Marey Hoeppner- Portage, MI- Virutal Assist Expert

REBA is Hot - A Review

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:31:06 -0500

I will start by saying a few months ago, I wrote a blog post about someone doing something very special for me. Chris Fisher had bought me Reba concert tickets. I promised to write a blog about the whole experience and it has been long over due. Chris I do want to apologize to you for not doing this sooner and to everyone else for not doing so as well.

I have to tell you when I first arrived there, well when WE first arrived there, hubby and I, I was so excited, like a kid in a Toys R" Us store shopping spree with no limits! We actually got to sit down for a nice dinner and enjoy ourselves, just US time. Something we hardly ever really get to do so that was nice.

Then it was time, for the show and there I went again, my insides a jumping from excitement, feeling like that kid again. Keep in mind this is my FIRST CONCERT EVER!!!!!!!! My favorite artist EVER!!!!!! Before taking our seats, I bought a t-shirt of course and my husband asked me about a few Cd's I said yep have them all except that one, but I will get it, he walked away from me came back with it and a few other little things for me, which made my night even better.

We took our seats and the show starts, but its not Reba that comes out, nope, it was Melissa Peterman. For those of you who don't know who that is, she plays Barbara Jean on the TV show Reba. She is comical as can be. She did a 30 minute stand up and I was laughing so hard, I was nearly in tears. After her show, Reba walked out on stage and my heart about dropped and tears really did feel my eyes. I was at a place that was a dream of mine to be, a concert of Reba's.

I dont think I took my eyes away from that stage one time as she did her performance. Watching and hearing her in person was the best thing in the world! So Chris again, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing this for me. I will never forget what you did for me. Below is a video I found from the show that night, so you could get a glimpse of how it went. I hope you like it.

Changing Business Decisions

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:46:55 -0500

Who should I Thank?

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:05:51 -0500

It has been awhile since I last posted and I thought I better get in here and post something. But what should I post? What should I write about? I was sitting here in my living room working on my laptop when I was thinking about this. I am always thinking of something else as I am working on another thing. My husband and boys were ou in the pool playing, having that father and son quality time, so it was very quiet in here. That is when it hit me. I knew exactly what I wanted to post about. Since I have started my business, it has been growing and buidling, which is great! But, there are some people that I really need to thank because without the support, them opening doors for me to succeed, their trust in me, I would not be where I am today.

First person I need to really thank is my husband, David. He has been very supportive since I first decided this is what I wanted to do. We both wanted me home for the boys and I really wanted to be in business for myself. When I told him that I wanted to leave the office and work for myself, he was all for it. Since I have started my business he has been right there helping in any way he can. There are nights he comes home from work, cleans up the house, folds clothes, helps with dinner, tends to the kids, while im in my office working. He even has went as far as coming in to my office sitting next to me asking me if there was anything he can do to help me and of course there is always something I know he can do. So I will show him what to do and he will sit as his computer helping me get things done. Without his love, support and help, I do not think I would have been able to build my business the way I have. So thank you for helping me to get to where I am today David, I love you.

A thank you to my little guys for doing little odds and ends for mom, picking up the house, folding clothes, doing dishes, sometimes being my little office helpers and for having patience and understanding when mommy is very busy. Thank you boys for being there for mom, I love you.

Brande as most of you know, is my best friend but she is more of a sister to me in my eyes. I am closer to her than I am to anyone. She is the one who got me started doing what I do. I just wanted to help her, do a few things each week and it grew from there. I was working for her part time in the evening after work after I would leave the office each day. Brande kept telling me I need to go for it and start the business of being a Virtual Assistant and going full throttle. She has known what I have been wanting to do my own business for years and she knows that I love helping others, and that I loved doing what I was doing for her. I honestly think, if it wasn't for her, I probably would not have even started this business. No, I know if it wasn't for her, I woudln't have. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to realize what I really wanted to do and pushing me to go for it. You will always be a star in my book!

Then there is Chris Fisher, who contacted me to help her with a small project and then with StagersLIST.com. I was honored that she asked me to work with her. Since I have began working with Chris, my business as taken a step further. Making it build a little bit more, taking it to that next level. But at the same time, we were talking daily about work and whatever else came to our minds,building a friendship. I am happy to say Chris has became more than just a business associate, she has become a great friend. That is more important, well can have business associates but it is hard to find great friends.

Chris thank you for contacting me that day and thank you for being a great friend, you ROCK !

Then there are these three marvelous ladies, Terrylynn Fisher, Kym Hough, and Lori Polk. They are the ones who started StagersLIST.com. A great place for homeowners, reators and stagers to buy and sell items. I have loved working for them, but then again I love shopping online, so it fits me. Because of these three great ladies I have yet taken another step up building my business successfully. Terrylynn, Kym and Lori, thank you very much for making me apart of this wonderful business and giving me the opportunity to be apart of something so extravagant.

Tara Colquitt, for those of you who don't know her, she is a Consumer Credit Advocate. She helps with Credit Restoration so those who dream of buying a home can eventually reach that dream. I contacted her about a possible person who might need her help, we talked for awhile and I can say Tara was very friendly and easy to talk to. I could hear the passion in her voice, it was obvious she cared about others and wanted to help them.Then one day she contacted me about doing some of her marketing for her and it took off from there. Tara, thank you for putting your trust in me to help you grow your business. Your passion for what you do, will take you far!

Katerina and Nestor Gasset, are wonderful people. They are very friendly, outgoing, successful individuals that I am happy that I have gotten to know. Assisting them with their business has yet taken me a step further down the path of success and reaching my goals. However at the same time I have also learned some new things. They have not only trusted me to show to them what I am capable of, but they have also taken the time to talk with me and walk me through how to do things that I did not know. Just from talking to them, I have learned so many things and it made me see things in different ways, giving me more ideas and possiblities for the future. Katerina and Nestor you are both awesome, thank you for letting me a part of your success.

I could write a lot more about each one of them and it would not even come close to expressing how grateful and honored I am. Working for different individuals around the world is a wonderful thing. You have all opened doors for me, thank you for that.

Enough Is Just That, Enough!

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:27:46 -0500

Untitled Document

First thing is first, I have not posted in awhile and I have not commented on nearly as many blogs as I would like to have done. I have read quite a few as I was doing something and just havent commented and I will be getting to those soon. Why haven't I been around? Hmm, well these past few weeks have been pretty busy for me around here with work, kids, the house, and dealing with other things that I could have lived without having to deal with. We all have things we overlook, let go, slide under the rug or roll off our shoulders, but when is enough, just enough? When do we put our foots down and stop whatever it is dead in its tracks? What does it take?

I think everyone asks themselves that question every single time they let something go, when are we going to do it? More than likely your answer to yourself will be, "Next time it happens, I will", "It wasn't that bad this time, so I won't say anything", whatever excuse we give ourselves, just because its easier to not say anything rather than dealing with the drama from it IF we were to say anything, especially if has to be a person that you see almost everday, a family member, a friend, or an acquaintance. Once you deal with it, you have to face it and follow through with it, which is usually harder in the beginning. But one thing I have always found, is that I tell myself this and then something happens again and this time it's different and I don't even think, I just react. We all know deep down when something has gone to far and it seems to be that instinct or certain nerve that kicks in. But when is that?

