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A little late but not forgotten...1 Year of AR Bliss, the honeymoon ain't over

I failed to remember an important anniversary.

February 21st, 2007, marked my 1 year anniversary in the Rain. Thank you Loreena Yeo, for the invitation to join.

Wow, I can't believe a whole YEAR has passed.

Time certainly seems to accelerate as we age.

I cannot even begin to describe how this year has unfolded both personally and professionally and I'm sure many of you would relay the same. Thank God we don't know what the future holds and can wake up each day with a fresh start.

I hope in the year that I've been an "active" Active Rain member, that my contributions have been worthy of your viewing and that my contributions have been of some value to you. my gift to you

I know I've posted some things and have gone back and deleted and tweaked because I "matured" in my blogging technique.

Here's some insight to the people I've met and the things I've learned, done and gained:

I discovered the power of "social networking" and having a "voice" through blogging that can relate to others
I've tried to be myself as much as I could in my writing
I've made some AMAZING FRIENDSHIPS here and my "distro" knows who they are and although we have not yet met in the flesh my sistahs, OH one day we shall...
I have been contacted by some awesome people who are going to be pivotal in my growth
I hosted the first of many AR Stager's Roundtables and had the pleasure of meeting my fellow stagers from around the state
I have become a published author thanks to the recommendations of fellow AR members
I have started teaching at the College level a subject that is near and dear to my heart - Home Staging
I am seen as an expert in my field
I have learned life lessons and grown as a human being in body, mind and most of all spirit

Thank you to all the countless RE pros who I read and learn from on a regular basis. For writing me personally and sharing yourselves with me on the Internet superhighway. I have made friends from coast to coast, Canada and beyond. I plan to meet some fellow AR members on my way home to Florida this summer and others we will plan and schedule.

This is truly an awesome network and is made possible by the souls who dwell here.

Thank you one and all and I look so forward to what lies ahead!

The journey is the reward my friends.

John 3:16

Posted by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager on 03/28/2008 11:26 PM

Comments (31)

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Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...
Post is included in group: Home Staging 101
Post is included in group: Collin County, TX Real Estate Professionals
Post is included in group: Active Rain Block Party

31 Comments on A little late but not forgotten...1 Year of AR Bliss, the honeymoon ain't over

Karen - Congrats on your one-year anniversary in the Rain! I seem to enjoy this place more and more each day.

03/28/2008 11:53 PM

by Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (Austin Texas Homes, LLC)

I see you're catching up to Donna Jason! I still need to go check out the music group... thanks for reading!

03/29/2008 12:14 AM

by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

Karen,

...and all for free, except for the time you've given. What a wonderful anniversary post! Congratulations!

Mike in Tucson

03/29/2008 12:16 AM

by Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC)

Thank you Mike - I so appreciate your comments and kind words!

03/29/2008 12:17 AM

by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

Happy anniversary Karen, and yes your posts are always a great contribution in our book. Thanks

03/29/2008 06:40 AM

by Gary Barnett Home Matters, Home Stagers, Indianapolis (Home Matters)

Thank you Gary, I appreciate that!

03/29/2008 08:23 AM

by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

Karen - Congrats on a year of AR! It shows how fast time flies doesn't it?

03/29/2008 08:38 AM

by Lindsey Hasford (Coldwell Banker Vision)

Thanks Lindsey! Time is much to short for sure.

03/29/2008 08:54 AM

by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

A very well deserved CONGRATULTIONS!

So happy to have you on the RAIN. Life just wouldn't be the same.

04/07/2008 01:28 AM

by Beth Patnode, MN Home Staging Firm, Minnesota (Minnesota Home Staging Network~ MN's Top Home Staging Firm)

Karen, If this is a repeat I apologize. Some of those "technical difficulties" I have been hearing about. Anyway, yours is one of the first posts I always read. Thank you!

Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging

04/07/2008 07:29 AM

by Kim Dillon (Creative Eye Home Staging)

Thank you Beth and I'm glad I found you here too!

Thanks so much Kim, that made my morning!

04/07/2008 07:33 AM

by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

Karen ~ It seems like you have had a great and fruitful year! Congratulations and continued success!

