What does Blue Wind mean when he says thst Matt Stretton "wishes he

Blue Wind gained experiences of an old man in just a few years. He was able to view outside himself and see the big picture. I think it is amazing how the author describes vividly, but simply the living conditions Blue Wind experienced. Going back and forth from the reservation to the suburban school gave him a perspective that those with more privileges may not have had.

Blue Wind sensed that Matt was someone who was looking to be anything but who he is. He wished he had real perspective. Matt was as much a victim of his environment as Blue Wind, but made a choice to run from who he is, unlike Blue Wind who embraced who he is. Blue Wind had been able to roll through great, true tragedy and Matt had never really lost anything irreplaceable in his life. Blue Wind knew the difference and recognized that Matt yearned to feel anything real and was willing to fake it until he did.

Can I persuade a vote?

Phil Gingrey, M.D.
Washington, DC Office
119 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Dr. Gingrey:

Introduction
I am a mortgage broker of 7 years and have been in the mortgage and finance business for over 23 years. I have had the opportunity to work for large and small banks as well as owning and operation my mortgage company. The passing of H.R. 3126 threatens my business and potentially my ability to continue to serve my customers as an independent business owner.
Consumer Finance Protection Agency (CFPA) Proposed
The Administration has proposed a (CFPA), which targets mortgage brokers with regulations that will effectively eliminate my brokerage’s mortgage origination channel for my customers, limiting competition, increasing prices, and reducing service. My customers will be forced to obtain mortgages directly from banks, which are not currently equally bound by disclosure requirements about compensation and fees.
New Agency Could Effectively Eliminate the Mortgage Broker Origination Channel
H.R. 3126 has been introduced in the House of Representatives to create the new Consumer Finance Protection Agency (CFPA). While the legislative language does not specifically reference mortgage brokers, the broad authorities H.R. 3126 provides to the new agency could severely harm the mortgage broker origination channel and my business if the Administration moves forward with its plans outlined in its White Paper.
Mortgage Brokers Provide a Valuable Service to Consumers
As a broker, I find the most appropriate mortgages for my customers by searching through the products of multiple lenders to identify the best loan rates and terms. I also guide homebuyers through the complicated loan process.
Because the lenders are saving money on personnel and overhead costs associated with the processing and originating of a mortgage, the loan products that I offer are obtained from the bank at wholesale prices. I am compensated by the customers for the cost of processing and originating the loan. A consumer can pay my compensation by selecting a slightly higher interest rate, through a yield spread premium instead of at the time of closing. As a mortgage broker, I am required by existing federal law to disclose all of our fees to the borrower. Even after being compensated for my work, we are able to offer consumers mortgage loans at rates that are competitive to retail rates that would be offered if a consumer went directly through a lender.
While the mortgage crisis has revealed problems across the mortgage industry, ethical mortgage brokers have always provided a valuable service to their customers. Consumers benefit from our ability to shop around for the best rate and from the individualized assistance that we offer through the process.
Conclusion
I appreciate the effort to protect consumers, but the proposed legislation only provides another layer of government oversight without true value to the consumer. This bill will ultimately hinder healthy competition which only benefits my customers and your constituents. Please know that I appreciate your efforts and write to you with information that I feel is valuable to my industry and to the people of Georgia and our nation. I trust that when you are armed with this information you will make the right choice. I look forward to your vote.

Yours Truly,

Vicki Nix

Writing an Album review - Step 1

Reviewing an album will require more thought about music than I've had in ten years! Picking an artist may be the hardest part of the whole process. I've not listened to an entire album of anyone other than "Disney 5" and "The Jonas Brothers". I guess either of those will do. I marvel at the marketing genius that can hook the entire teen market and direct their spending.

I guess I'm off to research a little more...maybe my chatty nine year old can share a little insight. Check out his blog at thebigtnix.blogspot.com

Out the Gate

Another glorious day begins with fragrant fresh air and a nine year old climbing into my bed for a couple of extra winks before his day begins. A good night's sleep can make the frantic day of yesterday disappear into a new day of hope and anticipation. We are on our way!

The Changing of the Seasons

Oh, the joy of living in the wonderful state of Georgia! As the hurricane season begins, so does the change in our seasons. It is the perfect mix of cooler temperatures and warm moist breezes from the ocean storms. Unlike the states in the northern part of the country, we have a long summer season with only small windows of fall mixed into autumn.

