Brigita's Blog: March 2008

Attention all buyers!  Now is a great time to buy that dream home of yours! 

Yes, yes, I know that the media is telling us that the real estate market is terrible.  But, in reality, the market right now is great for the buyer! 

Here are some reasons as to why it is a great time to buy your home:

1.  The mortgage rates are low.  I don't think your interest rates will ever get much lower than they are now.

2.  There are many homes currently on the market to choose from.  The inventory is overabundant and chances are good that you will find the type of home you want at a price you can afford.

3.  Homes are now selling at a more reasonable market price.  Most of the homes have now come down to a more realistic price. 

4.  There are incentives for the home buyer.  First time home buyers can now also get mortgages which include no money down.  The home you're interested in needs updating or renovations?  You can include a renovation loan into your mortgage.  There are mortgages that will suit your needs.  Check with your local lender about this.

Make sure you check with your lender as to what you are able to afford.  Your lender will be able to inform you what kind of mortgage is right for you,  and the amount you are able to afford so you can shop for the right home without overextending your budget.

So, all you home-buyers!  Get ready . . . Set . . . . . GO!!!!  Get out there and buy that dream house now!  It's out there, somewhere with your name on it.  So go out there and find it while conditions are still in your favor!!  You never know when the market will change.

This afternoon I found this message forwarded to me from the Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS.  Thought I would pass this along to everyone in the area.

From: PA Senator Lisa Boscola [mailto:boscola@pasenate.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:37 PM
To: Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce
Subject: PPL Rate Caps

Dear Friends:

For months, I've been fight to keep PPL from raising our electric rates by 50% and putting a lot of small businesses OUT OF BUSINESS. Now I'm asking for your help.

Please get the word out to as many of your friends and family as you possibly can to attend the PUC public hearing on PPL's rates next week (April 2nd) in Bethlehem. 

The hearing is being held from 3 to 7 p.m. at NCC's Fowler Center on the southside. If people are too apathetic to show up, PPL will realize that they can do whatever they want and raise their rates as high as they want. But, if people really turn out and speak up, they will realize that they're in for a fight they're going to lose!

Please call my Bethlehem office at (610) 868-8667 to get more details about the hearing - and spread the word.

Sincerely,
Lisa

Let's all stick together and show up at the meeting and speak up to let PPL (Pennsylvania Power and Light) cannot do this to us.  How much more money can we give to everyone else?  Our pockets are already feeling empty.

Come one, come all to the Open House at the Northampton County Farm Bureau in Tatamy, PA.  It will be held on April 4th and 5th.  Items purchased in cash during the Open House will receive a 5% discount.

The Farm Bureau carries many items.  You can find items for horses, livestock and pets, including feeds for the animals.  You can also find grass seed, flower and vegetable seeds for your garden, gardening tools and items, etc. 

Are you a bird watcher?  They have quite a selection of bird houses and feeders, plus bird seed.

Need fencing?  The Farm Bureau has a variety of fencing to choose from. 

Do you have children or grandchildren that are interested in tractors or horses?  Don't fret.  There's something for them there, too.  The Farm Bureau carries Breyer horses for the horse lover and heavy duty tractor toys for the young farmer.

As you can see, the Farm Bureau has a lot of merchandise for you to choose from, some I haven't even mentioned.  So, head on out to the Open House at the Northampton County Farm Bureau and check it out.  You may end up finding something you need to spruce up your home this spring.

The annual Tack Sale in Northampton County will be held April 12th, this year.  It will be held at the Northampton County 4H Center on Bushkill Center Rd. just 4 miles north of Nazareth, PA.

Some of you may be asking at this point, what is a tack sale?  In simple terms, a tack sale is a "horsey" yard sale.  If you are looking for anything for your horse or yourself as a rider, you will most likely find it here.  You will find new and used items, such as saddles, bridles, halters, supplements, riding boots and clothes, etc.  Sometimes you even come across bargains that you cannot resist.

If you are getting out of the horse business, or your kids have outgrown their riding apparel, this is the ideal place to sell your tack.  Every year, the place is crowded with people looking for something for their child or horse.  Most of the time they find what they are looking for. 

