Myrtle Beach, SC

I had an epiphany tonight.

Being an ardent Hillary Clinton fan, I had occasion with this past election to become more interested in politics than I ever have been. I have spent more time arguing with hard-core Republicans and conservatives than I like to think about. Arguing politics is probably one of the biggest wastes of time that exists. I don't think anyone will ever convert a person from one way of thinking to the other by discussing it.

And yet we argue. I have tended to look at things through "party" eyes, and tonight I was given a glimpse into just how deeply ingrained particular attitudes really are. The country is not really divided by the political parties as much as by basic beliefs - and it extends to all manner of things outside of running the government.

A couple of years ago, our condo complex had an HOA board turnover. It was a bitter feud between 25-30 of the most active owners. (Out of 212 - many of whom couldn't care less...just like non-voters!)

Our old board had its faults. The bookkeeping was less than it could have been, and funds were assessed for some things and used for others instead. I don't think there was any wrong-doing there...it's like when you are saving for a new sofa and your car breaks down. And it wasn't documented as well as it might have been.

Anyway, our fees had gone way up. Insurance rates had doubled and were part of our HOA fees. We had to redo a jacuzzi and some tennis courts. They were assessing us large amounts of money and it angered everyone. They had fired the property manager and went a year or so without one. Our landscaping was being done by several in-house employees that had little or no supervision, and very little training. The complex looked terrible and morale was very low amongst the home owners.

Several owners banded together, swooped in and got rid of the old board, and took over. They hired a management company, fired the employees, found better insurance, worked harder to get lower bids and manage costs. Our fees went down by a large margin. They've done a great job and our complex has never looked better. So what am I going to talk about finally?

Our old board was comprised of older people, mostly from up north, and here's the surprise - THEY WERE LIKE DEMOCRATS! If a pipe burst in the walls, and someone's unit was damaged, the HOA took money from the funds and usually paid for the damages to that unit. Many people did not have H06 insurance. If someone broke your window and you couldn't catch them, the HOA would probably fix it for you. They clothed the poor and fed the hungry!

The new board is mostly comprised of Southerners in their early to mid 40's. I'm almost 100% sure that they are all Republicans. We've had our political arguments for a year or so...they are all my friends. I've enjoyed some rolicking debates with almost all of them.

Issue at hand: Our complex condo insurance has a $5000 per claim deductible. If we have a fire, and the building burns down, the complex insurance will put the "structure" back. They will not replace cabinets, windows, countertops, etc. The individual unit owner will have to do this - either out of pocket or with their own HO6 insurance. And with 8 units per building, the $5000 deductible would be split 8 ways. Less if only part of a building was damaged. Also, HO6 insurance will not pay for something that is part of the structure...like those windows that we are responsible for.

If we have a storm and a tree falls on a building, crushes 2 condos - those two owners will have to come up with $2500 from somewhere to repair their units.

My SC homeowners insurance agent tells me that most good HOA boards have a special "kitty fund" to cover the deductible and help the owners. I suggested that to one of the new board members, and you'd think I had ignited the frustration of every Republican in town! Did I DARE to suggest we have an assessment to pay for something that would help those who couldn't afford to pay the deductible? If we had a claim on 10 units per year, that would be $50,000 the board would have to pay! (I don't think we've had 10 claims in the last 10 years) And here is an actual quote from the email I received from a board member about it...

"If my unit is one of the units that gets damaged I would love for someone else to pay for it. Isn't that the American way these days?? But if my unit gets damaged I will have to pay my deductible just like anyone else would."

And me? Well, I'm all for paying a small assessment that covers it for everybody. A liberal alone with a conservative HOA government. I have to admit it is funny right now. I just hope if we have a fire in the complex, it happens in the buildings that are happy to pay the deductibles...:-)

What do y'all think?

The Maximum Age allowed for persons serving in the US Military is 60.

The Maximum Age allowed for Pilots, according to FAA regulation is 65.

The Maximum Age allowed for Air Traffic Control Specialists is between 57 to 61.

Even Federal Park Rangers have an age limit of 57.

Why then, do we not have regulation in place for a Maximum Age limit of School Bus Drivers? Are our children less significant than the animals in our National Parks?

Yesterday, the Myrtle Beach Academy of Arts, Science and Technology, lost a bright young student to an accident involving a school bus. The driver of that school bus is 76 years old. Why did Horry County School district entrust the precious lives of our children to a 76 year old driver?

Many school districts have maximum age limit requirements for their school bus drivers. Some of them have been taken to court because of these requirements. Are we afraid of litigation so much that we are willing to put our children’s lives in danger?

47% of public school students ride a school bus to and from school every day. If we are recognizing the value of a particular maximum age for various jobs involving public safety, why are we leaving out the safety of 25 million children? I believe the Federal Government needs to enact a law addressing this issue. What are your views on this and what are you willing to do about it?

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection Join The Optimist Group!

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see…

My son is going to war in a few days. This is no news; it’s been looming over me for quite some time. The immediacy of this is now weighing on my shoulders like the ton of emotional baggage that it is.

A deep sadness has descended upon my being, the kind of melancholy that penetrates into the very soul. I lost my beloved grandmother this year. Now my son is going to war. I recently found out I have Hashimoto disease. My five year relationship with my significant other has ended this year. My business has absorbed every ounce of my energy lately. Frankly, I am worn out. I guess I could just retreat in a corner somewhere and be miserable, but that's just not me. Instead, I choose to focus on all the wonderful things in my life and find the balance that will carry me through this, or any other hardship. Of course, affirmations and motivational quotes can certainly infuse the right perspective:

“That which does not kill you makes you stronger.” Nietze

"Those who do not know how to weep with their whole heart, do not know how to laugh either."

