I know we have several excellent writers here in the RAIN.  Which ones are going to commit to a month of pounding out that novel that has been sloshing around in your head.

I am just sharing the site, you are on your own as to how you choose to proceed.  This year I will NOT commit to 50,000 words in November but I will work on 10,000 points in the RAIN.

One of my peers started a Rainy Day Scavenger Hunt here in the RAIN, she left her post Members Only (feel free to join us).

I won't go over all the RULES but thought I would share the Scavenger List with my readers- you might just learn a thing or two from my "Hunt"-   enjoy-cw

THE SCAVENGER HUNT LIST

1. A post that gives you a list of Blog Topics  John Novack
2. A post that supplies steps to Imbed a Video in your blog  Jeff Turner
3. A post about how to create your Active Rain signature  Jeremy
4. A post that talks about the Current Mortgage Conditions  Jason Sardi
5. A picture of a Pet  Cheryl Willis (MO Broker)
6. A post by a Newbie Active Rainer  Jolene Archer
7. A post about Twitter & Active Rain working together Brad Anderson
8. A post about using GoogleMaps with your blog  Mark Rienzie
9. A post by an Active Rainer with more than 500,000 points  Charles McDonald
10. A post about how to implement your Outside Blog  AR BUSINESS BUILDERS

This was a fairly easy HUNT seeing as I didn't have to go outside (it really is raining real rain today).  The fun part was finding posts from some of my favorite writers, and there are many more that hang out here. 

This is a peer based group and even though we hang together when we can, the best part is that we have great  info to share with our live body customers/clients.

Give me a holler if you were able to use any of these links to add to your current understanding of how to blog.  Whether you are signed in here in the RAIN or trying to go it alone, I am sure that you were able to add to your list more than a couple of writers to follow.

As always, if you are reading this and also looking for an Agent in SW MO, you know how to find me!  be good  cw

My son call me this morning to say that the auction down the road had a couple of quilts at it. He also said, there was no need to go b/c it was all stuff I already had. (yeah right!)

There were a lot of people that showed up to buy mostly b/c of the antiques that were available. After seeing how high the items were selling for I resolved that I was NOT going to be bringing anything home.

I watched at least a couple of dozen different ladies fondle this top and comment. I figured it would be out of my price range fairly fast. I was hoping that I could at least get a bid in to say I ‘tried'

I called our son and asked him to run by my house and grab the camera, I was hoping to a few pictures to remember the ‘one that got away'

He showed up just as I won the bid on a couple of boxes of barbies. I had too they were only $2.00 for choice of box. Sadly the camera didn't have its card in it. I decided to run back to the house and find it. When I got back the quilts were already being auctioned, I didn't get picture of several of them but did get a few to share. I couldn't believe how low they were selling for. I assumed it was because everyone was waiting to save up their money for this beauty of a whole cloth hand-embroidery full size top

They started the bid at $200---- no takers, 150---100-50-no one- really? I jumped in at $25- couldn't believe it!!

I got raised and WON at $45! I am still in shock. The whole set, 2 pillows and the quilt, this is unreal.

Mike asked me how much paid and I said "I am not sure, I think 45 but I might have misunderstood, it could have been 145- he said, hope it wasn't 45-hundred!       How's that for a holiday scare.The pillow tops are in really good condition, I will probably take out the pillows and re-do the case. The quilt has some stains and is headed to take a bath- I am looking for a wall to display it on. Can't believe how much I LOVE this quilt- I know there is no way I would have made it myself, although I am now looking through my embroidery patterns to see how many of these flowers I have.

Several other quilts and tops sold before I could get my heart back in the game. I did bid on a couple but only won one other.

I am thinking I need to hang out at more auctions, my ‘other' find was a little less expensive but priceless to me. A Full size hand quilted grandma's flower garden- there are a few places to patch but I have period fabric that should work. For what I paid I might not even fix it. Just hang it for display- - Oh my, the amount of work that went into these pieces- I was in the right place at the right time-

Today's experience reminds me of the home buying process.  I see people all the time that show up to look at a property, not knowing what their buying price is going to be.  The come to look with out being prepared to 'write' the check if they find what they want.  There were several at this auction that couldn't believe this piece didn't sell for more, one told me she didn't bid b/c she knew it would be too much.

