What a Year; 2008!!!!

I don't know about y'all, but I'm glad to see 2008 leave!!

From natural disasters like the tornado's that hit downtown Atlanta, the collapse of the American Banking System, record breaking foreclosure rate, mortgage fraud, record breaking business closures, record breaking crime rate, etc.

Now, I know that a lot of the problems from 2008 will just linger in to the new year, but it's that belief that a new year will bring new beginnings! It's like when I was a kid, the belief that if I were good all year, Santa Claus will bring me all the things I wanted for Christmas. Now, as an adult, my belief in God is solid. I believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I believe if I try my best to live by God's standards, my lord will bless me in a way that no one can imagine. I know I will fall short sometimes, but my belief in him and asking for his forgiveness in my time of shortcomings will prevail.

See, life if full of beliefs and promises. When you stop believing in the good things in life, you change who you are. You lose Hope! You lose focus on whats your purpose in life.

My grandparents always said that there are only two things in life that is guaranteed.
1. Death
2. Taxes

Well, I'm going to change that slogan today.

There's only two things in life that I guarantee that no one can take from you:
1. Your Belief
2. Your Will

Your Belief and Will to make things better.
Your Belief and Will to never give up.
Your Belief and Will to be the best person you can be.

My friends, I'm looking forward in 2009!!

I'm looking forward to the new year and new beginnings.

So join me in Celebrating the coming of a new year!!!.

Pass this article on to friends and family members who may be a little down about their current conditions.

I BELIEVE IN YOU!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"Hot Water" Cornbread

Ingredients needed:

1 cup white cornmeal, 1 cup yellow cornmeal, tsp salt, 2 cups of boiling water, canola oil, and 2 tablespoon of shortening

Preparations:

Mix 1 cup of white cornmeal, yellow cornmeal, and 1 tsp of salt

Pour 2 cups of boiling water into the mix

Add 2 tablespoons of shortening

Mix for 2 - 3 minutes

Set aside and let cool for approximately 20 minutes

Heat canola oil in frying pan

Pinch off a piece of dough and pat into small round cakes

Dip the cakes in the baking powder

Place into the frying pan (Careful!!! Hot!!!)

Cook on each side until golden brown

Remove from frying pan and serve hot!!!!!!

Hope you enjoy your meal.

Fried Turkey Breast

Instead of a traditional oven cooked Turkey for dinner, do a deep fried Turkey Breast instead. Turkey breast are smaller, cheaper, and a lot quicker to cook than an traditional oven cooked Turkey.

Ken's Family Recipes is as follows:

FRIED TURKEY BREAST

Ingredients needed:

Turkey Breast,Season Salt, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Flour, Butter, Black Pepper, and Canola Oil

Preparations:

• If frozen, completely thaw out Turkey Breast


• Fill a deep deep boiler with Canola Oil half way


• Heat Canola Oil 350 degrees in a deep deep boiler


• Melt a stick of butter in frying pan


• Use a cooking brush and spread a light coat of butter over Turkey Breast


• Season Turkey breast with a sprinkle of Season Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, and Onion Powder


• Using cooking brush again, gently spread another light coat of butter over Turkey Breast (this keep the seasons secure on the Turkey)


• Lightly coat your hands with floor (make sure your hands are clean :-)) and pat the Turkey Breast


• Use two large cooking forks and grab the Turkey Breast on each side


• Gently lower the Turkey Breast in the Boiler (Be careful, its HOT!!!!)


• Do not cover with a Lid !!!!!!


• Do not leave the Turkey Breast unattended while cooking (Fire Caution!!!!!)


• Cook Turkey Breast for 4 minutes per pound

FOR THOSE THAT ARE AFRAID TO DEEP FRY THE TURKEY BREAST OVER THE STOVE, YOU CAN BUY A TURKEY FRYER AND FOLLOW THE SAME DIRECTIONS!

• Remove Turkey Breast from boiler with large cooking fork and rest the Turkey Breast on a plate covered in paper towels to catch the oil draining from the Turkey Breast.

Slice and Serve Hot!!!

Hope you enjoy!

Get a Home Warranty

If your purchasing a home soon consider getting a Home Warranty for your investment.

What’s a Home Warranty?A home warranty is a service contract, normally for one year, which helps protect home owners against the cost of unexpected covered repairs or replacement on their major systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. Coverage is for systems and appliances in good working order at the start of the contract.Check your home warranty policy to see which of the following items are covered. Also find out if the policy covers the full replacement cost of an item.

