I haven't posted here in forever. I've been super busy! Listing, writing offers and closing deals. (in spite of this hideous economy)
I've also had a lot on my plate with our rental in the college town, and getting five (reliable) new renters, and having the deck replaced, carpets cleaned, bathrooms painted, new fans, yard work, yadda yadda yadda. I spent an entire afternoon cleaning the kitchen. AN ENTIRE AFTERNOON.
Claire is coming home next week and we can't wait. Cam is around town and I'm being more of a mom, cooking more and going places with him. I'm planning a party. We've had two beach trips and I've read a lot of books. It's a great summer.
Boomer is getting old and can't hear anymore, so we are taking a different kind of care of him now - he is less grouchy and more needy. (and more adorable than ever) Having three dogs while Cam and Peter are here is quite the chore. Somebody always has to go outside.
We had an amazing trip to Wisconsin, and are planning another family trip to Mexico this fall. There's no Philly girls trip this year, but there is a book club one. A favorite friend and family have moved to Amsterdam. Whit is looking abroad for graduate school. There will always be travel, though we have scaled back, for sure.
New clients are coming on board, I'm trying to transition to a new web page, and consolidate all my online efforts. I have several blogs plus a web page and two facebook pages - that needs to be streamlined. I guess my daily thoughts make it on to my facebook page rather than into a blog anymore. If you are not on facebook, you should be!
I was touring houses on Council Crest this morning when I saw the perkiest coyote casually walking down the sidewalk. He was so adorable and acting very civilized - I almost wanted to hop out and pet him. The next moment he was gone - jumped into the bushes or scared by the car.
The small print: You will receive 25% OFF (10% OFF cosmetics and fragrances) almost all regular & sale-price items when you use promo code: FRIENDS at checkout.
The following exclusions apply to this offer:
25% OFF (10% OFF cosmetics and fragrances) Regular & Sale-Price Promo Code: FRIENDS excludes: Lunch break!™ REGULAR & SALE-PRICE ITEMS from Allen Edmonds, Aquatalia, Ecco, Frye, Jeffrey Campbell, Kors Michael Kors shoes, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes, Merrell, Tumi & Ugg; men’s Cole Haan shoes, men’s Lacoste shoes. DEPARTMENTS: Smart Value items; diamond solitaire rings and special event promotions in Fine Jewelry; FEED bags, gift cards.
Maybe not the best picture ever, but JoJo and I had a wonderful time. I'm so lucky to be her special friend!
She drew a wonderful portrait of me, which is now framed and hanging in my office. Next time you're in the neighborhood of 20th and Johnson, stop by and see it.
Cam and I had a fun trip - got some sun, saw an Adam Sandler movie being made, enjoyed beverages and shopping, and took an unflattering picture of ourselves... but the memories are solid gold!
With the 2010 U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.
The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.
** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.
Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. You all probably know this!
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS..
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.
The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau. AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
NEVER click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
*and since it's been such a long time, here are the performers as well as a little bit of history on the development*
Harry Belafonte originally wanted to put together a benefit concert featuring black musicians to raise money for Africa. Ken Kragen (who became president of the originization United Support of Artists for Afica) thought an American version of "Band Aid" would be a better idea. Ken Kragen is an owner of a personal management and television production company. One of his clients was Lionel Ritchie, so he called him with the idea. Lionel's wife talked to Steve Wonder's wife and arranged to line him up for the song.
Quicy Jones was lined up as the producer, and Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie were the song writers. The recording took place on the night of the American Music Awards, January 28th, 1985. This was the perfect way to assure that most of the artists would all be free on a single date.
The instrumental tracks were recorded ahead of time and sent out to the interested musicians. With each tape, he sent a letter that stated they should "check their ego at the door." When they arrived in the studio, there was a piece of tape on the floor for each person to stand on, arranged around six microphones in a semi-circle.
800,000 copies arrived in stores on Tuesday, March 7th 1985. There were sold out by the first weekend. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 on March 23rd, at number 21. At the time it was the highest debuting single since John Lennon's "Imagine" and was number one in three weeks, which at the time was the fastest rising chart-topper since Elton John's "Island Girl" in 1975. It was the eighth consecutive year the Lionel Ritchie had written a number one song. It won Grammys in 1985 for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
Dan Aykroyd also sings on We Are the World. You can see him in the top row in the video. Dan Aykroyd was in the Blues Brothers, a band before it was a SNL sketch (and then a movie), hence he was a musician. VH-1's "Pop-Up Video" states he's there to represent the American film industry,
Dan Aykroyd Harry Belafonte Lindsey Buckingham Kim Carnes Ray Charles Bob Dylan Sheila E. Bob Geldof Hall and Oates James Ingram Jackie Jackson LaToya Jackson Marlon Jackson Michael Jackson Randy Jackson Tito Jackson Al Jarreau Waylon Jennings "Pop-Up Video" stated that he left the recording session due to a dispute over the lyrics. Billy Joel Cyndi Lauper Huey Lewis and the News Kenny Logins Bette Midler Willie Nelson Jeffery Osborne Steve Perry The Pointer Sisters Lionel Richie Smokey Robinson Kenny Rogers Diana Ross Paul Simon Bruce Springsteen Tina Turner Dionne Warwick Stevie Wonder Michael Boddicker - Synthesizers, Programming Paulinho da Costa - Percussion Louis Johnson - Bass Quincy Jones - Producer Michael Omartian - Keyboards, Producer Greg Phillinganes - Keyboards John Robinson - Drums
and the lyrics...
