I am not one just to take someones word for it. I have to see it for myself. So if you are like me here is a link to the Health Care Bill that is getting so much coverage lately. I was surprised to find that it was an easy read. I plan on looking through this tonight when I get home. So even if those in Congress who represent me have not found an opportunity to read the Bill I will be up to speed. If you do have a chance to read through this let me know your thoughts. This will effect all of us in some way. 07/31/2009

Tempers rise as the Temperatures Rise~~ Stay Cool~ "BE" COOL! We are in the throes of a heat wave for our area with temperatures well into the high 90's and reaching the 100's by the middle of the week. I know - we're wimps here in the Pacific Northwest.use to our comfortable summer temperatures of mid 80's with a light sea breeze blowing through.... But not this week!  We have been unseasonably hot - with little to no rain (HA! And you thought Seattle was the rain capital of the world didn't you?)  Shhhh. don't let our little secret out- we really have some awesome weather to appreciate. But as the temperatures get hotter so do TEMPERS... I must admit I do not do well in the heat. It can make me cranky and uncomfortable as it aggravates my MS and just makes me want to run and hide some... 07/28/2009

Lakeland Village in Allyn Washington... Your Number ONE Localism Community. Your neighbors would much rather prefer the neighbor approach and localism is your ticket to doing just that! Often, we try to announce, and publicly advertise all assortments of local information about our area. Do you go as far as narrowing it down by neighborhood? You really need to be doing this if you are not already.  Myself, as well as a few other "top neighbors" are doing just that, and it has put our tiny community of Lakeland Village on the map... not just as "promoters for real estate" but as a resource. We blog about EVERYTHING involving our neighborhood. The Lakeland Village Community has earned this number one community ranking by being our post-to spot for neighborhood events, gatherings, dinners,... 07/28/2009

This Mama dog was selected to nurse these two red Panda cubs at a zoo in China. She was chosen out of several candidates after the cubs real mother abandoned them shortly after birth. She has grown very attached and favors them at times over her own babies. I was wondering what will happen once they begin to grow but I read that red Pandas are about the size and resemble a raccoon. I thought this was a great example of shaing the LOVE!   At 3-weeks-old, the baby cubs have yet to open their eyes and have doubled in length to 20 centimeters (8 inches), Xinhua reported. Unlike the more well-known, bear-like giant pandas, red pandas resemble raccoons with long bushy tails. There are believed to be fewer than 2,500 adult red pandas in the world. 07/27/2009

Allyn WA homes for Sale - There is something for everyone!  Located on the Olympic Peninsula and along the shoreline of Case Inlet/Puget Sound, the small town of Allyn offers a rural setting and feel with the convenience of quick and easy access to many recreational amenities as well as shopping, schools and areas beyond. There are currently 53 homes for sale in Allyn, WA with a price range from $179,000 on up to $799,000!  So you see there really is something out there for every budget and style!  The Allyn real estate market has faired okay through our economic demise all the while offering some great opportunities for home buyers to get in on the ground floor on prices and interest rates that have been and are fantastic!    Don't forget the First Time Home Buyers Credit of $8000.00 a... 07/27/2009

Learning the Hard Way helps us grow - Right? Letting them learn the hard way is hard on everyone but a necessity in  life. Growing up can be such a pain in the butt. It's hard as a parent to sit back and watch your kids learn a lesson the hard way, but it is how they learn about life and the real world and hopefully take something out of it that will help them in the future, make them grow and be a better person. It seems like all my children are in the process right now of learning various aspects of lessons of life the hard way. Some little lessons, some costly to their pockets, some big lessons.  We try to not "tell them" what to do, but discuss whatever the issue is objectively all the while interjecting "our opinion" as just that in the hopes that they will look at that opinion as ... 07/26/2009

The sweet scent of Summer breezes and sunlight filter through the crisp green leaves. The pale green world and gentle talk of the people enjoying the park sing to your senses. The strong arms of the trees branches hold on as you drift away. This is just how summer was meant to be. Welcome home to Allyn, Washington. 07/26/2009

Random acts of clouds drift into the shore and float across the sand* Sparkling waters crash in and pull out again* I reflect on life and it replies... A seagul glides * the shells topple onto the shore * My thoughts find themselves... What is beyond the blue? * Where do we find the questions to lifes answers... 07/25/2009

Whats is black and White and Read all over? Well it is not the newspaper anymore or print advertising for that matter. There is a reason that many choose to get there information online first. And first is the key. Print Advertising is slow. Sometimes it is inaccurate with so many publications out there that it makes corrections difficult. Just look at the Papers that announced that "Dewey Defeats Truman." We see them every presidential election. So how do we save these jobs that will be lost if we loose print Media? We find away that gets the consumer to buy print again. Then we will see adds sell. My proposal is that you make it special.The old adage read it here first has to come back. They need something of value to offer the consumer not just old yellowed pages with yesterdays inf... 07/22/2009

The cool North Bay waters drift in with a soft motion and are pulled out again as though the bay were breathing softly as it slept. Sea creatures crawl beneath the clear waters and the fish sparkle in the pointed rays of sunlight. As the night approaches a quiet breeze blows the pastel clouds into place to let the stars illuminate the pebbled shore. The smooth stones remember the North Bay waters and the keep her secrets safe for ever more.   07/21/2009

