This time of year is so special. I love the holiday traditions. We have already decorated the tree,and are baking cookies.This year the girls and I are going to have a gingerbread bake off. I don't know if I like building the house, or eating the candy more. This is the stuff that great memories are made of. I am reminded of this through every Christmas song I hear. Not only do I have the precious memories of my children, but I have them flood back from when I was a child. These are the days to remember. What is one of your favorite Christmas memories? 11/30/2008

Our team received a referral a few weeks back from a Windermere Agent in Renton. He has been a real pleasure to work with. We listed the house the couple is moving out of in LakeLand Village, Allyn, and he is the Agent representing them on the house they are purchasing in Issaquah. Now that they have made an offer, and are currently negotiating, we are running papers back and forth to the Buyers living in Allyn so we can expedite their purchase. They do not use a home computer, and this is facilitating the sale effortlessly for them. When it comes time for them to sign documents concerning the sale of their home in LakeLand Village, I am sure that the Agent in Renton will be their to assist with our transaction. In this competetive market it is truly a blessing to have an Agent like Ed ... 11/30/2008

My family and I make it an event every year after visiting with Santa at the Allyn waterfront park, to tour LakeLand Village for the wonderful light displays. We each have our favorites, so I thought I would show you mine. Every year I swear that I will have the biggest, and best display ever, but that is a lot of hard work! Thank you to everyone in LakeLand for lighting up our Village.You bring the Holiday Spirit in Allyn to life! 11/30/2008

2009 is just around the corner. Have you started making plans for next year? I have heard a lot of talk about the "09" market, and a lot of it sounds very positive. I have already set some goals out for the new year, and I am excited about implementing them. I expect 2009 to be better for all of us. The timing could not be better for things to begin to turn around. We have investors looking at homes, great loans available, and a lot of choices available when selecting a home. I am looking forward to what is next, and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 11/30/2008

I was sifting through magazines at Les Schwab this morning, and I ran across a National Geographic magazine. Inside were the usual articles and pictures, and then I noticed something new. They are offering Widgets on-line. So of course since I am new to widgets- I had to check it out. The site is amazing. I have found many interesting features, puzzles, contests, widgets and more. I recommend that you go there and see all of the great tools this website offers. I provided a link to National Geographic Magazine widgets, or just go to NGM.com and check it out!   11/30/2008

                                                   I truly enjoy living in LakeLand Village. My husband and I have resided in LakeLand Village for a little over 18 years now. We raised our children here and were welcomed into the community with open arms. A friendly neighbor wave, a smile, neighbors helping neighbors, a close knit community - That's just the kind of place it is! My husbands parents lived here prior to us moving out here from the east coast.  They loved the community and took up permanent residence here in 1975. They knew their purchase of their lot was a wise choice, especially after knowing what the future plans were for for the community and the surrounding area. They were impressed with the "small town" feeling and the location as well. They loved the pristine settin... 11/29/2008

I am really excited to introduce a local inspector, to all of my friends at Active Rain. Isaac commented on a blog of mine this morning, so I went to check out his. I was really impressed with what I read, and I wanted to provide a link so those in the Mason/ Kitsap county areas would be able to find him, and those of you, that are not as local, on Active Rain could welcome our new member, Isaac Shumaker! 11/28/2008

I received an e-mail from a real estate aficionado concerned with the lack real estate related topics on the blogs at Active Rain and other sites. I thought that this person may be missing the boat. I see Active Rain as a site all about the Realtor, and the Lender ,and the Inspector, as well as other professions. I am more than just an Agent.  I think Active Rain is a great site for others, including future clients- to get to know who I really am. I have connected with people here that I can identify with for countless, and different reasons. I would be happy to refer to any of them. And it is because of this Active Rain format, that I feel like I already know them. When I send someone that I have built a relationship with, across the country to another Realtor, lender, ect. I want to k... 11/28/2008

I have seen people this year who are having a rough time. It is true, some of our fellow citizens, and maybe even some of us, are going through some really hard times. I read a blog a few minutes ago that inspired me to write this one. Not that any of you felt this way, but when approached with a smile, and offered to have a Happy Thanksgiving, some people are just grumbling. We are all so blessed. I want to get rid of credit card debt, I want my kids to clean their room, and I would like my grandma and Grandpa, who are now gone- home for the holidays, and so much more. But Thanks Giving is not a wish list. It is being grateful for what you have right now. If you look around you will always find someone with less and someone with more. Stop. Just take a deep breath, and be thankful for ... 11/27/2008

To all of my friends,family, and neighbors, I would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. See you Friday morning at 4AM, at the mall for all of the bargains. If I do not seem to recognize you at first, let the coffee sink in, and then say Hi-Dinah Lee Click on the link for a Thanksgiving surprise... 11/26/2008

Many of you in Allyn may recognize this guy from the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. I love the shark exhibit. Don't forget that Zoo lights is coming up. Zoo Lights is great event, and is fun for the whole family, Not to mention is is just a half an hour or so away! 11/26/2008