Do clients do similar when they choose not to look at the perfect house b/c they think it will bring a higher price than they are willing to pay?   Sometimes to get what you really want you just have to take a chance and put in the bid.  Worked for me, let me help it work for you.

As always, when you are ready to seriously look at property in our beautiful part of the state, give me a call. until then feel free to look about on your own using my website.

Give me a shout if you want a friend to hang out with at the next auction- cw

Another great post from a peer in the RAIN.  I have had 19 clients this year that need to print and post this following article where they can read it daily.  I am sure that many more of my readers can benefit from the straight talk from Lenn.

Truth is as a buyer (and sometimes as a seller) you really need to be upfront with your agent during the buying process.

Topic for today is: Pay to Play.  Take notes-  give me a call if I can help you buy or sell in SW Missouri-  I have had several success stories so far this year.  It isn't always easy but it can be worth it, give me a call to discuss your needs.-  Of course if you have perfect credit and a good down payment, you can call me too-  I don't discriminate on who I work with.  be good  cw

While others with the flu have been sleeping it off.  I have been using my energy to play on the computer.  Found a fun site to make the family stencil to add to your vehicle.

You didn't really think I was going to be all- rest and hydrate - did you?

Our kids are all grown so I guess my bumper sticker actually should just be me and the hubby. 

I think this would be neat if I could have made our SIL and then put a big "X" over his character.  It is hard to know how to deal with the "ex" when it was one of your former favorites.  Families change over the years, it is always fun to add another member.  It hurts when one is no longer in the line up.

If you want to play with the program and make your own mini-van family here is the link I used-- enjoy

Next year I hope to add a couple of more little grand-kids, Might be adding a couple of kids-in-law too.  Looking like I might have to get a larger bumper sticker!!

If you are finding that your bumper sticker family is needing a different place to call home.  Give me a holler to see properties in SW Missouri-  I may be under the weather, but I can still get to the computer to hook you up with places to pre-view.  (Besides you don't really expect me to show you something you wouldn't take the time to drive by first - do you?)-  I will be back up and around in a few days- let me know which ones are on the list of favorites!!

Yesterday my grandson Lane woke me up and said that his mom had left a note for me.  She had dropped him and his sister off at our house on her way to work (No I didn't hear them come in b/c it was not my normal day to watch the kids) 

Any way he handed me a note that said:  

I read it out loud and looked at Lane (age 6)  He then handed me a zip-lock bag with a test strip in it.  The strip had TWO PINK LINES!

I then turned the "note" over and on the back it said,

I asked Lane if he knew what this all meant and he said NO-  I said your mom will tell you later (I didn't know if they had told the kids yet)

I text Kelly to say congrats and that I will LOVE THEM.  She wrote back "THEM"?

I said of course there were TWO LINES!!!  (She didn't think that was funny)-  

I'm going to be a grandma- doing the happy dance-

She is the best(est) Daughter-in-law ever.

Different story-  When Kelly told me about their last one (Karlee now 2 1/2 yrs)  She started by saying "Well it looks like Mike won the bet" 

I asked what bet and she said:  "The one where he said I bet you are pregnant"

One more not about any of my grands-  good friend at church had a couple of daughters ready to deliver around the same time.  She came to church one Sunday and when asked how the girls were doing she said Daughter #1 is dilated to a 5 she should have the baby any time now.

 I said:  "Wow, my girls never would let me check them!"

I will settle down now and go look for baby material to start some receiving blankets, I only have till spring. 

On an industry related note- when you are looking for a  broker to assist you in finding the right home for your family, give me a call-  I love working with families with young rug-rats!  (I will work with the grandma's too)-  what a great day!  cw

How fitting that this post is the one to put me over 100,000-  and to think that I did it all without getting HI-JACKED or FEATURED!

