Louisa's Journal - The Sky is the Limit!!!

Congratulations on closing Louisa! I so happy and proud of you girl! I know what a good feeling it is. Those real estate attorneys do come in handy when you are far away. LOL!
I can imagine you are totally enjoying the EDGE! WIll have to hear all the details when you return. Tell Rina, Laura, Matt, Jan, Jeremy and everyone Sissy says hello! Maybe next year I can be there.

Louisa I was meaning to ask you if you received any flood damage or did Hendersonville not get any flooding? Hope all your investments were safe too.
Sissy

YIPPEE! Congratulations! I'm happy for you Louisa!

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

So I am here in Phoenix and up very early...too excited to keep sleeping this morning.

Linda ---thanks for your earlier note...loved it. Having grown up in Dallas, I totally relate to the tornado weather, alerts and alarms....not quite as extreme as OK, but definitely there! My Mom always gets in a bathtub with a bike helmet on. She doesn't even ride a bike, but has a helmet for every time the weather gets serious. I can just picture her with her little radio. Prayer is powerful...thanks for sharing your story! And for stopping in. Now that I'm catching up in some other journals, I see you are commenting all over the place ---so glad you are becoming an integral part of this community --congrats and welcome! It has CHANGED MY LIFE, so I'm excited for you and your enthusiasm!

Lea ---Thank you for your prayers for Nashville, and overall Tennessee and the areas severely affected by the flooding. I am so sorry to hear about your cash buyer here. Our REI group has sent out a note about assistance being offered to those who have properties affected. Your cash buyer may not need this, or may already be in the loop. I was glad to see that even help was available to investors. It has to be difficult for so many people. Thank you for your CONGRATS! You are a dear friend. I am so grateful to be in touch with you here, and look forward to being full-time and back on the site to be a better friend and supporter. Can't wait to meet you next year at The Edge if not sooner. Richie tells me you guys are in a deal together.....awesome...I am going to catch up on your journal right after this! Tell Denny I said hello.

SISSY!!! Oh my gosh....so amazing you wrote...what timing! I was just about to ask about you to Laura and Rina at the conference when I saw your post come to my phone. WOWOWOWOW! I have MISSED you! Thank you for your note. It really means a lot to me. I have told everyone on your list that you said hello....except for Matt...I have yet to meet him, and I'm hopeful he is still here so I can meet him today. I know he was swamped yesterday with people coming up to him....he spoke yesterday and was amazing as usual. I got so many great tidbits from him! As far as the floods, my husband and I, and his entire family in the area...we were all so lucky. Hendersonville was very much under water as well...some houses right off of Vietnam Vets were completely submerged. One house down the street from us had a lot of flooding, and FEMA came out last week to them. We didn't have any flooding, nor did our other two properties have flooding (truly a miracle..that is all I can say!) I know you are in Arkansas, but with your ties to the city, did you have any properties in Nashville? I hope your friends here re well, safe, and recovering. I really look forward to meeting you sometime. I hope your husband and mother are doing okay and if you are ever in Nashville/Hendersonville, please look me up...we'll meet up!

To catch some people up on what's going on in Nashville:
The Nashville Floods (or the 1,000 Year Flood as they are calling it) occurred a few weeks ago at the beginning of May)...This short video best captures a lot of the devestation...it is unbelieveable. Grand Ole Opry under water. Downtown under water. Titans stadium under water.

Here's the video...first time I saw it, it just made me cry. But the city is recovering...it will take a long time...but it's happening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFjaQoOdJvI
Wow, just watched again and have tears streaming down my face.

The video quotes an article written in the first couple of days when there wasn't much media at all ---media has since recovered. I had friends have to take boats the week of the floods from their condos and houses to get to civilization. Long road ahead!

Louisa

So I must dedicate a little section here to this amazing event.

We had a welcome reception on Friday, which was a great opportunity to meet so many DG'ers for the first time. I loved it! And I was so grateful my husband Jamie could come with me, even if only for one night (he headed to travel to other commitments), to put faces to names of people I will be talking about for years to come, for sure!!

