Today is Winter Solstice - the day the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn. The sun is at its lowest and weakest, a pivot point from which the light will grow stronger and brighter. This is the turning point of the year. There are many, many types of celebration of this day - click on this link for more information: http://www.candlegrove.com/solstice.html
For me, it's always been a cleansing sort of day - reflecting back on the year's success and challenges, learning the lessons and cleaning my slate for a new year!
I'm very proud of myself for staying in the real estate business with this very challenging market. Brian Buffini and Company offers a coaching program, and I signed up for it in June! We have two scheduled calls a month where we go over activites from the last call, come up with a plan for the next two weeks for the next call, and talk about successes and challenges I am facing. I keep track of all of my expenses on-line (and establish business and personal budgets for more check/balance) as well as all my lead generating activites for my Coach to track right along with me. And, BB & Co is really big on balancing the five aspects of our lives - business, financial, personal, spiritual and family! So, Krista is basically involved in all areas of my life and I trust her with my heart, soul and my business! It's all about working a referral based business and it's just a pleasure to be focusing on past clients that I've enjoyed getting to know!
My Father died August 1, 2008. After suffering from Alzheimers the last 10 years, he fell and had massive bleeding around his brain which finally took him - a blessing for Dad, to be sure - just sad for the rest of us. Add this to 6 closings about to fall apart and I was truly questioning if all of the stress of real estate was even worth it. Again, my Coach came to the rescue and kept me on track and I will be forevery grateful.
As a result of our work together, I have joined both the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary International - two fine organizations I am very happy to be a part of, and it's a nice, soft approach to making new friends and possible contacts for future business. I'm more comfortable with this than meeting someone and inviting them to lunch to listen to me talk about doing a referral based business for an hour! :-) I've also joined Art Berkeley and it's a wonderful way to keep me painting with watercolors to show in the various events they have around the county throughout the year. All three of these organizations are keeping me and "my face" out there, and that's what it is all about!
My husband, Jim is retired and I could not do what I do without his love and support. He's always ready to help in any way that he can, and listen to all the bazaar things that happen on a daily basis! And when all is said and done - he can still make me laugh until tears roll down my face!
We've had some challenges with my Mother-In-Law - she's been in a retirement home and after having several strokes, has had to move to the next level of care. She recently needed to have gall stones removed and is currently in the full nursing home side of the facility - hoping she will regain her strength and stability and be able to go back to the mid-level. There's a great poem about "the Golden Age", but I won't quote it here...just not much fun to get old.
I'm so very grateful for all of the clients who have come into my life. Our time spent together from the beginning to the closing table is so intense and I get to be a part of their lives and get to know them pretty well during the process. We've had many good times, many great laughs, and sometimes even cry together. It's a pleasure to keep in touch with them on a regular basis. My goal is and always has been to take such good care of my clients that I am their Realtor for Life - and they can't wait to tell their family and friends about the good service I gave them!
On the personal side, diet and exercise ALWAYS seem to be on my list of challenges. Such a roller coaster ride and just can't be good for my body. I don't go up to the extremes that I used to, but still am struggling to stay within 10 pounds of ideal weight. And when I start the day with exercise, I'm on top of the world - you'd think I'd just gladly do it each day!!!
So, it's been a great year - so much to be grateful for - and every day I continue to grow and learn! What does my crystal ball say for the market in 2009??? It's still pretty cloudy - waiting for more of the implementation of the bailout, hoping the big 3 auto companies will land on their feet - interest rates keep dropping and if banks are truly going to help people hold onto their homes and get this market stabalized, inventory down, and pricing solid, it will be a very good year!!! New President, "new" cabinet - who knows!!!
I'm ready, willing and able to deal with Buyers and Sellers of all types in 2009! If I can help you, your friends, or family - please don't hesitate to call me! 304-596-5500!
Happy Solstice!
Andrea