Carol Lynne Bull

Yesterday the 25th. of October Del Ray had it's Halloween Parade. Mount Vernon Avenue was filled with little lions, bumble bees, pink poodles, cowboys, lobsters and squirrels. That was just the dogs! The kids adults and strollers were just as festive. Sweet William was to be a jester and had a new hat with ear holes so his ears were not pressed down. I think my Mom hid it. She is not a fan of dog clothes. She does understand the need for inclement coats and such. My favorite was the wagon of Chihuahuas. I heard them before I saw them. All chi owners know the bark. One of them was a lobster. The other five had on simple sweaters to keep them warm. I put Sweet William in his knit gold lame sweater, He went as a drag queen, my daughter's Auntie David would have proud. William was very courteous. He only took exception with a Boxer { no costume } who rushed at him while William had a sniff and meet with a Maltese. To Williams credit he did not back down. He was however, pulled up fast!

I did not stay to hear who's dog was voted best costume. My little fella was very tired from all the walking.

Nor did I stay for the strolled judging. I do hope the five strollers that were linked together to look like the train to Hogwarts's won. The had one of the Dads on stilts as Hagrid.

Art on the Avenue!

The neighborhood is gearing up for Art on the Avenue. Come Oct. 3th. vans, cars, SUV and minivans will desend on the avenue. They'll look for their space numbers and Begin to unload for the fair. The traffic is light, and the sun barely up. Soon the police will block off the street. St. Elmo's and The CabooseCafe' will be staving offhunger with fresh coffee and muffins. At 9:00 the first cars will start competing for parking spaces. Those of us who live here and don't have driveways will make it a point not to leave, least we lose our parking spots. I live one block over from Mount Vernon Avenue "the Avenue". This makes for easy looking and buying. With some luck I will get my Mother - in - Law to let me take her out in her wheelchair. She's 91 and can't walk far distances.

You have to come and see all the vender's. Photographers and jewelry side by side withhoney farmers and hand stitched bags. There will be potters and painters. The food vendors the snow cone makers all set up for the masses. The Bombay Curry Co. is my favorite. It's not all art and crafts. Music can be heard all day. I'll be busy at my daughter's dance studio The Ballet Studio. They go on at 1:00. Miss Mary has re-staged dances to fit a smaller stage. You will be impressed with these kids. Tap, Jazz and Ballet;please take note of the tall blond teenager. That's my girl AnnaMarie.

You truly have to come. The face painting, scarecrow making, and arts and crafts will your little ones busy. And don't forget the stores and shops. Bring your dog. You'll see many the cities canines.

If you see a long haired chihuahua on a bright red leash that's Sweet William, try not to step on him.

Do you want to know what stated all this bad bad behavior on the road? I'll tell you! RIGHT TURN ON RED once you had to sit and wait for the light to change. Now the whole world is sliding to a none stop, if they are slowing down at all before turning right. Most of them are not even slowing down, to keep appearances up. They just go on and turn.Do you know what this leads to??? Drivers not waiting behind the car in front of them to make there turn so they can go straight. They just try to go around them. And do you know what happens then? They hit the car making the turn the other way. This is not what we were all taught to do in drivers ed. Cut some one off GO AHEAD, need to get in next lane? CUT THEM OFF! I live on a one lane street. The street has traffic calmers. You need to go 25 miles a hour if you do not want to bottom out. This is convenient, as the speed limit is also 25 miles a hour. I drive 25 miles a hour. At least 4 times a week some one tries to go around me only to meet a parked car. I know it is only a matter of time before I'm hit or someone else is. The city of Alexandria is over 200 hundred years old, as such we have *five funeral homes. Call any one of them and they will tell you that at least once a week one funeral procession is disrupted by someone cutting in to the procession. I hope it is a driver who does not notice that a funeral is taking place.But, I; know some of them DO. I know they know a funeral is going on THEY JUST DO NOT CARE! That's right! their needs are more important then the those of a grieving family. They are just oh so special.

RIGHT TURN ON RED It started one slippery slid down a filthy, jagged, mold covered putrid slop of rude, inconsiderate, no thank you card writing, don't visit your Grandmother in the convalescent home behavior.

Or I just might be having a bad day.

* and four Irish Bars

How much house is to much house?

It's a new year. and about time too. we all need a clean slate. And while we are at it lets clean out those closest. If you are lucky enough to have any. That basement could use a look at also. Now that all is tidy Who's ready to buy and sell some houses.

If your ready to buy a house, more important than how much can you afford is... How much do you really need. I sincerely hope we are done with buying the biggest house on the block. lets get real here. There is really no need to have five bed rooms if you only have two kids. What was with the media rooms anyway. We already had a family room. This may be just me, but; the sitting room in the master bedroom? Please, those chairs end up covered in clothes. We can keep the walk in closets if they are already there. No use getting crazy. The thing is, big is not always better. Yes the rates are good. Here in Alexandria Va. both in the city and the Fairfax county end there are homes in all price ranges. duplexes town homes and condos too. Ask your self first. Do I need 4 1/2 bathrooms, do I need 7,500 sq. feet to live in. Think back to your own home growing up. how many extra bedrooms did you have? Did each child have there own bathroom? Here in the Del Ray and Rosemont area of Alexandria VA. we have lovely homes for families who want homes to love and grow into. Sure we have a few " Mc Mansions", but; we are known for our love of home and hearth, are cats, dogs and gardens.

Check your credit scores, call your bank, think about what you need and then what you want. but not how much you can get.

January 2009

Damn it's cold here in Del Ray. Forget walking anywhere! I'm taking the Benz!!!! Sweet William was not happy to go for walkies this A.M. It is a good thing he is a Chihuahua. A small dog is A. easy to drag out of the house to walk and B. easy to put out a puppy pad for, when you give in to big puppy eyes and not make him potty out side.

I know this market here in Alexandria VA. is on the steady up. We manged to keep our heads, we weathered 2008 with little carnage. The interest rates are looking good for FHAs. Jumbos and standards are there for the qualified. And, guess what? You don't have to sell your first born to qualify. You do have to be realistic about how much house you can afford. That's what nice about Del Ray Rosemont Mt Ida and all of Alexandria. We have houses townhouses duplexes and condos in prices for most anyone. Come on over I'll find you a place to call your own. If it's still this cold we can start at the office. The coffee is great. Polite dogs welcome.