Christmas and New Years are mid week this year. Working up to Christmas, there are many last minute things to do. Gift shopping, food shopping, house cleaning, yard work, Lights. When Christmas comes and goes and all the guests leave, then it is time to ramp up for New Years. Not just Realtors are affected. It seems as if the world slows down and the days surrounding both holidays are filled with parties for some, movies for others and a hope that the coming year will be better than the last one.

It is akin to starting a new diet. "Come Monday, I am going to start!" We announce it to everyone and when a pizza shows up on Tuesday, we never mention it again. "Come the New Year, things are going to be better!" We are all hoping for better times ahead. Consumer confidence, the right decisions by our government leaders and an effort from all of us to save when needed and also spend when we can.

Gas prices are at the lowest level in about 15 years yet the holiday traffic was down 18% from last year. We can make 2009 a better year but it will take all of us to make that happen.