Family First

Ok, so I have to admit, I've been slacking off on the whole staying in touch with family thing. It's very easy to get stuck in the everyday rut of work, kids & home and miss out on the whole call your Gramma or Uncle thing. Since most of my family live an 8 hour drive away (I'm originally from Cincinnati) my staying in touch usually has to happen over the phone. However, when I am in my hometown, I try to go see as many family members that I can in the short time that I'm visiting. It seems, though, that I am never in town long enough to see everyone that I meant to or wanted to see.  I believe in staying grounded and keeping balance in my life (it's cheap therapy for a single parent) and family definitely helps me do that.

Recently, I took a 3 day visit to Cincy, to go get the kids. You see, I have the BEST PARENTS EVER! They keep my girls for me over the summers to save me the cost of daycare. Plus they love spoiling their Grands (that's what my parents call their grandkids); and since mine are the only ones that they see regularly, they get an extra heapin of spoilin from Granny and Paw-Paw! This was also 2 weeks before our bi-annual family reunion (of which I missed the last 2 installments).While I was there I had a list of people that I wanted to see. The only permanent people on my list are my Parents (of course) and my Grandma. After those folks are taken care of I try to get in the peeps that I missed the last time around. Just so happens that a lot of family was in town that weekend. Many of whom came to visit me at my folks house, so that knocked out a lot of driving. Then afterwards, I was sure to visit the peeps who were vexed with me for not coming to see them last year. The squeaky wheel gets the grease ya know. I also went out a couple nights to par-tay, which made me sleepy as all get out the next day, and cut down on my time-window for visiting. Long story short, there were still some peeps who were missed and who are now mad at me. In case you all are reading this: I love you very much and am sorry for not getting to see you while I was there. I will definitely add you to my list for the next visit. Forgive me? Please? :(


But (for all you grammar buffs out there, I know I should never begin a sentence with but, sue me) the time that I did get to spend with family really refreshed me. Even though I didn't get to have a very long visit with them, I truly enjoyed every minute. My family is always so great at making me feel loved and missed. It doesn't matter how long it's been since our last visit, I always feel right at home with them. I guess it's because I am. The moral of the story is this: take time to spend with your family, elder members and younger members. Those you are used to keeping in touch with and those you rarely see or talk to. Take your kids around them and introduce them to family members that they aren't very familiar with and help them know how important family is. I promise you they will continue the tradition when they are older. Keep in mind that when they are older, you will be the elder relative that they will be coming to visit. Karma is a thing that rhymes with itch!

Agent Improvement Brief #1 (AIB) - Stats is Facts

I've been busy studying studying studying for my Real Estate exam. (I'm really kicking myself for not keeping up with my education requirements.) While I love learning about riparian rights and agency law (wink wink), I like to take some time out regularly to keep up with the trends and news dealing with the real estate market. 

And now its time for an Agent Improvement Brief

One of the many lessons that I plan to implement from my Post-License course is that STATS is FACTS. Meaning, they make you, the agent, look like you know what the heck you're talkin' about.You can find these stats a number of different ways and all for FREE (we like to say complimentary in the sales world)!! So look for stats weekly, if not daily. Shout out to Tripp Anderson, my awesome and knowledgeable post-license instructor for introducing this habit to into my agent development plan. Statistics used to be the bane of my existence, thanks to a brush with them in a college math course. (Everytime I think about that course I shudder.) However, now I consider statistics my friend. Hi statistics! Let's get together for coffee soon. Call me. 

Statistics are extremely easy to find and manipulate into scripts and dialogs to be used to showcase your expertise as an exceptional agent. That's what we all want to be, right? Recently, while perusing Tom Ferry's blog he had a link to the 2010 NAR Profile of Buyers and Sellers. Don't you just love when people share? This report is chock full of juicy and timely stats that can be used to help us as agents in a number of ways. You can use it to better tailor your marketing strategy, use it to beef up your scripts to overcome objections, or just use it because it makes you sound smart. So folks, just for reading (and hopefully subscribing to) my blog today. You get... wait for it... wait for it... the link to the NAR report for the  low low price of... FREE (or complimentary)!!! You can find it all here. While you're there, check out Tom's website and his video posts. Tom may not be everyone's cuppa tea, but he sure helps keep me motivated. 

