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Active Rain Friendships - How Great to be Here!

Smoky Mountains - Ann Cummings 2007
I just returned from a GREAT vacation in the mountains of western North Carolina. My family has had a cottage in the mountains there for several generations, my sisters and I will be the fourth generation in our family to be part of this "home sweet cottage".

The little town of Mountain Home, NC is home to our special little cottage. Mountain Home is nestled between the towns of Hendersonville and Asheville.

What a beautiful area that is - lots of gorgeous towns that began as second home areas to those wanting an escape from the heat of Florida and other hot southern states, and lots of gorgeous year-round towns, all nestled in the stunning mountain scenery.

Once I knew for sure we were going to make the drive to North Carolina, I knew I just had to meet the one and janeAnne Narrin and Ann Cummings - July 2007 only "Green-O-Lina" of Asheville, NC!

As luck would have it, janeAnne Narrin was going to be in the midst of hosting HGTV who would be spending the week in her area and in her office filming the area and various homes for sale. How fortunate for janeAnne - how cool is that?!?!? And to think HGTV found her through her posts on Active Rain!!

Anyway, we were so happy janeAnne was able to sneak away for a fun lunch on Friday, the 20th. We made arrangements to meet up for lunch that day, and of course, we got a little lost on the way to meet her. After spending time on our cell phones with janeAnne playing our very own GPS, with turn by turn voice instructions, WE MADE IT!!

Picnics in Asheville North Carolina - Ann Cummings - Copyright 2007
There she was, standing out on the side of the street, waving and waiting for us. We pulled up to her favorite place to eat, Picnics, and she greeted us with hugs all around. How really fun and so special to get to meet another Active Rain member!

What a fun time we had - janeAnne, my dad, my honey, and me!! We shared so many laughs and stories, our faces hurt from laughing. Oh, and I must say that our lunch was absolutely delicious - down home homemade southern food that was so yummy!! Thank YOU, janeAnne - she would not let us pay for our lunch....thank you!!

We learned all about what you have to do when showing land to avoid ticks - dress in white jeans, multiple pairs of long socks, long sleeved shirts, etc. I couldn't imagine wearing white jeans to show land in, but once I heard janeAnne's explanation, it made PERFECT sense. What better color to see ticks on than white??!??!?!

Want to know how to chase off copperhead snakes out in the wilds of the land around Asheville? Take your chainsaw with you, place it on a rock, and let her rip. Yep, that's what Ms. janeAnne told us. And how does that Lunch with Friends - Ann Cummings 2007 work? Why, the loud vibrations of the chainsaw make them think something LARGE is coming their way, and they all scatter from the area.

The stories she shared with us - I just really didn't want our lunch to end. Talk about a fun, really fun, time!! If you're ever in the Asheville area, you MUST give her a call. You will so enjoy meeting her and spending some time with her. I can't wait till the next time we're in Mountain Home again - you better believe I'll be calling janeAnne to meet us again!!

To learn all about Asheville - the beauty, the area offerings, and more, be sure to check out janeAnne's posts on the area. I made sure to read them before we headed to the NC mountains!

I just want to say I am so happy to be part of Active Rain - I love the networking and all the great tips and ideas that get shared here. But the best of all the things I get from Active Rain are the friendships I'm so fortunate to share. Without AR, I'm sure I would never have had the chance to meet the people I've met - both online and in person.

I was so happy to be part of the very first AR Gathering in Celebration Florida - I cherish that afternoon and all the friendships I made that day that go beyond the online friendships, and I really cherish the opportunity to have spent some time with janeAnne as well. None of that would have happened without Active Rain!

If you EVER have the chance to meet up with AR members, seize that opportunity! You will come away with new friends, deeper friendships, and a greater appreciation of all the networking we get to do here on AR. You won't regret it - JUST DO IT!!

By the way, guess who has made a reappearance????????
FLAT MATT!!!!
Flat Matt and the Ice Cream Bear - Ann Cummings 2007

janeAnne gave him to my dad while I was still inside the restaurant to give to me after she left - sneaky little lady!! ;-) This is really funny to me since I was the first one to have Flat Matt before he went off on other adventures.

