I'm becoming a Librocubicularist!  Yep... I pulled that one out of my ear (stay tuned for more magic tricks).  As for the picture... well, it does look a little like me these days ;-) I've been sick with the flu for weeks and laying in bed with zero energy. I needed some fresh air, so my daughter sent me to the .99 cent store to pick-up some last minute items for my grand-daughter's 4th birthday party.  I confess, I've never been to the .99 cent store before... so I anticipated a PeopleOfWalmart experience.  I was delightfully surprised to learn that the .99 cent store has a robust produce section as well as other name brand products priced well below  regular retail stores.  I decided to look for an eye-glass repair kit (I've searched high and low for one elsewhere, but to no avail).  ... 01/24/2013

This is NOT a Drive By!  How many times have you told your clients to drive-by a listing to see if they like the neighborhood?  Only to find that the home falls short of expectation because it's plagued with deferred maintenance and a host of other issues.  Recently, one of my clients (who lives out of the area) asked me to check out an REO home they saw on the MLS.  It was late in the day, raining, and just about dark when I arrived at the home.  I didn't want to go inside a dark vacant house alone, so I decided to walk the perimeter of the property to check things out.  By all appearances, the MLS pics looked great, the price was right, and the neighborhood was coveted.  So far, the home looked like a shiny red candied apple ready to be eaten. But... upon closer inspection, I discover... 01/04/2013

A Room With a View.  Perched from the turret, overlooking the castle grounds, the sun is beginning to dim on a faded horizon.  2012 is riding off like a bandit on a dark horse into a shaded forest, bidding a bittersweet farewell.    There was so much to accomplish  and yet so little time to spare caring for the castle.  The moat damned up and needed trenching.  The draw bridge got stuck and required skillful repair.  The castle walls were layered with dead vines and needed pruning.  Winter's work is done and now it's time to reflect on the kingdom.  How shall we gather the grapes come spring?  Will there be a plentiful harvest?  Must we employ the help of villagers to accomplish the tasks at hand?  Surely the new year will bring with it bountiful promise, laughter and perhaps even encha... 12/31/2012

Old MacDonald & The Gift That Keeps on Giving!  In my previous post, I hoped Santa was Cool with me x-naying the whole commercial gift-giving thing this year.  But that was then, and this is now.  There's something tugging at my heart strings today... and I just have to buy it! Over the years, I have financially supported many charitable organizations locally and abroad.  One in particular, that is close to my heart is Women for Women International.  Their mission is to help women survivors of war rebuild their lives.  Many of these women have survived severe abuses including mutilated limbs, repeated rape, and watching helplessly while  family members were murdered in war-torn parts of the world like Afghanistan, Bosnia, the Congo, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda and Sudan.   You may be askin... 12/17/2012

I've got one wish... I hope Santa's cool.  I'd like to do away with gift giving all together this year.  Don't get me wrong, I totally love to give and I'm no Scrooge.  There's something about the seasonal frenzy of having to shop for the perfect gift at crowded stores, amidst impatient shoppers, during a limited number of days... that just doesn't jingle my bells.  Are the days of  an Old-Fashioned Christmas all but gone... when homemade pumpkin walnut bread and canned blackberry jam seemed like fabulous gifts to give to a friendly neighbor, a trusted co-worker or a cherished friend.  The time it took to make the gift often meant more than the gift itself.  And yet, those simple acts of kindness are being replaced by plastic stamped goods Made in China.   Bigger, better, faster glitter... 12/12/2012

Gotta Love Good Neighbors!  I've been cooped up for a week with a nasty cold, so I decided to venture out this morning.  After making a yummy cup of Joe, I went out on my back deck to enjoy the view.  It was butt cold freezing outside, and I was still in my pajamas, but the fresh air and cool breeze felt really good.  I was hoping my neighbors wouldn't see me... but no such luck.  As soon as they caught wind of my pajama party, they came right over to greet me ;-)  Gotta Love Good Neighbors!    12/08/2012

Can You Find Your Happy Dance? There's nothing more invigorating (well, almost nothing ;) than listening to lively music and watching people dance.  The weather outside is frightful in my neck of the woods today, and I'm feeling a wee bit under the weather too.  This little diddy brought a smile to my face, especially the James Cagney jig on the stairs, along with the yellow brick road ending ;)  I love happy endings, don't you?! I hope this Happy Dance puts a spring in your step today!    12/04/2012

