I Was Just Two Rows Away... and YOU Didn't See Me!!!! - 12/30/07 11:18 AM
I ran into someone from my home town the other day.  This was thousands of miles from where I saw him last and probably two decades since we had spoken.  Neither of us had more than about five minutes to talk and we probably won't be in touch with each other again for awhile.  But it was very bizzare to see him at the moment I did.
A few years ago, my parents ran into friends while on a layover in the Amsterdam Airport  My college roommate's girlfriend from the early 80's sat down next to him two years ago at an … (12 comments)

AND OH!!! What Specks We Are! - 12/28/07 02:03 PM
The comments that I received on my last post.... "Look Ma!  I'm a Speck"... have gotten me thinking again! 
We are small.  Relative to the big picture.... the REALLY big picture.... we ARE insignificant.  Will the vast cosmos change if a speck is missing?  To the vast universe.... those thousands of galaxies that are unseen in a speck of the dark night sky.... are we not just an insignificant speck of time and matter?  Our beings, our planet, our sun, and time itself, all blur together as an unseen speck in their night sky.
Yes... BUT.....
We don't live in the REALLY big picture.  … (5 comments)

Look Ma... I'm Just A Speck! - 12/26/07 05:18 AM
I just shared a post here at AR with my daughter that blew our minds.  The post is called Connection to our Universe and Beyond - Creating Your Reality. The post itself is great, however, what really got us was the video that went along with it.  The video talks about how large our universe is.... boy... is it big.  The hubble telescope focused on one tiny section of dark sky for a few days.  It turned out, that this dark part of the sky was filled with thousands of galaxies.... thousands.... and that was just in one small section.  Each galaxy … (14 comments)

GET UUUUPPPP!!!!!! (Updated!!!) - 12/25/07 06:13 AM
So it's finally here....  quick.... everyone get up.... come on... get up!!!!.....  I can't wait!!!!  The cookies and egg nog are gone!!! He was here!!!!  Helllooooooo????!!!! Are you going to just sleep the whole day away?  Don't you realize there are presents to be opened? 
(Santa does stop at our house too.... so I'm waiting... .not very patiently.... but I'm waiting for my kids to wake up!!!!)
I hope everyone has a good day today.  Enjoy your family.  Enjoy your day off.  Appreicate every present, regardless of what it is as Santa believed it would be something you wanted. 
OK... I've lost my … (25 comments)

The GREAT Epiphany - 12/24/07 06:55 AM
I woke up this morning (which is always a good start to my day!) and went to my computer (as I always do).  Today!  Today would be the day that I write some brilliant post.... something that would be mind shattering.... a great epiphany.... something that may change everyone's life....
I wish you a Merry Christmas.... I wish you a Merry Christmas... I wish you a Meeeeeeeeeerryyyyyyyy Chriiiiiiiiist     maaaaaaaaaas...
and a Happy New Year!
 
… (17 comments)

Getting Pushy With Hannah Montana - 12/23/07 08:54 AM
Last night I went to the Hannah Montana concert.  Yes.... you heard me right.... I went to the Hannah Montana concert.  No.... I did not go by myself (I brought my wife and children.... actually... my wife and children brought me).  Yes.... it was the first concert in my life (and I've seen alot) that I wore ear plugs.  Not because of the music.... but due to the screeching.  Anyway.... I digress....
During intermission I took a walk.... I like taking walks.... and like to observe.... I like people watching.  There are so many people coming from so many different places.... everyone you … (25 comments)

Walking in a Winter Wonderland - (For those snow deprived) - 12/22/07 08:50 AM
  This one is for Elizabeth and all of the other snow deprived Rainers.  Close your office door and turn the air conditioner WAY up.
Before we get started.... you had better bundle up.  Considering you aren't used to this type of weather I recommend... from top to bottom... a hat, ear muffs, scarf, t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, turtle neck, sweatshirt... hooded... winter coat, gloves, long underwear, sweat pants, jeans, snow pants, cotton socks, wool socks, boots.  I recommend a potty break BEFORE you layer up.
So you are now physically ready.... how about mentally ready?  Open your mind (I'd say close your eyes.... but … (22 comments)

Groton, Massachusetts - Some information about Groton - 12/21/07 10:57 AM
Groton, Massachusetts -
Groton, MA was first formed in 1655 as The Plantation of Groton and is located about 45 miles north west of Boston.  Neighboring towns include Pepperell, Dunstable, Tyngsborough, Westford, Littleton, Ayer, Shirley and Townsend.  The major routes passing through Groton are route 225, route 40 and route 119.
Add your Groton business to the Groton Business Directory at DailyHomeOwner.com
Groton average home sale price for September through November of 2007 was about $428,000 compared to $480,000 for June through August of 2007.
There were 18 home sales in Groton for September through November of 2007 compared to 45 for the prior three months.
Useful Groton, MA links:
Town … (5 comments)

