Etiquette: How to Properly hold a writing utensil

I took for granted the etiquette of holding an ink pen until I saw someone holding it wrong. It was as awkward as seeing someone who does not hold their knife and fork properly. If none of this makes sense to you, then grab the latest edition of Emily Post's Etiquette. I think that was the name of the social etiquette book that my mom had me to read when I was little.

Writing utensils can include pencils, pens, chalk, etc. I have my hand turned at a different angle on this second picture. The pen should not have a lot of stress on it as you allow the ink to flow.

Survival of consumer banks: Don't Bank on it!

Bank of America announcing 16,000 of the proposed 40,000 layoffs to happen sooner than later. Also, according to recent news, they want to reduce 6 billion in operating expenses. Are the consumer banks in trouble? Well, yes, because many consumers are having economic difficulties.

Consumer banks typically make their money off of late fees. They charge $35 if your checking account is $.45 (45 cents short). So a consumer becomes $35.45 in debt to the bank. Many consumers no longer use the banks because it cost them too much to have their little bit of money tied up in the bank. And the rich don't need the bank. The consumer banks do not offer enough returns on their savings account. So unless it is a Cayman Islands account or a Swiss account for tax shelter purposes, banks just do not serve as much purpose anymore.

Banks were making good money off of loans and mortgages, but employment was key to securing the loan. Now, employment is too unpredictable now. Twenty years seniority with the same company may still net the employee a layoff or downsize which can cause a default on a loan. There is nothing sure right now. Preferential treatment can work in your favor one day as far as job placement is concerned and put you at a disadvantage on another day when someone else becomes the favorite. There is nothing steady nor stable right now.

With gasoline around $4.00 per gallon, rising healthcare premiums, rising prescription drug cost, do people really have any extra money to put into a savings account?

I would not bank on it.

Consignment: Kat's Kid Sale

Children's clothes starting at $1.00 a piece was a definite draw to the Kat's Kid Consignment Sale. Kids' attention spans come and go surrounding toys. Kids Consignment of toys is a great way to recycle toys from one family to another.

The checkout out line was wrapped around the building!

Live Work Townhouses: The Good and the Bad!

What are Live/Work Townhouses?
The Live/Work Townhouses built by Meeting Street Homes are townhouses built to meet commercial standards on the lower level, and residential standards on the top levels. Some people refer to these townhouses as "mixed use."
Can the Live/Work Townhouses have two different tenants within the same townhouse?
Some Live/Work Townhouses have been city approved for double tenant occupancy meaning separate tenants for residential floors versus commericial floors. However, in some cities such as Cornelius, NC, the commercial floors and the residential floors must be the same tenant. This information was accurate as of 2005. Inland Homes started the Cornelius project as well as part of the Vermillion Huntersville project. Check with the city before buying one of these to make sure of the occupancy rules.
Can two separate tenants within the same townhouse co-exist peacefully?
Because these Live/Work Townhouses by Meeting Street Homes were a "first of a kind," and they could not build them fast enough to meet the demand from 2003 to 2009, many design flaws were duplicated over and over and over again. Most of these townhouses are quite challenging to get two separate tenants to co-exist peacefully because there are no sound barriers between the commercial and residential floors. A commercial leaseholder may hear the residential leaseholder walking or vacuuming or listening to music. This can be a huge business distraction. Most Live/Work townhouse owners will require the residential tenant to have a day shift job while the commercial tenants operate their business during the day shift. That way, the two tenants will not disturb each other. If the residential tenant has second shift job and commercial tenant has "after work" clientele, then that would be an ideal operating schedule as well.
Are there any Live/Work Townhouses where the sound barriers were fixed?
Meeting Street Homes finally fixed this "sound barrier" issue on the last set of Live/Work Townhouses built in Morrison Plantation, Mooresville, NC. Actually, I believe almost every major issue to date from all the past Live/Work townhouse sales were fixed such as a flat roof versus a excessively high pitched roof. The irony is that this best set of Live/Work townhouses that Meeting Street Homes built have been sitting empty/vacant for a couple of years or more because the demand has almost completely gone away especially at a $300,000.00 price tag.
What other problems have the Live/Work Townhouses experienced?
1) Flooding due to bad grading. A foot of water could be sitting on the commercial floor of units at the bottom of a hill. (example: Eastfield)
2)Flooding due to bad Architectural design. Rainwater would pour into the commercial area down the extended wall/balcony area. (example: Rosedale and Morrison Plantation and maybe other subdivisions)
3) Tankless water heaters were an effort to "go green" but some homeowners could not adjust to the newer technology. (example: Eastfield)
4) Regular water heaters were placed in the fourth floor attic. (example: Rosedale) Who puts a water heater on a top floor?
5) A Direct business competitor can open up right next to you without regard for your business.

Check with seller before buying one of these properties to make sure all major design flaws were finally fixed. Meeting Street Homes did their best to rectify all reasonable complaints.
What are the most common use of the commercial floor of the Live/Work Townhouses?
Hair Salons, Pet Grooming Salons, Barber Shops, Nail Salons, Spa Services.
How about the privacy?
If you want to keep where you live secret, then living and working out of the same live/work townhouse is not going to allow you to have that luxury. If you have a car, then clients may circle around your building just to see you if your car is present. It is an invasion of privacy that you will not be able to control. In essence, you are working from "home" and some clients may not respect your boundaries.
Do you need a car if you are able to live and work from the live/work townhouse?
Check for public transportation options. If the live/work townhouse is not on a bus route nor a train route, then yes, you will need a car.
Should you already have a business going with steady clientele before moving into a Live/Work townhouse?
Yes, most of these live/work townhouses are not necessarily known for a lot of foot traffic. In addition, there is no control over how many of the same business can be in one area. The Live/Work Townhouse owner only has a few Association restrictions as far as business use of their commercial space; therefore, one can expect a direct competitor to open next door to you without saying a word.

Replica of 1961 Lincoln Presidential Limousine

This replica of a 1961 Lincoln Continental Limo driven during President Kennedy's timeframe is on display at the American Presidential Experience 2012. Photography by Benita Blocker.

Replica of FDR Secret Service Car

A replica of President Roosevelt's Secret Service Car on display at the American Presidential Experience exhibit 2012. The doors on the back seat opens opposite of modern day cars.

Replica of Air Force One

The American Presidential Experience exhibit featured a replica of Air Force One. Photography by Benita Blocker.

The 2012 Democratic National Convention Charlotte

The 2012 DNC was held in Charlotte, NC from September 3 - 7, 2012.

Time Warner Cable Arena was the primary venue of the convention.

CNN Coverage was definitely there!

The CNN Grill was open by invitation only.

The sand sculpture of Barack Obama.

The American Presidential Experience Exhibit 2012

For $14.95 per adult, you can enjoy the American Presidential Experience! The non-partisan exhibit is running from August 31 to September 8, 2012 in Charlotte, NC. Pictured is a replica of The Resolute Desk with Kneehole.

Pictured is the desk area in the replica of Air Force One. Photography by Benita Blocker.

Pictured is a replica of the 1961 Lincoln Presidential Limousine during President Kennedy's timeframe.

Pictured is the 15 Electoral votes that the state of NC carries. It shows that the DNC was in Charlotte, NC in 2012.

Pictured is a replica of the Press conference podium.
These pictures represent just some of the highlights of the exhibit! You will have to check it out for yourself!