So Where Have You Been, Glad To See You Back I have been asked that question by several folks lately.  And I think that I owe it to those that have been following me since 2008 when I joined ActiveRain.  For almost 18 months I was very active, writing blog posts, reading and commenting on my favorite writer's posts and occasionally surprise some of them with a phone call, even meet one of them for coffee while they were on vacation in Branson, MO.  Then all of a sudden I stopped.  Why?  What happened to make me stop all of this activity? The short answer for me was a detached retina.  On December 7, 2009 I was diagnosed with a detached retina and then 2 day later I underwent the first of 6 surgeries and being told to remove as much stress in my life as possible to aid the healing proces... 01/03/2011

Motivational Monday.....Words, Words and More Words T.S Eliot is quoted saying "For last year's words belong to last year's language.  And next year's words await another voice.  And to make an end is to make a beginning." Think about it for a minute, negative self-talk can be dangerous to our business.  We need to leave the negative talk from last year in last year. Last year is in the past, we have been given another chance in the new year to do things better.  A do-over so to speak! What voice will be given to this year's words?  The do-over that we have been given can either help or hinder.  Let's put some positive in our words and leave the negative in 2010. Our words, negative or positive, are our choice.  Remember "to make an end is to make a beginning." 31 Day Challenge for Janu... 01/02/2011

I love Football and........... .........I can sit and watch it all day long.  This is a good thing ‘cause that is all that is on the one eyed monster in my living room.  Bowl Game after Bowl Game since I don't know when.  Now here it is Sunday and we have the pros on the tube playing!  Geeeeez, enuf is enuf I am hanging up my cleats and getting out of the house and getting some fresh air.  I am turning off the TV, and heading to Mid Rivers Mall after putting a pot roast in the slow cooker for dinner.  I will do some people watching, have a late breakfast or an early lunch then take in a movie with the wife.  I know I haven't seen all 35 bowl games but I think I can do without another 4th and 1.  With the time I have spent in front of the TV this weekend I could have driven to Nashville,... 01/02/2011

Resolutions and Goals are they the same? I have come to the conclusion that YES they are.  They are just different names for the same thing. Stop and think about it:  We sit down and write out our goals, well some of us do, for our business for the coming year.  Then about a month into the new year we have forgotten where we put that sheet with the goals.  I at least try to remember where the goal sheet is but that is getting harder due to age. We sit down and write out our New Year's resolutions, some do, and then 92% of folks will stop following what they wrote down.  I quit doing new year resolutions many years ago.  What's the sense in it if I am just going to walk away from them anyway? Peter Drucker is quoted as saying, "Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degen... 01/01/2011

Happy New Year... "Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past." ~ Henry Ward Beecher 2011 will have plenty of opportunities for success if we let go of those things that held us back in 2010.  Keep looking ahead in this New Year. Happy New Year and may you be Happy and Healthy all year long. 12/31/2010

Some encouragement for 2011..... Just in case this old year has left you less than encouraged about the coming year.  Here are some thought about the New Year: Happiness depends upon your outlook on life. Attitude is just as important as ability. Passion find yours in 2011! Positive thoughts make everything easier. You are unique, with special gifts, use them.   New beginnings with a new year. Enthusiasm, a true secret of success. Wishes may they turn into goals.   Years go by to quickly, enjoy them. Energy may you have lots of it. Appreciation of life, don't take it for granted. Relax take the time to relax in this coming year. Countdown-Clocks  12/29/2010

Saying good bye to the old year and saying hello to the New Year........... Countdown-Clocks  We are nearing warp speed as we move ever closer to the end of this year.  It will soon be a memory and then at some point in time a very distant memory.  For some it has been a difficult year but we have all gotten through it.  That is the good news.  Let us carry with us the experience and knowledge of 2010 as well as our hopes and dreams for the future.  Let's resolve to leave any negative behind and continue the work that needs to be done.  Let's not cry because it is over, but smile because it happened. Wishing all of you a very Happy New Year!! 12/29/2010

Motivational Monday......... "Never let the fear of striking out get in your way."  George Herman "Babe" Ruth Babe Ruth knew about striking out.  Here is a man that played baseball 22years and set a record for 714 homeruns.  On his way to that record he would strike out 1330 times.  That is a lot of strike outs and plenty of opportunities to get discouraged and quit.  How many of us would stick around for the next game/listing opportunity to strike out if we feared even going to bat? Don't let FEAR, False Expectations Appearing Real, to keep you from stepping into the batter's box and knocking it out of the park. Have a Fearless, less fear, 2011.  Much success in the New Year. 12/26/2010

