About rail

Photos by Ted Trimmer:

 

Ala Wai Aquarium

 

Kaisers Beach

 

Sunset at Hawaii Yacht Club

A lot has already been said about the Mayor’s proposed rail system.  Let me weigh in on the issue.

First, I am totally in favor of 100% elevated rail.  Consider the fact that trains that run at street level in Phoenix average FIVE COLLISIONS per month, whereas there have been ZERO collisions with elevated rail.  Common sense will tell you why:  There are just too many pedestrians and vehicles at street level, and collisions are bound to happen.  (http://www.starbulletin.com/editorials/20091001_Oahu_will_benefit_from_rail_but_make_sure_its_elevated.html)

Second, architects have complained that elevated rail will be a visual blight.  Nonsense!  I happen to enjoy watching the monorail at Pearlridge Shopping Center.  It not only looks nice, it is efficient.  What architects should worry about is the proliferation of high rises on Oahu, particularly downtown and Waikiki.

Third, my friend, Ian, mentioned that if Honolulu Airport is any indication, the elevators and escalators for the structures built for elevated rail might fail and repairs may be delayed.  Imagine the inconvenience.  To that I say:  The City administration will not permit prolonged delays, because they are sensitive to any public outcry.  For instance, I personally have called the City to complain about my trash not being picked up.  Lo, it is picked up either the same day or the next.  Other complaints have covered such topics as an unsightly median and poor timing of traffic lights.  I always get a prompt response.  I am sure the same would apply to problems with rail.

When I think of the difficulty and expense of finding parking in town, I look forward to the economical convenience of rail.  Yes, I’ll even look forward to jury duty, when half the battle is finding a parking space in the morning!

Sports talk

Poor Gigi.  How ignorant she is!  Luckily, she has a hubby who patiently teaches her the intricacies of football and baseball.

Yesterday, David and I watched Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings beat his former team, the Green Bay Packers, in Green Bay.  It was an exciting game.  Here’s a snippet of our conversation:

Me:  “Well, Favre finally got the monkey off his back.  He proved he could lead his new team to victory in LANDAU Stadium.”

David:  “LAMBEAU Field, not Landau Stadium.”

So much for trying to sound smart!  Haha!

After that game ended, we watched the New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies and lead the World Series 3-1.  I used to find baseball too excruciatingly SLOW to watch.  But, David pointed out the different types of pitching:  Curve Ball and Fast Ball.  He favors the Yankees, while I want the Phillies to win because Shane Victorino is from Hawaii.

David:  “So what?  I don’t know him; he was born on Maui.”

Me:  “Well, what’s so special about the Yankees?  Anyway, why is Philadelphia struggling?  How were they able to win the World Series last year?”

David:  “They played against Tampa Bay, which is a weak team.  I’ve always liked the Yankees.”

David may get his wish.  It will be a miracle if the Phillies win the World Series at this point. And it will be wonderful if Favre and the Vikings make it all the way to the Super Bowl and prevail, especially at his age (40).  Who said older people can’t succeed?

Flowers, Crotons, and Bananas!!!

I woke up feeling depressed about the loss the UH Warrior football team sustained at Nevada, about the confusion regarding reverse mortgages, and about the scary situation at David’s office.  How to shake myself out of this depression?  Why, take a stroll down my street, of course!  Life goes on.  Here’s what I saw:

Color bowl of Impatiens in my patio.

Crotons in my front yard.

Going down the street:  Vinca.

Ixora.

Bougainvillea.

Bougainvillea.

Bougainvillea.

Wedelia.

Lantana.

Bananas in a neighbor’s front yard!

I am feeling much better.  While the rest of the country is experiencing autumn or early winter, we in Hawaii are still in summer mode.

David’s physical therapy

David has been experiencing excruciating pain in his right knee.  X-rays show no arthritis, so diagnosis is tendonitis.  Here are some exercises that his physical therapist recommended – first, 3 sets of 10 leg raises each.  These exercises must be done 3 times a day:

 

Next, stretching on a chair for 30 seconds:

 

Then, stretching against the wall for 30 seconds:

 

Finally, place a bag of frozen peas on his knee for 15 minutes to reduce inflammation (no, these peas will not be re-used for cooking):

 

Hurry and get well, darling!

Chicken fiesta

Cook in a little oil one sliced onion and 3 cloves of garlic.

 

Add 8 oz can of whole kernel corn and 14 oz can of diced tomatoes.

 

Add 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon black pepper.

 

Mix and cook for 3 minutes.

 

Spray an electric skillet with oil, set it for 300 degrees, and place boneless, skinless chicken thighs in it. 

 

Sprinkle with garlic pepper.  Cook one side for 10 minutes, covered.

 

Turn the thighs over.  Sprinkle with garlic pepper.  Spoon the corn-tomato mixture over the thighs.  Cover and cook for 10 minutes.

 

Unplug the skillet.  Sprinkle with 8 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese and some black olives.

Serve with brown rice and enjoy.

New info re: Reverse Mortgages

Previously, I posted that it would cost $42,000 in fees for us to have two reverse mortgages – $21,000 for me now and $21,000 for David when he turns 62 years old.  Well, it appears I was wrong.  Two people left comments that the fees would be much less:

Hattie said:  “Waiting until you are both eligible is probably good if you can do it. However, if your situation changes and you feel compelled to get a reverse mortgage sooner, I think that the cost of ‘adding’ him later is not as high as you think. Last time I checked, the FHA insurance amount (in Gigi’s case $12,000), which is a substantial portion of the original fees, is not re-incurred with a refinance, which is what your new loan would be. You would only pay added insurance on any increased funding. Second, if you work with the same lender, they might reduce their origination fee ($6,000) on the new loan. Talk to a knowledgeable counselor and lender. You also have to balance waiting against what kind of changes they are likely to make in the program in the future.”

