Colorado Springs Notary - Leon Austin

If you can refill your car's gas tank, you can refill the toner cartridges for your laser printer yourself.

Notary signing agents do an enormous amount of printing. Thousands of pages of loan documents a week. We buy paper by the cases (plural). I could build a small house from all of the paper that I have gone through. And we go through a lot of toner. Several cartridges in a week. Needless to say, printing is one of our biggest expenses.

One of the main reasons for refilling your cartridges yourself is that you will save a lot of money. I save literally thousands of dollars a year. Refilling just a few times will save you enough money to buy a brand new printer. One cartridge for my printer is approximately $70. A bottle of toner is approximately $6. One refill saves me more than $60. That's hundreds of dollars from just one cartridge, since it can be refilled more than once. Refilling is also good for the environment, since you will be disposing of fewer cartridges.

The printer that I use is the Hewlett Packard HP 1320t, dual tray.

There is no drum to replace. Just the toner cartridge. The process should be the same for just about any toner cartridge. The only difference will be where you burn the hole in the cartridge.  The HP 1320 can use 2 different sizes of cartridges: a regular cartridge, and a high yield cartridge.

Refilling is relatively simple, and is not a messy job, as many people think. The main thing is to have all of the things you will need before starting the job.

Some of the things you will need before starting are: tool for burning the hole, aluminum tape (or hole plugs), paper towel or handy wipe for wiping off the area around the hole before sealing it, and any other areas that may have toner on them. I also have a can of compressed air. It comes in handy for cleaning any debris on the cartridge or around your work area when you are done.  You will have to buy a burning tool that is specially made for burning the hole in the cartridge. But once you have it, it can be used indefinitely.

You will of course need a bottle of toner. I order all of my toner from

TonerKits.com. They have the lowest prices that I have found, and they carry toner for just about every make and model of printer cartridge. 

Before starting, allow enough time to get the tool very hot. The hotter it is, the easier it will be to burn a good clean hole through the cartridge.  This is where most of the time is spent. Once the tool is hot enough, it's a simple matter of burning the hole, then pouring in the toner. Work in a well ventilated area while doing this. You don't want to breathe in the fumes that are emitted.

Here are the locations for burning the hole. You should get a set of instructions when you buy a toner kit for your particular model of printer, along with enough tape or plugs for sealing the cartridge.

If I'm burning a hole for the high-yield cartridge, it would go here:

The locations can vary by a few millimeters. There isn't a precise spot.  You will receive instructions showing where to burn the hole for your type of cartridge.

When pouring the toner into the cartridge, don't squeeze the bottle. I hold the spout to the hole and gently tap on the bottle while gently shaking the cartridge back and forth to level the toner.

After you have poured the toner into the cartridge, use the aluminum tape to seal it. Cut off a piece that is large enough to cover the hole and around the rim of the hole. Once it is sealed, you are ready to print.

How many times can you refill?  That depends. I have gotten as many as four refills from a cartridge. Eventually the parts will wear down and you'll have to discard it.

Another thing that I do to save money is use remanufactured cartridges.  The ones I use have given excellent results. And they can be refilled.

There are two primary sources that I use for ordering toner cartridge supplies. I use TonerKits.com to order bottles of toner, and ink4ever.com for remanufactured cartridges. Ink4ever has products for many types of printers.  I like to keep things simple and go with companies that I have worked with for a long time. No reason to change. Whenever I buy new cartridges, I go to Sam's Club. Other sources for cartridges are Office Depot and Office Max.  There are many more companies. Too numerous to mention in this article. The main thing is to find a company that provides you good service and reliable products.

I use 2 laser printers. They are different models, but both are made by Hewlett Packard. I wanted to make ordering refill supplies simpler, so I asked the people at TonerKits.com if I could use the same toner for both models.  They recommended that you use the toner that is specified for the particular make and model of printer. They are the experts, so I'll take their word for it and not experiment.

I usually prepare several cartridges for refilling at the same time. I also keep at least two brand new cartridges in the box, unopened. It gives you peace of mind, knowing that you are prepared. And especially at the end of the month, you don't want to find yourself in a position where you have run out of toner and can't get the job done. 

Always be ready to close a loan. Good luck.

Well, there's really not much that you can do to hurry the process. So relax. You're in one location, the people preparing the loan documents are in another.  You can call and inquire. But they already know that you need the documents.

I have a closing this evening, and the documents have not yet arrived in order to be at the closing on time. It's in the rural part of Fountain, Colorado, so I have a bit of a drive. 

