way you do not max your credit cards.
This is also a good time to see what maintenance needs to be done on your car, and make regular appointments for it.
I consider January a paper month and an organization month.
First I go through my Day Runner for 2008 to mark in birthdays, Holidays, Anniversary’s, when to make appointments for things---you know Darlings, Doctor, Dentist, Hair Stylist, Pet Care, Auto mechanic, and make a list of cards to buy for various occasions, such as Thank yous, condolences, congratulations (on different events), and start putting things in order for my tax preparer.
I have the perfect location to hold my stationary supplies. In my home I have a modest room that I use as my library/office, but it has a closet, and in that closet I’ve had an electrician put in a good bright light and a carpenter put shelves (in white—it’s reflective of the light) and with that and some pretty baskets or canvas storage boxes I’m able to put in my supply of stationary items, cards, paper, envelopes, paper for the printer, some computer supplies. And a two drawer file cabinet on wheels, the idea of the cabinet being on wheels is that I can wheel it out when I need to work and put it away when I’m entertaining or I have work staff over.
The high upper shelves I use to hold past years IRS Tax information----there is a lot of questions of how to safely store this important information, many people I know use the cardboard shoe boxes, but they are flimsy, can get wet and generally fall apart, I use the plastic shoe boxes with the heavy plastic lids, they keep the damp and dust out, will not collapse under stacked weight and they look nice and neat, be sure to put the year that they cover on them so it can be clearly seen.
Another thing that I do is I keep my yearly personal calendar from the pervious years, you can get inexpensive ones with flowers or kitties on it and it’s just the right size to put in one’s purse or tote bag, it’s handy to quickly write down appointments, events, and phone numbers---do keep a pen clipped to it. Then when you get home and at your office transfer this information to your Day Runner and office calendar. This way you have 3 to 4 “tickle” areas to remind you of appointments, meetings and upcoming events.
Another good thing is that it acts like a shorthand diary in case you need to know when something was purchased, or when was a medical procedure done---this way you don’t have to rely just on memory. As they say “It takes the guess work out”. Keep the past years in a separate plastic container so that you can use it to refer to any particular file box.
Now Diva’s here is an important lesson-----
All Diva’s should have a very well organized desk and file, this is so important.
The idea of a file cabinet will help to keep important things like warranties, Insurance policy’s, Property taxes, and all your bills from the last year.
Now a photographer friend of mine has a two drawer file cabinet with a box on top to hold those things just received to be ready to file and I’ve found that idea works very well---but she takes it one step further----in case of an emergency earthquakes, fires that threaten the neighborhood, she has it so that if need be she can scoop things up and put then into two heavy duty tote bags and also thrust her lap top into it as well and just toss it into her car/van.
She also keeps any prescription bottles of medication on top of that same filing cabinet for the same reason and with one of those “dispense a day’ plastic containers to hold what pills she needs to take for the day next to her bed.
The idea is that since her file cabinet, like mine is next to her desk, when her prescription needs to be refilled it’s all right there next to the phone.
Now Darlings I do know that you all are going to ask me, “why do I keep referring to a Day Runner, isn’t that what electronic devices are for?” Well electronic devices fail, short out or get stolen, but a Day Runner is quick, easy to use, will not short out and you would know if you left it anywhere. A pencil never fails unless it breaks, a pen does not short out unless it runs out of ink. And it’s much quicker to use and to transfer all the information where you need to put it.
Never assume that trying to create a “Paperless Society” is going to happen, by having it down on paper in black and white it’s a solid piece of evidence of any transaction. Another thing, all those heat transfer receipts will fade, so photocopy them for a permanent record.
Several of my friends who work always plan on taking a week off in January to do this organization. Not the week of New Years, but starting around the weekend of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, by taking that week off as a time to put all things in order, it helps them get their paperwork and files prepared for the Tax man. This is really a good time to do it.
The Reason is that you have come back from the Christmas holidays, caught up with the paper work at work and then can allow for this time. If you cannot take a full week off the MLK jr weekend plus a day before or after would be perfect.
Hmmmm it seems that I’m creating a line of thought here----All right Darlings what I’m going to do is post lessons and idea’s on how you Marvelous Diva’s and Diva’s-in-Training can organize your life.
That will be for the Month of January and then we shall go on from there
So watch for my next posting on what important papers to keep and for how long.
Until Anon Darlings, it is time for an early lunch and to do some organizing. Kisses Darlings.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Ideas and plans for a New Year
Well Darlings,
Already I’m beginning to make plans for the New Year, Michelle an old school chum of mine is coming up from Los Angles next week and will be staying at the Westin St. Francis, and she wants to go and see the Blue Man group in Reno, Nevada.
