Monday, April 12, 2010

Searching of a new house

Useful websites for searching of a new house: 1. house search website http://www.ziprealtor.com/ http://www.redfin.com/ http://www.zillow.com/ http://www.trulia.com/ http://losangeles.blockshopper.com/sales/zips/91324/2010/1 http://mikeweaverrealtor.com/ http://www.pinnacleestate.com/ http://www.callchriswilliams.com/ 2. School District: http://search.lausd.k12.ca.us/cgi-bin/fccgi.exe?w3exec=schfinder0 http://schooldistrictfinder.com/search.php School Rating: http://school-ratings.com/ API: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ap/apireports.asp Local School Map: http://notebook.lausd.net/pls/ptl/docs/PAGE/CA_LAUSD/LAUSDNET/ABOUT_US/MAPS/2009-10%20LOCAL%20DISTRICT%201%20%2830X40%29.PDF CA School Ranking: http://www.psk12.com/rating/USindexphp/STATE_CA.html Beckford: http://beckford-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com/ 3. Local School Area: Elementary: topeka, darby, backford, dearborn, Middle School: Frost Middle is fine, homels, Magnet program: Lawrence middle and Portal middle both have seperate magnet program, but Porter is not in a good school area. Both required gifted student application. Nobel has magnet problem which anyone can apply, so it is a little bit weak. Northridge: http://www.zillow.com/local-info/CA-Los-Angeles/Northridge-home-value/r_33183/ 4. Rental Lease: http://www.max-info.com/NoMoneyDown/form/20.html http://www.car.org/legal/standard-forms/summary-forms-releases-chart/nov-2008-form-releases-chart/228368 Rental Form: http://www.car.org/legal/standard-forms/summary-forms-releases-chart/nov-2008-form-releases-chart/228368/ CA 3day evict: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/other/landtenqa-land8.htm Tenant Screening: http://citicredit.net/ Application: http://web.wenxuecity.com/BBSView.php?SubID=tzlc&MsgID=229246 check credit。http://www.citicredit.net/ 加州房东必读: http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/index.shtml 另外推荐这本书。California Landlord's Law Book: Rights & Responsibilities http://www.amazon.com/California-Landlords-Law-Book-Responsibilities/dp/1413309402/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254183077&sr=8-3 \ an article: http://bbs.creaders.net/tea/bbsviewer.php?trd_id=490176&blog_id=64398 1099+1096+w9http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/tzlc/266797.html Future house price: http://datasuite.cmegroup.com/dataSuite.html?template=hsng&category=Housing&exchange=XCME&strategyType=SP&selected_tab=real-estate wholesale stores: http://www.alanbestbuys.com/ Remove stain from countertop: http://askville.amazon.com/SimilarQuestions.do?req=remove-crusty-white-hard-water-stains-black-granite-countertops LA city Bureau of Sanitation: http://lacitysan.org/solid_resources/refuse/service_request.htm LA hazard waste: http://www.lacsd.org/info/hhw_e_waste/default.asp Sex Offerder: http://www.mapsexoffender.com/ Rental Tax: http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/inv-tax/293583.html 筛选房客的终极指南 http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/tzlc/302112.html 5. Contractor and handyman: referel: http://www.mikeismyagent.com/referrals.asp

. Vahik Tatoosi, Phone # 818-585-1988, tatoosi@yahoo.com, License# 896934 .



Jeff Lu, 818-648-0755, 818-772-6580, License contractor, #818795 , jiefeilu4@yahoo.com.cn . Stylin Construction, Mike or Curly, 818-407-1327 .



Bruce hashemi http://www.rdmconstructionco.com/About.html .



Handyman: quick and dirty: 818-605-1509 . Pedro Galvan: 310-780-4628 . Handyman: Aljado: 818-207-5335,



. Loan: Broker: Amy(Ming) Wang DRE#01728699 NMLS#296622Realtor/Senior Mortgage Consultant Cell: 408-857-3168 Phone & Fax: 408-212-8807 .



