Hello, Hello, Hello My Dear Diva Darlings!!!
Yes where have I been!!
Well to be honest I have been seriously ill.
Yes Darlings I had serious congestive heart failure, it rendered me bed ridden, for months but thanks to my family, my dear sweet Juanita and her daughter and grand-daughter I have been well cared for.
And now I have a pace maker, a lovely device that will help keep my heart beating and beating, and yet I still have to "take it easy".
It took some time to have it all done, stabilizing, monitoring, getting my strength back, the surgery to implant the wires and the device, recovering from that. My left arm was very sore too.
And simply getting back "into the groove"
I will not be as active as I have been, I have device I'm also suppose to wear in case I'm alone and need help and cannot get to a phone.
I had a caregiver with me to help Juanita and Constance so the burden would not completely fall upon them and a nurse to visit me, and then the doctor's appointments.
But now I am well enough to resume most but not all of my activities.
In my next few posts I will both update you and also continue to give advice, at least from my perspective.
Much of my previous advice still holds true, in that area nothing has changed.
But I will make suggestions on how to continue your Diva Life.
But for now----I'M ALIVE MY DARLINGS----I'm not Dead Yet!
Until Anon, Kisses Darlings
Showing posts with label about me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label about me. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Saturday, November 9, 2013
And update and being busy~~~
Hello my Diva Darlings,
Yes, I have been away, but I've been busy. It seems that I have been hired as a sort of consultant to the elderly clients on what to do with their finanaces.
Now I am not licenced that I admit, but of late from time to time my husbands old firm gets a client who wants to make drastic changes which could hurt them, in some cases with my help, I've discovered that undue influence has been put on these clients.
Of course when that happens the trustees are called as well as the police and things are straightened out very quickly.
My position is to determine if such influence is being exerted upon them, since many of the clients know me, they are more willing to confide in me than in the younger staff, so when the staffer feel there is something wrong and the clients refuse to listen, they turn it over to me, and what I do is have coffee or tea for them as well as water, some little bisquets which I say always helps to keep the blood sugar up and I simply chat with them.
I take my time, my little office that I was previously renting for my own use, has at my late husband's firm cost, been made into a sort of living room, with a view, but no drapes, but comfortable chairs, criss-cross pricilla curtains, watercolors of landscapes, soft classical music, even an electric fireplace with an old fashion mantel clock. The client forgets they're in an office but have the illusion of being in one's home.
I act as hostess, and we'll chat about family and things and then it comes out. And almost always someone is influencing them, or in some cases showing signs of a small stroke which impieds clear decision making, now I let the client know that in order to take notes and be clear about their intensions I need to record the conversation and they always agree. The entire conversation is transribed and the trustees are notified before anything is signed, I make delays to allow action to happen, and the trustees take steps to secure the clients finances.
So far its been 3 cases of fraud, and several cases of illness, I do follow ups on the clients to see that they are well and they have been greatful that I have been able to help them, the ones who were ill were not aware they had strokes or low blood pressure that affected their thinking.
So I have been busy and I feel so useful, even my Diva Darling has helped, sometimes I bring her with me espeically if I know the client loves pets, Princess seems to have a soothing effect on them.
I only receive an honoraium, and the cost of the food, and I still can use the office for my personal investing, the computer is hidden in an Armouir, I even have a book shelf that looks Victorian with old books of familar authors, Dickens, Christie, Mark Twain, nothing that is distressing.
This is where having a living revokeable trust comes in handy my Darlings, espeically if you are up there in age. Any changes you want to make will cost money, but because of that it forces you to think and slow down. There have been too many cases where the elderly have been bilked out of their savings by either hired caregivers or alleged friends who are not, or unscrupulous relatives. If need be create it as a trust, with trustees to help prevent you from being left penniless.
And now Darlings, Juanita and I are going shopping, the pantry is bare, her son-in-law Manuel is working on the garden and her daughter is cleaning the house, while the baby is playing, but I think we'll take Princess with us to prevent any accidents. And we'll have a nice sit-down dinner and chat, so much to catch up on and it is a sort of day and evening to just relax.
Until Annon Kisses Darlings
Yes, I have been away, but I've been busy. It seems that I have been hired as a sort of consultant to the elderly clients on what to do with their finanaces.
Now I am not licenced that I admit, but of late from time to time my husbands old firm gets a client who wants to make drastic changes which could hurt them, in some cases with my help, I've discovered that undue influence has been put on these clients.
Of course when that happens the trustees are called as well as the police and things are straightened out very quickly.
My position is to determine if such influence is being exerted upon them, since many of the clients know me, they are more willing to confide in me than in the younger staff, so when the staffer feel there is something wrong and the clients refuse to listen, they turn it over to me, and what I do is have coffee or tea for them as well as water, some little bisquets which I say always helps to keep the blood sugar up and I simply chat with them.
I take my time, my little office that I was previously renting for my own use, has at my late husband's firm cost, been made into a sort of living room, with a view, but no drapes, but comfortable chairs, criss-cross pricilla curtains, watercolors of landscapes, soft classical music, even an electric fireplace with an old fashion mantel clock. The client forgets they're in an office but have the illusion of being in one's home.
I act as hostess, and we'll chat about family and things and then it comes out. And almost always someone is influencing them, or in some cases showing signs of a small stroke which impieds clear decision making, now I let the client know that in order to take notes and be clear about their intensions I need to record the conversation and they always agree. The entire conversation is transribed and the trustees are notified before anything is signed, I make delays to allow action to happen, and the trustees take steps to secure the clients finances.
So far its been 3 cases of fraud, and several cases of illness, I do follow ups on the clients to see that they are well and they have been greatful that I have been able to help them, the ones who were ill were not aware they had strokes or low blood pressure that affected their thinking.
So I have been busy and I feel so useful, even my Diva Darling has helped, sometimes I bring her with me espeically if I know the client loves pets, Princess seems to have a soothing effect on them.
I only receive an honoraium, and the cost of the food, and I still can use the office for my personal investing, the computer is hidden in an Armouir, I even have a book shelf that looks Victorian with old books of familar authors, Dickens, Christie, Mark Twain, nothing that is distressing.
This is where having a living revokeable trust comes in handy my Darlings, espeically if you are up there in age. Any changes you want to make will cost money, but because of that it forces you to think and slow down. There have been too many cases where the elderly have been bilked out of their savings by either hired caregivers or alleged friends who are not, or unscrupulous relatives. If need be create it as a trust, with trustees to help prevent you from being left penniless.
And now Darlings, Juanita and I are going shopping, the pantry is bare, her son-in-law Manuel is working on the garden and her daughter is cleaning the house, while the baby is playing, but I think we'll take Princess with us to prevent any accidents. And we'll have a nice sit-down dinner and chat, so much to catch up on and it is a sort of day and evening to just relax.
Until Annon Kisses Darlings
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Dealing with a Law Suit~~~~
Hello My Diva Darlings,
I know, I know, where HAVE I been, you ask.
Well Darlings I've been tied up dealing with a law suit, no, no one is suing me, I am suing someone.
Just after Easter, I look a short 5 day vacation to visit a friend of mine, Juanita was going to stay with her daughter for a few days, to help with the family, the baby had come down with the flu and was miserable so it was best for Juanita to be there.
I was having a delightful visit but on the fourth day Juanita called me and asked if I had given permission for my neighbor to rip out my plants and start building an extension on their home onto my property and I said no, she told me what was happening and was concerned because a fence that was there had been removed by my neighbor. I told Juanita to stand by and called my lawyer, who obtained a "cease and desist" order until the property lines could be cleared up.
Well it turned out to be a bunch of law suits over property lines, my neighbor had decided to sue me for stopping work on his property and my suing him by his damaging my property and building on my side (so very exhausting to even think about) but with the help of my friend Irma the sister of Iris, whom I bought the house from, photographs going back over years showing the fence as well as paying for a survey of the property line out of my pocket, it clearly showed that my neighbor was wrong, but then he got a survey showing that the fence was 12 inches over onto his property, but I had photos showing the original fence going back to when the houses were built by the original contractors, and I was able to show that my neighbor had come over 4 feet onto my property not his alleged 12 inches.
