Break out the Bubbly!!

So it's time to break out the champagne, or at least the cheap red wine. Rich just pointed out that I've broken the 20,000 point thresh-hold. Ok, so it's no 500 posts like Lenn or 10,000 comments like TLW. But hey it's got to be cause for some celebration, at least here in my Lewis Center, Ohio living room. I mean if you can't celebrate your own accomplishments, who will??

 And who knew when I was first introduced to Active Rain just about a year ago, it would be such an interesting journey. I didn't know I would meet cool mutha's or amazing stagers. I've met blogging Bertha, a realtor who's got nuts (but isn't nuts) and learned about Real Estate Shows. I've been exposed to the gamut of Florida, everything from wild parties to ice cream and marshmallow drops.

What a great and varied place this is. Who knows what the next 20,000 points will bring? Hopefully it won't take me a year to accumulate them. But even if it does, I can't complain because the journey has been / is so incredible. So pick up your glass and give a salute to Active Rain and its members - an amazing resource and network.

Throwdown in Lewis Center - Bobby Flay Challenges Sugardaddy's

There was a throwdown in Lewis Center, Ohio yesterday. Chef Bobby Flay of the Food Network arrived at the Sugardaddy's Factory store in Lewis Center, to challenge the creators of the Sumptuous Sweeties gourmet brownies and blondies to a Blondie cook-off. 

The Sugardaddy's team, lead by Co-Founders Tom Finney and Mark Ballard and assisted by Executive Chef  Mark Harkins, and Beth Rose, Director, TLC, kicked off the challenge by making their Sumptuous Tahitian Blondie - a wonderful concoction of toasted cashews, white and dark chocolate, pineapple and topped with toasted coconut.

Bobby Flay presented his own version of a Tahitian Blondie, incorporating milk chocolate instead of white and skipping the coconut. Flay's creation also looked like a traditional blondie, eschewing the circular shape that is the trademark of the Sumptuous Sweetie.

Presentation was also a key element of the challenge as Sugardaddy's is known not only for its gourmet brownies but also its luxury packaging as well. With a wide variety options to choose from, team Sugardaddy went with its signature pink and brown silk gift bag. Flay again went with a more traditional presentation, choosing a blue and brown gift box.

The competition was fierce. Both blondies were delicious. The packaging was beautiful. Team Sugardaddy's was clearly the hometown favorite with the hundred plus crowd -most sporting pink and brown attire and blonde wigs -  cheering them on. Flay did have a few supporters but they were clearly outnumbered.

And the winner is......

For that you will have to tune into the Foodnetwork.

But for an absolutely fabulous brownie or blondie - visit the Sugardaddy's Factory store in Lewis Center, Ohio, right down the street from the GryphonUSA office. I guarantee you will come away a winner.

A special day at "The Shoe"

Today was a special day in Columbus, Ohio. Over 40,000 gathered in Ohio Stadium (the Shoe) to watch and participate in Ohio State University's 380^th Commencement.

The whole ceremony was amazing to watch. The stage was set on the 50 yard line. The student processional was accompanied by the OSU band. The OSU color guard raised the American flag as soon to be graduate, Jodie Burns, sung the National Anthem.  The sense of excitement radiated throughout the stadium.

Many honored guests gathered in Columbus, to participate in the festivities. Former President William Jefferson Clinton gave the commencement address. Others joining him on the stage included: former astronaut and Senator John Glenn, former two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin, and former Congressman Eric Fingerhut. In addition to the almost 8,000 degrees conferred, honorary degrees were awarded to:  President Clinton (Doctor of Public Service), University President Karen Holbrook (Doctor of Education), Jean-Pierre Changeux (Doctor of Science), Gerald Buckberg (Doctor of Science), and Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira (Doctor of Music).  James F. Patterson and Paul E. Young, Jr. were the recipients of this year's Distinguished Service Awards.

As the graduates joined the ranks of the more than a half a million Ohio State alumni it was a day to remember in Columbus.

Not Just Another Stop

Squeezed into a cistern twenty-five students look around in awe. This is actually where the escaped slaves slept, hidden from their pursers as they made their journey north. This small dark, damp room represents a giant step toward freedom.

A project of the Junior League of Columbus, the Kelton House Museum and Garden is the only documented stop on the Underground Railroad in the City of Columbus that is regularly open to the public.  Over the past 25 years, the Kelton House has educated Columbus children and adults about local history through the eyes of the Kelton family, which occupied the home from 1852 until 1975.  The Museum presents tours, lectures and workshops, and continues to be the cornerstone of the East Town Street Historic District.  

For visiting students, the story is told through the eyes of Martha Hartway, who escaped slavery in Virginia and made her way to Columbus.  She was found hiding in the shrubbery outside the Kelton family home by Sophia Kelton and taken in.  Martha remained with the Kelton family for ten years until she married Thomas Lawrence, a free black carpenter.  Martha and Thomas were married in the Kelton parlor.  Their story provides the authentic touchstone that makes a visit to the Kelton House extraordinary.

