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November 2009

1 -- Daylight Saving Time Ends
3 -- Election Day
10 -- Marine Corps Birthday
11 -- Veteran's Day
26 -- Thanksgiving Day

4052 SUMMERWOOD

Total Sq. Feet: 2,949
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3

5 Reasons to Buy a Home Now

If you've been waiting for home prices or interest rates to fall further before you buy a home, it's time to rethink your strategy.

A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be.
~ Albert Einstein

Existing-Home Sales Bouncing Back

According to the National Association of Realtors®, existing-home sales bounced back strongly in September with first-time buyers driving much of the activity -- marking five gains in the past six months.

Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and coops – jumped 9.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.57 million units in September from a level of 5.10 million in August, and are 9.2 percent higher than the 5.10 million-unit pace in September 2008. Sales activity is at the highest level in over two years.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said favorable conditions matched with a tax credit are boosting home sales. “Much of the momentum is from people responding to the first-time buyer tax credit, which is freeing many sellers to make a trade and buy another home,” Yun said. “We are hopeful the tax credit will be extended and possibly expanded to more buyers, at least through the middle of next year, because the rising sales momentum needs to continue for a few additional quarters until we reach a point of a self-sustaining recovery.”

Total housing inventory at the end of September fell 7.5 percent to 3.63 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 7.8-month supply at the current sales pace, down from an 9.3-month supply in August. Unsold inventory totals are 15 percent below a year ago.

The national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 5.06 percent in September from 5.19 percent in August; the rate was 6.04 percent in September 2008, according to Freddie Mac.

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All I am, or can be, I owe to my angel mother.
~ Abraham Lincoln

Introducing Sudoku to Your Kids

Sudoku has become very popular in recent years -- and is quickly becoming one of the world's most contagious puzzle games. Following is a quick introduction to Sudoku and some reasons why you may want to get your kids playing it.

Sudoku puzzles were first published in the United States in the 1970s and were commonly known as "Number Squares." The puzzle has been popular for many years in Japan, where the name "Sudoku" means "single number." The current craze started in late 2004 when a U.K. newspaper started publishing the puzzles. Within weeks the puzzles were picked up by other newspapers and Sudoku became the pastime of choice for commuters, parents – and even kids!

From a parent’s point of view, Sudoku puzzles are perfect for long journeys, waiting rooms and rainy afternoons. They are frequently being used in the classroom as time-fillers for children who finish early, as a class activity, and as homework. Many teachers and researchers also claim Sudoku puzzles are an excellent brain exercise.

As well as developing your child's logic and reasoning skills and concentration, Sudoku puzzles, if done at the right level, build your child's confidence. Children of all abilities enjoy the challenge of a Sudoku puzzle, if the puzzle is age-appropriate. Bear in mind that many of the puzzles published in newspapers are too difficult for younger children, so it is worth seeking out puzzles made especially for kids. Children as young as 5 can try the 4-by-4 grids, then build up to the 6-by-6 grids, and finally the traditional 9-by-9 grids.

Sudoku is appealing for many reasons, including it's easy to learn, it only takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete, there is no guessing involved, and no math skills are required -- only logic. The more puzzles you do, the better you become, which leads to a real sense of satisfaction.

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Either you run the day or the day runs you.
~ Jim Rohn

4 Easy Steps to Installing Weather Stripping

Applying weather stripping around doors and windows is a low-cost way to stop drafts and cut down on heating and cooling costs. Here's what you do:

1. Learn the different kinds of stripping -- adhesive-backed V strips that can be cut with scissors or a utility knife; compression strips; tubular gaskets; magnetic stripping for metal- or steel-clad doors.
2. Measure the length of all seams to be weather-stripped, add a couple of inches for each seam and add the numbers together to determine how much you need.
3. Cut the weather stripping to fit each seam. Apply the stripping all the way around a window by using adhesive, nails or screws. Attach the stripping to the jamb or the stop.
4. Apply the stripping to the sides and the tops of doors. Use a weather-tight threshold or door sweep to seal the bottom. (A door sweep is a metal or wood bracket with a plastic or vinyl flap that hangs to the floor to stop airflow.)

Other Tips

• Choose the weather stripping best suited to your needs. Ask store personnel for recommendations.
• Clean the surface to which you're going to apply adhesive-backed weather stripping (if it's dirty or damp, the adhesive won't stick for long).
• Foam and felt varieties of weather stripping don't apply easily and don't seem to last nearly as long as alternatives.