So the court ordered an independent survey which came out of both our pockets and that survey showed that my fence was right on the property line as a matter of fact when the fence was rebuilt it had given my neighbor 2 inches onto his property (2 inches??!!)
So in terms of property lines I won, and he had to remove what had been built so far, now I'm suing to have him pay for a new fence, the cost of new plantings, damage done to my side of the retaining wall to the lagoon as well as all lawyer and legal fees and survey costs from the previous and current court cases and I'm suing to keep any expansion of his home or any recreational items such as a hot tub or Jacuzzi, fire pits, bar-b-ques, storage/greenhouse/planting sheds/outside offices or any play courts, at least 4 feet away from the fence/property line for fire safety.
Needless to say he is not happy with me, but I don't care, I was in the right, I had the proof and I won the original suit. So now it is back to court for this portion of it and I have the Fire Marshall involved as well.
Sad to say this is not the original neighbor who was living in that house when I moved in, that person and his wife were very nice people with a lovely garden with roses and lovely plantings, but they got old and ill and thought it would be best to move into assisted living. The new owner ripped out the roses bushes and threw them out in front roots and all as well as the other plants.
It was a good thing it was winter time when they would be dormant so Juanita's son-in-law Manuel salvaged almost all of the plants, he knocked on the man's door and asked if he could have some of the plants that way the new owner would not have to pay to have the bulk of them removed, the man said "Go Ahead" and now Constance and Manuel have many beautiful roses blooming in their garden as well as a number of bulb plants and all for free plus a bit of hard work.
With the confirm correct survey of my property line I had a new fence installed, and I've put up lattice work next to it and planted climbing roses to trail up, the thorns should keep trouble makers out, and it would make for problems for anything that my neighbor might build. And the roses are so beautiful and attract the honey bees which we so desperately need. I have a neighbor who lives several doors down from me who keeps a hive of honey bees and another neighbor who lives several door over from my nasty neighbor is learning the hobby of keeping honey bees and is working in concert with the organization to preserve the honey bees from becoming extinct.
So with Manuel to help me I've been planting fragrant flowers and plants to attract the honey bees, including those climbing roses with the lovely scent, as well as night blooming jasmine, It won't bother me, I have an awning with a removable screen so I can sit outside day or night enjoy the beauty of the plants and their scent and not be bothered by nasty insects or busy bees.
Remember my Diva Darlings, always have proof to win your case, or your side of the argument, but never give into anger, just do things to make sure things are being done right and if you're wrong be the magnanimous person and apologize, but if you have your facts and proof you'll rarely apologize.
Then my Diva Darlings, plan a revenge that is sweet for you and annoying for them, plan carefully and enjoy.
For now I might not be posting alot after all I'm dealing with court dates and lawyers and depositions and gathering bills to present.
Summer is coming plan and enjoy.
Until Anon, Kisses Darlings.
I know, I know, where HAVE I been, you ask.
Well Darlings I've been tied up dealing with a law suit, no, no one is suing me, I am suing someone.
Just after Easter, I look a short 5 day vacation to visit a friend of mine, Juanita was going to stay with her daughter for a few days, to help with the family, the baby had come down with the flu and was miserable so it was best for Juanita to be there.
I was having a delightful visit but on the fourth day Juanita called me and asked if I had given permission for my neighbor to rip out my plants and start building an extension on their home onto my property and I said no, she told me what was happening and was concerned because a fence that was there had been removed by my neighbor. I told Juanita to stand by and called my lawyer, who obtained a "cease and desist" order until the property lines could be cleared up.
Well it turned out to be a bunch of law suits over property lines, my neighbor had decided to sue me for stopping work on his property and my suing him by his damaging my property and building on my side (so very exhausting to even think about) but with the help of my friend Irma the sister of Iris, whom I bought the house from, photographs going back over years showing the fence as well as paying for a survey of the property line out of my pocket, it clearly showed that my neighbor was wrong, but then he got a survey showing that the fence was 12 inches over onto his property, but I had photos showing the original fence going back to when the houses were built by the original contractors, and I was able to show that my neighbor had come over 4 feet onto my property not his alleged 12 inches.
So the court ordered an independent survey which came out of both our pockets and that survey showed that my fence was right on the property line as a matter of fact when the fence was rebuilt it had given my neighbor 2 inches onto his property (2 inches??!!)
So in terms of property lines I won, and he had to remove what had been built so far, now I'm suing to have him pay for a new fence, the cost of new plantings, damage done to my side of the retaining wall to the lagoon as well as all lawyer and legal fees and survey costs from the previous and current court cases and I'm suing to keep any expansion of his home or any recreational items such as a hot tub or Jacuzzi, fire pits, bar-b-ques, storage/greenhouse/planting sheds/outside offices or any play courts, at least 4 feet away from the fence/property line for fire safety.
Needless to say he is not happy with me, but I don't care, I was in the right, I had the proof and I won the original suit. So now it is back to court for this portion of it and I have the Fire Marshall involved as well.
Sad to say this is not the original neighbor who was living in that house when I moved in, that person and his wife were very nice people with a lovely garden with roses and lovely plantings, but they got old and ill and thought it would be best to move into assisted living. The new owner ripped out the roses bushes and threw them out in front roots and all as well as the other plants.
It was a good thing it was winter time when they would be dormant so Juanita's son-in-law Manuel salvaged almost all of the plants, he knocked on the man's door and asked if he could have some of the plants that way the new owner would not have to pay to have the bulk of them removed, the man said "Go Ahead" and now Constance and Manuel have many beautiful roses blooming in their garden as well as a number of bulb plants and all for free plus a bit of hard work.
With the confirm correct survey of my property line I had a new fence installed, and I've put up lattice work next to it and planted climbing roses to trail up, the thorns should keep trouble makers out, and it would make for problems for anything that my neighbor might build. And the roses are so beautiful and attract the honey bees which we so desperately need. I have a neighbor who lives several doors down from me who keeps a hive of honey bees and another neighbor who lives several door over from my nasty neighbor is learning the hobby of keeping honey bees and is working in concert with the organization to preserve the honey bees from becoming extinct.
So with Manuel to help me I've been planting fragrant flowers and plants to attract the honey bees, including those climbing roses with the lovely scent, as well as night blooming jasmine, It won't bother me, I have an awning with a removable screen so I can sit outside day or night enjoy the beauty of the plants and their scent and not be bothered by nasty insects or busy bees.
Remember my Diva Darlings, always have proof to win your case, or your side of the argument, but never give into anger, just do things to make sure things are being done right and if you're wrong be the magnanimous person and apologize, but if you have your facts and proof you'll rarely apologize.
Then my Diva Darlings, plan a revenge that is sweet for you and annoying for them, plan carefully and enjoy.
For now I might not be posting alot after all I'm dealing with court dates and lawyers and depositions and gathering bills to present.
Summer is coming plan and enjoy.
Until Anon, Kisses Darlings.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Hello Darlings,
Again a long time and no blogging, I’ve been bad and busy as usual.
Mostly watching the stock reports, having my health check up and Princesses’ as well, attending fund raisers, I’m on the board of several local charities, but come January my term will be up with several of them and with relief I must say, although I’ll still keep my hand in it but on a less demanding level.
Thanksgiving was a quiet affair with the family in San Francisco, Tom is having second thoughts about selling his home, although one of his boys has suggested that he buy it off of his Dad, since he will be moving back to the Bay Area for his company, and until Tom and his wife feel comfortable in finding a Pied a Terre in the City, they can stay at the house when they come down from the Lake, Tom is determined to move up to his Lake property, but over October when the trick or treaters were coming around he started wondering if he was going to be doing the right thing. Then his son came to the rescue, and frankly I think it’s a wonderful idea.
So next year they will be putting their plans forward, in the mean time his son is renting an apartment for the family as a temporary measure with much of their extra belongings in storage.
My friend Ralph has found a month to month apartment to rent and it’s possible he may decide to stay there on a permanent basis, he feels very comfortable with it, the neighbors and its location.
Juanita and her family are all doing well, the little ones are excited that Christmas is coming and lots of family are visiting, her other 2 sons and their families and extended relatives and friends.
