You're closing when?

Why in the world should it be so difficult to buy real estate.  I understand that the seller is certain that the property is worth much more than the buyer perceives. I understand that there are real estate laws! I understand that it is best to have lawyers "looking out" for their clients!  I understand that a lending establishment must be sure the borrower can "pay it back!" I understand that the water needs to be clean, the pooper needs to be empty and the structure must be safe! I understand that everyone involved must know where the boundaries are because, God forbid, anyone encroach a bit and decide to sue the neighbor when they trip over a tree root!  What I don't understand is why it's so damn hard to give the seller the agreed upon amount of money, file the deed and move on and in.................


As with most any white collar entity, albeit lawyers, doctors, bankers etc, the client/patient is merely one of many.  Few go home at night and worry if Mr. Jones will take his medication, Mrs. Smith and her children are anxiously waiting to move into their first new home or Mr. and Mrs. Williams are really prepared for retirement.  Usually these folks are merely a number.  I can't imagine treating someone who is paying me a bit of their hard earned wages or savings, like just another name on the list. I guess the client has a more keen vision of the process than the professional's skewed one.


So, the moral of the story and I hesitate to put the world moral in the same sentence with the word lawyer, is: if you're buying property and closing on a particular date......don't forget to ask which MONTH that might fall in!!

KIndle vs. Book...............again

I extol the virtues of reading........anything.  I have lamented in the past about the vanishing book stores and the demise of the "hold in your hands" book.  I always wanted a wood paneled room with shelves to the ceiling and a slide along ladder.  I wanted a mix of old books and new, fiction and non, reference books and smut:-)  That was then and this is now.  I have resolved to reread each of Sidney Sheldon's novels.  He was the writer who, as an adult, gave me the love of reading.  I knew I could pick up a book, be in it by the end of the first chapter and not want to put it down.  This was at a time in my life when quiet time was at a premium.  I think that made me even more anxious to steal away, if only for minutes at a time, to see what each page unfolded and what twist was coming next. Sheldon was a consummate researcher and I honestly believe I learned from each novel....whether it was history, geography, cultures, politics, forensics or love.  When I weeded my book collections for the purpose of moving and space, all of Sheldon remained in hardcover and made the trip.  I've managed to read many of my favorites in the past few weeks and I have also noticed the aches and pains of arthritis once again roaring their ugly heads.  The books are big and heavy and often hard to keep open...like my eyes:-(  Yesterday I finished "the Best Laid Plans" and returned to my Kindle for a new Sandra Brown release.  A few chapters in I realized that my hands weren't aching.  I had had no libation and no analgesic so why the disappearance of my afternoon aches?  ........my Kindle... one single, lightweight, device that allowed my thumbs to relax.  Such a realization on Senior Citizen Day no less;-)  I guess the trade off is good.  My bookshelves are not overcrowded, I've retained a lot of my favorites and I can carry several books with me on my travels...if only to the hot tub. Change is really tough on old people.  Now, I have 2 perks for my Kindle: My hands ache less and no one knows I'm reading 50 Shades of Grey.....................again!

Pinterest savvy

These "soon to be" homeowners have been busy with projects.  Paint has been their friend and Pinterest has been their inspiration. The kitchen will have a nautical theme and this latest project was recreated for a novel, clever, light over their kitchen table. I must admit (and brag) that I raised a pretty good son who enjoys our projects and knows that a happy girlfriend and a happy mom are two of life's greatest joys!!  He's a great painter and has an uncanny eye for color so we've had fun planning this new abode.  I, on the other hand, DO NOT paint.  I have difficulty applying eyeliner!  It's a pretty exciting time for them and this house will soon be a home.


The waiting for closing is a bit tenuous but legalities and hoops are not our forte'. We are trying to be patient and not call the Realtors and lawyers every hour......every day, yes!  Surveys have been drawn, water tested, poop removed, insurance purchased and funds allocated.... Now all we need are a few signatures penned, a few checks written and keys to be exchanged.  I'm pretty sure it's past the projected date of August 15th....Maybe real estate proceedings should have new amendment...Every day that the closing doesn't happen, the seller ( or the lawyers) forfeit $.  That way, the red tape would involve green dollars and the sellers would push to be in the black......on time...  OK, whining is over and we'll just move on to another project to keep us busy till the phone rings, an email arrives or a text pops up. With all this technology, shouldn't this be easier?

"Dain Bramage"

C-NS football program adds equipment to lessen concussions - LocalSYR.com powered by NewsChannel 9 WSYR Syracuse




There used to be a great comedy skit about a football player with "dain bramage."  These days it's not quite so funny.  Everyone from the NFL to PopWarner football are discussing changing policy, modifying helmet structure and stressing over concussions and any and all head trauma.  Technology and research shows it's importance in so many different and unexpected ways.  The above article tells about the research being done with pileated woodpeckers and how they dissipate the huge blows to the brain while pecking.. Just another reason to love the bird world and how we're ALL in this survival mode together.

