deb brooks: Moon in My Trees!
- 01/10/09 12:45 PM
I've read that our moon this evening is the largest it will be for the entire year of 2009. I got this shot with two of my favorite things in this world... Our moon and my favorite old Oak tree. It was so beautiful seeing the light shine between the branches and I was hoping my camera could catch the magic. Not too bad! I hope you like it.
It feels to me as if we have a tremendous year ahead of us...all of us. Don't forget … (25 comments)
deb brooks: Check Out One Of My Favorite Toys!
- 01/10/09 10:38 AM
Tagsmaker.com is one of my favorite TOYS and it's free! Missy Caulk asked me to write a post on this site as she really liked the ability to PERSONALIZE script on your pictures. It's fun, it's easy and you need to try it! Tagsmaker works in conjunction with your Photobucket.com account. Photobucket.com is yet another site you should visit and set up an account. You may add your own photos to Tagsmaker or choose from their archives of "free use" photos! All photos you choose must be a minimum of 300 X 150 pixels. 1. Upload your chosen photo. 2. … (18 comments)
deb brooks: Merry XMas......NO, MY CHILD.
- 12/20/08 06:20 AM
Merry XMas! Yeah right! WRONG!!!!!!! "Daddy, Daddy," Don't be mad. I was only about 6 years old. Someone at my school told me that I didn't have to write Christ into the phrase Merry Christmas! They said, "you can save time by writing Merry XMas!" and at age 6, I didn't put 2 and 2 together. With the slap of his hand across my pants and a terribly disappointed look on his face, my dad taught me the reason to take the time to write Christ. Oh, I knew the Christmas story and the entire biblical history. But, when you're 6, … (26 comments)
deb brooks: You can't read a book by its cover..."Holiday Acceptance"
- 12/08/08 11:54 PM
You can't read a book by its cover..."The Joy and Gift of Acceptance" I was 22 years old and working for a large carpeting store in San Antonio Texas behind the desk as a receptionist...not my kind of job but I was young and needed to take what I could get. I was raising two very young children and paying an in-home sitter to watch them. After cashing my weekly check and paying her I had $80.00 a week left for bills and spending money. Woo Hoo! Christmas was right around the corner so I had to have every penny! Without … (80 comments)
deb brooks: Is Ignorance Bliss in the Real Estate Business? Don't think so!
- 12/03/08 06:02 AM
When I was younger....much younger I lived in CNN Oblivion. I NEVER WATCHED THE NEWS. Ever. I just didn't want to know. I figured that what I didn't know couldn't hurt me. On occasion if I did catch the news before bedtime, I just couldn't sleep. My mind and psyche couldn't handle the sadness, waste of lives, anger and criminal behaviour that I was being confronted with. I'm all grown up now and it's my tax dollar, future and business they are talking about. And, yours. If you're like me I do get caught up in the Feature Articles that Google, … (24 comments)
deb brooks: Never Miss A Feature Again!
- 12/03/08 03:32 AM
Ever feel as if you're missing something? You probably are! I think we're missing a lot by not going one step further than the dashboard. There are features beyond that one page! What's the point of the DASHBOARD? The DASHBOARD. Up front and suppose to be seen. Attention getter, the front cover of the book, the tuxedo or gown of the ball. If you're like me you may only get to the site once or twice in a very busy day. First of all I check in on all my favorites and then proceed to the dashboard to read the features. … (4 comments)
deb brooks: One Eyed, One Horned, Flying Purple People Eater...
- 12/03/08 02:41 AM
This song was always a fun one to sing. It lets you know just how far back girls were wearing short-shorts and shows a whimsey that may have taken drugs to induce. In my mind the one-eyed, one horned, flying, purple people eater has always been the epitomy of jealousy. It makes sense doesn't it? Jealousy eats at you, closes one eye to common sense, rams with the likes of a horn and flies out of nowhere! Although in the song they make him look so cuddly and cute. Jealousy is deeply painful and blinding. The next time you begin to … (9 comments)
deb brooks: Virtual Home Sales - Virtual Hot House?
