I bought tickets for mom and I to go see Dave Ramsey Live at the VanAndel Arena in Grand Rapids. Dave spoke for about 5 hours on the 7 steps to financial freedom. He became a millionaire in his 20s and also lost it all. He bought alot of real estate at that time and spent alot of money on vacations, cars, etc to show off. When he went broke, he didn't know what to do. He had a wife and 2 small children to support. He began to read the book of Proverbs in the bible and got alot of inspiration. He also began to talk with millionaires to see how they did it.
He is quite an inspiration to me. He says live today like no one else so you can live like no one else in the future. He says it is a great feeling now to have the money to be able to help others in need. This was my mothers day gift to my mom and a gift to myself.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
April 21, 2012: Latsch's, Best Buy, and Drywall
It has been a whirlwind of a day. I took Maggie for her grooming appointment at Sitting Pretty Pet Spa in Lakeside. Then, we went to Latsch's Flooring, owned by by co-worker, Ivi English-Bene's brother, and finalized our flooring. We got vinyl for the foyer, kitchen, dining room, and bathrooms. We have carpeting in the 4 season rooms, home office, bedrooms, and the basement.
We have been given a tentative closing date of June 5th.
Everyday, we are visiting the condo to see what else is done. The past few weeks haven't had much of a change. Today, when we went to the condo, they started working on the drywall sheets. It is starting to look like a house inside. It is supposed to take a week to do the drywall. They pretty much finished our neighbor's drywall so now they will work on ours.
The siding is done on the sides and the back, but the front still needs to be done. I was so ecstatic to see that I will have a small walk-in closet. I know we had the sketches, but I didn't quite realize it until I saw it in person.
We picked out our washer and dryer at Sears today.
My friend Sue Arnouts has a second job working at Meijer doing food samples, so we stopped to see her.
We also went to Best Buy to get my big screen TV, the sound bar, DVD player, and items needed for mounting. We are going to have the TV's mounted both upstairs and downstairs. I ended up getting a 55 inch Samsung LED flat panel TV. Yesterday, we had Geek Squad from Best Buy come out to the condo to assess our situation. Luckily, we did that, as we needed 2 additional electrical outlets (one upstairs and one downstairs) at a height of 5'10. We noticed today that both were added so we were very happy. Luckily, the other day, my laptop screen broke, so we had to go to Best Buy to get a new laptop. I decided to go check out TVs and talked with the sales person about the mounting services, so made an appointment to have them come out. Thank goodness we did it when we did, as we needed those additional outlets put in before the drywall sheets went up. God was definitely watching over us this week.
Then, we went to a wonderful Polish dinner at the Knights of Columbus. I took a nap and then went with Rhonda to see the Titanic movie in 3D. The Titanic sunk in April 1912, so for the 100th Anniversary, they wanted to recreate the movie in 3D. I had forgotten it was over 3 hrs long.
Today was a busy day, but we got alot accomplished.
We have been given a tentative closing date of June 5th.
Everyday, we are visiting the condo to see what else is done. The past few weeks haven't had much of a change. Today, when we went to the condo, they started working on the drywall sheets. It is starting to look like a house inside. It is supposed to take a week to do the drywall. They pretty much finished our neighbor's drywall so now they will work on ours.
The siding is done on the sides and the back, but the front still needs to be done. I was so ecstatic to see that I will have a small walk-in closet. I know we had the sketches, but I didn't quite realize it until I saw it in person.
We picked out our washer and dryer at Sears today.
My friend Sue Arnouts has a second job working at Meijer doing food samples, so we stopped to see her.
We also went to Best Buy to get my big screen TV, the sound bar, DVD player, and items needed for mounting. We are going to have the TV's mounted both upstairs and downstairs. I ended up getting a 55 inch Samsung LED flat panel TV. Yesterday, we had Geek Squad from Best Buy come out to the condo to assess our situation. Luckily, we did that, as we needed 2 additional electrical outlets (one upstairs and one downstairs) at a height of 5'10. We noticed today that both were added so we were very happy. Luckily, the other day, my laptop screen broke, so we had to go to Best Buy to get a new laptop. I decided to go check out TVs and talked with the sales person about the mounting services, so made an appointment to have them come out. Thank goodness we did it when we did, as we needed those additional outlets put in before the drywall sheets went up. God was definitely watching over us this week.