Then you step up, put your foot down and refuse to move it. Why? Enough is just that, Enough. You will not take anymore, your line has been crossed. You react without thinking because you have had ENOUGH!

You get that one person that gets under your skin every so often, does things you don't agree with and don't like, but you let it go. You cannot control what one person does. They say things that make your blood boil, yet you let it go, because your better than that. Why stoop down to their level and be like them? Then they go overboard, they do something that you will not tolerate, they hit that certain nerve, that instinct gets kicking in.

For me, my biggest thing is my boys and that is when that instinct kicks in. When it comes to them, I don't care who it is, whether it be a close relative, a near friend, whoever, I will allow NO ONE to treat them wrong. I will let things go and go but as soon as it effects them, it is all over, no holding back, as I said, I don't care who it is.

Sometimes you have to demand that you and your kids get treated right. You have to stand up and show whoever it is that you won't tolerate being treated that way and will not put up with it anymore. This has happened a few times in the past for me and each time I have never been sorry from the outcome, from dealing with it. Enough is just that, enough. When is it enough for you?

#5..Years of Secrets

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 02:13:54 -0500

YEARS OF SECRETS

Below are the links to the series, if you have not read them, you should read those first!

In Tampa, Florida a guy named Big Sam is plotting to get his money back that is owed to him. He is tired of the excuses and the hiding. He is a mean looking, heavyset guy with gray hair that is always slicked back with oil to make it look black. His wicked green eyes peer out beneath eyebrows that are so hairy, he uses a small brush to make them look decent. A goatee tops off the devil-like resemblance. Always wearing a black suit and shiny shoes, he is often considered to be with the mob to passerby. He is usually an easygoing guy, but if you owed him money, he wasn't.

His two sidekicks, Butch and Charlie are at all times by his side like they were part of his body, unless he sends them on a big job. Two of the rudest people you could ever bump in to on the street, they thrived on beating people down. But you wouldn't know them from anyone else if you passed by them. Always wearing nothing less than Armani suits everyday with rings on their fingers, walking around with an air of elegance that masks the fact, holstered beneath their suit coats are deadly 45 magnums.

Charlie hardly ever spoke a word to anyone, including Big Sam. He was the kinder looking one of the two with short read hair, brown eyes, freckles on his face, very slim and tall, and always smiling. He doesn't like injuring people as much as Butch, but he enjoyed it to a certain extent. Butch on the other hand is stocky built with blue eyes, blondish-brown hair and didn't smile to often. He loves putting people in agony and having them beg for mercy. Whenever Big Sam tells them to do something, whatever it may be, they do it with no questions asked. He practically owns them as far as they are concerned. This is the only life either have known.

When you owe Big Sam a substantial amount of money he personally deals with you himself. He doesn't want his sidekicks hurting the individuals that owe him money, in anyway. He wants to have the pleasure of hurting them himself. Normally, he just shakes them up a bit and gives them a beating to teach them a lesson, about losing money to him and not having the money to cover it. This time it was different. He wanted two people executed. They knew to much about his operations and his hang outs, plus they owed him more than they could ever repay.

He has given them several alternatives to take care of the debt, but they kept on insisting that they would get the money up to repay him. He knew they were lying, there was no doubt about that. It was always something and he could always sense it in their voices. Neither one of them had any money, he found that out just recently. To him they were losers, pieces of garbage that needed to be rid of. He felt stupid for dealing with them in the first place and should have went with his gut feeling he got when he first saw them, but they seemed like they had cash stashed away somewhere. That is the way they talked and after all they do own their own company.

He decided that this was it, no more fooling around with these two. He has given them more than enough time to come up with the money. His next step is usually to threaten their families and loved ones, but as far as he knew, neither of them had any. The decision to do them in, seemed more than appropriate. Not having any family that would get involved or start searching for them was a milestone. this execution would be slick and easy for him, one he will definitely get away with for sure.

He just got off the phone with one of them and like always there is an excuse. He played it off and acted like everything was cool. Although, over the whole conversation with the one jerk, he already knew what had to be done and has been plotting it for a few weeks now. He was playing along because he knew if those two found out what was going to happen, they would go into hiding. Butch and Charlie needed to be on it presto. Looking over to the door he can see them coming his way.

"We need to talk." Waving his hand at them to come into his office.

"Yeah chief?" Butch says questioningly.

"I am tired of certain people taking advantage of my kindness and it's got to stop. You understand me?" Big Sam rather perturbed. He didn't like having to go to this level of business, but he couldn't let people walk all over him either.

"Yeah chief." Answering like a soldier. Butch only said what he knew he wanted to hear and nothing more. Being short and to the point, agreeing with whatever he said.

"Do you remember those two gentleman, Mitchell Smith and Earl Whittaker from Detroit? The ones I have been setting up, this past few months?" Big Sam asked shaking his finger in the air.

"Yes, we do. Those two losers that acted like they had a shit load of money and in my opinion they don't have a pot to piss in. They have owed you money for sometime now chief. When do we get to kick in and go grab them up?" Butch nodding his head to the fact that he knew whom Big Sam was talking about.

"I want to go over my plans with you on how I want you to go about bringing them to me." Leaning back in his chair to relax.

Whatever you say, your the boss." Pulling his gun from it's holster, spinning it around on his finger with excitement and looks over at Charlie. "Right, Charlie?"

"Right, your the boss, chief." Charlie smiling he has been waiting all week to hear this.

"Neither one of them have family to speak of, we know that. So it will be easy and simple." Leaning forward in his chair, " However, I still don't want to take any chances. It's hard telling if those two said anything to anyone. I want you two to leave tonight, that way you will be at the airport when they get there."

"We are going to New York?" Butch questions with a confused look.

"No, you are going to catch them at the Metro Detroit Airport when they arrive there to catch their flight to New York. When you find them there, tell them I sent you and I want to see them promptly. If they try to run for it, then do them right there, but be careful. Take a flight from there to Cincinnati, then to here and cover your tracks a little"

"Chief, if they have no family why go out of our way."

"Butch I done said, I don't know if those two told anyone and I don't trust them. This way its keeping it safe for us."

"Sorry chief. Let's get going Charlie."

As they leave Big Sam sits and thinks about the things he is going to do to them, once he get's his hands on them. He wants to make them suffer with pain and agony. He wants them to pay for the trouble they have caused him. This is the first time, in a long time, that he has had to actually go to these procedures.

Back To Something I Love

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:53:31 -0500

As most of you know or have seen in my profile here on Active Rain, I use to do mortgages until a few years back. I was an Assistant Branch Manager until things started changing in the industry and the company I worked for closed their doors for good and that left me and my husband (who was also in the industry at the time) looking for another company to work with, which was very frustrating.

What's hard about this is, you have to start over, rebuild your pipeline(this takes time to do), possibly lose customers you had from the other company for various reasons (cant get appraisal signed over, new company doesn't have the program the borrow needs, etc). Unfortunately the next two companies after this, went belly up, without a warning. Not a long enough one anyway, I think we were told at the beginning of the week, it would be shutting down by end of that same week. Not a very long time to be able to make a smooth transition.

I hate to say, this put a sour taste in my mouth for the industry. We hit rock bottom because of it and that is when I made the decision I made. I have a family to take care of and the way things were going, something else had to be done, so I walked away from the business. Of course this was very upsetting to me.

