I was over to help babysit one of my grandsons yesterday while the other was being taken to the doctor by his Dad.

I noticed his voter's ballot on the window sill and asked if it was ready to go. He said "no he hadn't really studied the issues or the people." I have been busy telephoning for both the King County Executive and Mayoral campaigns, and found this disapointing. I will talk to him today--not to persuade but to encourage him to become part of the process.

We in this State have had first hand experience of how important each vote can be. I often think of countries that are dealing with voter fraud and the people that they cannot get elected because of it. Maybe another thing that drives me harder in this is that it took so long for women to get the vote.

On the Washington Women’s History Consortium’s website it says In 1867 the Washington Territorial Legislature passed a law giving the right to vote 'to all white citizens above the age of 21." This law became the rallying point for early women's suffrage advocates who cited the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in conjunction with the law which defined "citizen" as being "all persons born or naturalized in the United States."

This election will be determined by you. You must return your ballot before 8pm to any King County Elections Drop Box across King County or, with postage, mail by the last drop at the Post Office.

You can get a copy of your voter's guide.

Please ask your family members, friends and neighbors to return their ballot. And forward this message to remind others to vote!

P.S.  My son-in-law took his ballot to work with him.

For help with your Seattle/Everett/Bellevue/Kent real estate needs: LuvSeattle.com

I just heard it on the radio.  The info. from The Boeing Company:   Get info here

This could mean many things to the Seattle area.  Real Estate may become even more affordable--and houses may be even more difficult to sell.  I worked for The Boeing Company for 23 years and many things are just swirling through my mind.

I have been to Charleston, South Carolina and it is a wonderful place.

For help with your Seattle/Everett/Bellevue/Kent real estate needs:  LuvSeattle.com

Marketing is high on most business owners mind and the following is a very interesting way to do so.

There is a raffle going on to support Community Action Marin. For over 40 years it has served the neediest in the community by “providing a broad range of support services including early childhood education, mental health, employment and job training, food programs, housing assistance, HIV and AIDS services and much more.”

To continue support of their mission, they have partnered with Wells Fargo Bank, The Marin Independent Journal, and Comcast to raffle off a “Dream Home” among other prizes. Their marketing piece says  “you not only stand to win life changing prizes, but you also give life changing opportunities to individuals, families and children in need.”

The 3,000 sq. ft. home is on ¼ acre and has a view of San Francisco Bay from all of the rooms. It is surrounded by open space, shoreline and parkland. It has 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and a private elevator.

The second early bird drawing will be on this Friday, October 30th and another will be on January 8th. There are also “multi-ticket” bonus drawings that has a 2010 Toyota Prius or $25,000 cash for 1st prize.

The price of each ticket is $150. You can enter by mail, fax or telephone. Check out the link and see if you would like to forgo your regular lotto purchases for a while and enter this Dream House Raffle—it is for a good cause.

For your real estate needs in Seattle/Eastside and Kent www.LuvSeattle.com

I just read Bob Stewart's post "Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf - Do the right thing (Or Do Something....and QUICK)."   It was about an employee of Wells Fargo really screwing up and that Bob was advising the CEO to do something soon so that Wells Fargo could keep it's credibility.

As of this writing Bob has received 146 comments.  Well, I have an even bigger story.  I have been reading Culture of Corruption, by Michelle Malkin and it discusses the "tax cheats, crooks and cronies" that are in very high ranking positions of our government.

I will tell you that she is a conservative columnist and she was quite active right here writing in Seattle.  Some of her biography from her website says "Michelle Malkin began her career in newspaper journalism with the Los Angeles Daily News, where she worked as an editorial writer and weekly columnist from 1992-94. In 1995, Michelle Malkin was named Warren Brookes Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. In 1996, Michelle Malkin joined the editorial board of the Seattle Times, where Michelle Malkin penned editorials and weekly columns for three and a half years. Today, Michelle Malkin's syndicated column appears in over 100 papers nationwide. Michelle Malkin's work has been cited in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, Reader's Digest and U.S. News and World Report. Michelle Malkin's freelance work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Weekly Standard and Reason magazine. Michelle Malkin has appeared on "The O'Reilly Factor," "Hannity and Colmes," "The McLaughlin Group" and "20/20," and is currently a Fox News commentator."

But before you delete this--take the time to do a little reading and see where the entanglements are.  This is important to all of us.  Some of the book is too heated for me but the threads that weave back and forth that lead to big money and promotions of people that really have done wrong is quite scary.

