Have you ever been on the phone talking with someone and they hear a beep on their phone and immediately say: "Oh, someone is trying to reach  me, I have to go."  

Is it me or does that make you feel like your call is not important?  Does it sound to you like the party is telling you the other call is WAY more important, so Good-Bye! 

Do you practice phone etiquette?  Do you make each person you are talking with feel their call is important?  Come on, tell me the truth!

Sitting on our balcony on the Azamara cruise ship I snapped a picture as we passed by the famous Etna volcano on the eastern side of Sicily.  

I heard a swishing sound and realized as I was taking the picture Stromboli spurted an eruption!  

Love my timing...Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes on the earth.

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?

1. Pick your favorite number between 1-9
2. Multiply your favorite number by 3
3. Then add 3
4. Then multiply by 3 (I will wait while you get the calculator)
5. You should have a 2 or 3 digit number
6. Add the digits together

Now match your number, with the number on the list below, to see who your ROLE MODEL actually is:

1. Albert Einstein

2. Nelson Mandela

3. Margaret Thatcher

4. Obama

5. Bill Gates

6. Gandhi

7. Maya Angelou

8. Oprah Winfrey

9. Dorie Dillard

10. Abraham Lincoln

I know, I  know...I just always seem to have that effect on people!

It's that time of year again for our Canyon Creek Community annual fall garage sale!  

Looking for bargains and early bird specials??  Come out Saturday, November 7th from 8a-1p and Sunday, November 8th from 11a-3p and check out our communities priceless jewels! 

Canyon Creek is conveniently located on Hwy 620 between Hwy 2222 and Anderson Mill Rd.  Follow the signs as you wind through the neighborhood and you will be sure to find great values for your dollars!

A friend of mine was telling me how hard it was when her son, a junior in high school, left on Halloween night in his new pick-up to go to a party dressed as Rambo!  Yikes....I would have been nervous. 

I asked her what were her parting words and she said "Son, make good choices."  Wow...great parenting skills. 

This same thought applies to our business.  We all have choices: from picking the company we work for, to deciding how to conduct ourselves ethically and the choice is ours!

It's that time of year when friends and family are making plans and you want to schedule events at your home!  Don't let that broken front door handle, that leaky faucet in the guest bath or that new light fixture you bought on sale but, not yet installed, prevent you from firming up those plans! 

Call Chore Masters conveniently located in NW Austin at 13706 N. Hwy 183 at 512-219-6159. Visit their website at http://www.mychoremasters.com or email sales@mychoremasters.com for prompt, courteous service.

Jeffrey Jackson, Founder and CEO, can take care of all your needs in short order!  They are your single source for all your homeowner needs and have several service plans to address your needs.

The Canyon Creek Comets are at it again! Canyon Creek Elementary Spirit Wear is available now!  

Sweatshirt style hooded, zip front with CCE logo embroidered on the front are $26 and available until November 6th, limited number of T-Shirts for $15.  

They are jumping on the bandwagon with Recyclable bags for $2.  They are royal blue with Canyon Creek Comets lettering, similar to those sold at HEB.  

Contact Cindy Kissell at kissells@austin.rr.com to purchase yours now!

Don't you love old family sayings?  We were recently at a family reunion and on the wall of a family member's Lake House was:

"Families are like fudge, mostly sweet with a few nuts."  

Every family has those few nuts just like in your office.  They mean well, definitely have their own way of doing things and have their own following.  Not everyone is going to follow the traditional roles and not everyone should!  

Some say "different strokes for different folks" or "there is a seat in the house for everyone." 

Be yourself and others like you will be drawn to your style.  It's okay to be different...just be competent, knowledgeable and do things for the right reason.

It's the fourth quarter of 2009 and we are busy trying to keep closings on track, getting those listings not yet under contract an offer and find a home for those buyers we are actively working.

Also on our agenda is evaluating 2009 business and how we will finish up and working on our business plan for 2010!  Holidays are coming up and family and friends are making plans.  We have things to do..places to go..and people to see! 

Take a deep breath, take time for yourself and balance work with family and friends. 

We have never seen anything like it...a couple in Canyon Creek goes so far out to bring kids of all ages a Halloween extravaganza!  It will set your nerves twiddling.  This yard has everything from dancing goblins to a flying ghost and is enjoyed by more than 400 kids and apple cider was also served.  

If you are a Halloween aficionado then next year you need to get to the corner of Canyon Vista Way and Montville in NW Austin to see for yourself!  I drove by during the afternoon as they were finishing assembling their production and returned at night for you to see their ghoulish delights!  

Jack and Donna you get our vote!