Happy Birthdy Willie Nelson! Born April 30, 1933! - 04/29/11 11:32 PM
From blue eyes cryin in the rain, You were always on my mind, 
to  Shut up and kiss me! 
Willie Nelson is a household name to most.  One of the first artists to have a black man in his band.  He fought for the legalization of hemp.  He loves you and doesn't care what you think of him. 
Gotta love Willie!  Here's to you Willie Nelson!  Happy Birthday ~ Born 1933! 
 
To learn more about Willie check this link out; 
http://www.biography.com/articles/Willie-Nelson-9421488
 
Is there a more appropriate song for Willie to sing here but Blue … (38 comments)

2011 ProHealth Care Walks for Cancer, Oconomowoc, Waukesha, Mukwonago, WI - 04/29/11 07:38 PM
2011 ProHealth Care Walks for Cancer! 
I don't know about you, but I don't know one person who doesn't know someone suffering from the devastating disease that cancer is.  This Wednesday morning I was blessed to be able to attend Destiny's final field trip of her elementary grades.  On that school bus there were 8 parents.  Out of those 8 parents two have cancer!  There isn't a whole lot I can do, so I am doing what I can.  Join the 2011 ProHealth Care Walks for Cancer and help raise money to fight this devastating disease! When?  Saturday, May 7, 2011 … (10 comments)

Busy day, what's a girl to do? Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign, Jefferson/Dane/Waukesha Counties, WI - 04/28/11 10:23 AM
Fresh coffee, answer e-mails, comments done (like they are ever done), write a blog which one now?  5:30 a.m already how? Go for my walk, shower, hair and makeup, little one up, breakfast, snack & lunch packed, get her off to school!  8:00 day begins a new. So,... load up photo's, fix them up, work on website, update profiles, contacts added 350 more!  Newsletter set up for the next three months, is there anything more? Vacations coming two in a row!  Blog posts going into draft mode so,... 31 Days of May Challenge 2011will be met!  Is it noon yet? Occupied … (41 comments)

Fort Atkinson, WI, High School Theater Department, Best Fundraiser To Date! Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign, Jefferson/Dane/Waukesha Counties, WI - 04/27/11 06:44 AM
Looking for a Fundraiser? Fort Atkinson, WI, High School Theater Department Will Flock Someone for you!
This past weekend, I was flocked!  Turns out someone (I still have no idea who) paid the Fort Atkinson,WI, High School Theater Department to cover my entire front lawn with pink flamingo's! 
So, Friday morning I woke up to 45 flamingo's perched nicely enjoying the yard.  Bright pink and looking oh so happy there feeding on worms in the rain.  I did receive a letter with this flock of fine feathered friends.  But to date no one has fessed up to the prank.  This … (17 comments)

Jefferson Public Library, Summer Reading Program 2011, Jefferson, WI, 53549 (920) 674-7733 - 04/26/11 11:03 AM
Jefferson Public LibrarySummer Reading Program 2011!(920) 674-7733Okay, so I am a little early!  Every year about this time I get a wonderful letter from the Jefferson Public Library telling me all about the wonderful Summer Reading Program and allowing me to donate my yearly contribution.  Hey I am all for free, but someone does have to pay for all these fascinating literacy programs, so of course I do what I can!  This also gives me a little sneak peak as to the many programs and activities the Jefferson Public Library will be offering throughout the summer. 
 
And because they … (11 comments)

31 Day Challenge for May 2011 ~ earn 3,000 BONUS points - 04/26/11 09:43 AM
I don't know about all of you, but I try to get at least a blog a day in.  I do so without being a part of all the challenges,...I know dumb! ha?  But this time I am going to try this.  Since I blog anyhow, why not accept a challenge?  Well, sometimes it is just a rule thing.  To many rules and ways to link and copy and post and I just say; "forget about it."  Anyhow, you know me, I just have to pass this opportunity on to my friends~
Via Christina ONeal ~ Ripon, California realtor (Crown Key Realty):
31 … (21 comments)

I've Got the Server Issue Blues - 04/26/11 06:30 AM
The most adorable and brilliant Karrie (one of the AR goddess's) has a little something to say and I just want to be sure as many as possible do hear, so without further adue,...(why doesn't spell check have the right spelling for me?).... here's Karrie!
Via Kerrie Greenhalgh (ActiveRain, Community Builder):
I can't express how upset we are with the server issues happening as of late.  Many of us can remember a time, not too long ago, where we experienced this grief.  It wasn't fun then and it's not fun now.  I completely sympathize with all of your frustration.
A day without the … (4 comments)

