Alafaya, FL

Some interesting facts for you to share at the Thanksgiving Gathering this year.

Happy Thanksgiving.

1 .Congress did not declare Thanksgiving a National Holiday until 1941.

2. Turkeys can have Heart attacks.

3. Fossils show that turkeys were around ten million years ago.

4. About one-half of all Americans put the stuffing inside the turkey.

5. Ben Franklin wanted the Turkey to be the National Bird.

6. 20% of all cranberries eaten yearly are eaten on Thanksgiving Day.

7. The very First Thanksgiving lasted for 3 Days.

8. A scared turkey can run as fast as 20 MPH.

9. Turkeys have been known to fly for short distances at 55 MPH.

10. Wild Turkeys taste different than domesticated farm raised turkeys.

11. Turkeys can drown if they are left outside in a rain storm.

Feel Free to add any thay you may know.....

Yes Today is our annual office Thanksgiving Lunch.

So Today, I thought I would write a blog about giving thanks. (If it's Turkey cooking instructions you wanted please read my prior post).

This year more than ever if you: number one have a JOB, Or at least a closing this month you have a lot to be Thankful for.

It seems the last few days more than usual ive heard of this business closing or that person being out of work.

Last Tuesday I was at a Large Commercial Event here in downtown Orlando. After the event while walking to our car a couple were standing next to the building with a sign Please Help.

As I looked at the lady her eyes so red from crying the pain just hit me! They had old torn clothing on and looked like they hadn't eaten in a few days.

As I watched the hundreds of professional business people file past these 2 clearly needy people I was astonished that no one gave anything to them. at least while I was watching.

Well you might as well guess, I did the right thing. But my point here is not about me.

My request is that when you see someone over the holidays please don't judge, JUST GIVE!.

And Always be THANKFUL for all that you have every day of your life!

Being Thankful can be more than words. it can be Helping someone less fortunate.

In closing I leave you with 4 words.

DO THE RIGHT THING!!

This is my 8th year of making Deep Fried Turkey. After preparing over 40 birds I can speak to you as an expert here. I truly have done it all from cooking my cell phone to spending over 800.00 to find out our yorkie has an allergy to peanut oil.

Last Thursday I make a bird for our office party, all went extremely well. From the prep to the actual cooking. And everyone enjoyed the taste. infact no leftovers here only bones.

The following are a few pointers that I have learned over the years, mostly from trial and error I am happy to share with you.

1. Always fresh never frozen. ask your butcher or grocery store for a fresh bird the will go in the back and bring out one for you just ask!

2. Keep the weight tag from the package handy, to remind you of the birds exact weight.

3. Make note of the exact time the bird go into the oil. You want to cook him 3 to 3.5 mins per lb.

4. Measure twice cook once! use a large wooden spoon to see how tall your bird is, the have enough oil to cover him while cooking.

5. Safety tip Have a way to remove hot oil if you happen to have too much. I.e. metal can or ladle and some pot or metal dish to place the hot oil into. (You will need cooking Buddies to help with this)

6. SLOWLY place the bird into the oil. you should take 3 mins to do this step. slowly enter the oil so you do not want to over flow. ( see #4 measure oil)

7. When done let him rest! the bird actually is still cooking. I usually wait 30 mins or more before carving.

8. Let your oil cool, you can re-use this the older the better. Well seasoned oil seems to bring out the best! I never re -use more than 5 times.

9. ENJOY! This should be a fun experience so have fun with it, don't get all caught up in the fancy seasoning injections and such, I use only a seasoning on the outside just prior to cooking. And everyone raves on it.

10. Feel free to call me (really) I would love to hear your stories or give advice if you need it. Especially if it's your first time. My Best Dan...

Photo from 2008 Taste of Orlando

Homeowners reluctant to sell because prices have fallen should do the math and realize that the market downturn could work in their favor.

"People are finding houses at prices they thought they'd never see again,"
I would like to point out that to potential sellers that if the house a buyer covets used to be $500,000 but its price has fallen 20 percent to $400,000, it is a deal, even if the buyer's own home also has lost 20 percent of its value.

