Yesterday was another fun filled day!   About 5 years ago my brother and sister...who live across the lane from each other and their other 2 neighbors decided that the 4th of July deserved a huge celebration!  The 9 kids who lived out there were young so the parents rented a jump house for the kids.... We all had lunch together ...and then a huge potluck supper.... In between we had a scavenger hunt for the kids and the adults played horse shoes... The evening extended and we had a huge baseball game....2 teams with everyone playing....so there might be 15-20 on the field at the same time! Then of course the evening ended with fireworks!!!   We could also see the huge firework display in Melba from their center culdesac!   Fast forward  a few years and the kids are to old for a jump hou... 07/05/2011

  If you have been struggling with Diabetes or know of some one who is... Why not check out the Southwest District Healths FREE Education Event on July 7 from 6-7:30 pm at The new Canyon County Office 13307 Miami Lane...near the corner of Florida and Karcher Road Discussion format will go over nutrition, carb intake, and making better food choices....at home and eathign out! They will also cover portion control!   Living with Diabetes is a choice...and a big lifestyle change but it can be controlled So come on out to learn more! For more information contact Southwest District Health Department 208 455-5341 07/05/2011

Today is the day that we get to celebrate our Independence!! For many that is taken for granted! We should never forget what this means..... The ability to attend a church ....if we wish or do not wish The ability to argue with others about politics.... The ability to be small business owners.... The ability to own our own homes and so much more! Let us not forget that these freedoms have a cost! I Salute all the men and women who are serving our country both over seas and her stateside! We all know that Freedom has been hard won!!! I am posting a few pictures of my husband and the American Legion/VFW Posts Honor Guard in Rockford and Belvidere Illinois They will be marching in a parade in Kirkland Illinois! This is a task he doesn't take lightly....they march in parades and serve durin... 07/04/2011

It is Thursday and time for Down Town Nampa Nights Located on the corner of Front and 14th at Lloyds Square from 5:30-8:00 pm Every Thursday night this summer Tonight will feature the band Loose Change!   Bring your lawn chairs Food and beverage will be available for purchase!   Come on down for this free event....you may even find a friend down there!     06/30/2011

We have been whining all spring about the cold weather.... Now it has really heated up.... The past few days summer has really hit and I think we have hit the Dog Days of Summer in Idaho Temps have been in the high 90's! It looks like for the next couple of days Nampa will be a bit cooler...but the heat will be back for the 4th of July. Remember to "crack" your window a smidge to keep them from getting damaged from the heat! Drink lots of water Don't forget your furry four legged friends.... When it is this hot don't leave them in a parked car.... And keep plenty of fresh cool water down in a dish for them.... Consider using the grill so you don't have to heat up the grill The microwave can come in handy on these warm days Or make a cold supper....like a wonderful salad All in all stay ... 06/28/2011

Many of us have adopted pets from our local Shelters We know how important it is to support these agencies In Canyon County ...Nampa and Caldwell Idaho the major agency is the Canyon County Pet Haven The Pet Haven is were many of us have got our kitties from!   Yes my Cleo came from there! To run the facility many volunteers are utilized and the funding comes from grants and fundraisers. The Pet Haven has a thrift store in Caldwell...you can donate used items and 100% of the proceeds go back into the shelter.  Or You can come to the Pet Haven Humane Society's Gala Ice Cream Social Saturday June 25th 2011 Nampa Christian High School Gym 439 W Orchard Nampa Idaho Admission is $5.00 at the door! Besides Ice Cream there is more The Fab 4 otherwise known as "The Get Back Band" are going to b... 06/24/2011

It is time for the Celebration of Flight at the Caldwell Industrial Airport! Gates will be open from 9 am to 5 pm  Lots of activities are planned for the Day Helicopter Performances, many aircraft displays and Over 30 Aerial Performances Scheduled throughout the day!!  Including Parachute jumps, vintage air craft flybys, and radio controlled aircraft demonstrations And a classic vehicle show!!!! Don't Miss this exciting Day!   06/24/2011