And I?
Well I have been and will be doing my usual plans that I do every year this holiday time, writing out Christmas cards, seeing the nutcracker, attending the Dickens fair, the Christmas revels, touring Dunsmuir house, the sing a long messiah, seeing A Christmas Carol, the Art Deco societies Deco the Halls, donating Toys for Tots, food for the food banks, buying a tree from one of the church lots and trimming it, lights on the house (thank you Manuel), feeding our local bird life, then towards the last few days before Christmas touring Christmas tree lane and other Christmas holiday lights with my friends, and I hosting a fund raiser dinner party last weekend and also shopping, shopping, shopping but not necessarily buying.
Whew!!! That is a lot when one thinks of it. I had not realized how busy I get during the Holidays.
But it’s not all play and no work; I have been working in my own way. Reading the news, watching the media and trying to make determinations.
I’m happy to say that my “Mac and Cheese” type of investing has been paying off, Smucker’s is showing a nice upswing as well as Mattel Toys, children always want toys and you can never go wrong with old reliables, although Hasbro has not fared well, but I’ve always preferred Mattel toys over Hasbro over the years. The latest Barron’s talks about these two companies and their performance.
Christian Science Monitor has an article about Occupy Wall Street and their local branches and it appears they have out worn their welcome. I know locally the local branches appear to be falling apart or at least wearing out their welcome, for they have lost their focus and their message and are currently doing more financial harm than good.
I for one, can understand at least the heart of the message but I strongly feel that they are going about it the wrong way, you do not in anyway interfere with the working people trying to earn money, you do not disrupt them, instead become more cohesive, really research what needs to be done, expose the greed of the financial institutions and how they are working hand in glove with politicians, something that everyone has known for decades but expose it, name names, show the paper and money trail, don’t in anyway harm the working person, do not in anyway disrupt their earnings. Become an organizational party that will work to vote in those needs and persons who will work for the greater good and in doing so be careful to not become communistic.
Newsweek for December 12, 2011 has articles about why we need Europe, the foolishness of expensive art and the disaster by investor Corzine. Popular Mechanics for Jan 2012 has articles about Digital spies and how China’s secret war threatens our economy, security and us as individuals. Articles I certainly would not pass up and I’d keep on file for future reference.
Once again I’ll be making plans for the New Years, and also taking time for a relaxing Spa vacation, after the fund raiser holidays it’s needed. And then I’ll be able to tackle----ahhhh yes Darlings, the dreaded income taxes and paying the property taxes.
So what is this blog all about---I would say to relax and enjoy the holidays, to not over do, rotate your Christmas events, Nutcracker one year, Christmas Carol the next, but always keep the easiest to do as an annual event. With New Years, plan on one year to go out and the following year to stay home, by doing that it helps keep one’s sanity. The simplest gifts are always the best, focus on family events and doings, my Christmas shopping has been focused on the children and with the adults looking more forward to just getting together and enjoying the company, doing games, exchanging recipes, turning off the T.V. the Ipod, I pad, the internet and just being with family and reconnecting, which is the best gift of all.
Also something I recommend, keeping a journal of your ups and downs, your thoughts and hopes, your sadness and joys, sometimes it may seem trivial and sometimes profound. But it will be your own ‘snapshot’ of your life to think about and also a possible historical connection from the people of the future to our past.
Until Anon, Kisses Darlings, with or without mistletoe.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Love and Joy Come to you and a Merry New Year~~~
Hello My Diva Darlings,
Yes, yes, I know I haven’t posted in sometime, but I have to admit the joys of adopted Grandmother hood has been keeping me a bit busy, along with family events, my friends, events, my Ladies who Lunch, events, my darling little dog Princess, managing my finances and more events.
I have to say that the stupidity both at the State Capitol and in Washington is unprecedented; as a matter of fact I do not think we have had an intelligent President since Franklin D. Roosevelt. At least he was a Democrat that you could stomach, even my Father, a conservative Republican, liked the man.
That is not to say that young Obama is stupid, I do not believe he is, but he is young and unseasoned and untested---I am of two minds on his election to the Presidency.
First---he had only become involved with politics in his first season as a Senator, he never had a chance to learn the ‘chops’ of dealing with both sides of the partisan barrier, he was swept into office by a wave of sentiment and what people had hope for would be change, instead it has gotten worse and sad to say, Mr. Obama chose advisors who were very bad financial analysts and simply have not a clue what the people really want.
Too young, too unseasoned. That is the minus side
Second---the fact that people voted for a Black President, shows that the mentality of the American people has moved forward, it is a major breakthrough, and that is the plus side.
But it’s not enough to carry us through to positive resolutions---he has waffled on many issues, and now bringing in an aging former President---Bill Clinton to help sell the tax compromise, a former President who knows how to handle the press, and field questions.
A seasoned although tarnish president, somehow people do wonder, if it hadn’t been for that incident, what else he could have accomplished.
If he had left on a high note we most likely would have continued having Democratic presidents but then I believe that the Tax Rates would have been astronomical and out of sight. So what Bush did with the Tax Cut backs was a good thing, and we need to look further into what can be done using that premise to jump start the economy. We need to regenerate the Middle Class again, by doing that we can improve this nation back into the greatness that it can be.
Oh my, is that just wishful thinking? Maybe, but one has to start some place.
On a Christmas note, my shopping is done, not that I had a lot to do, my brothers, sisters-in-law and I have agreed that Christmas present giving is for the children, the young ones. And I still have a few, I was able to find out what they liked and managed.
Even Juanita and her family are limiting the gift giving to just the children and again, I managed. Juanita and I have been wrapping presents and carefully noting what goes to whom with my darling Princess, getting involved in the left over wrapping and ribbons, we were occasionally hearing her growl in delight and the different things we wrapped that were hers already, but we decided to play a game with her, need to keep doggie minds active.
My Ladies who lunch came over last Sunday and with pot luck we had a tree trimming party, it went up quickly, we all sat around and watched a DVD of “Miracle on 34th Street.” We all agreed that somehow those times seemed simpler although they were tough as well, but it just seemed simpler.
My home office has Christmas lights going around the window creating a festive air.
And Christmas decorations are out, Manuel put up the Christmas lights on the house for me. Princess, my little Diva Darling, is wearing a Christmas bow on her harness, it got stuck there and she doesn’t want it taken off for some reason.
I’ve seen the Nutcracker ballet, the Zoolights, have gone to the Dickens Fair twice, and we are planning to walk our local Christmas Tree Lane, we’ve got toys together and have given them to Toys for Tots, and my Brothers and I have donated money to several soup kitchens to help with Christmas dinners.
I’ll go to the City Sunday and just walk through the Stores on Union Square, and just have a little fun watching the matinee performance of “A Christmas Carol”, even though I know it will be raining, I’ll just take BART and bus. It will take time but I don’t feel the need to rush.
Then the week before Christmas, I’ll go a few days before to my Brother’s in San Francisco with Princess with me. Juanita will go to her family but I’ve made arrangements for a house sitter, Ralph a friend who has done it before and is happy to have a place right now, he got burnt out of his apartment, right now he’s at a hotel while he goes through what has survived, but he’ll be coming over tonight for dinner, and we’ll make arrangements for him to stay in the guest room.
I was afraid to leave him alone for Christmas but he’ll be going to a relatives’ house for the Day. Then when I get back we’ll work together on dealing with his insurance claim.
In a strange way he’s sort of glad, he says he can start fresh and down size things a bit. I just hope it isn’t shock, but then he has always looked forward never back.
I had the pleasure of running into my dear friend “Mean Kitty” a week or two back. She was shopping for a gift for an ornament exchange at T.J. Max and she found a beautiful one, Lennox china in the shape of a snow flake with the word in gold saying “Believe”. She told me if one of the participants’ girls are there at the party she knows that they will be fighting to get it.
And I understand that did happen, I told her I was planning an extensive dinner party and invited her and her man but she declined sadly as it conflicted with another party, I said I was looking for plates that would work with the Christmas china that I already had and she lifted this decorator pillow and there they were----Lennox Christmas China!! It didn’t matter that it was a discontinued pattern it was There!!!