Bob Irving said:  “Hattie is spot on. On a refi the lender should reduce the origination fee sharply. The FHA mortgage insurance is only paid on the added home value. But you will pay 3rd party costs – normal for any real estate transaction. Total cost won’t be anything near $21,000. Note most RM refis are done to take advantage of increased home appreciation over time. If property values in HI continue to go up, refinancing could make sense in 3-5 years. Be very conservative in your spending of the $89,000 credit line. My suggestion would be spend none of it! Your refi will be much more likely assuming HUD makes no further changes to the program. Good luck.  Please check out my blog at http://www.massachusetts-reverse-mortgage.com. Thanks.”

***

I don’t know why the Bank of Hawaii rep withheld the above information from us.  I left a message on her voicemail to clarify this matter.  I will update this post when I can.

***

Bank of Hawaii  rep called and said the insurance would be prorated at refinancing, but that the bank’s origination fee would still be $6,000.  So, instead of paying $21,000, we would pay $11,000 upon refinancing.

Tendonitis and the opera

X-rays of David’s right knee show no arthritis, so the diagnosis is tendonitis.  His doctor refused to give him a cortisone shot for his knee, insisting that David see a physical therapist, instead.  He will do so on Friday.  Meanwhile, he has to grit his teeth and bear the pain.

What does this mean?  It means that, hopefully, David will overcome his tendonitis and be able to climb all those steps to the last row of the balcony at Blaisdell Center for two operas in February.  We like that spot because of the great view of the entire stage and English supertitles near the ceiling.  Plus, we think the acoustics are superior in the balcony.  Remember:  Music always rises.

I have already reserved two seats for “Die Walkure” (by Wagner) and for “La Boheme” (by Puccini).  Although we have seen and heard “La Boheme” a zillion times, it is my favorite opera and never fails to move me.  David and I actually weep as the heroine (girlfriend of a starving poet) dies of turberculosis. 

As for “Die Walkure,” we have never seen this opera, so it should be interesting:  “Venture into Wagner’s legendary battle between mystical gods and earthly desires.  A father’s imposing wrath does not penetrate the defiance or the heartbreak of his warrior daughter.”  (Hawaii Opera Theater brochure)

Deciding against reverse mortgage

Yesterday, our lender gave us a shocking piece of information:  When David turns 62 (the minimum age to qualify for a reverse mortgage), his name CANNOT be added to the deed, because I (presently age 63) will be the one with the reverse mortgage.  If he wants to be added to the deed, he will have to apply for a reverse mortgage, himself, and the process will start all over again – with similar fees (currently amounting to $21,000). 

David was shocked.  “That’s $42,000 in fees!  And, since only your name will be on the deed and mortgage, if you die at age 90, I will be screwed.  How can I apply for a reverse mortgage at that time?  If the property has no equity, I will be forced to move out.”

We are not in dire straits right now.  David still has a job, and we have enough in savings to cover our mortgages and expenses for a while if he does get laid off.

Conclusion:  We have decided to wait 17 months until David reaches 62 and qualifies for a reverse mortgage.  We will reassess our situation and then make a decision.  If we decide to go ahead, only one set of fees will be charged, since we will be applying jointly as a couple.  These fees will be absorbed by the mortgage.

As we were advised, a reverse mortgage should be done only as a last resort.  It is a very expensive way to get out of making monthly mortgage payments.  However, if David loses his job and can’t find another one, we will most certainly have no other alternative.  In 17 months, hopefully we will have more equity and the interest rate will be lower.  The ultimate goal is to keep our house.

Talker or listener?

Morning Glory in Kamananui Valley.  Photo by Ted Trimmer.

Ever noticed how one spouse talks more than the other?  At my party recently, I noticed that Burl was more loquacious than Mary, and Meda more talkative than Ian.  Art and Kay, on the other hand, were equally chatty.  As for David and me, David is the talker while I daydream.  Ha!

While David speaks in a one-way conversation, I might be thinking about my grocery list or things to do tomorrow.  Only when he delivers the punch line am I jerked back to the present.

“Huh?  Who/what are you talking about?” I ask.

David never gets frustrated with me.  He happily repeats his story now that he knows he’s got my ear and full attention.

Sigh.

I wonder what it’s like to be married to the “strong and silent type.”  Imagine two spouses who never speak.  I think that would be unnerving and utterly boring. 

“So talk all you want, dear.  I’ll listen whenever!”

Impressing an appraiser

I realize that an appraisal is based on the most recent sales in my area.  However, I wanted to boost my property’s appeal.  One way, I felt, was to replace this rusty, partly crushed shed.

 

We hired a handy man to do the job.  Here he is cutting the old shed apart.  Horrendous noise!

 

How in the world was he able to get the new shed on top of his truck?  People at Sears helped with the loading.

 

He erected the new shed, which is made of resin, rust-free interlocking panels.

 

Here is the new shed.  The opening is located on the right side.  We store our lawn mower, wheel barrow, and BBQ grill here.  We love it!