For those of you who don't know, I usually rotate my profile picture between my 7 cats.  This one is one of my former cats.  His name was Nicky or Nickity Splickits or Nick Nick Nickity Mr. Splickets.  Mr. Splickits was dropped off anonymously in the middle of the night in a cardboard box at a local human shelter on Dec. 23rd.  Because of the Holiday they named him Nick after St. Nicholas.  Nicky was in bad shape.  His paw was cut, his hair was a mess and all matted with feces.  He had some growths on his face that needed to be surgically removed as well.  Nicky also had no teeth.  While he was at the Shelter (Protectors of Animals) he also had a tendency to pee in his cage.  Nicky was an older cat but who knew how old for sure? Needless to say - we adopted Nicky.  His paw needed to be ... 06/02/2009

You are about to make what will most likely be the largest transaction of your life: your home mortgage. Unfortunately, many home-buyers when shopping in South Windsor do not take the time to research some of the little but weighty intricacies of mortgages. Researching the mortgage process takes little time and can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.  Doesn’t it make sense to become as completely informed as possible before you buy your next home? This special report is designed to help you avoid the nine most common mistakes to avoid when obtaining a home mortgage in South Windsor! Remember that the right lender can help you make good, sound business decisions based on your personal financial situation.  1. Find a Reputable Lender-This is the most importan... 05/26/2009

Blogging may be the easiest part of real estate. I mean after all, what is there to it. Sit down and pick a topic and just start typing. That is the easiest part- assuming you can come up with a topic. But, then again as we all know, an entry here and there is not what it's all about. It has to be interesting to read. It has to have information that prospective clients are looking for. And, my biggest problem is that it really needs to be consistent. I started. I really meant to keep typing, but somehow there are other things always taking up my time. I mean, I do have to say that coming up with a topic also seems to add to the procrastination process. I think that every time someone asks me a real estate question, I should write it down. Maybe that would help with the finding a topic p... 01/17/2009

   Are you interested in meeting up to 20 new business contacts within less than a few hours and without having to work up the nerve to approach someone?  How about broadening your sphere of influence, generating referrals and gaining visibility within the community?  Here's the NEWEST way... Come join other small business professionals in our next networking event that is both social and profitable.  Connecticut's Best 5-Minute Networking Event is the newest way to network with other business professionals in one-on-one and 5-minute increments.  In 5-minutes, attendees can describe their respective business, exchange business cards and pass on referrals.  When the event facilitator rings the bell, it is time for attendees to move to another table and meet someone new.  It's that simple... 12/09/2008

If you are looking for the perfect Christmas tree......look no further.  I have been visiting Dzen Christmas Tree Farm in South Windsor, Connecticut for the past 23 years and have never been disappointed.  It actually has been a black Friday tradition of ours to kick off the Holiday Season. Dzen Tree Farm strives to produce the highest quality of agricultural products and offer only the finest selection of Fresh Cut or Cut Your Own Christmas Trees.  In fact, Dzen Tree Farm has devoted 140 acres to Christmas tree production and has over a mile of gravel driveways that provide easy access to the entire farm.  My family and I prefer the Fraser Fir for its strong limbs and ability to retain its soft needles (which do not prick easily when hanging ornaments), but Dzen Tree Farm also offers B... 12/09/2008

Updated with 2009 collection information. This fall as usual South Windsor leaf collection will be offered curbside to residents.  Starting November 2, 2009 crews will start the first of two passes thorough town to collect leaves.  The second pass is scheduled to start on November 18th.  All the dates are weather permitting.  Want to know when your street is scheduled for visit the town will be releasing a schedule later.  When it is available I'll post a link to it here. My little assistants will be out helping rake up my leaves with me this year, well okay I'm sure that they will be doing much more running and jumping in the leaves than raking.  We have lots of big trees all around the house so there are plenty of leaves for them to jump around in.  Both say they are very excited to b... 10/30/2008

The Melissa Makes Bears Charity Organization will be holding a pasta dinner and auction on November 2, 2008 at South Windsor Fire Station Headquarters, 1175 Ellington Road. Enjoy a pasta dinner from 4 to 5:30 p.m. that costs just $5 for adults and $3 for children (12 and under). Following dinner at 5:30 p.m. is the comedy of the "Stand-Up Pediatrician" Dr. Jay Sutay. To complete the evening at 6 p.m. there will be a live auction hosted by radio personality Damon Scott. Proceeds from the pasta dinner and auction will go to The Melissa Makes Bears Charity Organization who donates customized Build-a-Bears to state safe homes, which are temporary shelters to care for children recently removed from their homes for their protection. 10/22/2008