We were like two school girls looking for all the matching pieces I couldn’t believe it we had enough plates, desert/salad plates and cups to match plus 2 sets of cream and sugar, and several serving platters.
She happen to have a shopping cart, so to use her phrase “we loaded up”, then she recommended that we look for the soft cases used to store good china and we found those! Then with her sharp eye she spotted several Spode china pieces for the or’deuvers and candy and the usual veggie and cheese platters.
Fortunately I have a very large credit line with T.J.Max and since I always do itemized deductions, I’m going to see if I can write this off, since the people that are coming to this party will be donating money to one of the charities that I help to sponsor. “Mean Kitty” has a very good eye finding things.
So I offered to buy her and her man coffee at the nearby Starbucks, and being the little elf I encouraged her to get the ginger bread cake, as she indulged in a Pumpkin spice Latté, her man being basic, went for the house blend and a glazed donut.
We had fun catching up, but I was a bit worried about her, she does so much for other people including her man, she’s put her credit and her indebtedness on the line to please him although I think he doesn’t realize that, that sometimes I wonder if her man really understands and appreciates her, I think he does but I think he is not aware what extend of what she has done, and she says she really doesn’t like to put herself out there but she does without realizing it.
She’s even going to take a friend of hers to the hospital for out patient surgery so her friend doesn’t have to worry about transportation. At it will be during “Mean Kitty’s” vacation. She tells me “I take the time off, because I need to breathe and work on some projects at home, that’s what I’m planning to do for the upcoming year, and besides we’ll be going down during the summer to do our history docent work.”
But I asked her “What are you doing for yourself?” and she said “Oh we don’t have money in the budget for that, as long as I have a change of scene I’m fine.”
I took a good long look at her, she has an eye for good things, but can’t afford them, she knows what would look good on a person and gives off ideas to people for their events that they claim as their own, she is idea talented as oppose to being talented in writing, art, music, theatre or dance, (although I’ve seen her act and she’s very good) she doesn’t entertain, no space in her house; family has imposed their possessions upon her upon their death that she has been trying to unburden herself from for years, she sold her beloved car that I know she misses. She used up her funds for years to help her family so she has to work until she dies because she couldn’t put it into a retirement fund. Because she loves her man she bought a house that’s a money pit instead of getting out of debt and renting an apartment instead.
I hate to pity her because in her own way she’s happy, she’s a survivor, she makes do and she enjoys the little things that come along. And she works to make other people happy without even trying. And yet she claims that she’s selfish. Selfish?? I don’t think so.
So on the spur of the moment, I got up and saw a cup that I knew she admired and bought it for her, it was red with white designs (yes Christmas designs) and gold trim on the top and gave it to her. She said that I didn’t have to, but I said “Oh yes I do, how else can I repay you for helping me with all that China”, I could see the delight in her eyes at the cup and knew she was going to enjoy it for a long, long time.
My party was a success and raised quiet a bit of money, I had it catered so all my dear Juanita had to do was just heat, and it was served buffet style, after all I’m not having her wait hand and foot, then afterwards, I told Juanita to not wash the dinners and things that evening, the next day we worked together hand washing and wiping everything and putting it all carefully away, although I have left out the Spode dishes with Christmas candy.
Right now I’m relaxing typing this, Juanita is putting together a tempting dinner, the house is festive. I’m going to check to see if it’s a spare the air day or not, if it is then I’ll burn candles in the fire place. Ralph will be here at 6 and we’ll have a glass of wine.
On the economy front, I’m still putting my thoughts together. So many buzzing in my head.
Until the New Year Have a Happy Holiday Season, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanaka, Happy Kwanza, Happy Boxing Day and all the Best for the New Year.
Until Anon my Diva Darlings
Yes, yes, I know I haven’t posted in sometime, but I have to admit the joys of adopted Grandmother hood has been keeping me a bit busy, along with family events, my friends, events, my Ladies who Lunch, events, my darling little dog Princess, managing my finances and more events.
I have to say that the stupidity both at the State Capitol and in Washington is unprecedented; as a matter of fact I do not think we have had an intelligent President since Franklin D. Roosevelt. At least he was a Democrat that you could stomach, even my Father, a conservative Republican, liked the man.
That is not to say that young Obama is stupid, I do not believe he is, but he is young and unseasoned and untested---I am of two minds on his election to the Presidency.
First---he had only become involved with politics in his first season as a Senator, he never had a chance to learn the ‘chops’ of dealing with both sides of the partisan barrier, he was swept into office by a wave of sentiment and what people had hope for would be change, instead it has gotten worse and sad to say, Mr. Obama chose advisors who were very bad financial analysts and simply have not a clue what the people really want.
Too young, too unseasoned. That is the minus side
Second---the fact that people voted for a Black President, shows that the mentality of the American people has moved forward, it is a major breakthrough, and that is the plus side.
But it’s not enough to carry us through to positive resolutions---he has waffled on many issues, and now bringing in an aging former President---Bill Clinton to help sell the tax compromise, a former President who knows how to handle the press, and field questions.
A seasoned although tarnish president, somehow people do wonder, if it hadn’t been for that incident, what else he could have accomplished.
If he had left on a high note we most likely would have continued having Democratic presidents but then I believe that the Tax Rates would have been astronomical and out of sight. So what Bush did with the Tax Cut backs was a good thing, and we need to look further into what can be done using that premise to jump start the economy. We need to regenerate the Middle Class again, by doing that we can improve this nation back into the greatness that it can be.
Oh my, is that just wishful thinking? Maybe, but one has to start some place.
On a Christmas note, my shopping is done, not that I had a lot to do, my brothers, sisters-in-law and I have agreed that Christmas present giving is for the children, the young ones. And I still have a few, I was able to find out what they liked and managed.
Even Juanita and her family are limiting the gift giving to just the children and again, I managed. Juanita and I have been wrapping presents and carefully noting what goes to whom with my darling Princess, getting involved in the left over wrapping and ribbons, we were occasionally hearing her growl in delight and the different things we wrapped that were hers already, but we decided to play a game with her, need to keep doggie minds active.
My Ladies who lunch came over last Sunday and with pot luck we had a tree trimming party, it went up quickly, we all sat around and watched a DVD of “Miracle on 34th Street.” We all agreed that somehow those times seemed simpler although they were tough as well, but it just seemed simpler.
My home office has Christmas lights going around the window creating a festive air.
And Christmas decorations are out, Manuel put up the Christmas lights on the house for me. Princess, my little Diva Darling, is wearing a Christmas bow on her harness, it got stuck there and she doesn’t want it taken off for some reason.
I’ve seen the Nutcracker ballet, the Zoolights, have gone to the Dickens Fair twice, and we are planning to walk our local Christmas Tree Lane, we’ve got toys together and have given them to Toys for Tots, and my Brothers and I have donated money to several soup kitchens to help with Christmas dinners.
I’ll go to the City Sunday and just walk through the Stores on Union Square, and just have a little fun watching the matinee performance of “A Christmas Carol”, even though I know it will be raining, I’ll just take BART and bus. It will take time but I don’t feel the need to rush.
Then the week before Christmas, I’ll go a few days before to my Brother’s in San Francisco with Princess with me. Juanita will go to her family but I’ve made arrangements for a house sitter, Ralph a friend who has done it before and is happy to have a place right now, he got burnt out of his apartment, right now he’s at a hotel while he goes through what has survived, but he’ll be coming over tonight for dinner, and we’ll make arrangements for him to stay in the guest room.
I was afraid to leave him alone for Christmas but he’ll be going to a relatives’ house for the Day. Then when I get back we’ll work together on dealing with his insurance claim.
In a strange way he’s sort of glad, he says he can start fresh and down size things a bit. I just hope it isn’t shock, but then he has always looked forward never back.
I had the pleasure of running into my dear friend “Mean Kitty” a week or two back. She was shopping for a gift for an ornament exchange at T.J. Max and she found a beautiful one, Lennox china in the shape of a snow flake with the word in gold saying “Believe”. She told me if one of the participants’ girls are there at the party she knows that they will be fighting to get it.
