Home Search New Castle Pa & Townships" Fireworks Capital of America"

Happy Thankful Day

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:42:49 -0600

We all experience those hectic mornings when everything goes according to Murphy's law

"If anything can go wrong, it will"

It can impact the entire day...unless the momentum is interrupted. Hectic mornings ( or days ) can be the red flags to stop, relax and fill the heart and mind with gratitude.

A wonderful friend suggested that I..... the moment I get into the car, I start with a Litany ( continual repetitive list of ).....".I am thankful for."........

The power of a " Thank you " is empowering.

I live 25 minutes from my office. I start my " Thank you Lord for......

..........from the moment I get into the car until I reach my office.

I never finish my "I am thankful for litany" but always reach my office with calmness and a new perspective, ready to meet whatever challenge the day hold.

What a wonderful day " Thanksgiving" a day set apart to give thanks for all our blessings surrounded by family, friendsand good food.

........I wish for all my friends a " Happy Blessed Thanksgiving "

I hope you stop for a moment to ENJOY THE POWER OF THE VIDEO...MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!!!! Be forever grateful.......

Thanksgiving...... an un-expected miracle

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:55:55 -0600

What is it about the Holidays that stir up the fuzzy warm memories of happy times gone by? We all hold the holiday memories as a special time of excitement with friends and family.

There has to be one memory that stands out above all the rest....mine happened a year after my mom died. It happened to be a mixed bag of emotion...but a memory that caused me to take seriously ...." Giving Thanks "

I had for the last couple years been the one to have Thanksgiving Dinner for my family...boy..... this year was a tough one with out my mom. I was planning how to handle the day,..... when the phone rang...it was my dad's Doctor. My dad had gone in for a routine check -up. " June, I called Allegheny hospital..your dad has to get down there now...his test showed an aneurysm.

Our Thanksgiving dinner ended up snacks from the vending machine and a lot of hot coffee. We watched through the glass window our dad...the rock...the ever strong, untouchable, power house of our dad connected to tubes and wires...helpless.

I looked at my brothers and said " We just can't lose dad too .....what will we do without him?"

We sat in a silent vigil, praying with every ounce of strength we had. We knew dad was in good hands of our loving God.

I sat there and stared through the window of the intensive care unit and watched as the critical care nurse ( she had to have been sent by God to be there at the time of our need ) She held my dad's hand, brushed his forehead tended to him with such tenderness that I had never witnessed before.

We went into visit my dad for only a few minutes at a time...having her caring for my dad meant everything...she never left his side.

Another nurse came in to the room and I had a chance to thank this angel for her tender care and giving up her Thanksgiving Day with her family.

She looked at me with the most beautiful eyes and smile and said..

" I wanted to work on Thanksgiving so the other nurses that have families can be with them....these patients are my family....I was happy to be here "

The Happy part of my Thanksgiving was that my dad's operation was a success and this selfless dedicated nurse created a memory for me about Thanksgiving and Gratitude

As we enjoy Thanksgiving Day with our family and friends .... I will take a moment of silent prayer for all.......

The nurses and Doctors who are called away from their families to take care of others
The patients, their families and especially the children who are confined to the hospitals
The military who have sacrificed their " Thanksgiving" to be on a foreign land...so far away
The isolated and lonely, without family in the nursing homes
The couples and families who are suffering financially and emotionally in these hard times.
The marriages that are being tested ...holidays have to be a very tough time
The homeless who have to depend on the goodness of others
The lonely, the sick and the depressed
All the loved ones who could not make it home to be with their families..that soon... they will be re-united with their loved ones
Our family members who belong to past memories, and will never be forgotten...we love you and miss you..but know you are in the arms of a " Loving God"

God Bless them all with His Love ......Happy thanksgiving to all...Create those Happy memories...they last forever

Anna Banna inspired me with her blog on Gratitude...it is one to read

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1351763/grateful-week-on-bananatudes-get-in-the-spirit-by-posting-your-gratitude-list

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;

Count on God instead of yourself.

~~Author Unknown~~

Halloween has exploded....Do I care?

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:27:32 -0500

Our local Walmart has done from last years two aisles of Halloween merchandise to an entire room of scary, creepy, ghoulish Halloween merchandise. The festival of the dead and 3 billion dollars of merchandise sold has made merchants very happy.

Halloween celebrations and popularity soon match Thanksgiving and Christmas. In recent polls ...

60 per-cent of Americans will participate in Halloween celebrations.....56% will don costumes and 21 % Americans will outfit their pets in costumes.

Halloween parades and childrens' parties are fun times for our young ones, but recently the popularity has spread to adults and the intensity and interest to the extreme dark side is growing every year.

I have never been a fan of the creepy crawly. the scary or even the faux tombstones on the neighbors front lawn....no never...and no doubt , I am in the minority according to recent poles.

Have I neglected my child's enjoyment of a " American Holiday " by taking her to three homes for trick or treating?....

..my parents and my two neighbors...that was it....Of course 28 years ago society was just a little bit different than today.

Yes I agree Halloween can be exciting and fun .........for some..........what ever floats your boat.

Recently at a local nursing home , the person in charge of decorating for the season obviously forgot about the residents and the impact of the elderly and sick patients over their decorating style.

Beautiful fall harvest atmosphere with pumpkins a calming themes were replaced with ....Extra large ugly spiders and jointed skeletons and witches plastered everywhere....I guess it was meant for the enjoyment. of the residents. The residents were not happy...did that change anything....no...but ( sarcastically ) why should it....after all it is only their home .

What has happened to sensitivity? ....Oh yeah I know It's Halloween........

my opinion...bah humbug...

.oh by the way to all those who love Halloween....

