The People’s Choice - Top 10 Posts to Ponder.  With the Oscars behind us, I thought it might be fun to take a look at the People's Choice posts.  I'm always curious what others find interesting.  While many of these posts  didn't receive a lot of comments, it's clear (from the click-thru number) they ranked high in the mind of the consumer (my loyal Naked Blogger readers).  I'm not exactly sure what tickled their fancy, but it's fascinating none the less.  Enjoy! Here are the People's Choice - Top 10 Posts to Ponder!   Christmas Day in Ghana, Africa – 5290  Fast, Cheap & Easy - Adult Costume For Halloween - 4368  Best Buy Store comes to Medford Oregon! - 3893  Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny - Yellow Polka Dot Bikini – 3775  Grants Pass High School - District 7 - 3411  Yes They're Fake... My Rea... 03/03/2014

Ladies and Gents... The Envelope Please... And the Winner is... But Wait!  First... A few accolades are in order!  There's no guesswork necessary.  No more Post-it notes pasted to the fridge.  No more bread crumb trails leading to your favorite list of things buried in the crinkled pages of his/her book.  No more claims of amnesia (ha!). Fast forward to a 21st Century Valentine's Day.  Allow me to introduce you to... The Power of Pinterest Love!  Where anyone (and their brother) can discover what you love, or what you've been dreaming of (at the click of a pin).  It's easy, breezy, peasy! One of my favorite Pinterest Boards, appropriately titled, 'Miss Mel', allows inquiring minds to take a personal peek at the fashion pins that interest me.  Here's an example of what they might find: M... 02/14/2014

Hard Hats for Humanity.  There's no question, I can be a little hard-headed at times.  Although, when it comes to helping others, I have a soft spot in my heart for humanity.    Random acts of kindness  inspire me.  Last November, I had another wonderful opportunity to partner with my fellow REALTORS® volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in San Francisco.  I got to be a Lady in Red (with a hard hat) for a day. The project involved building 28 homes on 1 acre in a low-income neighborhood in San Francisco.  Our REALTOR® crew framed 7 homes in a day!  We tackled all sorts of projects like carrying lumber to various job sites, pounding nails, painting tool sheds and eating lots of dirt (it was a messy job, but someone had to do it!). This picture was taken at the end of the day when total ... 02/13/2014

PTL & Pass The Ammunition!  Rest assured... I'm not going religious or postal on anyone (although, I consider myself a deeply spiritual gal).  The title of this post happens to be the first video in my latest creation of The Sin Wagon Series, a spoof of listing vids made exclusively for Sellers about what not to do when listing their home for sale.  Watch the video and you'll get where I'm going with this =)     This is what happens when I'm laid up for more than a week with the flu.  My creative juices start flowing (or maybe it's all the caffeine I'm inhaling).  I hope you have a sense of humor... like me ;-) Praise The Lord & Pass The Ammunition! ~ Melinda Peterson The Sin Wagon Series © 2014 01/08/2014

Candy is Dandy, but Liquor is Quicker!  I'm always amused by one-liners.  Maybe you've heard this one before... it's new to me.  A Portland REALTOR popped by my office to share some information about one of his listings.  We were in the middle of an office meeting, so it was perfect timing for a meet and greet.  Since he's a subscriber of a different MLS, he wanted to share his listing with our agents.  Nice. As he was leaving, I suggested he help himself to some chocolate in the candy dish next to the front door.  He said... 'Candy is Dandy, but Liquor is Quicker!'  I laughed out loud on that one.  Little does he know... our welcome mat includes a fully stocked cafe with various local vintage wines for those afternoon pop-bys.  It's dandy and quicker... and it's our little secret ;-)  ... 01/06/2014

The Dirty Little 4-Letter Word.  It's not uncommon for people to spew four-letter words when emotions run high and patience run low.  When it comes to this dirty little four-letter word, there might be a little more brewing (than spewing) beneath the surface.  MOLD has become the death knell of many households and businesses in the 21st Century.  Granted, mold's existence probably predates the birth of Jesus, but the fear and hysteria connected to its bones has surged countless concerns in the new millennium. Like any other dirty little 4-letter word, mold can evoke unpleasant connotations.  Interpretations can be subjective and sketchy at best due to a lack of regulatory oversight and standardized methodologies for testing and reporting.          What can you do if you encounter mold? ... 01/04/2014

It only takes a spark to get a fire going... and soon all those around will warm up to its glowing.  May the new year shine brightly in your hearts and home, and may the love of family and friends surround you with joy and happiness!  Here's a video collection of dear souls who light a spark in my bonfire heart.  Enjoy!   'Bonfire Hearts'  Happy New Year ~ Melinda Peterson 01/01/2014