And I understand that did happen, I told her I was planning an extensive dinner party and invited her and her man but she declined sadly as it conflicted with another party, I said I was looking for plates that would work with the Christmas china that I already had and she lifted this decorator pillow and there they were----Lennox Christmas China!! It didn’t matter that it was a discontinued pattern it was There!!!
We were like two school girls looking for all the matching pieces I couldn’t believe it we had enough plates, desert/salad plates and cups to match plus 2 sets of cream and sugar, and several serving platters.
She happen to have a shopping cart, so to use her phrase “we loaded up”, then she recommended that we look for the soft cases used to store good china and we found those! Then with her sharp eye she spotted several Spode china pieces for the or’deuvers and candy and the usual veggie and cheese platters.
Fortunately I have a very large credit line with T.J.Max and since I always do itemized deductions, I’m going to see if I can write this off, since the people that are coming to this party will be donating money to one of the charities that I help to sponsor. “Mean Kitty” has a very good eye finding things.
So I offered to buy her and her man coffee at the nearby Starbucks, and being the little elf I encouraged her to get the ginger bread cake, as she indulged in a Pumpkin spice Latté, her man being basic, went for the house blend and a glazed donut.
We had fun catching up, but I was a bit worried about her, she does so much for other people including her man, she’s put her credit and her indebtedness on the line to please him although I think he doesn’t realize that, that sometimes I wonder if her man really understands and appreciates her, I think he does but I think he is not aware what extend of what she has done, and she says she really doesn’t like to put herself out there but she does without realizing it.
She’s even going to take a friend of hers to the hospital for out patient surgery so her friend doesn’t have to worry about transportation. At it will be during “Mean Kitty’s” vacation. She tells me “I take the time off, because I need to breathe and work on some projects at home, that’s what I’m planning to do for the upcoming year, and besides we’ll be going down during the summer to do our history docent work.”
But I asked her “What are you doing for yourself?” and she said “Oh we don’t have money in the budget for that, as long as I have a change of scene I’m fine.”
I took a good long look at her, she has an eye for good things, but can’t afford them, she knows what would look good on a person and gives off ideas to people for their events that they claim as their own, she is idea talented as oppose to being talented in writing, art, music, theatre or dance, (although I’ve seen her act and she’s very good) she doesn’t entertain, no space in her house; family has imposed their possessions upon her upon their death that she has been trying to unburden herself from for years, she sold her beloved car that I know she misses. She used up her funds for years to help her family so she has to work until she dies because she couldn’t put it into a retirement fund. Because she loves her man she bought a house that’s a money pit instead of getting out of debt and renting an apartment instead.
I hate to pity her because in her own way she’s happy, she’s a survivor, she makes do and she enjoys the little things that come along. And she works to make other people happy without even trying. And yet she claims that she’s selfish. Selfish?? I don’t think so.
So on the spur of the moment, I got up and saw a cup that I knew she admired and bought it for her, it was red with white designs (yes Christmas designs) and gold trim on the top and gave it to her. She said that I didn’t have to, but I said “Oh yes I do, how else can I repay you for helping me with all that China”, I could see the delight in her eyes at the cup and knew she was going to enjoy it for a long, long time.
My party was a success and raised quiet a bit of money, I had it catered so all my dear Juanita had to do was just heat, and it was served buffet style, after all I’m not having her wait hand and foot, then afterwards, I told Juanita to not wash the dinners and things that evening, the next day we worked together hand washing and wiping everything and putting it all carefully away, although I have left out the Spode dishes with Christmas candy.
Right now I’m relaxing typing this, Juanita is putting together a tempting dinner, the house is festive. I’m going to check to see if it’s a spare the air day or not, if it is then I’ll burn candles in the fire place. Ralph will be here at 6 and we’ll have a glass of wine.
On the economy front, I’m still putting my thoughts together. So many buzzing in my head.
Until the New Year Have a Happy Holiday Season, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanaka, Happy Kwanza, Happy Boxing Day and all the Best for the New Year.
Until Anon my Diva Darlings
Saturday, April 3, 2010
A belated Update
Hello My Diva Darlings, Hello!!
I know, it's been a long time, but I only have time for a quick update.
I've been busy paying property taxes, having my income taxes done and plumbing work, then I came down with a cold, and on top of that I had to go in for a kidney stone operation, it was so hard to sit up.
I didn't want to put a strain on Juanita but she knew of a friend who is a nurse who does private care and she came in to help me during my getting well period.
My friends have been helpful and my family as well, but both Juanita and her friend have been guarding me fiercely so I'll get well.
My ladies who lunch have been keeping tabs on me, and all I can say is this for now, if you have been reading the newspapers and the financial pages you will have an idea of how things are going. Keep reading those recommended magazines that I've listed for you and once I'm on my feet again I'll start giving you dear Diva's those recommendations.
My brother is coming by to pick me and my little diva darling, Princess up. We'll be spending the Easter Weekend at his house and I'll be back on par by the end of Next week.
Until anon, Kisses Darlings
Saturday, January 10, 2009
A Life Time Routine~~~~
Hello My Darling Divas,
It was so strange and yet not strange to wake up yesterday morning and finding cold, wet fog surrounding the house, feeling so cut off from the world.
The aroma of coffee was enough to perk me up, but it was so cold that even Princess has to wear a sweater; I have a special doggie heating pad so that her joints are not in pain.
The sun finally shone wetly through the fog, and as it lifted I was surprised to see a small flock of ducks had taken shelter under some of the bushes, on the mulch covering. I guess it was warm enough for them, poor things. I keep a small metal bin of duck feed in the garage and I put some out for them in a pan, Juanita has ‘clucked’ at me saying they make a mess on the wooden deck and that her son-in-law will have to come and wash it off, but even I have heard her muttering in Spanish “poor things”, I smile thinking about her soft side and yes her son-in-law will have to come and wash/scrub the area.
This last Sunday Juanita took a break from visiting her family and came by the house to take down all the indoor decorations while Manuel took down and stored the outside lights and put them away for another year, I don’t keep a live tree anymore, the artificial ones seem to work very well, then he and Juanita went to join the rest of her family for a special mass for Epiphany, I told her to have fun with her family she is to have a vacation through Jan 11. She didn’t have to but it is traditional in her family to be sure that all the Christmas decorations are removed by January 6 the Feast of the Epiphany, otherwise one would have bad luck for the year. I think it’s really to show that one is not lazy, but it was very sweet of her to help me.
For the last few days I’ve been starting to put together my paperwork for my Tax Preparer, now it’s just waiting for the paper work from the government agencies, my banks and my broker and put it all together in a packet.
Now as a reminder I want all of you to go to my blog posting for January 4 and 5, 2008, in these two blogs you will have information to help you put your paper work in order, especially if one of your resolutions is to be better organized.
I have another Magazine to recommend to all of you. It is again our old standby Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, the February 2009 issue. Again they focus on how to rebuild your retirement portfolio, plus stocks that pay 5% or more.
I was happy to see that one of the stocks that I have an investment in, Briggs & Stratton (their symbol is BGG) was mentioned, granted it’s dividend share isn’t big, but what I did over a number of years is simply let the dividends buy more shares, (of course there is taxes to consider) so that I do get a nice little income now (not much but nice enough to put into a rainy day fund).
Remember Darlings, I always believe in something that is going to remain for the long haul and has less chance of going under.
A number of you who’ve contacted me, via my comments section (and please forgive me if I’ve deleted your comments but they were long and saying pretty much the same thing) were asking ‘You seem like such a social butterfly, how you keep up with all of this?’ or words to that effect.
Well Darlings it’s this---the key word is discipline, I have a schedule that I do adhere to, but I do vary it depending upon my health, weather conditions, commitments, appointments, etc.
Let us consider the week as going from Monday to Sunday, although calendars show the week as starting on Sunday and ending on Saturday, but think of it as I suggested.
Monday is for me is the start of my business week and I use it to find out how the stock market and other financial institutions are starting out, so that is a “work day for me”, while I watch what the market is doing I’m also reading all the news in regards to events both nation-wide and overseas, because I believe in the domino effect, what happens in one place will affect things and the economy in another. Having an idea of history is important.
