I recently attended a meeting where a Woman involved with the U.S. census came to talk. She was brief but her information was interesting. In our County in the last census only 38% of the citizens were accounted for. This greatly effects funding and grants. The average is 67% - which is still low. I encourage everyone who can to cooperate with the census takers. It will only take a moment of your time. In fact they have cut down the amount of questions they are asking in an effort to have a higher rate of participation.Please do your part.   06/05/2009

The sky just blends into the waters.  The Olympic Mountains have their say and the green trees respond by waving in the wind. The pebbled shore crashes against the iced waters as it laughs at the sparked sun drops. thin clouds try to hide but they sneak in by morning and lay on the foggy waters. Thank the sun for shooing them away as the chipmunks scurry among the tall trees branches and an otter floats by dreaming of this day again. 05/31/2009

Steven Simmons & Marti Schmidt, REALTORS® | Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties | schmidtsimmons@theoceaniscalling.com | 360-589-2439 31 E Road of Tralee, Shelton, WA 13776sf GOLF COURSE front lot at beautiful Lake Limerick outside of Shelton, WA. 5 Lake front parks, Country Club. 13,776 sqft Vacant Land offered at $54,900 Lot Size 13,776 sqft DESCRIPTION 13,776asf lot with Westerly exposure is located on the prime 6th fairway of 9-hole Lake Limerick Golf Course! Lovely neighborhood with wonderful views, nestled in the trees. Power and Water in street. Member of Lake Limerick Country Club. Clubhouse with restaurant/bar, pro shop, several Lake parks, beach access, boatlaunches, playgrounds & picnic facilities, tennis courts, water skiing and fishing. Lot dims: 84x164x84x164, 84' St f... 05/30/2009

On a Still day when the sun has arrived on the west coast the Olympic Mountains make their grand appearance. Jutting high above the waters and reminding us that the earth has been here longer than we have and will last longer than we know. The Peoples before us soaked in these same sights as will those that think of our time as ancient. The Northwest life... 05/28/2009

Beautiful Lake Limerick, Shelton Washington Steven Simmons & Marti Schmidt REALTORS® COLDWELL BANKER OCEAN BEACH PROPERTIES 749 Pt. Brown Avenue NW, PO Box 1568 Ocean Shores, WA.  98569 360-589-2439 cell http://theoceaniscalling.com OUR WEBSITE schmidtsimmons@theoceaniscalling.com E-MAIL http://activerain.com/blogs/gotvette OUR BLOG http://theoceaniscalling.postlets.com/ OUR LISTINGS http://twitter.com/schmidtsimmons TWITTER http://www.slide.com/r/VXMQEl5O6T8RA2VWyOdE5xwBaI7YxfBa?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original SLIDE SHOW OCEAN SHORES The Ocean is calling...answer the call!!  ta' aWshi xa' iits' os       05/13/2009

I love this picture. He is so sleepy as this little guy had just feasted on some cat food left down where he could reach. Mason County is a great place to live and Laugh. It tends to happen often- as we are surrounded with wildlife here that we capture some fantastic pictures. We have deer in our back yards, Foxes in the cat food, and raccoons who like to fish from our decorative ponds. There used to be a time when showing up would scare them off. Now we tend to get reactions like the one on the left. Sometimes all you can do is laugh! 04/25/2009

These little guys can be a lot of fun to watch as they paddles around the sound finding their day as they come upon it. I  love the way it looks as though they have a plan even though we all know there is so much to do here in Mason County- that the possibilities of how to spend the better part of an afternoon are limitless. I have often contemplated whether it was a day to hike the twisty trails, kayak the sparkling waters, fish the cool rivers, float around in the lakes or skydive at the Shelton Airport. Come to Mason County for a day and you just may want to stay the rest of your life! 04/24/2009

My Husband Dan and I had the honor of Chairing the Mason County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner. Among our guest speakers was Rob McKenna and Buck Compton. Many know Buck through the HBO series Band of Brothers, and his efforts to bring us victory in WWII. He was also a professional athlete and played with Regi Jackson, as well as an attorney who tried Sirhan Sirhan- the man who shot and killed Bobby Kennedy. He shared many stories with us that evening and we were all thrilled to have him. One of the points that really stuck me was his unwillingness to give up the freedoms we enjoy in America. He was not referring to just the big stuff either. He meant the little things. Anti smoking laws, taxes, and a slew of others that seem like a good idea on the ballot. We have an anti smoking law in... 04/15/2009

So you have decided on a new dog. It is a lot of fun. Although the puppy training is not my favorite. I do love puppy playing. Who doesn't? So now that you have a new pet- how do you decide what the name should be? Everyone has differnt ideas. My family chooses names based on their favorite charecters in the books we read together. Another way would be to get a list of names to choose from. I have included a list to help in the selection or maybe just to see if your best friends name made the most popular cut. 1. Max 2. Buddy 3. Rocky 4. Bailey 5. Jake 6. Charlie 7. Jack 8. Toby 9. Cody 10. Buster 11. Duke 12. Cooper 13. Riley 14. Harley 15. Bear 16. Tucker 17. Murphy 18. Lucky 19. Oliver 20. Same Most Popular Female Dog Names 1. Bella 2. Molly 3. Lucy 4. Maggie 5. Daisy 6. Sophie 7. Sa... 04/03/2009

