Some good news for a change
By Canellita
@Canellita (12029)
United States
July 27, 2009 8:36am CST
One of this morning's headlines online was about a woman in New Jersey who was facing foreclosure on her home. She had a bill of just over $2,500 and she was about to lose her home of 20 years! It should be illegal to take someone's house for such a small amount of money.
To make things worse she had been left with $50,000 in damage by a contractor. She decided to make apple cakes and she got a bunch of her friends and family members to buy them and wound up with orders for 500! Problem solved right? The health department found out and told her she couldn't use her kitchen anymore.
So much for that idea right? Then a local hotel heard about it and offered her access to their kitchen. Now she has her own business making these cakes. It just goes to show, where there's a will there's a way.
5 people like this
21 responses
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
28 Jul 09
yup,that's the health department for you.
if they see it as a business,they'll jump right on you for "violations".
we had a woman,an elderly one at that up here that was foreclosed on for a 300 to 600 dollar non-payed water bill.she had a bit of a memory problem and forgot i guess.
her house was resold 3 times in a week before the state stepped in and stopped the town.
she was restored to her house,but you're exactly right.they need to stop these foreclosures over piddly bills that aren't even a fourth of the home's value.
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
2 Aug 09
yes,she was appointed a caretaker..i guess she had no family to keep an eye on her.
but she became somewhat of a state poster child for unfair treatment of elderly.
they passed a protection act because of her so they can no longer evict for piddly fees.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
2 Aug 09
That is very fortunate. Hopefully the caretaker will look after her well.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
28 Jul 09
That is incredible! I hope she now has someone to help her manage her affairs so she does not end up in that situation again.
1 person likes this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
27 Jul 09
That's so wonderful. I am happy to see she was able to turn it around and solve her problem. Maybe I should learn how to make apple cakes! No one should have to face foreclosure after 20 years and only $2,500. I can't believe the banks wouldn't work with her! Shame on them!
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
28 Jul 09
It got so bad here after Katrina the state has started prosecuting them.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
27 Jul 09
There should be a law for that sort of thing. The banks should not be able to forclose for such a small amount of money after all that time and money she put into that house. Garnishments, liens, whatever reasonable action to get their money or even some kind of hardship extension since she was left in that situation with the contractor. They should have been foreclosing on him!
I wish the lady well on her business. I hope it will flourish more.
Her story is such an inspiration. 
We all got a good reason to change.
Happy mylotting,
calyxus
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
12 Aug 09
Definitely! Everyone has basic skills that can be converted to extra money.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
27 Jul 09
It just goes to show that we are all our first resource and that each of us has some skill or marketable talent that can help us in times where we are in financial crisis. She didn't start out to have a business, just make a little money to keep her house.
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
29 Jul 09
the bank people are jerks
the health department are jerks
good for that lady that she found the means to take care of the problem
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
30 Jul 09
Well, technically it was the contractor who was the real jerk. Without the problem he created she wouldn't have been in financial trouble in the first place.
@sophisticated_boy (1457)
• Indonesia
29 Jul 09
Oh this is a true inspirational story. Sometimes, people can think creatively if they are under pressure. It triggers our mind to think something fast but with postive result. It also good that now she become an entrepreneur that may create another job for other people. So besides helping herself, she actually also helping others!
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
30 Jul 09
I think that some people run and hide at times like this and some people can rise to the occasion and I am glad that for her sake she is in the later category.
@vandana7 (100616)
• India
20 Aug 09
Very touching. I appreciate both the health department and the local hotel. It must have been tough decision for the health department! They couldnt set a precedent, even though everybody must have sympathized with her. It takes a great deal of courage. And the local hotel. Great job. Wish u'd mentioned the name of the hotel. It would earn them good will of mylotters. :-)
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
28 Jul 09
Thanks for the sentiment. i just thought it was a great story.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I think that's a wonderful story, and I applaud the hotel that let her use their kitchen. Maybe this cake baking will be a bigger boom than she hoped.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
29 Jul 09
It is pretty amazing that the hotel allowed her to use their kitchen.