Silverwood is a great theme park. My family went two years ago and it is a great place to take the kids. Not only are there tons of Roller coasters collected from parks around the country, it is also a water park. So, if you live in the Northwest consider this a great family trip. Theme restaurants and hardly any lines. We stayed in Spokane and had a wonderful Hotel. If you want to try something other than Wild Waves consider Silverwood.   Location: Coeur d'Alene, IDAnnual visitors: 500,000Best time to visit: early June, before regional schools are out for the summer The largest amusement park in the Northwest, Silverwood's vintage coasters and old-timey charm are a mix of tradition and fun; add in an excellent water park and more than 65 rides, and you've got a classic theme park expe... 07/21/2009

I am a little pissed off upset at the moment. This is not real estate related so if you are here for a real estate topic - well - Go away now!  It's somewhat of a rant and somewhat of what I hope you would read and OPEN YOUR EYES!  Why is it that people think they are above and beyond the rules? Or are they just on Auto-pilot while they are driving a huge ass butt car??  What rules? The rules of the road. And people wonder why there are mindless, stupid, uncalled for accidents... Well it's because people do not pay attention and think they own the road and that MOTORCYCLES and their riders ARE DANGEROUS?? HEEELLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOO????? YOU Cause most of the problems in your CAR!!!!! I ride a motorcycle. I took the motorcycle safety course so I could be a good and better rider. I FOLLOW THE ... 07/21/2009

Two men on a mission through the mud to set up a floating golf tee. It looks like an easy job.The green is ready- all they have to do is simply set it in place. After all the tide is even out!               The trip is a little more than they bargained for. The tide is out but the mud is in! Still they tarry on.This is actually a video. Can you tell?               Looks as though Rob may have left something behind. It is a good thing he still has his socks. I do not think Dan has any at all!                     Our littlest golfer at Allyn Days ...Worth it all! Thanks Rob Drexler ( of Active Rain) and Dan Griffey ( my husband) You are why the little moments mean so much! 07/21/2009

Ooh how did this happen where did the earth go? A minute ago I was standing right here and now I am wobbling so. Sticky and mucky slurpy and stucky A pickle to be in while not feelin so lucky. Here comes the water rushing over my toes It must come from the Arctic because now I am froze! 07/21/2009

Forgetting propane for the BBQ. Hot dogs in a pan of boiling water is just not the same. Sun burns that keep you out of the sun on a beautiful day. It is not enough to have the sunscreen it must be applied to your body! Not having change for the ice cream guy. You hear the music you know he is on his way but... Little squirt guns. In my house Mom and Dad get the biggest, that would be because the kids are ruthless.Never turn down a good water fight on a hot day! Reading a book INSIDE! on a nice day do what ever you have to do but do it outside in the sunshine! A smoreless campfire. Get what ever you have to to roast your marshmallow over the open flame and melt it on to a thick brick of chocolate on a crispy Graham and enjoy every sticky bite...NO DIETING at the campfire! Complaining. R... 07/21/2009

I had a great day showing homes in Lakeland Village and the surrounding communities. The couple I was working with were from another country and loved the Pacific Northwest. I Loved showing it to them. We looked at many nice homes. Their pick at the end of the day was based on the community- LakeLand Village. The homes were similar from one development to the next- but the community made all of the difference in the world. They Loved LakeLand Village. The paved streets were dotted here and there with kept homes intertwining with the foliage and the wildlife. Friendly neighbors waved. Kids biked down the street. A boat drifted as it fished in the still Anderson Lake waters. A golfer swung. Wet towels dried on the lake shore. Kids giggled. A lawn mower spilled the scent of fresh cut grass... 07/21/2009

Sisters! Have you ever thought to your self that maybe you are holding on to something more than you should? Maybe you have spent a little to much energy getting involved? That it is your crab and your sister Megan better not touch it! Have you ever thought you wanted something that you really did not care about? That maybe you want a piece because someone else does too? That the only reason you are touching the crab is because it ANNOYS Sarah! Sometime we have to sum up why we are doing what we are doing. What are are motivations. Do we even like crabs? What is your motivation? 07/20/2009

Why do you love your community? I love Allyn not only because it is home, it is because everyone knows your name. We laugh with each other, cry with each other and celebrate with each other. Home is more than where the post office brings your mail. It is people, communtity and family that makes the end of the day worth it all. If we didn't have one another than who would we have?From back yard BB Q's to Cats in trees small towne life remains. If you thought "Leave it to Beaver" was the typical home town then you know Allyn. If you woud like to know more about Allyn and it's history just call Dinah today and get all of the details.Or just go to www.TheNorthwestLife.com 07/20/2009

On the shores of Case Inlet on the North Bay we are celebrating Allyn Days! July 18th and 19th will be a great time to enjoy pancake breakfasts at the fire department, Alder Smoked Salmon dinners on the water, vendors, artists, and crafters from all over our local area and beyond. The beer garden is always a favorite spot to soak up the atmosphere while you relax on the sunny shores of North Bay. Stop by- all are welcome! 07/18/2009

Bizarre news. A Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile crashes into a home in Mount Pleasant Wisconsin. Apparently the driver hit the gas instead of the brake. Unfortunately the homeowners insurance had lapsed. Who knew a giant hot dog would come crashing through the front door! The vehicle remained lodged in the home most of the day. I am sure the homeowners will have fun telling this "tail" at the next BBQ!  It is a good reminder to keep your policy up to date. It looks as though this incident is covered by the drivers insurance since it was obviously not the homeowners fault. 07/18/2009