Agh.... Ebola in TX, Enterovirus 68 affecting children in CO, MA, NY and who knows where else that hasn't been reported yet? ISIS on the loose in Iraq and Syria. Our current POTUS promising "no boots on the ground" which seems likely to be some kind of statement that will end up going down in history as one he shouldn't have ever made since guess what.... we have boots on the ground!! Then there's the Ebola in Africa where they've now found it necessary to send our troops to help build treatment facilities and tend to the infected. My thoughts on this... you don't want to hear them, they start with F end with YOU!! and no thanks. I'm not too concerned that Andy will have to do either of these things at this point so that's a small reprieve from the normal uncertainty that comes along with being a military spouse when you hear things like troop movement and deployment and sending troops. I am concerned however, that a few of my friends husbands may have to be in one of these places. I'm not really sure if it was Andy which one I would think was worse? At this point everything seems dangerous, but fight the enemy he knows or the biological enemy he doesn't know. Scary world we're living in these days.
But, we drive on.
I had a moment of clarity in my morning this morning as I sat here at my desk reviewing the latest and greatest Eco Cabins Floor Plans and looking over renderings that quite frankly need to be re-done and contemplating weather or not I should mark through them or wait for President Business to arrive. The mountains that I see everyday never become less than perfect in my eyes every time I look at them and sitting here in this moment, the clarity is... I have a pretty decent life.
I'm surrounded by beautiful scenery here, I have a career here, I have some pretty great kiddos (well for the most part, currently my 10 year old has managed to make me yank out a few select sections of hair- oh you know the usual, can't find homework, talking in class etc etc.), my husband is the best I could ask for. He never really complains about much of anything except when the kids don't help out around the house or he's feeling a little cranky. For the most part he's supportive of what I've been up to and is happy as long as I'm making money. I have amazing co-workers, a very supportive team. And I have the bestest friend you could ask for right around the corner, so I can go have coffee, watch shows, and make her cook dinner for everyone 2 or 3 nights a week. And when I need to vent right now, she's right there. Don't get me wrong I do have more than one bestest friend. I have 2, the other one just lives across the country. He also gets to hear me vent and bitch but I picture him holding the phone 2-3inches from his ear, throwing back shots of CPT because I imagine when I call and he sees its me he says shit and a just skips adding the coke.
In any sort of other reality I can't picture life being any better than this? Well except with a ton of money and no worries. But would it really be a life worth living if we didn't have something to worry about?
I'm worried about college right now.... graduating senior.... who knew this year would be so damn expensive? I hope this will matter to me in 6 months? Why you ask? Ebola scares the hell out of me.... on that note, off to buy more hand-sanitizer.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Tragedy In The Real Estate Community
Today we learned that Beverly Carter Real Estate Agent from Arkansas was killed. After searching for her and finally arresting the suspected kidnapper, the police were able to find where she was located. Her body was found in a shallow grave 25 miles from her last known location, where her car and purse were found. It's a terrible tragedy and I feel so bad for her husband. She told him where she would be and when she didn't come home he reported it and the police started their search.
I try to think about what I do when showing homes. I think about how many times I may have put myself in dangerous situations? How many times have I walked into a home first? How many times have I not told anyone where I would be? How many times have I not brought my gun with me? How many times have a met a client at a property before actually meeting them? How many of my clients know where my home is? What am I doing to protect myself? What am I doing to protect my clients?
These are all the things I need to review in my head to remind myself to be more diligent. To remind myself that not everyone in the world is genuine.
As Real Estate Professionals we are just thinking about what we want to do to help someone find their dream home. Or sell their home. We are not thinking about the fact that we don't really know who we are working with sometimes. In the moment where someone is calling you excited about purchasing a home, you're not thinking about "what if this person wants to kill me?" You're thinking about everything that needs to be done to make the purchase run smoothly.
I've been making my mental list this morning and writing things down to try to come up with a better plan to make sure, even though I'm there to find everyone their dream home, that I am ready and willing to protect myself.
1) Pre-qualify them with a lender: then you know their credit has been ran and you have that lender looking out for your safety as well. AND you have SOMEONE who has their name, social, address and everything about them.
2) Leave the addresses of homes you are showing with at least 2 people plus someone in the office: This allows 2 different people the opportunity to check on you throughout you showing day.
3) Text/Call my 2 people when leaving each home headed to the next: They can track your movement that way.
4) Keep my cell phone at the ready to be able to hit that emergency button: Automatically connects to 911 so at least the line is open and they can dispatch police.
5) NEVER SHOW A STRANGER HOMES: Face to face office meets are necessary so that someone else has seen the face of the person you are showing homes to.