Then, we went to a wonderful Polish dinner at the Knights of Columbus. I took a nap and then went with Rhonda to see the Titanic movie in 3D. The Titanic sunk in April 1912, so for the 100th Anniversary, they wanted to recreate the movie in 3D. I had forgotten it was over 3 hrs long.
Today was a busy day, but we got alot accomplished.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
March 14, 2012: Neighbor Peggy/Stillwater
After work, my Mom, Maggie, and I our our neighbor, Peggy, over to Stillwater to show our lot and the condos. We walked a little on the bike path. She was quite impressed with the complex. She couldn't believe how many different styles of condos you can choose from. We walked inside the Greenfield that is in the process of being built. We didn't like the size of the bedrooms or the 2nd bathroom. The lady who is buying this condo wanted 2 bedrooms/2 full bathrooms on the first floor with a hallway that went out to a deck. I felt clausterphobic in this unit. So, we walked to the condo on the other side that had the 3 season room and liked that much better.
Three ladies (Kay, Joyce, and not sure on the other) that live at the complex stopped by to see these condos too and they didn't like that first one at all. They all have the 3 season room and love it. They gave us some suggestions. I am glad they were there to give us their thoughts, too. We have to have this figured out by Monday, as Ron's group will start taking down the trees on our lot.
Maggie enjoyed digging a hole in the sand. Peggy has had homes built in the past. She used to live on Milliard St. over by the lake. Peggy's son-in-law's mother is the sister of Tony Moulatsiotis's mother. What a small world.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
March 13, 2012: Purchase Agreement at Stillwater
My mom went to the bank yesterday to get her cashier's check for $20,000. We went for a meeting with Ron Stroup at 6 p.m. to sign the purchase agreement and give him the money. I still can't believe we are actually going to have a condo built and that my mom is going to do it. I think this will be a good thing for us.
On our way out of the office trailer, we ran into that young fella and his girlfriend. He asked if we had bought and we said yes. He asked where would it be and we said right across the street from him.
Then, my mom and I walked on the bike trail that goes around the complex. It was a beautiful trail that curved. It will be nice to be able walk on this bike path everyday.
On our way out of the office trailer, we ran into that young fella and his girlfriend. He asked if we had bought and we said yes. He asked where would it be and we said right across the street from him.
Then, my mom and I walked on the bike trail that goes around the complex. It was a beautiful trail that curved. It will be nice to be able walk on this bike path everyday.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
March 10, 2012: Stillwater Springs Condos
I sent an email to the builder of the Stillwater Springs Condos in Fruitport, as I wanted to see what the cost would be to have a condo built. I told my mom about the appointment, so we met with Ron Stroup, to figure out what would be our best needs.
He showed us 2 Greenfield models that were in the process of being built. It was hard to visualize the rooms, but we thought we would like the smaller one with 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms on the top floor.
He wrote down the price at $149,000 plus $2500 for the gas fireplace in the living room. He worked it out with my mom that she would need $20,000 down and then give him another $30,000 in April and then another $30,000 in May when her CDs mature. The remaining balance would be borrowed through the bank. He said he could have the condo built by the end of July/beginning of August.
We picked out a wooded lot on Turning Leaf Circle, which is across the street from the young fella that we stopped while we were driving around the complex last week. He was very helpful. He has lived here about 5 years. He said he really liked it. He works 12 hour days so he said it was nice to come home and not have to do yardwork. He told us we could stop by anytime with additional questions. He told us he was living in the unit that has the red pick up truck.
We have been touring these condos for about 5 years. It was just never the right time. I think my mom is excited about this building, but I think it will also be stressful for her to make all of these decisions.
He showed us 2 Greenfield models that were in the process of being built. It was hard to visualize the rooms, but we thought we would like the smaller one with 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms on the top floor.
He wrote down the price at $149,000 plus $2500 for the gas fireplace in the living room. He worked it out with my mom that she would need $20,000 down and then give him another $30,000 in April and then another $30,000 in May when her CDs mature. The remaining balance would be borrowed through the bank. He said he could have the condo built by the end of July/beginning of August.
We picked out a wooded lot on Turning Leaf Circle, which is across the street from the young fella that we stopped while we were driving around the complex last week. He was very helpful. He has lived here about 5 years. He said he really liked it. He works 12 hour days so he said it was nice to come home and not have to do yardwork. He told us we could stop by anytime with additional questions. He told us he was living in the unit that has the red pick up truck.
