National Potato Chip DayNational Potato Chip Day and always on March 14th.This day celebrates the ever popular potato chip.  Yummo! Potato Chips are America's #1 snack food. But, it’s not just a snack food.  NOPE…It’s the potato of choice for many lunchtime and dinner meals.  Regular (or plain) potato chips are by far the most popular.  Other popular flavors are barbecue, sour cream & onion, oil & vinegar, and ranch.  I am sure there are many other favorites too.Potato chips were first made by Chef George Crum in Saratoga Springs, NY on August 24, 1853. Americans have been in love with them ever since.Celebrating National Potato Chip Day is easy.... eat potato chips during meals and snacks.Make your own potato chips!  It’s easy to do. The kids will love it, and so will you.  Here’s a re... 03/14/2011

Ear Muff DayEar Muff Day is always on March 13th.  Why you ask?  On this day March 13, 1877, the United States Patent Office awarded Chester Greenwood patent #188,292 for his invention.So, Ear Muff Day celebrates a warm invention...the ear muff! Folks in cold climates can really appreciate this day.  And, they are ever so thankful to the person who created the ear muff. However, if you are fortunate enough to live in Florida, you might not even know what an ear muff is.Ear muffs keep your ears warm (DUH) and protect you from ear infections and earaches resulting from icy cold wind and weather.  Manufacturers have responded to their popularity with a variety of designs and colors, making one to fit almost every personality.It is really easy to celebrate Ear Muff Day.... just wear your ea... 03/13/2011

OFallon MO Real Estate Month over Month Statistics February 2010 vs February 2011 In 1956, O’Fallon Missouri’s 100th anniversary, the census showed the population to be 1,327 people, and the town measured about 20 blocks square. By 2000, the U.S. census put O’Fallon Missouri’s population at 46,169 people, and the city had grown to 26 square miles. Today, O’Fallon’s population is over 70,000.In 2006, the City of OFallon MO celebrated two milestones – first, its 150th Sesquicentennial anniversary.  This included many events throughout the year for all to enjoy.  And secondly, a New Year’s Eve party on December 31, which included filling a time capsule with predictions for the next century.  I wonder where our fair city will be in 2106.  It is sure to be far different than we know it today... 03/13/2011

Panic Day……This holiday may always be on March 9th but this year it is also in the middle of the week.  Don't worry. Don't fret, and, above all, don't panic. However, if ever there was a day to panic, today is that day.Try to stay calm.  Take a deep breath. For today is Panic Day. Can you handle today?  Good, I was worried for a moment.  Take another breath.Hopefully, everything is going just swell in your life, and you have no need for this day.  But, if problems and troubles are looming, try to hold off hitting the panic button.As you get through this unsettling day, you have another day to worry about (he-he).......International Panic Day. 03/08/2011

International (Working) Women's DayInternational Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th and sponsored worldwide by the United Nations.  The roots of this celebration go back to the late 1800's to early 1900s.  It grew out of the women's socialist movements and early women's trade union groups.The first International Women's Day was held March 19, 1911.   Women socialists and trade unions held an earlier Women's Day on the last Sunday in February, 1908.  The event grew and has been celebrated annually since that time.  The focus is upon women workers, and advancing women's rights in the workforce, politics and society.As we look back over the years there have been many, many strides forward.  And as we look forward there are still a great many strides that need to be made in women’s equa... 03/07/2011

March 7th National Crown Roast of Pork Day….There must be a Presidential Proclamation or something in the Congressional records somewhere that will verify this day.  Something that could justify congress spending time to make this a national day!  But alas there is no record or proclamation to be found.So someone certainly must be kidding, right!?  National Crown Roast of Pork Day... Why you ask?Well, quite frankly, I do not know.  Do I really, really want to know?  Why not just Roast Pork Day?  Why does it have to be a crown roast of pork?What I do know, is that it is National Crown Roast of Pork Day, a special day to cook and eat pork. To participate in this day it must be crown roast pork. Any other just will not do.The only reason that I can figure out is this day didn’t have anythi... 03/07/2011