Ann Cummings Portsmouth New Hampshire REALTOR

Posted by Portsmouth NH Homes Condos - Ann Cummings New Hampshire REALTOR® on 07/26/2007 07:50 PM

Comments (62)

janeanne narrin, active rain, ann cummings

62 Comments on Active Rain Friendships - How Great to be Here!

JUL

2007

Awe!

Glad you had a great vacation. Want to know how to chase off copperhead snakes out in the wilds of the land around Asheville?

NO !! I love AR, great friendships !!

Ann:

Glad you had a good time.....sorry we missed you when we where going up to Maine. Maybe next trip.

Sandra

oh I am so jealous. I have always wanted to met janeAnne. i am glad you had one of the best times in life.

That would be so fun...and beautiful scenery too! I miss all of the fun stuff. Glad you were able to get away...and even meet janeanne!

Flat Matt's been found... I was wondering what happened after he left Connecticut...

Ann, sounds like a great vacation. These AR friendships are the best!

Ann,

Sound like it was a good quiet cool time. I for one would hide out the whole time.

Ann - I agree the friendships are the best part of Active Rain - glad you got to connect and thanks for sharing.

My friend, thanks for sharing a wonderful story and I am glad you got to meet and have such a wonderful time. I was surprised when you mentioned the town of Mountain Home as there is a Mountain Home, Idaho an hour and a half from where I live! Glad you had such a wonderful time. Your friend.

I'm glad you had a great vacation and also glad you got to meet Superstar janeAnne!!! But I'm even more glad that you're back! We missed you Ann.

Hi Ann...hey you missed all the excitement !! since you've been gone....they've approved of gambling(an Indian Reservation in Portsmouth),we will have a 10% sales tax and gas dropped to $1.50/gal.

Hope you had a ball!

How absolutely WONDERFUL ... There have been some great friendships formed here in the 'Rain! ;)

JUL

2007

Ann~

AHA! It is almost 1:00 Am and here I sit grinning ear-to-ear as you, the master storyteller, weave the tale of friendship into the tapestry of our meeting. I loved every minute of it and wish y'all would just MOVE here! Most of all, I am grateful for the special connections we make with each other through AR. . .

Here's Ann just arriving...
I caught her by surprise!

...and here our pals are...inside Picnics...they selected the "vegetable" plate...
macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob..yep, that's our pals, all right. . .

that is too cool janeAnne - you got her!!!

Ann - I'm so jealous you got to go to Western NC! I'll bet heaven looks like that! Asheville is my very favorite place of anywhere I've ever been. Looks like you had an awesome time!

AR is a wonderful community of friends and there are quite a few people I'm looking forward to meeting some day.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

Ann, you have been a lucky girl, haven't you? How wonderful that you and janeAnne had the opportunity to meet and share some stories and laughs. Thanks for sharing with us!

I love AR Get-Togethers!! :oD I need to arrange a few more myself. I wondered why you were going to be in North Carolina, very nice about the family cabin. I'd love to meet both you someday!!

This was such a delightful post to read! That is so cool that you got to me janeAnne...one of my favorite cyberspace Active Rain friends! It's always amazing to me how easy it is to talk with someone when you've been a regular reader of their blogs. Thanks for this post Ann!

Ann, Looks like ya'll had a great time. janeAnne has a GREAT job!! I love where she works and what she does. Really shows how diverse our profession can be. Wish I could have been there with ya'll. Thanks for sharing with us.

What a wonderful post, Ann. Sounds like great times, and so neat you could get together with janeAnne. Thanks for sharing this.

Jeff

What you went to Picnics and did not call me. I only live 5 mins away.

Wow! how awesome. North Carolina Mountians and HGTV.... I loved the house they built there last year, it was amazing

we had a great time at the Minnesota get together. I have made friends through active rain which is why I stay.

Thanks to the Moderators for my gold star on this post - very much appreciated!!!

Ann

Chris - ;-)

Missy - Nah, I didn't want to know that either, but to hear her tell that story - you just had to be there! Made an impression on me for sure! AR is the best!