But wait there's more! (in my annoying infomercial guy voice) You can find stats in a number of places. I get the Sunday paper every week which usually has some good juicy stats. Check out your local TV news websites for stats. Read magazines and books that have stats.Treat stats like a Where's Waldo book and go crazy looking for them everywhere. Look for stats in the daytime with a flashlight.  Have a ball! Here's a few free (complimentary) ones I picked up from the NAR report I just put you on to: 

Single female sellers accounted for 2.5 times more than single male sellers in the latest NAR report. So this may be a great niche market to target.

A great script: "83% of sellers who priced their home right sold  in less than 2 weeks. While sellers who ended up having to reduce their asking price at least one time spent 4 times as long on the market. So if you want to sell your home quickly, price it right the first time."

 I challenge you Real Estate professionals out there to find some stats and incorporate them into your business in a creative and useful way. Let me know what you were able to come up with. Remember, I shared with you, now return the favor. Tag! You're it!

Attack of the Clones

***WARNING: THIS WILL BE ONE OF THOSE WEIRDO "WHAT IF BLOG ENTRIES. (A girl can dream can't she?)***

I was listening to the radio this morning on the way to work. I can't remember what station because I switch between about 5 different ones during my commute to and from work. Call it MADD (music attention deficit disorder) I have to have a variety of music in my life or boredom will take over fast. Anyway, the topic of conversation was the struggles that working moms have to face. Apparently, earlier they had posed to same question to Stay at Home moms. One lady called in and said that her biggest struggle as a working mom was that she felt like she was working two full-time jobs. Between running the kids around to various practices and events after her normal workday, there was never enough time to complete all the things around the house that she needed to. This is definitely a frustration that I have as well.

I was just having the same thought yesterday. I remember saying to my daughter, Lina, that I wish I could clone myself. You see, her school's Curriculum Night (or Open House if you're old school like me) was yesterday. This happened to be the same day as the 1st practice of the soccer season for the league that she plays on. Also, my youngest daughter, Dani's school Curriculum Night was on the same date and time. Go figure! So being that I'm the only parent in the house (Dad lives out of town) I had to pick one or the other. Of course, I chose to attend Lina's Curriculum Night. Since this is her 1st year in a new school, I thought it would be important to meet the teachers and get a quick overview of what to expect during the school year. Also, just so happens that my oldest daughter, Brit's school's Curriculum Night coincides with the 2nd day of soccer practice and the PTSA meeting. So unfortunately, Lina will have to miss the 1st week of soccer practice. BUMMER!

***SPOILER ALERT!!! WEIRDNESS BEGINS IN 3...2...1...

So I started thinking, what would my day have been like if I actually did have a clone?

                       Yesterday in Lala-Land

Keysha	Cleysha (my clone)
dreaming of chocolatey desserts	5:30am wake up, shower get dressed (Maybe not. Do clones need to shower?)
6am Morning time with Dani before school	6am wake Dani up
shower get dressed	Put Dani on school bus
7:30 breakfast? Morning time with Brit & Lina before they leave for school	7am wake Lina up, prep breakfast/lunch for Keysha
8am drive to work	8am drive Lina to school, drop Brit to school
work	go back to sleep
work	dreaming of chocolately dessert
work	do laundry
Enjoy lunch prepped by Cleysha (she's awesome)	walk Sparkle
work	get Dani off bus
work	Prep snack for Dani
work	Prep snack for Lina
5pm drive home	Prep dinner
Eat dinner prepped by Cleysha (still awesome)	clean kitchen
Attend Lina's Curriculum Night	Drop Lina at practice
	Attend Dani's Curriculum Night

Well, even with Cleysha helping out, I'm still pretty busy. Maybe there needs to be a Threesha added on to help out Cleysha and I. She can study for the Real Estate Exam like a maniac and fill in the gaps wherever she's needed. Only thing is, with Cleysha and Threesha doing all this stuff, I would probably end up missing it.   I know. Weird right? Hey, you were warned.