.Happy Halloween..

..to those of us who don't...

.let's get on to the real Holidays

Pittsburgh ReBar Camp a Hit or a Miss to the clueless?

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:43:14 -0500

Thanks to Jason Crouch on face book, I have registered for the virtual rebar camp. Check this out.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1296747/virtual-rebarcamp-learn-from-the-comfort-of-your-home-or-office-it-s-free-

I traveled through winding roads, up and down the hills of the South Hills of Pittsburgh ( 2 !/2 traffic time ) to attend Pittsburgh first local and FREE Rebar camp

The camp facilitator reminded the agents that the came was not a seminar or a workshop but a sharing of ideas and experiences.

Many times during the day I would reflect on all the tutorials. sharing, blogs and massive information I have received by being a member on Active Rain. I was not " Clueless in Pittsburgh "...thank you Active Rain.

The camp was really a brainstorming of ideas headed by a facilitator.....sometimes can offer more meat and less potatoes.

If your groups have experienced social network activist who love social networking and understand all benefits and aspects of what and how it could increase your visibility and production...you have an outstanding session. We did have, ( in the sessions that I attended ) many experts sharing their thoughts and ideas.

A special thanks to the sponsors and the local organizers for the introduction to the new realm of reaching out to our consumers through the social networks. If you have a Rebar Camp in your area take advantage of the weath of experiences shared.

I came home to read on Facebook....... again, thanks to Jason about the virtual Rebar camp...wow...no travel time....all seasoned experts and attended by Active Rain members...now that is a wow factor...can't wait..

NAR e-mail will determine a critical outcome that will impact you!!

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:29:10 -0500

NAR sent an e-mail forwarded to all agents from my Brokerage. It is critical for the success of the EXTENSION of the $ 8000

Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers. NAR sent a link to the web site to sign a petition for the extension. Without this tax credit many first time home buyers would not have been able to buy their first home

The turmoil within the real estate industry has had an impact on all of us. We have a chance to have our voice heard and there is no better place to place a call for action than to the members on Active Rain.

I posted the e-mail very late last night but wanted again this morning, to draw attention to the importance of this petition..

Check your e-mail or click here to sign the petition. at the Realtor Action Center on the NAR website.

A few minutes to sign the petition can send a powerful message

It is about time that Congress hears from the source of the real estate information and that is us....The forgotten Realtors

Obviously we love what we do, that is why we are still here.....We have all been rewarded in many ways in our choice of Real Estate Career....................BUT

.When you look at the complete pictures.....truth be told............if needed......We receive

No unemployment
No workman's compensation,
No Medical Insurance Coverage
No paid sick days
No Residual Income

.I say........ lets take the opportunity to speak in a very loud voice ( by the numbers ) and say...Give us all a break

we provide a valuable service to the consumer......don't cause a hurt any worse than we have it right now in this Industry.

A loss of agents in a small office can devastate an office . Many agents have left to find means of a remedy for financial ruin

( through no fault of their own

The " powers that be need to hear "

The Real Estate Industry can not survive on Foreclosures and Short Sales.......and neither can the agents.

SEND A MESSAGE TO THE POWERS THAT BE AND SIGN THE PETITION....DO IT FOR YOUR CLIENTS...

DO IT FOR YOURSELF

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1271173/-nar-tells-us-to-vote-for-8000-first-time-home-buyers-credit-extension-

http://www.realtor.org

NAR tells us to Vote for $8000 First Time Home Buyers credit Extension.

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:40:13 -0500

This Nar letter was sent to my e-mail via my Brokerage. I would think every Realtor received the same e-mail. I just wanted to post this to remind all to check their e-mail and follow through. The masses will make a difference and Active Rain is a great place to spread the word. This as always is important ....to vote......

**************************************************************************************************

Support The Ongoing Stabilization of Our Markets. Contact Congress Today to Extend the Tax Credit.

Join with over 100,000 of your fellow REALTORS® who have already contacted Congress already in support of extending the credit
another year.

REALTORS® tell us different reasons why they don't take action on critical legislative issues that have a direct impact on their bottom line: "I meant to, but I got busy and then I forgot" or "I don't understand the issue enough" or "My letter to Congress won't make a difference." Sound familiar?

Your letters do make a difference and REALTORS® like you need to let Congress know that the housing recovery is not yet complete. Housing has always pulled our nation out of a bad economy. And that job isn't finished. Restoring the health of the housing market will require one more extended effort. And your help is essential.

We need to extend and expand the first-time homebuyer tax credit. NAR data shows that inventories began to decline once the credit was enacted. The credit has been responsible for over 355,000 new sales and has effectively reduced inventories, stabilized prices, shored up neighborhoods hit hard by foreclosures, and begun rebuilding local tax bases.

The $8000 first-time homebuyer tax credit will end soon. As the law stands today, eligible buyers will actually need to get under contract almost immediately in order to be able to close their transactions in time. The law requires that closing must occur by November 30th for buyers to actually take the credit.

The housing market is stabilizing and improving, but the housing market crisis won't end this year. We can't wait until late in the year to see what happens. Please act NOW and tell Congress to extend the credit through 2010.

As REALTORS®, we need to come together and make our voice of experience heard on Capitol Hill. Please contact Congress today.

Thank you for your support,

NAR Government Affairs

NAR maintains a separate email system to communicate our national news and programs. If you would like to manage those subscriptions and optin/optout of those communications please click here to login to Realtor.org.

Previous | Next | INBOX

Standing at the edge for many...and all we can do is wait....