Michelle use to be involved with the entertainment industry as a booking agent, she’s retired now but that still doesn’t prevent her from seeing popular acts. She just doesn’t want the headaches that go with it now a days with so many “Prima Donnas” and she’s made her bundle.
I told her that if she wants me to go with her I’d have to confirm a few things with my housekeeper, because it would mean leaving dear Princess at home, Michelle wants to fly and I would prefer to take the train it’s so much more restful. The mini-suit at Circus, Circus Reno is already booked and she’s bought the tickets for the one night performance. (They are performing at Reno)
I told her that since she was going to be visiting her family while she’s in San Francisco, it would be best for us to catch up on things on the train and we can nap too, she finally capitulated saying that she always had a secret desire to travel by train anyway, especially since I told her about all that waiting while they checked baggage at the airport.
So she is going to take the Coast Starlight up to San Francisco, book into the St. Francis, visit her family in the City, and then we’ll make arrangements to meet up and catch the California Zephyr and take it to Reno, the beauty about that is that we can take as much luggage as we want without worrying about the weight problem, that one has in flying.
Then in Reno we’ll catch a cab to Circus, Circus, although I know that from the Airport they have a shuttle. She said to not worry about the arrangements she has a wonderful travel agent---I mean dear Diva’s why worry your heads over arrangements when it’s possible to have someone make the arrangements for you, of course you have to pay a fee but it’s so much better than to worry one’s head.
So we’ll go up on a Friday and return on Monday, giving us a chance to rest a bit and take in some of the other entertainment that is being offered.
So Darlings what have I been doing today? Well it was a restful day for me; my Molly Maids will be in tomorrow to spruce up, I’ve been writing “thank you cards” to friends, and sending e-mail letters to others. Then ran some errands, the usual to the shoemaker, the dry cleaner, a few simple groceries and my little Diva Darling was with me riding along---of course I can’t take her into the grocery store. And of course laundry---this Diva is no stranger to laundry.
Irma called me and wanted to go visit Iris and asked if I’d like to come along and of course I did, my little Diva Darling right with me, Iris was a bit under the weather, Irma had the Doctor in to check her over, but it was that she was a little run down, she stayed up late welcoming in the New Year and go a bit over excited. So as soon as we were sure she was fine and that all she needed was rest, we chatted a bit until she said she felt sleepy so we left our gifts to her (she loves See’s chocolates and the latest Vanity Fair, Elle and Vogue) and went out for a cup of coffee.
Irma was complaining and I had to agree, there aren’t too many elegant places anymore where one could just drop in and relax, even the Starbucks is not that comfortable, always crowded and noisy and just a bit messy with the college crowd doing their lap top studies, so I told her we would just have to scout out places to see where we could go. Investigate and report---she loved that idea. Of course it’s best to see what such local magazines such as San Francisco recommends, and there’s also one for Oakland and other cities, then we could put it all together into a notebook to keep both in our cars and on our desks.
I told her we could put it together and have it available as gifts to our friends as well, maybe pick their brains for their favorites. She said that Kinko’s could print it up or we could have it in a 3 ring binder that way it would be easier to change pages if a place changes or goes out of business---I sighed that was happening more and more lately.
I use to remember the wonderful lady’s store called “The Grey Shoppe” its’ interior was soft grey, off white, mauve or soft pink with soft gold accents---nothing over stated, and everything was displayed just so and always quality items, you could have your skirt or dress hem adjusted to suit your height, even the cuffs of your coat or jacket, everything was fitted just so. And the old City of Paris. Personalized dress boutiques and hat shops all gone it seems like. Too much Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears I fear.
Irma suggested that perhaps we should look among our Art Deco friends and see what they recommend. I’m going to get Betty involved as well, we Diva’s need a Diva hobby and this would be perfect.
So for now, I’m home. Princess is curled up next to me as I have a cup of tea, television is such a bore and a Diva should never be bored. Hmmm I do have season 2 vol 1 of the Perry Mason T.V. series---I know darlings, but I always love to see what Della wears.
Tomorrow after Molly Maids are done I’m going out for a manicure and pedicure, I think I’ll have the Channel color Vamp put on. And Princess is due for another primping session, so it’s going to be a busy day tomorrow for the both of us.
So Annon for now Darlings, this Diva is perking her brain to come up with ideas. Kisses.
