Take Charge Of Your Credit!

I have been in the mortgage business since 1986. I started off as a Realtor but soon discovered that serious buyers were not interested in working with a wet behind the ears twenty-one (21) year old kid.... So I went into the loan side and I have never looked back.... Today I own a pretty busy contract loan processing business....

Over the years, I have run across many different types of borrowers - young adults buying their first home - that is so very exciting to me - to be a part of a life changing event. Borrowers who want to refinance their home for a better program. Borrowers who wants to refinance their home to payoff debt - get cash out to pay for their daughter's wedding - or take that vacation they have been meaning to take... There are a gazillion different reasons people choose to get loans on their homes.....

Lately I have been running across a lot of credit problems.. People who have over extended themselves by over charging on their credit cards... I have been seeing a lot of late payments and deteriorating credit scores.. People utilizing credit lines that they once would never consider... A lot of my clients are unaware how this behavior is affecting their existing credit life... One thing that I have learned it's very difficult to bring up bad credit but very easy to bring good credit down. We must be wise and know exactly where we are... There are many companies that can keep you posted on how you are doing.

Last week - I received a file to process - the borrowers wanted to refinance their home and take advantage of today's great rates - they had good paying jobs, money in the bank, and their home was worth a good amount...and I could not do this loan because there was a $21,960 collection on their credit report and they had to get rid of it or pay it off. The borrower said it wasn't theirs - after investigating it further - it was in deed theirs - a collection from several years ago that compounded fees and interest.. It went from $689 to over $20,000 and they did not have a clue!!!

We need to take charge of our credit - we need to know what's going on - who is checking it.. what charges are on it - has someone taken over my cards - Many years ago when the check/debit cards just came out - I received a call from Bank of America asking me if I had been to Mexico lately... I replied I had not - someone had created a card with my number (I had my card) and withdrawn $5000 out of our checking and savings accounts... One of the purchases was a one way ticket to Africa and another was a $1200 bar tab at a dance club in Tijuana... crazy.. It took us over six (6) months to get that money back... I don't know about you but $5000 missing out my accounts hurt....

On my side bar there are a couple of companies that can help protect you. Identity Truth is a company that provides Identity theft protection. Ovation Law will help you clean your credit. My Fico and Equifax gives you a Birdseye of your credit and helps you to be on top of your credit score. Please check them out - even if you don't purchase anything - they may give you some good ideas...

Freebie Friday

I was exploring Free Stuff/Freebie/Free Samples and ran across an offer for a free Snuggie Blanket - not sure how legit it is but I signed up.... Click here for the possibility of a free Snuggie.

One of the things I really like about being a blogger - is learning about all the great free stuff to be had. Free is one of my most favorite words...... I'm sure it's probably yours too....

One of my deepest desires is to one day go into the mission field - the thought of bringing God's word to the unreached is something I feel very strongly about and I know it will happen - in God's timing. While surfing the free stuff site - I ran across this free book called Revolution in World Missions - yesterday I ordered and click here if you are interested as well.

If you look on the side bar of this blog you will see the opportunity to get coupons.. These coupons are for everyday products that you can buy at your grocery store - there is no charge to you.... You only save money.... I average $30 - $100 a month on coupon savings and discounts at my favorite movies, fast food, and restaurants...

** Please note that the coupons and/or discounts offer no guarantee - but so far they have worked for me. Have a great "Freebie Friday"

A Wife's Christmas Present

My sister, Tammy posted this video on her Face Book today - I had to laugh.... My comment was "I am not going to let my husband see this - he might get an idea....."

So the next time - you are about to yell at her significant other - think of this....

My "Must See" Scary Movies

I have a confession to make.... Many of you would be surprised... I'm thinking that Diane at Good Mourning, Glory wouldn't be surprised - I think she gets me.... I love love love horror movies.... and scary books.... Vampires are usually my favorite mode of fright... Psychological terror is a close 2nd.... But the poltergeists type movies are nothing to laugh at... Remember the little girl in front of the TV saying, "They're Baaaaaccckkk" - doesn't that just run chills up and down your spine?

I was going to list my "Top Ten" scary movies - but it is so hard to put the movies in order because they are so different.... So here is my list of "Must See" Scary movies..... not in any particular order...

Halloween (the original) the music alone.. makes this a classic!

The Exorcist - (the newer released one) for a couple of reasons:1) there are no more subliminal pictures - you can actually see the demons for a few seconds in random places - now I know why it was frightening watching the mother walk through the kitchen - there were demons on the appliances - in the original cut - you didn't see them with the naked eye - now you do... And the walking upside down the stairs is very freaky to watch... This movie was way before its time..

The Fog - (the original) I will forever be freaked out by fog.

Nightmare On Elm Street (the first one) I remember watching this movie at a friend's house and coming home and finding out that my other friend was watching it too - freaked us out - in the movie the friends all had the same dream... I guess you had to be there...

Fright Night - kept me on my toes.. and looking in my closet.. Just Don't invite them in...

John Carpenter's Vampire - call me crazy but the vampire was kind of you know...umm sexy? Or is that just me?

Salem's Lot - the version on TV years and years ago - not the remake.... The friend floating outside the bedroom window....

The Omen (all of the them) original versions - the scary innocence of the anti Christ was great film making...

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - yes this campy movie is fun....

When a Stranger Calls - the original - I was just starting to babysit during this time and believe me I always checked the children, the closets, under the beds.. and everywhere...