. Inspection: http://www.crystalhomeinspections.com/ http://www.ehomeinspector.com/ . Architect: Len Cardoni of Cardoni Group Architects(805) 494-3853 http://www.cardonigroup.com/ . Architect: Kevin Tohill, associate AIA, 805.577.1098, 818-833-1098, http://www.kta-inc.net/ , .Structure Engineer: 619-708-3598 , more at: http://www.seaosc.org/pa_find.cfm



5. House related http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070124161503AA7lq79 http://www.huaren.us/dispbbs.asp?boardid=337&id=571860 POLYBUTELENE: http://www.repipenews.com/ Vinyl Siding: http://architecture.about.com/cs/repairremodel/a/vinyl.htm



Do I need a big house: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/dszMR9qbesI A nice little house: http://www.younghouselove.com/photo-gallery-2/ two books: http://www.huaren.us/dispbbs.asp?boardid=337&Id=689534&page=3 Pool Demolish: http://www.kennahconstruction.net/pool_demolition.html?keyphrase=pool+demolition&lid=712048725&c=712046833&provider=google&ping=false pool: http://www.stretcher.com/stories/09/09aug10a.cfm Remove a pool: http://home.comcast.net/~phil.detweiler/PoolDemolition.html BathTub kit: http://www.refinishingonline.com/ Bathtub DIY: http://www.inetgiant.com/AdDetails/Spray-On-Bathtub-Refinishing-Kit-With-Pro-Bond/2099578 Drawn kids data: http://home.comcast.net/~phil.detweiler/poolsafety.html CA tax credit: http://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/new_home_credit.shtml City data: http://www.city-data.com/ Rushan Blog: http://blog.wenxuecity.com/blogview.php?date=200906&postID=24581 A post: http://www.huaren.us/dispbbs.asp?boardid=337&Id=656112 CA law for natural hazard zone: http://www.zonedisclosures.com/FAQ.htm Paint the glass: The oil based products, such as Kilz and Zinsser Cover Stain, http://www.naturalhandyman.com/qa/qapaintprep.html



Wood floor redo: http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/floor/1575296.html



Roofing Calculater: http://www.costhelper.com/cost/home-garden/roof.html Roof: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,198504,00.html LA law: In Los Angeles, since 1989, it has not been permissible to install any type of roofing material (including one that is Class-A fire-rated) over a wood roof on spaced-sheathing. Spaced sheathing is more seismically vulnerable and also can allow a fire to draft more rapidly, and the fasteners of the latest roof will have a tendency to split the old and often dry wood shakes/shingles, which means that the roofing material will also be vulnerable to wind-damage.



Cost of houses: http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/tzlc/271184.html



Office Assess: http://maps.assessor.lacounty.gov/mapping/viewer.asp



LA city Permit record:http://ladbs.org/LADBSWeb/building-permit-records.jsf Windrich Group: http://www.windrichgroup.com/ Navigate LA: http://navigatela.lacity.org/index.cfm



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After work: An article: http://www.huaren.us/dispbbs.asp?boardid=337&ID=845752 Change the floor: http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/floor/1670456.html bathroom: http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/myhouse/1675216.html Decoration: http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/furniture/1613116.html coco's site: http://www.cococozy.com/ Floor: http://www.floorguide.com/default.asp?CMD=FEATURED#ThumbsPhone: http://www.ooma.com/

A: Flooring 101 Micheal Soury 805 371-8877 (Phone) Hardwood floor installer:Name: Javier 818 674-7569 (cell phone)

B: Floor: http://www.inetflooring.com/ 18335 Bedford Circle, La Puente, CA 91744 Tel: 626-839-7598, Fax: 626-839-7698 e-mail: inetflooring@earthlink.net Ask for David. He is in charge of sales.



Egypt Floor Guy: Nathan Ghanem 310-213-4213, 11844 Jeffrson Bwd, 90230

Foof: Fortress Roofing: Ron, 805-484-0151

Moving: http://www.uship.com/ Kitchen Cabinet: http://www.huaren.us/dispbbs.asp?boardid=337&id=903670&page=0&star=2



Vintage Style Home for a Young Family: http://chattafabulous.blogspot.com/2010/03/vintage-style-home-for-young-family.html



http://www.interiordesignstory.com/2009_05_01_archive.html juvinterior.com: http://www.juvinterior.com/classic-and-lavish-interior-design-ideas-for-home-decoration/



A house: http://19031halstedst.com/

A local coupon: http://www.citypublishingco.com/Mags/Mar2011/Print-coupons-for-Granada-Hills-in-San-Fernando-Valley.pdf