Plumbing
Electrical systems
Furnace
Water heater
Heating ducts
Water pump
Dishwasher
Garbage disposal
Stove/cooktop/ovens
Microwave
Refrigerator
Washer/dryer
Swimming pool (may be optional)

Source: American Home Shield, www.ahswarranty.com

Common Closing Cost for Buyers

You’ll likely be responsible for a variety of fees and expenses that you and the seller will have to pay at the time of closing. Your lender must provide a good-faith estimate of all settlement costs. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for:

Down payment
Loan origination
Points, or loan discount fees, which you pay to receive a lower interest rate
Home inspection
Appraisal
Credit report
Private mortgage insurance premium
Insurance escrow for homeowner’s insurance, if being paid as part of the mortgage
Property tax escrow, if being paid as part of the mortgage. Lenders keep funds for taxes and insurance in escrow accounts as they are paid with the mortgage, then pay the insurance or taxes for you.
Deed recording
Title insurance policy premiums
Land survey
Notary fees
Prorations for your share of costs, such as utility bills and property taxes

**A Note About Prorations: Because such costs are usually paid on either a monthly or yearly basis, you might have to pay a bill for services used by the sellers before they moved. Proration is a way for the sellers to pay you back or for you to pay them for bills they may have paid in advance. For example, the gas company usually sends a bill each month for the gas used during the previous month. But assume you buy the home on the 6th of the month. You would owe the gas company for only the days from the 6th to the end for the month. The seller would owe for the first five days. The bill would be prorated for the number of days in the month, and then each person would be responsible for the days of his or her ownership.

9 Steps to buying a Home

Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.

1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.

2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell.If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer — you risk losing out on the home of your dreams. The housing market usually doesn’t change fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.

3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the people who will be living in the home.

4. Accept that no house is ever perfect.
If it’s in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities and focus in on things that are most important to you. Let the minor ones go.

5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or by refusing to budge on your offer may cost you the home you love. Negotiation is give and take.

6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself — room size, kitchen, etc. — that you forget about important issues as noise level, location to amenities, and other aspects that also have a big impact on your quality of life.

7. Plan ahead. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate home insurance, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.

8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget.Even if you buy a new home, there will be costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big financial commitment. But it also yields big benefits. Don’t lose sight of why you wanted to buy a home and what made you fall in love with the property you purchased.

Credit Crisis Bailout

Everyday I hear some news on the Government trying to find ways to bailout irresponsible people due to the credit crisis. Take the irresponsible homeowner who wanted to keep up with the "Joneses" and decided to buy a home that they knew they couldn't afford but in the mist of wanting everyone to say, "OoooH!! you have a nice home!", they took out the ARM or Interest- Only loan anyway. Now, the government want to help these people. Take the irresponsible bankers who approved all these bad loans so they could get bigger bonuses or a new Yacht or whatever they wanted. Take the irresponsible Freddie and Fannie Mac CEO's who bought all these bad loans with no questions asked.



One question?



1. What about all the responsible people who waited 5 - 7 years to save up a down payment to put on a home and get a good interest rate and a fix rate mortgage?



2. What about the responsible people who lives within their "means" and continue to pay their bills on time?



What about Me?



I have to watch the value of my home decrease because of these irresponsible people.

I have to listen to how the government tend to reward people for making ignorant decisions in life.



Now lets take one moment to think about this: When they bailout all these people, it's only going to make the economy worst. Why? Because after all the bailout, these people are going to have bad credit and they will not be able to take out loans to buy new houses. Their not going to be able to get credit cards to help the banks. They will still continue to make bad decisions and so therefore, they are not going to have money to spend to help the economy.



So, let's help the responsible people out there. Why don't we re-adjust the value of the people homes that are not in trouble so our payments could be lower. That means that the responsible people will have more money to spend on home improvements, new car sales, or become an investor and buy some of these foreclosure homes. See, the economy will benefit more if you help the responsible people because we know how to manage money and make wise decisions.



I'm writing my Congressman and I hope my readers will due the same!!

Congratulations, Job Well Done!

Congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama!

The feeling that has spread throughout the African American community is indescribable. It took me a few days to write this blog.

I'll keep it short and sweet:

Congratulations Barack Obama and family. I'll see you on 1/20/2009.

Key States Having Voting Problems

The troubles have already started. Key states like Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida have all reported problems at 7:00 am. In Virginia and Florida, voter cards has not arrived. In North Carolina, power outage at Polling location.

It's time for the American people to say "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH".

First time (2000) shame on me.
Second time (2004) shame on you.
Third time (2008) IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!!!

Get out an Vote, whether it take 6 hours or 16 hours, make your vote count. Don't let the Republican party steal another one.

Send a message, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. This is a People Country and not a Republican Country.

Obama's Grandmother Dies

My prayers are with you and your family Senator Barack Obama.

God Bless You.

Barack Obama TV Segment

I enjoyed the TV segment Senator Obama presented last night. It was well organized.

Now, if people in America is serious about a new direction for this country, how can you not vote for Senator Obama.