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:25:21 -0500

Motivational Monday! We certainly could use some heartfelt motivational uplifting messages. Thanks to Diane Rice, I just read a blog about Alexander Harb and the devastating struggles he is faceing. Please visit Diane's blog and give Alex the needed support that can only come from a caring family.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1257361/please-sign-this-petition-to-motivate-our-founder-alexander-harb-

It is all around us...like a bad dream...home owners on a brink of a precipice teetering .... hoping not to fall off the financial cliff.

I have been away from blogging for a while to return to read about a refused listing because the seller needed it priced at an above market value price. How common has that become? A call of desperation...hoping their only asset will help solve their financial ruin.

People over extended. maxed out and equity at it's limit...........Looking to us as the Professional for help.

We as Real Estate Professionals committed to service to a buying and selling public....but with our hands tied behind our backs.

Is it me?...or has it become a " Loss of Control"

What has happened to the process? We have been placed in an out of control position.....out of our hands and nothing we can do or say to speed up the process. It has become a forever " wait mode."....and no one, other than the agent seems to care.

My seller's closing has been extended for another month, even though we have an excellent buyer. Both buyer, seller and agents are frustrated and disgusted. The seller having to come to closing with $ 5000 doesn't help the situation. Someone answer their question ....please ......" How can I schedule a mover, (that needs to be done a month in advance.)..when I have no idea what day this will close?

It isn't what a Realtor wants to feel....helpless....We who work with ...real people and not just an application number on a paper have to deal with the emotions attached to the wait, the no response and the lack of communication.

I guess we can add this to our continual list of challenges in our industry. We constantly work on solutions to problems.

...that's the name of the game...but to witness your clients under undeserving stress and frustrations...well that is a problem

that somehow, I wish would have an easier solution.

Now more than ever we need to be attentive to our clients.

We need to....

Listen and console
Communicate continually
Be Considerate of their circumstances
Be there with continual encouragement and
Care...really care ...about the clients who have put their trust in us.

Just maybe...this will loosen the ties that bind us of our what we are called to do as professionals ...to give our clients the best we can .

It is beyond understanding--just my opinion!!

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:26:38 -0500

I usually run far away from political controversy. I feel that every one has a right to have and express their opinion .I respect that right. I am not writing this blog to criticize how and what decision is made by parents for their children. It is obvious that responsibility is theirs as parents. That being said......

Why was there such criticism over the President of the United States taking the initiative and time to focus on motivating and inspiring our school age children. He took the time to personally visit the classroom with a message of what the future could hold for these young students. They have an opportunity to accomplish what ever they can perceive. What better example than our First African American President.

Regardless of politics or policy, regardless of who is in office of the President of the United States,

The President holds the highest office in our United States of America and deserve the respect of all Americans.......regardless of party affiliation

Some parents objected to their children listening to the President's message. The message was about the students own responsibility to the student's individual duty to application of learning and continued education.

Where is our respect for the leader of our country? The President was voted by majority vote into the Presidency ..that alone should merit him respect from the citizens of the Greatest Nation on earth.

Our children are exposed to imaginary super Heroes, the hidden dangers of the internet, potential threats on the street with drugs, Pedophiles in many of our neighborhoods, peer pressure yet some worry that a President of the United States will somehow influence these young minds with a political agenda.

I apologize for the rant but you listen to some of the news about children murdering parents and parents harming and murdering their children and the whole world through the eyes of the media is going to hell in a hand basket. ..a real harm of our children...today's society.

In 1988 President Reagan, one of America's most loved President spoke a message to our school age children.

President G.W.Bush spoke to our young children concerning education. This is nothing new....no new method of attack toward influencing political policy to our children

Laura Bush , a true advocate for the education of our children and a teacher expressed her support for the actions of President Obama's in addressing the youth...our future leaders.

Why would this gesture of concern for the education of our children cause such a stir....I will never figure out. Our President advised these young students

" Be careful what you post on the web...it will never go away and you could be famous someday."..

yeah that a message that needed censored so our children would not be influence by political advice.

Again this is my rant....my confusion...over something that was meant to be good yet looked on as such a detriment to our children that they were censored from listening to a President of the United States....God Bless our America........This nhas nothing to do with political affliation only respect for the Office of President of United States................

people helping people..throughout gernerations

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:41:04 -0500

You think you know family and find out you really don't. I have an aunt and uncle who are the neighbors you would love to have, a family you've been blessed with and just plain good hearted ...humble people.

We all know the good out there..the ones looking for someone to help with a need.

I went to visit my aunt and she walked me through her beautiful flower garden and large abundant vegetable garden.

Gardens do not take care of themselves, they need nurtured to produce an abundant harvest. It is an enjoyable task but labor intensive. I often thought to myself " why do they work so hard to plant such a large garden " there are only three of them in their household .

My uncle has Parkinson disease and has overcome a serious near death car accident. My aunt and uncle both in their middle 80's have a son who lives with them, helps with his dad and helps tends the garden. What an inspiration of compassion and sharing this family is to all who has been blessed to know them.

I found out recently that they take a good amount of the vegetables from the garden to a local low income senior citizen high rise apartment. They line the halls with produce and the residents come down and take what they want. This afford the residents free fresh garden vegetables that would not be able to afford.

I am not surprised....hearing this about this family..they are so giving.. although, in these tough times we hear numerous stories of people helping people.

Maybe it is a generation thing..a time in society..when helping each other was a means of survival. Farmers would go from farm to farm helping each other with the crops, sharing their abundance with each other. The women of the farmers would gather in the kitchens and cook the meals from the meat, vegetables, eggs and fruit grown on the homestead and serve the many farm helpers that always came to help with the crops.

Everyone worked together, everyone shared...their time, their equipment and their abundance...and it worked.