- 11/21/08 03:47 AM
As if the liability with our business isn't already steep enough when you have a hands-on buyer...now we're going virtual? Yep, it's happening. We are selling houses without the buyer seeing them till after closing. Who would've thunk it? The wonders of our far reaching virtual world is becoming compelling enough for buyers to send the earnest money check without ever entering the home they are purchasing. To date, I have now completed two sales (out of five virtual offers) where the buyer has not seen the home till after closing. This is a scary situation. And, it must be … (9 comments)
deb brooks: See, I know geek speak...
- 11/20/08 09:36 AM
I listened to Rain Radio today on BlogTalkRadio.com! I feel like I'm getting geekier and geekier each day and loving it. I have recently joined the ranks of TWITTER and am a novice with how it all works. So for me, this was valuable listening. It was so much fun hearing my friends voices again such as Rich Jacobson, Brad Andersohn, Ron Chaney, Jeremy Blanton, Kim Wood and a various assortment of Active Rainer guests. Woohaa. I am such a geek now that I subscribed to the RSS, signed in and worked on paperwork while listening to the show. I learned … (12 comments)
deb brooks: TURN THAT SONG OFF! THIS ISN'T PART OF OUR REVOLUTION!!!!
- 11/19/08 03:49 PM
What led us into the 1960's Music Revolution? The 1950,s. If you weren't there please take a moment to watch this presentation by SergeantPepper27, Emily Maddox, and enjoy the transition that was so spectacular to witness and enjoy... The 1960,s was a very special time for me. I was a child and the entire world was a learning experience. My friends and I were wide eyed, curious, feeling the freedom to let go and dance to the music. During the summer of 1966 in little Edinburgh Indiana the pool parties were going strong! I could crack the storm windows in my bedroom and hear … (31 comments)
deb brooks: Are you thinking of letting your license go?
- 11/19/08 04:11 AM
Is your fear running rampant? The media and their ability to sensationalize the negative is creating a dark cloud over most people. I spoke to a dear friend today who is thinking of letting her license go. Are you thinking of letting your license go? How long did it take you to get it? How much work have you put into your Real Estate Business? Are you going to let the lag in business win? I just don't want to see this happening to good agents. We can listen to the media to the point that we could all curl up … (63 comments)
deb brooks: I Challenge YOU...
- 11/08/08 02:05 PM
I do. I challenge you to: Believe today what will happen tomorrow.... And to make it happen... Keep a great attitude in the face of adversity...Be strong for the weak.... Be a leader and not just the follower... Give up something for someone else... Remain positive when times seem bleak... Praise God in the face of adversity... Work when you feel like collapsing... Win the race even though you've been told you lost... Smile when the clouds are heavy... Step aside for the challenged... Be the one you would aspire to be... I challenge you to...be the best you can be...never give … (21 comments)
deb brooks: We Don't get Paid Till We Close...Of Course I'm Doing My Best!
- 10/30/08 01:12 PM
The tide has changed...and I mean drastically! Sales use to wash in and close and then wash out back to the sea of contentedness...and now what's happening? Fanny Mae, Freddie Mac are just not the same entities...they are now the boss. We, as in Real Estate Agents and Brokers and Mortgage Brokers and Surveyor's and Inspectors and Title Companies are all trying to march to a different beat. It's a new beat and the drums are rolling. Learn the facts, gain control and step up to the pump. (no puns about gas prices intended) Remember allll the waaaaayyyyy back to Real … (25 comments)
deb brooks: I had a ball at Real Estate barcamp Houston yesterday!
- 10/24/08 06:34 AM
I had a ball at Real Estate barcamp Houston yesterday! Some functions are fun and some are not! This was just wonderful! I didn't completely understand what to expect with a "Free form forum" but I will say it was great. The presentations were fun and informative. I was able to meet so many Rainers that I felt I was home.
Is that strange? After getting to know so many people through comments, following their lives and seeing their pictures each day I felt like it was a homecoming! Adding hugs, face to face conversation, and sharing space with … (55 comments)
deb brooks: Are you using today's technology to your best advantage?