I am just tired of corruption--where ever it is.  There seem to be several foxes guarding hen houses.  And this too, Mr. Stewart, should have some examination and quickly.

My home scanner was giving me fits and I wanted to send my clients forms from the MLS that I had pre-printed and filled out.  He told me about Cute PDF Writer and walked me through it.  It is FREE and works well. 

I saved my completed mls forms on my computer.  Then I downloaded the writer.  You then go to your printer and make Cute PDF Writer you default printer.  You then go to the pages you have saved and click print and it will open up Cute PDF Writer and you can save it as a PDF.  It will then be an attachment that you can email to your clients.

The copies are so much cleaner than faxes.

For your real estate needs in Seattle/Eastside and Kent www.LuvSeattle.com

I have a client from out-of-state that is coming here for a home inspection.   The property they are buying is 1 1/2 acres with many trees.  They wanted to have an arborist check on the health of the trees.  This is the first time this has come up for me and I didn't know where to look for one.  I asked some people in the office and they didn't know either.

I had very good luck with a resource because I had taken my youngest grandson to a playfield in Fremont and there were two ladies working in the park gardens.  I mentioned my clients need for an arborist and one of them said to go to "ISA" on the internet and find a ISA certified consultant for the properties.  ISA "The International Society of Arboriculture is a worldwide professional organization dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation for trees and to promoting research, technology, and the professional practice of arboriculture."

ISA has an excellent website.  Their link to "Consumer Education" goes to a site called "Trees Are Good" at http://www.treesaregood.org/  This site has a button "find a tree care service" where you can find a tree care service or check to see if someone has an ISA Certification.  There are also buttons called "Frequently Asked Questions" and "Fun Facts."

You may have wondered why a picture of a buck.  Well, the property is in Issaquah and wild life is often in the area.

For your real estate needs in Seattle/Eastside and Kent www.LuvSeattle.com

It has been at least four years since I have had an eye exam and well over due for new glasses.  A very good thing is that I can see a little better farther away--the doctor says "that sometimes comes with age."

The first thing I told the Optician was that I wanted "to look like Sarah Palin" (no matter what your political leanings are, you have to admit she looks pretty good in those glasses of hers).  Well, I tried her glasses on and there was just no big transformation.  

Next I told him that red is my best color (not thinking the red glasses would be an option).  I did ask what glasses a REALTOR should wear to help them sell more houses.  He pointed out some with quite bold frames that made me look very serious--and many others going for that "professional" look.  I tried on some frames that wrapped around my face that he said were for "skaters and bikers."  I just looked like a big bug!

We then went into green frames--my second favorite color and I was all set to purchase this pair that fit my face quite well...until he showed me the tomato red ones!   Naturally they cost quite a bit more than the other ones but they made me feel spunky and full of fun (which is how I am on the inside).

I also needed a pair of sunglasses--yup, they are red!

The Optician said that people will always remember that I am the REALTOR with the red glasses!  I must say that he did a great job--I liked his help and I would recommend him.  In fact, he is Warren Ruby at Broadway Vision Source and I liked Dr. Riley F. Nakatsu (he conducted the exam).  I went to him last week because I was seeing flashes of light and floaters.  He was able to get me right in the day I called for a medical exam--and was very thorough.  It looks like it is another "age thing" and I have spoken with several friends that have had the same thing--which seems to be insignificant this time.  But, these can be symptoms of something very serious so do get checked if you have the same symptoms.

It will take six to ten days to get the glasses and I will need to get new pictures--maybe I will just get pictures of the glasses--it would be a lot cheaper!

LuvSeattle.com for your Seattle/Bellevue real estate needs.

Well, obviously, I didn't win the Mega in August but tonight's drawing would suffice.  $145 million would go far enough for most people.  I would be quite happy if that winner needed help with this REALTOR!

The Mega MillIons Drawing tomorrow will be worth $325 million.  I just wanted to encourage you to buy a ticket and if you are lucky enough to be a winner I will gladly help you find the "home of your dreams."   While I was buying some tickets today there was a woman waiting in front of me and I asked her if she knew of anyone that needed a REALTOR and that I was one.  She said "no, but I will take one of your cards."  She said she has six kids and if she wins she will be buying several houses.

It would be a REALTOR's dream to help a big lotto winner!  So as my coach always says "I'M HERE FOR YOU!"

It is fun to just dream sometimes. 

Our broker said that if he won he would give all of his agents $20,000.  His name is Ken Bell of Realty Executives BRIO in Bellevue, Washington.