Monday Motivation…I remember my grandfather always saying that something wasn’t worth a dime.  To a kid back in the day a dime was a really big thing, ‘cause if we got a nickel we were in tall cotton.I soon came to understand that if something wasn’t worth a dime it Wwas considered “Worthless”.  Seeing that my grandfather could have been considered quite opinionated at times there weren’t many things that were worth a dime.  Then I found this quote by Yogi Berra and it so fits today’s economy: “A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.” Yogi Berra I haven’t gone back and researched what a nickel is worth today but when we used to be able to go to the movie, get a tall soda and a big bag of popcorn, and stay all day for just a quarter! I am thinking that a nickel isn’t worth a plug nickel. 03/06/2011

A simple survey, iPhone or Blackberry……..As fast as technology improves who has time to stay on top of all of it?  One thing for sure we need to be able to get the job done while being either in the office or on the road.  If not we will be playing catch up with our clients and customers.Two years ago I went out to the AR community and asked a question very similar to this question.  With over 200,000 members I am sure I can get a load of good information on my next phone.  Or is that smart phone?So my question to the community is to iPhone or not to iPhone., then If I go with the iPhone then which one, the 2g or 3g or 3gs?If I was to stay with the Blackberry then which one would you suggest?I am open to your ideas SO what say YOU? 03/06/2011

Sunday March 6th Dentist's Day…….Are you ready for this? Dentist's Day is a day to display a big, toothy smile. After all, your Dentist plays a role in that big, bright smile.  He or she is an important person in keeping your smile bright, and your teeth and mouth healthy.  My big toothy smile was lost when my wife introduced me to our cast iron skillet about a week after we were married.If my Dentist is such an important person, then why am I so scared of the next dental visit?  Is it perhaps the fear of discovering a cavity?  Maybe, he will find the beginnings of gum disease?  The fear of the dentist ranks right up there with.... the fear of pulling teeth! I’m not even going to say I would rather have a root canal!!Some of the ways to celebrate today are: Giving your dentist a big "TY... 03/05/2011

I have read that today is Multiple Personality Day……………And now I am beside myself who is also beside my other self.   Does this mean that when I talk of myself in the third person that I have this disorder? Multiple Personality Day is an opportunity to get in touch with all of you.Someone with a split personality has two personalities. Someone with multiple personalities has more than two personalities.  It’s a psychological disorder that I hope none of my readers have. Don't be surprised to find yourself surrounded by people who are talking to themselves today.  You might find yourself talking to yourself, too!When you wish someone "Happy Multiple Personality Day", you may need to do so multiple times, once for each personality. 03/04/2011

“Tomb of the Unknowns”.............This is an email that was sent to me a couple of days ago by my brother and I thought that I would share it with you here in the Rain.  I am not asking you to do anything like forward this on to your whole mailing list or sphere of influence or anything like that.  Shucks you don’t even have to read it BUT, if you don’t you will miss out on some interesting information about those on guard duty at the “Tomb of the Unknowns”.On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was "How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns" ---- All three contestants missed it! -- This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance.     Very  fascinating.  Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 1. How many steps does the guar... 03/04/2011

Today March 4th is “Hug a GI Day”…….Today, and every March 4th, is a day that we all can get close and hug. It's "Hug a GI Day". Give a great big hug to any and all GIs you see today. The men and women in our armed forces deserve our thanks and appreciation.Our military men and women (GI's) perform an invaluable service to our country. They risk their lives for our freedom, and to keep us safe. A simple hug is a small thank you for this vital service to our country.Have you ever wondered what GI stands for?  The answer is: Government Issue. If it was General Infantry, then artillerymen, airmen, clerks and cooks wouldn't be GIs. When you go to boot camp, all your personal items are taken away and everything you have is Government Issue. 03/03/2011

Today is March 3rd “National Anthem Day”.....The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States of America. It was written by Francis Scott Key.  National Anthem Day is celebrated every March 3rd and celebrates the song, and the history behind its creation, and the day that congress made the Star-Spangled Banner our national anthem.The song officially became our national anthem on March 3, 1931.Celebrate today by proudly flying the flag. Also listen to and sing the Star-Spangled Banner. 03/02/2011

St Charles County MO the 2010 Census Numbers are in……This is always an interesting time because there is a lot that depends on the census especially when the political scene is so fired up.So what kind of a picture did the 2010 census paint?  The painting of St Charles County MO shows it with a booming residential development that has been a major destination for a continued migration of the region’s population over the last decade.On April 1st St Charles County’s population rose to 360,485 residents a 27% growth over the 2000 census.  This makes the county the fifth fastest growing county in Missouri.  This means that there are more people living in St Charles County MO than in the city of St Louis MO.It also shows that two local cities are among the 10 largest cities in the state, O F... 02/28/2011