@JOIEMARVIC (2335)
• Philippines
28 Jul 09
A very inspiring story. When you really have the will there is always a way. Even if the situations seems to be getting harder and harder, you just need to focus, believe, have faith, pray to God and the light at the end of the tunnel would be easier for you to reach.
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
28 Jul 09
This is the kind of thing that warms one's heart :) The human spirit and mind have a knack of finding a way to survive where none seems to exist, and the beauty is, others almost always pitch in and help those in dire need : )
Karen1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
28 Jul 09
Her story should be an inspiration to everyone. It is possible to change your situation if you just make the effort.
@kidswanttechn0 (136)
• United States
28 Jul 09
Aw that is a great story! I really like stories where people go from nothing to something, and get turned down and then someone else finds out and helps them out. Shows that there are kind people in the world that are willing to help others, and as for apple cake, I definitely want to try some now. Too bad I don't live anywhere near there! I wonder if she will end up marketing them and then I can try some? :P
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
28 Jul 09
She does have a business, something like mortgage cakes or foreclosure cakes, but I have seen the recipe for apple cake on helium.
@grace118224 (1038)
• China
28 Jul 09
yeah where there's a will there's a way. When people are in a adversity situation they will try everything out to survive . And through some painful experience with their upmost efforts they will be succeed in the end . i really appreciate these kinds of people .
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
28 Jul 09
It just goes to show what a little ingenuity can do. Many people in her situation cry and do nothing and complain when they lose their homes. I am glad she found a solution to her situation.
@Kowgirl (3490)
• United States
27 Jul 09
That sure is sad to hear when you have put so much into a home to
lose it for such a small amount. Thank God she has found a way to
get this debt taken care of.
Sometimes a little push or a need will get some people motivated.
It's great when you get the businesses and other people to help out.
This shows the people of the community that they can look out for those
in need. Who knows when it could be them who needs a little help.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
27 Jul 09
It also shows what one person can do to help themselves. This woman had no idea her cakes (which were around $40) would take off the way they did.
@babykeka80 (2084)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Good for her. It is a pitiful thing when it seems like the entire world is trying to hold you down. She could have been like many people and just threw her hands up and walked away. I always have had a soft spot for a strong person especially a strong woman. She should be an inspiration for those around her and I hope this hotel owner is very successful also. I am a firm believer in Karma and hope that the contractor can sleep at night.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I live in post Katrina New Orleans where people have had all kinds of nightmares with contractors for almost 4 years now. I myself have a few choice words for the last one I crossed paths with and the pitiful job he did.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
5 Sep 09
Yay! I am sorry I didn't hear about this before, but I've been busy trying to clear out my inbox, and if this is any indication of how far behind I am! lol In any case, I think it's great when people come together to help one another, and it's utter BS to have a home forclosed on because of so little!
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
5 Sep 09
Then it just keeps getting worse! It's like an addiction!
lol... So many good discussions, so few hours in a day!
lol... So many good discussions, so few hours in a day!@Canellita (12029)
• United States
5 Sep 09
Well, at the moment I have limited access so I don't get to spend as much time at it.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
5 Sep 09
I know just what you mean. My mail is seriously backed up and I don't ever know when I'll catch up.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Jul 09
That's a great story. Happy to hear that it is a true story, not just a fairy tale. I read some articles or books about positive thinking, and the authors encourage us to write about our future as if we are writing a story.
I would like to try that one day. Write about how I become a full time writer, and the passive income is enough to keep me alive for months even if I stop writing. That will be a nice ending too.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I like that story; it sounds a lot like the one that I am trying to write where I can have the option to just stay home all day and be creative.
@club80profits (194)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Exactly! There is always light at the end of a tunnel. I believe firmly in attitude as I always said to myself. Being broke is temporary being poor is a state of mind. I know many folks here will disagree with me, but this is what I think and it helps put to a financial status I am here today after being broke for over a year
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Even if people disagree with you what is important is what you believe and what you have seen to be true. Poor is definitely a state of mind. There are many ways to get money if you are willing to work for it.
@corona1234 (467)
• United States
27 Jul 09
That is great news that you do not hear much anymore.Yes their are great people at their that will help you out all you have to do is ask.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
27 Jul 09
There were so many negative headlines this morning it was great to see this one.
