(New!) Tips for Investing a Tax Refund in Your Home HouseLogic talks to financial planner Alan D. Kahn, who offers tips for investing a tax refund in your home based on where you are in life—and with your house. Read Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® 03/07/2010

Finally here are some pictures from the snow storm that I would have posted last week but I had no internet connection.  Today the sun is shining brightly and is melting the snow!  YAY!  Spring cannot come soon enough.  When I took these pictures it had been snowing for 2 1/2 days straight with no let up.  There were people in our county that had no power whatsoever for over a week.  It was the worst storm we have seen since April of 1997.  Since we were snowed in for four days I couldn't get pictures of this but heard from multiple people over and over about the plow trucks that were stuck all over the place because they kept getting stuck in the snow.  It was extremely heavy snow and under the snow was ice which made moving the snow extremely difficult.  Many roofs collapsed, trees ca... 03/07/2010

This is a follow up post to the keeping cats out of your plants.  I saw alot of complaints about scratching furniture, clawing wires and things of that sort.  I tried everything for those things too and of course nothing works.  Training-nope! Spraying "smell bad sprays"-nope! Moving the furniture around-nope! Piling the couches with stuff to keep the cat off-nope! Re-organizing wires etc...-nope! One day I was running out the door and I found a new problem solver quite by accident.  For every one of those problems.  You are going to laugh but I promise you, it has been working for me for over two months already.  On everything!  I was getting ready to go to work and right before I was leaving Miley hopped up on the couch to scratch away and all I could think of was her scratching my co... 03/06/2010

When I first got my cat she was always sleeping in my one plant no matter what I did.  I think it is because she found security there.  Now luckily she sleeps in her bed and I have no more problems.  I recently came across some things that could help for anyone else that might have that problem.   There are several things you can try: Put netting over the dirt so the cat can't get to it.  You can still water and feed the plant. Sprinkle lemon juice into the plant.  It won't hurt the plant but the cat doesn't like the smell.  The same goes for lemon, lime or orange peels. Put pine cones on the dirt.  Again you can water with no problem and the cat won't like the feel. Put marbles on the dirt. Use aquarium gravel on top of the dirt.   When all else fails it might be time to rid yourself o... 03/03/2010

I have no internet so I am posting something quick on a friend's computer.  The storm has struck again.  GRRRRR!  This post is for Bruce who recently asked if that Hawk was still haunting my back yard looking for my little 3 pounder.   These pictures were taken the day before the big storm.  I just happened to look out the window when I ran home for lunch and there he was right outside the window.  Whenever I run home for lunch I also walk my little 3 pounder and there he was waiting.  Sigh...I guess he is there for good because he has been around over 2 years already.    Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2010 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  These photos may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Minisink Valley Homes Real Es... 03/01/2010

Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2010 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  This photo may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Minisink Valley Homes Real Estate in Slate Hill, NY.  Thank you for not plagiarizing!   02/27/2010

The last 2 1/2 days it has snowed almost non stop. We got well over 2 feet of snow.  We haven't had a storm like that since April of 1997.  Today I had an appointment to go out with buyers and since everyone was digging out and we had been cooped up for days we decided to keep the appointment.   Everywhere we went it looked like a disaster.  I couldn't really take pictures because I was with someone new (actually I don't think I would do that with someone I was more comfortable with either) but I was able to snap a few when I was stopped waiting to get through a road block.  As it turned out we were never able to get through.  A tree had come down taking all the wires with it and they were laying in the road.   As a result the road was extremely dangerous and they turned us all around. ... 02/27/2010

When I first heard they were going to hold the Terror Trials in New York City I couldn't believe it.  How could they afford it?  How would they protect everyone?  Why did these people who weren't even citizens deserve the same rights and access to a justice system that a United States citizen would?  Then they began to say they would move them to Orange County-right up the road from where I live.  Still the same questions-how could they protect everyone during these trials?  Why does it have to be done in such extremely populated areas?   This should be done in a military tribunal away from populated areas.  I definitely agree that all the families of the people who were killed on 9/11 should have access to these trials as they are requesting but they should not be held in New York City... 02/25/2010

Orange County Declares State Of Emergency Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana has declared a state of emergency in response to the severe weather impacting Orange County The County has determined that road conditions are dangerous and pose a real and substantial risk to vehicular traffic and the public safety is imperiled thereby, and the presence of non-essential vehicles on the roads will impede snow removal equipment and other essential services,” Diana said. “Accordingly, I do hereby find that the County of Orange public safety to be imperiled by the said winter storm and, consequently, to safeguard the health and welfare of the public, I declare a County state of emergency for the entire County of Orange, pursuant, inter alia, to New York State Executive Law Section 24, beginni... 02/25/2010

      Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2010 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  These photos may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Minisink Valley Homes Real Estate in Slate Hill, NY.  Thank you for not plagiarizing! 02/25/2010

