Dinah Lee Griffey Allyn, Belfair,& LakeLand-Homes & Land

For a little self improvement I enrolled in an English class. It is being taught by an individual that will not divulge her political opinion but tends to have plenty of them.

She is a great lady, however I do not agree with most of her comments. It has been a real eye opener to know what they are saying in our schools from first hand experience.

Today was typical. We were told of how our nation wanted to have Pearl Harbor attacked- just so we could join in WW2. We had advanced knowledge and we were drooling at the chance to be attacked just so we could join the bloody battle.

As usual my blood began to boil and I was outraged that she would share this with the class as a fact not an opinion. So I whipped out my blackberry and posted to Facebook what was being said. I ended it with my opinion- what a "CROCK."

Unfortunately I forgot the "R". I was not aware of this until my husband wanted to know what all of the name calling was about. Spell check does not catch this sort of oops. Beware, and enjoy a laugh at my expense.

I have yet to find the "fun" in short sales. I love being a Realtor and I enjoy the opportunities that arise everyday, with one exception...The Short Sale.

Why is it so hard to give these companies offers. The one I am in the middle of right now keeps hanging up on me. I was so frustrated trying to find the right number I finally googled the question.

You won't believe what I found...Active Rain. Yes, there was -Active Rain with a post including the exact number I needed from someone else who had needed it to. What a life saver. I love how we so freely share information here. There is always someone willing to help. I will have to look him up and make sure he knows what a help he was for me today!

So , I have the number and I have faxed off the offer. Again and again and again. I now have it memorized. Convenient I guess?

Active Rain can you take it one step further next time and just approve the Short Sale!

There is a lot involved with running your own business. Some are more challenging than others. One business that is often considered is the little local grocery store. They can be a great avenue for those not particularly advanced in their business knowledge but are willing to put in the hard work it takes to get up and running. This can be a great family business.

I stumbled upon an article that I thought pointed out some of the basics to look for when considering a grocery store purchase.The financial criteria used to evaluate a prospective purchase in this business should include the industry's standard cost factors. If the cost of goods, for example, is below 70% of the gross revenue figure, the store owner is either very smart about purchasing, is able to collect above-average markups, or both. Another reason for a gross profit above 30% might be that some of the revenue represents sales of, for example, sandwiches and soups made to order, with cost of goods factors in the 30% to 40% range.

Occupancy cost--rent, utilities, maintenance, and insurance--should not exceed 7% of gross sales, if the company is to be profitable. And if payroll costs are more than 20% of gross revenues, it may be a sign the owner is not putting in the long hours commonly worked by most operators in this business. That also might suggest that he, or she is not collecting earnings of 10% or more--the minimum figure that many operators hope to achieve. For more detailed information click on buying a grocery store.

If you are considering a grocery store purchase you can contact Dinah at TheNorthwestLife.com we have opportunities available. Please remember that when considering a Business purchase it is important to keep it low key. Many owners do not want the general public aware that they are selling. Contact your Agent for more specifics.

I found these facts really interesting. Have you ever wondered why places were named what they were named? Sometimes we see the names stay the same and the meanings change. For instance King County was not named for Martin Luther King Jr. But now the County's seal bears his image. Where did you home town get it's name?

Shelton was named for David Shelton, who homesteaded the area in 1853. A former fur trapper, Indian fighter, and gold prospector, Shelton was a member of the first territorial legislature and succeeded in having his home area organized as Sawamish County. At a later session he sponsored a bill to change the county name to Mason.

Allyn was named for Judge Frank Allyn of Tacoma, who was involved in the formation of the town about 1889.

Belfairwas originally called Clifton, as were several other WA towns. To avoid confusion, it was renamed in 1925 by Mrs. Murray, the postmistress, who submitted the name Belfair from a book that she was then reading.

Dewatto is a Hood Canal community that bears an adaptation of the Indian place name du-a-to,meaning "home of evil spirits who make men crazy." In Indian legend, spirits emerged from the bowels of the earth in the Dewatto Bay area and attempted to enter the bodies of normal warriors.

Grapeview was platted in 1891 as Detroit. The town was later renamed, as it faces the vineyards of the Isle of Grapes (Stretch Island)

The island community of Harstine Islandwas named for Lt. Henry J. Harstine, of the Wilkes expedition.

Hoodsport took its name from Hood Canal, which was named for Lord Samuel Hood by the Vancouver expedition.

Kamilche is a corruption of an Indian word meaning "valley."

Lilliwaup took its name from an Indian word meaning "inlet." Matlockwas first called Mason. It was renamed in the late 1890s by early settler James Hodkinson for his home town in England.

Oakland was the original county seat. It was named in 1852 by pioneer settler William T. Morrow for a scattering of oak trees in the area.

Potlatchis named for its location at the site of a former Skokomish Indian potlatch house.

Squaxin Island, the reservation on it, and the present tribal name are derived from the Indians' original name for themselves.

Stretch Islandis a small island in Case Inlet. It was named by the Wilkes Expedition for gunner's mate Samuel Stretch. In 1878 Walter Eckert established a vineyard on the island. The place became known locally as the Isle of Grapes.

Tahuya derives its name from Indian words meaning "that done," in reference to some now unknown event at that place.

Union was originally a logging center on Hood Canal, and the town was named Union City in 1858. The latter word was dropped by the post office in 1904, and by the town fathers some years later.

Victor was named in 1892, but the source of the name is unknown.
(From Washington State Placenames, by James W. Phillips, Univ. of WA Press.)

Tall evergreens dip their branches down to the cool Hood Canal waters.

An Eagle spies his first meal of the day.

The gentle waters rock the anchored boats to and fro.

A cloud drifts by to take a look.

The skies melt into the waters and the crickets chirp. A salmon sounds with a splash,as the cat finds my lap.

Life is simple here.There is day and there is night. The Seasons find their voices and all is well.

Welcome to Belfair. Minutes from everything ...yet a world away.