Back to School

Woo hoo! The kids go back to school next week, and I couldn't be happier. I love my little darlings, but I think we're all ready for our lives to get back to normal.

This year (at the begging and pleading of my 12 year old daughter) I have volunteered to coach the cheerleading squad at Lammersville. No final word from the principal whether or not I got the job, but I think I'm the only volunteer (imagine that!). These Lammersville girls don't realize that I've been a competitive cheer coach before. Their past coaches have been people with little to no experience, so this will be fun for me to whip them into shape and make them a solid team. I don't want a "fluff" squad. I want these girls to dazzle the crowd, and earn respect as athletes!!

This might be asking a lot from 6th, 7th and 8th graders....LOL.

I'll let you know how it goes.....

Has it really been almost 2 months since I last wrote? Crazy! Alas, summertime is busy in the real estate biz, and life in general picks up, too.

I'm really looking forward to next month. Ed has a desert race, which starts in Vegas and ends in Reno...nice, huh? I can gamble at ALL the good spots! :-) The kids normally do not come with us to these long races, so I guess you could call it a mini vacation for Mom. Also, one of my long-time friends from High School suggested we go see Tim McGraw and Faith Hill in San Jose on August 13th. How could I say no??? I heart Tim!! I love a guy who adores his wife...that, to me, is sexy. But, of course, he IS married to Faith Hill.

I'm only half-way through my morning coffee, so I'm not feeling very inspirational right now. The word "tired" comes to mind. Could it be from the TWO soccer games I played this week? Perhaps. Or could it be the 110 degree heat wave we're getting here in the Valley? Lordie, Lordie...point me to the pool!

My goal for the rest of July is to post more often, drink more coffee (I might switch to Margaritas in this heat!) and lose 5 pounds. Make that .5 pounds....hee, hee. :-)

Rantings of a Used Furniture Saleswoman

We recently purchased new bedroom furniture for our kids, and the old bed sets are just sitting in our garage. We decided to try selling them on craigslist.com since we’ve heard good things about it. However, selling used furniture online is NOTHING like selling real estate.

I thought it would be easy….I mean, I sell $700,000 homes…what could be so hard about selling $400 used furniture??

Well, it’s been hard. The people who call with interest always seem pleased with my honest description of the bed sets. Some are quick to say, “I want it! Please don’t sell it to anyone else! I’ll come see it tonight.” Great…no problem…we’ll make sure we’re home.

But they never show up. NEVER SHOW UP! No phone call, nothing. In real estate, my clients and prospective clients have high respect for my professional time. They call if they’re going to be late, or reschedule if something important comes up. I’ve never had a “no show” client.

So why is it so easy for people to take advantage of my personal time? Baffling.... But I'm not giving up. I WILL sell this furniture!!

My Mother's Daughter

As a little girl, I loved being told I resembled my Mom. As I grew into a young adult, the comparison mortified me. Don’t get me wrong, my Mother is great…but at that time, I considered myself an individual, trying to separate myself as far away as possible from my family!

Fifteen years later, I still felt I was completely different than my Mom, in body and spirit. That is until I saw the pictures from our Mother’s Day celebration this past weekend. It wasn’t so much that I “looked” like her, but the pictures captured the slightest similarities that I have never noticed. Posture, mannerism, expressions…it was incredible.

I realized what a special treat it is to be my Mother’s daughter. She embodies so many of the qualities I like about myself. Go figure!

Coffee Chatter

I love coffee. Better yet, I love my local coffee shop. The sounds and smells in that little café are so comforting. It’s my “happy place” when life is throwing me curve balls.

Conversation with friends over coffee can also be comforting. We speak freely about our stubborn spouses, defiant children, and crazy careers. Sometimes we even talk about our thoughtful spouses, darling children, and rewarding careers. It varies, really.

I learn about the world with my coffee. Together we cruise through the newspaper… gasping at the tragedy over seas, taking sides on the local political battles, and chuckling at the latest “expert” opinions of the real estate market.

If I had to define myself as a person, it would be “coffee lover”. Oh yes, I am a Mother, Wife, Daughter, Agent, etc. But deep down, my own identity goes hand in hand with my mocha.