So tell me would you relish in all the free time that a clone could provide? Or would you feel left out from the clone doing all the things for your family that you used to enjoy (well maybe enjoy is pushing it) doing? How many clones would it take for you to have a totally free day? C'mon peeps, lets get sci-fi together!

One Weekend, Many Hats

This weekend I was a chauffeur, chaperone, fundraiser/panhandler all in the same day. In other words I was a MOM!

Let's see, Saturday... Got up at 6:30AM, to get ready for my oldest daughter Brit's band fundraiser. She is now a member of the "Blue Thunder" marching band and really loves it. I am discovering that when your child is in the band... you're in the band! It really is like a full-time job what with all the parent meetings, fundraising events and games to attend. Not to mention the upcoming competitions and trips. This promises to be a very busy school year and she's only a freshman!

Anyway, I went off on a tangent, I do that sometimes a lot; we had a hot breakfast of instant Quaker oatmeal and we were off. To the high school to pick up her band t-shirt then to the auto mechanic to drop Bonita (my car) to get serviced and walked to Kroger to set up for the fundraiser. Fortunately, Kroger is right in front of the mechanic so only a short walk. While manning one of the collection buckets near the band, I soon realized that standing close to the drumline was not a good idea #headachecentral. So another band mom and I decided to work the gas station, where we could enjoy the music and collect from all the folks who just came to Kroger to get gas. Boy howdy  did we clean up. Did I just say boy howdy? I even had a guy donate a scratch-off on which he'd won $3, every little bit helps. Also, the tunes that the band was laying down helped ease the transition of money from wallets to buckets.

After all was said and done, we ended up raising $1200. Shouts out to all the Kroger patrons who helped out!

After sweating in the hot sun collecting donations and jamming with the Blue Thunder. I didn't even have a moment to take a shower ( I really needed one) because I realized I had stayed at the fundraiser longer than I expected. So it was off to pick up my middle daughter Lina and her friend to go catch the Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Anyone else see this movie? What did ya think of it? His birthday present from us. We decided to give him an 'experience' for his birthday because I thought it would be more meaningful. Plus, Lina and I were clueless on what to get an 11 year old boy as a present (Hello? I have all girls.) The movie was pretty creepy but quite entertaining. Afterwards to kids tried their hand at some of the arcade games in the lobby. Ahh, Streetfighter vs Mortal Kombat. Memories.

Then finally it was off home where I could take a shower and relax for a bit before studying for the real estate exam (which I'm taking to get back into the biz next month) and washing and styling my youngest daughter Dani's hair. Which took the rest of the night. It's exhausting just typing about it. Thank goodness my oldest two were able to do their thang in the kitchen on Saturday and make dinner with enough leftovers for Sunday. Woohoo! So that was my Saturday.

Sunday? A day of church and rest. Ahhh sweet serenity.... and dog bathing lol but that's another story.

What did you guys do this weekend? Did you jam to some live tunes while panhandling fundraising at a gas station? Anyone else have any weird names for their car? Have any ideas on birthday presents for 11 year old boys? Let's talk.

I guess I got a few things to say...

Well, I thought I'd see what all this blogging fuss is about so here goes...

It's pretty much like venting, via internet, for the WORLD to see. I'm naturally a very private person so this concept is totally new to me. However, as is human nature, I can be nosy and love hearing about other folks business. I mean who doesn't, right? That's why there is a new 'reality show' out every month. So, it stands to reason that some of you folks out there might want to hear about mine.

Since we are just meeting, there is a lot to tell. Here's me in a nutshell. I am a single mom of 3 beautiful girls with 3 wonderfully unique personalities. I'm in the process of building a real estate business (my empire mwaaahaaaa). I strive to make a home where my babies can feel comfy and safe and can flourish and grow into happy, productive young ladies. I specialize in making life work meaning you only get one life so you have to make it work for you. Live it like only you can, baby!  God, Family, Friends and LOVE are most important to me. And... you'll learn more about me along the way. :-)

Oh, and I'm new to this blogging thing so go easy on me. Ok? And to anyone who decides to follow me, I am honored you chose to. Please be active, leave comments, give me some tips what ever. I'd love to talk to ya. Anyone else out there a new blogger also? Single parent? Lets compare notes.