6) If you absolutely must show a home without an office meet (like one of your own listings someone called off the sign) it's a texting day in age: at least have them text a copy of their DL so you can have it and leave it with your 2 people.
7) SELF DEFENSE COURSES RETAKE THEM!!!
8) Concealed CARRY IS A MUST!!! No matter if it makes the client uncomfortable. Find them a new real estate agent.
9) YOU ARE FIRST!! THEY ARE SECOND!!! Show homes only during the day. Set your hours, if they can't work with you during those hours YOU DO NOT NEED THAT CLIENT!! You cannot possibly help everyone.
10) Know your surroundings! Look for every possible exit and retreat from the property before you show it. Never walk in the home first.
11) THIS IS YOUR LIFE AND YOUR BUSINESS MAKE IT SO! Do it your way. Or don't do it!!
Food for thought and I'm going to keep revising my plan and perfecting it. Stay alert stay alive. Now I'm not saying this is the norm because it isn't every one of my clients has been amazing. However, my gut NEVER lies to me. There's been a couple times in my real estate career I have given showings and clients to men in my office or a team because I didn't feel comfortable taking that client out. And when my gut says "Bran, this is not a good idea, something is not right" I LISTEN.
Monday, September 22, 2014
so what am I doing then?
The mind is a terrible thing to waste... it always stands out to me, it always has. But the reality of the situation is I just cannot grasp why this seems so crucial to me, yet I'm so bla-zay about it. I mean seriously... what. am. i. doing. with. myself. right. now. that. has. any. relivancy. over. life? When am I going to pull myself out of this rut that has become my day to day? When am I going to stop letting nay-sayers hold me back and finally grab onto the firery reigns of hell and go for it? When am I going to start realizing my dreams and full potential? When am I going to stop whining about what I can't do and start living what I can do? When am i going to wake the hell up???
When will I ever get there? This is my pity me for the moment blog... but I don't live here... why don't I live here? Because I'm damn better than that, and for all the stupid shit I've been through and done in my life, it seems that I've done a few things at least right and that must count for something... right?
I just can't imagine what it is I'm suppose to take away from turning on this computer and logging into a blog that I haven't touched since January 2, 2014? That seems odd that at this very moment in time I would find it necessary to take myself here to remember what it actually looks like and what the last thing I may have posted was. Looks like the same old same old, but for some reason I feel like I have something to say... and it feels like something that every one should get the opportunity to hear me say... oh I know, I now have goals and ambitions... we will see if my argumentative brain has any discouraging words to crush the fire I feel inside... like its my time... I gotta do something....
Stay tuned... I don't have all the answers yet.... but, I have cool shit in mind....
Thursday, January 2, 2014
2013 Year In Review
Lets see.... 2013 started with a New Year's Eve party since Andy and the rest of the 110th had finally returned from Afghanistan in December of 2012. Yep he's been home a year and there's no deployments on the horizon (knock on wood). I got to spend time with some of my favorite girls and we had a blast, did up the New Year right and rocked in 2013. 
Shortly after the New Year started, my dearest friend Jean had a stroke. It was very scary for everyone. Normally I wouldn't put her business out there like this but it's important for me to share with all of you the signs of a stroke and how you might be able to save someone's life. I was able to get Jean to the hospital in time for them to administer TPA Drug (which can reverse the effects of a stroke if given within 4 hours of the stroke). In hindsight I should've called 911 and I should've done it when I was on my way to her house and she could not communicate with me on the phone. It took her a couple of weeks in the hospital and a few months of therapy to be fully recovered but she is doing better now. I'm thankful to have her and Dylan in our lives.
Momma (GMA Toni) came to visit us in March, she tried to leave, ended up having to catch a plane right back to Colorado Springs from Dallas on the day she left due to massive snow storms that basically attacked the entire northern US.
It's VEGAS BABY!! I took my first ever girls get away vacation! I went to Vegas with my Bestie Jeanie. I couldn't believe I went anywhere without my kids!! Andy did really well the entire week I was gone and they all survived! It was my first time to Vegas and I had a blast! Did some gambling, drank a lot, acted like a tourist, stayed up all night, slept very little and just enjoyed everything about it. We went for NASCAR weekend of course so not only did I go to Vegas for the first time but I also went to my first ever NASCAR Race! I got to see Dale JR. race it was awesome! There is nothing quite like the rev of car engines and them zooming by you, and there is for sure nothing like NASCAR Fans!!!The rest of the Spring saw cool temps and us getting ready for summer. Baseball season for Billy and Dylan was great! They played a really good season and only lost like 3 games.
Nelson came to visit which we enjoyed. He got here just in time to watch Billy play at SkySox Stadium for Little League.