Who doesn't remember seeing Sleeping Beauty in a play or reading the wonderful love story as a child?? Re-live those moments with a special young person in your life the Music Theatre of Idaho Academy of Arts Presents its adaptation of Sleeping Beauty  Saturday June 25, 2011  Nampa Civic Center Tickets are:  $4.00 for adult $2.00 for Children 12 and under ($5.00 at the door) Tickets are available by calling 468-2385 or at the door.       06/24/2011

Looking for fun that is free?  Come on down to Downtown Nampa Nights... Located on 14th Avenue South and Front Street in the Lloyds Square Every Thursday Night from 5:30-8 pm Tonight's band will be Reckless Abandon Bring your lawn chair and enjoy Free Live Music Beverages and food will be available for purchase.....(wine, beer and soft drinks) A big thank you to the sponsors who make this event possible Flying M Coffeehouse, Schillier and Schiller, Idaho Press Tribune, Moto Tech, Darlenes Printing, City of Nampa, and  Old Towne Coffee House, 06/23/2011

It has been a great morning!    I think that we may be actually going to get warmer weather one of these days.  It is a bit overcast now and will most likely rain tonight.... We are in the High Desert of Southwest Idaho so we only get about 10-12 inches of precipitation per year.... This year we are way ahead of schedule.. One of the benefits of all of this rain in Nampa Idaho this spring is the fact that our flowers have all loved the moisture!  My peonies bloomed this week and have been amazing!   Of the 3 bushes in my yard I bet each one had over a 100 blooms!    I picked a bunch of them this morning and came up with 2 bouquets!  I love the lush yet delicate colors of my peonies!   I send a thank you to my Uncle Gary who gave me starts a few years ago!   Fresh flowers in the house ad... 06/18/2011

It is time to have the   Night of Your Life June 18, 2011 4-9 pm Hampton Inn and Suites Nampa (in front of the Idaho Center) This event is dedicated to the Girls!   Buy your tickets at the Door $15 for each person $10 for Breast Cancer Survivors!   Your admission price includes wine, appetizers and a goody bag.  There will be door prizes from every vendor and all sorts of giveaways all night long Special events include a Wester Fashion Show and live entertainment from Makayla Hunter Over 30 shopping booths will be open! All proceeds go to helping women in need of receiving services and education toward preventative breast cancer  care at the St Alphonsus Medical Center in Nampa Idaho Sponsors include: Saint Alphonsus Medical Center Nampa, Idaho Press Tribune, Idaho Beef Council, Hampton... 06/18/2011

Get ready either as an observer or as a participant It is time for the Annual Bob LeBow Bike Tour Event Participants can register to ride in 1 of 6 different Tours ranging from 100 miles down to a 3 mile ride.  Starting time is at 7 am for the 100 mile and 11:30 for the 3 mile ride.  Visit TRHS.com and click on the Bob Lebow Bike Tour link on the left hand side of the page for registration information.     Please note all registrations must be made on line! Depending on which tour you choose you will be able to enjoy the beauty of the rural Canyon, Owyhee and Malheur Counties.  Lunch , water stops, basic first aid and sag wagons will be provided to all tour participants. All monies raised will benefit the Terry Reilly Zero Pay Fund.  Post Ride activities will include Lunch, Massages and... 06/08/2011

Things To Do In and Around Nampa Idaho.....Free Fishing Day   Coming up on June 11, 2011 get your fishing poles ready!    The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will be allowing fishing anywhere in Idaho with out a license!  Some locations around the area will even have equipment available and fishing experts on hand.     According to an article in the Idaho Press Tribune recently here is a list of locations where the Free Fishing will be allowed.   Wilson Springs Ponds in Nampa 8 am - Noon                                                                                                                                 McDevitt Pond in Boise 8 am - noon Merrill Pond in Eagle 9 am - noon Parkcenter Pond in Boise 9 am - 2 pm Atwood Pond in Payette 8 am - 2 pm Ed's Pond in Emmett  9 am - noon ... 06/08/2011

Deborah Byron Leffler | Keller Williams Realty Boise | (208) 703-1433 2013 Amity Ave., Nampa, ID NICELY UPDATED HOME FOR THE HORSE OR CATTLE LOVERS! 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $130,000 Year Built 1953 Sq Footage 1,176 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 48,787 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION HOME HAS BRAND NEW ROOF, CARPET, PAINT AND A WONDERFUL KITCHEN FEATURING NEW RANGE/OVEN, MICROWAVE AND ALL BRAND NEW HIGH QUALITY HARDWOOD CABINETS AND NEW COUNTER TOPS. TILE IN KITCHEN AND DINING AREA. Posted: May 10, 2011, 1:31pm PDT 06/05/2011