We've Got a Latte Love to Give!  Recently, one of our local coffee franchisers in Southern Oregon was featured on Undercover Boss.  It was a heart-warming story about two brothers (Dane & Travis Boersma) who started their coffee business (Dutch Bros Coffee) from a little cart in a parking lot in Grants Pass, Oregon. Dutch Bros is more than a Celebrity in these parts.  Not only are they known for their yummy coffee, but Dutch Bros also shares their 'Dutch Love' with our community by supporting charities like the Boys & Girls Club, Multiple Dystrophy and the Cancer Society.  The coffee mogul also shows their love and appreciation for their loyal customers. That's where a Latte Love comes in.  After Undercover Boss aired, Dutch Bros offered up a hot 2-for-1 perk on everything in the store,... 12/14/2013

Oh Baby, It's Cold Outside!   I woke up this morning to a bright light of snow beaming through my window.  I caught Old Man Winter sneaking around in the middle of the night, and boy did he have a little surprise in store for me. My pipes are frozen and I have no water.  Silly me, I should've known that would happen.  Southern Oregon  got it's first blanket of snow this year on Friday, and the frost bug bit hard at 8 degrees last night. Fortunately, I left my faucet dripping  at the office, so no worries there.  But, for some reason, I didn't think to do the same at home.  A big oops! Luckily, I had some water in my tea kettle  to wash my hands and make a cup of coffee.  The weather outside is frightful, but a warm cup of joe is so delightful on a chilly morning   Jack Frost might be ni... 12/08/2013

Our Office is a Home... Just Like Yours!  This morning, I woke up to my cell phone pinging with messages from friends and colleagues congratulating me on 5 years of  owning and managing my real estate brokerage, Real Estate Cafe LLC.  Boy, was that a surprise!  First, because as the crow flies... the occasion simply eluded me.  Second, because I had no idea that anyone was aware of the milestone.  Now that I've had several cups of coffee to reflect, I thought I'd share some of what I've learned. Prior to launching Real Estate Cafe, I developed a business plan in 2003 with my wonderfully brilliant daughter Rachael.  The plan was filled with grandiose ideas of a real estate office housed within a cafe, where something good was always brewing.  A company owned cabin would welcome potential... 11/21/2013

Move over Starbucks... a new coffee squeeze is making its debut on the big screen tonight and it's totally an undercover operation!  Southern Oregon's own coffee mogul, Travis Boersma of Dutch Bros Coffee, is about to kick some liquid ask tonight on 'Undercover Boss.' Travis, along with his brother Dane, founded the Dutch Bros Coffee Company in Grants Pass, Oregon in 1992, by selling coffee from a cart in a parking lot in the sleepy little river town.  Twenty one years later, Dutch Bros Coffee has expanded to 202 locations with 2,000 employees in seven states, making it the largest privately held drive-thru coffee chain with annual revenues more than $100 million.  Now, that's a wow! The Dutch Bros success story is one of triumph and tragedy.  Just as the business was going viral and f... 11/15/2013

Disclosures... Trick or Treat?  It's always something... those last minute 'treats' that pop up in the middle of a deal that end up scaring the living daylights out of a Buyer.  You know the kind... - The house flooded last year, but it was covered by insurance and everything was cleaned up.  They don't need to know that! - What about the mold in the upstairs closet... do we really have to tell the Buyer about that? - My next door neighbor has wild parties every other night (which is why we're moving), but I won't tell if you won't! -  My driveway is shared, and after I sell, my neighbor is going to put up a fence and block it off.  The Buyer can just cut a new driveway. These  are just some of the little 'treats' I've encountered in my REALTOR tenure.  Sadly, Sellers don't realize that... 10/31/2013

Shhhh... Tonight You Belong To Me!  Sometimes, we need a breather in life.  Never-ending demands and a wearisome pace can't be sustained forever (unless you're bionic).  When I find myself pushing the envelope and burning the candle at both ends, I know it's time to ease up on the accelerator and take in the view. Today, I stumbled upon the most adorable video that warms my heart to no end.  If you need a little pick-me-up (as I did), and you have 3 minutes to spare (even if you don't, this is totally worth it), you'll want to click on this little delight.  Shhhh... Tonight You Belong To Me!  The finale is precious!  You'll see what I mean ;-)    09/24/2013

It's a Brand New Day!  I've always loved new beginnings.  The first day of the year, the first day of Spring/Summer, the first day of school.  For some magical reason, it puts a smile on my face. So many songs fill my head on this first day of September.  It's a beautiful day in Southern Oregon.  The skies are blue, the sun is shining, the air is cool and crisp, and the smoke from recent fires has subsided. I'm grateful for a loving family, good friends, and of course, my morning cup of Joe with the cows.  They moo'd me as I smiled and waved.  Simple things inspire me.     Recently, a new client shared that it was 'divine intervention' meeting me.  I was struck by such a profound statement.  Then I smiled as she began to tell me the circumstances surrounding our meeting.  I represented ... 09/10/2013