Colorado saw another devastating fire happen local to us. Many wild fires happened but the Black Forest Fire hit very close to home. We helped Jean pack up her home and come stay with us for a few days as everyone was uncertain which way the fire was going to travel. 500 homes were lost. Many people were displaced, but Black Forest has started to rebuild.
This summer we visited Missouri. We spent time with Grandpa Dickie and Grandma Gail who had just moved back to MO and bought a big house with lots of land for the kids to play. We had a lot of fun! Well, minus that snake I ran into leaf blowing. That was not fun. We also went to Ben & Amanda's for 4th of July.
After returning home to Colorado, we packed right back up and headed for Mississippi with Jeanie & Dylan to visit Aunt Carolyn and Aunt Kathy. While in Mississippi, we took an over night trip to Nashville, TN and saw Uncle Donald and Aunt Kristen. This summer was full of vacation and fun times We had a summer to remember for sure.
Grace reached huge milestones this year! She started kindergarten and turned 5 years old!
Emily also had a big year as she turned Sweet 16! And got her driver's permit at the end of this year. It's crazy for me to think that this little girl of mine is becoming quite the young lady, is a junior in high school, is driving and will graduate next year! Who Knew? The boys are doing great as well. In fact we're all doing pretty well.
Andy works a lot as usual. We see shift work again, which we all hate but we survive.
I got my real estate license in July. I decided to take some huge leaps in my career this year. I made a move to a new company called Z, Inc., in September. It is a venture capital company and business consulting firm. It's the parent company to Eco Cabins LLC, which I've been left to my own devices with. You'll have to check out our websites and FB pages to learn more about that. I love both companies and all the other opportunities that have been made available to me through the move. In November I decided after much thought and consideration to transfer my real estate license to a new company that I thought would help me better build the future I am looking to for myself and my family. Nextage Realty Pikes Peak Properties is where I now call home for my real estate license. With my moves I took my first ever business trip and have been enjoying the crash courses in business management, building and marketing I've received over the past few months.
We saw good friends leave us this year. Particularly Starre and her family moved away. Jean G. and her family moved away. And Rachel and her family moved away. That is the part of the Army I never really can get use to, it's always sad to say goodbye. I miss you ladies.
In November, I had to take a rush trip home to NY. My Papa passed away and next to my Nana that is the hardest thing I've had to go through. I take comfort knowing that he is with her now and they both watch over me from Heaven. I know they are quite proud of the woman I've become.
In November, I had to take a rush trip home to NY. My Papa passed away and next to my Nana that is the hardest thing I've had to go through. I take comfort knowing that he is with her now and they both watch over me from Heaven. I know they are quite proud of the woman I've become.
The end of the year was easy peasy. We celebrated Thanksgiving with friends, we enjoyed our Christmas together as a whole family and we rang in the New Year excited as ever about what our next year holds. I hope this finds all of you well and enjoying the first couple days of your new year.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
"Give Me Revelation"
For many years I strayed from religion. I didn't have a desire really to build my relationship with God, I didn't really know if I believed in my relationship with him? I couldn't fathom why he would ever let anything bad happen to me if I was this child he loved so much? I went through so many trials and tribulations and all the while I thought I could do it on my own. Or I would pray to God only as a last resort instead of making it my first choice. There are so many things in my life that I let get in the way of me building a relationship with the only man in my life that will never forsake me, never leave me, always lift me up when I fall, always stand by my side when I walk the road of life with my head up, and the man that will carry me when I feel like I just can't go on anymore. Ah, you would think I was talking about my husband and to an extent my husband does those things for me, and God says he's suppose to do those things, but men are imperfect and he just can't be every single thing I need in my life at every moment in my life. The only man in my life that can do that is God. Ah, and where has God been the last however many years of my life I was doing all the things I shouldn't be doing? He's always been there for me, it's just been up to me to call on him. I still stray from religion, organized religion scares me. Someone telling me how I should be Godly or how I should be a Christian doesn't work for me. Someone telling me the Bible instead of allowing me to read it for myself, scares me, because are they really telling me what the Bible says? Someone telling me that I must attend church, that I must give 10% of my income to the church that I must go to Bible Study, that I must have my kids baptized or see them burn in hell is FREAKY!!! Who wouldn't RUN from the Lord with all of those conditions placed on you? Statistics are showing these days that many people are turning to Atheism and away from Christianity and why? Because of the lip service Christians provide. You know the Christians that attend church on Sunday and judge the rest of us who, drink, smoke, wear jeans in the house of God, spank or yell at our kids, and do other things they think are wrong. Just for the rest of us to see those same Christians screaming in the parking lot of the local Walmart at their kids. I'm a believer in if you talk the talk you should walk the walk. Now, you're asking me in your head what I'm talking about because you know I cuss, you know I yell at my kids (a lot), you know I drink, you know I like to have fun and you know there are a lot of things in my life that judgmental Christians wouldn't approve of. I'd be lying if I said I am running the path of the straight and narrow and that I'm never going to say the F word again and I'm never going to lose my temper with my kids and I'm done having a drink with dinner or going out with friends. And do I really need to add liar to my list of judgments that God will ultimately make on me? Yes I am saved by the Grace of God and the death of Jesus Christ, I am worthy and I get Grace for free, I don't have to "earn" it. God wants me to walk the path he has set for me, that he decided for me before I was born. But he knows I'm human, he knows I will stumble and fall he knows that I'm not PERFECT and he loves me anyway. And he says to me that if I confess my sins to him they will be forgiven. And now you're thinking... that sounds good, but your God forgives a guy who murders someone as long as he confesses it? Not exactly, God says that when you ask forgiveness you have to truly believe it in your heart, and that you're not suppose to do it again. So just saying yeah, I'm sorry I killed that guy doesn't get you your ticket into heaven.
