Kevin & Maryellen Garasky (KMG Mortgage Group - ID & WA)

When I had initially written the entry "Creative Calisthenics for the Nerd in Me," I wasn't sure if I'd be able to procure one of the 20 spots for the writer's workshop (in its first year) that accompanies this year's Coeur d'Alene Local Writers Competition (in its 22nd year). However, I'm happy to announce that my name is on the list and I'll be putting some polish to my prose.

I want to thank all those who have been following ilovecda.com on FACEBOOK and TWITTER. You guys are the greatest and I'm having so much fun, I can hardly believe it!

As of the posting of this entry, there are only two spots left in the workshop. If you're interested, call the Coeur d'Alene Public Library at 208-769-2315.

I hope to see you there!

Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and ... Dodge!

As if a bunch of kids running around their grammar school gym ducking dodgeballs and trying to avoid bloody noses wasn't enough, the City of Coeur d'Alene is going to be offering an Adult Co-ed Dodgeball League. Yahoo! Can you tell I'm just a little excited?

This local fascination began a few months ago when the City of Post Falls offered a tournament and the turnout was stellar to say the least. Yours truly participated in said tournament and I didn't know it was actually legal for grown adults to have this much fun.

Since that time, however, I have joined a league with the Lovely Husband (on right in this photo) and it has become a family affair - my parents watch the Lovely Daughter on the sidelines and my baby girl (who will be four years old at the end of March) screams, "Go Mama! Knock their blocks off!"

Ah! I love that the competitive juices are flowing already through her precious veins!

...Bad Mommy!

Registration for co-ed dodgeball with the City of Coeur d’Alene will begin February 1st and go until March 5th. You must be 15 years of age or older. The team fee is $80.00 and includes an end of the season tournament. For more information, call the Recreation Department with any questions at 208-769-2250.

Best of luck and remember... "Dodge, duck, dip, dive and ... DODGE!"

It seems there are only two schools of thought existing in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, right now. (1) you LOVE the fact that winter seems to have flown right by us, (2) you HATE the fact that winter seems to have flown right by us. I'll let you read this poem to figure out which school I go to.

An Ode to Snow...

Elusive snow, where have you been?
Though I have fond memories of you in my dreams,
you stay aloof of my wandering schemes.

Before now, when just a girl,
I laughed and scoffed at your blustery world.

But now, tis January and I just want to know,
excuse me - if you will - but where in the HELL did you go?

I look out my window and sigh at what I see:
brown, wet and certainly ugly.
Where are your tender arms, to wrap around me?

Please come back, it's just not the same.
Without you, winter is lame.

This poem was originally posted on my local blog site. Please visit ilovecda.com!

If you have spent any time and pa-roozed the many sites about Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, you have noticed (like me) the many, many calendars of "Things to do" that all claim to be "the one place" where you can find it all. Hog wash. There are so many interesting things to do in and around our community that I find it hard to believe any "one" site can claim to have it all.

Even this one. I mean, come on! ilovecda.com is my personal blog. If you dig me and my sarcastic tone, you'll come back. If you don't, you won't. I'm ok with that. But, what I think you will appreciate is the "Things To Do" tab that I have just finished updating.

I have included the websites about our beautiful Coeur d'Alene that help me the most when creating my calendar to entertain my family and friends. I hope you find it helpful.

To visit: ilovecda.com

Taking Time to Remember What's Really Important

Several of you have noticed my absence from the rain - I thank you all for your e-mails and inquiries on Facebook. Allow me to write from the heart... I've been taking some time.

Time to evaluate what's really important in my life. Like:

Time to spend with my lovely daughter who will be 4 years old at the end of March.

Time to spend with my lovely husband who works like a fool so I can spend most of my days with our daughter.

Time with my Mum and Dad who recently relocated to North Idaho in order to be near us (it only took several years and the birth of their first grand-child to do it)!

Time to spend with my lovely mother-in-law (loveliest woman on the planet, without question) as her health fades and time with her only grand-child becomes more limited.

Time to spend on a new passion of mine called ilovecda.com --- a little identity of myself away from the world of home finance; where I can feel free to write as I would, poke fun at myself, and just have a good time living in God's country, aka: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

But, I wanted to let you know that we are still here. Times are tough, that is for sure. And I will make no false pre-tenses to say business is going along swimmingly. But we are still here.

I am happy to announce that we just received our SECOND HUD approval- almost unheard of with a Mom-and-Pop office like ours.

In fact, current events in the mortgage industry have placed mortgage professionals in a more heavily regulated environment than ever before. The subprime meltdown, increasing foreclosures, industry fraud and other financial market troubles have placed the mortgage industry in a position of intense review, revamping and regulation. While it has always been at the heart of most legislation, the issue of consumer protection has come to the forefront of industry expectations.

Adherence to federal and state laws, an eye for detail in the origination process and commitment to principles are great ways for mortgage professionals to protect themselves and their customers. By being well informed and conducting business in a manner than inspires confidence, lean times are less of a concern for savvy brokers and originators.

I wish you all the best, especially at this time of year where time with friends and family is most important.

Maryellen Garasky
Mortgage Broker
KMG Mortgage Group
(208) 664-3600
(509) 638-3455
www.KMGmortgageGroup.com