When we reflect back on how our great grandparents struggled through their trials we can be thankful they left for us a determined work ethic, the ability to overcome the severest of circumstances and the caring spirit that continues through generations in the people who continue to help others.

Twitter to replace e-mail..could be

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:29:34 -0500

Four million users, 363,000 in the USA and one millions tweets a day. These stats shout loud and clear that the naysayers need to check out this twitters phenomenon. Like or not, ...it is here. Does it have a business value?

My first very vague view of twitter was the same, not impressed view I had with Facebook and My Space. ( that since has changed )

I wasn’t convinced that it would useful for me as a businessperson. I could care less about the tweet chatter.

There is so much going on in the social network marketing arena, it is like being on a merry go around, trying to catch the brass ring and just end up feeling dizzy .. going round and round..

Thought ..well better check this out before I decide to dismiss the whole thing and continue within my comfort zone.

"Twitter is like a telephone; every business needs one."
"Twitter will soon replace e-mail "

These two opinions peaked my un-impressed interest.

Thought I would share my findings and shed some light on the new communication tool...the virtual phone.

Chris Brogan has written 50 ideas using twitter for business. The blog is easy to read and a valuable tool for those of us caught in the vast amounts of varied opinions and advice.

Another link to Tweeting Survival is Darren Rowae view on Twitter at

http://www.twitip.com/tweeting-for-business/

Pack full of instruction and the video shown below. They even offer a " Twitter Survival Guide " There is a lot to become familiar with but the information to take advantage of the new marketing opportunity is available.

Maybe we need to re-think this tweet thing....we can certainly use these tools to find our customers before our customers can find us...now that is something to consider.

The point of Twitter is not to collect followers. It is to have a conversation. Twitter is your way to market your business to people you don't know for virtually no cost other than time. For Twitter to be an effective tool for your business, you need to be engaged and collaborative. It's also a great way to keep track of the news, trends, and even your competitors. I like the immediacy of Twitter.

TwiTip is edited by Darren Rowsae

Tweeting For Business

View more presentations from redkitedesign.

.It's called a little bit of this and a little bit of that

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:34:17 -0500

I walked across the parking lot to our 5 year old super Walmart Center. I was looking at the parking lot markers and noticed for the first time blue signs, quite obvious marking the buggy returns. Numerous signs dotted the busy parking lot..attached to the return stations about 7 feet in the air......I never noticed them before. thinking out loud, I ask my self " Geezz are you that focused...that much in a hurry...... that it has taken 5 years to notice the buggy return signs.

What else have I missed? I drove the familiar, frequently driven route, ...... my focus was to look and be aware of the " NOW" not what I had to do or where I had to be or what I needed to get done before....something else needed done.....I was surprised....

I was not aware that a local bowling alley burnt to the ground....now it is a parking lot

I was not aware that a favorite soft serve ice cream stand had a closed sign in the window. and

I was not aware that the new community college has now been completed and ready for fall classes

All this in a short 15 minutes....amazing how we escape the " Now " because our thoughts are elsewhere. I thought about how the service we provide our clients...has changed.....the little niceties..a less hectic ..less technological time when we had no e-mail, no Facebook...the beginning of this new cyberspace thing....this new communication called social networking
.Back in the days of less hectic, time eating times ......

I would clip news articles of anniversaries, wedding, awards ...laminate them and mail them to the recipients saying ,Congratulations thought you might like another copy.

I would send ( Real- not e-cards )Thanksgiving card to my clients wishing them Happy Holidays and thanking them for their business.

I would snail mail them personal notes asking " how the family "

I would make it a priority to personally call ( no e-mail then ) and touch base, after the settlement of their home.

I would take time to read the township, school newsletters to keep ahead of school events and what the children of my clients were involved in at school and make another one of those personal calls.

On the move-in day of my buyers into their new home I would surprise them with pizza, chips and soda. hand delivered by me.

I would make sure my out of town buyers arrived at their motels to a surprise hand delivered gift basket of snacks and munchies.

All this I have done.....but now ....less frequently.....Why? It's a new generation of Real Estate The personal niceties have somewhat fallen by the wayside. Now it is a quick e-mail. a tweet, a gift card.. a third party greeting card...It just seems so impersonal. Its called advancement, new technology, new communication via Facebook, twitter, My Space and dozens of others.

It has become a tug of war in finding time to implement the good from the past and what is needed and necessary for the future

It isn't about the " NOW " it's about the tread mill we find ourselves on stealing our time and our " NOW " It is putting us in a hectic race to keep up with the explosion of " the new marketing trend " Technology......and the Changeing Market..

We just become busy with where we are going...maybe we should think where we have been..in less hectic times..when we took time to do the fun things.....that made it so rewarding. Technology, cyberspace, social networking are key components to our success in our Industry. Times change but maybe we need to re-capture a little of the personal face to face ..just as a reminder we are real behind the photo on Facebook.

This Labor Day- seek a quiet place to enjoy your blessings

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:41:32 -0500

Happy Labor Day to all. Do not let the sun set without enjoying the day .

This beautiful photo belongs to my niece Laurie Weber

It is their private summer week end retreat at the lakes in Ohio.

I hope you are able to enjoy the last summer holiday at your favorite

summer spot with your family and friends......... I found these quotes

and would like to share them with you for this end of the summer season

This is my wish for you:

Comfort on difficult days,
smiles when sadness intrudes,
rainbows to follow the clouds,
laughter to kiss your lips,
sunsets to warm your heart,
hugs when spirits sag,
beauty for your eyes to see,
friendships to brighten your being,
faith so that you can believe,
confidence for when you doubt,
courage to know yourself,
patience to accept the truth,
Love to complete your life.”

quote by lynnie_buttercup

Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven.” Henry Rollins

Ready or not...it's here..are you here for the long haul?