Hey Buddy - Just Sit in Traffic Like the Rest of Us - 12/21/07 07:29 AM
I read a great story by Ginger & Roger Sala Keller called 'Two Traveling Angels' which inspired this post.  I highly recommend you stop by and read the story.  It's a good one.
I was driving into Boston the other day with my wife and we were sitting in traffic.... as anyone driving into Boston will do.  It was slow going.... but what can you do?  We can't make the traffic go any faster.  As the saying goes, "We'll get there when we get there.... and not a moment earlier".
I notice in my rear view mirror that a car was coming down … (9 comments)

Inman's Real Estate Connect - Come Say Hi - 12/20/07 06:54 AM
Are you planning to attend the Inman Real Estate Connect NYC on January 9 to January 11 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square in New York City?  Zipvo.com will be there!  We'll be in booth number 306.  (Through the main entrance, walk down the far right aisle.... we'll be the third booth on the left)  Stop by and pick up one of our DVD's and say 'Hi'.
What is Inman's Real Estate Connect?
Real Estate Connect NYC is where real estate and mortgage professionals and top technology executives come together to promote change and innovation within the industry. The event includes speakers, topic-driven panels … (5 comments)

Success Without A Smile - Ain't Gonna Happen - 12/19/07 06:55 AM
While reading a post yesterday, I came across this quote....
Success is not the key to happiness; happiness is the key to success.If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.                                                                                                      - Albert Schweitzer
In one of the many books by Joe Vitale (I think it was one of his) he talks of a study done.  For an amount of time, a number of people were tracked.  The first group of individuals set off into their careers with the sole motivating factor being: Make Money.  The other group set off into their career with the sole motivating factor: Do Something You Love.  … (23 comments)

FSBO - Needs Help Staging, Video, Repairs.... any other suggestions!!! - 12/18/07 02:30 PM
I was driving through Billerica yesterday and came accross this for for sale by owner.  It is amazing how AR has managed to get itself into my day to day activities.  I had to stop and take a picture.
This is a one bedroom cape syle home.  There are no other rooms.... just the bedroom.  Baths... none.  Kitchens... none.  Basements.... none.  Garage.... none.  Vaulted ceilings .... for really short people.  Needs TLC.
If you have any suggestions for helping this owner stage the property or suggestions on repairs he may want to make, please chime in.  Maybe we should promote it with a video?
… (23 comments)

Real Estate Video - Portland, MI (You Can Too!) - 12/18/07 06:57 AM
This video is a good example of what you can do by yourself to make a video of your listings and upload them to http://www.zipvo.com/.  Although the video does have some shake to it, it gives your potential buyers a good understanding what this house is about.  It starts with a good view of the street, moves on the entryway and then walks through each room of the house.  It finishes by viewing the back yard and videos a view of the house from the back.  The realtor did this real estate video by himself, taking the video and talking as … (6 comments)

Zipvo featured Real Estate Video - Alaska - 12/17/07 09:20 AM
Zipvo.com is a great resource to get further exposure for the homes you are trying to sell. Here is one of the new Zipvo featured real estate videos that can be found on their home page. This is a new listing in Wasilla, AK. Sign up at Zipvo today and get added exposure for your clients.

About this house:
Superior home that has had impeccable care. Kitchen, dining area and living room are all open to a beautiful view of the mountains and a covered deck perfect for an evening BBQ. Three bedrooms and two baths on first floor. 2nd floor … (1 comments)

I Need Some C'AR advice please - 12/15/07 09:16 AM
I need some advice on my car from AR.  I guess that would be C'AR advice?  Here is the situation.....
I bought a brand new Saturn Outlook in July of this year.  Love it!  First time I ever bought a brand new car.... and it has all the bells AND the whistles! 
There are two sunroofs.  Within the first month, while driving through the rain (real rain.... not active rain... that would just be weird!) I felt water at my feet.  I brought the car in and they told me that there was a problem with the drainage of the sun roof.  … (13 comments)

I Fixed Dishwashers So You Could Read This Post - 12/14/07 03:01 PM
I was inspired to write this post after reading Paul Slaybaugh's "Don't Throw Rocks at the Ice Cream Man" while digging through his past....
Every decision or indecision that you make will have consequences.
Every moment of every day, you are making decisions that will ripple forever through time.  That's right.... your decisions WILL ripple forever through time.  What you do.... what you say.... what you think.... will have long term effects.  When you make your choices, either small ones or large ones, you will have some impact, either internally, in your own mind, or externally, on someone else.  Those impacts will in turn have … (14 comments)