Growing up I vacationed at Lake Limerick often. I loved the cool waters in the summer and the few times the lake froze over in the winter was exciting! I came here last week for the annual Fire Department Banquet, and all of the memories came flooding back. I remember so many special times, but the best ones were always with those I loved. I think that is why selling Real Estate is so much fun for me. I get to help others invest in their lives with memories that will always be a source of joy and only a thought away...  Dinah Lee Griffey, 2008-2009. All photographs and/or written content produced by Dinah Lee Griffey. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Dinah Lee Griffey, real estate agent with Windermere Peninsula Properties,... 03/30/2009

I have spent many days sitting near this little bench. I have been here much longer though.  I would sit by this tree when it was smaller than me. I grew and over the years I have come back time and time again. From playing in the water here during my summers as a child to swimming here with my own children. It always surprises me how much my life changed while life here just remains the same...      Dinah Lee Griffey, 2008-2009. All photographs and/or written content produced by Dinah Lee Griffey. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Dinah Lee Griffey, real estate agent with Windermere Peninsula Properties, Allyn, Washington Real estate needs: www.TheNorthwestlife.com 03/29/2009

Sometimes you just need a little dose of something sweet to keep your day on track. Mine has had it's challenges today. Instead of going to the snack machine... I thought I would find a cute little picture to view as a pick me up. This is a newborn fawn taken at Hartstene Pointe in Mason County. the island is loaded with wildlife and the Pointe is a great place to get to see it up close. if you would like a tour of the Pointe just give me a call at 360-551-8888 and ask for Dinah. 03/24/2009

Do you ever wonder what they are thinking?  The clouds who innocently float by changing form as the wind shufles them from one place to the next. Moment to moment life transforms around them, as they peer down and up on the same breath. It is wonder what they must see. I know that they are watching me. 03/22/2009

Tis a beautiful evening at the LakeLimerick Inn. St. Patty's day has past but tis still all about the Irish here. Every street harkens back to a place on the Emerald Isle where life is seen in vaying shades of green. Today is like the rest in many ways, but it is new, and will never be repeated again even if you can see it twice in the cool beckoning reflection of the deep lake. 03/22/2009

I wanted to share a site with all of my friends on Active Rani that my partner Michelle Roethle and I just put up. It has most access to bank owned, foreclosure and HUD homes in greater western Washington. The information is easy to access, informative and best of all FREE! Please click on the link and visit us today at FreeNorthwestREO.com 03/07/2009

I love the sky in this picture. The fluffy clouds seem to be taking on the horizon..Harstine Island is one of most serene places I have been. I go to the Island just to find my self in quiet thoughts. The sun is welcoming but even on a day with clouds the islands magic keeps me there. I look far off in the distance to the waters edge where it meets the sky. I love the memories but more than that I love the dreams. 03/07/2009

Last weekend I had the dubiuos honor to be the MC for the Mason County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner held in Shelton, Washington. Our Key Note speaker was Rob McKenna, the Washington State Attorney General. He was excellent and delivered a speech that was Positive, insightful and upbeat. I have to say that with all of the news media harping about all of troubles we are facing as a nation it was refreshing to hear that it may not be as bad as they are saying. It is all in how you look at it. Washington State currently has a deficit. BUT... this is factoring in increasing spending and adding new programs. The facts are that the revenue for Washington State is marginally increasing by about 2% over last year. It is all about what you do with what you have, not what you wish you could... 03/06/2009

Maybe you can make your mortgage payment today, but can you next month? Does it feel like you are running out of options? There is help. I have been searching sites today to see what there is out there to help struggling home owners. There are many sites out there and a lot of advice being thrown around. It is hard to sift through it all to find what is best for you. Depending on your situation there may be several options. One that I think is worth considering is loan modification. It may not be a permanent fix, but it should be able to buy you enough time to figure things out. I am providing a link to the site so that you can decide for yourself if it is an option for you. Loan Modification may be the answer. One thing to look out for is the length of the contract. If the loan convert... 03/05/2009

This is one of my favorite photographs taken by one of our local Doctors at Mason General Hospital. I wish I could take the credit. Even more I would love to travel to all of the exciting places that he does with National Geographic. What a great experience. He took this picture first hand and it is so clear it is hard to tell if it was upside down or not. What special people do you have hidden in your community? 02/09/2009

Sometimes life does not treat you fairly. You wonder what could possibly be next. Then you find a bright moment. A hug from your child, a beautiful sunset, a playful cat, a inspiring article. Your out look may change. It is all about what you focus on. I will admit that I could be a little more upbeat, and try to see the bright side a little more often. If you are feeling a little down I will share something that perked me up. Unless you take the time to think about it every day is really an opportunity not a requirement. You can make anything out of your day and you have been fortunate enough to get one today. There are people yesterday who did not get this chance. We are Lucky, We can be happy, and We can make our day into anything we want! 02/09/2009