My start into social blogging was a little slower then some.  One way to find my 'voice' was to reach out and connect with others by starting a little 'group'.  Those peers that participate in the RAIN know that there are hundreds of groups to hang out in.  Most groups attract writers with similar styles or content.

I wanted to have a 5th place to post where we could attract good writers to share their work outside of the normal categories.  The "my name is Cheryl" group does just that.  I 'found' many of the Cheryl's from the RAIN and we bonded pretty quickly.  We have also have several non-cheryl's join which is great b/c it adds diversity to the library of posts.

My original post has gotten many comments from people not in the RAIN.  I am going to share today's E-MAIL which was preceded by a very nice phone visit.

To: "Cheryl Willis, MO BROKER Mt Vernon, Monett, Aurora, Barry & Lawrence Co." <ozarkcastle@yahoo.com>

You've received a contact message from your Contact Form on the ActiveRain network.

Message details:
From: Cheryl Ann Cotter in Reedley, CA
Email: cotter.cheryl@yahoo.com
Subject: Blog Virgin and hello again (Sent via Activerain)

Dear Cheryl W.
I tried to write a blog last week to you and all the other Cheryls but I did not realize that I had to become a site member. (Perhaps that is why it did not make it through) I do not want to interfere with your business or work time... Just very excited to meet you.
I talked to Sergi and Susan Marles in Anacortes, WA after we spoke, owners of the tug boat from the blog they sent you. Susan and I are both painters and I want to include watercolors with the children's book I am writing for my granddaughter. And I would like to include you and your group as well. It will be called "Finding the Cheryl Ann". I have already decided to try and travel to Washington next summer when work permits. I read several blogs talking about a get-together of Cheryls and Anacortes in August might be a cool setting. I have a couple of friends who would love the adventure because they know the story of my name, and a few relatives in that neck of the woods that I need to touch base with. Again I want to thank you for your generosity in sharing your story and time with me and others. I was impressed by the "gutsy" attitude of the Cheryls of our generation. They could have been embarrassed by their name sake, but instead they have embraced it and ran with it. I have been through alot in my life, and there is scar tissue to prove it, but our Lord says scars show there was healing. He continues his work in me as we speak.
In closing, I would love to give you and everyone the many details behind our name and I think you would be fascinated to hear about my grandfather who set this ride in motion. I to would love to hear about you and yours. Perhaps you could E-mail back when there is time.
God Bless and Thank You, Cheryl Ann

I have told the "story" about our name- I have 'been found' just by writing a post and starting a group.  Now it looks like this is starting to snowball.  I call dibs on getting to write the intro to the book.

I'll keep ya posted as to when we need to pack our bags!  cw

For those READERs looking for information on where to find CORN MAZEs in our lovely state check out this LINK

Minnesota has a couple of fields too- check out what one of my peers wrote earlier.

cw

I know my climb to the top has been a bit slower then some but well worth the effort.  I have to admit that this post is a bit premature but if all my peers jump in to give me a boost I should be over the top by tomorrow.

Here's how you can help: 

1- HI JACK this post and let me trickle over on the comment points

2-FEATURE it and watch them grow (I have never been feature in almost 200 posts so this would be a two-fold treat)

3- Seek and Find any 10 of my posts that your deem worthy and comment (you like to do ten-a-days anyway right?)-

4- Have fun but remember this is PUBLIC so behave-  I don't mind my readers seeing what a bunch of great friends I get to hang with in the RAIN.

Just for giggles I thought I would share one of my favorite comments:

In 2004 I decided to check out REAL ESTATE as a possible career choice.  I have NOT been disappointed with my decision.  I joke that when one hits the empty-nest stage in life that it is the law to get a License.

I can honestly say I am Crazy About REAL ESTATE!  I love working with people.  I love the market challenges, the pros and cons of each situation and best of all I love referrals for a job well done.

There was never any question in my mind when it came to picking a Company to work with.  REMAXis a leader in the industry.  I love their RW&B- their commitment to education and excellence.  I love that I am at 'home' in any office I visit in our lovely part of the state.

I am thrilled to celebrate this Anniversary with peers that I think so highly of.