310 Abbe Road South Windsor, CT 06074 Farmhouse Colonial For Sale in South Windsor Home Complete Details Photo Gallery Property Map Financing Request Showing Contact Me Brian Burke ABR, Realtor Mobile:860-798-3272 Website:Visit Website Price : $339,900 Bedrooms : 4 Bathrooms : 3.1 Square Foot : 2,501 Lot Size : 1 County : Hartford Property Type : Detached Year Built : 1998 MLS Number : g504896 click for more pictures Property Description Not A MISPRINT...so come with your best offer. Farmhouse Colonial built in 1998 with over 2500 sqft and situated on over 1 acre. Home offers 4 bedrooms, 2nd floor office, 3.5 bathrooms, plumbed basement, open floor plan, large rooms, 2nd floor laundry and a generator hook-up. The home has also been wired for satellite dish hookup in each room. Don't le... 10/12/2008

Looking for an affordable place to live in Connecticut?  South Windsor is #21 on the 2008 Forbes 25 Best Places for Affordable Homes.  Having moved to South Windsor when looking for a new home for our family a few years ago, my wife and I must agree with this article.  We found a great combination of home price, location, quality of life, and schools in South Windsor.  According to the article the median price of a home in South Windsor is $242,000 and taxes of $4079 a year.  Both very attractive numbers.  Want to see more about how South Windsor stacks up in headings like financial, housing, education, quality of life and more, check out this detailed list. If you are interested in searching for homes for sale in South Windsor, researching the current value of your home, or learning mo... 09/30/2008

Kids Clothing & Gear Consignment Sale!!!    When? Saturday, Sept 27th, from 9:00am unitl 2:00pm   Where? South Windsor Fire Department  Headquarters which is at 1175 Ellington Road.   No need to worry about rain - It's indoors!!   There will be over 90 sellers!!!  So there will be great bargains on kids clothing, baby gear, toys, Halloween costumes, strollers, high chairs, cribs and mattresses, holiday outfits, you name it!!   The consignment sale is sponsored by the MOMS Club of South Windsor - North Chapter.  All proceeds benefit South Windsor Food & Fuel Bank.  A very worthwhile cause. Tell your friends, or bring your friends and come shopping 09/24/2008

FOR INFORMATION ON THE 2009 LONGEST DINNER TABLE CLICK HERE Saturday, September 27, 2008, The Promenade Shops at EVERGREEN WALK, 501 Evergreen Way, South Windsor, CT, will host their 2nd Annual Longest Dinner Table. The hours will be from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm. Join 1,000 of your closet friends and neighbors for dinner in support of the South Windsor Public Education Fund. Bring your own dinner and purchase a seat or table to decorate at $25 per person or $200 per table (tables seat 8 persons.) Locomotion, CT’s Rockin Horn Band, will also be back for another great show! The purpose of this event is to provide funds to support projects and programs for the South Windsor Public Schools, to enhance the learning experience and encourage creativity and innovation both for students and teach... 09/14/2008

Saturday October 11th. the MDC will be holding a Hazardous Waste Collection at South Windsor High School, 161 Nevers Rd.  The hours will be from 8am until 1pm. Who can bring hazardous waste for disposal?  Residents of South Windsor.  Businesses in South Windsor may be able to bring items for collection, please call the HazWaste Hotline (860) 278-3809 for more information and to request a Small Business Package.  Residents of other towns may be able to bring items, download the information packet for a complete list of towns. What items can you bring for disposal?  Acids, Adhesives, Aerosols, Alkaline Batteries, Ammonia, Antifreeze, Ant sprays and baits, Artist’s Paints, Brake Fluid, Cleaning Solvents, Disinfectants, Drain Cleaners, Epoxy Products, Flea Repellents, Floor Care Products, F... 09/13/2008

Any one of you can hold this type of event.  Go to your local SAM's CLUB and talk with the Marketing Membership Manager.  I held a breakfast, tour and information event at my local SAM's CLUB this morning at 8AM.  Greg is the Manager of the Membership at this club.  All of the staff helps and greets you and your attendees with warm smiles.  I invitied my family, friends, clients and vendors.  It is a good time for them to all mix in and meet eachother.  We were escorted upstairs to the community meeting room.  We had a table full of goodies.  Coffee, of course, fruit salad, egg & sausage sandwiches, water bottles and fruit bottles.  I had been to this room before for community meetings that SAM's CLUB hosts.  Always good to meet fellow members who are businesses. After we finished with ... 09/12/2008