Phantasm - I remember sneaking into this movie at the theaters in the 70's - the finger in a box will never be the same....

Carrie - again the original.... Sissy Spacek was amazing and terrifying...

The Ring - the first one....

Lost Boys - Jason Patric and Kiefer Sutherland.. The music was incredible - I own the soundtrack.

There are so many others - but this is a good starter list....

My birthday is coming up soon and my friend Cathie asked me if I wanted to go see Paranormal Activity with her... She knows me well...

Paranormal Activity is a new movie that has come out - it's suppose to be the "Blair Witch Project" of 2009 - all I know is that the few people I know that have viewed have all said "It's the scariest movie they have seen... ever" - I'm looking forward to deciding on my own.... Below is a clip for the movie - what do you think?

Dusty's Halloween Decorations

My husband is the son of a teacher - a home economics teacher... Growing up his home was decorated for every season... including President's Day.. seriously...

So last night before his poker buddies came over for their twice a year get together he decided to spruce up the house a little....

My Day Off At The Most "Crowded" Happiest Place On Earth

Yesterday I did what I said I was going to do... I went to Disneyland.. along with the rest of Southern California and a couple of other states and throw in a few countries and there you have it... The most crowded "Happiest" place on earth... Seriously, it wasn't so bad... The decorations were great and festive and orange... and you can find a lot to talk about standing in line for Space Mountain for 1.5 hours.. Yep - it was so crowded the Fast passes sold out before 2:00 in the afternoon.. No kidding...



We did play it smart - right when we walked in the park - we headed for the Haunted Mansion and got Fast Passes - the line was like nothing I had ever seen... Every one was there to see Jack.. So we got our passes and then we went next door to Splash Mountain - we stood in line for about 40 minutes - we visited with some great people from Costa Rica - enjoyed that.. Good thing the late morning/early afternoon was warm because we got soaked... It was very funny... A wave literally came over the log ride and drenched us....



After Splash Mountain - we were able to walk right into the Haunted Mansion - Love it! I had never seen it decorated for Halloween and Christmas - There was a huge Jack (from the Night before Christmas) dressed as Santa - awesome.... I wish I could have taken a picture of that.... Now I know what all the fuss was about..



This was the best picture I could take - while walking into the Haunted Mansion - The park was so crowded that they sold out Friday and Saturday. I was too pooped to stay for the fireworks - so today after tonight's Bible study we went as a family for dinner and fireworks.... Since the husband does not have a pass we watched from the top of the parking garage.. Very nice... but next week - I'm watching from inside the park!

No Work For Me On Saturday

My name is Kelly and I am a workaholic - it's true. I am very bad at delegating - no one can do it as well as I can.... Being a business owner makes it even tougher - if I don't work over time.. all the time... the income starts to trickle off and then I have to start all over again.....

Today - I came to the realization that my kids are missing me.... Even though I work out of my home office - I still have my office door closed - I might as well be out of the house.... I think my kids are okay with me working until 6:00 or later during the week day - they too have their work cut out for them... It's the weekends that drives my youngest especially insane... She is really missing mom and daughters time... I miss it too.....

So Kelly's Idea for Saturday - chuck it all - no work for me... I having girl time at the Happiest Place on Earth - We're going to Disneyland!

Somethings Should Not Be Posted On Face Book First!

As many of you know - I am a Face Book junkie... Yes, my name is Kelly and I am a Face Book junkie... But I have to say - there are some things you DO NOT put on Face Book until you have talked to your family.... your loved ones... As my work day was winding down - I went to check Face Book to see what was going on..... with my friends and loved ones.. This is what I read from my sister.... my best friend... ON FACE BOOK!!!!!

Status: Debbie - I'm scheduled for brain surgery on November 19th to remove a tumor. Prayers are appreciated... I'm a little overwhelmed with this.. I know it'll be OK.. but just a bit scared :) Yes, my dear sister put a little smiley face at the end of her status.....

As you can imagine, I called that little missy right up on the phone and chewed her out for not calling me first... What was she thinking posting this before letting me know... I'll tell you, I gave her the what for and the what not.... Because of course, it's always about me....

So, I ask you friends in blogger land - please lift my sister, Debbie up in prayer... Please pray that the doctors will remove the tumor without complications... Pray that Debbie will feel peace and know that she is in God's hands.... Please pray for her two daughters and her husband that they will be a strong support for her... that they will also find peace and that God's loving hand will be felt during this trying time...

My "Famous" Fried Pork chops

Ingredients

4 thick pork loins (chops) all fat trimmed
Lawry's Seasoned Salt 2 TBSP
Red Pepper 1/2 - 3/4 tsp
garlic salt or powder 1 TSP
2 cups flour
2 eggs (beaten)
2 cups oil

Preheat oil on medium low heat

Season chops with Lawry seasoned salt - tenderize - I used a fork

dip chop in egg and then the flour - carefully place in preheated oil.

Cover with lid - cook about 5-8 minutes

Coating should be nice and golden...

Cover with lid - cook about 5-8 minutes

I usually check if cooked completely by slicing a copy in the thick part.... if white it's done..

This recipe is very easy and it's always a winner with my family.... I usually serve cheesy potatoes, apple sauce, and home made cornbread with honey butter.... yum..

Enjoy

Let's Be Content...

If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:8

Each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. 1 Corinthians 7:17

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. Psalm 37:16-17

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, where well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:11-12

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:6