Graphics For Bloggers [#6] - ActiveRain Math - 04/24/11 08:15 PM
Okay, at first glance this post of Craig Daniels looked a little scary with all the math and the red squiggly lines!  But,... knowing how well Craig spells everything out for us I figured I would just give it a chance.  I am so glad I did!  As usual Craig broke down his lesson into simple bite size portions to be easily digestible!  So, don't be concerned about the small bit of math (it's not algebra after all).  Craig has some easy to remember numbers that will help keep your blogs looking well aligned!
Via Craig Daniels, REVA, Technology Instructor:
Today's class … (3 comments)

I've Been Pranked! I am still Laughing, but at least I have a little bit of a clue now! - 04/23/11 09:04 AM
As you all saw, yesturday morning I was surprised with 45+ pink flamingo's on my front lawn.  I since have found one clue as to at least where they came from.  But still have no idea who or why I was blessed with these fine feathered friends! CONGRATULATIONS YOU'VE BEEN FLOCKED!

Don't be foul,.... This is a fundraiser by the Fort Atkinson High School Theater Department.  A friend(s) of yours, Anonymous, paid us to place these pink darlings in your yard.  This flocking is done in good spirits and is not meant to be mean.  These flamingos will roost on … (101 comments)

I've Been Pranked! I am Still Laughing! - 04/22/11 09:40 AM

I've Been Pranked!  I am Still Laughing!
Last night I went to a dinner put on my a local distributor.  A couple of my contractors went along.  We ate, we had a few adult beverages, we laughed, we networked and still managed to make it home at a reasonable time.

 
This morning it was raining quite heavy so I didn't head out for my early morning walk.  I just made my coffee and checked my e-mail and of course had to pop onto Active Rain. Now I have heard it said that teasing is a sign of affection, … (62 comments)

Take It Off In The Rain, What's working for me. Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell!, Home Staging, Jefferson/Dane/Waukesha Counties, WI - 04/21/11 11:20 AM
Take It Off In The Rain, What's working for me. 
Laura S. Baker,
Ready? Set,...Sell!, Home Staging,
Jefferson/Dane/Waukesha Counties, WI
Roger Mucci (aka; Sir Rog ~ I call him this not because of the Raj ma hall, or because of the fun we've had with Lady Val, but because of the love and respect I have for him ~ although these days he looks like "adorable Rog" with his new profile photo!).  Anyhow, he formed a group last September called; 
Take It Off In The Rain! 
Today he wrote a post called;

This is one … (51 comments)

Biggest Newbie Mistakes – I’ve Made Them All…and Then Some! You don’t have too! - 04/21/11 06:39 AM
I too made (and still make) many many many mistakes when blogging.  So do you think I could pass up helping others NOT make those same mistakes?  Of course not!  One of my bestest of Girl Friends Kristine Ginsberg, writes the best Newbie Techie help blog posts and I bookmark them all!  Go ahead, read it, subscribe to Kristine just so you don't miss a thing!  Even some old timers may find a few tidbits to use here!
Via Kristine Ginsberg (Morris County, NJ: Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC):
Biggest Newbie Mistakes - I've Made Them All...and Then Some! You Don't Have too! … (14 comments)

Home Staging, Madison, Dane County, WI, If it helps you sell, it's worth it. - 04/20/11 12:02 PM
 
The amazing Janice Arkett out of Canada wrote such an incredible post that I have got to share with all my readers!  We all want to know the Return On Investment when we are putting money into a home to prepare it for the market to insure the quickest possible sale and the best offers.  Janice did an outstanding job putting this information together for all of us!  If your looking for a stager Serving Burlington,Oakville, Milton, Hamilton & surrounding areas.     905-467-5353  I highly recommend Janice Arkett!
If you are looking for a stager in the Dane/Jefferson/Waukesha area of Wisconsin, … (10 comments)

100,000 points thanks to all of your support! Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign, Jefferson/Dane/Waukesha Counties, WI - 04/19/11 06:03 PM


 
100,106 points!  Thanks to my attitude adjustment,.. I finally made it!  Time to pop the champaigne friends.  Thank you all for helping me reach my goal!  XOXOXOXOXO's! Members Invited: 3Blog Posts: 179Rank in Wisconsin:  #18 Rank in Jefferson County:  #1 (Featured!)Rank in Jefferson:  #1 (Featured!)Featured Posts: 2Comments Received:  3,219Comments Left:  3,360Blog Subscribers:  57Blog Subscriptions: 139Called Shots (?):  21 … (34 comments)

