Maintaining

The key to success is maintaining and sustaining.
Maintenance has been a major cost factor in our apartment complex.
I'm clueless about maintenance.
But we just hired an angel to aid me.
His name is Angel and I see how and why.
As far as sustaining, that's a faith issue.
Trust in the Lord and he will sustain you.
I'm overwhelmed in the change in my lifestyle the past two months.
Yes, I've worked indefatigably. I have worked 57 straight days without a day off.
Next week I hope to change that scenario.

Facebook

While it's great to be residing in an apartment, there's some drawbacks, too.
Noisy tenants are wreaking havoc with their untoward lifestyle.
I've been putting notices on their door and I forewarned them yesterday that they could get evicted if it happened again.
I got a phone call last night from the girl's mother asking if we took credit cards.
She said she would pay the $20 fee for noise disturbance.
I told her that wasn't necessary but they were overdue on their rent.
Just another day in paradise.
I found a message from Brad Melton to Linda Hicks that I was restricted from using Facebook because all I have is access to the office computer which prohibits us from using Facebook.
So, Linda if you're reading this send me a message at my e-mail address: davidlanier1951@gmail.com.
I would like to communicate but feel like I've got handcuffs on when I can't send messages on Facebook.
Where are you now Linda?
I hope you'll join as a follower of this blog.
The genesis of my blogging occurred when Mark Horvath, a former producer of Wheel of Fortune toured the nation documenting homelessness. I met him at an awareness rally at the University of Arkansas last summer.
I also met some other very nice people who've aided me in my renaissance from homelessness.
I also had a friend who helped me get back on my feet with appliances and food.
Others contributed by helping me purchase clothes, food and a microwave.
You can't use a microwave in a tent unless you unlawfully stretch an extension cord a half a mile.
I haven't been able to go see my camping buddies because I haven't had a day off in 55 days.
Sometimes it becomes mind boggling how all of this transpired.
I praise God for the blessings he's bestowed.
I see everyone's pictures and messages on Facebook but can't respond.
Oh, well, just another day in paradise.

Do the right thing

We all aim to please.
We all want to go to heaven in peace.
But some people like to take advantage of the nice guys.
How do we deal with these connivers who use the nice guys?
I have a grifter who is using me.
I don't know how to deal with him but he must be evicted.
My conscience bothers me but in my position as a manager I must deal with reality.
If someone doesn't pay their rent then they must be evicted.
So, now I know why Jesus hung on a cross.
He tried to blend in and found solace in helping others.
But God wanted him to sacrifice his life so others could hopefully learn that no one is perfect.
We all bleed.
We all need a savior.
We all need to help others.
Why, God do people take advantage of me when I'm just trying to be a nice guy.
I'm not Jesus.
Yes, I can magnify myself as David Lanier, but I'm not Jesus.
Help me God to make the right decisions.

God Bless

All of us worship a God.
Some of us worship the God of money.
Some of us worship the God of earthly possessions, i.e. the Lexus we drive.
Some of us worship the television and DVD we own.
Some of us worship the cell phone we text message we use.
Some of us worship the computer we use.
But there is only one God in heaven who created all of these luxuries.
Worship the true God who is omniscient.
Blessings to anyone who read this.

Cinco de Mayo

We had a blast at our Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
I printed out the significance of the date in Espanol and it created quite an interesting scenario for the little tykes.
They all got sticks and were ready to go to war!!
On May 5, 1862, Mexico defeated an army of Napoleon Bonaparte's from France, even though they were outnumbered.
The feisty Mexicans were ready to combat any and all comers last night.
I needed a good laugh like that because I was under a lot of stress to send my books from April to corporate headquarters. I was told three different ways to do it and they all failed.
Finally I was about to stress out.
But, a former manager here gave the correct instructions and it went smoothly.
The fourth time was the charm.
My supervisor ran in here and I predict she had been chewed out because I told my boss Rob I was stressing from her stress and really didn't want to talk to her for awhile.
I wrote her an apology today and received a nice reply.
She said I'm doing a good job of recruiting tenants but need to do a better job as a bookkeeper.
I enforced a no drinking policy and that turned some Hispanics off.
We didn't have any WASPS there but me.
One of the senoritas wants to get to know me more intimately but there's a major language barrier which I've had to deal with once before.
A good time was had by all.
Feliz Cinco de Mayo.

economichardtimes

The economic blight is impacting tenants paying their rent.
I've had three people come in today and apologize for not being able to pay their rent on time.
I like their attitude about telling me before hand.
One came in and pointed to the calendar and told me Friday he pay $40 late fees.
Another one told me he would bring me food on Friday or Saturday to compensate for his being late.
Another guy who works for us brought me a bottle of tequila from Mexico because he said I was cool.
We're having a Cinco de Mayo cookout on Wednesday.
My maintenance man Isidro went to a Mexican grocery store to get a cost estimate.
We're going to go all out and have a fiesta.
This is a significant holiday for Mexicans as they celebrate their independence from Spain.
They kicked their butt in a big battle on May 5.
With 71 percent of our tenants with Hispanic heritage we're going to cook and eat and celebrate.
Feliz Cinco de Mayo!!!

Lucky 13

Superstition is the hobgoblin of little minds.
I've never been very superstitious except on one particular Friday the 13th when I trudged to Wal-Mart in a driving rainstorm. My umbrella got swooped inside out and my metal rods were snapped.
When I walked in drenched, the door greeter quipped: "David, your impression of Mary Poppins didn't work."
Well, 13 was my lucky number on Friday, April 30, when I rented out two apartment 13s.
That's 12 so far in 43 days.
Our occupancy rate is skyrocketing.
And I made some more people happy with the instantaneous decision making about their credit rating.
One young lady said at one of the apartment complexes it was going to take three days to get credit approval.
Whereas, here it takes 15-20 minutes.
Voila. I hope I achieve my 13th rental in the very near future.