Ann Hayden's Real Estate Blog

Here is an alert for everyone!  It is time for the Cold and Flu season to begin.  Be on the lookout for people with runny noses, not to mention those experiencing coughing fits.   The bug knows no age limits or boundaries.

I have already been bitten by the bug this year.  I thought it was too early for this but low and behold, I was ill for nearly a week.  I am almost never sick but I found myself stuck in bed unable to even check my emails.  Somehow I did manage to pull myself out of the fog after about 12 hours.

SO here is a reminder on how to handle yourself this season and hopefully escape the sickness....

WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY! (with soap and water or hand sanitizer at the least).

Use Lysol or some other germ killer to help curtail the onslaught of critters.

And for the good of everyone, if you are sick stay home, get some rest, drink lots of fluids and get well!

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.  We will all sleep better at night knowing we have put the bug to rest.

It is time for the shift in seasons.  Are you ready for it?  Summer with all its warmth and sunshine is quickly fading away.  Fall is here.  The weather is fairly nice during the day and the nights are cool.  All of nature seems to be getting ready for the winter months ahead.

Yesterday, I happened upon a beautiful Monarch butterfly.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  Talk about taking a trip...  These little butterflies travel to Mexico every year.  This year the warmer temperatures are giving them more time to travel. 

Every fall this magical event takes place.   With instincts alone, these butterflies travel to only 12 mountaintops in Central Mexico from North America and Canada.  These mountains are located just west of Mexico City.  Their habitat is a very rare and unique fir forest.  It only grows at elevations of 10,000 feet or higher.

To me this is absolutely amazing.  So take the time to look for these wonderful creatures.  You will not see them again until 2009!

  Plastic Pot Recycling

Missouri Botanical Garden

 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily
May 1 through October 31, 2008

Acceptable garden plastic includes: cell packs, trays, pots of all sizes and hanging basket containers.  Gardeners must sort and separate their plastic by its numbered type, to recycle for grinding and making into new products.  Each collection trailer is marked with simple sorting instructions and symbols to separate #6 plastic (polystyrene cell packs and trays) from #2 and #5 plastic (all other pots).

Recyclers are also asked to shake soil and rocks out of containers and remove all metal hangers, rings or other materials which can interfere with the plastic grinding process. 

No clay pots, please!  No garden edging, plastic sheeting materials and food plastic accepted.

Open to the Public

(Not open during special event weekend: Oct. 4 and 5)

Visit the website to find satellite drop-off centers.

Please visit the website at mobot.org/hort/activ/plasticpots.shtml

Help me here.  Why Now?  Why is this crisis so important now?  It has been building for at least the past two years.  Where were the people with the plan to fix the problems then?  How is $700 Billion going to make this go away? 

Now the President and Congress want to hurry and sign a bill for a problem it took years to create.  Our economy is in trouble, I have not doubt.  But does this seem like the way to solve the issue?  No oversight and no accountability seem to be the way we got into this mess, not the way to get out of it.

Like the picture with this post, it is a little blurry what is going on.   

I like the "We Deserve It Dividend Plan".  The plan is to take the $85 Billion bailout for AIG and give it to each 18+ year old person in the US approximately 200,000,000 people.  So that means $425,000 for each person over 18.  Now we would be happy to pay the government 30% (127,500) leaving $297,500.00 for each person.

The government gets $25,500,000,000 and each 18+ year old gets to jump start the economy with the plan money.  Now what could you do with this money?  Pay off your house?  Buy a new car?  Pay for college?  Create new jobs?  The list is seemingly endless.  This would help our economy and every household in the United States. 

Let's bailout every citizen in the US and end this financial crisis.

(I would give credit to the author of the plan but I do not know who it is).  Thank you unknown author.  This is a great plan however, the author made a few mathematical mistakes.  The plan requires a few more zeros to work.  It would cost nearly $60 trillion after the tax payback.   In theory, it is better than paying the corporations who caused the problems.   

After attending the Prairie Days Event at Shaw's Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, Missouri, I thought it would be interesting to see how many people would "bite" on a couple of home for sale descriptions: 

For Sale, cozy home on the prairie.  Home boasts two large windows with deep sills and views of the gorgeous seemingly never-ending prairie.  Home is green to the extreme, featuring real dirt floors, exterior sod blocks for insulation and real grass roofing.  Home has one large room with high ceilings and exposed wooden rafters.  There is ample space to ....turn around.  Deep well with long rope and skinny bucket for all your water needs.  Privy located a good distance from the home and bubbling creek side.  Home is situated on a small piece of land only 250 acres in a rapidly expanding area.