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:23:24 -0500

I had a call from a Realtor friend concerning a class we signed up for, via a motivational conference. This agent has been a Realtor for about 6 years and has proven to be one of the top producing, assertive agents in the area. The agent's business has taken a dramatic plunge because of the economy. The agent decided to take another full time job ( outside Real Estate ) I was told.... " I had to do it ..what choice do I have? I can't going into the hole $ 1500 a month. I'll work at this job until something better comes along " .

Same story...different agent..It is happening all around the country.....The good, as well as the not so good are leaving for better futures.

Our area, as well as across the country has experience a slow market. Another two agents I know are moving to Florida, where they feel the demands for homes and the market will be better than their current market place. Competitive offices have lost agents that have move out of real estate and moved on...

Some agents hate the thought of working with demanding, numerous amounts of foreclosed properties.." just not worth the stress or the time." ..they are looking to other options...

I can understand the frustration, need and desperation for survival. Aside from the economy, normally that is how the commission job operated...peaks and valleys. Those of us who are waiting for the pot of gold at the end of the storm's rainbow, must continue to store up new innovating ideas to handle the new market that awaits after the storm.

Something tells me that pot of gold will hold a

" New Real Estate Industry " an Industry with new regulations, insights, strategies, and techniques. The value of Social Networking in Business has made it's mark...it has created a powerful, constructive explosion and guess what.?..

We are in the right place at the right time...thank you Active Rain. Learn.and absorb.....read...comment... and blog...

.All the gold for the future in Real Estate Marketing , can be found right here...." Social Networking " ..Be ready... When the storm passes you will be glad you were prepared. Our world is changing as we blog and the change is faster that we realize. Check out the video for these amazing statistics.

Realtor "Safety First Week " NAR offers a helping hand

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:11:22 -0500

A helping hand from NAR , to it's members to promote a year long commitment to Safety at the sixth annual " Realtor Safety Week " September 13- 19

I hope everyone caught the timely, excellent blog by TLW-The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife..

on Realtor Safety. It is loaded with could happen safety situations. ....The comments are filled with warnings and suggestions to help protect us from a could be dangerous situations. read TLW's Blog here

We have to be aware of the potential danger in our profession every day." The National Association of Realtors " kicks off it's year long commitment to safety. One week every year NAR reminds the agents to take precaution and be safe.

This year it NAR has committed to a continued year long focus to awareness of potential dangers in our profession.

The components to reduce these dangers, ( RISMedia September issue states ) are Knowledge, Awareness and Empowerment.

NAR has taken this commitment to provide resources to empower it's members very seriously. The letter from the President of NAR

Charles McMillan, CIPS, GRI 2009 NAR President calls on it's members to promote REALTOR® Safety Week —

The completely revamped www.Realtor.org/Safety

website extends a helping hand to educate and promote awareness by providing videos, webinars, tips for on the job and at home, publications and includes many other resources

The valuable article in the RISMedia September issue closes it's message with.......

" We want to help you keep everyone of your agents safe on the job. Let's work together to keep the safety message a prioty all year long "

We as agents become so comfortable and complacent with what our profession requires of us. It has become obvious that we face dangers every day and need to be on alert to prevent a serious situation.

The Realtor.org website is just filled with excellent information and again, resources.....it is worth the time to check it out....

You only have one life and your families need you....Be safe..Spread the word.

There is somethjing special about " God's Country " Potter County, Pennsylvania

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:20:04 -0500

I wanted to share this photo taken in the woods in Potter County in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The fern

is growing out of a small stream that shows the fern's reflection. In every season the forest in the mountains of Pennsylvania offer Natures beauty at it's finest.

I can relate to the Michael Kennedy quote..

I learn something every time I go into the mountains.

Peace, stillness, calmness, refreshment of mind, body and spirit all there for the seeking.

They refer Potter County as " God's Country " and any visitor certainly will agree.

http://www.pottercountypa.org/

http://www.pavisnet.com/potter/

http://www.visitgaleton.com/

On September 26 Galeton is celebrating it's 2009

" Fall Festival " Music, food and fun for all.

Fall will be spectacular this fall in the mountains of beautiful Pennsylvania

Looking for homes and local interest in Lawrence County Check out my outside blog at

www.homesearchnewcastle.com

www.northwood.com/junelewis

Safety on the net ....... Do you know who is watching you?

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:34:13 -0500

We leave big footprints on the internet for everyone or anyone to find out all about us.

How safe are the social networks?

We all shuddered at the past headlines

Cops have Philip Markoff, suspected 'Craigslist Killer' of model Julissa Brisman, in custodody

Philip Markoff, a Boston University student who lives in Quincy, a harbor side town 10 miles south of Boston, will be arraigned on murder charges on Tuesday.

I watched the news this morning as a ticker amber alert flashed across the screen while the news anchor talked about the crime committed by Phillip Markoff and Craigs list predators.

How many of them are out there...on the endless web........
How secure is our information on the web?
How big are the footprints we leave for the predators, thieves the hackers to find out all about what needs to be private.

We feel someone secure after all we are adults ....although,...we all worry about our children and teens curiosity in searching the net.

The news cast peaked my interest and I Googled safety on craigs list and almost 4 million links on the Craig List safety.

I don't want to be an alarmist or cast a negative spin on what we are enjoy and benefit from ( social networking )

I do...however want to share 3 links to check out on safety that could prevent major problems for any of us.

http://www.ncjrs.gov/internetsafety/

http://getsafeonline.org

http://wiredsafety.org

It never hurts to be aware ...

