Tiverton, RI - Going Back while Moving Forward

FIRST SNOW FALL 12/7/09- TIVERTON, RI
We woke to snow this morning. So my plan was to bring my camera while doing errands and get pictures of the first snow fall. Off and on my way when I thought the picture above would be nice. However, I had forgotten my camera. Sometimes a simple change of plans turns out to be a great adventure.

I finished the errands and decided I would take pictures in our neighbor. On the way back I wanted to look at a property which happened to be in my old, actually first neighborhood. Along the way I saw a man and his children building a snow man. I wish I had my camera but things happen for a reason. Driving home I noticed how nice everything looked with the freshly fallen snow - back home for the camera.

This is my first neighborhood: GARDEN HEIGHTS
As I was driving around I thought what a nice place for a child to grow up or maybe it was only my nice memories.
As much as the neighborhood changed it stayed the same. Cozy 2-3 bedroom homes with well kept yards. Neighborhood was as clean as a whistle.
I saw a person I recognized as a former neighborhood. I should have said hi but it has been a long time.



Then I remembered there was a path on the street over. There it was the gateway to the outside. How many times I walked that path to school, ice skating. and the carnival. Beyond the path is the school yard (I wonder if the children still walk to school and if they are referred to as walkers) where in the summer there was a carnival. I use to watch the fireworks from my bedroom window. There is also the basketball court and in the winter they would fill it with water so we could ice skate (wonder if they still do that?). FYI -the house next to the path, the infamous gateway, is for sale.


Moving on. Driving home I'm thinking there are a lot of nice neighborhoods in Tiverton I need to revisit. I decided to take Highland Road on my way home and get some pictures of that neighborhood. The Highland Road Neighborhood offers a traditional and historic feel. It is a pretty tree lined road where you can find the Town Hall, Fort Barton, Hilltop Tree Farm, and the Essex Library.

The reason for this post is because I've been looking and watching. I am seeing buyers becoming homeowners and watching the transformation of the properties. You are doing some pretty great things with your new homes. If your thinking about buying maybe it is time you took the next step. Determine your wants and needs, see how much home you can afford, and look around you might be surprised. There are different styles, prices, and neighborhoods to choose from.

Lastly consult a real estate agent. I know your saying "Well Lisa that is because your one. I can do it myself." It is true I am a real estate agent and I don't question your ability to buy a home on your own. However I do believe in my profession and feel we offer a valuable service. While your busy working, picking up your children, shopping, and in general living your life which can be very busy, we are making sure things are moving along, your are meeting all deadlines, and constantly keeping informed of the situation. Sometimes when life gets hectic we just simply forget and most of the time it comes with a penalty. Next you probably will say "Well it's Christmas. I'm to busy." Just as all good things come they also pass.

Happy Holidays,

Lisa

Amazing things People do In and Outside of their Homes

Ever visit with someone and you are blown away by what that have done? While visiting with friends this summer that is exactly what happened to me. This post has been a long time coming due to complications with e-mailing photos. So last night again we were visiting with the same friends and I loaded the pictures to my computer from his camera. I hope you are as impressed as I am.

THE BEAUTIFUL POND

Pictures don't do this project justice. The couple who made this pond are just like you and I. They get up every day and go to their respective jobs and simply enjoy live and each other. They do not do this as a professional career but who would know? It is that good. Not only have they created a healthy pond for their fish but they have also created a environment full of life and a home to many species.

Here is one of the tenants. What a life. A wonderful place to live rent free. His or her only worry is where his/her next meal is coming from. Now a days we all wonder that from time to time. I hear he/she is quite aggressive and likes to try and catch birds. Yes I said birds. Imagine the ambition and desire this little fellow has to keep trying day after day to catch birds. I believe they have told me he/she is successful since sometimes there is evidence to support that fact. Not so nice part of life but life as it is and will be.





Here is the pond at night. Pretty cool how the lights are under water. It looks really nice and it is so relaxing. Can you see all the fish?






Here is a better view of the fish. There are so many they must be well fed. These are only the big fish there are thousands of little fish along the edges of the pond and under the lily pads.

This is Rocco their grandson enjoying the pond.

Everyone enjoys the pond whether you live in or around it or whether you just are exploring the life on a beautiful sunny day. Nice job you guys. Big things from the littlilest state in the Union. Were the last two sentences enough of a clue as to where this pond is located?

Bad Credit Card Companies Bad - Watch how they effect your Credit Score

Does anyone watch Carmen on CNBC? For those of you who don't she has a show advising people how to manage their finances. For you who don't know me I am not much of a TV fan. Actually I think it turns your mind into mush. However I do watch informative TV the history channel, CNBC, News, and yes I hate to admit it those House shows on HGTV (sometimes you can pull some worthy information from those shows).

Well last night the show was about credit card companies jacking interest rates, cutting your credit limit, and canceling cards for lack of use or having a zero balance. What got me angry was that while the credit card cuts your credit limit and cancel your card for not using it and you have a balance on another card your Credit Score is also hit.

So here we go again good customers paying there credit cards on time paying more than the minimum due are getting punished again. Now not only are they increasing your interest rate ridiculously they are also reducing your credit score.

THE THEORY BEHIND THE MADNESS - your debt to available funds ratio has busted your credit score. I am mad as hell and you should be also.

So what does this mean. Now more good customers in this country will have a lower credit score. People who actually have great credit will be denied loans because of their credit score. This is only proving to me what I have been taught numbers lie and liers use numbers. How do we get our customers qualified for a home loan when the credit card companies are not only wacking us with unaffordable interest rates but now they are affecting our credit scores. Oh and by the way this is all ok because there is no regulation to prevent this from happening. Well you know what something has to happen and something has to change.

