Lessons from Tornado Alley

The MAN CAVE

The last few weeks have been too hot for my taste.  Growing up in Chicago, I hated the hot, muggy summer months.  That’s the reason I live in California now and not Illinois.  During those months, there was almost always an impending tornado just waiting to swoop down on us.  We actually had a storm cellar and were all schooled on how to use it.  As soon as the sky blackened overhead (which was usually right in the middle of a backyard picnic) we headed down the stairs into the basement.  Yes, everyone had a basement in Chicago.  We would pool our refreshments into the cellar area and wait it out.  The cellar was different from the basement.  It was in the far southeast corner of the building supported by the foundation on two sides with heavy wooden doors that closed tight.  It was rank and musty and probably more dangerous than the tornado if you had asthma.  It did serve its purpose though.  One summer, we lost an entire block of houses just one block east of us.  Lake Michigan was east of our town (a little southwest suburb called Berwyn) and the storms would pool from over the lake and head out our way.  We’d hunker down in that cellar with a single light bulb hanging from a bare wire in the ceiling and wait it out.  They don’t build cellars out here in California but they do have something similar – in our house it’s called a “Man Cave.”   It’s the place my hubby heads out to hunker down when we have a tornado brewing.  Of course that’s usually just me having a hissy over something, not involving any atmospheric pressure or turbulence.  The cellar and the man cave serve the same purpose though.  Keeps everyone safe and cool and usually provides solace in a place that generally includes beverages of choice for the duration.  Muggy, hot weather in California also brings earthquakes, or so it seems.  I just refilled my emergency kit with all the necessities in case we have the big one.  Being a 

CERT Training in Redondo Beach

Certified Emergency Response Team member, I’m always worried about these things.  So, my sage advice this month is to stock your cellar (or man cave/storage shed) with emergency supplies just in case we have an “event.”  My husband likes to help me with the emergency supplies.  I just don’t know how Jack Daniels became “medically necessary” for the first aid kit but maybe I missed that in my CERT training.  Anyway, remember – if you live in “shake and bake” country or even in “tornado alley” you need to be ready for a big event.  Don’t chance it – you can always use the water supplies and eat the canned goods later as you rotate your stock.   Nothing goes to waste – especially the Jack Daniels …it’s a Man Cave

 

Thing!  You might want to check out CERT training in your area too.  It doesn't hurt to know how to function under pressure in an emergency and to protect your loved ones and fur people as well. 

Charlie Hoffmann/Team South Bay Realty

Mother's Day Dos and Don'ts

First of all, I’m not a Mother – at least not to tiny humans.  If fur people count, Motherhood has been my blessing for sure.  Of course we all “mother” to some extent (whether male or female) but Mother as a noun and not a verb is what we reflect upon this time of year. 

People ask me all the time “do you have any kids?”   Bad Question – I always answer “Not that I know of.”  That answer always brings a wrinkly forehead to the questioner.  Of course there were those somewhat unremembered days in the 60’s, but I digress.  It’s not polite to ask that question.  People usually ask because they want to tell you about their kids, grandkids, great grandkids.  I actually inherited a few grandkids when I married my husband but that doesn’t really count.  Motherhood and/or Grandmotherhood  is more in the “being” than the “doing.” 

My role model for a Mother is my wonderful friend Annie.  She’s my morning walk buddy.  For the last six or seven years (I’ve lost count) we walk every single morning.  We start out at 6:00 a.m. and walk my dogs (she doesn’t have any.)  We discuss politics, crime, relatives, dog poop…we sing songs, reminisce about earlier times and laugh a lot.  We’re probably a tad loud because neighbors have asked me “what in heaven’s name could possibly be so funny to cackle about at Odark30?”  The answer, I guess, is life.  Annie has 7 children that she knows of…and many grandchildren and great grandchildren (I’ve kind of lost track, they just keep coming.)  She’s outlived two husbands that she dearly loved and Annie loves her kids, all of them.  Some make her crazy from time to time but it doesn’t matter, she’s THE MOM.  I listen but I don’t presume or comment.  I learned a long time ago you don’t ever advise a MOM on how to raise or handle her kids, no matter what “pearl of wisdom” you think you must provide.  In turn, Annie doesn’t tell me how to handle my dogs or cats or husband either.  It’s all good!  I listen to the wonderful stories about Annie’s kids and I remember my own childhood.  I marvel at how Moms survive all the drama, disappointment and stress.  I guess it’s the laughter and love and tears of joy that sustain. 

This Mother’s Day, tell the Moms you know how much you admire them.  Don’t ask females you’ve just met if they have any kids (they’ll tell you in good time if they do.)  Kiss your Mom if she’s still with you and remember what a snotty little brat you were and how much she had to …I’ve digressed again.  Let her know how much you love her.   Posies and chocolates are nice but don’t “hold a candle” to some honest affection and admiration and please don’t leave out the hugs. 

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone, tiny human and fur people Moms alike!  We love you all.  