Already I’m beginning to make plans for the New Year, Michelle an old school chum of mine is coming up from Los Angles next week and will be staying at the Westin St. Francis, and she wants to go and see the Blue Man group in Reno, Nevada.
Michelle use to be involved with the entertainment industry as a booking agent, she’s retired now but that still doesn’t prevent her from seeing popular acts. She just doesn’t want the headaches that go with it now a days with so many “Prima Donnas” and she’s made her bundle.
I told her that if she wants me to go with her I’d have to confirm a few things with my housekeeper, because it would mean leaving dear Princess at home, Michelle wants to fly and I would prefer to take the train it’s so much more restful. The mini-suit at Circus, Circus Reno is already booked and she’s bought the tickets for the one night performance. (They are performing at Reno)
I told her that since she was going to be visiting her family while she’s in San Francisco, it would be best for us to catch up on things on the train and we can nap too, she finally capitulated saying that she always had a secret desire to travel by train anyway, especially since I told her about all that waiting while they checked baggage at the airport.
So she is going to take the Coast Starlight up to San Francisco, book into the St. Francis, visit her family in the City, and then we’ll make arrangements to meet up and catch the California Zephyr and take it to Reno, the beauty about that is that we can take as much luggage as we want without worrying about the weight problem, that one has in flying.
Then in Reno we’ll catch a cab to Circus, Circus, although I know that from the Airport they have a shuttle. She said to not worry about the arrangements she has a wonderful travel agent---I mean dear Diva’s why worry your heads over arrangements when it’s possible to have someone make the arrangements for you, of course you have to pay a fee but it’s so much better than to worry one’s head.
So we’ll go up on a Friday and return on Monday, giving us a chance to rest a bit and take in some of the other entertainment that is being offered.
So Darlings what have I been doing today? Well it was a restful day for me; my Molly Maids will be in tomorrow to spruce up, I’ve been writing “thank you cards” to friends, and sending e-mail letters to others. Then ran some errands, the usual to the shoemaker, the dry cleaner, a few simple groceries and my little Diva Darling was with me riding along---of course I can’t take her into the grocery store. And of course laundry---this Diva is no stranger to laundry.
Irma called me and wanted to go visit Iris and asked if I’d like to come along and of course I did, my little Diva Darling right with me, Iris was a bit under the weather, Irma had the Doctor in to check her over, but it was that she was a little run down, she stayed up late welcoming in the New Year and go a bit over excited. So as soon as we were sure she was fine and that all she needed was rest, we chatted a bit until she said she felt sleepy so we left our gifts to her (she loves See’s chocolates and the latest Vanity Fair, Elle and Vogue) and went out for a cup of coffee.
Irma was complaining and I had to agree, there aren’t too many elegant places anymore where one could just drop in and relax, even the Starbucks is not that comfortable, always crowded and noisy and just a bit messy with the college crowd doing their lap top studies, so I told her we would just have to scout out places to see where we could go. Investigate and report---she loved that idea. Of course it’s best to see what such local magazines such as San Francisco recommends, and there’s also one for Oakland and other cities, then we could put it all together into a notebook to keep both in our cars and on our desks.
I told her we could put it together and have it available as gifts to our friends as well, maybe pick their brains for their favorites. She said that Kinko’s could print it up or we could have it in a 3 ring binder that way it would be easier to change pages if a place changes or goes out of business---I sighed that was happening more and more lately.
I use to remember the wonderful lady’s store called “The Grey Shoppe” its’ interior was soft grey, off white, mauve or soft pink with soft gold accents---nothing over stated, and everything was displayed just so and always quality items, you could have your skirt or dress hem adjusted to suit your height, even the cuffs of your coat or jacket, everything was fitted just so. And the old City of Paris. Personalized dress boutiques and hat shops all gone it seems like. Too much Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears I fear.
Irma suggested that perhaps we should look among our Art Deco friends and see what they recommend. I’m going to get Betty involved as well, we Diva’s need a Diva hobby and this would be perfect.
So for now, I’m home. Princess is curled up next to me as I have a cup of tea, television is such a bore and a Diva should never be bored. Hmmm I do have season 2 vol 1 of the Perry Mason T.V. series---I know darlings, but I always love to see what Della wears.
Tomorrow after Molly Maids are done I’m going out for a manicure and pedicure, I think I’ll have the Channel color Vamp put on. And Princess is due for another primping session, so it’s going to be a busy day tomorrow for the both of us.
So Annon for now Darlings, this Diva is perking her brain to come up with ideas. Kisses.
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