Sandra - I was bummed when I realized I would miss you and Dan, but we will meet up on one of your trips to Maine!

Susan - janeAnne is a real character and I had a such a great time at lunch with her!

Stephanie - the scenery is really so beautiful there in western NC, as it was all along most of our drive to and from. And meeting janeAnne just added extra fun to our trip!

Thanks for reading and for your comments!
Ann

Hey Brother Dan!!

Yep, Flat Matt has resurfaced! And he had some fun around that area before he took yet ANOTHER trip to New Hamsphire with us! Lord only knows what his next adventures might be - still working on that. Who knew he'd end up right back here with me where he started?!?!?!?!? I thought that was really funny! I don't know if janeAnne knew I had started off with Flat Matt or not, but he's mine now. I like the sneakers you gave him, and I had to smile at the extra 'eyes' he traveled with. ;-)

Ann

Kay - we had such a wonderful time on this vacation. That area is gorgeous, and it had been many years since I was last there. It was a real treat to get to explore there all over again, and lunch with janeAnne was really neat.

NRD - real deal - if we had been there for a longer period of time, we might have hidden away a tiny bit, too, or maybe not. We like to explore and check things out, so we might have hidden away maybe one afternoon, not much more than that. It was a really nice time, and we always have a lot of fun together in my family - we actually all really like each other and love spending time together. That's THE best thing in the whole wide world!! You met my dad and one of my sisters at the Celebration gathering - you know they're fun, just like me! ;-)

Cyndee - the friendships made here on AR, both online and in person, really are priceless. And without AR, most of us would likely never meet, either online or in person.

Many thanks for reading and for sharing your comments!
Ann

Hi George, my Idaho buddy!

I knew your Mountain Home well - my dad was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base for 5 years when I was younger. My 2 youngest sisters were born there! ;-)

I've never been back to your Mountain Home, but I remember it being really beautiful with the mountains off in the distance. We've been part of two Mountain Homes in my family - pretty special to us!

Thanks for reading and for your comments!!
Ann

That was very very nice Ann. This was all something to celebrate and so glad you two met...you both are wonderful people and .....dad has Flat Matt? Is he going to write about him too?

Hi Ines - what a sweet comment to find! Thank YOU!! I missed you all, too. I was 'unplugged' quite a bit as we had no internet access at our cottage. A couple of times I went down to the library in Hendersonville, but only for short periods of time, unlike how I usually am continually plugged in. It was kinda nice in some ways - and I was surprised at how okay with that I was. I never have been before! ;-)

Joan - your comment made me laugh, and still makes me laugh! We could only hope that gas dropped that low here! We did find that gas prices were fairly consistent just about everywhere we were on this trip, but nowhere near as low as your $1.50/gallon! An Indian Reservation in Portsmouth - that really makes me laugh right out loud!!!!

Hey Mariana - great friendships formed for sure!!! ;-)

Thanks so much for reading and commenting!!
Ann

Ah janeAnne, there you are! We really enjoyed meeting you and sharing lunch with you - we could have stayed there for hours listening to the stories you shared with us. That was so special! We chuckled about some of your stories off and on the whole time we were in that area, and still do.

I can see you were totally impressed by our 'veggie plate' selections! You forgot the cornbread to round out that meal - YUMMY!!! And if anyone else makes it to Picnics, you MUST try the homemade pies. We didn't sample any of those - too full from our veggies, but boy they looked scrumptious, and janeAnne said they were the best in town. She knows her sweets - ask her about those! ;-)

Thanks my friend for everything!!! And we WILL be back!
Ann

Ines - yep, she 'got me'! And it was so much fun!

Linda - We did have an awesome time every where we went, and what a beautiful area the Asheville and Hendersonville areas are. I've met some wonderful AR folks, and look forward to meeting many more, too!

Maggie - I have been lucky, and actually we're all lucky even if we've never actually met anyone here on AR in person. The online friendships are special, too!

