The

REAL spiel©
Volume 1 Issue 33 March 2011

Cindy Droste,
502-649-1840
REALTOR ®
cdroste@WRrealtors.com
Inside this issue:
Weight Watcher Cobbler
Spring Maintenance
Where America’s Moving 3
What’s Cooking in Kitchens
Best Deals in Louisville Area 4
April Fool’s Pizza Cake
Oh my gosh it’s March
already! I’m glad to see
spring a little closer.
The market is moving…
seeing many houses pop-
ping up daily -and as fast
as I can send the good ones
to clients, they are being
snapped up. This is a great
sign I think, economy on
the upswing. If you know
of someone needing help
with selling or looking for
that place to call home,
give me a call, love to help.
Have a beautiful month,
Cindy
fÑÜ|Çz ZtÜwxÇ VtÄxÇwtÜ
From pruning to and set it to
mowing to fertiliz‐ remove no
ing, here's every‐ more than
2 thing you should one‐third the
2 be doing right now total grass
to grow a beautiful height in one
garden. cutting.
3 `tÜv{ •Veggies: Sow
cool‐season
•Plants: Cut peren‐ vegetables,
nials and orna‐ including let‐
4 mental grasses to tuce, radish,
the ground. Trim and greens.
fall‐blooming Set out transplants of broccoli and cauli‐
clematis to 12 inches. Remove mulch from
flower.
perennial crowns.
•Lawn: Take time to tune up your mower. `tç
Sharpen the blade; replace the spark plug, •Insects: Treat aphid outbreaks with insec‐
air filter, and oil. ticidal soap or horticultural oil. For smaller
•Landscape: Inspect patios and pathways, infestations, a blast of water removes feed‐
and reposition stones if frost has caused ing aphids.
•Plantings: Choose annuals that flower all
them to rise. Check trellises, garden art, and
decks, making repairs as needed. summer, such as angelonia, zinnia, pentas,
TÑÜ|Ä and trailing petunia. When frost is no
longer a threat, plant canna and calla lily
•Perennials: Dig and divide summer‐ and
outdoors.
fall‐blooming perennials. Mulch beds to re‐ •Edibles: Set out warm‐season transplants
duce water needs. of tomato, okra, and pepper. Sow cucum‐
•Grass: Feed cool‐season lawns with a slow‐ ber, bean, and melon seeds
release fertilizer. Sharpen the mower blade,

How did April Fool's Day begin???

Don’t’ forget—If you or anyone you
know has excess furniture, kitchen
items, or TV's, please call and we'll
arrange a free pick-up.
We’re a non-profit little venture that would surreptitiously stick paper fish to their backs. The victims of this prank were thus
have started to help Boys Haven fur-
nish transitional apartments for their
young adults. Give me a call for more info.
The most popular theory about the origin of April Fool’s Day involves the French calendar
reform of the sixteenth century.
The theory goes like this: In 1564 France reformed its calendar, moving the start of the year
from the end of March to January 1. Those who failed to keep up with the change, who
stubbornly clung to the old calendar system and continued to celebrate the New Year during
the week that fell between March 25th and April 1st, had jokes played on them. Pranksters
called Poisson d’Avril, or April Fish—which, to this day, remains the French term for
April Fools—and so the tradition was born. Chocolate fish are often given to friends to
commemorate the day. I love a holiday that includes chocolate!
 The Real Spiel

