The Day ActiveRain Stars Shine On Me

31 Days of May Blog Challenge

 

As anyone on ActiveRain who's mildly paying attention knows, the 31 Days of May Blogging Challenge ended last night at the stroke of midnight.  Most probably, the only ones paying attention were the 462 subscribers of the challenge.  What a month it was... it seemed to go on forever. If you have never tried the blogging everyday challenge, I urge you to... so you can at least commiserate with some of the miserable contestants whining about what topic to blog about minutes away from the day's deadline.  I certainly was miserable on some days... sorry, honey.

Since we didn't have a sales meeting Tuesday, I worked in my comfy home office in O'Fallon, Illinois.  (Can I claim it as a home office if I blog in my own office desk?  If I blog in my bathrobe and slippers?  Would blogging for the challenge on AR be considered business?)  But I digress, while typing the last entry to the challenge, I received a phone call from an unknown caller with a 434 area code.  I'm not working with anybody out of state right now, but a lead from my super O'Fallon, Illinois Real Estate Blog on AR would be nice, wouldn't it?

I answered and the person on the other line said, "Hi, Yolanda this is Wallace from ActiveRain."  There is only one Wallace that I know of, so it had to be Wallace Gibson, the Property Maven, Landlord Whisperer, and NASCAR enthusiast from my Silent Majority Group!  I about fell off my office chair!  I said, "really? Ha, ha.  This is really Wallace?"   "Yes, yes."   "How are you Wallace?"  I think I said that, but it was a blur to me.   My jaw was still on my carpeted floor.  I think she said something about an iPad or iPod or something like that, I was just so excited.   LOL Anyway, it was such a pleasant surprise I'm still grinning as I'm writing this.

But the beautiful day wasn't over yet... so I went on to work on my post, window shopping for ClipArt since I didn't have pictures on my file that would work with my sentiment for the last post.  Did I mention that the challenge ended yesterday?   Did you know that there really are some cool pictures royalty free on the MS online? I used three images on the last entry for the challenge.  Now where was I?   After much fussing with the placement of the images, I posted.  Success!  It wasn't pear shaped nor did I lose the keys!

There's an ending to this story, I promise... around 7:20 PM, here comes a call from the 410 area code.  I get telemarketers and real estate lead generators around this time because they know it's around dinner time.  LOL Well, what do you know, the caller said, "Hello, this is Margaret Rome from ActiveRain."   "You're kidding, really?" I said.  Pinch me now, this can't be THE Margaret Rome of Home Rome Realty, Realtor Magazine's Open House Master, and one of the celebrities on ActiveRain Margaret Rome?  

If I had two jaws, they'd both be on my floor yesterday.  Margaret must have thought I was unbalanced because I was just so excited and mumbled during the conversation.  She encouraged me to keep on blogging every day even though the challenge has ended, and she said other wonderful things, but I was just flabbergasted, in a great way, during the call.  Then my husband came home and gave me the steely look, (no, not the come hither look) that it was late and we should have dinner soon.  Oh, the pain... with that, I had to beg off and mumble something about hubby being home to Margaret.

How cool is that to be called by two ActiveRain members on the same day, who took time off from their busy schedules to reach out?  Thank you Wallace, thank you Margaret, for shining on me!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yolanda Hoversten, Broker
Real Service. Real Value. REALTOR®.
MLS Search for Homes in O'Fallon, Belleville, Shiloh, Fairview Heights, & Scott AFB Illinois

E-Mail    Mobile: 618-407-9195    Google Voice: 618-589-2349

© 2013 Yolanda Hoversten - O'Fallon, Illinois Real Estate Broker. All rights reserved.

 
Post is included in group: Silent Majority
Post is included in group: 31 Days of May Challenge 2011
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: "Whacked"!!!
Post is included in group: Wild Wednesday

49 Comments on The Day ActiveRain Stars Shine On Me

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUN
02
2011
310,127 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Wow, and now you have an AR Feature, too! Congratulations Yoli, I know you worked very hard this past month! :)
2:42pm • #30
299,808 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hi Yolanda, That is a good day!! We all need one, now and then; it stirs the spirit in a good way. You mentioned MS having royalty free clipart. I did a search and could not locate it. Do you have the link? Thanks so much!!
2:52pm • #31

Yolanda, that is super cool! I really enjoyed reading your blog, and you are a super gifted blog writer (or writer period). I could feel all that energy bursting right through my notebook display. Thanks for putting the good vibes out there!
Fred Strickroot, HomeNet, Selling Homes in the Tampa Bay Area
3:05pm • #32

Yolanda, that is super cool! I really enjoyed reading your blog, and you are a super gifted blog writer (or writer period). I could feel all that energy bursting right through my notebook display. Thanks for putting the good vibes out there!
3:07pm • #33
1,047,568 Points 396 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Very cool Yolanda. The connections we make here are priceless. I've never spoken to Wallace but Margaret and I have chatted many times. We actually joined AR on the same day back in July 2006. She's a wonderful person.
3:44pm • #34
138,697 Points 3 Featured Posts

Nice.

