Here it is...my first, official blog post on my new ActiveRain Outside Blog! After a couple of "technical difficulties" and a few weeks of construction distractions at our office, I'm FINALLY getting the opportunity to work on the incredible gift offered by Pat and Wayne Harriman, and Bob Stewart. Thank you, Pat and Wayne...and thank you ActiveRain! Mother's Day just seemed an appropriate time to relax, get creative, and "give birth" to my new endeavor. So, here goes...
For those of you that missed the contest, let me share how RealEstateCafeNews.com was born. A couple of months ago a generous couple by the name of Pat and Wayne Harriman, fellow Active Rain members, offered to donate their "extra" outside blog to an ActiveRain member that demonstrated a need and desire to grow their AR presence through blogging. They decided to take the first 100 entries, review the stories (begging, pleading, bribing, etc.) and award the blog to one "winner." Since I was a little "preoccupied" during the launching and grandfathering phase of the AR Outside Blog (dealing with post Hurricane Ike issues and the unexpected loss of my youngest son) I entered in hopes that I might have a second chance at joining all the AR Blogging Pros. I needed something to help jump start our business again and thought blogging could be just the answer. There were so many wonderful comments during the contest. Each entry was funny, creative...touching. I know the decision must have been difficult. All were quite deserving. Many were entertaining. In the end, I was the blessed individual that received Pat and Wayne's prize blog. I am quite honored and hope to make them (and the rest of the group) "proud" of the selection. And, although I was a little delayed in getting started, I'm ready to go. I still have a lot to learn about dressing up my site with pretty pictures, widgets, tagging...I look forward to building a blogging presence, making new friends, sharing wonderful information about the Houston and Galveston Bay Area, and most of all hearing from YOU!
When I began thinking of about the "feel" and "tone" of my blog, I wondered if I should go in a strictly professional direction giving market statistics, local information, Buyer/Seller information, and real estate news featuring me as the "Local Real Estate Expert"...or, did I want to create a softer, more personal blog interjecting important and substantive real estate information about the Houston-Galveston area along with a local perspective of our community. As I reflected on the important things in my life...God and family, friends, community and career...I knew I could only go one way. My thoughts kept going back to The Diner...a local hangout on 61st St. in Galveston situated right next door to my office. The Diner was the first real eating establishment visitors would see as they exited from I-45 South and headed to the beach. Your typical small town diner, it has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Breakfast Places in Texas. Only open 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (and closed on Wednesdays), The Diner was THE place for coffee and catch-up...catch-up on politics, catch-up on friends, catch-up on local gossip. It was also a place LOTS of business deals were born, developed, and wrapped up...many times over that last cup of coffee and a hand shake. The Diner, as most businesses in Galveston, suffered greatly during Hurricane Ike...and it's still not open yet. I really miss those mornings of sitting around the table with my friends, Locksmith Dennis, Doc, Bonnie, Larry, Jim and old Calvin. I loved being there. It was "normal"... comforting... secure, and quite entertaining. You never knew who might drop by...anyone from tourists and families with kids in swimsuits...to our Galveston County Judge, Jim Yarbrough...to Pink (yes, THE Pink). (Personally, I kept waiting for Clay Walker or Beyonce (who both have homes in Galveston) to drop by. Maybe some day.....)
I decided I really want my blog to reflect all the important things in life. In an odd way, The Diner encompassed much of that. Hopefully, as we journey through cyberspace together you'll find the time to drop by, chat a bit, see who's been here, and maybe do a little real estate business. Have that cup of coffee, an ice cold Coke, or fix yourself that big, fat, juicy cheeseburger...and join in! Welcome to Michelle Hatmaker's Real Estate Cafe.
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