Santa Visits a Just-Moved Newcomer in South Florida

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, just the Mac and the mouse,
When all of a sudden a wail filled the air
As the burglar alarm detected a hair.

I ran to the keypad, pushed down on the code
Hoping neighborly tempers would not explode.
The phone rang and I told the guard I was fine
When over the rooftop came a great whine,

Then four beeps, a grunt, a groan and a sigh
And a deep voice bellowing down from on high:
"Things have come to a pretty pass, I have to say,
When the elves install car alarms right on my sleigh!"

He was dressed for South Florida, wearing shorts and a tee,
With the logo of Lauderdale-down-by-the-sea.

Brakes squealed as a sleigh wheel got caught in the gutter
And Rudolph's hoof smashed up a hurricane shutter.

"I'm glad you dropped in," I wanted to say,
But thoughts of a homeowners policy got in the way.

They don't cover sleigh wheels, or santas, or deer,
So I'd soon be in debt for for this holiday cheer.

"Have a soft drink?" I offered, to get him out faster,
But at moochng this guy was clearly the master.
"Soda? For children! Just give me a brew.
Molsons preferred, but Corona will do."

"Gee, Santa," I said, as I eyed his big sack,
"I still have twelve boxes left to unpack.
Instead of a gift this year, maybe your elves
Could help me assemble my lamps and my shelves?
And move this big table and hang all those prints --"

But all of a sudden I saw Santa wince.
"I have a long drive," he said with a frown,
"And the elves union says they have to put down
Their tools after midnight, or I travel alone
And call for repairs on my cellular phone.
A mechanic on holidays? I don't do magic
And delaying these gifts to good kids would be tragic."

A last sip of beer, a quick wave of the hand
And Santa was headed away from my land.

The sleigh was still on the roof, so I cried,
"Take special care as you climb up the side!
Those screens are secure, and they have little wires
To sound an alarm against burglars and fires --"

Too late! A boot crashed and the sirens began
And 'twas back to the keypad before they could scan
My sensors again, for twice in one night
Would give any alarm system cause for a fright.

I'll be spared Santa's gifts when I wake Christmas morning
So I'll just take some time to post a new warning:
"No trespassing: Elves and santas beware!
All visitors must offer to do home repair!"

For serious advice about moving, download Making the Big Move.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294

---

Budgeting Your Log Home - Creating a Checklist

If you've read my first article, BUDGETING YOUR LOG HOME:... Read More

The Costs of Transforming Your Home into a Buyers Dream House

Turning your house into the home of a buyer's dreams... Read More

What are the Top 11.5 Criteria for Selecting an Orlando Investment Property

1. Make sure units are larger than 1800 square feet.This... Read More

How Do I Implement The Lease Purchase Plan?

Well, as we have discussed in previous newsletters first you... Read More

High Tension for the Buyer and Seller of Real Estate Can Be Reduced

Tensions can run high in both the selling and buying... Read More

For Sale By Owner - Use This Tip To Sell Your Home Quicker and At a Better Price

Your house is for sale by owner (fsbo), Along with... Read More

Burn, Baby, Burn!

Luxury homes are lots of fun to inspect. Sure, the... Read More

If You Move Yourself

You'll want to take some items in your own car... Read More

San Diego Home Evaluation

The Southern California city of San Diego has all the... Read More

The Professional Investors Plan

The art of using high-leveraged activities.Here I would like to... Read More

Investment Real Estate -- A New Twist: Be the Bank, Not the Landlord, and Get Rich Without the Work!

I was a landlord for a decade, and I believe... Read More

Free Tips That Will Dramatically Increase the Selling Value Of Your House (Part 1)

Did you know that it's a proven fact that a... Read More

The Secret Jewel in the Mediterranean Crown

Since the Northern Cypriots famously voted 'yes' to the UN... Read More

How To Sell Your Home FSBO

You decide to sell your home and believe you can... Read More

For Sale in Ridgefield

Ridgefield Connecticut, located near the New York border, is a... Read More

Greed Can Cost You Your Shirt!

The proper action when things are going well is to... Read More

Escrow Accounts ? Are You Paying Too Much?

Money in escrow is "dead money". It doesn't earn interest... Read More

How To Negotiate A Higher Price For Your House

Negotiation is where many FSBO home sellers really have problems.... Read More

Expenses of Home Ownership

Hopefully all goes smoothly when you purchase your home. In... Read More

Property Investment - Buying A Holiday Home in Cyprus

Cyprus is fast becoming a property hotspot for thousands of... Read More

Property Investing Secrets 1

When property investing, pay the seller their asking price but... Read More

Property Investors, Scrub Your Thoughts and Start Again - Brazil, Brazil, Brazil!

Brazil Property - FortalezaThe PlaceWhat to do in a place... Read More

Do You Speak Real Estate?

Anyone interested in real estate should be able to talk... Read More

Lease Options or Rent to Own?

Finding a rent-to-own house is one of the many ways... Read More

4 Dangers In Flipping Real Estate

If you have recently purchased some real estate for investment... Read More

Apres-Ski

European tax haven Andorra enjoys the same fiscal benefits as... Read More

Home Inspections or Home Warranty?

Homebuyers are a curious lot. They routinely ask thought-provoking questions.... Read More

Real Estate Professional in the Palm of Your Hand

GETTING THE MOST FOR THE LEASE-TRACKING YOUR REAL ESTATEIf you... Read More

If You are Hiring a Neighborhood Specialist to Sell Your Home, there are Some Things You Absolutely

My husband and I were eating breakfast at the Good... Read More

Rapid City Real Estate Agents

Take me Back to the Black HillsLocated in Western South... Read More

Vegas: The New Frontier

Unless you have been living in Siberia, you know that... Read More

Make Money As A Slumlord

Be a slumlord? Okay, I got your attention, now the... Read More

Condo-Hotels ? A New Second-Home Alternative to Time Shares

Condo-hotels have evolved as a better, more reliable second home... Read More