The first thing I did was call the settlement company. That was my second call to them. So they are aware. They repeated that they would contact the lender.  The next thing I did was contact the borrower.  I explained that there would be a delay. I assured him that I would keep him posted and give him a call as soon as I had the documents and was in a position to give him a projected time of when I would be there.  That still leaves both of us in the dark, but at least the borrower is aware of the situation, and won't expect me at 6pm sharp.

There's no point in getting upset. It's the nature of the business. It's all part of being a notary signing agent.  All you can do is go with the flow.  Good luck.

Eine Kur für Sehnsucht nach Deutschland (A cure for longing to be back in Germany)

If you're homesick for Germany, or looking for a place where you can find German delicacies, then you will certainly want to visit Wimberger's Old World Bakery and Delicatessen. It is situated on a quiet, tree-lined avenue. The exterior of the building with its Fachwerk (half-timbered) design gives you the feeling immediately that you are at a German establishment. 

In der alten Heimat (In the old country.)

One of the first things you experience, when you step inside, is that you are in another country. It's just like being in Germany. Everything is genuinely German. And the staff speaks German.

Many Germans come there to shop, so it's not at all unusual that you will hear a lot of German spoken. You will wish that you could spend all day there, as I did, because it offers so much.

On this particular day, I had the good fortune and pleasure of meeting the owner, Ulrike Wimberger. That's her, in the middle, along with some of the members of the staff.

We spoke for a while. She told me that Wimberger's has been in existence in Colorado Springs for 37 years, since 1970. There was a need for German specialties, and her family has been fulfilling it ever since. And you can find Wimberger's products in more than just this store alone. They distribute to many different locations, such as Safeway, Albertson's, Uwe's German Restaurant, Edelweiss German restaurant, Grindlwald German Delicatessen, Broadway Deli, Denver area King Soopers, Whole Foods, and many many more locations.

Alles ist sauber und in Ordnung

(Everything is clean and orderly.)

Just as you would expect from a German store, everything is clean and in order. This is the first thing you will notice when you enter the store. That and the wonderful aroma of fresh German bread and other delicacies. This is the kind of bread that is a meal all by itself, although there are a lot of things that you will find here that you will want to include with your meal.

There is a wide assortment of items to add to your meal. These shelves are located immediately to your left as you enter the store.

There is seemingly no end to what you will find here. Everything you need. 

It wouldn't be a German delicatessen without a wide variety of sausages and meats. And many types of cheeses and other fine products.

 Laß dir Zeit! (Take your time.)

Draußen gibt es Sitzplätze. (There is seating outside.)

You can spend some time sitting outside beneath the shade of the trees.

Wimberger's Old World Bakery and Delicatessen

2321 Bott Avenue

Colorado Springs, CO

(719) 634-6313

You can learn more about Wimberger's Old World Bakery and Delicatessen by visiting their website:

www.wimbergers.com

On a few occasions I will get instructions letting me know that I don't need to get a photocopy of the borrower's ID:

However, most of the time the title company insists on getting a photocopy.  I make a point of requesting it when I make the confirmation call. It's a requirement that should be taken seriously. And 9 times out of 10 the borrowers are able to provide a photocopy.  But there are going to be times when they can't. I could bring a copier along, but I prefer not to carry it if I don't have to.

However a digital camera is something that is small and lightweight. I can fit it in my shirt pocket. It doesn't have to be a top of the line camera. The camera I use is the Kodak EasyShare C533.

The procedure is not difficult. If you can take a picture, you can make a copy of the ID.

It's a good idea to get the borrower's permission. Even though you already have access to a lot of their private information, they might feel uneasy about having it on someone's digital camera. You never know what concerns they have. So always ask. 

The main thing is the proper mode. I use the close up mode. On the C533 you'll see a flower icon.

This allows me to get up close to the ID so that all of the information is legible. You don't need a flash. And you don't want it. Just make sure you have adequate lighting. You'll be able to tell from the LCD screen.  A tripod isn't necessary either. You just want to have a steady hand. Lay the ID on a flat surface, and on a sheet of light-colored paper. Squeeze the shutter button, and you're done.

The next thing you want to do is prepare the photo so that it can be sent to the title company.  You can either email the photo as an attachment, or you can print it out. Call and ask which they prefer.

If you're sending it as an attachment, then all you have to do is upload the photo to your computer and send it.

If you're going to print it out, you will need to make some adjustments. The size will probably need to be reduced. There are a variety of software products you can use. I use IrfanView. Make any adjustments you need to make with regards to size and cropping. When you're done, you will probably have something that looks like this:

Most of the wording on this document is legible. If you have any vital information that didn't come out clearly, you can annotate it on the piece of paper that you printed it on. Or include it in the email, if you sent it as an attachment.

