Our weather has really taken a tollon everyone's travel plans not just my family's the last couple of days. Well it's a little later than what was originally forecast but our snow is here that we were supposed to get two days ago. It's quite beautiful.  We all dream of a white Christmas and I do believe we are definetely going to have that this year!  Only problem is we are trying to get our daughter home from college (6 hours away in eastern WA) and attend our sons graduation (3 hours away) from his 6 yr run in Chiropractor school.  So far - no go.  The mountain passes are treacherous and almost impassable. And now the lowlands are just as treacherous. My daughters voice is a little sad (okay a lot) that we are not sure when we are going to get her home. She doesn't have the best car... 12/18/2008

It looks as though rates have now been cut by the Federal government to historic lows. This is great news! For those of you who are wondering when it would be the best time to buy a home , it would be now! For those of you who are still sitting on the fence waiting, I ask why? Sellers are ready to sell. You will get a great deal. Prices will go up in the future. This means buying now- will give you a lot of equity in the not so distant future!You have an opportunity of a life time... to get the deal of a lifetime. 12/17/2008

Today we started out with a snowy morning, and we are expecting more. My husband and I tuned into the morning news, radio and made calls into the school's hot line to see if there was school today as usual. There was.  Then the bus that was to pick up my daughter drove right on by, followed by another that got stuck this morning in our neighborhood, causing another bus to find it's way up the hill to transfer all of the students on, and then get them to school. Personally I would rather have the school air on the side of caution, and go for a snow route or a two hour delay. Many of the schools in our area both North and South were closed. I have a flexible schedule and I was not to concerned either way, but different parents have different schedules.I am glad that the kids do not have t... 12/17/2008

  I love this time of year when the first snow falls. It is quiet and chilly, with a hint of hope in the air that school will be closed today. Winter break is Friday, and the kids in the North Mason School District will have to wait until then, because today is school as usual. Better luck tomorrow, it is still set to snow more!        12/17/2008

I am certain that everyone reading this post has heard of musical chairs. This time of year in the market we are in- I feel like we are playing musical listings. I know how frustrated sellers must feel in the current market, and that they are willing to try anything to get a buyer for their home. But in the "08" market this may not be the agent holding up a sale... but the market.  I have been in close communication with my clients, and I am happy when they re-list their home with me.I have had others that have elected to try "a new chair" in hopes that their home will sell. I wish them all of the luck in the world, and I would love to bring a buyer, but in reality it is a buyers market, and that means the buyer is the one deciding from the homes being offered- which ones they are willi... 12/16/2008

This is a beautiful Mt. Rainier morning. I took this last Wednesday. My camera has been in my daughter's car this last week and I just got it back today. I hope to share a lot of new pictures with you this week, as we are told that our little town of Allyn will be covered in a sparkling blanket of snow. I can hardly wait!!!!!!! 12/16/2008

If you have not heard yet we have a day with free shipping for Christmas gifts, or any gifts for that matter. I have included a link to the site detailing which merchants will be offering this, although I hear it is most.December 18th is the day, and there is no time like the "present" to begin shopping and shipping. Have a great holiday, and don't forget your favorite Active Rain bloggers while shopping! 12/16/2008

We have yet another agent from Windermere Peninsula Properties join Active Rain today. I would like all of you to welcome Peter Cahan. He has been at our office for several years now, and is quite the professional. He golfs, enjoys wine, and loves to go off in his boat. Peter has three daughters, and a lovely wife Joanne who does her best to keep him in line. She is a saint...LOL. Peter is a great guy and will be a great asset to Active Rain. Please welcome him, and give him a few pointers on the best groups to join! 12/16/2008

I was hesitant to post the following photos and commentary but Rich Jacobson, The Jovial Active Rain Community Builder, told me not long ago to "be yourself, have fun and just let it all happen (with good content)". I can not vouch for how good the content is going to be with this post but the event I will be describing and sharing was a Lot of Fun. On Thursday Evening December 11, 2008 at the LakeLand Village Bistro in Allyn Washington, the Real Estate Agents, Staff and family members of Windermere Peninsula Properties gathered together for the Annual Christmas Office Party. The Anderson Family, Developers of LakeLand Village, have been hosting an Office Christmas Party for our Agents and their families for many years. It is a great event for bringing everyone together, to forget about... 12/15/2008

  I wanted to share information about the new bond and levy that the citizens of the North Mason School district are being asked to vote on. I am supporting this, and the reasons are many. We have a wonderful community in The Allyn, Belfair and North Mason area. We support one another through the good, and the not so good. Our citizens rallied around one another last year during the storm of the century, and it is time once again to pull together and take care of one another, and most importantly the children of our community. By all accounts it is time to replace our aging facilities, and install pride once again in our schools. Our students need to walk into their classrooms, and not only feel a sense of security, but feel valued by the members of our community. We have all visited o... 12/15/2008

I took this picute as my daughter Megan, and I were leaving from her soccer game. I love winter trees and this has been one of my favorite photos this year. I love the magical colors of the twilight sky. It was dark within 20 minutes of this picture being shot. I have to say it may not have been a Sunday, but it left me speechless for a moment-Dinah Lee   12/14/2008