I loved what I did, I loved helping people get what they wanted, whether it be debt consilidation, cash out for vacations or repairs, or buy a new home, I wanted to be the one that helped. There is nothing more rewarding than the feeling that comes over you, when you know you did it, you helped them get it done. You went that extra mile to make sure that what they wanted was done properly. I have been thinking about this a lot lately.

There is a couple that has never left my thoughts, why? Simple. I remembered when I called them, they told me they wanted to buy a house, but they have been turned down by 5 different companies and they were tired of being kicked to the curb after being lied to. After they told me everything, I told them I would help them as much as I could, that I would love to help them get their dream home and I had a few banks that I thought might be doable but I also told them I could not guarantee anything. Needless to say after two long battling months, they closed on their new home and called me from the attorney's office, just to tell me thank you and what a wonderful job I had done helping them and that they will never forget how caring and hardworking I was. Just that moment was worth every single bump in the road along the way.

I got an email from them not to long ago and that just helped me to make my decision that I have been pondering for a few months now. I have decided to jump back into the mortgage industry and with my virtual assistant business I figured this would be a good service to add. I called a person I know in Georgia and had a long conversation with them and after over an hour on the phone I am happy to say, I am back to doing something that I love and working for Integrity Mortgage Servives!

MY MeMe Tag For Super 2008!

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:29:04 -0500

Well, I saw this one floating around and I have been reading others that have been tagged. I should have known someone was going to snatch me, no matter how hard I tried to hide from it. Hiding is not one of my strong points, obviously! Thanks for making me realize that kym hough and tagging me! lol So I will do my best to answer these questions.

1. Who is your favorite musical artist? I love music, always have and I have a lot of artist that I love but I have to say my ultimate one is Reba.

2. Who is your favorite artist? I really don't have one. I like art of all kinds I guess. If the artwork attracts my attention then that is enough for me.

3. Who is your favorite blogger? I honestly don't have a favorite anywhere. There are several that I like to read. Hard to just pick one.

4. If you could meet anyone (alive or dead), who would it be and what is the most interesting thing about them? Meeting someone who is dead just sounds creepy, so I will stick with alive. That would probably be Reba. She is a very strong willed and caring individual, that has a wonderful voice and a great sense of humor. No matter how popular and famous she has gotten, she hasnt changed who she really is.

5. What did you want to be when you grew up? This is easy, I wanted to be a writer or play music.

6. What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know? Well, this is a toughy, I really don't do trivia that much, unless its movie sayings or something of that nature. Okay, here is one. Everyone in the Middle Ages believed -- as Aristotle had -- that the heart was the seat of intelligence.

7. If you could live in any point in history what would it be and why? Why would I want to live anywhere else, other than now! I have 3 sweet boys, a great guy, and some wonderful friends who I could not live without. Why would I want to lose all that?

8. What is the most interesting job you have ever held? I would have to say this one. Being a virtual assisant and running my own business, has made it very interesting for me to say the least. I love what I do, I enjoy being here for my boys. This is something I have always wanted and now I'm doing it.

Ok now let's see I have to pick 8 people boy this will be tough... alright, here it goes.

8. Mike Jones

Have fun!

#4..Years of Secrets

Thu, 29 May 2008 07:09:38 -0500

YEARS OF SECRETS

Below are the links to the series, if you have not read them, you should read those first!

#1 Years of Secrets

#2 Years of Secrets

#3 Years of Secrets

Part 4

The welcome screen pops up, the buddy list pops up and she see's him. He is on. Then it hits
her, maybe she is changing and doesnt realize it. Maybe it's partly her fault things aren't like
they use to be. There was only one way to find out and that is ask someone what they think of
her. Immediately she opens a instant message window and says hello.

CynShel28: Hey Garret!

Damanofdahour: Babydoll! How are you today,
sweetheart?

CynShel28: I am doing good. I need to ask you
something.

Damanofdahour: Sure, ask away.

Cynshel28: What do you think of me as a person? I mean
you know me pretty well don't you?

Damanofdahour: Well, yes at least I think I know you
pretty well, but why are you asking? You okay?

CynShel28: Yeah, I suppose I am. I am just a little
confused about things is all and want to know.

She can feel her blood racing through her and her palms are sweating. This is the way she felt
everytime she talked to Garret, but it was only because he reminded her alot of her husband.
Garret was a friend and nothing more. She really didn't know much about the man to be
honest. One thing was for sure, she wasn't afraid to spill her guts out to him at all and she was
okay with that.

Damanofdahour: Babydoll, I think this needs to be done
elsewhere. This conversation is going to be much to long to
sit in the IM the whole time. Let me make a room.

Cynshel28: Okay, invite me in hun.

A few seconds later they are in a private chat room just the two of them. This is where they
normally talk, unless its just a quick hello or something. He seemed to always have the right
answers for her.

Damanofdahour: Hey there, welcome to my room
babydoll!

CynShel28: Thanks hun, I appreciate it. Truly. Now tell
me what you think of me. LOL

Damanofdahour: LOL Right to the point I see.

CynShel28: You know it. Did you really expect anything
less dear?

Damanofdahour: Honestly, nope. Sure didn't. Let me
see, for starters, you sound like a beautiful woman. Your
sweet, gentle and very caring.

Damanofdahour: Your love you have for your husband
amazes me. Your a devoted wife and mother, who gives
her all.

CynShel28: Awww thanks hun.

Damanofdahour: But at the same time your also confused
and worried about your relationship with your husband.
You kind of feel it is your fault, in some ways.

CynShel28: Okay, Garret. I get it. I don't want to hear
no more.

Damanofdahour: I will say this to you. The more I talk to
you, the more I feel for you.

CynShel28: What the hell are you talking about? You
have never talked to me other than on here, that is it.

Damanofdahour: I don't have to. You have told me all I
want to know and that is enough for me.

CynShel28: I hardly know anything about you at all, cept
that you remind me of how my husband use to be. That is
why I talk to you and enjoy doing so.

There was a long pause after that comment. She sat there eyes glued to the screen waiting to
see the response he was going to give her. Wondering what he would tell her about himself and
wondering if he was for real. Then he did. He responded with a question.

Damanofdahour: Babe, what would you like to know? I
have nothing to hide from you.

CynShel28: What do you do for a living?

There was another long pause, then he responded.

Damanofdahour: I am a Psychiatrist. Been one for 13
years.

CynShel28: Married? Kids? Hell, I don't even know how
old you are Garret! I want to know all you will tell me.

Damanofdahour: Widowed, no kids and I am 42. I live in
Florida. I have all my life. And I have been looking for a
woman like you Cynthia. I don't care about looks, even
though I do know what you look like.

CynShel28: What? Garret, how do you know what I look
like?

Damanofdahour: I have ways of finding out things. I
hope your not bitter at me for this. But I just had to see the
lady's beautiful face that I have grown so very fond of.

CynShel28: I don't know what to say. You went behind
my back and did this. What do you expect me to say or
expect me to react with?

Damanofdahour: Cynthia, I have money and lots of it. I
can take care of all your problems. Talk with me on the
phone, please. Get to know me before you make a
decision.

CynShel28: What? No way, Garret. I love Michael and I
will not betray him like that.