Where am I going with this blog? Here's where........ It's about me!! Yes I'm being selfish (imagine that), but I'm being selfish in a different way. What do I mean? I mean recently I decided to attend the base chapel (air force base here called Peterson), I took my kids on their retreat and we had a good time. Then I went to Church a bit, then I tried the MOPS Group then I tried PWOC then I got sick, then I made excuse after excuse not to go to church or do any of it..... but this little voice inside me kept telling me I needed something, I needed some strength and I needed to figure out where it was going to come from. So I went to church, and the voice got louder, it said what do you need? How can you be strong for your family if you yourself are not strong? How can you convince others to have faith in you if you have no faith in yourself or anything else? Then I saw Pat. Pat is one of the Chaplin's wife and she is a minister herself. She told me I should try the PWOC (Protestant Women Of the Chapel) Group again, that they were just starting a new study and she was teaching one of them. So the voice got even stronger, and I thought but its early and I don't want to get out of bed that early.... but the voice said "you need this" so I went... and I went again and now I've been going for a month straight. And the voice inside me is even louder, and stronger!!! I've been reading my Bible. I got The Message Bible as a gift and it reads more like a story instead of verses with all those thees and thines etc. I can't understand in King James. Now, for some people King James is the only Bible to read but for me that doesn't work. Some people love hymnals, but for me Christian Contemporary and Rock is the only way to listen to music. And you know what, I'm listening to that voice a lot harder now. It's making a difference in my life. Little differences many people won't notice now. For example I'm cussing less (that doesn't mean I've stopped) but b/c of my changes and my new feelings toward God, I just don't feel right swearing. And when I do, I really honestly stop and think ew, I shouldn't do that, I don't need to do that, Lord I'm sorry and I'm really trying hard to be better. I've tried to stop yelling so much at my family. It's hard, they push my buttons and anxiety and anger are some things that I need to work on as I continue to build my faith but I'm actually making a serious effort to not yell so much. Some of you will be skeptics and I don't blame you, I too have been a skeptic of what having faith can do for me in my life. But I've found a place I belong, I'm not judged, no one cares if I wear jeans to church, and while they miss me if I don't come, no one says you must attend or judges me for not being there. I'm okay writing my check for what I can afford as an offering and signing it instead of feeling bad if it's only $5.00. I'm blessed. I truly believe that I am blessed and that is all I can offer you if you are skeptical of me right now. I know I'll stumble, I know I'll fall, I know my FB posts and blogs won't be all rainbows and roses but I also know that as I grow my faith the more peace and wonderful things I'll have in my life and the more at peace with myself I'll feel. That's why it's about me. It's about this relationship I want to have with God, it's about this feeling of peace I want to have, you can't even imagine how great I feel right now? I can't even explain it? So the title of my blog is "Give Me Revelation".... at the bottom of my blog is a song list and there is a song of this same title. For me music and song lyrics are how I relate life. So here are the lyrics b/c this is how I have been feeling for so long and things are finally beginning to make sense to me..... Have a listen...
Revelation by Third Day
"My life,
Has led me down the road that's so uncertain
And now I am left alone and I am broken,
Trying to find my way,
Trying to find the faith that's gone
This time,
I know that you are holding all the answers
I'm tired of losing hope and taking chances,
On roads that never seem,
To be the ones that bring me home
Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You
Has led me down this path that's ever winding
Through every twist and turn I'm always finding,
That I am lost again (I am lost again)
Tell me when this road will ever end
Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without...
I don't know where I can turn
Tell me when will I learn
Won't You show me where I need to go
Oh oh
Let me follow Your lead,
I know that it's the only way that I can get back home
Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You
Oh, give me a revelation...
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)