Monday Motivation for Feb. 28, 2011, There are days when you are on top of the world and everything just seems to be going just PEACHY.  It is on those days that folks seem to be paying attention to you and complimenting you all day long.  Or at least it seems as though they are.Then there is the other kind of days when nothing seems to be going right and just because you are down there is the big bully kicking sand in your face.  Why?  ‘Cause he can and will if given the chance.  And of course with those kind of days there is no compliment; even it is just for brushing your teeth and using mouth wash.  It is on those kinds of days that we need to listen to Mark Twain…………. When you cannot get a compliment any other way pay yourself one.   ~Mark Twain   So today give yourself a pat on th... 02/28/2011

No Brainer Day!! Another weird/bizarre holiday, “No Brainer Day” will always fall on February 27th Having the choice of writing about the Polar Bear (yes they have a special day too) or “No Brainer Day” I decided to take the obvious topic. By definition, a "No brainer" is doing something that is simple, easy, obvious, and/or totally logical. So, today is the day for you to do all those "no brainer" tasks and activities, I just have to be careful though it could become second nature.  Why?  Think about it, if a project requires thinking, study, or analysis of any kind, then it’s not going to be the chore to do today.Some people think that Christmas should be every day of the year. Not me, I think that No Brainer Day should be every day of the year.   Even though I think that this day sho... 02/26/2011

Tell a Fairy Tale Day, Another Weird or Bizarre Holiday,So what is “Tell a Fairy Tale Day”?“Tell a Fairy Tale Day” will always be found on February 26th.Today is a great opportunity to read your kids.  That is if the kids are around.  If they aren't around, it’s perfectly okay to read a fair tale alone.  We all know that everybody loves a good fairy tale, including a macho, macho man.To qualify as a fairy tale, a story does not have to begin with "Once upon a time.....".  But, they normally do.  It is a requirement that the story has a happy ending.  You know the one that says “and they lived happily ever after”.  There's no better ending.On Fairy Tale Day, I would recommend that you get a tall mug of hot chocolate (with marshmallows), cozy up under a blanket with the kids and read a fa... 02/26/2011

Surviving Your Serengeti………The Metaphor,I have just finished reading the first two chapters of Stefan Swanepoel’s book titled Surviving Your Serengeti.  What an easy and interesting read too.  Have you read it yet?From the very start of his book Stefan sets the stage using the Serengeti and its primary residents, the animals, as a metaphor of our journey through life and how each of the animals handle different situations.  It is easy to see that our journey through this life, no matter where we live, can be compared to the Serengeti and the problems that one can be faced with there.The book Surviving Your Serengeti is scheduled for release on March 1, 2011.  I would suggest that if you haven’t already, read the first two chapters of the book and take the quiz.  Taking the quiz will tel... 02/24/2011

International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day......Today and every February 23rd is International Dog Biscuit  Appreciation Day.  So Ralph The Real Estate Dog this is another day for you ole buddy.International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day is a day for the dogs. And, that's because there is no one else who can really appreciate the value of a dog biscuit, unless it is the taster at the plant. They say "Every dog has his day". And, today is definitely his day, when you give him those extra tasty dog biscuits.Can you eat dog biscuits?Oh Yes!  Hey, Jennifer Aniston has done it and so did my son.  He thought it was a Hershey’s Kiss!!You or I appreciate that dog biscuits’ value in pleasing our dog, as a reward for behavior, or when we entice them to do a trick. But, in the end, the dog is the r... 02/22/2011

OK All You Dog Lovers Just For YOU, Today is Walking The Dog Day,Every February 22nd is “Walking the Dog Day”.  This is a first for me and I would bet it is for a lot of folks out there.  So mark your calendar for next year.Walking the Dog Day is a special day that your dog looks forward to all year long. Wait a cotton pickin’ minute.........Don't you walk your dog just about every day? Sure you do!  Well maybe not in Minnesota or Alaska, and, weather permitting, it’s enjoyable for you and your dog.  Well I guess a Husky wouldn’t mind the cold weather.  In that case they could take you for a walk.On this day walking with your dog is a must. If you don't have a dog, you could borrow one or perhaps you could join a friend while he or she walks their dog.As a side note, "Walking the Dog" i... 02/21/2011