She is getting a handle on her BUT - 12/14/07 02:37 AM
My daughter watched me write about BUTs.  There she stood, looking over my shoulder watching as I explained my feelings about BUTs. I didn't hold back and I didn't mind.  Actually, I made a mental note about how she was reading along and I thought that it was probably a good thing that she was reading about BUTs.  What could be bad about it? Maybe she'll learn something.
That was a few days ago.  This evening, before I set out into the blizzard to walk the dog, I asked her to do something.  When I returned to the house, the something had not been done.  I … (17 comments)

Zipvo Real Estate Video - Scottsdale, AZ - 12/13/07 12:14 PM
Zipvo.com is a great resource to get further exposure for the homes you are trying to sell. You don't have to have a professional video to highlight a house you have, however, this is an example of one that I think is well done. This is a new listing in Scottsdale, AZ. Sign up today and get added exposure for your clients.

About this house:
Expansive home placed perfectly on premium lot with georgeous back yard and incredible mountain views. Large family room, open kitchen, and breakfast room share a wall of windows that open up on to this east facing yard built for … (2 comments)

Featured Zipvo Video - Franklin, NC Real Estate Video - 12/12/07 08:10 PM
Zipvo.com is a great resource to get further exposure for the homes you are trying to sell.  Here is the video that is currently featured on their home page, a new listing in Franklin, NC.  Sign up today and get added exposure for your clients.

About this house:
Lovely 3-2 mountain home, fully furnished in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Beautiful view of Standing Indian mountain range from deck. 780 SF of covered deck. Floor to ceiling rock, wood burning fireplace with hearth. Pine tongue and groove cathedral ceiling. Open living, kitchen and dining design. Workshop on bottom level with … (2 comments)

Westford, MA - Some Information on Westford - 12/12/07 04:19 PM
Westford, Massachusetts -
Westford, MA was incorporated in 1729 and is located about 25 miles north west of Boston.  Neighboring towns include Chelmsford, Carlisle, Acton, Littleton, Tyngsboro and Groton.  The major routes passing through Westford are Interstate 495, route 225 and route 110.
Add your Westford business to the Westford Business Directory at DailyHomeOwner.com
Westford average home sale price for September through November of 2007 was about $451,000 compared to $470,000 for June through August of 2007.
There were 48 home sales in Carlisle for September through November of 2007 compared to 117 for the prior three months.
Useful Westford, MA links:
Town of Westford Official Website Westford, … (3 comments)

Are you a BUT person? - 12/12/07 07:07 AM
Are you a BUT person?  (Oh... I know what you're thinking!! Not THAT but!)  You know the kind.  The type that has a BUT for everything.
I would love to run my own business, BUT there are so many obstacles.  I would love to get a nicer car, BUT they are all so expensive.I would love to have a good day, BUT it's raining and its cold and I have all of these meetings. I would love to be in a good relationship, BUT everyone I date has issues.
BUT, BUT, BUT.... always a BUT in the way.
Or are you a SO person! 
I would love to … (15 comments)

There is SO much food in my refrigerator but nothing to eat? - 12/11/07 06:38 AM
I try to wake up every morning and tell myself that life is good.  Sure, there are challenges in life that we all have to face but they are outweighed by the blessings that we all have.  We live in a time of abundance with society being more abundant and more technologically advanced than ever before in history. Man.... we can replace a mans heart!  Ninety nine percent of houses have a television averaging more than two per household.  What a time to be alive.
My wife and I went into the kitchen last night to make a snack as we watched some … (16 comments)

Sell Yourself With a Real Estate Interview video - 12/10/07 06:30 AM
Do you have potential clients just passing you by because they don't know you?  Is your website not getting accross the real reason why someone should list with you?  Try a video interview.  These are very easy to make and can give a potential client more than just some text on a page.
Zipvo.com will allow you to upload your video interview onto their platform as long as it is real estate related.  Here is an example of one agent and how he is using Zipvo to sell himself and to educate his clients....
If you are looking to help with your link building, … (17 comments)

Have you ever been in THE zone? - 12/09/07 09:24 AM
Over the past few days, I have posted a series in my blog highlighting some unexplainable events that have heppened in my life.  I have some others that I will probably write about in the future, however, I know, from the comments received, that there are events in your lives that also are unexplainable through normal explanations. 
Therefore, I have started a new group that I hope YOU will post your twilight zone experiences (Deborah... we're waiting!!!).
Something is Going on Here - The Zone
… (14 comments)