We have been touring these condos for about 5 years. It was just never the right time. I think my mom is excited about this building, but I think it will also be stressful for her to make all of these decisions.
Friday, March 2, 2012
March 2, 2012: 10 Year Anniversary at Work
Well, the day finally came when I became vested at work. I can't believe I have been working at the County of Muskegon for 10 years. I am finally vested, which means I will get a pension when I retire. It has not been an easy road at all. I have tried to leave the health department on 3 occasions, only to end up back in the department. It must be God's way of saying that I need to be working here for some unknown reason.
I celebrated my anniversary with a buttercreme frosted cake from the famous Ryke's Bakery and shared it with my co-workers. I know that whenever I bring in a Ryke's cake to work, I am going to have a bunch of friends that day.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
February 26, 2012: Homeward Bound
I was not looking forward to driving through Tampa. I am glad it was Sunday as the traffic should be less. Well, that was what I thought. We got into Tampa and the traffic was horrible. I hate driving on I-4 or anywhere around that area. I was glad to drop off the rental car and be done with that part.
The flight home was a different story. I had these two kids sitting behind me who kicked my seat for almost the full 2 hour flight. I was so pissed. Finally, I pushed the button and slammed my seat back into their laps. I think that helped make my point for a little while. The mother barely did anything to them. I would have separated those kids.
There was a nice family sitting next to me. Their son was afraid of flying and crying throughout the flight. The father said he was from Grand Haven. He was pretty nice. The mother was sitting in front of us with the daughter.
Jeanne and Kevin Reenders picked us up from the airport and we went for a wonderful dinner at Turk's Restaurant in Nunica. That cheeseburger was fantastic. I loved the bar cheese and chips too.
When we got home, we went inside and Maggie came to see us. I think she was happy to have us home and we were glad to be home.
My mom and I have wanted to move to Florida for many years and have travelled there on several occasions checking it out. We both agree that the traffic is terrible around there. It is a nice place to go on vacation in the winter.
I have been following the job market and news around Florida and North Carolina and it's bad. The unemployment rate in Ft. Myers was around 12% for the past year. My mom read in an article that Tampa has a high rate of suicides due partly to lack of jobs and people getting depressed about their situations.
Steve Dykema moved down to Florida 3 years ago and wasn't able to find a good paying job, nor was his wife able to find out. I read on his facebook he was glad to be moving back to Michigan, as he thought the people in Florida were rude and crackheads, not to mention the bad traffic, especially in the winter months.
Leah said she wants to move in about 5 years. She said the summers are so hot and miserable. I think she misses her family and friends back in Michigan.
So, now, we have to figure out what our next step will be in our lives, as moving out of state was our plans for many years.
The flight home was a different story. I had these two kids sitting behind me who kicked my seat for almost the full 2 hour flight. I was so pissed. Finally, I pushed the button and slammed my seat back into their laps. I think that helped make my point for a little while. The mother barely did anything to them. I would have separated those kids.
There was a nice family sitting next to me. Their son was afraid of flying and crying throughout the flight. The father said he was from Grand Haven. He was pretty nice. The mother was sitting in front of us with the daughter.
Jeanne and Kevin Reenders picked us up from the airport and we went for a wonderful dinner at Turk's Restaurant in Nunica. That cheeseburger was fantastic. I loved the bar cheese and chips too.
When we got home, we went inside and Maggie came to see us. I think she was happy to have us home and we were glad to be home.
My mom and I have wanted to move to Florida for many years and have travelled there on several occasions checking it out. We both agree that the traffic is terrible around there. It is a nice place to go on vacation in the winter.
I have been following the job market and news around Florida and North Carolina and it's bad. The unemployment rate in Ft. Myers was around 12% for the past year. My mom read in an article that Tampa has a high rate of suicides due partly to lack of jobs and people getting depressed about their situations.
Steve Dykema moved down to Florida 3 years ago and wasn't able to find a good paying job, nor was his wife able to find out. I read on his facebook he was glad to be moving back to Michigan, as he thought the people in Florida were rude and crackheads, not to mention the bad traffic, especially in the winter months.
Leah said she wants to move in about 5 years. She said the summers are so hot and miserable. I think she misses her family and friends back in Michigan.
So, now, we have to figure out what our next step will be in our lives, as moving out of state was our plans for many years.
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