No... Please Don't Come This Weekend!  It's the first time in 15 years that I've asked a Buyer not to come to Grants Pass, Oregon.  Sound funny?!  Well, here's the skivvy on what's happening in Southern Oregon. Three fires, sparked by  a summer lightening storm, have been burning out of control in our neck of the woods for the past 2 weeks.  Over 3000 firefighters are fighting the Douglas Complex fire and 1000 firefighters are doing the same on the Big Windy fire, both in very rugged terrain.  Together, two fires have burned over 50,000 timbered acres, sending billowing fumes of smoke into neighboring towns.   Southern Oregon's air-quality index is ranging between 350 (at worse) to 160 (at best) in recent days.  The smoke is so bad that local residents have been wearing masks for weeks.... 08/09/2013

Dodd-Frank Almost Killed My Marriage.  Yes folks, the Federal Government is tampering with marriages again.  This time, they have real estate vows on their mind.  Here's a little pre-nuptial warning... before you hook-up with your sweet darling and go dashing down the aisle of real estate matrimony, beware of Dodd-Frank regulations regarding owner-carry financing.  Nothing spells divorce before the vows begin... like DODD-FRANK.  We had a ready, willing and able Buyer who required short-term owner-carry financing to complete a purchase.  We had a ready, willing and able Seller who was happy to provide short-term owner-carry financing.  The pre-nuptial jitters began when we became aware of some of the new Dodd-Frank regulations regarding owner-carry financing.  The Dodd-Frank Wall Street... 07/26/2013

It's been said that rafting the Wild and Scenic Rogue River is like floating through a zoo.  Why?  Because in these parts, there are plenty of bald eagles, osprey, deer, bear, fox, Chinook salmon, steelhead, and raccoons hiding around every corner of tall pine trees and beautiful rock formations. If it's adventure you seek, the Rogue River offers many Class II and III rapids, making it one of the best rivers to float in a raft or inflatable kayak.  If the scenic route is more your style, I recommend a Hellgate Jet-Boat Excursion.  It's a 4-hour tour of the Rogue River with a stop at the OK Corral, where a wagon takes you up to a secluded lodge for all-you-can-eat ribs and chicken.  All you-can-drink spirits are included too! If the Rogue River doesn't float your boat, perhaps a trolley ... 07/02/2013

Why I LOVE the Pacific Northwest.  The Pacific Northwest never ceases to amaze me. This morning, I woke up to a brief Summer rain shower that left the air smelling fresh and crisp.  I love it when that happens! Fifteen years ago, I was enticed by her majestic beauty, which made it easy to lay down roots and call Southern Oregon my permanent home. Here are just a few reasons why I love the Pacific Northwest:- The mountains are close and beautiful- The trees are tall, green, and simply stunning- Wild and scenic rivers run through many towns- There are trails and bike paths galore for hiking and biking- The people are the friendliest folk I've ever met- Coffee is plentiful and it's the best in the world - There's no traffic (you can drive 30 miles in 30 min on Interstate-5)- There's little... 06/25/2013

'I'm Offended!'  Those were the first words that rolled off the lips of an angry homeowner in a phone call this morning.  The woman proceeded to tell me a story. 'Your agent has a listing on my street, a few doors down from my house, and she posted one of her flyers on my garage that said... 'Clean it!  Your house is so messy! No offense.'  I was a little taken back by the inference, as the 'claim' seemed totally out of character for this agent.  The agent is the sweetest, nicest gal you'd ever wanna meet. I assured the woman that I would call my agent and inquire about the circumstance.  Just as I had thought, the agent wasn't the culprit.  I asked the agent to call the homeowner, and I followed up with a call as well.   The episode made me chuckle a bit, not from the seriousness of th... 06/13/2013

Happy Memorial Day... Is it?  I visited a local cemetery in Grants Pass, Oregon, to quietly pay my respect to the men and women who lost their lives defending our freedom.  There were hundreds of beautiful flags, as well as military memorabilia displayed there for many to enjoy.   I approached a soldier who was dressed in uniform, who appeared to be standing watch over the site for Memorial Day weekend.  When I asked for permission to take a few pics, he asked if I was going to sell the pictures.  Absolutely not, I replied (apparently, someone had tried to do this very thing).  My question opened up a dialogue between us, and when we were finished, I hugged a new friend ;-) When it was time to leave, a friend of mine waved to  the soldier and said; 'Happy Memorial Day.'  When we got in ... 05/27/2013