And the chapter ends.... - 12/31/11 11:41 AM
As the day closes tonight a chapter ends. For many we'll be celebrating with friends and family as we reflect the year that has passed. Not over the phone (necessarily) or even the Internet (though it will be included) but in person. Celebrating with friends, loved ones, total strangers an event that happens every year without question. It's that moment in time that we close out one chapter and open a new one. It's marked with a page... a year and a date in time. For many it's easy to reminisce similar dates in the past and know where you were … (15 comments)

What's in your bucket? - 12/27/11 08:50 PM
 
Recently I was invited to join Pinterest. Like the world's biggest online club for anyone who is anyone. You just have an invitation to get in.... and if you aren't invited? You can ask to be. I'm not sure if it feels exclusive or if it is exciting. What I have learned? It's completely addicting. The crafter, baker, teacher, photographer, mother, chef and seamstress in me just about goes into overdrive every time I open up that site.
Honestly, my 'bucket list' was a mile long already and has now grown to exponential proportions. For every hat I wear the … (24 comments)

I s'pose Superman is out of the question... - 12/26/11 06:09 PM
On this 26th of December a huge shift is happening in America. Christmas is gone and the wrappings are being cleaned up. For some there were no obligations to school or work today, but for others reality after a two day holiday has hit the ceiling. Okay, maybe a ONE day holiday..... The sad part? For many there was no holiday this year as Christmas (and it's Eve) were on a weekend. But, alas, the holiday is over no matter which way you look at it and we are now on the heels of a New Year. It's kind of like … (8 comments)

We wish you a Merry Christmas... - 12/25/11 12:54 PM

On this Christmas 2011 please know that I am wishing you a very Merry Christmas filled with joy and peace. No matter the circumstances whether sick, alone, struggling or happy as a lark...the joy I wish is meant for you.May today be a day to reflect on all that has been givenFrom my desk to your home...I wish you peace and joy.Merry Christmas!!!!!
… (4 comments)

Entering a new era.... - 12/25/11 12:20 AM
This week I realized that we were at the end of an era. A pretty big milestone actually. I was signing the kids up for Story Time at the local library and our older son graduates. In a short time he will no longer qualify for the special reading time provided for youngsters. Can it be? Is he really growing that fast? The answer is yes.But, that isn't the era I'm referring too. We went beyond today and entered into a new era. Beyond social media, beyond email, beyond wireless capabilities... we entered the world of 4G. Fighting with everything in … (18 comments)

Just couldn't resist.... I'm a little excited for morning!!!! - 12/24/11 12:15 AM
If you saw my post a couple days back you know that i've been working hard on the gifts for the kids. It's always been our philosophy to give two gifts: One toy and one necessary. We have a price point too and went a little over it this year because the kids had something very specific they wanted and it will provide many hours of play and entertainment.
Anyways.... the stockings are stuffed (to overflowing) with oranges, apples, pomegranates, toothpaste, socks, undies, pencils, scotch tape, gum and a little more. The gifts are wrapped (kind of) and set under the … (9 comments)

Counting down now... - 12/23/11 07:00 PM
Two days to go.... Christmas is getting close!!!! Are you ready?In our house the celebration starts tomorrow. And, just in time. Closed my last house for 2011 and hubs got the Internet up and running again at the home front. The kids are busy enjoying their visiting relatives and the gifts are getting wrapped and put under the tree. Tis' the season of excitement and games and gifts and family celebration. I hope that you have a little time to enjoy!
Our top picks for celebrating?
*) Playing games. Old games, new games, anything you can play games. This year's top … (2 comments)

What happens when a Realtor has no Internet.... - 12/22/11 05:40 PM
My Internet went down yesterday around 3:30 in the afternoon... as I was checking to see what my several new emails regarding business said. I clicked on the first one and never did get to read what it said yesterday. Trying to fix our Internet was only the beginning of the adventure. See, I was also stuck at home. With the car into the doctor for a fix I had no way to get anywhere in effort to read my emails. So, alas, I had the entire evening to stew about my closing and what those emails contained for information. LOL. … (8 comments)

Are you still working on stuffing some stockings? - 12/21/11 12:50 AM
Christmas can turn into such a harried experience when one doesn't take care of 'things' early in the season. I'd probably be known as one of those procrastinators that I'm talking about... so I'm probably the right one to ask about stuffing a few stockings late in the game. Maybe. I'm going from a few different angles here, but most importantly - cheap and useful (for the most part). We aim to avoid hokey gifts that won't work very long in effort to make the holiday last as long as possible. Here are a few options that are sure fire 'wins' … (5 comments)

Just because it's December.... - 12/20/11 11:58 PM
Just because it's December - it doesn't make it a "bad" month to sell your home. I have always loved real estate this time of year. Folks moving that need to move, want to move, have a great motivation to move. Houses selling make buyers and sellers alike feel like Christmas has really come. It's just that something "special" that brings the holidays to completion for so many. And, when it happens this close to the holiday? You may as well wrap a house and stick it under the tree. It's just something sweet to see the thrill at signing of … (2 comments)