Are you loosing momentum or are you gaining speed? "IF YOU'RE COASTING, YOU'RE EITHER LOOSING MOMENTUM OR ELSE YOU'RE HEADED DOWNHILL."  ~Joan Welsh~ We are now just days away from the start of the New Year.  So how did the year go for you?  Did it end just the way you planned at the start of the year or did you fall short?  Did you continue to gain momentum in a market that seems to change week to week, or sometimes even day to day?  Are you being "reactive" to the market or "proactive" in continuing to pursue ways to increase your business, regardless of current market conditions? If you haven't already taken the time to do your goal planning now is the time to do just that.  I have been known to procrastinate from time to time and then I find that I have put something off too long.  ... 12/26/2010

Oh the things that we do......... I have been known to do some weird things, just like a lot of others out there in the Rain.  The difference is I will admit it.  So what will get me on the front page of the goofy section of the local newspaper?   I have a short legged Pug, some would say that she is a little spoiled.  When it snows heavy, over light dusting, she will not go outside to take care of her business.  So in an effort to get her to go out, guess who clears the deck, steps and yup you guessed it the yard.  I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count.  Madam the runway has been cleared. Geesh could you just wait until I finish my hot chocolate?   12/24/2010

The last in those thoughts that I have had this past year.......Part 3 Alright, I know there are some reading this saying that it is about time for it to come to an end.  Now be honest you have had some of these off the wall thought too.  If not I hope that it at least brought a smile to your face and brightened your otherwise dull and dismal day. 1.  HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR? 2.  IF ONE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER DROWNS, DO THE REST DROWN TOO?      3.  IF YOU ATE BOTH PASTA AND ANTIPASTO, WOULD YOU STILL BE HUNGRY? 4.  IF YOU TRY TO FAIL, AND SUCCEED, WHICH HAVE YOU DONE? 5.  WHOSE CRUEL IDEA WAS IT FOR THE WORD 'LISP' TO HAVE 'S' IN IT? 6.  WHY ARE HEMORRHOIDS CALLED "HEMORRHOIDS" INSTEAD OF "ASSTEROIDS"? 7.  WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN'T SHOOT AT THEM?          ... 12/21/2010

More things to ponder as you go through the week.........Part 2 Maybe you have wondered about some of these very things too.  That being the case you may have come up with some helpful thoughts.  Care to share??? 1.  IF A PARSLEY FARMER IS SUED, CAN THEY GARNISH HIS WAGES? 2.  WOULD A FLY WITHOUT WINGS BE CALLED A WALK? 3.  WHY DO THEY LOCK PETROL STATION BATHROOMS? ARE THEY AFRAID SOMEONE WILL CLEAN THEM? 4.  IF A TURTLE DOESN'T HAVE A SHELL, IS HE HOMELESS OR NAKED? 5.  CAN VEGETARIANS EAT ANIMAL CRACKERS? 6.  IF THE POLICE ARREST A MIME, DO THEY TELL HIM HE HAS THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT? 7.  WHY DO THEY PUT BRAILLE ON THE DRIVE-THROUGH BANK MACHINES? 8.  HOW DO THEY GET DEER TO CROSS THE ROAD ONLY AT THOSE YELLOW ROAD SIGNS? 9.  WHAT WAS THE BEST THING BEFORE SLICED BREAD?   10. ONE... 12/20/2010

Ways to support our Troops year round............. This may seem a little bit late for some of you BUT, trust me it is never too late to support our troops.  I am sure that there will be a few Vets out there reading this that can attest to that.  Here is a short list of things that each of us can do and it doesn't cost an arm or leg either. Adopt a Platoon - Support the troops through gifts and sponsored mail. Any Soldier - Sponsor care packages to service members in Iraq. Cell Phones For Soldiers - Donate your old cell phones, which pay for calling cards for our troops. Our Military - Send a virtual thank-you card or care packages.- See Thank the Troops. A Million Thanks - Collects emails and letters of appreciation for our armed forces. Operation Gratitude - Contribute to care package... 12/20/2010