If you get offended by bad language, do not open. Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign, Jefferson/Dane/Waukesha Counties, WI - 04/19/11 01:02 PM
Okay, I have to be honest with all of you.  Every once in a while, even Little Miss Mary Sunshine here gets into a pissy-ass mood!  For some reason,... well it was a good reason,... (or was it?) that is how I felt yesterday.   So a good night's sleep and all was well?  Nope!  Not in the least!  Not even after my morning dose of Active Rain (no offense guys and gals).  Not even after my morning coffee.  Then I go to get on my walking shoes, left them in my van!  Phone is not charged!  Uggrrrhhhhh!  This morning is simply … (22 comments)

A Home Staging Consult is The FIRST STEP To Getting Your New Hampshire House Sold - 04/18/11 09:48 AM
I don't know how many of you know Sharon Tara from the New Hamshire Seacoast, but if you don't you are missing out!  She is a talented home stager and an amazing person.  Today she wrote another fantastic post that I just had to share with all of you.  Go on over and tell her how much you like it!
Via Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations):
A Home Staging Consult is the FIRST STEP to Getting Your New Hampshire House Sold
Many New Hampshire sellers don't really understand the role a Professional Home Stager plays in the process of real estate … (8 comments)

Where do you get when puddle jumping? Forget the umbrella when you are playing in Active Rain! Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign, Jefferson/Dane/Waukesha Counties, WI - 04/17/11 10:27 AM
Where do you get when puddle jumping?    Forget the umbrella when you are playing in Active Rain! 
Okay, so I'm running around in the rain this morning letting the wash of fresh information soak into my brain and my heart when I jump into one of my favorite puddles, Craig Daniels post;   
 
 
Getting to 100 - Fun Request - Will You Help? This is such a cute clever post that I just wanted to share it with the folks that like to take refuge under my umbrella on a regular basis.  Now, who am I to … (24 comments)

Ok Ladies, This Is What You Have Been Waiting For! - 04/13/11 09:21 AM
 
Still giggling from this one!  Did any of you know what studs we had amongst us?  If you are the least bit reserved, do not watch this.  If you are ready for some great entertainment and have plenty of singles on you check this out!  Great job Jackie!
 
Via Jackie Connelly-Fornuff Century 21 AA Lindenhurst NY Real Estate (Lindenhurst Babylon West Babylon N. Babylon West Islip Islip):
Ok Ladies, This Is What You Have Been Waiting For!
Get ready for a really great show featuring..................
Craig Rutman
Roger Mucci
Nick Pappas
Phil Faranda and..................
Steve Loynd
Now for those of … (20 comments)

Write a Great Blog and Features Will Follow: Tips and Advice! - 04/13/11 07:17 AM
Okay, I seriously (as well as a few of my friends) believed this blogpost was going to become a feature.  Since it has yet to do so,.... I am giving it a feature here on my post by reblogging it!  Hope you all learn as much from this post as I did!  Have a wonderful wednesday.  Now go tell Kristine what a great post this is!
Via Kristine Ginsberg (Morris County, NJ: Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC):
Write a Great Blog and Features Will Follow: Tips and Advice!
According to Steven Graham , Active Rain's aficionado on blog training and coaching, an effective and  interesting … (10 comments)

Home Improvements Before Listing? Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Stging & ReDesign, Dane/Jefferson/Waukesha Counties WI - 04/12/11 09:15 AM
Home Improvements Before Listing? Laura S. Baker
Ready? Set,...Sell!  Home Stging & ReDesign,
Dane/Jefferson/Waukesha Counties WI
 
As a professional home stager, I have been asked time and time again, well shouldn't I completely gut this or that before I sell my house?  The answer is not as simple as yes or no.  Each and every house bares it's own set of challenges.  It's own unique positives and negatives.  Some things can be fixed with a little Spackle and paint.  Somethings get a little more in depth. 
Let me give you an example of a bathroom that the owners thought … (71 comments)

Home Buyers Heed the Recommendations of Your Agent When it Comes to Professional Services - 04/11/11 06:42 AM
 