I just wanted to provide you with the information so if possible you can fight back. Pay them off as quickly as you can. If you can't pay them quickly start looking now for a credit card with a better interest rate even if it is 8% because no one seems to know hold long that will be available. Carmen's Buzz says in this time 8% isn't a bad rate.

This sucks!

Lisa

Supporting Local Businesses. Craft Show Tiverton Middle School

Do you support your local and community businesses. I try to make a point of supporting them. They contribute greatly to our towns and cities. I do most of my business in Tiverton and Warren. I live in Tiverton and our Antique Store and my office are located in Warren.

I like when I go to Bank Newport and they know who I am. I try to share my transactions between Tiverton and Warren branches. My insurance company is Allstate located in Tiverton. Colleen Desrosier and her staff do a great job. When I call for an insurance binder within fifteen minutes it is on my fax machine.

I gas up at the local Gas Station "George's Gas". They pump it for you-really important to me. Heating fuel comes from Phil's Propane. Septic System pumped by A&D Sanitation. Anyway you get my point.

So this year for Christmas I was thinking I would try to purchase my gifts from local businesses. There are many great gift ideas, lots of local artists, potters, woodworkers, jewelry makers, ect. Sorry big retail stores I might not make it to you this year. Trust me I don't want to think about Christmas yet but there is a lot of ground to cover to make this happen.
So today I started at the Craft Fair being held at the Tiverton Middle School.

There were some pretty talented people there. Here are few.

RICHARD M. SOUSA
Woodturner
Furniture Parts-Finials-Bowls
Phone (401) 816-0365
Cell Phone - (401) 235-4511



It was pretty cool to watch them at work. They offered wood turned bowls, pens, wine stoppers, desk sets, to mention a few.

When attending an Open House at Christmans the platters would be great for crackers and cheese. You could fill the bowls with nuts. Then you can leave the item with your host as an extra gift. I'm sure you are more creative than I am and can come up with some great ideas. I thought the desk set was nice as well as the pens.

The bottle stoppers were very nice and would be even better accompanied by a bottle of your choice of fine spirits. This team does some fine work.

Another Artisan at the show was this man with his amazing pottery. I am so disappointed in myself for not getting his name. He only sells his pottery at shows. You will find him at the 18th Annual Holiday Crafts Festival at CCRI Knight Campus, Warwick RI on Friday November 28th 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Saturday November 29th 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Admission is $2.00 if you bring a non-perishable food item admission is $1.00.
He will also be at Durfee High School in Fall River, MA on December 6th & 7th.


His workmanship is wonderful. The painted flowers are delicate and beautiful. He had sponge holders, plates, bowls, baskets, and shrimp cocktail plate. How nice a present that would be- shrimp cocktail proudly served on this fine hand made stoneware. By the way he told me the CCRI Show is a really good show it has 80 Artisans & Crafters. He also told me there is a lot of quality merchandise at that show.



I love these. They are Plant Pals to keep your plants company. They are so whimsical and fun. Ever try to find a gift with a price limit or need a gift for your child's teacher. For $6.00 or 2 for $10.00 you would be hard pressed to find anything close to these Plant Pals. I'm wondering why I didn't buy some. Probably because I didn't get this gentleman's name and I will see him at the Durfee High School Show.


Here are some great gift for our fine four legged friends.
Offered by:
PET SITTERS in Tiverton, RI.
"ONE FAMILY AT A TIME"
CARE GIVERS: Tanya & Joe Beaulieu
(401) 624-4184 or 297-6030

Tanya is a little camera shy. Look at these tasty treats bake from pure love. There are black & white cookies, cup cakes, fortune cookies that are finer than any human bakery. I bought some for Isabel and had a hard time not eating them myself they looked so delicious.

Don't plan on giving your dog treats right away. Buy some Buddy Biscuits Bake at Home Dog Treats. What a good idea. I want to come back as Tanya's dog in my next life. Their logo says it all "ONE FAMILY AT A TIME".
Tanya & Joe offer day care and they assure "Your pet(s) will be in a caring and fun loving environment".

Being in the Antique Business I have done many of these shows. These people work hard. So go find your local business people and give them the support they deserve. It would be sad to them go away.

Next I am off to find Mr. John Dixon. Mr. Dixon is an Artificial Tree Manufacturer of Bonsai trees. I saw them displayed at Bank Newport and they were very good. I had to touch one to be sure they were Manufactured and not real. He will be opening in Tiverton, RI on November 20th. His web site will be Bonsaibydixon.com. I keep looking for it but haven't seen it yet so I am off to find him. These could be really nice gifts also.

Election Day Rhode Island. MUST SEE. Everyone Person has a Right to His/Her Choice. No Matter What Age.

Today from the store window of our Antique Store I watched this young man campaign for Obama harder than any individual I have seen all this election.










Joe Burns - Obama Supporter
Warren, RI

This young man was relentless waving and pointing at his sign at every car that passed rallying for support. Some people even flipped him off. No matter who you like for President this young man didn't deserve that response for his effort. He was out there for hours. A Jack Reed supporter or representative must have been pretty impressed because he stopped and gave him the sign above. This is America people so if this young man likes Obama and you disagree then don't blow your horn, don't wave but give him the respect he deserves for his choice. Don't flip him off. People have the right of choice in this Country. That is what makes this Country great. Look at the pride in his face. This is not an emotion we should discourage.