"The bad things in life open your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before." Good Will Hunting"

“Life is like an onion; you peel off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep.” Carl Sandburg

“The Future belongs to those who Believe in the Beauty of Their Dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt

“Hope is some extraordinary spiritual grace that God gives us to control our fears, not to oust them.” - Vincent McNabb

"Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces."

"The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision."-Helen Keller

"Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something." Jackson Brown Jr

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." — Eric Hoffer

While the weight on my shoulders is heavy right now, I choose to embrace my melancholy and weep my quiet tears, while forging forward with my Life, hopeful for the future. I am grateful for the many blessings bestowed upon me. I choose to look at the bright side of my tribulations:

1. I lost my beloved grandmother this year. While I am still mourning her loss, I am thankful to have had her with me for as long as I have. 96 years is a long time to spend loving life on this Earth. Her essence has been distilled in me and my children and her loving heart has touched so many people in ways that will make her presence felt for many years to come...

2. My son is going to war. While I tremble at the mere thought of his departure, I am resolute in my belief that things are as they should be. This is his Life’s journey and I have to respect his decision. I am hopeful that his involvement in this war will have a positive impact on other people and on the course of history. I pray for his safety every night and I believe that he will return home alive and well.

3. I recently found out I have Hashimoto disease. My dentist's three year old son has cancer and only a 30% chance of survival. My health problem is nothing compared to that. I won't die and I'll most likely get better. I am taking a holistic medication and I am already 50% better than I was four months ago.

4. My five year relationship with my significant other has ended this year. We meet and connect with people for various reasons. Each relationship will get us to where we need to be. I am thankful for the wonderful memories and hopeful that I have learnt from the experience. When my heart mends, I will have a good relationship again.

5. My Real Estate Practice has absorbed every ounce of my energy this year. I am one of the Lucky Realtors, for I am still in business… While dealing with these short sales and foreclosures is emotionally draining, I am training myself to keep my eyes on the good that I do on a daily basis and concentrate on how important it is to my clients that I am in their lives.

I embrace Life’s yin-yang, the hills and valleys of the human existence. Being an Optimist doesn't mean that you lead a charmed life, devoid of pain and hardship. How could you possibly appreciate all the joys conferred by Life, if you don't have the sorrows as points of reference? Yes, I cry the tears. Yes, I learn the lessons. Yes, I feel the pain... Through it all, I hold my head up high and my spirit full of hope.

"Life's short; live it fully!"

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." Henry David Thoreau

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Connection Proud Optimist!

The Myrtle Beach Academy has lost a bright star today. Marc Chaplin, a senior at the school, was killed within a short distance of the Academy, when his motorcycle collided with a North Myrtle Beach school bus at 8:10 this morning.

Marc’s death sent shock waves through the school, where he was well liked. There was a lot of sobbing and hugging at the Academy today. Many left school in the morning, unable to contain their grief.

Tomorrow many of Marc’s friends will wear purple in his honor. Marc and his buddies had a “purple shirt” day every week.

The bus driver involved in the collision will be asked some hard questions and possibly prosecuted for manslaughter. The details of the accident are not yet out, but one of my daughter’s friends, who used to ride the bus driven by him, stopped taking that bus because she was afraid of his driving.

Marc’s friends have created a Facebook Group in his honor. Marc was wearing a helmet, and he had a reputation for being a very careful driver, but a motorcycle is a dangerous thing… If we can do anything constructive with this deep sadness, let it be spreading the word about how dangerous motorcycles are.

My heart goes out to Marc’s parents. Losing your child has to be Life’s most tormenting pain. There are no words to describe the deep sorrow of our entire community for the loss of this lovely young man. May he rest in peace!

Mirela Monte

7568 Regina Drive - Myrtle Beach SC 29572

Grande Dunes - MAP IT

About the Home - Featuring 3 bedroom 2.5 bath with a study, pool/hot tub, and 3 car garage this ICF constructed home sits on one of the larger homesties in Siena Park. The home has new carpet, new paint, and a tile restoration company has just restored all the tile and grout lines back to original condition. The Cararra Model, built by Classic Homes, is a best selling model and boast just under 2400 heated square feet. Ownership of this beautiful home includes membership to the one and only Grande Dunes Ocean Club.

$559,900 - MLS#920891

Open Saturday Oct 31, 2009 11am to 4pm

Open Sunday Nov 1, 2009 1pm to 4pm

About the Grande Dunes - Siena Park -Only a few blocks away from the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, nature lovers are drawn to the refreshing tranquility of Siena Park, a residential garden spot featuring walking trails, wooded beauty and graceful homes encircled by a park-like environment.

Along a spectacular stretch of Carolina coastline is one of the most luxurious and elegant oceanfront facilities on the eastern seaboard. The Ocean Club at Grande Dunes pays tribute to the majestic beachside resorts of years past both in structure and welcoming service. While exuding the warmth of expansive white beaches and the generosity of classic Southern hospitality, our retreat also illustrates a keen awareness of the modern-day expectation of its members.

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Coastal REO Solutions (CRS) is a firm dedicated to stabilizing real estate market conditions by offering risk-management & assessment services of bank-owned properties. We achieve this by utilizing our staff’s superior knowledge of market conditions & strategies. Working with a network of contractors, inspectors & builders we provide you with a team dedicated to maximizing salability of your assets.