I had the awesome experience of meeting Dean for the first time. Jamie and I had been talking and meeting several other DG'ers and after a while, I wanted to make a concerted effort to meet Dean. But I was pretty timid about it. I didn't want to interrupt any conversation he had going, or be too "overwhelming"...after all, he was of course constantly surrounded by people all wanting to meet him, along with his lovely wife. So it took us a good 45 minutes of standing aside and slowly working our way up to meet him.

When we got back to the hotel room for the night, Jamie said "you were so shy and timid about working your way up to meet Dean and taking so much time to do it, and then when you finally did, you were like his best friend"....that made me laugh. I had so much I wanted to express to Dean and I did it as fast as possible in my 1 minute with him....I just wanted to talk fast and get it all in. I was so excited!! What a great guy! What a genuine person! What energy! He really has to be "on" at all times at these things, and it must be exhausting, but it doesn't show at all.

The next morning was the beginning of the Edge event. The big screens, the lights, the stage, the cameras. I walked in and the place was PACKED! I found a seat next to CathyB (how great it has been to meet her!).

Jeff Jensen took the stage, and introduced Dean.

As Dean walked up to the stage, with all the fun hyped music, I found myself unexpectedly emotional. Tears were streaming down my face. I know, I know...it sounds silly. I quickly wiped them away with a kleenex and I don't think anyone actually saw me but seeing him walk to the stage, and realizing, I was actually in this room, a place I never thought I would be ---I was truly so happy to be here. I believe the swirls of emotion were due to many things ----the culmination of my third deal (but first BIG one) closing on Friday, the first day of The Edge, the emotional journey and hard work it has taken to get here (along with a failed 5 months of 100 miles a day on my car with 22 contracts made for the wrong company in a commission-only role with no money to show, BEFORE I really discovered Dean and got involved), the multitude of jobs I have hated, and career paths that I have struggled with, and the continued realization that if I continue to move forward in real estate, I will never have to go back to those, and the true inspiration, example, and teacher that Dean has been to me through his books, this website, and the Success Academy---- all of these emotions came to surface when Dean walked up to that stage. I had a similar reaction when Matt Larson took the stage later today. While I have not endured the hardship and background Matt has, I certainly relate to it on an emotional level of wanting and knowing he needed to do what it took to get out of where he was....his determination is so incredible, and so inspiring, just him walking up to the stage brought tears to my eyes.

One thing Dean said that really stuck with me ---
"You can make money or you can make excuses, but you can't do both."

I LOVE THAT!!

I have more stories to share, but I'll have to save them for later. I have to comment in a few more journals before I get going for the day!

Cheers!
Louisa

Thank you for sharing the EDGE with us and your feelings about it! What an amazing experience it must be for everyone there!

Thank you also for sharing the video of Nashville. I'll be praying harder now. I know from the hurricanes we've had here that photos 'show' the devistation but it is different in person. In person you get the 'feeling' in the air, the dispair overcome by neighbors helping neighbors and people helping people. I'll be e-mailing the video to others so they can be more informed too.

Take care my friend,

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

I forgot to mention, thank you for mentioning that help is available to investors too. I believe our investor knows this because FEMA came while we were talking and he had to call me back. I'm not sure if this was for his own home or his rentals. THANK YOU!

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

I am so thankful you and your family are all safe. I have so many friends in Nashville who have lost everything. One close friend who is Johnny Cash's neice, her home was right on the Cumberland BUT 20 feet up on stilts...well she and her husband cruise around America on their Harley. The floods happened while they were in Florida. Her kids saw the waters quickly rising to their home and got what they could.
The water rose so high that it was 3 feet from going through their front door. Remember their house is 20 feet up on stilts. They did loose their Lincolns, SUV, tractors, their whole shop and tools and so much beautiful furniture she inherited when Johnny and June passed away. They are slowly recovering.