What's the best way to get the word out to a community? Why in a BLOG of course. What better venue to tell all of your friends, family, neighbors, bloggers and your community ... From our house to your house - my family and I wish each and everyone of you a very special, memorable and Happy Thanksgiving.  We are looking forward to being with friends and family and are extremely thankful for many many things as well as thankful for the community that we live in. It is the PEOPLE IN the community that make it so special beyond the beauty itself.  Thank you and Have A VERY VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!   ~~~The Spaulding Family~~~     11/26/2008

Yours truly has been given the pleasure of meeting with the brokers, agents, and support staff of Windermere Peninsula Properties this coming Tuesday, December 2nd, at 9am. With two offices located in North Mason County WA (Belfair and Allyn), Managing Broker Richard Bell has assembled a team of top-notch professionals who have established themselves as the predominant area leaders in real estate and superior client representation. Several of their agents have become valued contributing members of our community here on ActiveRain, including Dinah Lee Griffey, Valerie Spaulding, and Michelle Roethle. Just as a reminder to all ActiveRain members in Kitsap, Jefferson, Pierce, and Mason Counties, a few of us get together every Thursday morning at 8am at The Global Bean in Silverdale WA, jus... 11/26/2008

If you are interested in viewing any of these homes, or would like a free list of homes offered in other areas, please contact Dinah Griffey or Michelle Roethle at 360-551-8888. Or visit us at NowYouAreLving.com We would like to be your personal HUD home representaive, and bidding assistant. HOQUIAM   Case # Property Address Price List Date Bed/Bath Bid Deadline Priority 561-786077 View Map 614 QUEEN AVEHOQUIAMGRAYS HARBOR, WA 98550 View Property Details $76,000 SIGNIFICANT PRICE REDUCTION 10/10/2008 5/2 Daily ALL BIDDERS      LAKEBAY   Case # Property Address Price List Date Bed/Bath Bid Deadline Priority 561-836729 View Map 2914 202ND AVE KP SLAKEBAYPIERCE, WA 98349 View Property Details $152,000 11/21/2008 3/2 11/30/2008 11:59:59 PM PT OWNER OCCUPANTSNONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONSGOVERNMENT... 11/25/2008

I know this was not really what this song was about. I ran across it again tonight after many years, and this time it reminded me of my career in Real Estate. I really want to list a house this cool. And George Harrison will always be my favorite. I have my mind set on my real estate career, and this song says it all. I've Got My Mind Set On You!Click the link and enjoy!   11/24/2008

Sometimes we just need a cute picture to refocus our day. I could not resist showing you the Puppies that were born at my partner Michelle's house. The are West Highland Terriers, and they are cuter than you can imagine. They are all boys, and there are three of them. This picture was taken a few weeks ago and they have grown a lot since then. They love to romp and play, and are a lot of fun to watch, and snuggle! 11/24/2008

They say hind sight is 20/20.It is. There are a lot of choices if I could make them again, I would choose differently, or at least have the wisdom to make better choices.That being said, in today's market we are learning a lot. Everyday brings new experiences, and choices that we can gain knowledge from. I envied the senior agents in my office when I started my career. They had been through a lot, and good or bad, and they learned from it. Once the current market shifts, we will have even more valuable experiences, to draw from. The learning curve will never be over, but I will be glad to compare a new market against one that I successfully travailed.Every day we have opportunities to learn something new, and I plan to gain all I can from the experiences of today, so that I will be that... 11/24/2008

Everyone I know has a Christmas tradition. Some are passed down for generations, and others just evolve. One of our favorites during the decorating,is to watch Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. It is one of our favorites. No matter what is happening, breaking ornaments, spilled eggnog , lights not lighting, it is nothing compared to what that family is going through. The unexpected visitors are my favorite part, next to driving to get the family tree, and getting stuck under the semi. After we laugh through the movie, we all talk about what we are grateful for. It is a great way to start off the holiday season. What traditions do you have this time of year? 11/24/2008

Santa is pretty hip. He is now accepting e-mails. I can see how this would save him a lot of time. My daughter just wrote to him, and the elves are already responding! We expect Santa to write back very soon. I understand he is out feeding reindeer right now. So, if you have an excited little one at your home here is a link to Santa's e-mail. Good luck. I hope you get everything on your list! 11/24/2008

From time to time the NWMLS changes our forms, and updates the Listing paperwork to reflect changes in the market place. They are awesome, and they even take suggestions. I have one but I wanted to run it past my Active Rain buddies first...Blog Room. For those of you are not sure what a blog room is just ask my husband. Or you can look for a room with the following characteristics: Dark, and quiet. Computer is always on, and key board is in the ready position. Cup of coffee set on desk top. Comfy chair that will hold up for hours of continued use. Door is generally shut. Family, and those living with a blogger tend to be quiet around blog rooms, and only knock or enter if there is an urgent need or emergency. Tapping noises from the keyboard can be heard at all hours, and even late in ... 11/24/2008