Home for Sale:  This lovely cone shaped home features include the best use of nature resources, stoutness in high winds and dry in heavy rains with a cozy cooking area.  Water supplied by sparkling creek just a few feet away.  Sleeping quarters located near the cooking facilities.   Home boasts a fireplace and is completely mobile due the poles and hides used in construction.  If you do not like the current location just pack up and move on.  Sale includes soft cushy beds made of buffalo hides and other soft animal furs, all poles, firewood, water vessels and ornaments as displayed.

Now who wants to place an offer on these fabulous homes?  Of course I am just joking.  It was a fun day on the prairie. I hope I succeeded in making you smile!

For all your real estate needs in St. Louis and surrounding areas:  www.SelectAnn.com

Ann Hayden direct 636-399-7544

Prudential Select Properties 16442 Village Plaza View Drive, Wildwood, MO 63011 (636)779-1100

All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted. 

For those of you who missed the Forest Park Balloon Glow.... It was an enlightening experience!

Here are a few photos for you to enjoy.  Unfortunately, balloons are constantly moving so they appear a little fuzzy. 

After sitting in traffic for about 1 and 1/2 hours, we finally found a parking spot.  Then we had to trek across the park to the field with the balloons.  I could not believe how far away we managed to park.  At least, the walk through the park was refreshing.  Forest Park is a beautiful setting for a stroll on a gorgeous night.  By this time, it was getting late.  Yes, the parking situation took me by surprise.  I did not expect the crowd of people.  We arrived just in time to see two balloons deflated.  Followed by the others within a 15 minute time period. 

 We enjoyed the glowing balloons but the overwhelming amount of trash was disheartening.  Apparently, the trash had been over-flowing of some time.  And then the people decided to throw their trash on the grounds.  It was sad even though it was very dark. 

 I feel enlightened to have made it to this event prior to all the balloons loosing their "air".

We have many fun events here is St. Louis and surrounding areas.  I try to let people know about them so they can attend.  Stay tuned to my blog to know what is going on or sign on to SelectAnn.com. 

Come follow the herd to Prairie Days at Shaw's Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, Missouri. 

The event takes place on Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Cost:  $3 adults; free for children 12 and under, Missouri Botanical Garden members and Shaw Nature Reserve pass holders.

This fun-filled family event portrays prairie heritage with activities and demonstrations. The event showcases the Reserve's 250-acre re-created tall grass prairie.  Come hike with a naturalist through the prairie to learn about life on the prairie, check out the authentic teepee, play pioneer games and listen to live music.  You will also be able to watch weavers, spinners and other demonstrations.

Some of the exhibits include prairie mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and insects.  Many living history characters will be on hand to re-enact the lives of early prairie inhabitants.  Even an archaeologist and a flint-knapper will showcase displays and interpret some artifacts of prairie life.  Native plant nurseries will be there selling wildflowers and seeds.

If you come hungry, visit the concessions to purchase yummy bison burgers, homemade baked goods, delicious root beer, and sweet, salty, kettle corn.

Join in the fun filled day!

Event takes place at Shaw Nature Reserve of the Missouri Botanical Garden, in Gray Summit, Mo., located south of Interstate 44 at exit #253; watch for signs to the designated parking area.

Come join the fun as Energizer® presents the 36th anniversary of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race on September 19-21, 2008. The Great Forest Park Balloon Race takes place in Forest Park, is FREE and open to the public.

Friday, September 19, 2008
BALLOON GLOW -- Central Field-- 7:00pm to 8:30pm
The Balloon Glow will afford spectators some breathtaking view of inflated balloons lighted by their burners. Get up close and walk around the balloons. Refreshments and Food are available (but not free). The event will conclude with a fireworks display beginning at 9pm.

This event will no longer be drive through event. It will be held on the same field as the Saturday race.

Saturday, September 20, 2008
BALLOON RACE -- Central Field-- 12:00pm to 6:30pm
Spend your day in beautiful Forest Park in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The Purina Children's Entertainment area is filled with pony rides, games, and other activities for children to enjoy. The Entertainment Stage features local talent. The public can enter the balloon field and take pictures of their favorite balloons during the photo contest. Prizes are awarded for the best photographs. The Skydiving Team performs and lands in the center of the launch field. The race begins when the Energizer Bunny Balloon takes off ahead of the 70 "hound" balloons launched in pursuit. The balloon dropping a birdseed baggie closest to the Energizer Bunny Balloon will be declared the winner.