We had 6 tornados and torrential rains the night before the floods hit Nashville.
I have made several offers on distressed homes. All 6 of the tornados went over my house...all within 2 1/2 hours. About the time we would come out of hiding the weather man was telling us to take cover again. It came within a bock of my house. Trees down everywhere and roofs blown off. Houses totally missing. IT was definatley night of the twisters! LOL!

Thanks for telling everyone hello for me. i just love all those people and want to meet all of you soon. When I come back to Nville I will look you up.

Louisa, it was an honor to finally meet you. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet your husband. It's so exciting what's been going on with you. The Edge is one of the best experiences of my life and to put flesh to names that I've known for awhile. I'm glad you weren't affected by the floods directly but I know the devastation of them from my own area. Anyway there's so much more to say but never time enough. I wish you safe travels home.
Blessings,
Cathy L

Sorry my computer is being weird.
Cathy L

your story about your mom just cracked me up! i love it.

glad you had a great time at the EDGE and you all are safe.

did you post a link to pictures of your rehab? i think someone mentioned it??? but i am not sure. thanks.

Just wanted to say I am so happy that I got to talk to you this morning. What a fantastic way to start my day. It was very kind of Richie to let us talk using his phone.

Your DG Sister,

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

I didn't realize you closed a deal on Friday. Way to go. It was wonderful to meet you Louisa. And thanks for thinking of me for a ride to the airport.
Cheers to all our deals that haven't happened yet!

Cathy L

I forgot to tell you that I left a bar tab for you at Gilligan's!!!! It was great to meet you in person and I am sure we will meet again....Jan
AKA- The Midget

What I'm going to enjoy the most, now that I have spent time with you (enjoyed every minute of it) is that I can hear your voice in your posts, talking as fast as you can type! Had a great time with you. Hope to talk soon.

Cmloose (Cathy L) ---Thanks for your words and your congrats. You gotta post your deal to "my first deal" or "my deals" so you can get your little diamond next to your name. CONGRATS TO YOU!! What a story. I've enjoyed our exchanges. All the best to you and your deals in "REI life AFTER the Edge"

SISSY - WOW on your tornadoes! I'm SOOO glad you are safe. That is definitely a piece that didn't get reported enough....sounds like your own neighborhood was hit very hard. I hope people are recovering from that disaster, and again, just so thankful that you and your family are OK. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend (Johnny Cash's niece)...how devestating on the floods for them. Thanks for your note, and I so look forward to meeting you next time you're in town!

LINDA ---Thanks for the note. Yes, journals get long and it gets hard to find things at times...here are the before/after pics to my rehab:
http://s938.photobucket.com/albums/ad226/integrityfirstinvestment/908%20...

LEA ---awesome to talk with YOU! You are a joy! Can't wait to meet you next year at The Edge!

JAN ----YOU CRACK ME UP! So great meeting you and I look forward to keeping in touch and keeping up with you and Jeremy and your deals. You all have a lot going on. I'm so impressed. Already looking forward to next year. All the best!

CATHY B----Ha ha on your comment I chalk the typing up to a video game I played as a child (on a DOS-based computer WAY back in the day) that taught me to type ---great to get your kids to type fast too....incentive to "find the letter": shooting space ships for points. I really got into that game. When I was 5 years old, I typed a list of all my stuffed animals [something like 50 of them], and yes, I had to use a little bit of white out because my typing wasn't quite up to par. My point in the list was to make it neat and organized so I could check off which stuffed animal I slept with each night, so I wouldn't hurt any of their feelings by spending more time with one than another. Ok, probably too much information for you, but it still makes me laugh at myself.) Great hanging with you too!!! Had so much fun. Next year can't come soon enough!! Talk soon!

So I shuttled to the airport with some fellow DG'ers to head home yesterday, got there and found out after reaching the airport that I didn't have a ticket booked home! I had changed my itinerary and accidentally deleted my flight. I probably should have taken it as a sign and stayed there for one more day, catching up with those who "stayed an extra day" After all, I didn't want it to end! (Note to self: next year ---come early and stay late!)

But I needed to get back home ---one big reason...to pick up my check from the rehab that closed on Friday! YAY!