This is also the time when I will flag stocks or bonds that show some promise of being a good investment, I don’t invest every week, most of the time I just monitor the progress of stocks holdings.
Tuesdays is when I make or return phone calls, I’m always careful in calling my friends in finance I know that they have busy work schedules, if they are unable to speak with me, I’ll make an appointment for when I can call them. This would also include my broker, now I know many of you invest on line and that is fine, I’ve done this for so many years that I prefer the personal touch.
Tuesdays is also a good day to call credit card companies, business companies, etc. if you have a dispute over your billing or to make doctor or dental appointments, beauty shop appointments etc. I try to have the calls completed in the morning; the only time I’ll make an exception is when I’m having my car maintance done.
I continue to read the news or watch CNN especially with on going situations.
Wednesdays is when I make financial decisions if I might buy either more shares in a stock, continue to watch it, invest in a stock that looks promising, or flag those that look like they may be in trouble. I also use Wednesdays to balance my banking accounts and for bill paying as well as certain days that I have flagged when I know certain amounts are going to be deducted to pay bills, this way I can keep tabs on my income and outgo.
I do not necessarily buy stocks on that day and not every week, it could be months before I make a purchase.
This is also the day my house keeper clips coupons and we do grocery shopping when I get home.
Thursdays I meet with my “Business Ladies Who Lunch” I find that this is a good time for me to hear what is happening in their business world and if they have heard of anything that is shifting, these are savvy ladies and if anything feels “off” with them they are usually right.
Fridays are when I look in to see how the markets have faired and how the flagged stocks are performing. I make notes and check on my notes from Monday and Wednesday.
I try to make Fridays my final decision days as well, if I’m going to buy or sell, but most of the choices I make is for the “long haul” that is what I prefer in my stocks. An excellent source is Value Line Investment Survey, some people prefer the print edition and some the on line source. I like the print because sometimes things will jump quickly out at me, but, and I know it seems redundant, I also subscribe to the on line version only because sometimes my print copy doesn’t come in a timely manner in the mail. I also do not keep a print copy beyond 6 months (it does add up since its weekly) but what I do is tear out those stocks that I’ve flagged for future reference and put them in a folder for safe keeping.
Saturdays, the only thing I do is check the news and see how things have closed I use the rest of the day to pick up and drop off any Dry Cleaning, run errands, and anything else.
Sundays is when I catch up on my reading both news and magazine articles I also use Sundays I try to go to Church at least twice a month and sometimes more, I find that getting up early even on Sundays keeps me on my toes and to not get lazy, then on the early part of the afternoon is use that for planning my week and looking over my “Day runner” for appointments and create my “tickle file” after that on the later Sunday afternoon’s I go to the Library and quickly read a weeks worth of Christian Science Monitors newspapers, drop off any magazines I’m done with in the exchange bin, look for at least one good book to read to off set my business reading and select several music CD’s for the week.
Now it is not all business for me, I try to end my day after the close of the New York Stock Exchange which is 3 hours a head of us since I’m on the west coast, but I do check in on the performance of a few of my overseas stocks.
Once the market has closed then I use the rest of the day for any appointments, or do some shopping, I make every effort to go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week, not necessarily the same day, and before I go to the gym I give my little Darling Diva Princess her little walk. It’s just several blocks to the beach and then along the beach trail and back, it’s a good time for me to think and muse on things, of course when crossing the streets one has to be careful and Princess cannot be hurried in leaving her “messages” and her “Mommy” does have to clean up after her.
Because it gets dark so early we go about an hour before Sunset, during the Summer of course we go later,
Weekends are for fun, sometimes I have things planned and sometimes I have nothing planned, when I have quiet evenings I use it to catch up on correspondence, writing for my Blog, calling friends or family, catch up on my reading.
When I come across an article that has promising information I first flag it and then when I’m done with the magazine I remove the article and put it into recycling, or if I have not removed anything out of the magazine I take it to the Library and put it into their magazine exchange bin.
And I have to admit it is a lot of reading, I subscribe to the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, our local paper, the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Business Times (includes the Bay Area) and most of the magazines that I have mentioned. My library is my home office and I have a fast DSL line although I’m thinking of upgrading.
I do go into the city Mondays through Thursdays, and on occasion on Fridays, I rent a very small office space from my late husbands old firm where I keep much of my file information and I have a computer on line with a T2 line that is part of the office building, I am able to access the use of that for my use, now I had to get a business license, but I am in business for myself, I do not take clients, but because I am in business for myself I can take tax deductions. It’s complicated but it works well for me.
Years ago when I was learning about investing from my father and mother (yes she was a very sharp lady) and going to college to learn business, I started this routine and kept it up when I got married, I was fortunate in that I had a staff to help with the upkeep of the house, and although I’ve down sized my home (which was a good thing for me) Juanita although an employee for me, is also my helpmate, she keeps a keen eye on the house and makes sure things are run well, she also comes to me if there is a situation, I really view her as a partner, that is why is was so important for me to increase her income and improve her medical and dental insurance. I also established a retirement fund for her when she feels she is unable to work for me anymore.
I’ve also guided her daughter and son-in-law in solid investments to help them gain a better income. One of Juanita’s grand daughters is going to college and also has a keen sense of investment banking, she is a very sharp young lady and has started making modest investments with money she got from working part time and of all things, collecting cans and bottles, the income she’s getting from her investments is paying for most of her college, which has taken a burden off of her parents.
Juanita’s other grandchildren and children are doing well following her daughters’ Constance’s lead.
Now I know a number of you are wondering how can I possibly be able to do all this reading, it’s simple, I can scan an article in a magazine to see if it’s worth reading in depth, with newspapers, I skip the fluff articles, although Juanita loves the gardening and cooking section, and go directly to the financial section and then I scan local, national and international news as it would relate to affecting the economy, I save the comics, theatre and movie reviews for when I take a brief break. After all, the mind does have to play. In the evenings if I’m not going out, and television is a bore I will read for a bit from a novel and then meditate to relax my mind before going to bed
By meeting my “Business Ladies Who Lunch” on Thursdays, it also gives me a break from routine and keeps my mind relaxed and active as well.
I also offer suggestions to my friends if they are in a “puzzlement’ over something; not too long ago my dear friend “Mean Kitty” and I were having coffee and she told me that she was thinking of closing her savings account at a particular bank, I asked her why and she said that because she could not maintain $300 in her account for a full 30 or 31 days that $5 dollars is taken out as a fee. I suggested to her to ask her bank officer why that was happening, but do it in the bank, I told her that I have several standard savings accounts with attached checking and what I do is have once a month a certain amount automatically transferred from my checking to my savings and there is no fee and you can have the savings account go as low as you want, I told her to find out if that is possible and find out what is the minimum she can transfer without having to have fee charged.
That worked for her. She now has $10.00 a month transferred she doesn’t feel it, and it will build up in her account and as her finances increase she can have more money transferred if she wishes.
I try to post my blog when I can, and I write my blog when I can between everything else. Some postings may take a little longer, and of course I do take vacations when I feel that things will hold just fine. And since my investments have been for the long haul with solid companies I’ve very seldom have had to do any sell off.
Now that so called banker Madloff who got arrested, well years ago he approached my (now deceased)husband and me at a function and we did get together for lunch with him when we were in his area, and although he spoke of glowing reports on things, there was something about how he was describing things that made me want to hold back.
When my husband and I had a chance to get away from Madloff’s influence, we looked over what he had presented to us, and we both agreed that there was something a little “off” we couldn’t put our finger on it, but it didn’t have that solid feeling like Apple Corporation did when we first invested in Apple. We wisely decided to not invest with him; my husband felt it was some sort of pyramid scheme, which could collapse. Although it did appear to be solid, there was something just “off” with it. Now people have lost their retirement funds and Madloff is in jail. If it sounds too good to be true it usually is some sort of trap.
But that is my routine, I do have a beauty routine, an exercise routine, but I won’t bore you with those.