There is not a lot of time left until one of the biggest moves in our nation takes place. The transition of one family, one President, and his accompanying staff is taking place as this is being written. The cost is an unbelievable estimated 15 millions dollars, of which approximately 10 million dollars is being raised by the incoming President Elect. It sounds like a lot of money, and it is up from 12 million, 8 years ago, when President George W. Bush took office, and helped with 8 million of his administrations expenses.Although it does sound like a lot, the extent of the transition is compared to moving 10 of the largest companies in the world. A move such as this does not come with out humor. A report circulated during the last transition that the "W"'s were removed from many of th... 12/14/2008

December 20, 2008  ~~A young man from Allyn, WA summits his first peak on  his journey of his dreams. There are no mountains to high and no dreams too big.... ~~ I was not going to post a blog on this until it actually happened- December 20th is the big day - (I know you say what? Christmas is the 25th. But this year, Christmas will be even more special because of this once in a lifetime celebration on the 20th). December 20th my son, Sean Spaulding, graduates from Western States Chiropractor School in Portland Oregon after 6-1/2 years of study between there and undergraduate school at Eastern in Spokane, WA.  Are we excited? Oh you bet! You have no idea. You have no idea of how proud we are of this young man. It is his turn to shine and celebrate as he summits one peak and continues l... 12/14/2008

Call me naive, but I really thought sharing my husbands little secret on Active Rain was not a big deal. Who would ever read it let alone repeat it? Dan has been bit by the Christmas lighting bug, and has been aggressively decorating our home ever since. It all began when his coworker Rob said our house got a boo, and his got oohs and ahhs. Dan did not want to share this competition with Rob, until he knew he had him beat. In my humble and unbiased opinion Dan is winning. Where I got into trouble is when I posted a story about it on LOCALISM. Apparently the neighborhood is reading it, and Dan has been getting comments about his secret lighting contest all week! Of course he assumes it was me, but how was I to know Active Rain is the most wonderful place to get info about your local neig... 12/10/2008

  HECM for Purchase Frequently Asked Questions  What is HECM for Purchase? HECM for Purchase allows seniors, age 62 or older, to purchase a new principal residence using loan proceeds from the reverse mortgage.  What is the purpose of the program? The program was designed to allow seniors to purchase a new principal residence and obtain a reverse mortgage within a single transaction by eliminating the need for a second closing. The program was also designed to enable senior homeowners to relocate to other geographical areas to be closer to family members or downsize to homes that meet their physical needs, i.e., handrails, one level properties, ramps, wider doorways, etc.  What property types are eligible? Existing SFR, Condo, PUD, Manufactured Homes that meet HUD guidelines, one-to-fou... 12/09/2008

I was at the store the other day, and found a great sale on vegetarian pattys. I use them to make hambugers. The box was plain- like government rations, and I was not impressed with the title "vegetarian Patties". I thought at 4 for a $1.00 I would try them out even though it scared me just a little. They were the best. I am hoping to get more when I go back to the store, and stock my freezer full. Why then were they so cheap. Scary cheap. I think it was the marketing. Yes the package description was accurate,but there was no pizazz.I don not think they were selling well, so like we often do they fropped the price. It reminds me of marketing homes we can state the amount of bedrooms and bathrooms, and that there is a garage, but if it doesn't make you want to see inside for yourself you... 12/09/2008

This year I am the one who is charged with finding our Christmas family for the office. I was told that calling the local schools is the best way to find families that truly need a helper for Santa. So this morning I called the coordinator at the elementary school, and was given a families name and number. It was an awkward call. What do I say? How are they going to respond? Maybe that don't want our involvement. I braced myself as the phone began to ring, and then was answered. To my relief the woman on the other end was very happy to hear from me. We laughed and talked. She shared all of the kids names, ages, and sizes. Not once did she ask for toys,or non essentials. I was impressed. This year as you are all aware has been a little lighter than previouse years in real estate, so I wa... 12/08/2008

  On the way home from Seattle the other night I snapped this picture of my daughter Sarah sleeping. She looked so peaceful without a worry in her sweet little head. I thought to myself that I could learn something from her,and her lack of worry. Sometimes during the holidays I get so wrapped up - pardon the pun,that if forget to enjoy what I already have- so the rest of this year I am pledging not to worry, or fret over what I have no control over. I am going to bake cookies, laugh with my girls ,and enjoy the holidays perfect or not! Who knows it may end up that I started my new years resolution early. 12/07/2008

Last December 3rd we experienced the storm of the century in North Mason County. Roads were wiped out, bulkheads, broke under the pressure, fields were flooded, and many people lost a lot. Celebrate life in Belfair, took down all the needs of the families that were effected. They also made a list of those who had needs for Christmas. Windermere Peninsula Properties not only helped but they took the Christmas list and took care of every request. Every family that had a need had it covered. I am so proud to be affiliated with a company that will open its doors and it heart whenever the need arises. This year they are also helping families with needs, and we look forward to seeing the smiles.          12/07/2008

Every year my husband balks at helping me decorate outside. I am told to stay off the roof, not to climb trees,and if I am not careful Iwill electrocute myself. Well, this year it has all changed. I have not lifted a single string of lights, but my husbands partner at the fire house has, Dun Dun Dun... Rob informed my husband Dan that this year as they were driving through the neighborhood with friends and family looking at all the lights his home got oohs and ahhs, as well as several other houses. Our home got a BOOO.  This was all it took to get my husband to the store, up the ladder, on the roof, and busy hanging lights from every available branch, and corner of our home and yard. The house is beautiful, but he is not finished. Apparently Rob wants his house visible from space, and w... 12/07/2008