I didn't let myself leave the Nashville airport until I finished all the worksheets in the Edge book and re-set my goals on "how many deals" and "how am I going to get there?" action steps.

I'M READY TO START NOW!

First things first:

---I drove straight from the airport to the coffee shop where I work to give up my shift today to someone who wants my hours. It is the only time I'm scheduled this week and with that check from my rehab closing which I'm picking up this morning ---I could stop working at the coffee shop right now. But I have only 3 more shifts from now until the end of June ---I'm sticking to my word ---that I would stay with them for one year (even if it is only 1 shift a week). I'm coming about 3 weeks short of that year, but I figure in my last 3 weeks before the baby is due, they understand that being on my feet all day and mopping floors is not exactly conducive to a woman about to give birth. So how awesome a feeling that I don't need to work there anymore ----I can focus my time on real estate! WOW!

--GOALS: They are quite lofty. I decided I will share my monthly goals here. Because if I share my "annual" goals for the year which I did set ---it sounds a little overwhelming and to some, a "pie-in-the-sky" goal. The reason I have "amped them up" is I'm not going to be "juggling work" anymore..it is REI...full speed ahead!!! From now until July 22 (my due date) ---I am going to be on warp speed. And while I plan to of course enjoy the birth of our new little one, and take time for myself and our family, I know that the heat will still be on REI. After all, I think there will be even MORE motivation after the birth of our baby!

So my goal for from now until the end of June is five deals. This is based on 2 deals that I got referrals on from the Edge event plus another 3 that I need to get done in addition to that by the end of June. I'm going to do whatever it takes to make that happen. And I'll report here on my action. I believe this is realistic as I had an idea about my approach combining my previous door-to-door experience with some things taught at the Edge ----it was my plane ride home that I had this revelation of my course of action. I am super excited about it and will share later.

--MANAGING MY TIME: I decided this was the most critical piece of getting these deals done, and ramping up to this "warp speed" that I need to be on. While I am a "list person" and really appear to be organized more than I actually am, I tend to not make the most of my time. My biggest weakness. I get too into what I "feel like" doing rather than what I "should do with discipline" and my "list for the day" not only doesn't get accomplished, but I typically am not too worried about it. I'm not one of those people that feels a sense of disappointment after a day of not getting things on my initial list done. I love making the list. But bringing it to completion doesn't do all that much for me. I would rather imagine, dream, and make another list for the future that I may or may not follow to completion. My satisfaction is in the dream, not always in the doing, however, over time, when that "doing" doesn't happen, then I get disappointed in myself. I'm typed as an ENFP, if you are into Myers-Briggs, which I find is absolutely brilliant in helping to analyze yourself, your strengths, what motivates you and those around you and how to work with other "types", and knowing what your "hot buttons" are in getting you motivated to help change your own behavior for success. But I digress, I know I can't just be a "dreamer" to get this business to the level that I want it. I must be a do-er and one of extreme action. I must have extreme focus. I must continue to change my life and the way I live, and organize, and work. I must discipline myself to do what has to be done first, and then, as a reward, what I "feel like" doing later.

MADE A LIST LAST NIGHT:
of all the things I need to accomplish today. I woke up at 5AM to start. I've already gotten more done in a day than I typically do and it is 8:00am. This is my new life. This is how I'm going to get 5 deals done in the next month.

I have two days and I'm off to D.C. for the weekend.

REI FOR TODAY:
-Go pick up my rehab check - YAY!
-Deposit in bank and pay back family for rehab (my private money source)
-Set up an LLC (I've had the form filled out for 4 months, just waited for the money)
-Call Entrust about setting up a self-directed IRA to invest in real estate
-Refine my vacant house letter, probate letter and foreclosure letter
-Address mailing today to foreclosures (more on this approach later...not going after short sales but owner-finance) to get ready to get in mail tomorrow AM.