   12:00pm: Festivities begin! Purina Children's Entertainment
                  Area,.. Food Courts... Toyota Hybrid Cars...
                  Pony Rides... More.
   1:00pm: Entertainment Stage Opens
   2:00pm: Suburban Journals/
                Wehrenberg Theatres Photo Contest begins. 
   3:00pm: Pepsi Skydivers
   3:30pm: Opening Ceremonies
   4:30pm: Energizer Hot "Hare" Balloon Launch
   4:45pm: "Hound" Balloon Launch begins

Sunday, September 21, 2008
RAIN DATE - In case the race is rained out on Saturday, September 20, it will be rescheduled for Sunday, September 21.

Plan to attend at least the Balloon Glow.  It is a wonderful event. 

After my power was restored late September 15th, 2008 (Monday evening), I started to wonder how much is taken for granted.   So here is my small list, please feel free to add to the list.

1)  Running water.  How often do you consider the water you use?  Are you careful with it?

2)  Hot food.  Do you appreciate the meal even though it might not have been exactly what you thought you wanted?

3)  Hot showers/baths.  How often do you take for granted the water used will be a "comfortable" temperature?

4)  Lights.  Do you consider the fact when you turn on a switch, the light goes on?

5)  High speed Internet.  Do you really appreciate not having dial up anymore?  After using it again for nearly two days, I certainly appreciate it!

6)  Computer time.  Even though you are "only accused" of being addicted to your computer, think how you would deal with not having it for an hour, a day or longer.

7)  Your health.  Do you consider life could be much worse?  I mean even when it is bad and you are healthy, you can pull through.

8)  Friends and Neighbors.  How often do you tell them you care? 

9)  Your Home.  Do you love the house or hate it?

10)  Family (including our furry relatives).  If today was your last day on the earth or theirs, would you have regrets?  Take the time to say "I love you."

If I could have said thank you to the linemen who fixed my electric service, I would have.  They risk life and limb to give me something I neither see nor think about until I do not have it.  So thank you for the hot shower, the hot meal, the lights to read my children a story and of course my power to blog.

I, for one, am going to try to show more appreciation for what I have.  Take time to smell the roses, to say hello to someone on the street, to smile, to love others, to show you care, make the best of what you have, etc.  We are here only a finite amount of time, so we should try to make it GREAT!

 SelectAnn.com for all your St. Louis real estate needs.

My electricity dilemma has nothing to do with paying or cost.  It has to do with being without it for over 24 hours.  I am experiencing this right now.  I have been without electric since 8 a.m. Sunday morning. 

At first, the power outage was just a minor inconvenience.  We went out for brunch and then left the house for the day.  We came home at 7 p.m. and still no power.  At this point, it has become a real problem.  I have about 35-40 quart of peaches in my freezer I purchased and froze last month.  These are now irreplaceable since peach season is over.  I have meat, breads, cans of juice, veggies, etc. in the freezer.  Then of course we have the refrigerator items.  Both of the refrigerators are full and more than likely most of the items are spoiling.  I wonder does wine keep once it is cold and then warms. 

Not only all of that but cleaning up might be nice....  The water pump does not work without the electric. The dishes are stacking up.  The bathrooms need cleaned.  Flushing is difficult but not impossible since we did not get the pool covered before the storm.  

The Internet does not work without a "little" electric.  Battery powered phones are impossible to use.  Good thing I have a cell phone with a car charger. 

The coolers of ice have nearly melted.  It is likely the milk will spoil.  Then there is the lunch meat and cheese...UGH!

Ameren's recording now says "maybe" by 8 p.m. it will be restored.  If you get to talk to a human being, you are told not until "maybe" 10 p.m.  Last night, the recording said it should be restored by 5 a.m. today.  NOT!  I suppose I will call again later to see what the recording has to say then. 

I miss my electric even though I do not see it.  I take it for granted everyday...  I have even tried to turn on lights even though I know they will not work.  

My electricity dilemma will hopefully be solved soon.  I know there are people out there who lost everything and I feel for them.  But I still WANT MY ELECTRICITY!