It's always nice if they are able to make a photocopy and have it for you when you arrive. But if they don't, then you have your digital camera to do it for them. Good luck.

I did a reverse mortgage closing this evening for an elderly woman who doesn't get around very well. She has to use a walker. To make it comfortable for her, she sat back in her recliner. I pulled up a chair and sat beside her. I laid my notary journal in my lap so I could keep the papers in order.

She was a very talkative person. I didn't say much because I needed to focus. But I was listening. At one point a plane flew overhead and she said it reminded her of the bombings during the war. All I could think of was that she carries a lot of frightful experiences with her, to this day.  She talked about a lot of other things.  She mentioned that she had a cat. She was all out of cat food and didn't have a chance to go to the store to buy any. She was afraid her cat would starve.  I kept wondering, how would she make it to the store? Where is there a store nearby?

At the end of the signing I gathered together everything.  I then asked her if she would like for me to go to the store for her.  I knew she needed things.  She said, yes, if I wouldn't mind.  At first, all she wanted was some cat food. She brought out a label that she had saved so I could see what kind she wanted. She also asked if I would pick up a loaf of wheat bread.  And while I'm at it, could I get a couple of glazed donuts. She enjoys these with her breakfast.

It wasn't that far of a drive for me to get to the 7-11 store.  But for her, it must seem like a very long trek.  I picked up the items, drove back, presented them to her and gave her the change from the $20 bill she gave me to pay for the things.

The job description for notary signing agents is not clearly defined.  We write it with every closing that we do that involves doing something out of the ordinary.

And if that means going grocery shopping for an elderly lady, then make that part of the job too.

Good luck.

There are many nice aspects to downtown Colorado Springs. One of the nicest is Monument Valley Park. Come inside. I'm sure you'll like what you find here.

The park is easily accessible. As you can see, there is a stairway to the right, and a ramp to the left for wheelchairs.

Monument Valley Park is truly an oasis. When you're in the park you get the feeling that you are in another place and time. It is very beautiful, and peaceful here. Take your shoes off, and set a spell.

Off to the left is what appears to be a savanna, somewhere in the South. No, you're still in downtown Colorado Springs. This is one of the paths. It is ideal for strolling, running, or riding a bike, as I was doing on this particular day.

Over yonder there is Colorado College. You can't see it too well from here, but that's where the football stadium is. The soccer field is adjacent to it.

On a clearer day you have a better view of the mountains in the background. But it's going to rain today. Typical for May. So it's time to head home. But I'll be back. And hopefully you too will pay a visit to Monument Valley Park when you come to visit Colorado Springs.

Last night I was going over some notes that I have been saving. Mostly inspirational notes. One of them is J. Paul Getty's Wealth Secrets. They are broken down into 8 Rules. They are as follows:

1. To acquire wealth today, you must be in your own business.
2. You must have a working knowledge of the business when you start and continue to increase your knowledge of it as you go along.
3. You must save money in your personal life and in your business venture as well.
4. You must take risks.
5. You must not only learn to live with tension, you must seek it out.
6. Build wealth as a by-product of your business
7. Patience
8. Diversify at the top.

First of all, wealth is a relative concept.  As far as notary signing agents are concerned, it's hard to imagine that any of us will become billionaires, like J. Paul Getty.  But we can use these simple rules for succeeding in our businesses. And in so doing, accumulate a modest amount of wealth in the process.

• The first rule is something that you have already done. Good for you.
• Rule 2 is the one that we must constantly work on. Continue to increase your knowledge.
• Saving money is rule 3. There's an old saying, "Pay yourself first." If you haven't done so already, consider setting up an automatic transfer from checking to savings. Look for other ways to save on expenses, such as gas, printing supplies, etc. This also means, living below your means.
• Taking on risks is a must. That means that you also have to risk failure. Don't be afraid of failure. If you look at the profiles of the most successful business people in the world, they all experienced failures and setbacks. Use them as an opportunity to learn. There's an old saying, "You won't know how far you can go, until you've gone too far."  That's the only way to reach your full potential. Chris Gardner is a perfect example. If you haven't done so already, see the movie: The Pursuit of Happyness.
• Rule number 5 is very important. You have to be able to handle stress. And in order to handle it, you have to be well organized. And you have to have the ability to multi-task. As J. Paul Getty says, seek it out.  Look for new business ventures. Add new skills, and use them.
• With regards to rule number 7, I'm reminded of the Zen saying, "If you try to hold your breath, you will lose it."  Quite simply, don't consciously try to become wealthy. If you follow all of the other rules, it will come naturally. If you take enough risks, eventually one of them will pay off.
• Patience. And that's all that needs to be said about that. 'Kaizen'.
• Diversify at the top. Notary signing agents should never become complacent. If you look at the major multi-national corporations of the world, such as Microsoft, Apple, IBM, they are always seeking new ways to expand their businesses, and to venture into new areas.  So imagine all of the possibilities and opportunities that you have.