A Million Bucks in a Gunny Sack!  I'm always amazed when I meet an agent for the first time and they don't look anything like their picture.  Then I wonder if they have the same thought upon meeting me ;)   Imagine our client's reaction, after perusing the web and seeing countless youthful photos of us, they too, are totally surprised at the first meet and greet!  I had one client tell me... 'If a Realtor can lie about their pic, they'll lie about anything.'  That was a wow! I recently updated my business pic after a 5-year hiatus.  Lucky for me, I have a wonderful photographer who could make me look like a million bucks in a gunny sack.  I usually opt for an outdoor picture as it incorporates my love for Oregon's rural landscape (what's not to love about the Pacific Northwest?).  I can... 11/05/2012

My friends and family know... that I'm a self-professed 'apolitical' kind of chicky.  I hate politics.  And while many have said that I would make a great lawyer or judge, I think I'll leave that to other 'left-brain' folks who have a flair for such things. Given it's a political year, and there's no escaping the topic, I've decided to add my two cents to the recent debate.  Admittedly, I don't know much about bayonets, but I do know a little something about horses.  They're stocky, loyal, intuitive and with a little training, they're dependable as hell (sounds like my ideal mate).  I may digress from here ;)  I watched approx. 20 minutes of the entire 3 debates and sadly I walked away feeling unenlightened and uninspired.  Why does this give me cause for pause?  Maybe because I still b... 10/23/2012

If You Wanna Be My Lover Realtor... Recently, I had a buyer who told me they wanted to 'give me a try' because their last two Realtors were deadbeats.  Of course, I was a little skeptical after hearing that.  It made me wonder who was really the deadbeat... the client or the Realtors?!  So, I asked a few questions. The Buyer told me that the first Realtor didn't have time for them (I know the first Realtor, and it's true, he doesn't have time for anyone).  The Buyer said the second Realtor never called them back (I know that Realtor too... and she's notorious for going MIA).  So far, things sounded pretty legit.  Then I asked about their search criteria. Once again, they seemed like reasonable people.  They were very respectful of my time and thanked me for asking questions about what t... 10/19/2012

When Things Go to Hell in a Hand-basket.  Many of us have been in relationships that could use some fixin'.  It never fails, when you least expect it, things go awry and someone inevitably points a finger of blame at another when all hell breaks loose.  Then you're left asking yourself... Where did things go wrong?   It's tough to take an introspective look at our failures.  It requires courage, honesty and a humble pie look in the mirror, especially if you don't like who's looking back at you.  Facing the truth reminds me of gardening... when you dig up roots, you're bound to get a little dirty.       Recently, things went to hell in a hand-basket in my garden.  After planting seeds, watering and fertilizing, I began to see wonderful things take root.  I was so excited about the harves... 10/11/2012

It's a Brand New Day... Baby!  The sweetest thing about each new day, is the wonderful opportunity it presents to seize a new perspective.  Every day is a perpetual rebirth of new beginnings.  I've been given 18,615 brand new days... and I'm hoping for many more.    Fifty-one years ago today, my Mother made an excruciating decision to put me up for adoption at birth.  Fortunately, she totally regretted her decision and returned for me, but not without consequence.  She knew she would face the most treacherous of days ahead, raising two children as a single mother battling MS.  God bless her!      What can I say, except that I'm eternally grateful for her decision.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about the incredible sacrifice she made to keep me.  Many days were filled with hearta... 09/29/2012

All You Need is LOVE.  It's astonishing... you only have to flip on your TV or Internet for 5 minutes to get your fill of hatred in the world.  How did we become so uncivilized?  It's no wonder we're a society plundering into the depths of despair... with an appetite for cynism, chaos, crime and cruelty.   We spend our days defending our positions, making excuses for bad behavior, pissing in other's cheerios, pointing fingers of blame, manipulating, one-upping, crossing lines and forgetting what our grand-parents taught us so long ago... treat your neighbor as yourself.  Must we ask... Who's our neighbor? Surely, technology has made us smarter than our ancestors, no?  We have every tool at our disposal to help us reach for success, but what is success without civility?  Too many societi... 09/23/2012

Anyone got a slingshot?  Remember that cool gadget we played with as kids, that could take out a neighbor's window, inflict a nasty sting in the rear, and set our enemies running for the hills just at the mere sight of it in our hands?  That tiny little thing could fling some major damage. It's been a challenging year... and it's got me thinking of an Old Testament story of David and Goliath... you may have read it as a kid.  The giant Goliath taunted the Israelites daily with threats and insults.  Young David (future King of Israel) offered to fight Goliath on behalf of his people.  Dressed in a simple tunic, carrying his shepherd's staff, along with his slingshot and a pouch full of stones, David fired one rock from his sling at the giant and took out Goliath in one fell swoop. Oh to ... 08/29/2012