Adam is missing a hip bone-motivational Monday

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:23:31 -0500

Our children can be our wisest of teachers...we only need to listen. There is a quote by David Harvard that goes

" The world doesn't care what you know until they know how much you care ' I thought of this quote after spending a 3 day with my family in Penn State. I value every minute with them.

I enjoy spending time with my 7 year old grandson. Talk about a caring little guy.

He entered a grange fair exhibit for collections and won a ribbon but was so concerned about the other kids who did not have a ribbon for their entries. He thought everyone should receive a ribbon.

He decided to help grandma do the dishes at his house because grandma always has to do the dishes all by her self when she is at her home

In his evening prayer he gave thanks for a good day and ask that his mommy would win a ribbon at the grange fair.

He decided not to show his floppy ear bunny at the fair because he didn't want his bunny " to feel bad " if the bunny did not win a ribbon.

He was so distraught because he felt his mama should have won 2 blue ribbons instead of a second and a fourth for her bake goods.After all she is the best cook in the world.

He talks his dad into taking him to the neighbors garage sale and spends his own money on a baby gift box with a piggy bank and picture frame for his little brother that will arrive around December 25.

What a big bother my new little grandson will have. I told him he will be able to teach his new baby brother a lot of little boy things.

My little guy is quite a little theologian...... I might add.

He tells me...... Yeah Grandma I can tell my little brother....I love God and Jesus and Grandma......did you know that God took a hip bone from Adam to make a girl? Now all mens have a missing hip bone? ( smile )

I can't forget his favorite bible story...you know the one with

David And Goliath....Goliath the monster ( smile )

We too need to listen with open ears to the innocence and wisdom of our children. It sure can show what true love and care is all about and bring a smile of thanksgiving for our blessings.

The following video is just beautiful. I hope you enjoy the video and thank you for listening to my love and pride in my grandson. Our children are priceless...................

Time away from Real EState always stress free...Murphy says no way

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:42:55 -0500

I found a secret to cracking the slump in activity for a real estate agent..............plan a trip !! ....... Isn't it true?

The phone rings off the hook.
The buyer decides to put an offer on a house they really knew wouldn't work for them.
The appointment for the listing of the decade decides they absolutely need to reschedule the appointment........ to when? the day after you have left for your trip.

Believe me all this happened.........and all I wanted was a 3 day trip to visit my family.Feeling very deserving of a little time off, I did not cancel my plans..instead addressed one situation at a time until all were resolved. Even though there was a few hours delay with my travel time ...I hurriedly shouted " I'm out of here " and ventured to scenic mountain route 80 across Pennsylvania.

Ahhaaa a stress free trip...my much anticipated trip..........and so I hoped.

Did I mention...I left the charger to my cell phone at home?
Did I mention I left a light sweater and umbrella at home?
Did I mention I left one of my suit cases at home.
Did I mention that Murphy's Law worked overtime during my three day retreat...( so I had hoped )

My grandson had an entry in the Center County Grange fair hobby exhibit and his mom entered a Carmel Apple Nut Muffins (scrumptious ) and cherry, nut, chocolate chip Biscotti ( they were amazing ) into the Grange Fair baking competition.

We arrived at the Grange Fair along with a few sprinkles. Within minutes after paying the entrance fee the heavens open to a monsoon downpour. Fortunately we made our way to the Grange exhibit building where they held an auction of the bake goods that were entered for the competition. We were safe out of the downpour and watched as the number one apple pie " Best of Show "auction off at $145.

Cakes and bake goods brought hundreds of dollars for the charity event. The politicians were the big buyers and passed their purchases around to the pleased crowd, so much for buying votes with cookies.......

So as the rain continued at least the auction crowd enjoyed eating cookies, brownies and all those carbs.........

Making our way through walk ways of small rivers along muddy grass to a parking place that was just a little too far away, we left for home. We reached my daughter's home after listening to the rant of my little grandson because mama is the best cook in the world. The little guy just could not grasp the concept that his mom reveived a second and forth place ribbon. She should have won a 2 blue ribbons.

Oh ...the love and loyalty of a son.....

I thought I would check my e-mail and what do I find? My company sent an e-mail telling us they up-graded our e-mail and they hope we find it beneficial. Oh..yeah...ijust what I needed .......because checking it out....... my computer flashed a blue screen and crashed.

Vacation over ..I head home...I fastened my seat belt..couldn't find my sun glasses..Oh well...no need for them anyway with those black clouds following me as I drove across Rt 80...across mountains and about 7 bridges that connect the mountains across Pennsylvania.I was about 1 hour out of State College when it started to sprinkle large drops..the traffic was heavy.

I think every semi truck in Pennsylvania was traveling west. All of the sudden, in an instant I was caught in such a heavy downpour I could not see left..right or to the front of me. My Toyota's windshield wipers could not carry off the heavy downpour of water on the windshield. I could not see a thing. I didn't want to just stop on the spot so I prayed as I pulled to the right off the road on the other side of the rumble strip. I had no idea if I was on a bridge or a soft berm of the road. Let me tell you I was scared to death. The other cars must have pulled off also but the truck traffic continues 70 miles an hour whizzed past me. I prayed they saw my flashers and high beams. The down pour lasted only about 5 minutes but I assure you it was 5 minutes of terror. All those trucks had to do was clip me and where would I be... I had no idea if it would be in a ravine or over the bridge.

It took about a half hour to calm my nerves down when what did I see ...a semi had crashed the guard rails into a ravine and the cab was just demolished. It must have happened in the downpour the day before because caution tape surrounded the crash. I prayed the driver was spared.

