Here are my answers to the 21 questions put forth by Margaret Rome and Ray Henson for the August Challenge.
1. We all go on vacation to get away from it all and have a great time, but I want to know, what vacation day was your worst? My worst vacation day was in July of 2001. I was with family in Puerto Vallarta, and had contracted the worst case of Montezuma’s Revenge that you can imagine. I only hoped I would be well enough for our return flight to the states. I healed but was weak as a kitten upon boarding the plane. Up until the point of our vacation where the Revenge had taken over, we had been having a wonderful time.
2. What would be your bucket list vacation or, if you have already taken it, tell us about it? Pictures encouraged. I have yet to take my bucket list vacation. It would be to Italy – Rome, Venice, Florence and the Amalfi Coast.
3. If your ActiveRain friends were to visit you, would you prepare dinner for them or would you take them to the best pizza joint in town? What would you make or where would you go? It would probably depend on the mood I’m in. I like to cook, but I also love pizza. I’m fond of the Chicago Fire Pizza in nearby Folsom.
4. We all know that Canadian bacon and pineapple are the best toppings for any pizza. If you can’t have those toppings on your pizza, what would you choose? I like my pizza loaded with everything they can cram on it. But if I only had to choose a couple toppings, I’d select sausage and cheese.
5. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? My favorite ice cream flavor is Pistachio Nut.
6. What is your beverage of choice with dinner; beer, wine, iced tea, a cocktail, or …..? My very favorite beverage is Anderson Valley Bourbon Barrel Stout. It’s a little pricey for everyday drinking (about 10.99 for a 20 oz. bottle). But, I treat myself to it several times a year. Most of the time, I drink a lot of water with lemon, or ice tea.
7. Do you prefer going to a concert, the theater, or a big sporting event? Who or what would you be watching? I’m not so keen on sporting events, and prefer concerts or the theater. I have really enjoyed the summer concerts which are outdoor at our parks and other locations, and are free.
8. There are so many great festivals across the country. Is there a special one in your area? Pictures are encouraged. Before Covid hit, Old Sacramento hosted Gold Rush Days each Labor Day weekend. It was so much fun. I am hoping they will bring it back before long.
9. What is your greatest sporting accomplishment, hitting a hole in one, bowling a perfect game, hitting the game winning shot, etc.? While I swim fairly regularly, I haven’t been the most talented athlete. However, when I was in my 20s, my ex-husband was an avid hunter. He would often target practice out in the woods. One time, he was showing me how to shoot his rifle. He stood near my shoulder, as I sighted in the target, and closed my eyes, and fired. He yelled at me because I closed my eyes just before pulling the trigger. I did so, because I feared the recoil and noise. Finally, I asked if we could see how well I had done. It was a dead center bullseye at 100 feet.
10. Are you a pet person? If so, names and pictures are a must! I’m absolutely a person who love friends with fur. I cohabit with a pair of felines, Reuben and Camilla.
11. What is your favorite thing to collect, or do you prefer to keep things simple and clutter free? Or what is your decorating style? I’m a mixture of a little clutter (I collect things), but I also like keeping things simple. I have a collection of antique tea cups and saucers. And, I collect cook books. The style of my home could be described as New England Beach Cottage.
12. What job did you have just prior to making the switch to real estate and has it helped you in your real estate career? I have worked primarily in the insurance industry as a policy rater and typist. I also worked at a software development company with folks from all over the globe. I did that simultaneously while remaining as a Realtor. And, there was also a period of time back in the 1980s, when I was a Speedo Rep.
13. When you are writing on ActiveRain, who is your audience and why did you choose them for your audience? Last December I retired from real estate after 40 years. My focus on ActiveRain has changed somewhat. I still have an interest in the “what’s happening now” in the real estate realm. But, most of all, I have forged friendships and relationships in the 14 years I’ve been on this platform. I stay because of those relationships. And, hopefully, do a little mentoring along the way.
14. What makes you the real estate agent of choice in your area? During my 40 years as an active Realtor in the Greater Sacramento region. I think what sustained me, was the referral business that came mainly from past clients, and word of mouth.
15. What is the most outrageous action that a client has ever asked you to perform? I once had elderly clients who were selling their home because of their extremely abusive son who was living with them. They did not want him to know they were selling; or, where they were moving to. There was no For Sale sign installed on the property. All showings came through me, and were performed when the son was absent. We managed to get that transaction closed without him being aware. A few days before closing, the son's aunt and uncle invited him to visit for a few days. They lived about 100 miles north of Sacramento. Upon closing the sellers put all the son’s belongings in a storage space, and left the key with a neighbor. They moved across country. We made certain to disclose to the buyer the situation with the son, in case there were ramifications afterward.
16. We show a lot of homes in our profession. What is the most interesting home or, item in a home that you have encountered? There have been several. Off the top of my head, I remember showing a home that had a pair of ferrets that were running up and down the stairs. Their names were Levi and Straus.
17. What are your three favorite neighborhoods in your area and what makes them special? Are you lucky enough to live in one of those neighborhoods? I don’t live in any of my favorite neighborhoods, but I have been in my current house 39 years, and it is home to me. They will need to carry me out of here in a box. However, that being said, I’m fond of the Old Land Park area in Sacramento. I also like the Fabulous 40s. It was in that area that Ronald Regan lived when he was Governor of California, prior to becoming President. Another area that I like is Curtis Park. Both Old Land Park and Curtis Park have homes built in the 1920s. I like their classic appeal.
18. We all love client testimonials, but is there one that really made you feel special? We would love to see it. I’ve had several over the years. But, don’t ask me to show you any. After I retired from real estate, I stored them in a box in the rafters of my garage. And, I don’t do ladders that well!
19. What is your favorite volunteer work or charity? My favorite charity is the Salvation Army.
20. What does the flag represent to you? The flag is a symbol of what we should all be striving for, that makes us The UNITED States. I worry we are slipping away from that and scurrying into division. I hope we can reverse it!
21. When we discuss life, my dad always says he is not sure what he would like to be when he grows up. He is 77! What do you want to be when you grow up or are you already in your perfect profession? Well, I’m going to make a little admission here. Next year, I will turn 80. If I haven’t already grown up, it ain’t gonna happen! Interestingly enough, the last several days, I have really been downsizing stuff off shelves, and in my closets. I actually took 4 big bags off books to Goodwill. When I examined what books I had chosen to keep, nearly half had a spiritual theme, from religions all over the globe. And, the other half are cook books! I'd also be remise if I failed to mention I retained several volumes on pirates! My interests including family, seem to gravitate into those realms.
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