Lets take a look back for a moment:

He have definitely change the way a political campaign is organized and maintained. His "grassroot" movement has proven that you can run a well respected campaign. The use of text messaging and his interactive website is great. Change #1

His acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention where he accepted the nomination outside in an football stadium with over 85,000 people abroad. Change #2

His televised segment last night. Wonderfully put together. I would say he put the nail in the coffin last night. Change #3

He has continue to show the world that he can be a good leader of this great nation.

McCain criticizes paper for not releasing tape

Here we go again!

An Associated Press Writer from the AJC writes,
"Republicans John McCain and Sarah Palin accused the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday of protecting Barack Obama by withholding a videotape of the Democrat attending a 2003 party for a Palestinian-American professor and critic of Israel. McCain and Palin cited the paper's position as evidence of media bias. The Times has endorsed Obama's candidacy. If there was a tape of John McCain in a neo-Nazi outfit, I think the treatment of the issue would be slightly different, McCain said in an interview with Hispanic radio stations. Palin said the Times should win a Pulitzer Prize for "kowtowing." It must be nice for a candidate to have major news organizations looking out for their best interests like that. Politicians would love to have a pet newspaper of their very own, she said."

Did you know?
McCain also has ties to Khalidi through a group that Khalidi helped found 15 years ago. The Center for Palestine Research and Studies has received more than $800,000 from an organization that McCain chairs. Huumm!!!!!

Now, I grew up in the East lake area back in the 1970's and 1980's. The projects, East Lake, was known back then as "Lil Vietnam". I had some friends that did a lot of bad things. They were friends because I grew up there. I didn't believe or participated in any bad things with them, but if you listen to McCain and Palin, then I'm a very bad person right about now.

I joined the military back in 1992 and served until 2006. I work in a medical facility and I'm married with 3 kids. I pay my taxes and I donate to charity. Yet, I'm a bad person because when I was 8 yrs old until I graduated from high school because I knew some really bad people.

If I have believed in the McCain/Palin logic, I would have been a totally different person today.

If this country believed in the McCain/Palin logic:
1. We will still be slaves today.
2. We will have no right to vote.
3. We will still be in the back of the bus
4. We will still have separate restrooms and water fountains
5. We will have no chance for advance education opportunities

Because the McCain/Palin logic is guilty by association and once a Spade is always a Spade.

CNN's Campbell Brown Comments

CNN's Campbell Brown comments on Senator Obama decision not to take public financing.
She quotes:
"One year ago, he made a promise. He pledged to accept public financing and to work with the Republican nominee to ensure that they both operated within those limits.
Then it became clear to Sen. Obama and his campaign that he was going to be able to raise on his own far more cash than he would get with public financing. So Obama went back on his word."

BACK ON HIS WORD?

My sister called me today and invited me to a Halloween party this Thursday PM. I said yes of course. Later, I realized that my 7 yr old son has a tee-ball game that same night, so I called her back to cancel. Did I go back on my word?
No, after having time to think, I made a decision not to attend the party. I felt like it was in my best interest to cancel.

Six months ago, I booked a cruise to the Bahamas for me and my wife. A few weeks ago I decided to cancel and get a refund due to the economic crisis we are in. Did I go back on my word?
No, after thinking about current economic conditions, I made a decision to change my past decision. I felt like it was in my best interest to cancel.

Both of these examples was hard for me because I love my wife and sister dearly, but, as a responsible person, sometimes I have to make decisions like these in order to make things work. It may not always be a popular decision, but I try to make the right ones.

We need a President that will make good decisions to get this country back on its feet.

We had 8 years of a President that make bad decisions and tooooooo stubborn to re-evaluate that decision and make a good sound decision.

We had 8 years of a President that don't want to listen to our Allies or Enemies to try to help ease tensions across this planet.

So to all those who wants to hop on the Campbell Brown express of thinking....................

SO WHAT!!!!

Senator Obama made an initial decision. After evaluating that decision, he made a decision that he felt was in his campaign best interest. He put his trust in the American people donations. And it has paid off. What a good decision.

Now, don't forget to watch his speech tonight, after all, he paid good money for it :-)

Amazing!!!

It's Amazing that in the year 2008, I have read and witness so much hidden hatred lately. This whole idea that the "redistribution of wealth" is something new and bad for America. Cum on! people, why don't you just come out and admit the obvious.

You don't want an African American President!!!!!!!

Redistribution of Wealth:

My taxes help fund the $10 billion war in Iraqi

My taxes help fund the $700 billion bailout for the wealthy executives on Wall Street

My taxes help fund foreign countries who hate us dearly

My taxes help fund companies that send jobs oversees

My taxes help fund new explorations to drill for more oil

My taxes..........

My taxes..........

My taxes..........

Well, you can finish if you want to. Its never been a problem of redistribution of wealth for the wealthy, only when someone wants to help those that really need the help.

Prayer solves everything.

My suggestion is for a lot of people to start praying about their Hidden Feelings!