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Current Record: Termit: http://summittermite.com/ Roof: Fortress Roofing, Ron Astlund, 805-484-0151 Roof: All roof window system, Dave Muschaweck, 818-254-6185, 805-582-1887 Insurance: AmeriPrise, 888-404-5365 electric: Mark Fornoff, 850-496-9620 mark@fornoffelectric.com,



http://www.fornoffelectric.com/Construction:%20Randy%20Pardee:%20805-490-1810,%20www.rpardeeconstruction.com http://www.rpardeeconstruction.com/

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Current complex infor: # P & C management, Philip Dufrene, 805-630-8446(cell), 805-492-4435(phone), PO Box 7352, Thousand Oaks, CA 91359, pcmgmt@verizon.net



# Plumming, Zack, 301-508, 7559



# Old Plumming: Felipe, Rino, Ruff Ready Rooter, 919-775-0055, 818-439-3986



# Home Warranty: Fidelity National Home Warranty, http://www.homewarranty.com/, 1800-862-6837



Thursday, January 28, 2010

Arthur's appreciation

I picked up Arthur from his school. He was sitting in the back seat and suddenly he started to thank me. He said, mom, you cook for me, bake good stuff for me, oh, you took the cake to my school on my 5th birthday, and everyone waiting in line for the cake. It was so good of you, thank you, Mom!

I am really touched by his word. Yes, on his fifth birthday, I baked a cake which was cap cakes under it. I put Alphabet letter's on the cake. Every kids just got one cake. Athur got the cup cake with letter A on it. He soon dropped the cake and came back to ask another one. Too bad I didn't have any extra. Then he started to cry. Two girls gave up their cake for Arthur but he only want the one with letter A on it. He cried very hard. It wasn't very happy memory for me. I am glad that he kept the good memory of that cake. I am also glad that he appreciate my work and remembers it. I don't want to raise a spoiled kid and took everything for granted.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

弟弟两岁半

弟弟两岁半, 睡觉的时候读了书,亲昵一下,然后就会说:“妈妈你走”。他要枕着小星星枕头睡觉了。当妈妈的怅然若失啊,原来弟弟总是说,妈妈再陪一会,妈妈再陪一会,如果妈妈走了他就要哇哇哭,那时候总有被需要的感觉,现在呢,弟弟给训练出独立性了,妈妈又觉得自己不那么重要了。

今年老公不愿意弄圣诞树,老大要了好几次,最后是妈妈买下了。老公给取回来,居然要用个水桶装土把7尺高的树插进去。大晚上的我开车出去两次,终于把树的底座给装好,自己运回家,然后仔细给装饰好了。 松树的香味满屋都是,一闪一闪的小星星映在镜子了,小孩子真是喜欢,我也很欢喜。我准备以后每年都弄颗树。 小孩子能在我们身边快乐多久呢? 等我们老了,装饰了最漂亮的树,又有谁围着树唱歌跳舞呢?

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我家打孩子屁股是惩罚手段 (打得不疼啊,但态度严厉),因为对老二没多大用,再加上弹脑门。对老大,time out 就很有用。老公说,只要对孩子爱,还有就是惩罚后要说明原因,惩罚就是对的。

现在想我们是不是太暴力了。老二好几次在我们眼皮下,因为其他的小朋友碰了他,就要去打人家。在家里有时候打爸爸妈妈哥哥,我们也不是太说他,说了也没用。有一次因为我不给他吃cookie, 伸手打我,真是手很重呢。昨天出门,我做了错事 (costco 哥哥坐购物车边上,我没注意,伸手拉车,结果哥哥掉出来了,哇哇哭),然后弟弟伸小手就打我,然后和哥哥一起哭。

我反思,是不是我家老二让我们给培养坏了,觉得谁做错了就要挨打。那我们家是不是错了也不能打屁股了。打屁股成习惯了,有时候不真打,嘴上也是顺口就说出来,现在不好改了。

老二是个急脾气,模仿能力又强,不太知道怎么教育他。

Monday, November 23, 2009

阿瑟得了奖!