Dear Deborah, We got our Nampa Idaho tax assessment on our home and we think that the value is to high!   What can we do?    We don't want to pay taxes on an amount we think is to high?   Over Taxed in Nampa Idaho Home Owner   Dear Over Taxed, Yes we all got our tax assessments in the mail the past few days!   Many of us had pretty large reductions in the assessed value of our Nampa Idaho properties.    But there are a few that are still over assessed in their value.    What do you do?  First thing is to call me.   I will run some comparables for you to use when you meet with the Canyon County Assessor.    Keep in mind that the values that they record are for properties that sold as of 12/31/2010.    So values may be lower than that now but you will have to use comparable solds from ear... 06/02/2011

Today was a wonderful day.....the sun was shining and it was windy but my Dad came over and we played in the dirt in my yard!   For the past 3-4 years I have wanted to dig up my flower beds in my very tiny back yard so that I could have a small garden.    We started it last year but with the weather not cooperating and a very busy real estate schedule...   that I am very thankful of....   The weeds and grass had completely filled in the flower beds again!    Today we dug and removed the weeds and the grass.   Then we tried some thing new....   we dug up the dirt about 6 inches or so down.... then we added layers of newspaper 5-6 sheets... covered that with dirt and then planted tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers!  I can't wait for July 22....since they say that they take 52 days to produce... 05/30/2011

Dear Mr and Mrs Seller in Nampa Idaho, I need to have a heart to heart talk with you.....if I am going to list your Nampa home that needs to be sold via a short sale then I need your help! In order to you sell your home we need to work together as a team.....I will be providing you with a list of documents that you will need to quickly fill out.   If you don't understand the documents please ask for help!   No question is a silly or dumb question.    The paperwork can be daunting but it is necessary for us to fill it out so that the bank can make decision on your short sale.  Just because you have provided me with your bank statements and pay check stubs once....I may need you to send updated information on a monthly basis.   If you get mail from your lender.....please don't leave it in... 05/25/2011

Well actually this event will pay you $2.00 for every male cat you bring in to be neutered on June 4th!    The event will be at the Canyon Country Animal Shelter and will be open to the first 200 folks who call in to get on the schedule.   Cats must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh a minimum of 2 lbs.  Each cat must be brought in a plastic pet carrier. They are also looking for 200 towels and socks to make rice bags to keep the kitties warm after surgery! To get on the list call 208 546-6690.   After the message leave your name and phone number repeating it twice.   Appointments are a must and will be made when calls are returned!   This is a great opportunity to get some stray cats neutered to cut down on the rampant feral cat population in Nampa! 05/24/2011

Yesterday I congratulated my pastor on 25 years being ordained as a Pastor in my blog and I promised that I would post a few things he has learned in the past 25 years!  I was amazed at how many of them pertain to Real Estate and not just in church....think about them... Here is some wisdom from J Stephen Perotti....fondly known only as Pastor Steve! 1.   There are a few sacred cows in every church that need to be sacrificed.    Could be events, traditions, we are in a new day and a new time so we need to keep up with today.    It doesn't mean that everything has to change but maybe there are a few areas that need some help.   2.   Sometimes we are not as willing to change as we think we are.    We want everything around us to change...but we don't want to have to change.... 3.   We can... 05/23/2011

Today at the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ Church in Nampa Idaho was a very special day! We celebrated with our Pastor Dr. J Stephen Perotti ...Pastor Steve... 25 years in the Ministry!    With it we had a proclamation that promised to have a Matthew 25 day of his choosing in the very near future!   Matthew 25 Sunday is a day where the members of the congregation don't come to church....instead we go to the community and volunteer in many different ways....we cleaned up a park...we served shut ins...we made cookies for the homeless shelters and shut ins...and a whole bunch of other projects!    Pastor Steve came to our congregation 5 years ago!    It has been a fun filled and very quick 5 years!   During his time of pastoring at the Nampa First Christian Church he has chall... 05/22/2011