My friend Ed Salva wrote this most intellegent blog yesturday and I just couldn't let it go into the "all gone" yet.  It is a great tribute to the fact that all home inspectors are not created equally!  The other point is, it is really important to trust the recomendations of your Realtor®.  They see many professionals that are connected in the Real Estate world.  They get to know which ones are of quality.  Your buyers agent is looking out for you!  That's what they are there for.  That's what they are trained to do.  There reputation is on the … (15 comments)

im-pe-tus, IMPETUS! Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign, Jefferson/Waukesha/Dane Counties, WI - 04/10/11 10:34 AM
Impetus,



Now, there is a word you don't hear very often,

as a matter of fact how often do you even see impetus?
 
wunderground.com
 
 
Websters New World Dictionary;
im-pe-tus  1. the force with which a body moves against resistance, 2. driving force or motive.
 
I walk every morning very early.  When I am walking, the indigo's of the night sky are just giving into the warmth of the magenta, scarlet, orange and golds of the morning sun.  Today during that walk, the word IMPETUS came to mind and made me … (26 comments)

Cell Phone Numbers Go Public This Month! You Can Stop Pesky Sales Calls! - 04/10/11 06:15 AM
Okay this is a big deal to me!  I get those annoying solicitations on a regular basis.  So if I can help others not get them,  I am all for it!  Barbara Hensley wrote this post to help us, so I am passing it on!
Via Barbara Hensley, Homes for Sale, Luxury, Acreage, Waterfront, Golf Course,Ranches (RE/MAX Hometown, Rockwall, Heath, Royse City, Rowlett, Fate):
Cell Phone Numbers Go Public This Month!  You Can Stop Pesky Sales Calls....for which YOU will be charged!
Ring, Ring, Ring.....
I have grown to dread the Monday Morning rash of telemarketing callers!  Monday mornings are busy for me and … (22 comments)

Just a little treat for my friends, Enjoy! Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign, Dane/Jefferson/Kenosha Counties, WI - 04/09/11 05:52 PM
Some beautiful music and cinematography  for a beautiful day!  Hope you all enjoy!
 
Adele - Rolling In The Deep
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw
Music video by Adele performing Rolling In The Deep. (C) 2010 XL Recordings Ltd.
… (4 comments)

It's Time For Us to Give Back: RainMaker Price Breaks - 04/09/11 06:50 AM
 
I don't know how, but somehow I missed this.  Just so no one else does I wanted to make sure to reblog this information directly from the horses rainmakers mouths! 
 
Via ActiveRain Corp.:
Our active members and their generous contribution to our Community makes ActiveRain what it is today.  In the spirit of recognizing our most dedicated members we are introducing new reduced RainMaker pricing. Members who are constantly blogging, commenting and inviting new members are adding to the value of AR so we want to reward them for their contributions.
We have adjusted our RainMaker subscription cost.  The more … (22 comments)

Time to Come Out of The Closet! Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign, Jefferson/Dane/Waukesha Counties WI - 04/08/11 08:24 PM
Laura S. Baker Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign Jefferson/Dane/Waukesha Countys (920) 728-4118 rss.home.staging@gmail.com www.rss-home-staging.com Time to come out of the closet people!  Okay, I am simply talking about all your stuff!  When trying to sell your home you cannot forget about those all important closets.  Buyers want to see space.  This gives them the feeling that they will have ample space for storage.  So, how do you go about this?  Here is just a few simple tips to try;
Empty the closet, yep EVERYTHING! Sort into four piles (in season, out of season, give away/sell & throw away) Put … (24 comments)

No Deoderant, No Coffee, is that a way to start your day? Guys, you too need to pay attention here!. :)D - 04/08/11 06:19 AM
No Coffee?,... No Deodorant?,.....      
Is this any way to start your day?   
 
 
Okay, I must admit getting up at 4:30 every morning is not all it's cracked up to be.  The only thing I love about it is that I get to say good morning to all the other early birds here in the rain!  Then it's off for my 45 minute walk (another bonus ~ I get to see the sunrise in all it's glory every morning!), shower, and the day begins. But today,....ugghhhh!  Had to fast for the past 12 hours (ended up almost 18)!  … (43 comments)

How to Compete with Foreclosures - 04/07/11 06:09 AM
 
"Karen Bernetti is a Real Estate Stager, Former Realtor®, Author, Speaker, and Owner of Staging4Smooth Transitions - specializing in assisting seniors with their downsize moves."  Now here is a stager who really knows what she's talking about!  I found this post through sweet smart talented Joni.  Thanks Joni, without you reblogging it, I would have never found it!  And I am so glad I did!  Most excelent post Karen!
 