Damanofdahour: For crying out loud, that man is
deceiving you and your letting him do it. Your betraying
him now, going behind his back and talking to me about
things you NEED to be talking to him about.

CynShel28: I don't know Garret. I am not deceiving him,
I thought we were friends and nothing more. I thought I
could talk to you about things, thinking you would be able
to help me. Not to get hooked up with you.

Damanofdahour: Tell me you don't think of me during the
day or the night. I am not on your mind at all?

Gazing at the keyboard, not answering him right away, sitting there with tears in her eyes. What
happened? How did this turn into wanting to have a relationship? She was scared to answer
him because she knew she did think of him and that scared the hell out of her. She doesn't love
Garret, she loves Michael. But that still didn't answer why she thought of him so much and was
so fond of him.

CynShel28: Garret, I do think of you throughout the day
most days. But I think what would he say or what would he
do. I wonder if he could help me, he's a man he knows how
men think.

Damanofdahour: That is it?

CynShel28: Yes, that is it. Look Garret, I came to talk to
you to get your opinion, that is all. I am sorry this turned
out like this, but maybe we should stop talking.

Damanofdahour: Cynthia, wait! Please. Don't stop
talking to me, that would kill me. Your the only thing that
keeps me going everyday. I don't have anything. Hopes of
being with you are all I have.

CynShel28: Garret, okay I will. I will talk to you but I
don't want anymore of this behavior from you. You can
think and wish what you like. I don't want any part of it,
deal?

Damanofdahour: Deal, and I am sorry. I will be a good
little gentleman from now on. I promise. Nothing but a
good boy.

Laughing loudly, she wakes Andrew and Sarah. Looking over at them, she notices that it's time
for Michael to come home. If he comes home on time.

CynShel28: LOL Alright then. Garret, I do need to go
though. I will talk to you later sometime. Take care.

Damanofdahour: Okay dear. Have a goodnight.

Signing off, she gets up walks over to the kids and hugs them tightly. Grabbing Sarah up, taking
her in the kitchen to make dinner, smiling the entire time. She had to admit, another man
wanting her made her feel good. Knowing a little about him too, was a good thing. The house
was still a mess and she didn't care. She felt better than she did early and that was all she was
worried about for the moment.

Standing in the kitchen, opening the cupboards to see what she could make, there
wasn't much, they were just about bare. Vegetable soup and grilled cheeses is the best thing
she could find for them. Bringing their plates to the table, she sees them sitting there so calmly.
They are good kids, rarely do they give her a problem and she was thankful for that. Thanking
her, she smiles at them and walks back in the kitchen to clean up, so she can spend some time
with them.

After playing with them for awhile, she gave them a bath and put them to bed. Looking up at
hte clock, Michael still wasn't home and it filled her with sorrow. Working all those hours and
they still struggled. She didn't understand it and couldn't figure it out.

Walking slowly though the house, glancing at everything she walked by as she shakes her head
in despair, not liking what she sees. The furniture is old navy blue with a few tears on teh
cushions, stains on teh mauve carpet, the stand was to small for the television. The tile in the
kitchen is worn out in spots, stove is old and ancient lokking, the refrigerator is so old it doesn't
work right. Nothing stays that cold in it.

The aluminum floor in the bathroom is coming up, rust stains in the sink and bathtub, that
she has tried to get rid of several times, but no sense in it since both faucets drip. Their bed is
two old mattresses on a metal frame and you can feel the springs when you lay down, her
dresser is broken and ready to fall apart.This isn't teh way things should be and it angered her
to think about it.

There really should not be any reasons for this, considering all the hours that Michael
supposedly works. It is also midnight and he still isnt home. No sign or word from him at all.
Desperately wanting to have talked to him tonight, laying in bed, she cries herself to sleep.

#3...Years Of Secrets

Tue, 20 May 2008 22:05:02 -0500

Below are the links to the first two series, if you have not read them, you should read those first!

http://activerain.com/blogsview/475228/Years-of-Secrets-1

http://activerain.com/blogsview/491110/-2-Years-of

Part 3

Opening her eyes, she noticed Andrew sleeping at the other end of the couch snuggling
up to her feet and Sarah was cuddled up next to her. She must have fallen asleep. Sitting up,
looking over at the clock, it was two o'clock. Michael would be home in three and half hours
or at least he is suppose to be. Not lately though, he has been working very late. Standing up
to stretch, the phone rings.

"Hello."

"Hello. What happened to you calling me back?"

"Oh, I am sorry Bree. I felt like shit after Michael left and I ended up falling asleep on the
couch. I just woke up and I still feel like shit." Cynthia states with a touch of anger in her voice.
It was her best friend Brianna but she has called her Bree since they met almost two years ago
online.

"That's okay. Why do you feel like shit? What is wrong?" Brianna sounding concerned.

"We had a fight this morning. He is acting like someone else, not himself. I have never seen this
side of him. But anyways, it will work itself out. It always does." Answering with a sound of
reassurance in her voice, then laughing, "So what's up with you, Ms. Cheerful one?"

Brianna laughs loudly, "Well, nothing really. Just in a good mood, even though my computer is
on the bonkers again. It crashed and now I am offline for a bit, until I can get it fixed. Damn

thing."

"You know how computers are. We all need a spare to have around for the major crashes."
Giggling as she sits down on the chair in the living room.

"Yeah for real." Brianna gets serious, "Anyway, why is this argument any different than ones
you have had in the past?"

"Oh, it's not I guess. He is just acting different is all and I just don't understand it." Cynthia
continues to explain, "You know it's something when you go to feed your kids and the milk is
bad."

"Yeah, that is sad. Why the hell doesn't he do something about it Cynthia? I mean shit, I
would be working twenty-four, seven, before I would let that happen. You know?" Brianna
responds with anger in her voice. She didn't like the fact that her best friend was going without.
She was starting to not like Michael more and more.

"Exactly Bree, that is what I can't figure out. He hasn't been coming home until real late. He
works a lot of hours," Cynthia pauses for a moment and then continues, "and you know the sad
part is, it made me think about Garret."

"Damn it women. Did I not tell you to stop talking to that man." Brianna angrily stated.

"Yes you did. I can't help it. He is just like Michael in the old days. I miss that Michael and
when i am talking with Garret I feel better. I am getting the parts that I miss." Cynthia

convincingly tries to explain to her. It was the truth, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't
stop talking to him. The only way she probably could, is if, Michael went back to being his old
self and that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

"I guess, you know what your doing. Just do me a favor."

"What's that?" Cynthia quickly responds.

"Leave the shit online alright and don't send that man any pictures or anything. I don't trust
him." Brianna seriously states.

"Okay, I won't I promise and don't worry it's not going to get out of hand, girly." Cynthia
smiling, she can always tell when Bree is trying to protect her, like an older sister. She is two
years older than Cynthia and that is the way it has seemed lately.

"Alright fine then. You better not or I will come kick your butt, chicky!" Brianna making a little
giggling sound to hide the worriness in her voice.

"Yeah, Yeah. Promises, promises. Well, I am going to get off here and eat something. I
haven't ate all day. I will talk to you later okay?"

"Alright, I need to get this house cleaned anyways. I will call you later. Bye chicky."