How a Woodpecker Bangs Without Brain Damage

The woodpecker’s ability to protect its head may help engineers build safer cars. 

By Chelsea Harvey

Published: 08/13/2014

In a head-banging contest between you and a woodpecker, the woodpecker would definitely win. This is because of the woodpecker's amazing ability to withstand tremendous blows to the head--brought on by their high-speed pecking--without suffering brain damage.
It's an ability that has fascinated scientists for decades, and the interest isn't just academic. If humans could replicate the woodpecker's impressive anti-shock mechanism, we could vastly improve the safety features in vehicles like cars or airplanes, which can be deadly in the case of a collision. Scientists have long been aware that woodpeckers have different skulls than other birds, but until now, they've had a poor understanding of how the woodpecker's anatomy actually protects its brain.
New research puts us one step closer to unlocking the secret.  Researchers from Dalian University of Technology in China used computer tomography (CT) scans of a real-life woodpecker to construct a detailed, digital model of its body.  Then they used software to simulate the bird's pecking--a process that can force the woodpecker's head to endure up to 1500 g-force units. For comparison's sake, a passenger on a typical roller coaster will only experience about 5 g's.

Science China Press

A schematic of the woodpecker's pecking process.

­
The study, published this month in Science China: Technological Sciences, shows that the key to the woodpecker's survival lies in how it converts the energy it absorbs. When a woodpecker strikes a tree, the impact energy--energy that is released during a collision--is converted to strain energy in the body. Too much strain in the head can be catastrophic, but the woodpecker's incredible anatomy--including a specialized beak and skull--redirects most of the strain into the rest of the body, instead of the head.
In fact, 99.7 percent of the strain energy is converted in the woodpecker's body, and only 0.3 percent is converted in the head.  This small amount of strain is quickly dissipated from the head in the form of heat. This process protects the brain from damage, but causes temperatures inside the skull to rise quickly, meaning woodpeckers have to take frequent breaks while they're pecking. In this way, the woodpecker's whole body is involved in the fight to protect its brain from damage.
Understanding this energy dissipation technique could be big for engineers, particularly those who work with transportation. Greater understanding of one of the world's most collision-resistant animals could help humans build better safety features in the future.
So the next time a woodpecker wakes you with its banging, remember that it could one day save your life.    

Where in the world.......

Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted in August.  Where I have been and better yet, what the heck have I been doing?   Well, I guess I have no excuses and I had to actually look at my daily journal to see what I've been up to....How sad (and old) is that?  A lot of my time has been consumed with decorating details for Lacie (and Jeff's) new..to them.....house.  She still has yet to close but we've been busy designing, researching, crafting and planning for each room.  It is going to be transformed from an elderly, ranch home to a cool, comfy and classy starter for them.  Who chooses black flooring?........................these two.  Thankfully Jeff is a bit OCD when it comes to neatness and order.. a trait that was obviously not acquired through the nurturing process.  Black floors will be a bear to keep clean...not my problem.  We have some work to do upon closing but most everything will be cosmetic changes that will brighten and enhance their surroundings. I have already announced that I DO NOT PAINT but I do choose colors well.... Ouch..it hurts a bit when I pat myself on the back!!!   I'm doing a pretty fair job letting them do most of the choosing for most of their décor....Thankfully, Lacie is very appreciative of my assistance or maybe just very nice...either way we seem to agree on a lot and when we disagree, I try to remember that this is their house.... I have a wee bit of a "Charles in Charge" complex but I'm handling it.  I'm just so over the moon that they are so happy and that Jeff is not 700 miles away!
We are in the home stretch for the beginning of 3rd grade and a new school year. Supplies and clothing have mostly been purchased... The new backpack and lunch bag are ready to go and shoes and sneakers are the only detail left. I'm thinking this may be Bailee's best year ever.  She has an amazing teacher, Mrs. Weeks, and a classroom full of great kiddos.  I remember 3rd grade as being one of my favorites.  It was the year we learned cursive!!!  (Another rant for another post) Bailee is working hard to teach herself.  We have almost mastered the multiplication facts.... another thing that has been passed down to the parents and grandparents through the wonderful world of Common Core.  We should be happy though, our grandchildren will leave elementary school knowing how to BUNDLE....WTF!
Bailee has enjoyed Rec again this year.  Todd Mulvaney heads up an excellent summer program. We are extremely lucky to have him! Kung Fu is going strong and Bailee has been invited to participate and compete in front of the Grand Master in Kentucky in September.  I am still reassuring Uncle Jeff that this competition has nothing to do with the KKK ;-)
We're heading into fall (I think it's already here) which is my very favorite time of year.  I'm off to purchase supplies to make some new decorations shortly.  It will be a busy season and Christmas will be here before we know it...Ho Ho Ho!!!