WWW.LuvSeattle.com

Dad always taught me to stand up for what I believe in so here goes!

I have been complaining for a long time about our Mayor and some members of the Seattle City Council--now is the time we can make some real changes.

I like Joe Mallahan for Mayor.  I am a Republican but I was phone calling on his behalf because we need a change.  He has had business experience and that is something this city needs.  The Municipal League gave him a rating of "excellent."  Check out www.joemallahan.com for information.

I like Sally Bagshaw for Position #4--she is more mainstream.  Second choice would be Dorsal Plants, a young and impressive candidate, who might bring a fresh perspective to City Hall.

I like Marty Kaplan for Position #6--is is an architect and has run his own business for years, so his experience would be unique on the Council.  My second choice would be Nick Licata who is always will to buck the Mayor's office.

I like Robert Rosencrantz for Position #8.  He is a businessman and in commercial real estate, plus he had a solid record of civic achievement--mostly in public housing.

For County Executive is like Susan Hutchison.  Her election will bring new Department chairs, which is something badly needed, and a review of previous executive orders.  Others in the race will mean business as usual.

Please vote--it is important.

www.LuvSeattle.com

P.S.

Ballots must be postmarked or dropped at a Ballot Drop Box TODAY to be counted in this Primary Election. King County has ballot drop boxes throughout the county to provide voters with a way to securely return their ballots without the cost of postage. For the August 18 primary, ballot drop boxes will close at 8 p.m.

Ballot Drop Box Locations: Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way S., Auburn, 98002 Library Connection @ Crossroads, 15600 NE 8th St., Suite K-11, 98008 Black Diamond Library, 24707 Roberts Dr., 98010 Covington Library, 27100 164th Ave SE, 98042 Des Moines Library, 21620 11th Avenue S., 98198 Fall City Library, 33415 SE 42 Pl., 98024 Federal Way Library, 848 S 320th St, 98003 Kent Regional Library, 212 2nd Ave N, 98032 Renton, King County Elections, 919 SW Grady Way, 98057 Lake Forest Pk Library, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 98155 Seattle, King County Administration Building, 500 Fourth Ave., 98104 Seattle, White Center Library, 11220 16th S.W., Seattle, 98146 Woodinville Library, 17105 Avondale Rd NE, 98072

Seattle Neighborhood Service Center locations:

Ballard, 5604 22nd Ave NW, 98107 Delridge, 5405 Delridge Way SW, 98106 Central, 2301 S Jackson, 98144 Lake City, 12525 28th Ave NE, 98125 Southeast, 3815 S Othello St, 98118 University, 4534 University Way NE, 98105

It seems every year I charge ahead into something new. Well, this summer it is the “Team in Training” for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Team in Training has marathons and hiking also.

In November I will be riding my new bicycle for 100 miles in Tucson. Until three weeks ago I hadn’t ridden a bicycle in years (and never very well). I have now ridden 17 miles at one time—and am thoroughly enjoying this activity. With the “heat wave” Seattle has been having this summer I find the breeze that comes with biking helps to cool me off--something that I never got when running.   This is an activity that I intend to stay with as a future goal is to take bicycling vacations.  I will write more on that at another time.

This morning was our first training meeting and I found some helpful tips from the mentors: 1. Gregg’s bicycle shop has a machine you sit on to get fitted for the correct seat. 2. Bicycle shoes with cleats and the corresponding pedals greatly improve your riding because it gets you using the back of your thigh muscle. 3. The cleat releases your shoe when you twist your foot a little. I had envisioned not being able to get my foot off the pedal while I falling over (yes I do that).

I will keep you posted (that is a pun) on how the ride are going and when I come up with new tips.

Now for the most important part—this is a fund raiser for Leukemia. Did you know?

Blood cancers such as leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes are cancers that originate in the bone marrow or lymphatic tissues. They are considered to be related cancers because they involve the uncontrolled growth of cells with similar functions and origins. The diseases result from an acquired genetic injury to the DNA of a single cell, which becomes abnormal (malignant) and multiplies continuously. The accumulation of malignant cells interferes with the body's production of healthy blood cells.

40 years ago the survival rate for children with leukemia was 4%--today it is right around 90%. Leukemia affects 10 times as many adults and survival is significantly less. More than six people every hour die from a blood cancer?

How can you help? You can go to my fundraising website and make a donation, join a team or refer me to folks as a real estate agent so I can contribute more (any or all of the above is welcome!)