Now a quick investment suggestion, go to Value Line on line they have a 6 tips for investing or selecting stocks, an educational section, Do read that Darlings, also I'm going to look further into Logtectic, they supply add on's to computers, they've just been listed on Value Line For January 9, 2009 and they seem to be a good investment, I'm always cautious on computer stocks, so I don't have many (here today, gone tomorrow) but they seem to be a good solid company, so it's something I may take a few shares out on, and see how they do for the year, don't go overboard, always be cautious and always diversify your portfolio.
Just remember my Dear Divas and Diva’s in Training, you are in business, you are your own CEO’s of your life and your life is your business, Remember That.
Until Anon Darlings, Kisses.
It was so strange and yet not strange to wake up yesterday morning and finding cold, wet fog surrounding the house, feeling so cut off from the world.
The aroma of coffee was enough to perk me up, but it was so cold that even Princess has to wear a sweater; I have a special doggie heating pad so that her joints are not in pain.
The sun finally shone wetly through the fog, and as it lifted I was surprised to see a small flock of ducks had taken shelter under some of the bushes, on the mulch covering. I guess it was warm enough for them, poor things. I keep a small metal bin of duck feed in the garage and I put some out for them in a pan, Juanita has ‘clucked’ at me saying they make a mess on the wooden deck and that her son-in-law will have to come and wash it off, but even I have heard her muttering in Spanish “poor things”, I smile thinking about her soft side and yes her son-in-law will have to come and wash/scrub the area.
This last Sunday Juanita took a break from visiting her family and came by the house to take down all the indoor decorations while Manuel took down and stored the outside lights and put them away for another year, I don’t keep a live tree anymore, the artificial ones seem to work very well, then he and Juanita went to join the rest of her family for a special mass for Epiphany, I told her to have fun with her family she is to have a vacation through Jan 11. She didn’t have to but it is traditional in her family to be sure that all the Christmas decorations are removed by January 6 the Feast of the Epiphany, otherwise one would have bad luck for the year. I think it’s really to show that one is not lazy, but it was very sweet of her to help me.
For the last few days I’ve been starting to put together my paperwork for my Tax Preparer, now it’s just waiting for the paper work from the government agencies, my banks and my broker and put it all together in a packet.
Now as a reminder I want all of you to go to my blog posting for January 4 and 5, 2008, in these two blogs you will have information to help you put your paper work in order, especially if one of your resolutions is to be better organized.
I have another Magazine to recommend to all of you. It is again our old standby Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, the February 2009 issue. Again they focus on how to rebuild your retirement portfolio, plus stocks that pay 5% or more.
I was happy to see that one of the stocks that I have an investment in, Briggs & Stratton (their symbol is BGG) was mentioned, granted it’s dividend share isn’t big, but what I did over a number of years is simply let the dividends buy more shares, (of course there is taxes to consider) so that I do get a nice little income now (not much but nice enough to put into a rainy day fund).
Remember Darlings, I always believe in something that is going to remain for the long haul and has less chance of going under.
A number of you who’ve contacted me, via my comments section (and please forgive me if I’ve deleted your comments but they were long and saying pretty much the same thing) were asking ‘You seem like such a social butterfly, how you keep up with all of this?’ or words to that effect.
Well Darlings it’s this---the key word is discipline, I have a schedule that I do adhere to, but I do vary it depending upon my health, weather conditions, commitments, appointments, etc.
Let us consider the week as going from Monday to Sunday, although calendars show the week as starting on Sunday and ending on Saturday, but think of it as I suggested.
Monday is for me is the start of my business week and I use it to find out how the stock market and other financial institutions are starting out, so that is a “work day for me”, while I watch what the market is doing I’m also reading all the news in regards to events both nation-wide and overseas, because I believe in the domino effect, what happens in one place will affect things and the economy in another. Having an idea of history is important.
This is also the time when I will flag stocks or bonds that show some promise of being a good investment, I don’t invest every week, most of the time I just monitor the progress of stocks holdings.
Tuesdays is when I make or return phone calls, I’m always careful in calling my friends in finance I know that they have busy work schedules, if they are unable to speak with me, I’ll make an appointment for when I can call them. This would also include my broker, now I know many of you invest on line and that is fine, I’ve done this for so many years that I prefer the personal touch.
Tuesdays is also a good day to call credit card companies, business companies, etc. if you have a dispute over your billing or to make doctor or dental appointments, beauty shop appointments etc. I try to have the calls completed in the morning; the only time I’ll make an exception is when I’m having my car maintance done.
I continue to read the news or watch CNN especially with on going situations.
Wednesdays is when I make financial decisions if I might buy either more shares in a stock, continue to watch it, invest in a stock that looks promising, or flag those that look like they may be in trouble. I also use Wednesdays to balance my banking accounts and for bill paying as well as certain days that I have flagged when I know certain amounts are going to be deducted to pay bills, this way I can keep tabs on my income and outgo.
I do not necessarily buy stocks on that day and not every week, it could be months before I make a purchase.
This is also the day my house keeper clips coupons and we do grocery shopping when I get home.
Thursdays I meet with my “Business Ladies Who Lunch” I find that this is a good time for me to hear what is happening in their business world and if they have heard of anything that is shifting, these are savvy ladies and if anything feels “off” with them they are usually right.
Fridays are when I look in to see how the markets have faired and how the flagged stocks are performing. I make notes and check on my notes from Monday and Wednesday.
I try to make Fridays my final decision days as well, if I’m going to buy or sell, but most of the choices I make is for the “long haul” that is what I prefer in my stocks. An excellent source is Value Line Investment Survey, some people prefer the print edition and some the on line source. I like the print because sometimes things will jump quickly out at me, but, and I know it seems redundant, I also subscribe to the on line version only because sometimes my print copy doesn’t come in a timely manner in the mail. I also do not keep a print copy beyond 6 months (it does add up since its weekly) but what I do is tear out those stocks that I’ve flagged for future reference and put them in a folder for safe keeping.
Saturdays, the only thing I do is check the news and see how things have closed I use the rest of the day to pick up and drop off any Dry Cleaning, run errands, and anything else.
Sundays is when I catch up on my reading both news and magazine articles I also use Sundays I try to go to Church at least twice a month and sometimes more, I find that getting up early even on Sundays keeps me on my toes and to not get lazy, then on the early part of the afternoon is use that for planning my week and looking over my “Day runner” for appointments and create my “tickle file” after that on the later Sunday afternoon’s I go to the Library and quickly read a weeks worth of Christian Science Monitors newspapers, drop off any magazines I’m done with in the exchange bin, look for at least one good book to read to off set my business reading and select several music CD’s for the week.
Now it is not all business for me, I try to end my day after the close of the New York Stock Exchange which is 3 hours a head of us since I’m on the west coast, but I do check in on the performance of a few of my overseas stocks.
Once the market has closed then I use the rest of the day for any appointments, or do some shopping, I make every effort to go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week, not necessarily the same day, and before I go to the gym I give my little Darling Diva Princess her little walk. It’s just several blocks to the beach and then along the beach trail and back, it’s a good time for me to think and muse on things, of course when crossing the streets one has to be careful and Princess cannot be hurried in leaving her “messages” and her “Mommy” does have to clean up after her.
Because it gets dark so early we go about an hour before Sunset, during the Summer of course we go later,
Weekends are for fun, sometimes I have things planned and sometimes I have nothing planned, when I have quiet evenings I use it to catch up on correspondence, writing for my Blog, calling friends or family, catch up on my reading.
When I come across an article that has promising information I first flag it and then when I’m done with the magazine I remove the article and put it into recycling, or if I have not removed anything out of the magazine I take it to the Library and put it into their magazine exchange bin.
And I have to admit it is a lot of reading, I subscribe to the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, our local paper, the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Business Times (includes the Bay Area) and most of the magazines that I have mentioned. My library is my home office and I have a fast DSL line although I’m thinking of upgrading.
I do go into the city Mondays through Thursdays, and on occasion on Fridays, I rent a very small office space from my late husbands old firm where I keep much of my file information and I have a computer on line with a T2 line that is part of the office building, I am able to access the use of that for my use, now I had to get a business license, but I am in business for myself, I do not take clients, but because I am in business for myself I can take tax deductions. It’s complicated but it works well for me.
