More than just a Jar Opener "Chapter One"

Many of you have received a jar opener from me and think is that all it is? No..No..No. This is the first of my series on the additional uses for this effective tool. Look at it as our answer to the Swiss Army Knife.

Here are 10 additional uses (more to come):

• 1. Put it on the console of your SUV for your cellphone so it does not slide off.
• 2. Great for holding hot and cold drinks
• 3. Helps open childproof bottles.
• 4. Place around needleso it pulls through easier while sewing.
• 5. Use to twist sprinkler devices and separate hoses.
• 6. Wrap around knife handles to avoid slipping.
• 7. Use for extra grip to help remove the oil filter of your car.
• 8. Use a jar opener and a sheet metal screw to plug a leak in a water line until a plumber can make a repair.
• 9. Great when shucking oysters.
• 10. Place a clove of garlic in the jar opener. Roll on counter. The skin comes right off (This really made this job easier for me!)

Don't have a jar opener yet? Please let me know so I can send you one. I have at least another 80 uses coming up in future blogs!

Need more space for Hobbies or Storage? Check this out.

2855 Southside Blvd. Jacksonville, Fl 32216 Price: 183,900 (Reduced)

Those of you who are gearheads, sawdust sniffers, hobbyists, or just packrats, this is the home for you. On the spacious 90x186 ft lot there is a very nice 3bedroom/2.5 bath home with 2096 heated and cooled square ft. of living. The home has a nice split layout, great for families.

The separate garage is 1976 sq ft of free standing open space. The sellers claim they have had 9 cars in there at one time. If you like to work on cars or dreamed of having the ultimate woodworking workshop you cannot go wrong with this home.

If the sight of that garage gets your water running, call Frank at 904-534-7655 or Mary Beth at 655-5587 for more information or an appointment to see it.

Two wheeling in Northeast Florida

Northeast Florida is a great place for two wheeling. This is a picture of Mary Beth and I next to my Suzuki Burgman 400. When we have spare time, we really enjoy exploring the First Coast from Fernandina to St Augustine. Naturally, our weather is very supportive of this all year round. I think our favorite routes are from the beaches to Fernandina via the Mayport Ferry and the ride down San Jose Blvd to Palatka that follows the St. Johns River.

Club Continental in Orange Park

We went to a wedding in Orange Park yesterday at Club Continental. Club Continental (Mira Rio) was built in 1922 at a whopping price of 200,000 as the winter retirement home of Caleb Johnson the son of Palmolive Soap Company's founder. The original mansion now serves as a Dining and Tennis Club. Membership is around 800 and now has 7 tennis courts, 85 boat slips, 3 swimming pools and twenty-two overnight guest rooms.

Oh, by the way, it is also one of most sought after locations for weddings, parties and company functions. It is truly a marvelous place with views of the St. Johns river that take you back to the elegance of Old World Florida. If you have a very special event, it is the place to have it.

Attention all you people planning weddings. The band at the wedding was the ultimate musical group for this venue. Check them out at their website: misstessmusic.com

Here is the pitch: There are a number of very nice condos, patio homes and single detached homes directly around Club Continental that share the ambiance of the historical site. This area tucked in the ancient oaks on the St. Johns River is located very conveniently near the 295 and the Buckman Bridge providing excellent access to all parts of the city.

If home foreclosure sneaking up on you?

Foreclosure can sneak up on you very quickly. Some of the reasons why homeowners are losing their homes to foreclosure are as follows:

• Loan products with increasing monthly payments (e.g. adjustable rate loans)
• Loss of employment
• Major Health Issues
• Divorce
• Relocation
• Too much debt (e.g. credit card debt)

Foreclosure is a life event that can follow you for many years. Here is why you should avoid foreclosure:

• You must disclose foreclosure on loan applications. Definitely affect your rates.
• Credit scores lowered by 300+ points. The most devastating credit issue you can have for future credit availability.
• It is the one credit report item that is almost impossible to have "repaired"
• Your lender has the right to seek a deficiency judgement from you for the money they do not recuperate at a bank sale.
• Employers run credit checks on prospective employees and foreclosure is one of the top items that will put a new hire in jeopardy.
• Security clearances and government positions including military and law enforcement can be jeapordized by a foreclosure.

If you have a house in the Northeast Florida area that is going to be affected by the above circumstances, get in touch with us to find out your options. Do not wait until it is too late for us to help you.