And the Winner is!.... - 12/20/11 10:03 AM
I love Christmas lights. For weeks now we've been taking the 'back roads' at night because I have such a love for the prettiness of the season. Really, it's probably not even for the children that we do it. It's for me. It's my love for the lights and the season that spawned on the idea for my Christmas Lights Contest....
And, what great fun we had in my first annual Christmas Light Photo Contest on Facebook.... All of the entries were so pretty. I am thankful for the entries and the folks that brought them! Thank you for participating!!!!
… (8 comments)

Letting it drip in the "Rain"... - 12/16/11 04:57 PM
Okay, so following today's profiling... I'm going to continue on with simple ways to encourage others but this time my focus will be in blogging and the "Rain" specifically. These are great tools for anyone that services the Internet, reads blogs and works online so I will leave the post public. The end goal? Spreading a little cheer in a season where folks tend to go out of their way to bless another. And, maybe, I (we) will take it all to heart and continue generously giving throughout the year!If you missed my original giving post today... here is the link. … (2 comments)

More Little Ways to Make a Big Difference.... - 12/16/11 02:40 PM
I already wrote a post about making a difference, but seems that I had more to say. So, here I am with a second edition to giving locally in small ways to make a really big difference. It really doesn't take much to speak volumes into another life and purposing to act on some of those small things can affect both your life and the life of the person you are speaking into. Here's a few more ways small ways ways to make a really big difference...
10. While writing your Christmas cards add a couple extra people. Someone that you … (5 comments)

Have you made a difference today? - 12/16/11 12:50 PM
If you are thinking that touching a life is too hard... you just don't have 'enough' to make a difference for someone else let me help you out. It doesn't take much - mostly a creative touch. And, often, not even that. The biggest key is purpose. Purposing to go out of your way to help out a friend (or foe) and letting them know that they are special. If you live in the Elk River area and you are looking for a GREAT way to make a difference here are a few awesome options for touching a life...
10. Pack … (0 comments)

If you could see what I see... - 12/16/11 12:35 AM
If you could see what I see...
You'd understand why I keep hounding you about the possibility of buying a house. Sitting in my seat I can see daily that 1. Prices are at a really low low for purchasing. Prices are soooo low it's like doing the Limbo. 2. Interest remains at such incredible lows that buying is absolutely doable. 3. There are some fantastic properties on the market waiting for buyers and are ready to move into as we speak.4. Buying a short sale property can be difficult, but it can also be an excellent choice. Many banks are … (4 comments)

The Concentration of Distressed Sales Within Sherburne County - 12/15/11 12:20 PM
There is a lot of chatter all over the wires about the great number of foreclosures and short sales in the country. But, watching the news one wonders how the numbers really pan out and whether or not reality matches with the reports. When you look at the information that Michael has put together the proof is in the pudding. He's done a very good job showing the actuality of distressed homes in our area. If you wanna know why your neighbor is suffering? Just take a look and you'll understand.
Via Michael S. Bolton-MN Appraiser (Michael S. Bolton,Inc.):
The Concentration of Distressed … (0 comments)

Can you say Meteor?... - 12/14/11 11:54 PM
I really really want to head outside and watch the meteor shower. Small problem... I think it's raining. Kind of hard to see the show if you can't even see the stars. Drat. That happened to us during the last reported showing of the Northern Lights too.  I have the telescope set up, but unless I want to see the clouds I'm probably out of luck.
Sometimes doing the simple things like watching the starts is good for the soul. Especially on those deep thinking kind of days. I always think of the children when I look at the skies. … (5 comments)

I can be an angel if I wanna.... - 12/14/11 10:37 PM
Today I read an awesome post by Karen Anne that spawned this post. She suggests that we should run a secondary blogging party in December with a daily challenge to bless another. As I report daily for my own accountability for my business... I think that this secondary movement would be very cool!
Her post was inspired by a great video that was shared in John McCormack's blog highlighting a homeless gentleman who took his handful of coins and worked at changing many lives - intentionally. (If you haven't seen it yet... please stop everything and watch it now... I will … (4 comments)

Come on ring those bells.... - 12/09/11 11:59 PM
Come on ring those bells.... which really isn't that hard when you are shivering! Seriously, standing out for Realtor Ring Day for the Salvation Army was a load of fun today, but during my hours of service my mind flittered through the myriads of titles that I could use for this post. Some of my favorites:- Four shirts, three pairs of socks, two pairs of pants and a partridge for a pear tree. That's how I felt! I cannot tell you how grateful I was that my wool socks were on my feet and that the building blocked the wind that … (8 comments)