Historical re-enactments, encampments and Victorian teas are other opportunities to explore the wonders of Kelton House. Docents, dressed in traditional Victorian garb, led visitors through the rooms which have been carefully restored to reflect their 1850-1900 appearance. The furnishings and decorations, many of which are from the collection of the Sophia and Fernando Cortez Kelton family allow guests, young and old, to experience life in the Victorian era.

In addition to providing a wonderful opportunity to learn about 19^th century urban life and decorative arts in Columbus, the Kelton House served as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization. Through the efforts of the Junior League, the Columbus Near East Side Historical District was created. Friends of the Kelton House and Junior League Members worked to raise neighborhood awareness about historical preservation transforming the area into the vibrant community that can be found today.

The Kelton House Garden provides an opportunity for refection and solitude. Breathing in the floral fragrance, visitors can pause for moment and escape from the busy reality of the twenty first century to a milder gentler era. The garden often plays host to special events ranging from the annual Easter egg hunt to fairy tale weddings.

The Kelton House is located at:

586 E Town St, Columbus, OH  43215

Snowy Day In Columbus Ohio

It's official! We have the day off due to the snow. Here in Lewis Center, (a suburb north of Columbus) we are under a level 3 snow alert. So what to do on a snowy day when you can't even leave the neighborhood?? Play in the snow of course. But that's after the shoveling. 

Hopefully we will soon be able to dig out and head to the pond for ice skating. Of course the neighborhood will have to clear it off as well. Luckily several neighbors will snow plows get the job done pretty quickly.

 Lewis Center, Ohio is not a bad place to be snow bound. Good neighbors, a pond, what more could anyone ask for.

It's All About Who???

             3 Tips For Working With Buyers

•1)      Listen to your buyers - When we relocated to Ohio there were several things that I knew I wanted in a house - One was a grocery store, mall and restaurants within 5-10 minutes of our home. Not really a hard request to fulfill in Central Ohio. However, our agent kept showing us houses that were either 20 minutes from a grocery store, didn't have restaurants nearby or were quite a ways from any shopping. Whenever I told him that this wouldn't work for our lifestyle, he kept telling me our lifestyle would change. We wouldn't go to the grocery store everyday, so we shouldn't worry that it was so far away. Skip forward to the present, five years later, I live in a house near 3 grocery stores, a mall and multiple restaurants. I take advantage of all of them at least once a week. Bottom line, the buyer's lifestyle might not be yours but don't discount it.

•2)       Realize that you are a service provider - The buyer is the client - It isn't all about you - It amazes me how many blogs I've seen that take the position that it's all about the agent. There are blogs that talk about the terrible buyer that brings their children to meeting or showing. Other blogs talk about buyers who want to do showings around their, the buyer's schedule. While I'm not advocating giving in to a multitude of unreasonable demands, the old adage - "the customer is always right" seems quite appropriate here. If you are a buyer's agent - you work for the buyer! If they want to bring their children to a meeting, that is their right. If you don't want to work under those condition, fine, but realize who the customer is.

•3)      Be willing to provide references - Reference checks are a common occurrence these days. If we check references before hiring a child care provider, renting an apartment or hiring an employee, why is a buyer's request to check references met with such resistance? Buying a house may be the largest expenditure someone makes, why as an agent, wouldn't you want your clients to be a comfortable as possible with your skills. If your past clients were happy with your services, it doesn't seem like it would be out of line to put them in contact with prospective clients to discuss the experience. I would never hire an employee who didn't provide references that I could verify, I can't imagine hiring someone to help with what might be my largest purchase without a reference check.

•4)      The Alternative - Don't work with buyers.

Tag - I'm it

So I too have been meme'd courtesy of my husband. (A little odd, since you would think that by now he'd know at least a few things about me) Anyway here are a few little known facts about me.

1. I used to work in the Clinton White House

2. Answer to the question that inevitably follows statement #1.

Yes I did know Monica

3. I have one tattoo and one piercing, not counting my ears

4. I backpacked through Italy & Greece one summer

5. I have always wanted to learn how to surf

6. I have an ever-growing collection of nutcrackers that only come out at Christmas

7. I hate & fear spiders

9. I was photo editor of my college newspaper

10. I love playing dominos and cribbage

And now for those lucky folks that I'm meme-ing: Linda Marti - because she's indirectly responsible for my AR addiction, Cheryl Johnson - because I like her profile pic and that she meme'd herself, Leslie Bloss - because I liked her vacation/volunteer blog and would like to learn more.

Dear Santa -

Dear Santa,

I was helping Savannah write her list earlier.  For the record she's been very good. ( I'm not counting the incident with the scissors and the cat needing a haircut and I really don't think you should either.) But anyway working on her list made me realize I needed to write mine. So Santa, here is the list of things I want for Christmas.