How To Screw Up Your Retirement

Just read this article by Dennis Miller "Miller's Money Forever"

There are many creative ways to screw up your retirement.          Let me show you how it’s done:

• Supporting adult children
• Ignoring your health
• Not keeping your retirement plan up to date
• Thinking you can continue working as long as you wish
• Not increasing your rate of saving
• Continually taking equity out of your home
  
• Retiring with a substantial mortgage
• Taking out a reverse mortgage at a young age
• Putting your life’s savings into an annuity
• Thinking your employer’s retirement plan is all you need.

While I agree with the foregoing, I think he may have missed a few really bad ideas I've noticed lately.  Once you have the time on your hands and a perfectly good retirement

  ahead to screw up, I'd avoid these...

• Continuing to shop at Amazon daily after your paycheck has been discontinued
• Deciding to buy that new SMART CAR to save money before they actually perfect it
• Trying to do your own roofing work with your spouse holding the ladder
• Buying a boat to relax instead of taking a cruise
• Moving into the "Rental Unit"  in the back while the kids take over your house
• Planting a Creative Rock Garden in front of your house to save money on water
• Taking up Snowboarding after age 65 to spend time with the grandkids
• Putting a big chunk of your savings into your kid's new MLM business
• Starting that new Franchise Business you've read so much about 
• Lending money to relatives as an investment that pays more interest than the banks

Ah well, sometimes these things are more easily done than avoided.  Just don't say I didn't warn you.  

Hope you all have a great April and enjoy your Holidays.  We'll be back to warn you about Mother's Day Dos and Don'ts next month.  

Team South Bay Realty  

Your Neighborhood Real Estate Store

24022 Vista Montana

Torrance, CA 90505

310-378-4440

Crime and Punishment

Charlies Neighborhood News  (click on this link if you don't get my newsletter delivered)

Every Month, I send out an "E" Newsletter and a printed version.  Some people like one and some like the other.  Personally, I receive so much email, most of which I really don't have any interest in reading, I hate to clutter other peoples mailboxes with mine.  As far as the printed version, I have a lot of fans of my monthly newsletter.  It's simpler than the "E" version and more folksy.  I try to include some fun stuff ... favorite recipes, "how to" tips, neighborly news.  Since I've been at this for decades, people actually call me when they don't get my newsletter.  I love that - makes me feel like someone is actually reading it.  Every now and then I get an email thanking me for information.  I love that even more.  Makes my monthly effort feel worthwhile.

For some time now I've also been getting NIXLE alerts.  In the beginning they weren't in "my neighborhood" so I didn't feel too worried.  Lately they are edging ever nearer.  I just read one about a pair of Male and Female Distracters.  It appears they knocked on the front door of the person's home.  He opened the door and the "perp" (I learned that word watching CSI) inquired if a certain party resided there.  When told no, the perp apologized and walked away.   The unsuspecting homeowner went out to his backyard and observed perp #2 on his cellphone and asked if he could help him.  Perp #2 said he was looking for his son's ball and began rambling on eventually fleeing the backyard through a side gate.

The homeowner then discovered that perp #2 had moved a bench in the backyard, climbed up a water pipe to the second story, pried open the glass door and ransacked his bedroom.  There was a plastic bag containing BBQ chicken remnants in the backyard (probably used to quiet the homeowners dog.)

Now I'm wondering, do you think it would be helpful to let you know about the Lighter Low Calorie Chicken Pot Pie this month or to find a mug shot of these perps to help you guard your house?

 It's really comes down to this.  Since none of us have much time to read anymore, we have to make it count.  Maybe that's why we don't have any "Good News" papers.   And to think I was going to report on the recent occurrence of Coyotes menacing our small animals this month.  I wonder if BBQ chicken remnants would appease them...

As our Police Department Keeps Reminding us ...

"See Something - Say Something"  






Charlie Hoffmann
Team South Bay Realty
310-378-4440

2014 WILL BE A VERY GOOD YEAR!

TEAM SOUTH BAY REALTY



COURTESY DESKS

While 2013 had it's ups and downs, our families and our business experienced many blessings.  We are grateful for what has past and very optimistic for our future.  We started 2014 with "sun shiny, sparkly" weather, good health and a great market.  We moved our office to a better location with lots of room, plenty of parking and NO stairs!  We added several new listings to our inventory to start the year out right and we're ready to take our Team to new heights this year!

ROOM FOR EVERYONE

 We're also looking forward to adding a few new members to our Team.  If you know anyone looking for a warm, reputable company to join, with or without a real estate license, give them our number - we'd love to talk with them. 

We've also added Insurance to our business this year. If you're looking for auto, home or life insurance, give us a call. 

Our aim is to provide the best possible customer service to all our clients, old and new. Since we've been serving the South Bay for over 30 years, we have a lot of fans and we do a great amount of repeat business with our clients but we're always looking for more families to help.  Let us find the perfect home for your family this year.  Interest rates are the lowest in history and prices are still affordable.  We call this the perfect window.  Whether you are thinking about downsizing, getting something larger, moving out of the area or adding income property to your investment portfolio this year, we can help. 



OUR COMPLIMENTRY COFFEE BAR!

In addition, we are qualified to work with Short Sales and have designations as Senior Real Estate Specialists too.  We also provide property management and leasing services. 