Sarah - ah, now you know! One of these days, we will meet - I just know it. And I'll be back to that area again many more times to come. Another AR get-together in the making.....

Lola - I have found that to be one of the really cool things about AR - when meeting someone in person with whom you've been reading and corresponding, it's as if you've already known them. I'm glad you enjoyed this post!

Thanks so much for the comments!
Ann

Hey BB - we did have a GREAT time, and you're right that janeAnne gets to work in a really beautiful area - almost as beautiful as my own areas..... ;-)

Jeff D. - it was a great time, and I was really happy that I got to meet janeAnne!

Jeff L. - oh I'm so sorry!!! I'll be back and next time we'll make sure to meet up!

Diane - that house was just stunning and the views it had - WOW!! I should have tried to find that house - never even thought about that until I read your comment.

Many thanks for reading and for your comments - much appreciated!
Ann

Teresa - friendships help make the world go round! That's one of the things I really enjoy about being part of AR.

Sally - woohoo!! My dad passed Flat Matt to me after janeAnne left.....she told him to wait till she was gone. I think she thought I might give him back to her - NOT!! ;-) I had fun with him the first go-round, still thinking about his adventures this time around.

Ann

Ann....thank you so much. I hope all is well back there!

Like you Realtors ,we stagers are now forming support groups, information centers, and friends - wow isn't it fun to meet in person!

That is very nice. Hopefully,I can one day meet someone in person who is a member of Activerain.

Hi George - all is just peachy keen back here in HOT New Hampshire. We've been having temps in the 90's here, and that is just a tad too hot for this area. We don't usually have that kind of weather here - yuk!

Kathleen - isn't it great to have those kinds of networks? That's one of the really great things that the internet has done for all of us! And yes, it's been great fun to meet different AR members in person - and I'm looking forward to meeting many more, too. I hope you get that opportunity as well.

Lanre - I've no doubt you'll get to meet some AR members in person - if you wish it, it can happen! I know there are some great AR members in Maryland and Virginia. I hope you get to meet some of them, as well as some others from different states. It really is such fun, extending the online friendships you develop here.

Many thanks for reading and for your comments!
Ann

Ann... my experience meeting AR folks mirrors yours. It's been wonderful every time! Good for you!

Hi Jeff - isn't it great to have those kinds of experiences? I just love them, and look forward to many more meetings! I loved reading the posts and seeing the pictures of your meeting with Sarah and her family - that was just great.

Thanks for reading and commenting!
Ann

Ann~

Flat Matt got into a bit of trouble after I retrieved him from lost and found where he languished for several weeks at my old office building...Let's just say, after his confinement, he found three ladies to show him around Asheville ...and I have proof! I have a photo! (see below)

janeAnne, Sami and Leslie (all AR-folk)

Here are the three ladies and Flat Matt in an empty closet.... You may note that ALL were smiling. It seems that Flat Matt loves staging! He came along with me to help Sami with her listing and Leslie who agreed to stage it.We all had a blast! It might have been his influence, we are not sure, but soon after he helped us, the listing got an offer..... and today, it sold!

Those ladies may have been a bit much for him (??)
MaybeTHAT'S why he snuck off with your Dad! ...

JUL

2007

hahaha! That was funny janeAnne....I want to meet everybody!

Ann, Don't you just love janeAnne. She is as friendly and caring in real life as she comes across on AR.

Oh janeAnne and Sami, Wasn't our staging time wonderful. Lots of fun, laughing, furniture arranging and John, a Professional Real Estate Photographer snapping away.

So the winning formula is Professional RE Realtors, a professional home stager and Flat Ben. We had fun and got the job done.

We all know how lucky we are to live in Asheville but life is different without Flat Ben......

It sounds like you all had such a wonderful time!! And to think, you got to hang out with one of the best stagers on Active Rain, Leslie Godbold. I'm very envious.

Kathy

Ann, Your whole story is so compelling. I was like you -- white pants? But when you hear the reason then it makes sense. The idea of meeting the folks we know from AR is the one which really caught my attention. I have been able to meet a few also and it has always been a great adventure. The whole idea of flat Matt being passed around is so very fun. I love the way you guys share with him. Then low and behold there is a photo of one of the ladies I have been wanting to meet for quite a while -- Leslie Godbold -- and she is holding flat Matt. Now I have more than my share of smiles for the day as I read your post and got to see one of my long distance friends. That is cool!