Then make it happen.  Good luck.

Arguably one of the best mechanics of German automobiles in the city of Colorado Springs is Gary Kohler, the owner of Volks Tech, located in southeast Colorado Springs. 

He has had a VW repair shop in Colorado Springs since 1974, and has been repairing German cars for more than 40 years. All makes and models: Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, ... if it was made in Germany, he can fix it. And he also repairs motorcycles, mostly European.  Repairing German cars is a part of his life. He does it with a passion. And that is one of the reasons why he is the best. 

When he's not busy repairing German cars, he's busy ordering parts, or corresponding with people from all over the country who seek his advice.

I stopped by the Grindlwald German Delicatessen to buy a loaf of genuine German bread. Whenever I'm there I take a moment to chat with the owner. Today was no exception. Her English is very good, but German is her mother language, and that is what comes natural. So that is the language in which we spoke: (English translation at the end of the article)

Wie lange sind Sie schon hier in Colorado Springs?

Seit 20 Jahren.

Was kann man hier kaufen?

Man kann hier Spezialitäten aus Deutschland kaufen. Für Erwachsene Leute, und für Kinder auch. Und dann sie können die richtige Bratwurst kaufen, aber keine Preservatives und keine Filler drin. Dann können sie Knackwurst kaufen, ... und dann haben wir viele Sachen zum Kochen -- feine Soßen für Vieh und Schweinebraten, und wir haben viele Soßen für Salaten. Und da haben wir auch Geschenksartikel, und dann haben wir auch Toilettrie auch.

Und man kann hier auch essen?

Sie können hier auch Lunch haben, und Dinner. Es ist alles gekocht. Da ist nichts gefroren, und nichts Fast-Food.

Also ist alles frisch.

Alles ist frisch.

Danke sehr!

Bitte. Bitte.

You can find a wide variety of sausages, just like in Deutschland.

And the shelves are stocked with a wide assortment of German books, magazines, breads, Brötchen, cakes, cookies, chocolates, sauces and spices, ... everything imaginable. It's the same as being in a German store (Laden) in Germany. All of this in one store.

And there is a dining area in the corner.

Grindelwald German Delicatessen
1105 S Tejon St
719-475-1414

English translation of interview:

How long have you been here in Colorado Springs?

For 20 years.

What can one buy here?

One can buy specialties from Germany. For adults, and also for children.  And you can buy the genuine Bratwurst, but no preservatives, and no fillers are in them. And you can buy Knackwurst, ... and we have a lot of things for cooking, fine sauces for beef and roast pork, and we have a lot of sauces for salads.  And we have a lot of gift items,  and we also have toiletries.

And one can eat here?

You can also have lunch here, and dinner.  Everything is prepared (cooked), nothing is frozen, and nothing is fast-food.

So everything is fresh.

Everything is fresh.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

It's still true. The real treasures are seldom lying out in the open. You have to dig for them.

Far off the beaten path, nestled in a grove in southeast Colorado Springs, is Pikes Peak Vineyards & Winery. I visited there and had the good fortune of meeting winemaker Paul Tafoya, who took me on a tour of the winery.  I also spent a little time doing some wine tasting.

Paul has been making wine here for more than 25 years. He is pictured to the right, standing in one of the vineyards.

This is one of the machines that is used in the initial part of the process for sorting the grapes.

To the left is the wine press.

This machine below is used in the fermentation process.

These kegs contain Merlot wine.

Part of the storage process before the wines are bottled.

This is where the bottling takes place. All of the labeling is done by hand.

This is the wine tasting area, along with the varieties of wines that are produced. Wine tasting is everyday from 1 to 4pm. The wines range in price from $10 to $14 a bottle. You won't find these wines in supermarkets or wine shops. They can only be found at Pikes Peak Vineyards & Winery. A bit off the beaten path, but well worth the journey. 

For more information about Colorado wines: Colorado Wine

For a map: Map to Pikes Peak Vineyards & Winery

Open 1pm - 4pm daily, or by appointment.
3901 Janitell Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 576-0075