More later...
Louisa

Louisa, It was awsome meeting you and hanging with you as well as meeting your husband. You were the ball of fire i knew you were
I hope you didnt get stuck for too long at the airport.
I know you will do a ton of deals in the near future and will be on stage next year. You have so much drive and determination as well as knowledge.
I will talk to you soon LouIsa

Richie.

what can i say? i know you can do it. that part about being a dreamer sounds just like me. my friend in Tulsa is a doer and we need to get together and do some deals or something. we would make a good team, but she is 750 miles away. i do love "the dream" myself but i am pushing forward every day. so are you. can't wait to hear all about your awesome deals.

absolutely beautiful!!

Richie ---Thanks a MILLION! Your words mean so much to me, you don't even know!!! It was awesome meeting YOU as well, and I had a great time hanging with you and our little group that we had gotten to know before The Edge. I just felt a kinship for sure in that closeness of finally getting to meet! Nah, no worries...the airport deal turned out just fine...got on the next flight and Southwest is super nice to us because my husband flies them more days of the year than he is home! Thanks for looking out for me at the event too...meant a lot. Can't wait to hear more about how the Sec. 8 ends up for you. What a great find!

Linda -- Understand on the distance of your friend...maybe you could one day do some "long distance" deals with her. I relate as I'm hoping to do the same with a friend of mine in Boston...oh, how I wish she was in Nashville! Thanks so much on the rehab! Checking out your journal now...

I consider today to be "day two" of life after The Edge...so I titled this as such.

Yesterday ---
==Got a laser printer like I used to have for mass marketing and mailings. It goes through toner much less often than my inkjet, and I can spend $80 at a time printing off color letters at kinko's when printing them in bulk, so I figure the purchase will more than pay for itself in just a couple weeks. I was waiting for some funds to get this done and new it would be one of my first purchases.
==Went to try to establish an LLC - little glitch in forms and I need to return this morning to knock it out, then going directly to the bank to set up accounts designated specifically for business for easier tracking for accounting/tax purposes
==I set up an appointment for today (Wed) to meet with Entrust about setting up my self-directed IRA. Want to get this going ASAP to use for real estate! Would like to use it on this upcoming deal...more below
==I did set my schedule up for next week: 2 auctions, a local REI meeting, Visiting 3 banks, homeowner visits (at least two afternoons...more on this later), visiting an real estate agency first thing Tuesday morning at 9am --the day after Memorial Day, so I can find a motivated agent. I do have one that I would like to email upfront too as he seemed like a real go-getter and I met him when he showed a client my rehab house. We'll see...
==Tried to buy a new DVD player for my laptop (my other one crashed, so I have a collection of Dean's Empowering Conversations that have been sitting on a shelf and I NEED TO WATCH THEM! This is another one of those things that had to wait due to funds coming in and I can finally do it! Looks like I have to order it online. I may try a computer shop that takes parts and fixes others, just so I can knock it out before I leave town, so I can start watching on the plane.
===Refining my letters and getting a foreclosure mailing ready didn't happen yesterday for various reasons (some personal appointments came up...things that could not be missed) but this is on my agenda this week

Today--
==Wrote Randy428 on here about a deal he talked to me about at The Edge (more later on this)
==Meeting with Entrust this afternoon about setting up self-directed IRA to use for real estate ----wanting to use this on the deal with Randy
==Checking a local computer shop to get the DVD player up and running so I can watch Empowering Conversations finally!!

While my to-do list looks short today, it is actually quite long. I'm supposed to leave town tomorrow, so I have some personal things to take care of, and my Mom is moving here this week - YAY! She put her house on the market in Dallas for 5 days, sold it, it closes this week, and she just put a contract on a house here this week, and is moving here before she closes on it next week (they are letting her move in early, she is doing so contingent upon inspection today). I'm thrilled! So I'm trying to help out with her rapid "to-do" list as she moves here (and still has inspection and house stuff to go).

Signing off for today!
Louisa

I consider today to be "day two" of life after The Edge...so I titled this as such.

