We have been having an issue with the girls for a few months now. Daughter #2 takes what ever she wants from daughters#1 and #3. We have had talks and I have thought that I made my point quite clear. apparently not. Daughter #3 is missing her new Mango Madness body wash. There is still some left, but every day there is less and less. I am tired of the updates. So here is my solution. daughter #3 could be wrong or she could be right and I have devised a way to tell. I removed the peachy colored scent and replaced it with apple cider vinegar. If daughter #3 is right daughter #2 is going to reek at school tomorrow. If she is wrong and it is daughter #1 then we will know. Either way I think the house is going to smell but it is the only way to tell. Any suggestions? 02/10/2009

 The snow has returned and the girls made a day of sledding. There is hope that school will be out again tomorrow and once again the hills will be alive with the sound of kids having a blast.  The Girls are making the most of a rare opportunity just to have some fun! In a few days it will be school as usual but these are the days friendships and memories are made that last a life time! 02/10/2009

If you are reading posts from Western Washington they probably have something to do with snow. This would be because we were hit with it again this morning. I have to say that just because you choose to be in denial it really has no bearing on the weather. This is really rare for us. We get a few snow falls from time to time. Not even every year and they melt away within hours or at least by the next morning. I used to be the crazy one who always got excited at the chance of snow. Now after this winter I do not know when it will ever be the thrill it once was or if I am even on the same planet. This is my car last month... 02/10/2009

There is a beautiful side to the snow.This is a picture I took this afternoon at the Boat House Restaurant in Allyn Washington. You can not tell by the photo but you are looking out to the water as the birds in the tree were quite busy hopping from branch to branch and socializing. The last post I wrote consisted of me grumbling about the snow. I am a control freak and I do not appreciate being stuck just because a few rain drops wanted to get uppity and partially freeze.  I have hopes of it all melting away by morning but I will not be holding my breath.  It reminds me of a snow storm we had 12 years ago. The snow was not such a big deal. It was when it started to thaw and then refroze that it was a problem. Winds began to gust and the local paper dubbed it the night of the breaking tr... 02/10/2009

Just when I try to get past winters furry it happens all over again. The sunny days have slid into their secret hiding places and the crispy cold has come once again to claim the landscape.  I can't help but to notice just how beautiful it is. I want summer just as much as the next person but when it comes down to living in the moment you have to admit natures icy sparkle is beautiful. I am choosing to love the day in all of the shimmering, glassy, frozen swirls, of white. 02/10/2009

I went to a meeting this evening. I go to a lot of them. It was not about real estate but the subject came up. I have to say it was wonderful to share some positive news. The best part was that when I did their faces lit up and they said ...Oh Really. That is great!     I would love it if those who read this post would contribute 1 POSITVE or HAPPY thought and we could all read it and SMILE.Lets spread some good news! 02/09/2009

Tomorrow is Richard Bell's Birthday! He is not 100 but he has contributed over 100 posts to Active Rain. I am including a link to him and his blog. Please free to stop by and get to know him and leave a special Birthday wish. Thanks for putting the Active in Active Rain Richard and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 02/09/2009

I ran across this great article on line about Money Free Weekends. There are a lot of ideas and I have provided a link so you can check it out on your own. When you think about it- there is no need to spend a ton to have a little fun. There is plenty that you can do with out spending a lot of dough. 1. Go for a walk with your spouse. 2. Complete a puzzle. 3. Watch an old classic movie. 4. Get out photo albums and scan the pictures for relatives on-line. 5. Make a special dinner together. 6. Go out side and have an evening picnic amongst the stars. 7. Plan a vacation together and challenge each other to find the best deals. 8. Read a great book. 9. Listen to your favorite music and watch the sunset. 10. Play a board game. This can be a great family weekend or one just for the two of you.... 02/07/2009

If you live in Mason County and you recycle then you have noticed a few changes recently. Many of our familiar drop box locations have changed. I have provided a link to view all of the current locations. Also included is a link to other resources such as 2 good 2 toss, where you can offer good quality items for sale or for free online to people in the area. There are also links to clothing recycling and wood recycling . It is definitely a great site to check out and every little bit that does not go in a landfill makes our little corner of the planet that much nicer.   02/07/2009

I thought it was strange this winter when I sat next to the window in my new home and it was ICE cold! We bought our home in 2005 and did not give the windows much thought. They looked nice and they were new... I was uneducated and naive. The windows the builder put in are actually costing me money and were most likely the most inexpensive that they could get away with. My power bill should drop by at least 40% with new windows. I have an energy audit scheduled for Monday and I will share with you all that I learn. I expect it to be informative and enlightening. Certainly something worth while for sharing with buyers purchasing new construction. When buying a new or preconstructed home it is important to know all the important questions to ask.   02/05/2009