"Bye Bree, take care"

After hanging up the phone, she sat there for awhile just smiling. It was always good to talk to
Bree. Never a dull moment when they got on the phone together or when they were together in
person. A true friendship that will always be there. A few minutes went by and she really had
the urge to talk to Garret.

Staring over at the computer, debating if she should even get on and talk to him. Really feeling
the need to, it is like a craving that she couldnt resist, she sits down at the computer. Hands
shaking, lightheaded and nervous, she knows this isn't right. This has to be betrayal of some
kind, it just has to be.

But Garret does make her feel better. Takes her back to the old days and she liked that. He is
a sweet man with a great sense of humor, laid back, totally understands what she is dealing with
and always listens to her before making a comment. Something Michael hasn't been doing
lately but she still loves him like she always has. Just misses the way it use to be, it was a piece
now missing out of her life and Garret gave her that missing piece.

Cutest Mother's Day Gift!

Mon, 12 May 2008 09:39:18 -0500

I was sitting here in my office Saturday doing some work, trying to get most of it done so I could enjoy my evening with my family, when my youngest who is 9 yr old came in and sat down. I looked at him and smiled, he smiled back at me, but I knew he was sitting there for a reason (his hands were behind his back). I kept working on things and just said "What's up?" He replied with, "Oh nothing just seeing what you were doing."

I said "Oh okay, just working on a few things." He didn't say anything, so I looked over at him again and he brang his hands from behind his back and said "Mom I know it's not Mother's Day til tomorrow but I couldn't wait any longer and really want you to open it." It was square and wrapped in blue paper that was decorated with hearts and little zig zag designs he had made. I smiled and took the present and began opening it. It was a frame and in the frame was a poem he had wrote for me. As I am opening it the rest of the way, he told me how hard he worked on it cause he wanted it to be perfect. As I read it to myself, I got a little teary eyed because I knew what he meant by each thing he said.

Dear mom,

I love you very much. You're

very nice to me, Josh and Davey.

Mother thank you for playing with me

when I am bored. Mother you have

a outstanding career at home. You're a nice

mom to take you're time to make a

quilt me a blanket. You're a caring

person to me, you come to my needs and

you keep me healthy. You care about

all people of the world. I care for you

very much. I think you look outstanding

in stripes. You are very beautiful. Love C.J.

Now I have to tell you, he has loved me being at home working, because I have more time to do things with them, he is excited about the blanket I am making him, which is a star wars rebel pattern that I am cross stitching on an afghan I am crocheting. He was with me when I bought those 2 shirts that are blue and white striped and red and white striped he just liked the vivid colors. I have the frame hung up in my office, near my desk which made him very proud as well.

I have always told my boys, that handmade things are the best presents a mom could ever have, as they are made from the heart. A lot of thought and love go into making those things and last forever.

#2-Years of Secrets

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:20:24 -0500

Okay below is the link to the first part, if you have not read that then you need to, before reading this! Enjoy!

http://activerain.com/blogsview/475228/Years-of-Secrets-1

Part 2

She knows he is upset with her now and she doesn't want the kids to see them arguing
about it, so she quickly tries to calm him down. "Mike, we aren't exactly making it these
days. I am just saying that it would help us a great deal. That is all I meant."

That just made him feel worse, like it was his fault. But was it his fault? He walked into
the kitchen without saying a word. Not sure of why he just got up and walked away from
her, she gets up and follows him. he is leaning against the counter with his back turned
toward her. Immediately she puts her arms around him to hug him tightly. Pushing her
away, he turns to her and points his finger, like scolding her in a low voice.

"I will have you know that I work very hard to try to keep everything up and running. It's
not my fault that we are so behind on everything. Where does all the money go? I pay the
bills when I can and you know it. I don't make that much money right now, but I can't
help that. I am so sorry that I am making your life so damn stressful and miserable,
Cynthia. Maybe you should have married someone else if you wanted a better life. I have
to get to work. Bye."

Standing there with tears swelled up in her eyes, she watches him as he heads toward the
front door. He has never behaved that way before and it stunned her, let alone hurt her
deeply. It made her feel like she was the reason they are in debt over their heads. He
glances back at her before walking out , seeing the tears in her eyes. Shaking his head, he
walks out slamming the door.

Standing there in disbelief, staring at the door, she waited to see if he would come back in
and apologize for his sudden outrage. But the door never opened. Shaking her head, to
clear her mind, she pulls herself together. That was hard for her to do. She always had a
hard time hiding how she felt, it made her feel like she was trying to grab a bull by it's
horn, more or less.

She had to though, no matter what. Her children were in the other room playing and
heaven forbid, they could never see her like that, ever. That would be the last thing she
would ever want them to see, was her in tears. Crying her eyes out, was more like it.

The house needed to be cleaned, there was laundry that needed to be folded and put away
and dishes needed to be washed, but she didn't have the ambition to do any of it. The
arguement with Mike earlier, really tore her apart. It made her upset and depressed. She
hated arguing with him. Her parents did it for years when she was a kid and she swore to
herself she would never be that way.

Starting in the kitchen, washing the counters of and putting things where they needed to
go, thinking back to how it was before Michael took the position with Eric's company,
which was Solo Advertising. They didn't have much but they did alot better than what
they were doing now. Since he had been working at Solo, things have really gone to hell
for them. She wanted things back to the way they use to be, but it was a hopeless
thought.

Solo is a small firm, only Michael and Eric work there. They handle everything, that is
why he works so many hours. Now that she thinks about it, his checks are enough to pay
the bill's every month, yet for some reason there not paid. There have been times in the
past that she thought Eric mysteriously had something to do with it, but she never brang it
up to Michael. Simply because she knew how he would feel about it and just how he
would react to the whole thing. After all, they are best friends.

Angered by the thought, she throws the wash cloth she had in her hands, across the
kitchen and it lands on the cookie jar. Trying so hard to hold back the tears that were so
desperately wanting to fall, she put her hands over her face, for a moment.

Not wanting to do anything at this point, she calmly walks into the living room, where the
kids are coloring in their coloring books, she sits down on the couch. They look at her
with smiles on their faces and go sit on her lap.

"Mommy, want to color with us? It's fun." Andrew cheerfully asks.

"Not right now, baby. Mommy has a lot to do. You two go ahead and I will color with
you later on. ok?" She smiles, giving them a hug.

"Ok, come on Sarah. Let's go color."

"Otay, Andy."

After they got off her lap, she scooted down to a laying position on the couch. Laying
there, staring at the kids, she thought maybe just some relaxation is what she needed.

To Be Continued................

#2-What's So Good About The Rain?

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:43:36 -0500

Ok, as I said I would in the comments from my first "Whats So Good About The Rain?" I have decided to continue doing this periodically. Randomly picking 10 rainers at a time to present in each section I do. So watch out, you might be the next lucky individual to be in the spotlight! Enjoy the animation!

Okay there you go, start clicking on those names and see who these wonderful people are and read their blogs and have fun doing it!

Have fun reading and getting to know these awesome rainers!

"Success never happens in a straight line. There is always going to be twists and turns, ups and downs. Just remember that conquering those will make you successful!"
Marey Hoeppner -Virtual Assist Expert

Humorous---Male Or Female?

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:31:24 -0500

Male or Female?