Wow Ann, that week was busy for the tourism dept. of Western NC. I too was very close to you in Bryson City, NC from July 15 - 21!

I'd also been in touch with Leslie Godbold of Asheville Stagers and she gave our family lots of great info on what to do. How neat it is to meet another Active Rainer that you've connected with online and then in person. Sounds like you had a great time - I came back with a few "souveniers" of my own, and I'm still scratching.... Enjoyed your post!

Ann: Thanks for this post and letting us know about the great time you had in Asheville. I am jealous you got to meet Leslie Godbold (Asheville Stagers). She is a great and talented stager and one of my favorite people on AR. How fun for all of you...I'm jealous!

Ann, sounds like a great time was had by all. To everyone else, Ann is right on the money. It is awesome to meet your fellow ActiveRainers in person. Because you really already know them. Keep your eyes open for any opportunity to meet each other! I love ActiveRain.

What a fun day you must have had! Flatt Matt and 3 ladies on a staging project...what can beat that!

Ann...

I know for a fact these get togethers are heart warming. Looks like you all enjoyed yourself.

JaneAnn...

I see that Green-O-Lina is working quite well. Glad to see you using it :)

TLW...ROAR!

Ann, you have been hitting the road this summer and I am glad to live vicariously through you -- this sounds like it was way too much fun. Now she can come and visit you and have lobster - not that she can't have it where she is but you get my meaning lol Very nice to travel along with you, via AR.

JUL

2007

Ann - great pictures to show us how much fun you had in NC. I am glad you got to hang out with my Pal and fellow stager Leslie. It looks like you had tons of fun staging and what great news to hear that the home sold so fast.

Hi Ann - It's always good to hear about professionals having a great time. And, getting to meet with others from AR is just a plus. I'm jealous that you got to meet with Leslie Godbold of Asheville Stagers also. She is one of the great stagers here on AR.

Lynette Lawson

Thanks so much for all the really nice comments. I would really encourage everyone to take advantage of any opportunities you get to meet others here on Active Rain - what a wonderful experience you'll have!!

Thanks!
Ann

Sounds like you guys had a blast in NC. Y'all are so lucky to be hangin' out with Leslie godbold. She's a terrific lady and super stager.

AUG

2007

Ann, i can feel the love! What a blessing to meet up with jA in her beautiful mountain home. I hope I have the opportunity one day!

Ginger

Recently joined AR and found that there is alot of knowledge and information to gleam from. From reading the post, it looks as though people really develop great relationships here, not only professional but on a personal level also. Love reading about everyone, their vacations and professional experiences.......keep it up!

Although I am not a RE Agent/Broker/Stager, etc..... I would like to be considered as a small contributor. I recently made a new posting requesting information on Illinois/Missouri "gatherings". If anyone knows of anything in this area or other places that would be of benefit in attending..............give me a shout.

AUG

2007

Hi Patricia - thanks for reading! I didn't get to meet Leslie, but I hope to next time I'm down in Asheville, which should be next summer. I did really enjoy my time with janeAnne!

Ginger - it was, indeed, a real treat to meet janeAnne, and of course, that area is just really beautiful. We have our own mountains here in New Hampshire, but the mountains in western North Carolina are really just stunningly beautiful. And the people are so very friendly - looking forward to my next visit.

Newbie - Many thanks for reading this post, and welcome to Active Rain! You're right about the wealth of information shared here, and on top of that are the really wonderful friendships formed here with people you likely would never have had the opportunity to network with and/or meet in person when the chances arise. I hope you enjoy being here, and I hope you have the opportunity to meet up with others in the Missouri and Illinois areas. Just a tip for you - make sure to log in so that people know who you are when you visit their posts. It will make it easier for others to get in touch with you, especially about your request for info on gatherings in your area.

Thanks!
Ann