I had the privilege of traveling to one of my favorite places this past week. 

Its not the Caribbean nor a big city full of excitement. 

Its a simple, calm, peaceful retreat.  There is no boardwalk for people to overtake.  There are gift shops but only a few.

No amusement park, nor Broadway shows. 

The place that I enjoy spending alot of my time is Chincoteague, VA.  Many say, "How boring", and that is one reason I love it soo.  It isn't a tourist trap, or crowded with millions of visitors a year.  Its a small hometown with a beach.  You spend your mornings riding your bike, looking at the beautiful marsh filled with birds, turtles and ponies.  Your afternoons are spend at the calm beach of Assateague.  If your looking for a refreshment stand.. not going to find it..

My family of 6spent 7 days on Chincoteague island. 

 And yes we have teenagers!! 4 of them. 

Did they complain they had nothing to do??? Nope!  The only complaint came the day we had to leave.  Yes my car is full of sand, but more importantly it is full of family memories. 

Oh yeah... I almost forgot to mention...  We survived without a......

 My friend Bob Carney said it clearly in his blog "friday-foto-is-for-fond-memories". 

"Family..... Cherish them"

It is unbelievable how many companies want a share of your hard work.

From the Internet, television, newspapers, to bulletin boards; they want you to buy the best of the best.  They will "make your sales soar" the say.  I find more and more that the only way my business is going to soar is if I treat my clients right.  They are my business not the Open House ad in this weeks paper.

Don't get me wrong; we need to do our clients a service by using items such as "The Frederick NewsPost" or "Realtor.com".  It is our job to expose their properties on places like "Google" and "Craigslist".

But when it comes down to it, It is the client that shares our name and gives us our next client.  If it wasn't for the respect we provide them, our business would die. 

So please my co-agents, remember to thank your clients for you being where you are today!

I am curious to know around the country how many are getting phone inquiries and how often. 

In my office we split our time to share the responsibility of answering phones with the idea of getting the opportunity to help people list and buy homes. 

More and more I am finding more luck with my personal phone and face to face interaction then I am with the office phone.  Are you finding the same?

There was a day when two agents would be scrambling to keep up with the inquiries; now many complain about the responsibility rather that fight for it.

Have you experienced the same?

The local news station was interviewing an 84-year old lady because she had just gotten married -- for the fourth time!

The interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt like to be marrying again at 84, and then about her new husband's occupation.  "He's a funeral director," she answered.

"interesting," the newsman thought.

He then asked her if she wouldn't mind telling him a little about her first three husbans and what they did for a living.

She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years.....

After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly. explaining that she first married a banker when she was in her early 20's, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40's, later on a preacher when in her 60's, and now, in her 80's, a funeral director.

The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked why she had married four men with such diverse careers.

"Easy, son," she smile.

"I married one for the money,... two for the show,... three to get ready,... and four to go!"

It amazes me how dating has changed over time but yet has the same meaning.

Back in the day, it was expected that a boy goes to the girls home and gets permission from the parents in order to take her out (to get to know each other).

After the initial acceptance from the parents the boy returns at a designated time to pick up the girl and take her from her home for their date.  The date is usually planned by the boy in order to woe the girl.  After the all expense paid date, the boy returns the girl to her home walking to the door and hoping for a kiss goodbye.  If the girl was pleased with the date she acknowledges it and they plan to do it again. 

Well let me tell you, as a parent I wish I was back in the day. 

This daughter who spends endless hours texting has broken off a disastrous relationship and began to befriend a boy via texting and the famous myspace.  I should mention he is from the same school and not a complete stranger.   With her very active schedule of soccer practice, work, cheerleading practice and SAT class she is trying to make time to meet this new boy of interest. 

She confronts her father with the plan to go to soccer and cheer and then when this boy gets off work she will drive to his house "to hang out"  I DON'T THINK SO!!!  It is requested that this boy come over to meet Dad and then the two can "hang out" at daughters home or go to local deli or Ice cream shop. 

Daughter becomes livid "Its not a date" she tries to convice her father.  She state this boy wants "to get to know her"  not DATE her.  Since when did dating mean something other then getting to know each other??? 

I am amazed of how the new generation tries to justify the way they do things.  And it is even more amazing that  many parents accept their explanations and allow it to continue.

Teens today have so much more to worry about and yet they want to be so carefree and careless.

Am I the only parent that is still insisting on meeting the friends of my children? 

If so, we only have ourselves to blame for the issues that our kids are facing today.  When did parents lose their right to authority in their own home?

Two guys, one old (81) , Jim, and one young (28), David, collide while
pushing their carts around Home Depot

The old guy says to the young guy, "Sorry about that. I'm looking for
my wife, and I guess I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

The young guy David , says, "That's OK. It's a coincidence. I'm
looking for my wife, too. I can't find her and I'm getting a little
desperate."

The old guy Jim says, "Well, maybe we can help each other. What does
your wife look like?"

The young guy says, "Well, she is 24 yrs old, tall, with blonde hair, 
blue eyes, long legs, big boobs, and she's wearing tight white shorts,
a halter top and no bra. What does your wife look like?"
 

The old guy Jim says, "Doesn't matter --- let's look for yours ."
 

I have been a member of Active Rain for a while and read many posts.  The last few weeks my area has been feeling the burn from todays market.  I have listings that have dropped extremely in price causing sellers to face the foreclosure dilema.  With this being so tough on them, I have been wondering if myself along with other agents will make it. 

The more I read, the more I am reminded that there is light at the end and with persistance it can be done.  Thank you to the activerain community for keeping it positive.  I look forward to the upswing in this market and the reward of satisfying client after client with therir needs.  It will be tough but I know with your help, it can be done!

LIE DETECTOR ROBOT

The boss wondered why one of his most valued employees had not phoned in sick one day. Having an urgent problem with one of the main computers, he dialed the employee's home phone number and

was greeted with a child's whisper. "Hello?"  
 
'Is your daddy home?' he asked.
 

"Yes", whispered the small voice.
 
'May I talk with him?'

 
The child whispered, "No.'" 
 
 
Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, 'Is your Mommy there?'
'Yes.'
 
'May I talk with her?' Again the small voice whispered,'No.'
 
Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, 'Is anybody else there?'

'Yes,' whispered the child,'a policeman.'
 
Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, 'May I speak with the policeman?'
 

'No, he's busy,' whispered the child.
 
'Busy doing what?'

'Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman,' came the whispered answer.
 
Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, 'What is that noise?'

Again, whispering, the child answered, 'They just landed a helicopter.'
 
 Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated, the boss asked, 'What are they looking for?'
 
Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle . . . .

'ME.'

Think about it... On a regular basis we spread the word that we are inviting strangers into a home that probably will be empty and we will be alone there for awhile.  What is wrong with that picture???

 It amazes me how many agents advertise their open houses and sit them alone with no back up plan if they should become uncomfortable or get into a situation where danger may be present. 

It has always been my policy to bring someone along to my open houses.  If I am unable to get the help, I either reschedule or make sure I stay near the door with my phone in hand when I have visitors. 

I have heard horror stories of agents being alone in homes all over the country in the most reputable towns.  Please I ask all of you take that extra step to protect yourself. 

This isn't just for women either! 

The strongest man will not get past the weakest if there is a gun present.   

Don't take chances.. Stay Safe!!