Murphy s law was rampant..and had a good hold on the trip........I took photos of the grange fair to share the photos with you all and..........you guessed it ....the final blow....I left my camera in my daughter's car back at Penn State...so no Grange Fair photos. A couple hours out of " Happy Valley " and the clouds party and beautiful sunshine poured forth...just a sign that I needed to remind myself how blessed I was. No matter how many things may go wrong, as Murphy's Law defines..blessings will always win over obstacles that may cross our path. My trip was a trip of Thankfulness...

for my family and their love for me and for my safety......

Speechless Sunday...please no open house today

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:04:38 -0500

Photo credit Donna Moser

Flower Power........to calm a vigorous mind

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:11:24 -0500

Flowers have a mysterious and subtle influence upon the feelings,
not unlike some strains of music.   They relax the tenseness of
the mind. They dissolve its vigor.
-   Henry Ward Beecher

How relaxing.............

is the color and fragrance of a flower garden,

a spring time walk in the woods among hundreds of wild flowers,

the beauty captured in a fragrant bloom of a rose.

or a field of bright yellow sunflowers sharing their smily faces?

Enjoying the beauty of nature touches the very soul with

refreshment and quietness.

It is our healthy tonic necessary to handle stress of a complicated, fast pace life style.

So when you reach a point of enough is enough...seek out the quiet in the beauty of a garden.

What a desolate place would be a world without flowers. It would be a face
without a smile; a feast without a welcome. Are not flowers the stars
of the earth? Are not our stars the flowers of heaven?
- Clara L. Balfour

I have two engraved stones in my garden one is inscribed

" Time Began in God's Garden" and the other is inscribed

" One is nearer God's Heart in a Garden

than anywhere else on earth"

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous"

Aristotle.

Photo jjlewis 2008 garden

In a crunch..Take the road less traveled.It will always work out

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 11:47:02 -0500

When I first considered a career in Real Estate, my plan was to keep my day job. I wanted to eventually retire and sell real estate..... full time......How young and foolish was I.....I had a very demanding but successful gift basket shop.

My Broker ( I started with another Brokerage ) wanted me to focus on real estate exclusively. He wanted a full time agent. This was a difficult decision for me. My decision would impact the jobs of four employees.

My dad was at the shop every day. He was my computer expert. My dad handled all the paper work and accounting. I loved my shop. I had great employees. My store had been a healing balm for the grief, of my mom passing, for both me and my dad.

It had always been a wish of my mom's, that I would one day open my own shop. My mom's wish was granted and I was able to spend valuable time with my dad.

Have you ever had a life changing phone call? This call forced me into making a decision? ...

Do I ..... move on to a start a new, full time venture .........or hold on to what I know and love?

The only reason I even considered leaving the work I loved was due to a phone call from my dad's doctor. My dad had a routine check up. His doctor called the shop and said " Your dad needs to get to Allegheny Hospital in Pittsburgh... immediately, I have already made the arrangements, He has a brain aneurysm."

The world stopped for me, yet I felt it spinning out of control. I just lost my mom...How could I handle the loss of my dad too?

Long story short...........Dad had his successful brain surgery.

I had to re-think about closing the shop. If anything would happen to my dad, I would not enjoy the shop without him being there every day. It would not be the same..It would have taken the joy and love out of what I was doing. He was my motivation, my inspiration and my moral support. We worked through our busy Christmas and Easter season and I then closed the shop and became my Broker's full time agent

Seventeen years later, I wonder why I had such a difficult time with my decision. It has been the most interesting and rewarding time in my life. Yes at times...... I have missed my " Haven..my shop '"

Real Estate can never be boring. ..It is never repetitive....every listing...every sale..every client..is different and exciting.It is a continual education about people, their needs, their personalities and how we best serve those needs and personalities.

Real Estate has brought into my life ....many life long friends who have also motivated, inspired and given me moral support. I am thankful for my decision. Life always has a way of working out...even if we have not a clue. In a crunch I decided to take the road less traveled....and I am glad I did. So I say farewell to my Treasure Baskets with no regrets and onlythe best of memories

A little Tender Loving Care in the gentleness of a child --

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:28:49 -0500

I was sent this photo of my little grandson.

My daughter's caption under the photo read

I love the sparkle in his eyes when he holds a baby of any type...here it is...in a little chick.

If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.

~St. Francis of Assisi

I thought as I opened the photo ...if only we could see the world through the eyes of a child and capture the same sparkle ..and compassion .......what a difference it would make in the world.

I will always love Strawberry Milkshakes and the power behind a simple gesture.

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:57:49 -0500

I received a call from an administrator of a nursing home just minutes from my office. I was asked to list a patient's home. The home and any assets needed to be sold to meet the nursing home care cost of the patient.

I met with the administrator and was told that the meeting was a formality. The nursing home already had the right to sell the home to cover the patients expenses. I just needed to get the seller to sign the papers.

We walked into the room where I first met Betty ( not her real name ) She was sitting in a chair, head bent and would not acknowledge our presence. I noticed she had a chain around her neck. She was holding tightly on to the chain. I thought maybe it was a cross or a locket of a loved one. She clinched the chain tightly as if someone would try to take it from her

I tried gently talking with her, and only drew glares of contempt. I will never forget that look of fear and distrust.

I touched her arm and ask if she would mind if I stopped in to see her again. My husband was just down the hall.

She glared again and we left.

I talked with the administrator and begged for more time. I needed Betty to feel some sort of acceptance, trust and comfort with me and about what I was about, to ask her to do. ...sell her only possession...her home.

It took days..I was in the nursing home most of the time checking on my husband, so I managed a few silent ( on her part ) conversations with Betty.

Nursing homes are chatty, everyone has the scoop on everyone. I was told...no-one likes her, she is mean, obnoxious and downright nasty. The staff doesn't like her, and the patients don't like her. She is alone... has no family, has no friends and .never married.