Yesterday ---
==Got a laser printer like I used to have for mass marketing and mailings. It goes through toner much less often than my inkjet, and I can spend $80 at a time printing off color letters at kinko's when printing them in bulk, so I figure the purchase will more than pay for itself in just a couple weeks. I was waiting for some funds to get this done and new it would be one of my first purchases.
==Went to try to establish an LLC - little glitch in forms and I need to return this morning to knock it out, then going directly to the bank to set up accounts designated specifically for business for easier tracking for accounting/tax purposes
==I set up an appointment for today (Wed) to meet with Entrust about setting up my self-directed IRA. Want to get this going ASAP to use for real estate! Would like to use it on this upcoming deal...more below
==I did set my schedule up for next week: 2 auctions, a local REI meeting, Visiting 3 banks, homeowner visits (at least two afternoons...more on this later), visiting an real estate agency first thing Tuesday morning at 9am --the day after Memorial Day, so I can find a motivated agent. I do have one that I would like to email upfront too as he seemed like a real go-getter and I met him when he showed a client my rehab house. We'll see...
==Tried to buy a new DVD player for my laptop (my other one crashed, so I have a collection of Dean's Empowering Conversations that have been sitting on a shelf and I NEED TO WATCH THEM! This is another one of those things that had to wait due to funds coming in and I can finally do it! Looks like I have to order it online. I may try a computer shop that takes parts and fixes others, just so I can knock it out before I leave town, so I can start watching on the plane.
===Refining my letters and getting a foreclosure mailing ready didn't happen yesterday for various reasons (some personal appointments came up...things that could not be missed) but this is on my agenda this week

Today--
==Wrote Randy428 on here about a deal he talked to me about at The Edge (more later on this)
==Meeting with Entrust this afternoon about setting up self-directed IRA to use for real estate ----wanting to use this on the deal with Randy
==Checking a local computer shop to get the DVD player up and running so I can watch Empowering Conversations finally!!

While my to-do list looks short today, it is actually quite long. I'm supposed to leave town tomorrow, so I have some personal things to take care of, and my Mom is moving here this week - YAY! She put her house on the market in Dallas for 5 days, sold it, it closes this week, and she just put a contract on a house here this week, and is moving here before she closes on it next week (they are letting her move in early, she is doing so contingent upon inspection today). I'm thrilled! So I'm trying to help out with her rapid "to-do" list as she moves here (and still has inspection and house stuff to go).

Signing off for today!
Louisa

I consider today to be "day two" of life after The Edge...so I titled this as such.

Yesterday ---
==Got a laser printer like I used to have for mass marketing and mailings. It goes through toner much less often than my inkjet, and I can spend $80 at a time printing off color letters at kinko's when printing them in bulk, so I figure the purchase will more than pay for itself in just a couple weeks. I was waiting for some funds to get this done and new it would be one of my first purchases.
==Went to try to establish an LLC - little glitch in forms and I need to return this morning to knock it out, then going directly to the bank to set up accounts designated specifically for business for easier tracking for accounting/tax purposes
==I set up an appointment for today (Wed) to meet with Entrust about setting up my self-directed IRA. Want to get this going ASAP to use for real estate! Would like to use it on this upcoming deal...more below
==I did set my schedule up for next week: 2 auctions, a local REI meeting, Visiting 3 banks, homeowner visits (at least two afternoons...more on this later), visiting an real estate agency first thing Tuesday morning at 9am --the day after Memorial Day, so I can find a motivated agent. I do have one that I would like to email upfront too as he seemed like a real go-getter and I met him when he showed a client my rehab house. We'll see...
==Tried to buy a new DVD player for my laptop (my other one crashed, so I have a collection of Dean's Empowering Conversations that have been sitting on a shelf and I NEED TO WATCH THEM! This is another one of those things that had to wait due to funds coming in and I can finally do it! Looks like I have to order it online. I may try a computer shop that takes parts and fixes others, just so I can knock it out before I leave town, so I can start watching on the plane.
===Refining my letters and getting a foreclosure mailing ready didn't happen yesterday for various reasons (some personal appointments came up...things that could not be missed) but this is on my agenda this week

Today--
==Wrote Randy428 on here about a deal he talked to me about at The Edge (more later on this)
==Meeting with Entrust this afternoon about setting up self-directed IRA to use for real estate ----wanting to use this on the deal with Randy
==Checking a local computer shop to get the DVD player up and running so I can watch Empowering Conversations finally!!