04/07/2008 08:03 AM

by Kathy Passarette, L.I. Staging/Decorating (Creative Home Expressions)

Karen,

Congratulations on the 1 year anniversary. I look forward to mine in October!

I sure love Activerain!

04/07/2008 12:29 PM

by Mike Frazier, Dyersburg Tn Real Estate (Carousel Realty of Dyer County)

Karen: Congrats on your anniversary. I'm still a newlywed. Looking forward to many years here on AR though.

04/07/2008 05:35 PM

by Chris Ann Cleland, GRI (Long & Foster)

Karen- Congratulations, and I think you summed up how we all feel very eloquently! This place does tend to improve our writing skills, doesn't it? Looking forward to more!!!

04/07/2008 05:43 PM

by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)

Thank you for reading Kathy, Mike, Chris Ann and Elaine. AR is a great place with lots of great people such as yourselves and I look forward to what lies ahead!

04/09/2008 03:05 PM

by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

Karen.... Congratulations on your anniversary with Active Rain ! This is a great place to be

04/09/2008 03:15 PM

by Roland Woodworth "Fort Campbell Area Realtor" (Exit Realty Clarksville)

Thank you Roland!

04/09/2008 09:09 PM

by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

Karen...Happy Belated Anniversary! Mine is coming up in June and I agree with what you said about learning and growing because of AR. Cograts on all of your successes so far!

04/10/2008 02:12 PM

by Kim Daugherty, McKinney Real Estate Agent (RE/MAX Four Corners)

I appreciate that Kim!

04/11/2008 07:54 AM

by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

Congrat's on the 1 year anniv! Ive only been doing this since Nov...and I cant be happier!

04/11/2008 07:55 AM

by Clint Miller - www.recr.com (Real Estate Client Referrals LLC)

Enjoy the Rain Clint !

04/12/2008 07:24 PM

by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

Karen,

Great post about what AR can do for its members, whether in staging, mortgages, real estate etc. Anyone who doubts the network's relevance should read this blog and give a try at least. All the best.

04/12/2008 07:28 PM

by Esko Kiuru - Las Vegas NV Mortgage Consultant (Sinifox Financial)

Much thanks Esko! AR is a fabulous resource for ALL RE pros!

04/12/2008 07:49 PM

by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

Karen, Congratulations on your anniversary. I remember when I first joined AR, reading your blogs was something I looked forward to. You always seemed so knowledgeable and professional.

Now that I know you a little more, I KNOW, you are a true professional, and a friend indeed.

My best wishes to you professionally and personally :-)

04/12/2008 10:14 PM

by Joelle Green, Joelle & Company Designs - Home Staging (White Rock/South Surrey, BC)

(((Joelle))) that made my day! I've been missing you!

04/13/2008 09:22 AM

by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

Hi Karen O -- Yep, when I first came on in May of 07 you were the first one I watched and followed like crazy! In fact, to this day, when I do a post, I never feel like its run it course until I've received a comment from the staging marketing expert, Karen O! NO PRESSURE HERE! Love you, my friend!

Karen D

04/13/2008 09:29 AM

by Karen Dembsky, Atlanta Home Staging (Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA)

Another "make my day" kind of comment my friend! Thank you and you know I'm slowly getting back in the saddle again after all this year has brought. I feel like I've been in a sort of time warp and I am just waking up... Love to you too and THANK YOU for your words over the last several months, Karen, they have meant more than you'll know.

04/13/2008 09:34 AM

by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

Happy Anniversary!!! I just read your blog!! Cheers from San Fransisco. California!!!!!!

04/15/2008 08:05 PM

by Cathy Lee ASP (CL Design Services Home Staging)

Karen - I love your blogs. Congrat's on your milestone. I agree whole heartedly.

Kym

04/15/2008 08:51 PM

by Kym Hough, Stager, Live Green, Live Smart Certified Trainer, CSP, RESA, LGLS (www.Staged to Sell & www.StagersLIST.com)

Thank you Cathy!

I so appreciate that Kym and so glad you're in the Rain now too!

04/16/2008 07:34 AM