Things that I have often pondered........Part 1 Seeing that things have not gone well this year and I have been inactive in the Rain since December of last year, I have had ample time to sit back and take a good strong look at some of the things that  can cause one to become confused. 1.  DON'T SWEAT THE PETTY THINGS AND DON'T PET THE SWEATY THINGS. 2.  ONE TEQUILA, TWO TEQUILA, THREE TEQUILA, FLOOR.  3.  ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION. 4.  IF MAN EVOLVED FROM MONKEYS AND APES, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE MONKEYS AND APES? 5.  THE MAIN REASON THAT SANTA IS SO JOLLY IS BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHERE ALL THE BAD GIRLS LIVE. 6.  I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND ASKED THE SALESWOMAN, "WHERE'S THE SELF- HELP SECTION?" SHE SAID IF SHE TOLD ME, IT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE. 7.  WHAT IF THERE WERE NO HYPOTHETI... 12/20/2010

A Thought on Procrastination........... What is procrastination?  To day my stomack is disordered, and my thoughts of consequences, unsteady and confused.  I cant study to day but will begin tomorrow.  Tomorrow comes.  Well, I feel pretty well, my head is pretty clear, but company comes in.  I cant yet study tomorrow, but will begin in earnest next day.  Next day comes.  We are out of wood, I cant study: because I cant keep a fire.  Thus, something is always wanting that is necessary.   ---------John Adams I find that at times, ok most of the time, I feel the same way.  Then when it gets to CRUNCH time everything starts all over with a greater stomack disorder. I think that I will have to have a stronger sense of urgency.....but alas I will wait until tomorrow! 12/20/2010

Awesome 3 bedroom 2 bath home in Pheasant Point Subdivision off Highway K in O'Fallon, MO sold even after the tax credit expired.  The seller is elated to have the property closed.  And I am sure the buyer is happy to have this great house to call home for the holidays. Thank you to everyone who helped make this transaction happen especially Margie Gilliland my terrific loan officer!  If you need to buy a home contact Margie to find out what you can afford.  Be sure to tell her Ann Hayden referred you.....;-)   All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Ann Hayden, real estate agent with Prudential Select Properties Chesterfield, Ballwin, Wildwood Office.  Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Real estate needs:  www.Selec... 11/07/2010

So what is Amendment 3 all about? Amendment 3 is designed to prevent any transfer tax, including a sales tax, to be placed on real estate transactions. The official ballot language reads as follows: "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to prevent the state, counties, and other political subdivisions from imposing any new tax, including a sales tax, on the sale or transfer of homes or any other real estate?" It is estimated this proposal will have no costs or savings to state or local governmental entities. So let me get this straight, If I vote NO it will not change the Missouri Constitution to prevent the state, counties, and other political subdivisions from imposing a new tax on the sale or transfer of homes or any other real estate.  If passed, this measure will have no impac... 10/24/2010

Missouri Voters say YES to AMENDMENT 3 on November 2, 2010...........   It is no secret the economy is fragile. Unemployment and foreclosure rates are reaching all-time highs and government revenues are approaching all-time lows. As the great people of Missouri work harder than ever just to stay in their homes, the state government wants to make life even more difficult for it citizens by adding a real estate transfer tax. Real estate transfer taxes are nothing more than double taxation. They are a one-time tax paid at the closing of a property and its effects will be felt by property owners for years to come. Real estate transfer taxes are often paid by the people who have lived in their home for years and have already paid thousands of dollars in annual property taxes. Like a sales ta... 10/20/2010

OFallon MO Real Estate Statistics for the first 7 months of 2010 Through the first seven months of 2010 in O Fallon MO, there have been a total of 472 homes sold.  This is a decrease of 61 homes sold from the same period in 2009. The average list price of homes that closed in O Fallon MO in 2009 was $201,006. The average list price of homes that closed in O Fallon MO in 2010 was $201,874. The average sale price of homes that closed in O Fallon MO in 2009 was $192,966. The average sale price of homes that closed in O Fallon MO in 2010 was $195,071. The average market time for the homes that closed in O Fallon MO in 2009 was 93 days. The average market time for the homes that closed in O Fallon MO in 2010 was 88 days. There are currently 681 homes in for sale in O Fallon MO.  These homes ... 08/03/2010

Home is where you hang your hat, and the St. Louis area has always been a good place to do so.  Recently, CNN Money Magazine added two St. Charles County cities to their Top 100 Best Places to Live and confirmed what we have known all along.  Set up your hat rack in St. Peters, set it up in O'Fallon, set up in any other inviting west suburbs, and you'll feel right at home. The magazine selected these two cities from other contenders with populations in the 50.000 to 300,000 range  based on factors that mean something to people looking for good family towns: job growth, income increases, cost of living, housing affordability, school quality, arts and leisure options, safety, medical care, diversity and commute.  The extremes of income or crime scores are dropped out to identify communiti... 07/30/2010