In general, the toughest will be for people who bought within the last three years, at the height of the market. But even for these homeowners, selling now may make sense as long as they can at least break even, or their trade up property is down more than their current property. (ie., that $500,000 home 3 years ago that may be now worth $400,000, considering it's down 20%, when your home 3 years ago was worth $450,000 and is now worth $390,000 down only 13%. That's nearly an even trade considering you would be getting a bigger home in potential a better neighborhood.

Almost everyone forgoes something, and probably several things, that he or she wanted when buying a house. For instance, the home may be in the right school district but on a busy street. Or it may in a great neighborhood, but it's a 2 story, not a 1 story. These are "unchangeables."

It's a good time to sell if a seller can get rid of the most negative unchangeables in his current home and replace them with better unchangeables in a new home. Once the market really turns around, the growth will be bigger in the better house.

About the author:

Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida or any place in the country. Jerry has created a team of professionals throughout Orlando and the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. Please visit http://www.jerrysellsorlando.com/ for your real estate needs. Please give me a call if you have questions about the Orlando and Central Florida real estate market.

Jerry LaRose, P.A., ABR, GRI, e-PRO, CLHMS, REALTOR® 407-580-7011

(Copyright © 2008 By Jerry LaRose, P.A. All Rights Reserved.)

Basic Information on the Stimulus Payments

You've heard about it. Now find out how to get yours.

What is it? It's an economic stimulus payment that more than 130 million households will receive starting in May. It's not taxable, and it won't reduce your 2007 or 2008 refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2008 return.

Are you eligible? The vast majority of people who file a 2007 income tax return qualify, and many who don't regularly file a tax return may qualify as well. You're eligible if you have a valid Social Security Number (SSN), can't be claimed as a dependent on a tax return and have either an income tax liability or "qualifying income" of at least $3,000. Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income and certain benefits from Social Security, Veterans Affairs or Railroad Retirement. Additional information is below, and a full legal description is available in Revenue Procedure 2008-21.

Both people listed on a "married filing jointly" return must have valid SSNs to qualify for the payment - if only one has a valid SSN, neither can receive the payment.

Can you use an ITIN instead of an SSN? Taxpayers with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of an SSN are not eligible to receive a stimulus payment. Both people listed on a "married filing jointly" return must have valid SSNs to qualify for the payment - if only one has a valid SSN, neither can receive the payment.

Not eligible at the current time? If your circumstances change and you become eligible after you file your 2007 federal tax return, you can always file an amended return using Form 1040X. File the form after April 14, 2008, and allow 8-12 weeks of processing time before making any inquiries about your payment. See a sample with instructions.

If you're not eligible this year but you become eligible next year, you can claim the economic stimulus payment next year on your 2008 tax return.

How do you get it? Just file a a federal tax return for 2007, even if you normally don't have to because your income usually doesn't meet the filing threshhold. You can't get it if you don't file.

How much will you get? The actual amount depends on the information contained on your tax return. Eligible individuals will receive between $300 and $600. Those who are eligible and file a joint return will receive a total of between $600 and $1,200. Those with children will get an additional $300 for each qualifying child. To qualify, a child must be eligible under the Child Tax Credit and have a valid Social Security number. We have various examples for you check out.

The payments phase out at certain income levels, so those with higher incomes may receive a reduced payment or even no payment.

Can you estimate your payment? The IRS has created an online calculator that will allow you to answer a few questions and get a quick estimate of your payment amount.

How will you receive the payment? Be sure to choose direct deposit when you file your tax return, even if you aren't due a regular tax refund on your tax return. That way, the stimulus payment will go right to your bank account. Otherwise, we'll mail you a check.

When will you get your payment? Starting May 2, payments will be electronically transmitted to direct deposit accounts. Paper checks will be mailed starting May 16. The payments are based on the last two-digits of the mail filer's Social Security number. The IRS has issued a schedule for payments as direct deposits or paper checks.

Economic stimulus payments will be issued according to the last two-digits of the main filer's Social Security number. People who use direct deposit also will be among the first to receive the payments starting May 2. Paper checks will be put in the mail starting May 16.

PAPER CHECK

People who file a return after April 15 will receive their economic stimulus payment, but probably about two weeks later than the schedule shows. A return must be filed by October 15 in order to receive a stimulus payment this year. See the online calculator for an estimate of the amount you will receive.

For more information go to:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179211,00.html