I just started my e-PRO course.

While I am learning some new things, it does take some time to complete the course.

I think it is one of the designations you can earn that your clients will actually understand what it brings to the table without a lenghty explanation. I look forward to getting some of the other designations as I go forward in my business. For now this is something I can complete without extensive classes as well as no yearly renewal fees.

If anyone wants to check out to check out the sign up page click here https://www.internetcrusade.com/epro/secureorderepro.asp?h=68118

I went with some co-workers to downtown Freehold.

We were trying to get donations for a charity event we are having this Thursday to benefit some local charities. Most places were nice enough  to offer something for us to put in the baskets. I know how hard it is this time of year as many fund-raisers are going on and everyones hand is out. There are many great restaurants Downtown,as well as Salons,Stores and  of course the Carnegie Library and the Hall of Records.

Parking is easy if you turn into the market yard parking area . There is even more parking across the street in lots behind the buildings. Come check it out for an enjoyable afternoon and some great nightlife.(If your an early bird the diners great, as well as Sweetlews) The people in town are great so its a terrific place to hang out. See you there.

If you are looking for something to do with the kids ,Durand Park in Freehold Township is a great way to spend an hour or two. In any season  the trails are great to walk on . We often see wildlife including rabbits , shrews, deer, and birds. Some winters the lake freezes over enough to walk out on . In the spring there is a butterfly field on the far side of the lake to check out. My children love to go there and explore. We are fortunate enough to live within biking distance, but the park is convenient for all .Located between Rt. 537 and Rt, 79 in East Freehold it has plenty of parking as well as picnic tables by the butterfly field if you want to pack lunch.If you want to get away from it all in the middle of town , do not miss this!

I recently was able to check out the new wellness center  attached to Centra State Hospital in Freehold Township.

 My mother is a member and was given a two week pass that she let me use . I have to say--IT WAS REALLY AWESOME! I am not usually a fan of gyms, but this place had something for everyone. Treadmills and ellipticals as far as the eye could see (with T.V.s you could plug your own headphones into).

Tons of great classes , like boxing ,Pilate's,yoga,etc.etc.etc.  The facilities were clean and well kept, plenty of space to move around,and some really nice people.

Plus it did not feel like a fashion show or the I am hotter than you game.--Although there were a lot of very hot people there (sweaty and otherwise)

They also seem to have a lot of knowledgeable people working ,as well as being genuinely nice. If you check it out I will not be there as my life is very full at the moment [I will continue to work out at home though] But when my dust settles I would love to go back.---anyway, I wanted to give anyone thinking about checking it out my opinion. Also the location is great for a lot of Monmouth County to get to as it is close to Route 9 and Route 33.

Hope that was helpful and no I do not have any affiliation with them. -----Oh I almost forgot to mention the pool!

Freehold New Jersey that is.

I haven't always been here. I was born in New York, Rochester to be exact. Being small, I do not remember much, but most of the pictures have snow, lots of snow.

I guess my parents got sick of the snow. They picked us up and we invaded my grandparent's house in Queens, (so happy they must have been with 5 small children).

I rocked on the concrete playground of PS197 (public school) where I walked uphill both ways, 2 miles, in the rain.  No really, my mom forgot to pick us up during a storm, so the school told us to walk home-gotta love the "70's.

Soon after, they realized how affordable Long Island was, so off we went.  Wow, a 5 bedroom on a cul-de-sac, for $50,000-what a deal. (If you don't count the 18% mortgage rate) after 2 years, my Dad was a bit sick of the commute to Jersey, so they decided to move to "Jersey".  The house went up for sale, where it stayed for 5 more years.  But wait, an offer of $60,000 big ones finally came in, just in the nick of time, before the house was actually worth something.  My Mom said it sold for $250,000 shortly thereafter and then it went up, way, way up.

Oh well, at least we were in Jersey!  As far  as Route 18 would take us--------Morganville (a part of Marlboro). Or, otherwise know as the Boonies. I am talking cows.  OK, it wasn't that bad, even though there were cows, horses, hay, farms and allergies. But what a deal!  This is the part where I lament than I could not buy my current home at that time. Oh well, back to the story.

I graduated Marlboro High school and partly because I had no desire to continue school and partly because I really wasn't all that fond of my father, I joined the NAVY ( Ironically Where I promptly attended 2 years of school) it was there I met my future husband. So at 21 and 23 years of age I turned to him and said,"lets get a house". He in all of his 23 year old wisdom said "sure".

We found an agent and then a house. Then the agent said, "If you were married, the military would give you $400 extra each month in our paycheck".  He then follows with a "and by the way, I was a captain of a ship so I can marry you along with the  closing paperwork on the home."  One day in November of 1987 we became married homeowners in San Diego California.

I then became pregnant with our first child and when at 8 ½ months along, I completed my Navy discharge paper.  We were off to Jerseyto live with my parents.  With my man's $12.00 an hour wage and my waitress money, we set off to find a home------------------------------------hahahaha!

The trip to Florida was great, we could buy a home and the living is easy.  Again---HAHAHAHA-------> not the greatest pay scale their either  ( ah to be young)

So long story not so short, after 7 years and 4 kids we packed our bags and headed north to be closer to family[ most of who promptly left] and settled in to the biggest fixer upper we could fudge numbers to get into and oh yeah, one more child (whole other story)

We have been fixing up our home for 12 years now and couldn't be happier. 

We live in Freehold.