 I grew up in Seattle as a child, as did both of my parents. I was accustomed to the life and I liked it. Working for Boeing my Mom saw her share of lay offs, and one time she finally decided that the game was over. She found work about an hour and a half away in Mason County. It was a shocking contrast to what I had been used to.I knew that the city life was for me, and one day I would return, and I did. It was just the same as I had remembered, but now it was tainted. It was still busy with lots of shopping, people, and traffic, but the romance was gone. I found myself wanting what I had taken for granted all of those years...the beauty, and simple life of Mason County. Mason County is a place where you can drive strait to where you want to go. Deer take naps in your back yard, Sunse... 02/04/2009

Okay, I have to admit that the sun really made my day today. I just get so excited when I see blue sky. It seems like the possibilities fro the day are endless. It also means that the sky should be clear at night and I can enjoy my hot tub surrounded by all the stars in the universe. It is going to be a great day! 02/02/2009

Okay- so 6 more weeks of winter may not be something to celebrate, but GroundHog Day has been a party day for my family since the beginning. Christmas is over, Valentines Day is for Mom and Dad, but  Groundhog's Day is for everyone. We watch the movie with Bill Murray every year. There is actually a lot you can learn from it. However, we choose to laugh, eat junk food, and spend time together just enjoying the simple things in life. What excuse do you have for a party? If you don't have one you can always have GroundHogs Day! 02/02/2009

What you can not see in the picture is the shaking with excitement at the far out possibility of catching a flittering bird. Spring is on its way and it seems unkind that the little birdies would spend so much time in front of the window tormenting the poor cat. She leaps and sneaks, but it never works... 02/02/2009

Hard to believe it's already time to take a look at the LakeLand Village in Allyn WA real estate market happenings for January. Seems as though we just got through the holidays!  What has been going on in January in 2009 in LakeLand Village? For those of you who do not know about LakeLand Village, check this LakeLand Link out - there are some great opportunities for home ownership and it is a community that offers many amenities within itself as does the surrounding area of Southern Puget Sound and Hood Canal. There are currently 34 homes actively listed for sale. There have been some new ones and some come off the market either cancelled or expired. The level of inventory for the last 6 months has been fairly steady with some steady price DECREASES.  This has made some incredible home... 02/01/2009

it is beginning to be that time of year again when we think about freshening up the house. Nothing seems to make a home feel fresher than mowing the lawn and putting on a fresh coat of paint. Selecting a color can be a challenge. What looks good in the store can take on a whole new look once you put it on the house. It is a good idea to visit a reputable paint store and choose from the same swatches that builders use. Try and stay neutral and it be a good selling feature in the future. Also be sure and check if you are in a home owners association that the color you are selecting will be permitted. Beyond looking nice, paint is also a good way to protect your home from the weather.It is recommended that you paint your home every four years, although that many vary by region.One way of ... 02/01/2009

I love this picture. It reminds me of the nights I spent on Mt. Rainier with my family.After all of the laughter faded and the stories were laid to rest for the night, I would look up to the stars and be amazed at their depth and infinity. That is when the world became loud, and a symphony of nature would take hold and play their song in the background of my thoughts. Cricket chip, water run fast and find your destiny.An owl coos and is answered. Wings flap and the grounds surface is brushed and quieted. A frog sounds and a splash follows, the wind stirs the leaves and one floats to the earth. Branches twist and give way to creatures unseen. The stars sing. The earth is alive,and for a moment I am a part of their symphony. What do you hear when you go to bed at night. Is it a Symphony ... 02/01/2009

Have you ever heard or seen Chainsaw Carvings? Well, if you have not then you are in for a surprise. They are incredibly detailed and they come in a large variety of forms. They are truly a Pacific Northwest treasure, as is the guy who carved out a spot for Allyn on the map...George Kenny. His carvings have been featured on Evening Magazine and he even offers classes to learn to do it yourself. No two carvings are alike and he will carve to suit. Visit him today and see where the largest collection of chainsaw carvings in the Pacific Northwest got their start.       01/31/2009

After two weeks of promoting LakeLand Village at the Home Shows in Bellevue and Tacoma Washingtion, I thought it appropriate to introduce some of you to the Village. One of the best parts of my job is the LakeLand Village Golf Course. It is a 27 hole PGA level course comprising of rolling hills, ponds and and natural Pacific Northwest landscapes. One of the perks to showing our condos, lots, and homes is the opportunity to play a round with a prospective Buyer.  Golf is always a special time -fun conversation and bonding, a few memorable shots, a couple of cold ones and the chance to show case all that Allyn, Washington has to offer. I will admit it, the course sells itself. If you don't believe me come on out and play a round. I would be happy to show you this very special place. 01/31/2009

Just another lazy afternoon in Allyn Washington. Sometimes it is so nice after a long work week just to take it easy and maybe set off for little sailing. The waters are quiet and calming but full of wildlife, with a fish jumping here or there, birds of all sorts flying overhead, seals and otters playing about. There are children playing on the pebbled shore. A eagle flaps his wings in flight and dips for Salmon. A kite drifts back and forth in the wind. The sailboat picks up pace. Beach combers searching for oysters dig in the sand.The sun showers down in golden smiles. It is happy time. It is Allyn... it is HOME. 01/31/2009