Via Karen Bernetti (Staging4Smooth Transitions):
Discouraged home sellers often ask me how their home can possibly compete against low-priced foreclosed properties in their neighborhood. My answer - the same way Neiman … (2 comments)

April Showers! Oh Yeah, you know what that means! Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign, Madison, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Cottage Grove, Deerfield, Oconomowoc, Lake Geneva WI - 04/06/11 09:41 AM
Another; "Tips and Tricks for Selling Your Home"
Laura S. Baker
Ready? Set,...Sell!Home Staging & ReDesign
(920) 728-4118
rss.home.staging@gmail.com
www.rss-home-staging.com
April Showers!  Yep, it's one of those days here in Dane, Jefferson, & Waukesha County's, here in Wisconsin.  But that's not all bad!  This Saturday and Sunday will be in the 70's!  It will be the perfect time to spruce up that curb appeal!  Our harsh winter weather has downed gutters, ripped shingles and lots of debris left behind by the melted snow.  Here is just a few things you can do that cost little or no money to make your … (22 comments)

Will I ever get to that 100,000 pts? Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell!, Home Staging & ReDesign, Jefferson, South Central, South Eastern, WI - 04/05/11 08:59 PM

92,060 points
Members Invited:3Blog Posts:161Rank in Wisconsin:#18 Rank in Jefferson County:#1 (Featured!)Rank in Jefferson:#1 (Featured!)  
92,060 points  and it seems to me like it is taking forever to get to 100,000 pts!  Why is that? 

Think,.... think,... think,... think,...
Oh wait, when did I create my last blogpost? 
A Reblog a couple of days ago?  Yikes!  Is that what my creativity has boiled down to?  Am I just bored with the basic font?  The black and white of it all?  Who has time to learn more about adding color?  Playing with the font?  I tried to … (35 comments)

How to Create a Collage Using Picnik - 04/04/11 06:22 AM
All right, I have been back to this post several times now.  The absolutely amazing Kathy Neilson layed out the "How to Create a Collage Using Picnik" So well that I wanted everyone I know to be able to see this!  Check it out, then do yourself a favor and SUBSCRIBE to this very talented stager and business woman!
Via Kathy Nielsen Atlanta Georgia Home Stager (Georgia Interior Solutions, LLC):
The following provides a step-by-step process of creating a collage using Picnik.
Step 1 - go to Picnik
Step 2 - On the home page, click on collage.

Step 3 - Choose … (35 comments)

PICK THREE GOLD STARS, CONTINUED! Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign, South Central, South Eastern, WI - 04/02/11 08:02 PM
Pick three gold stars, continued! 
Okay,... I know the challenge ended last night at midnight, but I am just not done!
And furthermore, Craig Danials group Gold Stars
is going strong!
 
This morning I went to reblog a blog post by somebody and as I was writing the introduction, I suddenly hit me (like bricks falling from a condemned house) this should not be a reblog, but a post to the Gold Stars Group!  Just so you all know, I subscribe to three great Home Inspectors, you might know them.  They have a just a very small following, but their … (22 comments)

How Good is Your Sales Pitch? - 04/01/11 08:06 PM
 
One of my favorite new friends from Scottsdale Az, Juli Vosmik reposted this blogpost by; Cara Marcelle Mancuso (Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ).  I got such a kick out of it I just couldn't let it stop there!  Hope you enjoy a little April Fools lesson in Sales Pitch!
 
Via Cara Marcelle Mancuso (Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ):
How Good is Your Sales Pitch?
BEFORE I was a REALTOR, I purchased my share of homes and visited open houses on weekends dreaming of the perfect home.  
There were a couple things I didn't much like about some agents:
… (16 comments)

MLS Photo's Really? Is this an April fools Joke? Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign, Jefferson, South Central, South Eastern, WI - 04/01/11 07:02 PM
MLS Photo's Really?  Is this an April fools Joke? 
Laura S. Baker,
Ready? Set,...Sell!Home Staging & ReDesign,
Jefferson, South Central, South Eastern, WI
Trying to sell your home in today's Real Estate Market can be a daunting task. Lending institutions have tightened their belts to the point that many buyers no longer qualify for loans. Your home is competing against a large inventory of homes.  Worse yet, 50% of the homes on the market in Jefferson County are foreclosure's or short sales, therefore; home prices continue to drop.  Homes simply are not selling like they did just a few years … (18 comments)