You might not have known this, but a lot of non-living objects are actually either male or female. I have seen some of these before and I think they are funny so I put them all together and wanted to share them. Here are some examples:

	FREEZER BAGS: They are male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them.
	PHOTOCOPIERS: These are female, because once turned off; it takes a while to warm them up again. They are an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can also wreak havoc if you push the wrong Buttons. Once the button is pushed there is no turning back!
	TIRES: Tires are male, because they go bald easily and are often over inflated and their temps are always changing from hot to cold, cold to hot.
	HOT AIR BALLOONS: Also a male object, because to get them to go anywhere, you have to light a fire under their butt and fill their egos.
	SPONGES: These are female, because they are soft, squeezable and retain water.
	WEB PAGES: Female, because they're constantly being looked at and frequently getting hit on.
	TRAINS: Definitely male, because they always use the same old lines for picking up people and believe they still work.
	EGG TIMERS: Egg timers are female because, over time, all the weight shifts to the bottom.
	HAMMERS: Male, because in the last 5000 years, they've hardly changed at all, and are occasionally handy to have around.
	THE REMOTE CONTROL: Female. Ha! You probably thought it would be male, but consider this... It easily gives a man pleasure, a man would be lost without it, and while man doesn't always know which buttons to push, he just keeps trying.

How To Animate A Graphic!

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 01:27:16 -0500

I did a blog about "What's so good about the rain?" a few weeks back and I was asked if I could make a tutorial on how I made the animated image and share it with everyone. So here I am doing just that, however, as I do this tutorial with you, I will be doing my next "Whats so good about the rain? #2". So be watching for that as well!

First off, I use Paint Shop Pro and Animation Shop make, fix and animate my images. I will first use Paint Shop Pro to make the changes to my images adding text, color, combining images if I need too and then save them all as JPEG files (you need to try to keep the images close to the same size if possible for what I am doing, however it depends on the project and your personal preferences as well). Once I got all the images ready that I want to use for my animation, I open the Animation Shop. I will give you photo tutorials and step by step instructions.

Note: Remember only GIF formats can be animated. GIF is CompuServe Graphics Interchange.

Go to file in the top left corner, click on that and a window list pops up. You want to click on Animation Wizard, even though it is a new file, the wizard is the easiest to use. Once you click that.......

You have two choices, "Same size as the first image frame" - with this one, you will be okay choosing it as long as your first frame is going to be the largest image you have for your project. The other choice "As defined here:"- with this one, you can choose the size of the frames, especially if you have images of all different sizes but your largest image is not going to be the first frame. Make sure the dimensions you choose will be large enough to show the largest image or it will cut some of the image out. Once that is done click NEXT.

Note: A frame is one image. An animated image is made up of several images, that create the animated effect. For example, the project that I am doing, it has 17 images total that I will be using, so that means there will be a total of 17 frames.

This will be your background color, however, I always leave it on Transparent because the images that I will be using already have the background color I want, plus when putting the animation places it will use that background color. If you want to use a background color simply click on Opaque then click on that red box and color box will pop up for you to choose the color. Once you have decided what you want...click NEXT.

The next step asks you where you want each image to be located, upper left corner or the center of each frame. I like my images centered in the frames, again this is personal preference and depends on the project you are doing. The next question asks you, if your images are only occupying a part of the frame do you want to use the canvas color that you chose a few steps back or do you want to fill the background with content from the preceding image. I always choose the canvas color. I want all my frames to fit so I always make sure that scale frames to fit is checked. Ok, your ready to click... NEXT.

Okay here, it wants to know, do you want to have the animation repeat indefinitely or do you want it only to play a few times. That is again your personal preference. Personally I like mine to repeat over and over, that way if someone missed something they can keep watching and it will show it again. The next step, wants to know how long do you want each image to be displayed before it goes to the next image. Keep in mind it is in 1/100th of a second. I will choose to use 325, again you choose what you think is best for your project. Sometimes you just need to test it and play with the display time until you get the duration you want. Click NEXT.

This is where you will choose your images that you want to use. Click on Add Images, another window pops up letting you browse your computer to choose your images. Now instead of doing 1 at a time you can hold down the CTRL key on the keyboard and click on every image you want then click open. Once all the images are in the white area there, you can situate them in the order you want them to be displayed in by using the Move Up and Move Down buttons. Once you have them in order, click NEXT.

The next step tells you, that it is ready to build your animation, however depending on how many frames you have this can take a few moments. Just click FINISH. Once it is done you should see something like this below.

At the bottom of each image, you will see F:1 that is telling you which frame that is. The D:325 tells you how long your display is for that particular frame. Now you see that little red arrow at the top pointing to that black/red icon. That is the preview button, click that and you can watch your animation in action! You are ready to save the file now.

Go back up to file and click save as.. and when that window appears, choose your file name and make sure the "Save as type" says CompuServe Graphics Interchange (GIF). There you go, you can now make an animated graphic.

Years of Secrets #1

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 04:08:58 -0500

Below is the start of the Years Of Secrets Series... This is just a story to read for fun. It is hard in some spots to break it for the next one in line so I will do my best and try not to make each post that long. Remember a story has to start somewhere! Enjoy!

Part 1

As she lay there watching her husband sleep, she runs her hand through his hair with a
loving smile. Looking at this tall dark handsome man, with short hazelnut hair, muscular
biceps and bare chest. But that isn't why she is smiling. She knows him from the inside
and that is more important to her than looks. He is a strong individual with a great sense
of humor. Always listens to everything she has to say, comforts her when she has a bad
day, understands what she goes through and is always there for her. She loves him for
that.

Leaning to kiss him on the forehead, she awakes him. He looks at her with a sleepy,
boyish grin. To him, she looks like an angel with her silky, ash blonde hair, beautiful
brown eyes, long legs, soft skin, a never ending smile that makes his heart melt. Without
saying a word, he starts caressing her slowly. Placing a hand on one of her soft, creamy
white, breasts. Rubbing his thumb gently across her nipple. Leaning to kiss her, they both
open their mouths just wide enough to taste the sweetness. At the touch of his lips on
hers, she closes her eyes and moans lightly. They begin to make love passionately, feeling
a relief from the craving desire.

Laying there holding one another, gloating from the pleasure they just shared, he whispers
to her, "I love you, Cynthia."

Smiling from the warm feeling it gave her, she turns to face him, looking him in the eye, "I
love you too, Michael."

Kissing one last time, he gets up to shower. All she feels like doing is laying there.
Forcing herself out of bed, she dresses in a pair of old blue jean shorts and a baggy coke
T-shirt. Walking into the kitchen she can hear little feet running her way.

They come to her view, she bends down and opens her arms, waiting for them to hug and
kiss her good morning. Andrew and Sarah both put their arms around her at the same
time.

"Morning mommy." Both of them sounding so cheerful.

"Morning sweeties." She says with a smile of amusement, every morning that is what she
looks forward to.

They're cute little smiles and innocent eyes. Andrew is 4 years old with dark blonde hair,
blue eyes like his father, the most precious little dimples when he smiles. Resembles her
husband in every way. Like his younger twin, except the fact that he is more stubborn.
Sarah just turned 2 years old a couple of day's ago. She has golden blonde hair wavy hair,
hazel eyes, baby fat cheeks and such a beautiful baby smile.