Marinating in Joie de Vivre.  Lately, I've had to remind myself to step away from the ledge.  I say that with my tongue held firmly in my cheek... we all need reminders... yes?! I was reading an email I received from a friend awhile back and it made me smile.  It said... 'Declaring your strength gives you joy, as if you're marinating in it.  Many of your blogs come from this place.  Your marinade bubbles over.  Some might call it Joie de Vivre.' My 'marinade' bubbled over in the form of tears this past week... something I've struggled with my entire life.  I rarely cry in front of others... perhaps I've considered it a form of weakness.  Not any more.  My tears, which have quietly been reserved for those closest to me, are now flowing like a river that can't be dammed.  I say... let em'... 08/27/2012

Denial... It's Not a River in Egypt!  Oh Denial... we love to embrace you and bask in your cool refreshing touch.  Allow us to wade knee-deep in your river a little longer... at least until the water snakes start to nip at our toes... ouch!  Let's face it... Denial bites!  And sometimes it bites BIG!  I have to admit, I've basked in Denial a few times throughout my life.  Facing reality seems like a long stretch on a lonely road.  Perhaps because facing the truth requires VISION to see things as they really are, GUTS to face the music, STRENGTH to overcome feelings of fear, HOPE to look beyond our current set of circumstances, and FAITH to know we shall overcome.   Denial is the worst kind of friend.  It stabs you, it shames you, and it robs you of complete and utter joy.  With friends ... 08/14/2012

Cheerleader FOR Change!  For the past year and a half, I've been the MLS President of my REALTOR Association.  When I accepted the role, I was excited at the prospect of making a difference in my community of REALTORS.  What I didn't anticipate was the hate mail I would receive for being the Captain of the Squad. I've been likened to Obama (which cracks me up, because most of my inner circle knows that I'm Apolitical), and I've been given the title of 'Master of Ceremonies' (which was meant to be a back-handed insult from one of my colleagues... hilarious).  At times, I've wondered if some of my fellow REALTORS were thinking of burning me at the stake in the center of town.  Fortunately, I'm still here... penning this post.  So, what's the reason for all the 'Hatred and Disdain' (exact ... 08/05/2012

Maybe Next Time He'll Think Before He Cheats!  Carrie Underwood and Elle Zober have something in common... both are bold, beautiful women who offer some unconventional ways of dealing with a cheating partner. Many of us wouldn't think of getting even with a baseball bat (although, Carrie makes it look easy and painless), but some might embrace Elle Zober's creative approach to taking El Capitan (the name she's ascribed to her cheating husband) by the horns.  In a desperate attempt to sell the family home in Beaverton Oregon, Elle Zober created a most clever For Sale Sign (shown here) to advertise the house  fact that her cheating husband left her for Yoga Girl (the name she's ascribed to the 22-yr old woman who stole her husband).  BTW... X-Hubby approved the sign (even the part about '... 08/01/2012

The Five 'D' Reasons for Selling a Home!  Recently, while chatting with an Active Rain friend, I shared the five 'D' reasons people sell their homes in Southern Oregon.  It's pretty simple... Divorce, Death, Disease, Debt or Disillusionment.  All of which, are not the happiest of reasons! Naturally, Sellers are hesitant to disclose their very personal reasons for selling.  Privacy is a huge concern.  On the flip side, Buyers are often curious Georges and they like to ask a lot of questions, like... Why are they selling/moving?  What's a good Realtor to do??? Reasons for selling can be a sensitive subject and one that typically requires your Seller's permission to disclose anything of a personal or financial nature.   That's where The Five 'D' Reasons for Selling a Home can come in handy... 07/31/2012

UBUNTU - The REAL Meaning of Teamwork! An Anthropologist suggested the following game to a group of children in an African tribe... He placed a basket full of fresh fruit under a tree.  Then he said, whoever reaches the basket first in a race will be the winner of all the fruit.As he gave the signal to begin the race, the whole group held hands and ran in unison to the tree.  Then they sat down and enjoyed the prize together.When asked why they had done such a thing, they replied; "UBUNTU"... 'How could one of us be happy (feel happiness) while the rest are in despair (unhappy)?'In the Xhosa culture, Ubuntu means: "I am, because we are."  Perhaps we could all learn a thing or two from the Xhosa people ;)))     UBUNTU - The REAL Meaning of Teamwork! 07/29/2012