Thank God For Hard Times - 05/26/09 07:44 AM
 
Thank God for troubles, problems and cloudy days.
In the real estate world we've been challenged for a few years now.  We have had to dig deep, cut corners, work harder and smarter and learn new ways of doing things.  Often I've missed the "good old days" when all I had to do was list it and it would sell almost immediately and very close to full price.  Ah...the good old days.
Be careful that you don't get lazy and fat when things are so easy.  Learn to appreciate hard times and the strength you gain and the wisdom that comes … (9 comments)

A Memorial Day Tribute to Tommy - 05/25/09 09:05 AM
 
In memory of Tommy Young, 1949-1970

 
(The following story is true with only a few concessions made to the story.  I stop by Tommy's name at the Viet Nam memorial every time I get to DC.  I hope on this Memorial Day we will all take a moment to remember the loved ones we've lost to all the too many wars.)
TOMMY
Tommy left for Viet Nam in 1968. He never came back.
By the time the class of 1968 reached seventh grade, the topic of Viet Nam had pervaded our conversations.  Many of us had older brothers being … (9 comments)

Don't take the poison! - 05/23/09 07:16 PM
Today was the first really sunny day of the season when I didn't have to be in the office.  It was wonderful!  The kids came and we all walked across to the beach and spent hours playing and having the best time.
Now everybody has gone home and I'm catching up on some of my chores and thinking I better go take some ibuprofen for my sunburn and it occurs to me.  My daughters are very careful about sunblock on the children but I'm careless with my own skin sometimes.  Enjoying the feel of the sun and the ocean breeze, how … (10 comments)

How High can YOU climb? - 05/23/09 06:26 PM
My first ever featured blog was about the value of trees.  I hope some of you remember. 
As my grandsons get older I'm learning to appreciate trees even more.  Jackson is my oldest at five.  His little brother Tyler is three.  Tyler's the one in the back.  (Their cousin Tanner is four but was not here on the day Jackson decided the tree in my back yard could be climbed and little brother followed him as always.  I look forward to the next visit when all three boys can scramble together up the limbs of the beautiful live oaks.
This is a … (5 comments)

TAKE A BOY TO WORK! - 05/23/09 06:41 AM
Sometimes I wish I didn't own my own company.  When it's hard to pay the bills, or when it's a holiday and seems like I'm the only one who wants to work, when money is tight and another piece of equipment breaks, oh, how nice if I could just call the boss.  Oh, yeah, that's me.
Most of the time I love owning my own company.  I admit I'm somewhat of a control freak who has a hard time letting others tell me what to do.  And I actually love being in the office where I can get some serious thinking done with … (14 comments)

The road less taken... - 05/16/09 07:44 PM
Every day we make many decisions. Some are frivolous, like what to wear today, what to have for breakfast, etc.  Some are minor and some are life changing.  Sometimes we think they are minor and they turn out to be life changing.
I am fortunate to be a runner.  I love getting up early and heading out before the sun is fully up and running on the trails through my neighborhood which take me through the woods, next to the beach, around the lake and next to the sound before leading me back home.  How blessed I am to have such … (8 comments)

Carolina mornings and Confederate Jasmine - 05/16/09 07:28 PM
 
I wish I could insert smells.  If you've never smelled Confederate Jasmine, there's no way for me to describe it but it's heavenly.  This time of year it's blooming all around my neighborhood here on the coast of North Carolina.
This morning on my run I found myself breathing deeply and savoring the aroma.  It's beautiful as well as aromatic.  Here it grows on a fence in Beacon's Reach right next to my running path.  It's thick and lustrous and the blossoms are small white and fragile.
If you come to the beach this spring, slow down and take a … (3 comments)

Good-Bye Gloomy Gus! - 05/14/09 03:58 PM
I'm a happy person.  I can find joy in a butterfly in the midst of a pile of garbage.  I have always been able to find the positive in the worst situation and my glass truly is half full at the very worst.
Now, what can we do when we have somebody in our lives who constantly brings us down?  Do you know any of those?  You know, the one who can say "I just met the most fantastic person, secured the best job in the world, have the best health of anyone I know, BUT...(gloom, gloom, gloom)
Come on, Gloomy … (8 comments)