Getting Back on the Balance Beam

WOW, it has been over a year since I have written anything on my blog! A lot has happened in the past year, but more so in the last few months. Rather than go over the details of the past, I am going to write about the events of today.

I am sitting in my husband's parent's family room watching my 86 year old Father-in-law fade away. He has had a good life, raised nine beautiful children and has a lovely wife of 60+ years.

As we wait for him to pass, life goes on for the rest of us but in a different way. I answer emails and texts, post on Facebook, communicate with clients, little things that I can manage while tending to the patient and family. Working out has not been a priority this past week but I did manage to squeeze in a short run yesterday. My eating habits, well I am trying to eat healthy and for the most part I do. I am watching my fellow Crossfiters blog about their meals. I am not nearly as disciplined as they are. I had coffee, 2 eggs and Ezekiel toast with a drizzle of honey for breakfast, a few peanut butter pretzels and half a ham sandwich for lunch, and will probably have left over chili for dinner. Not much snacking in between. Perhaps I could do without the wine that I drink in the evening to help me “chill”, but now may not be the time to stop that ritual. LOL

I should mention that I am coming off an injury, partial tear of my hamstring, and am anxious to get back to tennis and be in full workout mode. In the meantime, the coaches at Urban Warfit Crossfit have been so helpful in scaling the WODS for me. A positive: I am getting better performing pull ups! I will be doing my hamstring strengthening exercises today and go for a long walk, Lord willing.

Thankfully, Real Estate has slowed down for me this month. I had two closings in December which is not too common during the holidays. I have a few good prospects in the near future who are taking advantage of the still relatively low prices and interest rates. It has been a blessing that my work has temporarily decreased as I have been able to be available for family.

And do I dare talk about the fact that Chris and I are going to be empty nesters soon? That will be another blog.

Getting back on the balance beam!

Taste of Cave Creek

Have you ever wanted to taste a little bit of every restaurant in town? Cave Creek is hosting a delicious event that will satisfy your "foodie" cravings. Over two dozen local restaurants will be offering samples of their delectable food.

For $10, guests can sample wine, craft beer and tequila, enjoy live country and rock music, and browse a Sonoran Arts League fine-art exhibit. Food-tasting coupons are $1 to $4 each.

Event will be held from 5 to 10 p.m., Oct. 17 and 18. Stagecoach Village, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek.

You can be assured that this food lover will be there!

Go to Taste of Cave Creek for more information.

AZ's Centennial Celebration

Arizona turns 100 on February 14th and they are celebrating big this weekend with a PARTY of the CENTURY! There will be festivities all day Saturday and Sunday, February 11th and 12th. Head to Arizona's State Capitol Mall to enjoy FREE activities which includes:

Entertainment - Food - Music - Cultural Villages - Family Fun Zone - Beer & Wine Gardens - Arts & Crafts - Education Pavilions

Live performances by popular artists such as Gin Blossoms and George Benson.

Check out all the events here Centennial Party.

Emergency Alert System Test November 9 at 12PM AZ Time

On Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.(EST), the federal government will be conducting the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The test will last up to three and a half minutes. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. Please inform your staff and visitors that this event will be just a test, and not a real emergency alert.

The national Emergency Alert System is an alert and warning system that can be activated by the president, if needed, to provide information to the American public during emergencies. NOAA's National Weather Service, governors, and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. The test is an important exercise in ensuring that the system is effective in communicating critical information to the public in the event of a real national emergency.

Under the FCC's rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wire line video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system, as well as its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers both nationally and regionally. The test will also provide the FCC and FEMA a chance to identify improvements that need to be made to build a modernized and fully accessible Emergency Alert System.

Visit the FCC website for more information about the test, including additional answers to some frequently asked questions.

Additional links:

http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm

http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm

Unique Christmas Boutique in Cave Creek

Northridge Community Church in Cave Creek is holding its 4th Annual Christmas Boutique,
Saturday, November 5th from 10 am to 4 pm.
6363 E Dynamite, Cave Creek AZ 85331


There will be over 50 vendors selling unique and specialty items such as gourmet food, decorations, candles, purses, jewelry, clothing, cosmetics, and much more!

Get a jump on your Christmas shopping!

This event is sponsored by Kate’s Cup – a place for moms of young children to connect, relax and grow in a fun environment.

Running of the Bulls in Cave Creek

RUN WITH THE BULLS – October 14 & 15, 2011 in the town of Cave Creek, AZ , the 4th Running of the Bulls in America will take place. Join over 1,000 thrill seekers and experience an adrenaline rush of a life time by running a quarter mile in front of forty 1,500 lbs. raging bulls. Also at the event will be live music, vendors and food booths.

To Learn more click here... BULLS IN CAVE CREEK

FHA Limits Lowered as of October 1

FHA loan limits for Maricopa County have gone down from $346,250 to $271,050 as of Oct. 1st . Congress raised the conforming loan limits in 2008 and has extended them annually through 2011, but no action was made to meet the Sept. 30 deadline, therefore, the limits have decreased.

The effect on the marketplace began in August when major lenders stopped approving jumbo loans in anticipation of the decrease in loan limits. With the lower limits, many buyers will now have to put down at least 20 percent compared to the 3.5 percent previously available to them.

Despite the drop in conforming loan limits it is still a good time to purchase a home as rates are still extremely low. According to Freddie Mac, the average on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 4.01 percent from 4.09 percent this week.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give me a call! 602-318-5341