- 10/18/08 11:19 AM
Are you using today's technology to your best advantage? We, as Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, Stagers, Insurance Reps, and others have a host of Technology at our fingertips. And, if you're like me....you may not be utilizing it to your fullest advantage.
Active Rain is instrumental in opening my eyes to the archaic methodology that lingers from the past within our industries. There are so many viable ways to utilize the technological advances that are being made every single day to aid us in our businesses. I have found … (15 comments)
deb brooks: Oh I'm Fine, I'm Fine She Says....
- 10/15/08 12:58 PM
Quickie laugh. I was just visiting with Marchel Peterson of Spring Texas. Marchy and I have been able to network and make money TOGETHER with the help of Active Rain. I was visiting with her about the Real Estate BarCamp Houston we both plan to attend on Wednesday the 22, of October... All seemed fine as we were giggling about Real Estate and other things and I heard this BLAM-thunkity-thunk-BLAM.
My reaction was Marchel are you okay??? Are you okay???? A long moment later she says...I'm fine, I'm fine, I just went over a curb! I don't see well at … (21 comments)
deb brooks: Take Charge of Your Attitude and Sell More Real Estate! IMHO
- 10/09/08 11:24 AM
Take Charge of Your Attitude and Sell More Real Estate! IMHO... Our attitudes, as well as our thoughts, actions and the love we choose to give are all CHOICES. If you want a better attitude....make better choices.
Awake with a smile and a positive attitude and be glad to greet the day!
Be grateful there is work to be done. Boredom kills. Quit grumbling and count your blessings. We all have them. Thank our Nation for giving us the right and the choice to vote. Thank our customers for being loyal. Offer to help a friend, colleague, or client … (37 comments)
deb brooks: The House that Jack Built...
- 09/27/08 03:02 PM
When you have a home built or are dealing with CONTRACTORS... Or, cleaning up after a storm.... Getting a JACK OF ALL TRADES can be devastating. With so many "iffy" contractors pouring in to help clean up after IKE, we must all be very, very careful. 1. Interview a minimum of three licensed contractors. 2. Get everything in writing. 3. Remember the specifics like quality of tile and paint. 4. Require them to provide you with a copy of their license. 5. Check references. 6. Agree on the time-line in writing. 7. Agree to a maximum of 10% overage. 8. Make … (64 comments)
deb brooks: Acquire High Dollar Internet Property With Active Rain!
- 09/23/08 04:58 AM
Internet (Cyberspace) property is judged by the same criteria as the Real Estate we sell daily. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Where do you want your Internet Real Estate? At the top of Google of course.In some markets the competition is so fierce that you may feel your site is NEVER going to make it there. This Internet positioning is reserved for the cream of the crop and the sites that please Google the most. When Google places your site within their Search Engine they base the "winning" criteria on many different "formulas or algorythems" and we all just guess at what they … (8 comments)
deb brooks: Hi Honey I'm Home!
- 09/21/08 02:49 PM
Hi Honey I'm Home! I'm so glad to be home! I'm excited about getting back to work and I am grateful that we were so fortunate to have had as little damage from IKE as we did. The closer I got to home the more the damage was apparent. Trees down, roofs patched, many road signs simply propped up, cars filled with little dogs and RV's and Trailers being pulled with so many trying to get home.
I'm back on high speed Internet and I love to point and click again. I've missed visiting with all my friends here and … (41 comments)
Wichita Falls Texas Real Estate, Homes, Properties and Rentals by Deb "Alayne" Brooks and RE/MAX Elite Group. Learn about local, State wide and National Real Estate trends and predictions.
Search listings in the Wichita Falls area including Sheppard Air Force Base, Burkburnett, Iowa Park, Archer City, Lakeside City, Holliday, and Dean.
Contact Alayne for all your Real Estate Needs at 940-500-4010.
I've read that our moon this evening is the largest it will be for the entire year of 2009. I got this shot with two of my favorite things in this world...
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