Years ago when I was learning about investing from my father and mother (yes she was a very sharp lady) and going to college to learn business, I started this routine and kept it up when I got married, I was fortunate in that I had a staff to help with the upkeep of the house, and although I’ve down sized my home (which was a good thing for me) Juanita although an employee for me, is also my helpmate, she keeps a keen eye on the house and makes sure things are run well, she also comes to me if there is a situation, I really view her as a partner, that is why is was so important for me to increase her income and improve her medical and dental insurance. I also established a retirement fund for her when she feels she is unable to work for me anymore.
I’ve also guided her daughter and son-in-law in solid investments to help them gain a better income. One of Juanita’s grand daughters is going to college and also has a keen sense of investment banking, she is a very sharp young lady and has started making modest investments with money she got from working part time and of all things, collecting cans and bottles, the income she’s getting from her investments is paying for most of her college, which has taken a burden off of her parents.
Juanita’s other grandchildren and children are doing well following her daughters’ Constance’s lead.
Now I know a number of you are wondering how can I possibly be able to do all this reading, it’s simple, I can scan an article in a magazine to see if it’s worth reading in depth, with newspapers, I skip the fluff articles, although Juanita loves the gardening and cooking section, and go directly to the financial section and then I scan local, national and international news as it would relate to affecting the economy, I save the comics, theatre and movie reviews for when I take a brief break. After all, the mind does have to play. In the evenings if I’m not going out, and television is a bore I will read for a bit from a novel and then meditate to relax my mind before going to bed
By meeting my “Business Ladies Who Lunch” on Thursdays, it also gives me a break from routine and keeps my mind relaxed and active as well.
I also offer suggestions to my friends if they are in a “puzzlement’ over something; not too long ago my dear friend “Mean Kitty” and I were having coffee and she told me that she was thinking of closing her savings account at a particular bank, I asked her why and she said that because she could not maintain $300 in her account for a full 30 or 31 days that $5 dollars is taken out as a fee. I suggested to her to ask her bank officer why that was happening, but do it in the bank, I told her that I have several standard savings accounts with attached checking and what I do is have once a month a certain amount automatically transferred from my checking to my savings and there is no fee and you can have the savings account go as low as you want, I told her to find out if that is possible and find out what is the minimum she can transfer without having to have fee charged.
That worked for her. She now has $10.00 a month transferred she doesn’t feel it, and it will build up in her account and as her finances increase she can have more money transferred if she wishes.
I try to post my blog when I can, and I write my blog when I can between everything else. Some postings may take a little longer, and of course I do take vacations when I feel that things will hold just fine. And since my investments have been for the long haul with solid companies I’ve very seldom have had to do any sell off.
Now that so called banker Madloff who got arrested, well years ago he approached my (now deceased)husband and me at a function and we did get together for lunch with him when we were in his area, and although he spoke of glowing reports on things, there was something about how he was describing things that made me want to hold back.
When my husband and I had a chance to get away from Madloff’s influence, we looked over what he had presented to us, and we both agreed that there was something a little “off” we couldn’t put our finger on it, but it didn’t have that solid feeling like Apple Corporation did when we first invested in Apple. We wisely decided to not invest with him; my husband felt it was some sort of pyramid scheme, which could collapse. Although it did appear to be solid, there was something just “off” with it. Now people have lost their retirement funds and Madloff is in jail. If it sounds too good to be true it usually is some sort of trap.
But that is my routine, I do have a beauty routine, an exercise routine, but I won’t bore you with those.
Now a quick investment suggestion, go to Value Line on line they have a 6 tips for investing or selecting stocks, an educational section, Do read that Darlings, also I'm going to look further into Logtectic, they supply add on's to computers, they've just been listed on Value Line For January 9, 2009 and they seem to be a good investment, I'm always cautious on computer stocks, so I don't have many (here today, gone tomorrow) but they seem to be a good solid company, so it's something I may take a few shares out on, and see how they do for the year, don't go overboard, always be cautious and always diversify your portfolio.
Just remember my Dear Divas and Diva’s in Training, you are in business, you are your own CEO’s of your life and your life is your business, Remember That.
Until Anon Darlings, Kisses.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
What do I look like?
Well Darlings,
I've been asked to describe myself to you, I dislike putting up a photo as I am always changing myself.
Because being a Diva changing oneself is important.
I had a hard time trying to think of a way to describe myself except that I'm 5' feet 5 inches tall, I'm still a size 8 (amazing) My stomach is not a flat as it use to be, but I still have fabulous legs, my hair is blonde (it was real blonde when I was young, now I help it) my eyes are green, I have managed to avoid wrinkles because I don't sun bathe, smoke, or eat junk food and confine my martini's to only two a week. But I can't resist a small chocolate torte.
I have high almost slavic cheek bones, I worked hard on making my voice pleasant to listen to.
I've been active in little theatre, but now a day they all want to do avant guarde things, so there hasn't been much for me to audition for.
I've acted in the stage version of "Witness for the Prosecution" 3 times, all because each director said I have a bit of a resemblance to Marlene Dietrich as Christine Vole. (and I played the role successfully too)
I love wearing beautiful gowns espeically from the 1930's, 40's and 50's I even collect designer gowns, and designer costume jewerly and yes I wear Fur, but only mink they are not endangered.
There have been times when someone has briefly mistaken me for the Great Marlene to which I'm flattered.
But even I have to bow to some problems of age, such as wearing glasses to read, well one can't be perfect all the time.
And what to I enjoy doing? Well Darlings, what do you think a well traveled, well educated woman of the world enjoys doing? Hmmmmm?
I love theatre, the movies, the opera, reading, going to intimate jazz clubs, and even enjoying a good comedy act, discovering restraunts that have fabulous food, traveling, antique hunting, auctions, Shopping in the City, being with good friends and even doing things that some people would consider quaint such as attending events sponsored by the Art Deco Society. Going for a drive with my dear friends Bill and Irma who have the most fabulous car collection, in one of their fabulous cars.
I get restless at times, rain and winter almost crimps my Diva style but I persever.
Well Darlings, time to go, one of my dear friends is here to take me out to dinner at some new delightful spot.
Kisses Darlings.
I've been asked to describe myself to you, I dislike putting up a photo as I am always changing myself.
Because being a Diva changing oneself is important.
I had a hard time trying to think of a way to describe myself except that I'm 5' feet 5 inches tall, I'm still a size 8 (amazing) My stomach is not a flat as it use to be, but I still have fabulous legs, my hair is blonde (it was real blonde when I was young, now I help it) my eyes are green, I have managed to avoid wrinkles because I don't sun bathe, smoke, or eat junk food and confine my martini's to only two a week. But I can't resist a small chocolate torte.
I have high almost slavic cheek bones, I worked hard on making my voice pleasant to listen to.
I've been active in little theatre, but now a day they all want to do avant guarde things, so there hasn't been much for me to audition for.
I've acted in the stage version of "Witness for the Prosecution" 3 times, all because each director said I have a bit of a resemblance to Marlene Dietrich as Christine Vole. (and I played the role successfully too)
I love wearing beautiful gowns espeically from the 1930's, 40's and 50's I even collect designer gowns, and designer costume jewerly and yes I wear Fur, but only mink they are not endangered.
There have been times when someone has briefly mistaken me for the Great Marlene to which I'm flattered.
But even I have to bow to some problems of age, such as wearing glasses to read, well one can't be perfect all the time.
And what to I enjoy doing? Well Darlings, what do you think a well traveled, well educated woman of the world enjoys doing? Hmmmmm?
I love theatre, the movies, the opera, reading, going to intimate jazz clubs, and even enjoying a good comedy act, discovering restraunts that have fabulous food, traveling, antique hunting, auctions, Shopping in the City, being with good friends and even doing things that some people would consider quaint such as attending events sponsored by the Art Deco Society. Going for a drive with my dear friends Bill and Irma who have the most fabulous car collection, in one of their fabulous cars.
I get restless at times, rain and winter almost crimps my Diva style but I persever.
Well Darlings, time to go, one of my dear friends is here to take me out to dinner at some new delightful spot.
Kisses Darlings.
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