It only happened because you deserved it.
5:03pm • #35
547,229 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Yolanda:

I am so impressed that these truly awesome ladies called you. That's the best think about AR, everyone seems to care.  Congratulations on completing the 31 day challenge.
5:33pm • #36
308,087 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Double cool! Thanks for the feature, AR!

Hi, Patricia - Thank you. The journey was worth it for sure. :)

Hello, Nick! Thanks for the support... and the feature in the SM Group. :)

Hi, Cory - Thank you, I will try to keep it up. :)

Hello, Fairway Mortgage - Welcome to ActiveRain! There will be another challenge around the corner, I hope you join then. Thanks for your comment.
6:46pm • #37
308,087 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hi, Alan. It was the highlight of my day! Lest we forget, you're one of the icons yourself. Thanks for dropping by! :)

Thank you, Adam! AR does work, we just have to participate in the community. Love the umbrella! :)

Hi, Robert! Thank you! :)

Hello, Susan! It was quite a surprise. Thanks! (Love your perch up there.) :)

Thank you, Gary! I know! The phone calls really connected with reality for me. I'm so glad that I participated in the challenge.

 
6:55pm • #38
308,087 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hello, Karen! Great to see you! It was a cool bonus. Yes, it was harder than i thought. Thank you for dropping by!

Hi, Sandi! It was a great day! Try this... http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/ (not all are free... just keep that mind.) Good luck!

Hello, Fred... Hello Fred! lol Thank you so much! It's easy to put out good vibes when people are kind. :)

Very cool indeed, Bryant! You and your wife and Margaret are among the many founders who made AR the community it is today. We thank you! :)

Hi, Cliff - that was a wonderful thing to say. Thank you! :)

Hello, Evelyn - yes, they are indeed awesome. Congrats on completing the challenge as well! Great job! :)
7:14pm • #39
378,625 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yolanda, 

How awesome is that.  I was just talking on the phone with Charita tonight and we both realized neither of us has actually "talked on the phone" with her.  Boy, will her phone be ringing tomorrow.... she is awesome, and so is Margaret.  

Who needs dinner when you have the AR love!

All the best, Michelle 
9:34pm • #40
137,469 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I have had similar experiencs of some of the more well known and experienced Rainers reach out to me and offer thier help.  This is a very community oriented group.
9:51pm • #41
308,087 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hi, Michelle! How exciting to have personal connections with AR members. I will keep the AR love in mind next time. LOL Thank you! :)

Hello, Bob. It's a great feeling isn't it to know that people care. This community is like no other online. Thanks for your comment! :)
11:18pm • #42
1,333,295 Points 128 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I am so glad you continued to blog! Look at you.. a gold star!! Congratulations. 

So what's your post for day 3 in June?  Do you see how this is addictive? Just keep enjoying. You are a joy to read! And you are so close to 200,000 points.

Margaret
11:30pm • #43
308,087 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hello, Margaret! I'm just tickled pink about it. Thank you! :)

In fact I posted albeit late tonight... Does Google Punish Duplicate Content?

It is addictive, Margaret and I hope I can keep up with you! lol Thank you again. :)

 
11:39pm • #44
1,206,544 Points 193 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yolanda - All because you are special here in the Rain. Not just one, but two. You must feel TWICE as special.
11:42pm • #45
1,333,295 Points 128 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yolanda,  So can we count on you for the entire month of June?

Margaret
11:58pm • #46
JUN
04
2011
308,087 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Good evening, Loreena. One can't help but feel nice about people reaching out. They're the ones who are special in my book.  It's great of you to visit. Thank you! :)

Hello, Margaret. Let me say this... I'll take it one day at a time, and so far it's pretty good. lol Thanks for not giving up on me. :)
12:26am • #47
JUN
05
2011
1,020,977 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yolanda * on it's way next week with my iPAD for Dummies book and a surprise I enjoy using.....I'm sure it will have a "good home" with you...

I think it is SO COOL we both identified ourselves as being from ActiveRain....way COOL
7:11am • #48
JUN
06
2011
308,087 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hello, Wallace! You really shouldn't, but I appreciate it! :)

Yes, it was so exciting to hear and I'm still grinning over it. ActiveRain connects us in very special ways.  Thank you so much!
2:49pm • #49

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Yolanda Hoversten | Broker | O'Fallon, Illinois Real Estate

O Fallon, IL

More about me…

Prudential One Realty Centre

Address: 1941 Frank Scott Parkway, Suite C, O'Fallon, IL, 62269

Office Phone: (618) 628-2400

Cell Phone: (618) 407-9195

Email Me

Author Bio: Yolanda earned her business degree in marketing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is a licensed real estate broker and Realtor, helping home buyers and home sellers in Southwestern Illinois since 2004.



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