Stop by for a cup of coffee and let's chat about your real estate plans this year.  We're the "helpful real estate Team" here in the South Bay. 

Visit our websites:  www.TeamSouthBayRealty.com
or www.TeamSouthBayRentals.com
or take a peek at our Pinterest of the South Bay:
www.Pinterest.com/TeamSouthBay/South-Bay-Living or
tweet with us at www.Twitter.com/msfinance or check us out on www.linkedin.com/in/charliehoffmann or email Charlie@TeamSouthBayRealty.com

We'd love to hear from you. 

Happy New Year from all  of us at:

 

24022 Vista Montana
Torrance, CA 90505
310-378-4440

Thanksgiving 2013

This has been a rough year for several of my friends.  My friend Limi's son Leo accidentally shot himself in the eye with a pellet gun (something our parents have always warned about.) He lost the sight in his eye and the pellet is lodged in his brain.  He is paralyzed on his left side.   Another friend has a brain tumor that had been in remission for the past 10 years and reared it's ugly head again.  At the same time, her husband is preparing for a triple by-pass.  Meanwhile another close friend just found out her dog has cancer.  All this at the same time and right before the Holidays. 

My husband and I were thinking about how lucky we are the other day.  He was preparing his annual Thanksgiving gratitude and blessing request for our upcoming feast.  He was also going over our prayer list for all our friends and loved ones going through hard times.   We realized how grateful we really are just for our common everyday lives, filled only with mundane trials and tribulations.    My husband is very familiar with the pain of long term illness and the total disruption of the entire family's lives and sanity with just the initial diagnosis.  His late wife had gone through a long term illness and her pain and passing is recalled easily with others' stories. 

With Everyone in our prayers, we are focused this year on Gratitude and Thankfulness for so many things...

 

One of my agents fought breast cancer and WON this year - she is now cancer free! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! 

My husband had some minor surgery that has made a big improvement in his health!

 

We found a "forever" home for a wonderful little bulldog that had been terribly neglected!

We watched all my husband's grandchildren grow healthy and strong!

We helped several people save their homes from foreclosure! 

We found "dream homes" for quite a few first time buyers!

My husband finally finished his storage shed (albeit it looks more like a "man cave" than a storage shed.) 

We were able to feed and clothe our families and even help feed a few less fortunate!

My friend Annie (87 in Jan) is still walking with me and the dogs EVERY morning - 7 days a week!

My sister and her husband were able to sell their condo and move in their remodeled  "Pool" house! 

My Nephew Noah graduated High School and is embarking on a career as a chef and my friend Cathy's two boys are now attending USC - don't even ask about the tuitions! 

We all managed to get through another year in California without the BIG ONE!

My dogs are all happy and healthy even though they are all on "mature dog" kibble. 

We spent some great quality time with our friends!

Of course I can add a lot more to this list but you get the picture.  As we look forward to Christmas and the New Year, let's look back and count our blessings ..it doesn't hurt to pay it forward either! 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! 

We are very grateful for all our friends and neighbors.  Blessings for a safe, healthy and joyous Holiday season. 

Please keep our friends Limi & KC,

 Leo, Gale, Jim and Lulu on your prayer list. 

Thank You!

 

Charlie

Team South Bay Realty

310-534-3940

 

 

Chicken Soup For the Dog?

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE DOG?

Halloween is over - thank heavens...now it's time to take down the gaudy and maudlin decor and start preparing for the next holiday season...but wait a minute.   Why am I hearing those arrrgh noises from my dog?  Seems like one or more may have taken part in last nights celebration.  I'm hoping it was just candy and there are no missing children.  

Anyway, I was going to start putting up my fav Thanksgiving sides and such but now I'm thinking... is there such a thing as a chicken soup cure for an ailing dog?  When we're sick, that's what we eat but what do you feed a dog that looks like a really bad New Year's Eve hangover victim?


One of the things I give my dogs every day is a scoop of roasted chicken with vegetables on top of their kibble.  They enjoy it and it provides added nutrients and protein missing from the kibble.  So, why not make some soup for them too?  I'll be right back...

OK, believe it or not, looks like it helps!  All three are now making slurping noises instead of gagging.
Last Christmas one of them opened up a wrapped box of chocolates that was in a gift bag, unwrapped the box, ate the entire box and pushed the empty box under the couch.  Had I not noticed a few errant wrappers by the door, I would never have even thought to check the gift bag.  There's a fine line between smart and not so much.

At least we will be heading to the beach today and not to the vet.  Thank Heavens for Chicken Soup.  It really can soothe the savage beast in more ways than one.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and please, don't let the dogs get a hold of the turkey carcass.  

Blessings for a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving dinner for you and your family.



Click Here for our November Newsletter
Some great information on predictions for the real estate market in 2014 and fun ideas for decorating your Thanksgiving Table too.  It's all good (my friend Sam always says.)


Charlie (Hoffmann) and Rod Russell and whole furry family ;)

Team South Bay Realty
BRE #00769985
24214 Hawthorne Blvd.
Suite B
Torrance, CA 90505
310-378-4440