Author Archives: Britton

Just Chillin at Home

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It was  a nice weekend.  We didn’t do a whole lot in general but did get a few errands done.  I took the chicks out to the new pad and let them check it out.  I think they like the curtains.  They aren’t old enough to live outside on their own.  But maybe in a few more weeks.  The cat still looks at them like food; he doesn’t look at the older chicken like that.

Chicken Coop

We also rode our bikes a little bit this weekend and took a walk in the rain with umbrellas. We rode our bikes to get hair cuts for both of us. Here’s a picture of Cassie with her new ‘do:

Cassie with short hair

Cassie’s shorter hair do in backyard

Still haven’t found the ring yet, but having fun looking with the metal detector that was loaned to me.

putting-together-the-metal-detector
Putting together the metal detector to search the yard with Kitty and Chicken watching.

Cassie and I weren’t the only ones go get new haircuts!

schnoodle's do
Schnoodle Doo’s new hair do

New Frontier Bank Closes in Greeley

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Well we saw something you don’t see everyday.  The reason for the FDIC.  It took over as New Frontier Bank closes in Greeley (in Longmont and Windsor as well).
NewFrontier Bank
News Crews out Front

We do have an account there and a CD.  So we have some concern, but the FDIC had a spokesman out front today to assure customers that their money is safe.  It’s interesting that the spokesman they hired was a HUGE guy.  The guy was 7 feet of nicely prepared suit.  I started to think about why they had such a huge figure representing the FDIC?  Of course!  They want to appear as big and strong as they can.  Makes sense.  Rest assured citizen, your money is safe.

big-guy
You can see the huge FDIC dude on the right.

We drove by late last night on our way to get some pizza and knew something was up.  All the lights were on and there were a TON of cars around the parking lot.  This was about 10pm on a Friday night.  We also knew someone who worked pretty high up there and we were aware that this may happen but you never really expect it.

dr-evil
600 meeelion dollars

Turns out around $600 million dollars will be used to cover the losses of the bank.  That’s taxpayer money.

We needed to drop off some checks and other odds and ends at the bank this weekend and had planned on going to New Frontier. We ended up going to another bank as a result of it closing. We had some coin change to turn in which was an interesting journey in itself.  Their coin machine got jammed and they had to take it all apart while we stood and watched.  There was at one point 3 employees working on the change machine..lol.

Anyway, as far as New Frontier, and actually the  entire U.S. banking and financial system, we are witnessing history.  We knew a lot of customers and employees.  Family and friends banked there so its weird to see it make national news.  Something in our small backyard. Are these the Great Depression type stories we will tell our grandchildren?

The Interesting times we live in
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Lares Puerto Rico Property Update

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View of the property

View of the property

Well we saw that the Lares, Puerto Rico property was back up and listed for sale online.  The price had gone up in the listing by $15,000.  We had gotten our deposit back after a year + of waiting on the title. She was free to try and sell it to another buyer and we are free to look around again.  So it was not a bad thing at all to see it listed.

I decided to call Alwilda just to see how things were going.  I asked her how the title was coming along?  She replied “I have sold the property”.  I was kind of surprised, but knowing how badly she wants to move I was happy for her.  “Bien! Bien!” I said, “When will you be able to move?”.  She said that she is selling the property in June to some Canadians.

There are a few things that struck me odd about that.

I’ve looked up lots of information over this last year and its kind of hard to pin down, but I don’t believe she can sell the property until it is listed in the title registry.  I’ve seen information online that even says  that a notary has to sign for the deed and the first thing they have to do is verify is that the title is properly filed in the registry.  This one isn’t listed, which is why we couldn’t buy it.  Carlos (her lawyer & also a notary AND ex-son in-law) kept telling us that if we paid with cash, then we would be able to buy the property…Yeah….right.  I have a bridge to sell you.

The other odd thing is that she is selling it in June which means to me she hasn’t sold it.  Maybe they are looking into it the same as Cassie and I did?  To visit and make a decision.

I don’t know the people that are buying the property but if they are reading this (they might stumble across this),  be careful.  There are some odd laws in the books down there.   William is the one who owned the entire plot broke off and sold the 25 acres to Alwilda.  William has children who may have legal right to the land when he dies (Spanish inheritance laws).  When we applied for the loan thru the bank, the bank was saying “no way” due to the title issues.  Some of the best advice I received from a realtor was to go thru the big well known institutions and reputable places.  They are protecting themselves in the deal and as a result you get that protection. Which is why even if you have cash to buy something outright its not always the best route.  You lose a lot of protection so you better be sure you know what you’re doing.  That’s my opinion anyway.

estrella-awilda-and-britton
Estrella, Alwilda and me, plus Pirulo (the dog)

It’s a beauitful property deep in the mountains of Lares and if we could have bought it legit, I think we would have.  However, I think we are just going to look for a place closer to the beaches and wish Alwida the best of luck.  We do feel like we kind of missed out, but it is probably for the best for both parties.  We will continue to stay in touch with her and visit when we are in Puerto Rico next.

Phish at Red Rocks

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Well I was hoping to score some tickets to see Phish.  But I received this notice:  “We regret to inform you that you did not get the tickets that you requested through Phish Tickets.”

phish5

They just started touring again and as a result all the tickets are hard to get.  Too many damn hippies.   I have been listening to some live stuff they recorded in Hampton VA at their first show in years.  Its good stuff if you like a “Jam Band”.  Its definately not something you’d hear on the radio as most of the songs carry on for at least 10 minutes and usually longer.  I’ve found that its good music to listen to when I drive to work (45 minutes) or have a project at work.

I’ll keep trying for tickets.  Red Rocks is by far the coolest venue to see a concert at.   Open air music in Colorado during the summer is one of my favorite things.

free
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Maybe I’ll figure out another way to get tickets.