This is one of the kindest things you may ever see. This was sent to me in an email. It is not known who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.        Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.   I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words: Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog?  She died yesterday and is with you in heaven.  I miss her very much.  I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her.  She likes to play with balls and to s... 02/25/2010

I actually came across this video quite by accident.  I was looking for something else and found this, so ladies Enjoy!   Although he does keep saying "Guys."  LOL.   There are alot of reviews underneath the video where I found it and they are very favorable, hundreds of them! 02/24/2010

If you are updating your bathroom or building a new home and want a spa like shower experience than this is the shower for you.  The Moen ioDigital allows you the ability to make taking a shower a luxury you can enjoy everyday.   The ioDigital is like having your own personal maid who will set your shower to the perfect temperature and flow for your daily shower.  You can have your shower on and running before you even leave your bed in the morning.  With minimal programming effort once this is done, you will not have to do it again unless you would like to make any changes.   With this precise programming you will never again need to wonder if your shower or bath is the right temperature.  There are up to 4 different presets that are easily programmed into the memory which allows each ... 02/23/2010

FEBRUARY 26, 27 & 28 2010 FRIDAY - SATURDAY - SUNDAY Come to the Orange County Spring Home Show where there will be over 90 exhibitors with 150 booths representing the home building and remodeling industry.   See all of the latest in new products and services from the basement to the roof in fixtures, furnishings, insulation, lighting, heating, energy, patio furniture, water purification and more!  If you are looking to update, upgrade or do any kind of work on your home then this is the place for you! Fri 4 - 9 pm, Sat 10 - 8 pm and Sun 10 - 6 pm. Orange County Fair Arena 239 Wisner Avenue Middletown NY  10940 845-343-2772 800-223-464 ADMISSION WILL BE AT THE DOOR ONLY - CASH ONLY ADULTS  $6 CHILDREN 10-15 YRS $2 CHILDREN UNDER 10 FREE WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT NO ENTRY TO EVENT WIL... 02/21/2010

Sunday February 21, 2010 in Orange County NY Sunday's Weather - Sunny and High In The Low 40s  (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Happy Valentine's Day Special Events Skiing and Snow Boarding - Warwick, NY Mount Peter, 40 Ski Lane, Warwick, NY has been making snow and lifts will be open from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM today.  Try out that new equipment close to home. For Further Information 845-986-4992 Breakfast on the Farm - Pine Island, NY Gather around the pot belly stove for a country farm breakfast with fresh eggs to order, bacon, hot cider, and coffee at the Rogowski Farm,327 Glenwood Road, Pine Island, NY from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Today.  Breakfast is served Every Saturday and Sunday. For Further Information 845-258-4574 Snow Tubing and Other Winter Sports- Montgomery, NY There... 02/20/2010

Coming later this year is the Electronic Key Impressioner (EKI) which is a handheld device that maps the inside of car locks and then provides the key code in several seconds via USB cable connection to your computer.   This key code when matched to the make of the car allows key cutting machines to make a new copy of the key required for the particular car.    The EKI will come with vehicle keyway inserts, USB cable and lock mapping software.  The software will have access to a database of updated key codes.  The system will work for older keys versus the newer cars with transponders.  Automakers who do not wish to participate may change their lock technology and render it worthless.  In the wrong hands this may present a big problem but in the big picture should make things a whole lo... 02/20/2010

Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2010 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  This photo may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Minisink Valley Homes Real Estate in Slate Hill, NY.  Thank you for not plagiarizing!   02/19/2010

Today I left my house early to head to an inspection.  YAY!! I wanted to get there early because I knew my buyer was coming from over 300 miles away to attend the inspection and I wanted to be there to open the house for them should they arrive early.  The seller was going to be present also so it should be a pretty easy straight forward day.  We all arrived within minutes of each other and chatted for a short time while we were waiting for the home inspector to show up.   When the allotted time came and went I figured I had better call the company in case the inspector was lost.  This has happened in the past so I figured it would be no big deal although unusual because the home inspectors I deal with are always on time if not early.   I didn't get an answer at the inspection company s... 02/15/2010

Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2010 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  This photo may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Minisink Valley Homes Real Estate in Slate Hill, NY.  Thank you for not plagiarizing! 02/14/2010

Sunday February 14, 2010 in Orange County NY Sunday's Weather - Mostly Cloudy and High of 35  (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Happy Valentine's Day Special Events Skiing and Snow Boarding - Warwick, NY Mount Peter, 40 Ski Lane, Warwick, NY has been making snow and lifts will be open from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM today.  Try out that new equipment close to home. For Further Information 845-986-4992 Breakfast on the Farm - Pine Island, NY Gather around the pot belly stove for a country farm breakfast with fresh eggs to order, bacon, hot cider, and coffee at the Rogowski Farm,327 Glenwood Road, Pine Island, NY from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Today.  Breakfast is served Every Saturday and Sunday. For Further Information 845-258-4574 Snow Tubing and Other Winter Sports- Montgomery, NY There ... 02/13/2010