After she hugs and kisses them, she starts to make them a bowl of cereal. The milk has
gone sour in the refrigerator. She hated the thought of having to tell the kids that they
can't have cereal because the milk was bad. To her that was depriving her children.

Slamming the refrigerator door, she tells herself, enough is enough. There is no reason for
this, especially since Michael has been working all those hours. Things seem to keep
getting worse and money is so tight that she hasn't been able to do some actual grocery
shopping in weeks. Promising herself, to get out of this mess, she walks to the table
where the kids are sitting, waiting patiently.

Looking at them with despair and trying to hold the tears back, "How about having toast
today for a change of pace guys?" She smiles to hide the tears that want to fall. They
don't understand what is really going on and she is thankful for that.

With sweet little smiles on their faces they both respond quickly, "Yeah, we love toast!"
She makes the toast and sets them at the table. Gets a cup of coffee and sits down with
them. She always sits with them in the morning while her husband gets ready for work.

Today, instead of thinking about the stuff that she needs to get done, she thinks about
their situation and Garret. He is a lot like the way Michael use to be, before he got
involved in this terrible business with Eric. Made her wonder what life we be like now, if
Eric wasn't in the picture. Not wanting to think like this, she starts playing with the kids
at the table. She knew that would take her mind off of it and besides they needed all the
attention she could give them. Within a few minutes of goofing off with the kids, the
phone rings.

"Hello." Cynthia answers, wondering who it could be so early.

"Hey, good morning girlfriend" It was Brianna, her best friend.

"Good morning, Bree." She plainly stated.

"How are ya?" Brianna sounding cheerful.

"I am alright. Can I call you back after Michael leaves? I want to talk to you but not right
now."

"Sure, I will be here. Call me back though."

"OK, I will I promise. Bye Bree." She hangs up the phone just as Michael comes out.
He is all ready for work , in a silk button up dress shirt, black dress pants and a tie that has
all sorts of different colors and shapes. Both of them going to the table to sit down, they
make eye contact and it takes her breath away. Looking at his baby blue eyes has always
done that to her. He smiles a loving smile as they sit down.

"How is Bree doing?" Not waiting for answer he continues, "Oh, when I got home last
night, you were already sleeping and I didn't get to tell you the good news."

"She is doing good. What good news? We won the lottery?" She sarcastically states and
begins to laugh putting herself in a better mood. Not wanting her husband to know how
she is feeling right now. They had this talk awhile back and she didn't want to have it
again. It was just to damn depressing, not to mention the thoughts she had a few
moments ago about Garret. It made her have a sense of shame for thinking about another
man other than her husband.

"No, Eric got a huge account interested in going with us yesterday, Syndic's Footwear.
They are out of New York city. He put me in charge of getting the account completely.
They are a little skeptical." Looking at her with such seriousness in his face.

"Honey that's great!" She can see there is more to it, by the way he is looking at her.
Touching his hand gently. "What's wrong Mike?"

Letting a long sigh, he begins to tell her, "Cynthia, I know this is very sudden but I have to go to New York next week for a big meeting with the head honcho of the company. He is the one we have to convince."

"Next week?" Desperately holding back the shock and the anger.

He knows she is a little furious with him over this. Promising her along time ago that he
would not travel like this for his job. She doesn't think it's fair to the kids and he agreed.
He tries to explain to her in more detail, on why it is so important that he goes for this
meeting.

"If I don't go, then we won't get this account. I can't do that to us or Eric. This is a big
break for everyone. Our company will get known this way and all of us will make better
money. We both know we can use it."

She had to agree they needed the money. They were behind in all of the bills and short on
cash, really had no cash at all. Knowing that the bills needed to be paid or they were
going to have major problems, made her calm down some.

"Your right. We do need this and if you get this account it will get us out of the hole that
we are sinking deeper into, which I remind you we are close to the bottom." Shaking her
head, with sarcasm in her voice. She knew she shouldn't have said that, but it was the
truth and she couldn't help it. It needed to be faced.

Not liking the remark she had just made, he was shocked that she would say something
like that and angry at her for being so disrespectful and an ungrateful way to talk to him, in
his opinion. "What the hell is that suppose to mean?"

New Group-Telling Stories In The Rain!

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:06:26 -0500

The Storytellers In The Rain

Since I love to write poems and stories on different things, I thought what a great idea to make up a group for that purpose. So I came up with "The Storytellers In The Rain"

Anyone who loves to write poems or stories and wants to share them with our rainer friends please feel free to come join in on the creative cloud and let the creative rains fall! If you don't like to write but love to read it then come on, join us, you can sit on the clouds and read the creative rain as it falls!

I would also like to mention that I will have a series of blogs that I will be posting for a story or more of a novel. I will post 2 blogs a week on it and they will be titled, "Years of Secrets(#1, #2 and so on. Let me give you a small summary of the story.

Years of Secrets Summary

Michael and Cynthia have a very trusting and loving relationship, or so she thought. Until Michael leaves on a business trip to never return. Determined to find her husband, Cynthia discovers more than she anticipated, putting herself in danger. Now they are out to kill her before she reveals their secrets. Will they seal her fate or will she expose them in time to save her own life?

Travel The BPO/REO Business Road!

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:43:10 -0500

Achieving Success from BPO/REO Business!

Now as you begin signing up with BPO/REO companies, we all know they are going to require certain information before they will let you register and some will require more than others. I would like to tell you that the first thing is to gather the information and start submitting. However; that is not the case. Your first step needs to be research the companies you find, taking notes on what they will require, who to contact and how to submit your application.

Once you have done your research on the BPO/REO companies you can gather it all together with your notes. The information they usually want is ...

Your Real Estate License
List of References
Your Zip Codes (That you are interested in working)
Completed 1099 ( This is usually provided by each vendor.)

Now your ready to register with the BPO/REO companies, some will be available on the internet through their websites, some will require you to email your application, some will require faxing or calling them. No matter what their directions are, don't give up until you have confirmed they received your application. Make sure you get confirmation from them that they have received it.

Here is a good tip I have learned. If you have a cell phone, (which nowadays 99.9% of agents do), figure out what your email address is for your cell phone and use that email when submitting applications. You might be asking why do that? Think about this.. when these BPO/REO companies blast out an assignment, they don't call, they email! So see, setting up your cell phone will give you an advantage over all the other agents.

When you complete the application for each company, you need to be able to keep track of who is who, what was sent and to whom, usernames, passwords, contact information and notes. Your going to need to put them in a database and keep it updated.

The last thing is FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP! Don't just submit your applications and wait around in hopes of being emailed to do a an assignment. Wait a good week after you submit your application and then start sending them letters to keep in touch on a weekly basis. You need to stay fresh in their minds. Once you establish with some companies and are completing BPO's, getting rated (your doing a good job), business will just start coming to you.

Kids Growing Up!

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:55:15 -0500

The other day, I was going through files on my computer and ended up looking at all of the photos of my boys that I have, from the time they were little tikes until now. Wow, they are growing up fast... I told them they weren't allowed to but as normal they don't listen! Anyway as I looked through them I found myself sorting them out, putting some here and some there and then I decided to make a video of them. Just for fun but hey we all need to do that sometimes and are entitled to it of course.