The Wapping Fair was held at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor, Ct on September 4th thru September 7th.  This fair celebrated its 116th year!  I remember attending with my parents when I was a child.  Bringing my own children, years ago, had become a family tradition.  It has a new location.  Same town, but now, for the last two years, it has been located at Evergreen Walk.  The organizer for this event is the Jaycees.  What a wonderful job they did.  I could write pages on this event, however, when you see the photos, the smiling faces, the animals, the many food and fun booths, it is more than words can say.  Local merchants are eager to meet you and show you their product.  Supporting the Jaycees were several South Windsor businesses. It is such a great sense of community.  The Rotary ... 09/09/2008

Remember when school started after Labor Day Weekend?  It was the true end to summer vacation.  We used to take one more trip to Martha' s Vineyard and enjoy the beach, boating and fishing.  Just one more time.  This year our local towns are starting school next week.  School will be half day sessions for two or three days, depending on the town.  Then, they will have the Labor Day Weekend off and go back to full time days for the rest of the week.  Luckily, the weather has cooled off.  I can't imagine having the students sitting in the classrooms in hot weather.  We don't offer air conditioning in all of our schools.  Our Governor in Connecticut, has made this week tax free week for back to school shoppers.  It will allow you to purchase items, up to $300.00. without paying our 6% tax ... 08/20/2008

The last in the series of films being shown to local families is on Friday, August 22nd.  It is held in the Evergreen Walk Shopping Area.  Bring your own chairs, seating is limited.  The good news is, it is held in the parking area, Lot B.  This is the lot behind the Green Tangarine Spa & Salon.  (My hairdresser).  The movies are shown on an inflatable screen.  Snacks, food and beverages are available for purchase from the local merchants.  They have pre-show childrens' activites provided, too.  The title of the movie for this last show is, Horton Hears a Who.  By the way, they have the right to change this movie if they need to:) The shops do a good service, along with the Town of South Windsor to continue this good work for the local community.  I look forward to what they have planne... 08/16/2008

Have you stock piled books, papers, bottles, cans from soda pop and just "stuff"?  How about donating some of these items to organizations who can use a little help?  Special Olympics, Soles 4 Shoes, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, AMVETS, Project Graduation in your local area, or the Senior Citizens, are some of the groups that we give to.  My Son came home one day, when he was in college.  We always have given back to the community.  His words are still on my mind today.  Mom, if you haven't used it or worn it in the last year, you don't really need it.  Why not give it to someone who may need it?  Now, every August, I do just that.  Pack it up, in different storage crates, and deliver them to the different groups who could use the items.  You can purchase the plastic storage crates or bins,... 08/03/2008

Every morning it is important, to me, to start off the day on a positive way.  Bright and early, my lab, Jack, wakes me up.  You can't help but smile because he is so enthusiastic and happy about this new day! After taking care of his morning needs, I ready myself for the day.  Some mornings, I go out for coffee and breakfast.  Over the years, I have been fortunate to meet really good friends.  It has become a tradition to see this people who greet you with a friendly smile.  Almost like an extended family. Today, our regular breakfast spot was closed due to the holiday.  We headed toward our holiday meeting place, Friendly's, by the Buckland Hills Mall.  It is always open on holidays, which works out well for those of us who like to treat ourselves to breakfast.  The restaurant opens a... 07/04/2008

Thanks to Eleanor Thorne from Cary, North Carolina, for asking me to share more about me:)  She suggested I could use it to find some good recruits for my office.  I love that idea:)  We are growing this year!  Amazingly, I have been to Cary, North Carolina. I have a cousin who lived there a few years ago, that we visited while looking at colleges for my Daughters.  Lovely town, with scenery much like Connecticut. Here we go with the latest super 8 questions! 1) Who is your favorite musical artist?  That would be Elvis. His voice was so beautiful. 2) Who is your favorite artist? My Son, Daren.  He is now thirty years old:)  He would draw trucks when he was little with every last detail.  He would draw houses (we used to build them) the same way, with every attention to detail, including... 06/06/2008

Pretty funny, it took me hours to make the widget for my new Business Referral Directory.  Once I figured it out, and tested it, it seemed to be a perfect way to get folks to my Business Referral Directory.  It could not be approved by the widget folks, because it is an entire website.  Oops!  They will allow me to use it on my own.  I posted it here on the rain, on my Google blogpress and on my Wordpress blog.  Charity Lane sent me an email last week, that my widget was popping up and taking over my blog.  What to do!  I tried to adjust it.  I made another new one.  No, it still became too powerful for my blogs.  Has anyone else had a similar technical glitch?  I removed it from my active rain blog.  It is still posted on my others.  I really would like it to be a click and go visual t... 05/21/2008