World Peace - http://activerain.com/blogsview/23874/I-Really-Had-To

Smart Sellers who listen to me - http://activerain.com/blogsview/23287/Seller-s-are-not

Lots of great vacations - http://activerain.com/blogsview/Tuesday-Morning-Fun?5806

http://activerain.com/blogsview/25752/WHILE-ON-VACATION-I

http://activerain.com/blogsview/17810/An-Active-Rain-First

(ok, I really want this one)

Lots of referrals -  http://activerain.com/blogsview/26461/U-R-an-International

Great friends who make me laugh - http://activerain.com/blogsview/16612/Active-Rain-Contest

Time for Shopping  - - http://activerain.com/blogsview/18441/Let-s-go-shopping

Lots of Buyers - http://activerain.com/blogsview/Bring-On-The-Buyers?5402

More kindness in the world - http://activerain.com/blogsview/26049/Random-Acts-of-Kindness

A good attorney and or title company - http://activerain.com/blogsview/26808/So-Your-Friend-Cousin

Did I mention world peace & vacations - http://activerain.com/blogsview/23874/I-Really-Had-To

http://activerain.com/blogsview/Tuesday-Morning-Fun?5806

http://activerain.com/blogsview/25752/WHILE-ON-VACATION-I

http://activerain.com/blogsview/17810/An-Active-Rain-First

So Santa, that's my list. I really think I've been good this year. Feel free to supplement, after all I'm always up for jewels and furs.

I'll leave out the milk and cookies. Have a great Christmas.

Your favorite Active Rainer - Melissa - TOLW

What happens in AR, Stays in AR???

Member's only blogs, nicknames, blogging for points, spam, shameless comments for ratings. These are all just a part of that crazy place we call "the rain". But does it all really stay here??? I for one, hope not. The relationships and experiences that one can find here are part of the benefit.

Case in point:  We got a call yesterday from a potential client. They had relocated out of state, had a property that had been on the market for a while and wanted to discuss an auction. As the conversation progressed, we asked them how they had heard of us. Answer - google and this site called active rain. This is in addition to all the great ideas, proposals, sample letters, pricing suggestions etc we have gotten while here.  Pre-rain I didn't know what SEO or range-pricing were or have anyone to discuss them with.

Yes the rain is a great place to go, get ideas, see friends, have some chocolate champaign courtesy of TLW, but it's not just a destination. Experience it, Live it and spread the word.

Viva La Rain.

You Want What???

I had an aha moment today... It was actually a Starbucks moment (and no I wasn't overdosing on a double espresso,) but I did stop and say aha, or rather, "that's the true meaning of customer service.

A little background - I am a true Starbucks addict. Started back in DC when I had to pass one on the way to work, got worse when we started the business out of the house and we used the local one as a second office. I've cut back a little but still can't really kick the habit. I have my order down pat, no muss, no fuss. It doesn't change. And one of the great things about Ohio - the drive through Starbucks. I pull in, I order, I pay, I leave a happy camper. No muss, no fuss, all very quick. That is until today.

Today's experience was slightly different than normal. It started out the same. I pulled up to the drive through, ordered my venti black unsweetened tea with a raw sugar on the side and then....

Starbucks guy - "Sorry, I can't hear you can you repeat that?"

Me - Louder - " Venti black unsweetened tea with a raw sugar on the side"

Starbucks guy - "I'm still having problems hearing you, can you repeat that?"

Me - Yelling Really Loud - "VENTI BLACK UNSWEETENED TEA WITH A RAW SUGAR ON THE SIDE."

Starbucks guy - "There must be something wrong with my ear piece. I still can't hear you drive around to the window and order.

I try to pull around an order but I'm four cars back. Four cars and they aren't even starting my order yet because they can't hear me. This is frustrating. Should I wait - but I really need to get to the office already. Should I just leave - probably but I really want my tea!!! Solution - doesn't seem to be that many people in the store. I'll park, get out of my car and order in person.

In the store - Me - I'd like a venti black unsweetened tea with a sugar on the side. (Okay, I admit this was said with a little force)

Starbucks girl - Wow - you really know what you want.

Me - Well, I'm a little frustrated, I tried to order in the drive-through, but someone's ear piece wasn't working and I had to come inside.

Starbucks girl - I am so sorry that happened. I'll comp your drink for you.

Me - It's not your fault. You don't have to do that. I'm just a little frustrated but it's not because of you.

Starbucks girl - Not a problem, we want you to be happy. Here is your drink, no charge, have a great day.

Me - WOW! Thanks.

I guess the point of all of this is that customer service really does matter. People, ever regular customers recognize it and appreciate it.  Would I have continued to go to Starbucks even without the free tea? Yes, but this stood out. It made me notice that they went out of their way to make me happy. It made me that much more of a loyal customer. It would have been easy for the Starbucks girl to just get me my order and that would have been that. I would have left, a little annoyed but its Starbucks, a big company, what can you do? Instead, she took the time to make sure I was happy with my experience, that a bad experience was turned into a good one. It was just a little thing in the scheme of things, but it made a difference in my day. I walked out thinking, "that was great customer service."  The little things do matter and if you can make a positive impression, even after a screw-up, it is definitely worth it.

In the end the customer wants what.....