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Dear Former President Bush: Can We Do Something About The Preston Royal PO?

Surely that you are back to civilian life, you are doing some errands. If so, you might have to pop into the Preston Royal Post Office to mail a package. You will feel like you are back in Washington. Usually, I do anything to avoid a trip to the post office. I buy stamps via the internet, and I use the new postage machines whenever possible. Friday I had to send a package to Mexico, today a package by registered mail to another branch of the government, the IRS. I waited 45 minutes both times. Sir, the post office is affecting health care: my blood pressure rose dangerously high Friday afternoon, close to closing time, when there were twenty plus people in line out the door, yet one clerk helping everyone. Another clerk had left her station and I could not help but ask, where is she? The lone meticulous clerk explained she was at her desk doing paperwork. Well, I was bold enough to say, I think she ought to do her paperwork aftershe takes care of these customers! (No wonder postal clerks like to shoot customers.) The lone clerk  responded that I would have to call her superviser to complain, which another irate customer was about ready to do. And so the other clerk came out and helped us. But today, it was one clerk again, longer lines. I don’t understand the inefficiency of it — all those labels and stamps and receipts, no wonder mail is so delayed. Maybe the guys who brain-childed credit default swaps could consult. Maybe they already have. Postage is going up to 42 cents per letter May 11, yet fewer people use the mail. One would think there is less work to do, so postal clerks could be more efficient. Not so, a woman in line told me. Pretty soon they’ll be open three days a week. They are bleeding money, she said.

May I suggest we stop delivering mail on Saturday? That way the clerks can catch up on paperwork, so they can help customers during the week. Those colored stamps are pretty but maybe it would be cheaper to use black and white — or stick to one design, all U.S.flags — chop those printing costs. Have an express line for those who want to buy stamps, a full service line for those with postal issues. And why did you buy those credit card swipe machines  —  they are never operational?       

Hey, who I am to suggest business efficiency, you have the M.B.A. There’s a nice first project for you — get over there and see how you can juice up that post office and make it sing with efficiency. Do that, I guarantee you will have “Welcome George and Laura” signs in every single Preston Hollow yard!

Dallas Cowboys New Stadium

More shots from Monday — plus a sample board of the color scheme. Chairs cushion your derriere like “butta”.

Update: Why did we not link this to our new sports blog, because sometimes I am a dumb blonde. But I got to party with Deon Sanders tonight!

The Credit Noose Gets Tighter?

Implode-Explode reports that Guarantee Bank and National City (PNC) are exiting their warehouse lending lines of credit. In other words, no more “securitizing” of loans. I ask, is this a good thing, bad thing… or might it lead to higher interest rates?

Zillow Explains Obama’s New Home Loan Modification Plan

Many of you probably read the news last week regarding the Obama administration’s plan to come up with a rather aggressive effort to stem the tide of foreclosures. In short it’s a way for homeowners to reduce their monthly payments (not including PMI) to 31% of their pre-tax monthly income. For the full monty visit Zillow’s blog post here that explains the process in detail and even points you to the right documents.

Here are the dirty details on qualifying:

• Must have originated mortgage before Jan. 1, 2009.
• Be an owner-occupant.
• Have an unpaid balance that is equal to or less than $729,750 (for a single-family home).
• Have trouble paying your mortgage due to financial hardship.
• Your monthly mortgage payment must also be more than 31% of your gross (pre-tax) monthly income. Duh.There’s a three-month trial period before you lock in the lower rate for five years and if your home is in danger of foreclosure the process will be halted while you apply for the program.