Twin Lakes!!

I just spent the afternoon with several people who are positioning themselves to be at a fantastic market position here in Delaware in a very short time.

Twin Lakes Brewing Company has a product that puts other local brewers to shame.
I tasted the grains! I rubbed the hop flowers in my hands and took an intoxicating deep breath. I participated in an interesting "ritual" where you dip both arms in a container of the "spent" hops and basically get a steam hop facial. I've tasted the pure clean water. And... I tasted the final product! WOW! Truly a beer lover's dream!

This Saturday, Twin Lakes is having a special Grand Opening. The time is from Noon to 4pm. The cost is $10 and this includes several samples, plus a live band and hot dogs fresh from the grill. They are also having tours of the brewery. I took the tour today and was greatly impressed with the wealth of information that was presented about the brewing process and the quality of the samples.

If you're in the area, I recommend stopping in for some excellent samples.

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day. A day that we remember the sacrifice of the many for the safety and security of our nation and the world. I have many relatives who have served in various branches of our military. I am blessed by that. I am also blessed and amazed that this great country is able to maintain our forces on a voluntary basis. Tell me... why is it that so many are willing to serve and volunteer. Is it because they will be paid great sums? Certainly not! Is it because there is prestige and recognition? Not really. In fact, there are many in this country who would spit on these men and women rather than thank them. To those folks, I offer the opportunity to leave the US and go anywhere else. I don't want you here. You don't deserve the blessing bought by the blood of these men and women.
Here are some links for y'all to investigate related to this day.

Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2006
Secretary Rumsfeld Delivers Memorial Day Message
America Supports You
Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

Take some time today to thank a veteran! Tell an active duty marine, soldier, sailor or airman that you appreciate their sacrifice and service.

News!

It's funny that I posted no news yesterday and then I found out in the afternoon that the bank signed the contract... AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And so begins what will surely be the busiest 4-6 months of my life to date. And that's saying a lot from a guy who has been working an average of 72 billable hours a week since March!

I'm about to learn what sleep depravation really feels like, I think.
Pray for me... that I will be able to manage everything and still be a light. This is an area of my life that has been lacking in recent months. The Lord has been dealing with me about it, though. I really don't want this real estate transaction to consume me. I want to be able to focus on my family and also turning around my detour from the narrow path.

I'm really looking forward to seeing John and his family this weekend! Gotta figure out what I'm grilling!

So many calls to make...
Mortgage company, real estate attorney, real estate agent...
Decisions about contractors...
Wall coverings, appliances, carpet, tile, bathroom fixtures, paint, light fixtures, lawn tractor, driveway layout, possible solar panels installation...
I have to learn about septic systems and well water treatment...
Gotta sell the S2K...

"I'd be pullin' out my hair if I could just get one hand free..." SCC

No news yet

We are still waiting to hear from the bank. What a surprise!? [/sarcasm]

In response to Missy... cotton farming is too hard! Way too much labor involved in that crop.
With pine trees, all you do is watch them grow. With occasional spraying and Kudzu abatement, you have a solid harvest every 12 years or so. Now THAT'S my kind of work! ;-)

I don't have any more time to post this morning. Hopefully I can add more later.

House Update

We made an initial offer on the home I blogged about a while ago. Yesterday, the bank counter offered (the property is bank owned due to foreclosure). The counter offer is right at the maximum that I was willing to go to. Kind of confirms to me that it's ok to proceed with the purchase. Next, we need to redo all the paperwork and submit again with the new price. Then set a settlement date.

I think I've found a way to creatively finance this property in such a way that we will be able to renovate the new home before moving in. Then we will move. Then we will renovate the house we live in currently. What this boils down to is carrying two mortgages and two equity loans for about 6 months. Doesn't that make your stomach turn!? It does that to me. :-P

I actually plan to make one equity loan large enough to cover all the payments during the 6 months in addition to getting cash to renovate. When it's all said and done, and the home we are in now sells, we will be left with just one mortgage and close to $350,000 in equity already built up in the new property.

I hope to use that equity to purchase more property in the area to renovate and sell (flip). I'll use the profits from this (minus capital gains) to pay down my remaining mortgage until it's totally gone. This will hopefully happen within the next 6 or 7 years.

I haven't forgotten about buying Alabama timber land. That's in the works as well.
Then there's the shrimp farm...
Oh, and the college tuition for the next few kids that follow that path...

It's gonna be a busy decade!

SIx Things

So here are the six things that I said I would post a few days ago.

1) While I am just the youngest of my siblings, I feel that I will be the family leader in the years following my father's death. (He is still very much alive and I am thankful)

2) I secretly love the beach. I always tell people that I don't. The reason for this is my sensitive skin and the risk of cancer. As long as there are adequate places to get all that sand and salt off in a shower, I'm fine with vacationing at the beach.

3) I want to travel overseas. But even more than that, I want to see every inch of this wonderful country that I live in. Now if I could just find the time... and a few extra dollars.

4) I'm not really fond of children. I know, I know! You're saying "but you have so many!" This is true. I have lots of kids and I love them dearly. I have just become such a fogey that I tire easily of childish behavior. Maybe it's because I've been at this childrearing for 20 years now and I'm only halfway done. I think I would have made a good single uncle or maybe a monk...

5) I want to be a farmer (of sorts). Many of you know that I would like to be an Alabama land baron with 1000 acres of timber. Some of you also know that I have entertained the idea of shrimp farming. I really think it's more than just a passing whim.

6) I don't do well in public situations where I'm required to socialize randomly. I have a very poor ability to remember names of virtually anyone. I may have known you for years and years, but when I see you, I will inevitably forget your name. Please feel free to re-introduce yourself if I haven't called you by name in the first few minutes of our conversation.

Guess I'm supposed to tag a few people now.

I tag John, Amy, Emily, Jeremy, Kathy, and Kelby.

Don't be offended if I didn't tag you. I've probably just forgotten what your name is.