There comes a time when we heed a certain call (Lionel Richie) When the world must come together as one (Lionel Richie & Stevie Wonder) There are people dying (Stevie Wonder) Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life (Paul Simon) The greatest gift of all (Paul Simon/Kenny Rogers)
We can't go on pretending day by day (Kenny Rogers) That someone, somehow will soon make a change (James Ingram) We're all a part of God's great big family (Tina Turner) And the truth (Billy Joel) You know love is all we need (Tina Turner/Billy Joel)
( CHORUS ) We are the world, we are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving (Michael Jackson) There's a choice we're making we're saving our own lives (Diana Ross) It's true we'll make a better day just you and me (Michael Jackson/Diana Ross)
Well, send'em you your heart so they know that someone cares (Dionne Warwick) And their lives will be stronger and free (Dionne Warwick/Willie Nelson) As God has shown us by turning stone to bread (Willie Nelson) And so we all must lend a helping hand (Al Jurreau)
( REPEAT CHORUS ) We are the world, we are the children (Bruce Springsteen) We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving (Kenny Logins) There's a choice we're making we're saving our own lives (Steve Perry) It's true we'll make a better day just you and me (Daryl Hall)
When you're down and out there seems no hope at all (Michael Jackson) But if you just believe there's no way we can fall (Huey Lewis) Well, well, well, let's realize that a change can only come (Cyndi Lauper) When we (Kim Carnes) stand together as one (Kim Carnes/Cyndi Lauper/Huey Lewis)
(REPEAT CHORUS AND FADE )
(additional ad-lib vox by Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, James Ingram)
My mom used to say that with such frequency...and it usually meant I was in trouble for being gone so long.
I'm always off somewhere, and since January 3, when we returned from Palm Springs, I've been all over the place. I did a TON of Real Estate this month. I've been showing lots and lots of property, writing up contracts, doing lots of home inspections and sewer scopes and meeting electricians and furnace technicians, and also listing an amazing house and hosting events and touring and previewing.... a BIG January. Wanna see?
We (Norris and I) bought a vacant lot! Right aross the street from our house...and now we're dreaming of the house we'd like to build. We love that there's a pool in the neighborhood, so we don't actually have to have a pool. I want a sun deck on the roof! And lots of glass, but not too big a house. It's so fun to dream. (this picture is bad, but it's a nice, level lot with some large trees, and a little bit of neighborhood greenspace along the back) You'd think I'd take my camera out and get some good shots, but I'm just lazy/busy enough right now to use the picture from the RMLS.
We flew to Arizona to look at condos with Claire and TJ. Look how happy she is contemplating her first huge purchase! (aside from some of her shoes) This complex is small, it looks like a movie set, with its palm trees, pool, and lush green lawn. The desert at its best. Claire is working with an amazing Realtor, and she, TJ and Lucy are going to love living here!
This adorable cottage was one of my listings that received an awesome offer in January.
I had a party to celebrate the Premiere of LOST. Check out Dave & Stacy's costumes!
Buyers fell in love with this little walled house - you can lock up and leave on your travels!
A cool young doctor bought this darling bungalow in Westmoreland... so cute!
This gorgeous condo was my first sale of the year. Check out the view. The cutest 23 year old is going to rock this joint!
This beautiful building is right around the corner from my office. Halfway between The Pearl district and Northwest 23rd, this location is absolutely the best in town. My new client from Boise closed on this property yesterday and is certainly going to love living here. And now I have a new buddy to grab coffee with.
This was a hot house! (You really can't tell how nice by any of the pictures on the web, but I knew the neighborhood) We were lucky, and were the second people to see it - I was watching the RMLS when it popped up and we went that quickly. We were the successful bidder, but, alas, my clients changed their minds. Lucky for the back-up people - they swooped right in and got the house. So all's well that ends well. Now my clients are looking at everything on the market, and may have just found a better one for them... fingers crossed. But this was a beautiful traditional with all the right spaces and beautiful gardens. And a wonderful seller - she was just lovely, in spite of the fact that we left the table...
Friends are going to sell this home in Hillsboro. It's my favorite floor plan of all time! Great room with office, studio and master suite, beautiful outdoor spaces and covered patio with fireplace... and upstairs, a wing for kids or visitors - two suites and a big family room with little kitchenette. Perfect. For lots of photos, please visit the website.
So.... it's been a busy month. There's more to tell. But this has gone on long enough!
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