The event starts at 11AM, but many come early to check everything out.  The sale ends at 2PM.

You can even gets some food and drink (like hot dogs, water, soda, coffee, chips, etc.) if you happen to be hungry. 

So, April 12th, come on out to the Northampton County 4H Center to check out the Annual Northampton County Tack Sale.  Chances are that you will most likely leave with something in hand.

It is 3:30AM Easter Morning.  You are awaken by the sound of music.  Music?  At 3:30 in the morning?  That's right!

It is tradition in Nazareth, PA for the Nazareth Moravian Church Brass Choir to walk down the streets of Nazareth playing their Brass instruments early Easter morning.  This tradition started back in the 1740's when the Moravians settled Nazareth and has continued until present day. 

Many residents come out of their homes to greet the brass choir, some sleepy-eyed, with "Happy Easter!" or "Christ has Risen!"  Newcomers to Nazareth have called the police to find out what is going on.  Few call the police to complain about the loud music.  Most Nazareth residents find it a pleasant experience.

This year, the police have been notified ahead of time and will escort the brass choir during their walk down the streets of Nazareth to settle any complaints about the "noise" so early in the morning.

It is truly a very nice experience, waking up to music played by the Nazareth Moravian Church Brass Choir on Easter Morning. 

REJOICE, CHRIST HAS RISEN!

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!  

How Smart Are You?

Answer the following questions and see how well you do.  The answers to the questions are at the end.  Now no cheating now. 

Questions:

1. The maker doesn't want it; the buyer doesn't use it; and the user doesn't see it. What is it?

2. A child is born in Boston, Massachusetts to parents who were both born in Boston, Massachusetts. The child is not a United States citizen. How is this possible?

3. Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain on Earth?

4. Clara Clatter was born on December 27th, yet her birthday is always in the summer. How is this possible?

5. Captain Frank and some of the boys were exchanging old war stories. Art Bragg offered one about how his grandfather led a battalion against a German division during World War I. Through brilliant maneuvers he defeated them and captured valuable territory. After the battle he was presented with a sword bearing the inscription "To Captain Bragg for Bravery, Daring and Leadership. World War I. From the Men of Battalion 8." Captain Frank looked at Art and said, "You really don't expect anyone to believe that yarn, do you?" What's wrong with the story?

6. What is one thing that all wise men, regardless of their religion or politics, agreed is between heaven and earth?

7. In what year did Christmas and New Year's fall in the same year?

8. A woman from New York married ten different men from that city, yet she did not break any laws. None of these men died and she never divorced. How was this possible?

9. Why are 1990 American dollar bills worth more than 1989 American dollar bills?

10. How many times can you subtract the number 5 from 25?

11. A taxi driver was called to take a group of passengers to the train station. The station is normally an hour away, but with traffic being extra heavy, it took a full hour and a half. On the return trip the traffic was still as heavy and yet it took only 90 minutes. Why?

12. How could you rearrange the letters in the words "new door" to make one word? Note: There is only one correct answer.

13. Even if they are starving, natives living in the Arctic will never eat a penguin's egg. Why not?

14. Which is correct to say, "The yolk of the egg are white" or "The yolk of the egg is white"?

15. In Okmulgee, Oklahoma, you cannot take a picture of a man with a wooden leg. Why not?

16. There were an electrician and a plumber waiting in line for admission to the "International Home Show". One of them was the father of the other's son. How could this be possible?

17. After the new Canon Law that took effect on November 27, 1983, would a Roman Catholic man be allowed to marry his widow's sister?

Answers:

1. A coffin

2. The child was born before 1776

3. Mount Everest, it just hadn't been discovered!

4. Clara lives in the southern hemisphere.

5. World War I wasn't called "World War I" until World War II.

6. The word "and".

7. They fall in the same year every year, New Year's Day just arrives very early in the year and Christmas arrivesvery late in the same year.

8. The lady was a Justice of the Peace.

9. One thousand nine hundred and ninety dollar bills are worth one dollar more than one thousand nine hundred and eighty-nine dollar bills.