Weight Watcher Spring Maintenance

Checklist by Service Magic
Cobbler
2 bags (1 lb. size) frozen fruit (e.g., peaches) •Gutters and downspouts: Pull leaves
1 box yellow cake mix and debris from gutters and down-
12 ounces can Diet Sprite or Diet 7-Up spouts. Run a hose on the roof and
check for proper drainage. If leaks
Directions: exist, dry the area and use caulking or
In 9x13 pan, place both bags of fruit, do epoxy to seal the leak.
not thaw. Sprinkle DRY cake mix over the fruit. Pour can of pop over the •Siding: Clean siding with a pressure
washer to keep mold from growing.
cake mix. Cover with foil and bake 20 min. at 350º. Uncover and bake an Check all wood surfaces for weathering
additional 40 minutes. and paint failure.
•Exterior caulking: Inspect caulking
For the Love of How to Be and replace if deteriorating.
Lemons More Charming •Window sills, door sills, and thresholds:
By Scott Raab
This sweet citrus fruit adds Fill cracks, caulk edges, repaint or
subtle flavor to meals, is a 1. The first thing I’m replace if necessary.
going to say is
great cleaning agent, and
“Thanks for making
•Window and door screens: Clean
leaves a fresh scent in its
screening and check for holes. Patch
path. time for me” because
-Rub half of a lemon over a holes or replace the screen. Save bad
you don’t owe me squat.
wooden cutting board to screen to patch holes next year.
2. The next thing I’m
remove odors. Tighten and lubricate door hinges and
going to do is ask closers.
‐Toss lemon peels and a few
about you. I’m going to
ice cubes down the garbage
learn about you, and I’m •Drain waste and vent system: Flush
disposal to deodorize and out system.
sharpen its blades.
going to learn from you.
3. I’m going to make •Hot water heater: Lubricate circulating
you laugh. We’re just pump and motor.
Green Schools There are school buildings with ideas •Evaporative air conditioner: Clean
and inventions straight out of a science fiction novel: a planet full of folks—
rich and poor alike— unit, check belt tension and adjust if
light harvesting, CO2 monitoring, geo-thermal wells and
all hoping to get needed. Replace cracked or worn belt.
touch screen recording stations. Not only are these inno-
vations educating Kentucky's children about the benefits treated better than •Heat pump: Lubricate blower motor.
of sustainable living, but its also saving the school dirt. I can give them •Foundation: Check foundation walls,
districts thousands and thousands of dollars. that gift. You can too. floors, concrete, and masonry for
cracking, heaving, or deterioration. If
you can slide a nickle into a crack in
Technology Update: your concrete floor, slab or foundation
Last week when Steve Jobs made a surprise appearance to unveil
call a professional immediately.
the iPad 2, he made note of the fact that in only nine
months during 2010 Apple sold nearly 15 million iPads, which •Roof: Inspect roof surface flashing,
generated close to $10 billion in revenue for the company. eaves, and soffits. Check flashings
According to Jobs, “2010 was the year of the iPad.” Well now, around all surface projections and sidewalls.
with over 30 tablet devices on the market from companies such •Deck and porches: Check all decks,
as Motorola, HP, Samsung and BlackBerry, 2011 is poised to patios, porches, stairs, and railings for
be the year of the tablet in general. loose members and deterioration.
Couple the vast amount of tablets now on the market and the Open decks and wood fences need to
millions of iPad’s already sold with the continued innovation be treated every 4-6 years, depending
in mobile devices and sales of new handsets (it’s estimated on how much exposure they get to sun
Verizon will sell 10 million iPhone 4’s in 2011); what we and rain.
are witnessing is a dramatic shift toward mobile computing. •Landscape: This is a natural for
The days of needing to be chained to your desktop are gone. spring home maintenance. Cut back
You can be as effective and efficient on the road in the and trim all vegetation and overgrown
real world as you once were from your home or office.
bushes from structures.
•Sprinklers: Check lawn sprinkler
This year we will experience 4 unusual dates.... 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, system for leaky valves, exposed lines,
11/11/11 .... NOW go figure this out.... take the last 2 digits of the year you were and improperly working sprinkler
born plus the age you will be this year and it WILL EQUAL TO 111. heads.
 Page 3
Volume 1, Issue 33

Where is America for 10 or more years. California, Kansas and

South Carolina have been balanced, Indiana
Life Expectancy of …
Ceramic Tile Countertop 15
Moving? Top Migration has been outbound, and Alaska and North
Carolina have remained inbound.
Laminated Countertop 10‐15

Trends Seen in 2010 For several states, economic ups and downs
Dishwasher
Microwave
9
11
According to the 2010 Atlas Van Lines Migration have had little influence on the number of Gas Range 15
Patterns study, more Americans are on the residents moving in or out of that state.
Electric Range 13
move. In 2010, Atlas saw increases in the Silver Lining
Refrigerator 13
number of household moves, a possible sign Despite high foreclosure rates and poor housing
sales, a large pocket of southeastern states ‐ Wood Deck 15‐20
that the economy is improving. Asphalt Driveway 15‐20
For some states, outbound moves were high. including Florida, Alabama, Georgia and South
Heat Pump 16
For the first time in two years, Kentucky joined Carolina ‐ saw no drastic increase in the number
Gutters 20
its surrounding Mideast states—North Carolina, of outbound moves; in fact, they remained
Vinyl Siding 50
Maryland, and Washington, D.C.—as inbound balanced in their number of outbound and
Central Air Conditioner 15
states. For the fifth year in a row, Washington, inbound moves. A reason for the balance could
D.C. had the highest percentage of inbound be these states' popularity as a retirement Washer 10
moves, while Ohio came out the clear leader in destination. Dryer 13
the highest percentage of outbound moves. For full results of the migration study and to Gas Water Heater 10
Regardless of economic highs and lows, sev‐ view a map and annual histories for each state, Gas or Oil Furnace 18‐20
eral states have remained constant in status visit www.atlasvanlines.com/migration‐patterns/. Sump Pumps 10