1427 NORMAN PARK DRIVE

Total Sq. Feet: 1,346
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2

4527 RYAN AVENUE

Total Sq. Feet: 880
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1

A fool and his money are soon elected.
~ Will Rogers

Trivia Challenge

Question 1.) Which of the following U.S. cities has hosted the Olympics more than once?
a.) Atlanta, Georgia
b.) Lake Placid, New York
c.) Salt Lake City, Utah
d.) St. Louis, Missouri

Question 2.) What post-apocalyptic novel by Cormac McCarthy was published in 2006, won the Nobel Prize for literature in 2007 and was made into a movie in 2009?
a.) Child of God
b.) The End of the Road
c.) The Road
d.) The Shack

Question 3.) Which 1980s new wave group sang the song "True Faith" ?
a.) Duran Duran
b.) Depeche Mode
c.) New Order
d.) The Cars

Question 4.) Which film below tells the story of a woman who helps bring some life to a rigidly moralistic community through the creation of her dainty little confections?
a.) Chocolat
b.) Happy Accidents
c.) Eat, Drink, Man, Woman
d.) Life Is Sweet

Question 5.) You are in a city in northern India, looking at the Taj Mahal. Where are you?
a.) Agra
b.) Ahmedabad
c.) Delhi
d.) Jaipur

TOP | ANSWERS

Change your thoughts and you change your world.
~ Norman Vincent Peale

Understanding Antioxidants and Free Radicals

You hear the terms "antioxidants" and "free radicals" thrown around pretty frequently nowadays, leaving many people wondering, "What are they and why should I care?"

There is no simple answer, but here's a general explanation: The body forms unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals; every cell produces tens of thousands of them every day. A free radical is basically an atom with an odd number of electrons in its outer ring. Since electrons have a strong tendency to exist in a paired -- rather than an unpaired state -- free radicals indiscriminately pick up electrons from other atoms, which in turn convert those other atoms into secondary free radicals, thus setting up a chain reaction, which can cause substantial biological damage.

This, in short, is bad. There are also many kinds of free radicals, which we are exposed to every day, for example, pollution, radiation, smoke and herbicides.

And this is where antioxidants come into play; antioxidants are thought to neutralize and stabilize these free radicals. You should note there are many antioxidants found in natural foods, and it is thought the best way to take antioxidants is naturally, through fresh, vibrant food. Also, some antioxidants are only needed in small amounts, so be sure to check on recommened amounts.

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
~ Mother Teresa

Next Day Triple- Decker Turkey Sandwiches

Ingredients

• 2 slices (your favorite) bread
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 3 lettuce leaves
• 1 tomato, thinly sliced
• 3 slices bacon (or turkey bacon)
• 3 slices cheddar cheese

Directions

1. After you have prepped everything else, toast the bread slices.
2. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on each slice. Layer bottom slice with lettuce, tomato, turkey bacon, and cheese. Spread another thin layer of mayonnaise on the cheese; repeat layers twice. Top with second slice of bread. Heat in microwave for 30 or until cheese is melted (or use toaster oven).

Wine Pairing

• Les Trois Couronnes Côtes du Rhône 2007

An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox. Lao Tzu
~ Lao Tzu

Six Steps to Using Your Sound Recorder

With more and more applications and projects requiring audio nowadays, you should know how to use it. It's a great way to spice up a presentation, add life to your website -- even send somebody a live greeting by attaching the clip to an email. Here's how to get started.

1. Make sure your computer has a sound card and speakers; most computers sold in recent years do. Many computers also come with a built-in microphone, so, depending on what you plan to record, this may work. For high-quality audio you may want to spend a few bucks on a better quality mic.
2. Plug the mic into the "sound in port" located either in the front or back of the computer; there's usually a mic icon next to it and many computers have two ports.
3. If the mic has an "on" button, turn it on. Otherwise, most mics are ready simply by plugging it in.
4. To open the sound recorder, click the start menu and choose programs/accessories/entertainment/sound recorder.
5. To begin recording, click "record."
6. When you are finished recording, click "stop." You will then be asked to save the file; save it wherever you want.

There may be some minor differences to using your sound recorder depending on your computer, operating system, and software defaults, but, for the most part it's that simple. Go ahead, give it a try!

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If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.
~ Tony Robbins

Cool/Free/Fun/Trendy: PDFill

If every now and then you wish you could manipulate a PDF file without spending a ton of money on new software, check out PDFill. With this free utility you can create, update and merge existing PDF files, as well as split or reorder pages, encrypt and decrypt PDFs, rotate and crop, add images and video, type in text, and so much more. It does have limitations, but for free, it's a great utility.

Learn more at: www.PDFill.com.

5322 SACAGAWEA

Total Sq. Feet: 2,624
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2

Trivia Answers
#1. b.) Lake Placid, New York; #2. c.) The Road; #3. c.) New Order; #4. a.) Chocolat; #5. a.) Agra

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Dana Wagenhals
2029 Grand Ave.
Billings, MT 59102

This eNewsletter contains information, facts and opinions from various individuals and organizations. This eNewsletter is provided on an "as-is" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. I/We are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Consult with your doctor, fitness consultant, attorney, accountant, or other professional advisor when necessary. © 2009 eNewsletterSolutions.