While my to-do list looks short today, it is actually quite long. I'm supposed to leave town tomorrow, so I have some personal things to take care of, and my Mom is moving here this week - YAY! She put her house on the market in Dallas for 5 days, sold it, it closes this week, and she just put a contract on a house here this week, and is moving here before she closes on it next week (they are letting her move in early, she is doing so contingent upon inspection today). I'm thrilled! So I'm trying to help out with her rapid "to-do" list as she moves here (and still has inspection and house stuff to go).

Signing off for today!
Louisa

I consider today to be "day two" of life after The Edge...so I titled this as such.

Yesterday ---
==Got a laser printer like I used to have for mass marketing and mailings. It goes through toner much less often than my inkjet, and I can spend $80 at a time printing off color letters at kinko's when printing them in bulk, so I figure the purchase will more than pay for itself in just a couple weeks. I was waiting for some funds to get this done and new it would be one of my first purchases.
==Went to try to establish an LLC - little glitch in forms and I need to return this morning to knock it out, then going directly to the bank to set up accounts designated specifically for business for easier tracking for accounting/tax purposes
==I set up an appointment for today (Wed) to meet with Entrust about setting up my self-directed IRA. Want to get this going ASAP to use for real estate! Would like to use it on this upcoming deal...more below
==I did set my schedule up for next week: 2 auctions, a local REI meeting, Visiting 3 banks, homeowner visits (at least two afternoons...more on this later), visiting an real estate agency first thing Tuesday morning at 9am --the day after Memorial Day, so I can find a motivated agent. I do have one that I would like to email upfront too as he seemed like a real go-getter and I met him when he showed a client my rehab house. We'll see...
==Tried to buy a new DVD player for my laptop (my other one crashed, so I have a collection of Dean's Empowering Conversations that have been sitting on a shelf and I NEED TO WATCH THEM! This is another one of those things that had to wait due to funds coming in and I can finally do it! Looks like I have to order it online. I may try a computer shop that takes parts and fixes others, just so I can knock it out before I leave town, so I can start watching on the plane.
===Refining my letters and getting a foreclosure mailing ready didn't happen yesterday for various reasons (some personal appointments came up...things that could not be missed) but this is on my agenda this week

Today--
==Wrote Randy428 on here about a deal he talked to me about at The Edge (more later on this)
==Meeting with Entrust this afternoon about setting up self-directed IRA to use for real estate ----wanting to use this on the deal with Randy
==Checking a local computer shop to get the DVD player up and running so I can watch Empowering Conversations finally!!

While my to-do list looks short today, it is actually quite long. I'm supposed to leave town tomorrow, so I have some personal things to take care of, and my Mom is moving here this week - YAY! She put her house on the market in Dallas for 5 days, sold it, it closes this week, and she just put a contract on a house here this week, and is moving here before she closes on it next week (they are letting her move in early, she is doing so contingent upon inspection today). I'm thrilled! So I'm trying to help out with her rapid "to-do" list as she moves here (and still has inspection and house stuff to go).

Signing off for today!
Louisa

I consider today to be "day two" of life after The Edge...so I titled this as such.