So I figured since I made the video and I have talked about how important family is and how important my boys are to me, I decided that I would share it with all of our friends here in the rain! They keep my spirits high and keep me going every day, it is because of them that I work hard, so I am able to be with them everyday.I hope you enjoy watching my pride and joys.

"Success never happens in a straight line. There is always going to be twists and turns, ups and downs. Just remember that conquering those will make you successful!"

Marey Hoeppner -Virtual Assist Expert

What's so good about the Rain?

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:57:51 -0500

I seen that question somewhere as I was surfing around net before I came to play in the rain to read the different blogs, like I normally do. I thought to myself, "You got to be kidding me!" First thing I thought of when I seen that was here. Everytime I see the word rain now, I think of AR and all the wonderful people here. I could have spent days and days, probably months putting everyone in this, so even though your name might not be here, don't think for one second your not just as important, because you are!

If you have not meant any of these great people, or read their blogs, I suggest doing so. You will learn new things, hear great stories, laugh and okay, okay, I could keep going on and on and on, oh there I go again! Below is a list of all their names, you can click on their name and it will take you to them! Enjoy and have fun playing in the rain, will ya!

Nestor & Katerina Gasset

Have fun reading and getting to know these awesome rainers! I know I have been.

Just how Blessed Are You?

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:00:35 -0500

Blessed

As I lay my head down to rest,
I know that I am blessed.
For I have the heavens protecting me from up above,
and the ones I love, surrounding me with their love.
I am thankful that I have the life that I do,
I am grateful that I have so many in my life that
care about me too.
Not one day goes by I don't realize all of this,
keeping this in my mind makes my heart a bliss.
The man upstairs helps me everyday, with him
I am very impressed,
For he is the real reason I am so blessed.
When my skies are dark and gray,
he is right there to help me and show me the way.
Back to the bright glowing sun,
back to life, back to everyone.
My life is a very special journey,
and its an honor to have all those I love here
along with me.
Walking with me down this graceful path,
I must confess,
making my life special, making it truly blessed.

Another AR Member Reaching Out!

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:50:47 -0500

Today I got up and was doing my normal thing, getting my work done. When I noticed I had received an e-mail from a person on AR that I have never spoken to before. As I read the e-mail from this person I got a smile on my face. It is not everyday that someone takes the extra moment to compliment you on something you wrote as I wrote "Excuse Me...Do You Have Self Control?" and asks you to call them. So I did just that, I called them.

Bob Coffey, is who this wonderful person is, who is also new to AR world! So while I am at it can we all give him a nice warm welcome. Bob is a very thoughtful and kind individual, who wanted to take the time (Out of his very busy schedule) to tell me how much he enjoyed reading my blog on self control. Talk about getting a positive boost!

Bob, thank you so much for all your kind words over the phone. It meant a lot to me, having someone like you join our AR community is a blessing in itself! Welcome to AR, you will enjoy it!

Excuse Me... Do You Have Self Control?

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:00:43 -0500

I believe that a skill everyone should learn to master is self control. I do know some people already have this skill mastered and everyone else has the ability to learn and master. However, they either don't realize they have it in them to use this skill, they don't know how to use it or just don't want to use it.

The sad thing to me is, you need to be taught self control just to be able to deal with life in general and hardly anyone seems to teach it or practice it. Being taught to use it is hard, takes discipline and willpower. It's imperative to master this skill because it's the ability to make positive choices in life. Although teaching self control to an adult is a more difficult task versus teaching a child at a very young age.

Even though adults are suppose to have more logic than a child, they are usually set in their ways and it's very hard to break habits they are already accustom too. A child is rebellious to say the least and is being taught many things to prepare them for life, so helping them engage in self tasks will help increase their self control. Mastering self control is restraint practiced over a person's own desires, impulses and also their own emotions. It helps you to think before you act.

For example, an adult may want to buy a new car, even though their old car is fine, just because they want the new look for material reasons. With self control they would stop and think about the outcome if they were to make a jump and would know it's a financial decision not worth making. Though being set in their ways, it will be difficult for them to practice self control and they will end up suffering the consequences from the outcome of their impulsive reaction.

Another example is, a child may get hit by another in class. Their first instinct is going to be just swing and hit them back, possibly hitting harder than they hit them not thinking of the outcome as most children do. However, with self control they can stop; think about their actions and what their outcomes could be. If I hit back they will hit me again, we both might get hurt that way, I will be sent to the office and my parents called, I'm not going to let them get me in trouble or I will tell my teacher and stay away from them. Although, most children will end up hitting back and be punished for their behavior.

As both of the above examples show, both have their difficulties of learning the skill, both can be obtained and mastered. Self control is all about the knowledge we are taught or we learn beforehand. It's absolutely necessary to have that in order to master the skill. Not having knowledge will destroy self control which simply means believing in false information. Knowing the truth helps liberate you and makes it easier to learn, gain and master, self control. If this is instilled in a child at an early age and is constantly instilled that child should grow up having this skill well mastered.

A lot of people are addicted to something whether it be smoking, drinking, buying movies every time they go to the store or having to have a new purse on a weekly basis. Like I said before it's hard to stop old habits. Most adults lie to themselves, saying "I have tried before and failed. I will just continue to do so, so why even try to do it again. This is so they don't have to feel guilty about their actions and about not having self control.

Another thing people think is who's it going to hurt? It's me doing it, so if it hurts anyone it will only be me. This is wrong; this comment to one self is just another lie to avoid the self control issue, because it does hurt others in the process. Here is another good lie we tell ourselves, I cannot deny my needs, the thing is they are not needs; these are our emotions, desires and our impulsive actions. You can say "no" to yourself, it's not going to be the end of the world.

The pain you think you feel that you think is unbearable from having that discipline, that willpower, that self control, is only an urge inside that you have because your not use to practicing this skill. Eventually the urges will become less and less, making it easier to show and use self control. Just like many other things in life, self control is a choice, which you control. You may not be able to choose or control your parents, what your spouse does, what others say about you, but you can control how you act or react in any given situation. Self control is the most powerful skill that we could have, that everyone should master, being that it has to do with so many aspects of our lives, including our businesses.

What Do You Think?

Update-Positions Now Open!

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:12:51 -0600

Full Time Positions FILLED, but still doing project based, contact me for details! Below is a list of the tasks that I do...

Maintain Database (point2agent, sharperagent, etc)
General Correspondence (make appointments, verify appointments, etc)
Register BPO's and REO's ( I register and follow up with them for you)
Blogging ( You tell me what you want blogged)
Ad Placement Online ( I submit your listings to over 20 websites)
Internet Research
Data Entry
Flyers, Brochures, Postcards
Mailings (large or small it doesn't matter, stuff and mail out letters to potential clients, change of address to your clients)
Update websites
Lead follow up
E-mail drip campaigns
Market Analysis

Interested? Send me a message for rate plan information. If there is something that you are looking for and its not on the list, let's talk!

Service Update!

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:21:15 -0600

I can do BPO's!

With the high number of foreclosures and slow market, I am seeing where for some Realtors there is a real need to become creative and earn an additional income. Upon request of one of my clients, I now have a list of over 200 companies that offer BPO's and REO listings.

I am able to get you registered with each company, stay in contact with them monthly to insure that your name stays fresh in their minds. I can also alter the zip codes that your willing to work in as you see fit.