10. Only once, then you are subtracting it from 20.

11. An hour and a half IS 90 minutes.

12. "one word"

13. Penguins live in the Antarctic.

14. Neither, the yolk of the egg is yellow.

15. You have to take a picture of a man with a camera, not with a wooden leg.

16. They were husband and wife.

17. He can't because he's dead.

Here's a cute little prayer I found that I wanted to share.  I'm sure all of the women will understand it and it kind of says it all.

The Nazareth Area High School Theatre Troupe presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical "Oklahoma".

Performance dates will be April 11, 12, 18, 19 with curtain time at 7:30PM

Matinee performance dates will be Sunday, April 13 starting at 2PM

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students.

Those of you that would like to have dinner before the show, a Dinner Theatre will be offered Saturday April 12, with dinner at 6PM in the HS Cafeteria and show starting at 7:30PM in the HS Auditorium.  The dinner menu will consist of your choice of:

Fresh Fruit Cup or Salad with Dressings
Steam Ship Round of Beef (carved on serving line)
Herb Roasted Chicken with Corn Bread Filling
Flame Roasted Whole Kernel Corn with Peppers
Parsley Buttered Carrot Slims
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Apple Crisp with Topping or Lemon Meringue Pie
Sugar Free Jello with Topping
Rolls and Butter
Coffee, Tea, Lemonade, Ice Tea and Water

MMMMMmmmmmmmm!  That menu sounds great!  My mouth is watering already.  The tickets for the Dinner Theatre are $30.  The dinner theatre tends to sell out quickly, so hurry and get your reservations in fast.

You may make reservations for the rest of the performances ahead of time or just before the show.  But, please do be aware that if you wait to purchase the tickets before the show, you may not get choice seating. 

The Nazareth Area HS Theatre Troupe does put on great musicals and you will truely enjoy yourself.  I know first hand.  I go every year.  You will not regret it.

For reservations call: 610-746-9002

"LIVE NUDES  
EXIT 45"

Imagine driving along the highway and seeing a sign along the way that you see above.  Unbelievable, isn't it?

Well, this message was REALLY there on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation message board along Route 78 in Berks County, PA, on Sunday morning. 

I'm sure it was quite an eye opener for many motorists.  Hey, maybe that was a way for the Transportation Dept. to wake many of the drivers.  You think?  Nah!  Makes too much sense.

This post is about a little girl that I am a "big sister" to.  She is a great little girl that I am proud of.  Let me start from the beginning.

I met Suzy (that is what I will call her) several years ago when I was working at a day care.  She immediately took to me.  At lunch time, she always wanted me to sit next to her, and during play time outdoors, she always wanted me to play with her.  Her favorite was when I raced against her and some of the other children.  Of course, they always won.  (I could never figure out why they were always faster than me.  Maybe because of their energy?  LOL) 

Once Suzy found out that I had a horse, we ended up being even closer.  You see, she is a horse lover.  Not only that, she is a lot like I was when I was her age.  She is more of a tomboy, like me, than a little girl that loves to dress up and play with dolls.  When she plays with dolls, it has to include horses.  Boy, does that bring back memories.

As time went on, I took her to a couple of horse shows, and she had a blast.  This energetic little girl was able to sit through the classes with no problems.  She couldn't wait to go to another show.  She then got involved in my 4H club and I started giving her riding lessons.  Suzy was so focused during the lesson and never complained about a thing.  She enjoyed every minute.  This little girl showed improvement in each of her lessons.  It seemed like she had been practicing on her own, but I know she hasn't because she does not own a horse. 

Suzy calls me every so often if she has something exciting to tell me or if she wants to invite me to one of her events. 

Suzy has been going through a rough period lately.   With her parents divorcing and the sale of the house she has called home her whole life, her school work has been suffering and her behavior has changed.  What has helped her is taking her to the barn.  But, there was a catch to it.  She needed to improve her behavior and get back to doing her school work.  (I have to add, Suzy just loves to be at the barn, for whatever reason, even if it is to help clean the stalls or just to groom the horses.  That's what I call a true horseperson.)

Suzy is better with her behavior and her school work.  She seems to take pride in everything she does.  It's a joy being a part of her life.