Yesterday ---
==Got a laser printer like I used to have for mass marketing and mailings. It goes through toner much less often than my inkjet, and I can spend $80 at a time printing off color letters at kinko's when printing them in bulk, so I figure the purchase will more than pay for itself in just a couple weeks. I was waiting for some funds to get this done and new it would be one of my first purchases.
==Went to try to establish an LLC - little glitch in forms and I need to return this morning to knock it out, then going directly to the bank to set up accounts designated specifically for business for easier tracking for accounting/tax purposes
==I set up an appointment for today (Wed) to meet with Entrust about setting up my self-directed IRA. Want to get this going ASAP to use for real estate! Would like to use it on this upcoming deal...more below
==I did set my schedule up for next week: 2 auctions, a local REI meeting, Visiting 3 banks, homeowner visits (at least two afternoons...more on this later), visiting an real estate agency first thing Tuesday morning at 9am --the day after Memorial Day, so I can find a motivated agent. I do have one that I would like to email upfront too as he seemed like a real go-getter and I met him when he showed a client my rehab house. We'll see...
==Tried to buy a new DVD player for my laptop (my other one crashed, so I have a collection of Dean's Empowering Conversations that have been sitting on a shelf and I NEED TO WATCH THEM! This is another one of those things that had to wait due to funds coming in and I can finally do it! Looks like I have to order it online. I may try a computer shop that takes parts and fixes others, just so I can knock it out before I leave town, so I can start watching on the plane.
===Refining my letters and getting a foreclosure mailing ready didn't happen yesterday for various reasons (some personal appointments came up...things that could not be missed) but this is on my agenda this week

Today--
==Wrote Randy428 on here about a deal he talked to me about at The Edge (more later on this)
==Meeting with Entrust this afternoon about setting up self-directed IRA to use for real estate ----wanting to use this on the deal with Randy
==Checking a local computer shop to get the DVD player up and running so I can watch Empowering Conversations finally!!

While my to-do list looks short today, it is actually quite long. I'm supposed to leave town tomorrow, so I have some personal things to take care of, and my Mom is moving here this week - YAY! She put her house on the market in Dallas for 5 days, sold it, it closes this week, and she just put a contract on a house here this week, and is moving here before she closes on it next week (they are letting her move in early, she is doing so contingent upon inspection today). I'm thrilled! So I'm trying to help out with her rapid "to-do" list as she moves here (and still has inspection and house stuff to go).

Signing off for today!
Louisa

LOUISA, IT WAS GREAT TO MEET YOU AT THE EDGE!!! HAD FUN TALKING REI AND GOING OUT TO EAT WITH EVERYONE.WASNT THE EDGE FANTASTIC? CONGRATS ON YOUR HARD WORK KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM!!

Oh my gosh it was SOOOOO great to meet you and your husband! You are sweeter and more beautiful than one can even imagine from your picture here and all your posts!!!! I consider you both my DG sister and treasured friend I hope the baby agrees with your 5 deal plan and time frame hehe.....much love to you

This is really great that we are getting to work together.Its had to find Dg family in the South. These poor people just don't know what they are missing out on, Well I don't guess its really their fault, Everybody can't live in GODS country. I am still waiting for my sectary to show up to get the contracts filled out and E-mailed to you. If she don't hurry up I think I will fire her. Well I guess i will be patient and not do that, I mean she is pretty cheap, And i almost forgot my WIFE to.

Randy

You are on fire Louisa, use that energy from the EDGE!

Jay ---It was absolutely awesome meeting you and Karen! What a fun couple you guys are! Thanks for stopping by. Dinner and hanging with you guys was great ----thank you!!! I look forward to keeping up with you on here, and know you are going to continue rocking out the deals! You have this amazing enthusiasm and determination. I meant to tell you in person how absolutely excited I am for you about getting your Success Academy money back ---that is AWESOME! CONGRATS!!! (Would have been great to see you go on stage and get recognized for this great feat!! Maybe next year ---there are not too many of you, but I know the numbers are growing!)

Laura ---Oh, you are too sweet! I absolutely loved meeting you and Rina...you are both such strong and accomplished women and I could not have better mentors to look up to, for sure!! Thank you my dear friend for your kind words and encouragement...you are a HUGE LIGHT to me! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO!

Randy ---You make me laugh! I hope Julie is getting a fair share of this deal...she deserves a margarita on me! I'm thrilled to be working with you on this deal, look forward to others, and so excited about the findings I talked about last night with the non-recourse loans...whether it's this deal or others, I believe that may just be a gem! WOW! Thanks for your advice in talking with banks. I can't wait to get on it!

Chris ---Thanks so much for the encouragement!! I see you are "working it" as well and look forward to seeing all your progress and deals this year. Love following these journals, you know?