I asked the head nurse if Betty was on a restricted diet. Is there some thing she might enjoy from outside the nursing home cafeteria? The answer was loud and clear ....... nothing will make her happy, don't even bother.

A young, tiny, beautiful, nurses Aide over heard the conversation and spoke up ".yes there is........ she said one day she wished she could have a strawberry milkshake'

Well need I say ...that was the ice breaker?...After our mutual love for strawberry milkshakes, and many of them, she slowly left down her guard. We were able to talk, she always asked about my husband. I would see her walk down the hall past his room, peek in and walk on by.

WE did formalize the paper work to sell her home but only after conversations about the difficulties of owning a home when we become elderly and not able to do what needs to be done, to up keep a home. It was a stretch of my imagination, to find the positive about accepting the fact that the nursing home provided her with the safety and care that she needed at this time of her life.

I would make a habit of stopping by her room everyday just before my stay at my husband's side, just to say hi..and usually with her much anticipated, strawberry milk shake. A simple gesture for the reward of a smile and a glimmer of joy.

The one day..they stopped me at the desk and said Betty was very upset and crying for most of the night. I stopped by..she was in bed and so wiped out..she grabbed my hand and put a key into it. It was the key that was attached to the chain around her neck.( not a locket or a cross but a key ) The key was to her bedside table. " Everything I have is in that drawer, will you open it for me " I opened the drawer, only to find another key.....a key to a car.

She looked at me and said. " It is the only thing I have left...please don't let them take it away from me, it's my only way out of here " I stopped, speechless ....ask for guidance to say the right words. How could I make that promise to her ..I looked at her about ready to cry and she grabbed my hand again and said' through sobs " June..I'm afraid..I know I am going to die and I have been a bad girl, I don't think God is very happy with me

" I gathered my composure and spoke my heart ...how much God loves her, how He is here right now.... at this very moment...how He will never leave her ..none of us are perfect....only HE is perfect...talk to Him...the way you talk to me...Empty your heart...He wants to hear you speak to Him..

I don't know where the words came from , they just flowed and eventually, she calmed down...and quietly drifted off to sleep.

What a day..it was a blessing that my husband was having a peaceful day.

I kept checking on Betty, her attitude changed. She seemed more at peace. I think it was resignation.

When My husband passed away, before I left the nursing home, I took the floral wreath I had made for the door to his room and wanted to give it to Betty. She was in bed, sobbing uncontrollably and said " I am so sorry about Jack..I suppose this means I won't see you anymore"

I looked at her tearful lonely face and thought " Thank you strawberry milkshake " for breaking down the wall that surrounded this lonely women. No one should ever leave this earth feeling unloved and alone.

Strawberry milkshakes will always hold a special memory. I was blessed to share God's Love with someone who needed loved and I truly felt a love for her. Betty is gone now..but she knew she was loved.........not just by her strawberry milkshake friend but more importantly by her God.

I know this was long but this lonely women made such an imprint on my heart that I wanted to share her with you.

Tell someone you love them today..how about everyday? Thankful Thursday

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:59:58 -0500

Take this opportunity to tell someone what they mean to you, before the opportunity flees and only regrets remain.

My husband was an car accident victim that caused early dementia.

It took seven years of slow deteriorating and watching my husband, my rock and the joy of my life retreat into the imprisoned world of Alzheimer's.

Anyone who has witnessed a loved one with this terrible disease, no explanation of pain and heartache for the patient and their loved ones is necessary.

I still think of my husband as my rock, my joy and my strength. I visit him in my thoughts and in my heart and today as my thoughts ponder a

" Thankful Thursday " blog, he vividly comes into my thoughts.

Why would this have anything to do with being thankful "...watching someone I love drift into another world without me..into an untouchable world of emptiness.

Four months before Alzheimer's won the battle and ended my husband's earthly life, I was forced to put him into a nursing home.

I had an accident, fell and severely broke my wrist. I had to have surgery.

The nursing home was to be a temporary solution and the most heart wrenching, difficult decision of my life.

I gave in kicking, screaming and crying but with no other option.

The nursing home was a few blocks from my office. I was at the nursing home during the hours my husband was awake and ran to the office to do real estate when he was asleep.

I was there to hold his hand, to talk to him, to visually show him, he was not alone. I repeatedly told him I loved him.I was alright and I knew he was alright knowing I was there...

but what I did notice.....was.....empty, lonely lives......just waiting for someone....anyone....to share a little time... a little conversation.....patients who for years have had few visits from anyone familiar.

I saw lonely, fearful, unhappy imprisoned people whose world was a building of the unheard.

Why today this thought has impressed so heavily on my heart...I am not sure...Maybe it is to get a message to others to be mindful that there are those who need so much of what we can give ...freely...... our time, our concern, our prayers, our visits, our attention.

People are starving in more ways than one in our country, especially the very young and the elderly. Please let's not forget them.

Yes I am " Thankful" today because my husband, my family and my friends know how much I love and care for them.

I know this blog is personal but my four months of experiences within the nursing home brought such an awareness of the how the power of love can empower the powerless.

The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you love them. - Unknown

Speechless Sunday - crowded today at the favorite swimming hole

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:39:58 -0500

What better way to spend a Sunday 92 degree morning in August at the gathering place along Neshannock Creek in New Castle, Pennsylvania. There must have been a duck reunion today. I counted over 60 and lost track. Wonder what was for dinner...didn't smell any type of barbecue going on. Some reunion without food...hummm maybe it wasn't a reunion..maybe it was a pre-marathon swim...or maybe they are just enjoying a hot summer day. Coming soon.. a report on the Outdoor summer outdoor farmers market.