Burlington Realtor is Selling Houses! - 12/08/07 02:39 PM
With so much negativity about the market, I wanted to just send a piece of positive news about our local real estate in Burlington.  Although we have plenty of inventory and not many buyers, it seems, there is a ray of hope.  An associate of mine here in Burlington, Joanna Schlansky, a Burlington real estate agent, sold six houses... yes.... SIX between November 30 and December 6.  Congratulations Joanna and lets hope this trend continues locally as well as for all of our other AR friends!
Visit Joanna's Burlington, MA real estate website for more information.
… (5 comments)

Something is Going on Here - Charlie's Angels - 12/08/07 08:11 AM
OK.  Here is installment three.  I don't think this one is quite as freaky as the others and I know there we be some that say it is just a coincidence.... but where do you draw the line on 'just a coincidence'?
Have you ever had the feeling that there is more here to life than we know?  Something deeper than just living our life from day day..... more than just the normal grinds of daily life.  How can there be such beautiful sunsets in this world and so much pain and suffering?  How does the whole de ja vu thing fit in?  … (16 comments)

Something is Going on Here - The Woman in the Art Gallery - 12/07/07 06:37 AM
Have you ever had the feeling that there is more here to life than we know?  Something deeper than just living our life from day day..... more than just the normal grinds of daily life.  How can there be such beautiful sunsets in this world and so much pain and suffering?  How does the whole de ja vu thing fit in?  Are coincidences just that.... coincidences?  There has got to be something more going on here.
Here is the second story as promised: "The Woman in the Art Gallery"
My friend Herb, a graphic artist, was taking classes to be the graphic artist that he would … (12 comments)

Something Is Going On Here - Was That Night Real? - 12/06/07 08:06 AM
Have you ever had the feeling that there is more here to life than we know?  Something deeper than just living our life from day day..... more than just the normal grinds of daily life.  How can there be such beautiful sunsets in this world and so much pain and suffering?  How does the whole de ja vu thing fit in?  Are coincidences just that.... coincidences?  There has got to be something more going on here.
I have three stories that I have no explanation for.  Are they just coincidences?  (The stories can get long so I'm only writing about number 1 here and will … (16 comments)

A Bit About Grantham, NH - 12/05/07 08:06 PM
Grantham, New Hampshire -
Grantham, NH was incorporated in 1761 and is located along route 89 in the Western Central part of New Hampshire, approximately 45 minutes from Concord, NH. Grantham is located in Sullivan County, very close to Dartmouth College and the Sunapee region. The largest housing area in Grantham is in a development called Eastman which is a four season lakeside residential and recreational community.
Add your Grantham business to the Grantham Business Directory at DailyHomeOwner.com
Useful Grantham, NH links:
Town of Grantham Official Website Grantham, NH real estate videos Eastman's Website  Granthqm, NH at DailyHomeOwner Grantham Historical Society
… (2 comments)

Spontaneous Laughter - 12/04/07 12:48 PM
Have you ever noticed how contagious laughter can be?  You see a bunch of people laughing..... and it brings a smile to your face.  Laughter, in my mind, is one of the most important parts of life.  It keeps you healthy.  It helps you get through tough times.  Laughter can start a positive chain of events.
After making strangers laugh, I often get told by my kids, "Dad, they are laughing at you.... not with you."  I tell them that it doesn't matter.... they're smiling and laughing.... that's good.
I few weeks ago, we were in Harvard Square in Cambridge with some cousins.  One of which … (16 comments)

Don't Forget Rule Number 6 - 12/03/07 08:43 AM
I was reading a post by Gary Woltal titled "Let No Day Pass or Start Without a Smile".  He talks about the importance of smiling and being happy.  Make time in life to laugh and enjoy life.  He has a line in the post that inspired me to write today.  Thanks Gary.
The line....
"Take a little time, sit back and relax, and as I ALWAYS say, don't take everything so seriously. "
A story to illustrate his point......
There is an associate visiting a friend who owns a business and he is sitting in on a company meeting. 
During the meeting, someone stands up and starts arguing … (6 comments)

Today is My Latke Day. - 12/01/07 07:23 AM
Once a year I have a latke day.  The day usually falls somewhere in early December just prior to the eight crazy nights of Channukah.... or is is Hannukah.... Chanukkah.... Hanukkah.... Chawn-U-Caw?  My wife usually picks out the day and gives me a few weeks notice so I can get myself ready..... mentally ready.  This year we plan to cook 10 pounds of potatoes.  This is down from previous years where looking back... I must have cooked about 800 pounds.
For those that don't know.... a latke is basically a potatoe pancake.  It is a specialty during Channukah... or is it... oh … (23 comments)