No..no...nooooooooo can the summer be gone? How can it be? I am still fighting the bunnies and chipmunks for my tomatoes. Hands full of green beans for the pot and small mounds of green peppers turning red on my porch. My attention is riveted as I watch the cherry tree leaves falling like light snow to the ground.
Still in denial, at first I thought the premature drop was due to the severe lack of rainfall in this area the last 2 months. However with the crisp low 50 degree mornings we have had the tulip tree leaves are starting to turn and join the rest in their rush to the ground. Time to haul out the "Fall To Do" list and get started!
Let these suggestions get you ready for the change thats coming.
Call your heating maintenance company for a fall service check that includes inspecting and replacing filters.
If you have a fireplace, its a good idea to make sure birds have not nested in your chimney.
Nows a great time to disconnect and thoroughly clean your dryer vents, heating vents and cold air returns in your home.
Remove and store water hoses after the first frost or two. Remember to flood irrigate your tender or newly planted evergreens, they tend to get dehydrated over the long winter months.
If you haven't done so lately, take the time to check out your gutters to make sure that all are free flowing, because when the cold rains of autumn come, you will want to be cozy inside!
Plant some new spring flower bulbs! There is nothing more exciting than to see the first flush of crocus or early daffodils peeking through the snow. Put a small scattering of them near a window that you see out of often, like a kitchen or dining area window.
Divide your perennial plants like hostas, daylilies and so on.
Prune shrubbery and do any moves or transplanting of small trees.
Clean out the annual beds and vegetable gardens after first frost and mulch with chopped leaves, layers of shredded newspaper, Add a bit of 10-10-10 fertilizer to help with the breakdown and give the soil ready nutrients for next year. If you are fortunate enough to find some, bunny manure is a great addition as well.
When you are ready to pack up the mower for the season, DON'T. Take it to your local maintenance shop instead and have them service it. It has worked long and hard for you this year, you want it ready to go in the spring, with a newly sharpened blade, fresh oil in the tank and a new spark plug.
Don't let the snowblower be neglected either, at the first 6 inches of snow is not a good time to wonder if it will start!
These days in Elkhart, you can almost hear a collective SIGH as the dog days of August get even doggier with the ongoing saga of lost jobs and worry about the state of the local economy.
Being that I am a certified Pollyanna, I say that yes, it is hard to stay positive with the constant stream of bad news, BUT even if you can't afford a vacation this year, you can plan to attend the Elkhart Island of Blues Festival that will be taking place August 23,2008 at Island Park at the north end of Main Street and Beardsley Av. on the Elkhart River.
Last years festival was a great success, entertaining 4,000 folks with food, drink and great music, lets make this year even BETTER! Come on down and get in the blues the fun and easy way!
Tickets are $18.00 in advance … $20.00 date of festival.
For tickets, please contact The Elco Performing Arts Center at (574) 293-4469.
Entertainment:
Elwood Splinters Blues Band 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Blue Lunch 5:45 pm - 7:00 pm
Root Doctor 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Grammy Nominee Randy McAllister 9:30 pm - 11:30 pm
*Times are approximated
For more information, visit the website. See you there!
http://www.russellproducts.com/islandofblues/tickets.html
So sorry for those of you who do not live here or those who are even too far away to travel here. One of the best fairs in the state of Indiana is happening this week in Goshen, Indiana. We have free grandstand shows and some of the best entertainment around! Kellie Pickler, Hootie and the Blowfish and many other shows can all be seen from the grandstand for just the price of admission.
I have always liked going to the fair. My birthday falls around the Centerville MI fair week and every year when we were kids, we went to that fair for my birthday. I was in 4H and one of my entries one year was selected to go to State Fair in Indianapolis. I thought I was hot stuff, but when I got there, it didnt seem so much better than our fair at home! It still doesnt! I went to the state fair a few years ago to see Garrison Keillor and the show was great, but I thought the fair itself was just ok. I have also attended several county fairs and the state fair in Florida and the Hillsboro, MI county fair, all the while judging them against our own. OURS WINS hands down!
Lets not even talk about the food! Yes, every fair has its share of cotton candy, elephant ears, corn dogs and sinfully bad for your, but oh so good fried vegetables...but do the other ones have...Fresh ice cream from the Dairy Club Stand, Nelsons BBQ chicken, fresh lamb burgers from the Lamb Club and lets not even talk about the home-made pies...ahhh what could be better?
Take a look at the website and hopefully someday you will get a chance to be in Elkhart County the third week of July to join us for the best fair in the Midwest! http://www.4hfair.org/grandstand.htm
Call me when you would like to work with someone who will care as much about your home as you do!
I have always had a passion for real estate, even before it became my business. I still recall how excited I was when as a single mom I purchased my first home. It was scary, it was nail-biting anxiety and my Century 21 agent was with me all the way. I was living in Sarasota, Florida and like so many other new homeowners bought with an FHA loan. It was a financial decision that has helped me so much over the years, I am dedicated to helping buyers find just the right home with the least amount of hassles!
I have since purchased, sold, leased and owned commercial, investment, single-family homes. I have remodeled several from the studs out and custom built from the ground up. I know where it can hurt and when you need a hand to help you get through the stress and the hassles of purchasing and/or selling your property.
Honesty, integrity, treating my clients with utmost care is the foundation of my business and my life. If you need someone who will care as much about your house transaction as you do, give me a call or email me and lets get to work to help you achieve your goals!
I specialize in helping people of all ages and situations, but I especially enjoy working with first time buyers and empty nesters. Their challenges are vastly different, but the hardest step to take is the first one! Please email me, I am glad to help, regardless of whether you end up using my professional services or not. My advice will cost you no more than a few minutes of your time to email me or phone.
Jody:
This is long overdue, but I want to let you know how much I appreciate your efforts on the listing and sale of my home. You took the listing at a time when the home market was not at its best, and I was prepared for a long wait.
That long wait amounted to three days. In that time, I had received and accepted a near full price offer. Your easy manner, openness, and honesty are very becoming in what must be a very competitive profession.
You did a terrific job from start to finish, and I would heartily recommend you to anyone thinking of buying or selling a home. Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!
C Tredway, Goshen, IN
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Jody, As a first time buyer, I looked at 25 homes all within the small price point I had. In the end,with your assistance I purchased a home that needed major physical repairs thus making it necessary to delve into a specialized funding source. It was far from being quick and easy,and very new to you, but you handled each and every turn with professionalism and calmness. I now have a home that fits my needs for many years down the road. I will highly recommend your services to anyone thinking of buying or selling a home.
JL Stutzman, Goshen IN
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