Tip Jar: Yule Love These X-mas Tree Alternatives - 12/08/11 10:03 AM
I really really liked this post. The creativity of others is soooo inspiring! And, I really love the Christmas tree in this post. If I had enough green jars.... Kind of think that the kids would knock it down though!
Via Christopher and Stephanie Somers - Realtors - Philadelphia Real Estate (Realtor / Owner - RE/MAX Access):
We gave you some cool menorah ideas last week. This week we are thinking Christmas trees.
The Perpetual Student Tree:  http://www.callcenterconsultant.net/2007/unique-christmas-trees-for-your-call-center/
The Crafty Redneck Tree:
http://bkwilliams-catskidsandcrafts.blogspot.com/2010/12/redneck-christmas-tree.html
The Thrifty Hipster Tree: http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/12/03/the-green-christmas-tree-dilemma/
Kid at Heart Tree: http://keropokman.blogspot.com/2008/12/soft-toy-christmas-tree.html
Cheerleader Tree: http://blog.lionbrand.com/2008/10/27/christmas-tree-made-of-yarn/
The Tortured Soul:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7604179_plug-tree-already-christmas-lights.html
The Delightfully Useless … (2 comments)

The Pompeii is at it again!!!! Serving free food.... this time for a great cause! - 12/07/11 09:51 AM
I don't have any pretty pictures (yet), but aim to get a few today.... when I stop by the Pompeii with my bag of food all in effort to try a piece of their awesome pizza that I keep hearing about. From 11am - 8pm tonight (Wednesday, December 7th, 2011) Pompeii Pizzeria in Elk River is giving away free Margarita Pizza to anyone that brings in a contribution for the CAER Food Shelf. Their Facebook Page lists the details of items that are badly needed right now and they are doing what they can to help the situation!Since I have a … (8 comments)

Hijacking Chuck's Blog... for an AR baby shower!!!! - 12/06/11 12:51 PM
Awwww. If you haven't seen it yet... we are hosting an online baby shower for one of our own. Chuck Carstensen has a baby coming in the next week and we wanted to bless him with a virtual shower! It's easy peasy... just stop on by him blog and leave a wonderful baby message in his comment section! What a great way for Rainer's to celebrate!!!!! By giving points to our own. Hope to see you at the shower!!!!
Via Chuck Carstensen (RE/MAX Results):
Guest Blogger (Lindsey Hasford)In today's world things don't work like they did thirty years ago. There are bridal showers … (2 comments)

There's a shortage of acorns? Really? Well... I know where they went! - 12/05/11 11:48 PM
So, I was feeling a little overwhelmed the last couple of weeks and purposefully 'forgot' to watch the major newscasts. Sometimes seeing the top stories when I've got a lot on my plate already just makes me feel blue. Little did I realize what I'd be missing? No worries.... I caught up on Saturday night after some razzing from my family for being clueless about Cain's situation.
I've been back to watching my nightly news and I've gotta say... tonight's newscast was worth a record and rewind to make sure I heard right.
Apparently the "experts" are expecting squirrels to be … (4 comments)

Yes, it snowed. - 12/04/11 10:13 AM

It snowed in Minnesota yesterday. In some places..... and though my kids would love a foot or two to play in the snow showers only flirted with us in Elk River. All the messy roads for what? White sprinkled brown lawns. Not enough to even shuffle your feet in while you are walking.But, the kids are THRILLED for a reason to wear their big ol' moon boots today. As if they haven't already been wearing them everywhere we go!Winter is exciting and who can blame the kids for enjoying it so. Although they did make me chuckle in the car … (6 comments)

2011 December Blogging Challenge - Update 2. - 12/04/11 10:06 AM
Saturday was networking. Networking online and in person. Spent most of the day volunteering.... which is always good for real estate conversation. :) And, then I spent some hours working on my social media plan for January.Today I'm headed off to a luncheon. Then, I'll be tweaking my Christmas card list and starting to write on cards and envelopes! Goal today? Twenty five.
… (3 comments)

It's always good to curl up with a book! - 12/02/11 11:14 AM

December is full of tradition... at least for us! It all starts on Thanksgiving with the Gingerbread Houses and goes all the way through the New Year. This year is no exception. You've seen the houses... and and yesterday we started our advent season (more on that in another post) but today I'm concentrating on the books.Curling up with a good book is always a good idea! And, right now we have a pile of them to work through! We are excited to have  more than 25 Christmas books to read this season. The library is a great resource and … (5 comments)

Christmas Lights!!! Let's see 'em! - 12/01/11 12:02 AM

I love Christmas Lights. Oh heck... I love Christmas. It's so special to drive around at night with the kids in the back seat enjoying their remarks over the beautiful scenery that we are passing by. Usually with Christmas music floating through the car and kids counting rapidly as the lights fly past. Because I can't seem to get enough of the season... I'm hosting a lights contest. If you live in Minnesota you are welcome to join in the fun. It's simple. Post your photo HERE (click the link) and whomever has the most likes on their photo wins … (7 comments)

 
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Lindsey Hasford

Elk River, MN

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Office Phone: (763) 241-5488

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