A little silver-haired lady calls her

neighbor and says, "Please come
over here and help me. I have a
killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can't
figure out how to get started."
Her neighbor asks, "What is it sup-
posed to be when it's finished?"
The little silver haired lady says,
"According to the picture on the
box, it's a rooster."
Her neighbor decides to go over
and help with the puzzle.
She lets him in and shows him
where she has the puzzle spread
all over the table.
He studies the pieces for a mo-
ment, then looks at the box, then
turns to her and says,
"First of all, no matter what we do,
we're not going to be able to as-
semble these pieces into anything
resembling a rooster."
He takes her hand and says,
"Secondly, I want
you to relax. Let's
have a nice cup of
tea, and then," he
said with a deep
sigh ............
"Let's put all the
Corn Flakes back
in the box."
What’s cooking in
kitchens? Simpler styling, hidden
appliances and a bit of color to make
life interesting, to name just a few
things.
Clean lines
Fancy is fading. Kitchens are moving
away from ornate looks such as Tus‐
can and French country in favor of
more transitional design, a trend
Betty Nairn of Cabinet‐S‐Top in
Granger Township, Ohio, calls “simplistic luxury.” The move toward clean lines and less
ornamentation is due at least in part to homeowners thinking ahead, said Debra Shababy of
Studio 76 Kitchens and Baths in Twinsburg, Ohio. Many are looking toward selling their
homes as the economy improves, and they want their kitchens to appeal to a broad range
of buyers.
Contemporary design is gaining interest, too—even in the Midwest, a region long tied to
the traditional. Barbara Dillick of Kitchen Design Group in Bath Township, Ohio, figures
people have become more comfortable with the spare, sleek look because they’ve been
exposed to it through magazines, TV shows and upscale hotels.
Built-in dining
Eat‐in kitchens are still in demand, but where we do that eating has changed. The bar‐style
counter is still popular, but it’s giving way in many new kitchens to an extension of the
counter that looks more like a table. The idea of trading a table for a counter extension
makes some homeowners nervous initially, Kitchen Design Group’s Deanna Carleton said.
But the setup has advantages: It saves space, the extension can do double duty as an extra
buffet surface and the deep base that holds the countertop provides a good amount of storage.
Safety, sustainability
More than ever, consumers are paying attention to the materials that go into their kitchens,
Shababy said. She said many respond positively when she suggests cabinet finishes with
low levels of volatile organic compounds, vapors that contribute to indoor air pollution.
They also like cabinets that are joined with dowels instead of glues containing
formaldehyde.
Best Rule -When in doubt do the positive—the active thing, never the inactive.
This is not intended to solicit currently listed properties, information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.
 PRST STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Louisville, KY
Permit No. 1718

Cindy Droste, REALTOR ®

502-649-1840
cdroste@WRrealtors.com
WRrealtors.com

Interest Rates
Fixed 30 Year Purchase 5.0 %
Fixed 15 Year Purchase 4.5 %
Fixed FHA 30 Year 4.75 %

Best Deals in Louisville Area Real Estate

RE D U NEW!
CED!
5705 Clove 1913 Lynn Lea Road
r Dr.
2109 Outer Circle $325,000 3 bedroom $214,000 Shively $99,999
4 bedrooms 3.5baths 2011 Crooked Creek Court Huge unfin s 2 baths 3 bedrooms 1 bath
Extra 3‐car garage, 2.2 acres Oldham County $299,000 th ished base Updated
4 bedrooms 2Full/2half ba Pretty view ment
s!
1.19 acres
If you hear of anyone thinking of moving or interested in buying, have them give me a call. I
offer client consultations and work with buyers at no cost. You can’t beat it!

APRIL FOOL'S PIZZA Take Tax Credits for Energy‐Efficient

CAKE 12‐16 Servings Home Improvements
1 package (18‐1/4 ounces) yellow cake Homeowners who installed certain energy‐efficient heating
mix and air conditioning systems, water heaters, doors and
1 cup vanilla frosting windows, insulation and roofs are eligible to receive a
Red liquid or paste food coloring credit to help reduce the costs. Taxpayers who did not take
3 ounces white baking chocolate, grated advantage of the credit in 2010 have an opportunity to do
2 strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups so in 2011, under the new tax law. A credit is available for
homeowners who invest in green energy equipment, too.
Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour the batter
Such equipment includes solar electric systems, solar hot
into two greased and floured 9‐in. round baking pan.
Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines.
center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from
Polish jewelry- Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass
pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Place each cake on a 10‐in. serving platter. Combine the frosting and of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
food coloring; spread over the top of each cake to within 1/2 in. of
edges. Sprinkle with grated chocolate for cheese.
Unroll Fruit Roll‐Ups; use a 1‐1/2 in. round cutter to cut into circles
If you are going through hell, keep going.
for pepperoni. Arrange on cakes. Yield: 2 cakes (6‐8 servings each). Winston Churchill