我家阿瑟今天得了这学期的班里的最佳进步奖。 我还以为一堆孩子得奖呢。 今天早晨参加发奖, 一个班只选四个小朋友: 一个小姑娘得最佳行为奖, 一个中美混血小姑娘说是词汇量特别多得奖,她妈妈特意买了花送给她呢。 阿瑟和另外一个小男孩是学习奖。 老师说阿瑟是: 班里最小的孩子,基础差(little experience), 过去几个月进步特别大,现在居然能读书了。

我们也特别惊讶阿瑟的进步。 他上学之前的幼儿园是放羊,基本不教东西, 我们两个都忙,唯一坚持的就是睡觉前读书了,读书的时间还很短, 而且基本是用汉语读书。 他上学前笔都拿不好,也不喜欢写字画画,每天就是和弟弟玩火车汽车,然后就是看电视玩游戏。上K后,每天都高高兴兴去上学,很短的时间进步就特别快。每天回来都主动做作业,一周的作业周一发下来,周二就要交上去,如果拖到周四周五,那肯定是爹妈拖后腿。 现在能写字, 数字能写到100, 每天还尝试读书。早晨晚上都念念叨叨的, 什么7后面是8,哪两个词rhyme,等等。 九月八号开学,到现在11周,进步真是飞速。 我真敬佩美国学校的老师,这么密集的教学量决定是我们家长做不到的。

要知道阿瑟是个资质平平的孩子, 周围朋友家聪明伶俐的孩子智力技能都是超出阿瑟很多的。 另外他是个慢性子,特别专注自己的事情,给人感觉就是木木的。 现在有了个学习的环境,立刻就突飞猛进,表现出对学习的极大地热情,真令我们欣慰。 现在我们不羡慕其他的孩子写写画画了, 阿瑟现在最喜欢做的就是写字画画。

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Travel for 2010 summer

Traveler's choice family awards: http://www.tripadvisor.com/TCFamily

One day or two days visit of Santa Barbara through Amtrak.

Amtrak SB Station: 209 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Visit: Ty Warner Sea Center: http://www.sbnature.org/twsc/224.html
Mission and Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. http://www.sbnature.org/about/68.html
Attraction: http://www.orangetreeinn.com/activities_and_attractions.htm

Transportation: http://www.santabarbaracarfree.org/howto.htm
Downtown Waterfront shuttle: http://sbmtd.gov/Lines/Line_Downtown.htm
Hotel: http://www.orangetreeinn.com/ , http://www.haciendamotel.com/

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Washington DC hotels:
River Inn at foggy bottom, full kitchen, very close to metro and a trader joe

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Palm Spring: http://www.pstramway.com/hotels.asp One Tramway Rd. Palm Springs, CA. 92262
Desert Hill Outlet(10AM开门)http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=6
http://www.livingdesert.org/
http://www.psmuseum.org/index.php
http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-palmsprings6apr06
http://www.goworldtravel.com/ex/aspx/articleGuid.%7BB5E1BDC7-AEC4-448E-8A43-8B024ECD3A53%7D/xe/article.htm

Hotel Choice (Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Indian Wells):
Palm Springs Travelodge
WHERE TO EAT
Tyler's Burgers, 149 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; (760) 325-2990. Fabulous burgers, potato salad and coleslaw. Burgers start at $6; lunch only; cash only; closed Sunday. Sherman's Deli & Bakery, 73-161 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert; (760) 568-1350. Don't miss the matzo brei. Sandwiches start at about $8. Norma's, 4200 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; (760) 770-5000. Pancakes, omelettes, sandwiches, cocktails and more. Brunch dishes $12 to $1,000 (for the lobster frittata with Sevruga caviar). Villa Abbate, 69820 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage; (760) 321-6835, http://www.villaabbate.net/; Sicilian specialties such as pescatore fritto, linguini marinara and pollo limone. Pasta $17 to $26; main courses $25 to $40

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Arthur will start school!

I am so nervous! At least that I know his teacher's name: De la Cera.....


March 22, 2010

Artuhr has three more months to finish his kindergarten year. He has been such a great kid. He loves school and don't want to miss any class. He sit next to the teacher so he learned a lot even with his poor listening skills (Many thanks to Louise, or I won't know that he needs surgery in both of his ears). He got a couple of good friends. He loves painting and drawing. I still remember that I was a good student when I was at his age: loves drawing, good at reading and shapes. I must say that he is a better one than me.