We still have the lush, vivid, green landscapes with only the slightest red foliage peeking out of the greens. The beautiful day gives way to the heavy stormy moisture moving into the horizon. The air begins with the heaviness that will only lead to rain and cools and lightens the air as the storm clouds release the liquid gold. From the warm rain we yield the cooler nights and the vivid colors!

Day 9...ughhhh

Okay, I think I'll actually get more than 4 hours sleep tonight! I'm having so much fun with blogging, I haven't had time to do my own. Check out Cub Scout Pack 301 parent forum at:

Pack 301-Parents.blogspot.com

Morning Ritual

No matter what time I finally get to bed at night, the morning begins the same. Somewhere from the darkest deepest sleep I will hear the increasing, piercing, shrill "beep, beep, beep..." of the alarm clock. I stagger across the room (otherwise the snooze button is too close) trying to not trip over the dog to hear the "click" to silence as I hopefully hit the right button at 6:00 a.m. If I've hit snooze instead of off, it will go off again about midway through my shower waking those up who do not need to be up yet.

I relieve the bladder, turn on the shower and encourage my eyes to open. I step into the wave of water and awareness. As I shampoo my hair, my brain begins to recognize the oxygen increase to the cells and by the time I rinse, I am fully awake. From there it is a quick journey from dressed to Mom mode at 6:15 a.m.

I learned a long time ago the value in preparing for the morning the night before. After pulling my son from bed and directing him to the bathroom, I can then make my bed, throw his breakfast in the toaster or microwave and be back to make sure he hasn't climbed back into the bed by 6:20 a.m. If he's not dressed, I offer to do it for him, which usually takes care of the problem. After he is dressed we are making his bed together and we discuss what he has on the agenda for the day. This is the time I leave a note for my daughter or husband (whoever is still sleeping) for any tasks that they need to complete before they hit the door. Eating breakfast and getting to the car is complete by 6:30 a.m., we both grab our backpacks and head out the driveway. Our driveway is only about 500 feet up a winding hill, but sometimes we can loose ten minutes in that process. Trey will wait for his bus that comes at 7:09 a.m. with his friend next door. He sometimes will call on his cell phone if his friend is running late and he's just trying to pass the time.

My drive is only 31 miles, but it is into the sun and down Hwy 120 to Hwy 278 to Dallas Hwy. Going by a couple of schools and to be rush hour, it is not so bad. Leaving at 7:00 a.m. takes an hour and 20 minutes and leaving at 6:30 a.m. takes about an hour. The stress difference of getting here 30 minutes before class is completely different than getting here 20 minutes late!

Although my 8:00 a.m. class is only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I keep the same morning routine to keep from getting off on my days and missing a class. It never hurts to have extra study time in an environment that is set up for success.

Day 8 of Classes & Chapter 2

Finally I have my book in hand and have actually read chapter 2. The idea of writing my thoughts is something new to me. I'm a great list maker and imperative writer, but I've not enjoyed the "luxury" of writing for inward reflection or outward recording. I've looked back and thought of stories I wished I had recorded to keep the facts straight and now I think will be able to do a little of that in the future.

I really enjoyed the chapter and I look forward to developing my writing skills (as rusty as they are) in my daily life. My nine year old son started a blog journal. Only I know his password for now and hopefully as he starts this process he'll learn what to share privately and what can be shared publicly. I know as he gets older he will want Facebook or something similar and we will have the advantage of many teachable moments as he develops his writing skill before then.

As a very verbal child, Trey has struggled putting his thoughts on to paper. I hope the blog will encourage him to learn keyboarding skills and how to convert his thoughts and ideas into something written. We've started this process slowly and will build on it.

What is this...Day 7 of Class?

Crazy week! It is only Tuesday and I feel like I am ready for the weekend. Four hours of sleep a night doesn't cut it. Running from class to class and then home from kids to work has gotten the best of me this week.


At least I'm using what I'm learning. I set up a parent blog for my son's Cub Scout pack parents (www.pack301-parents.blogspot.com). I've wanted a web page to keep everyone up to date on all the activities, but haven't had the time to dedicate to doing it right. A blog is a great forum for now and it allows parents to add comments and information. Now, it won't be just from me, the Cubmaster's wife. I was smart enough to make sure outside posts need to be approved before being published, but if anyone else has suggestions I am all ears...LOL...eyes!