It's How You Live... (I love this song!)  It's a song about living life with no regrets.  It's a song about not letting the cares of life cause you to miss embracing moments.  It's a song about relishing the simple things.  It's a song about giving.  It's a song about loving.  It's a song about acceptance.  It's a song that says... self importance means nothing in the end.  Live, love and laugh today!  Now turn up the music and sing along with me ;) Wake up to the sunlight With your windows open Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken Wear your red dress Use your good dishes Make a big mess and make lots of wishes Have what you want But want what you have And don't spend your life lookin' back Chorus: Turn up the music Turn it up loud Take a few chances Let it all out You won'... 12/11/2011

Is it Wine-Thirty Yet?  When I opened my real estate brokerage three years ago, there was a reason I called it Real Estate Cafe.  I wanted to provide a concierge of services in a warm and inviting boutique-style real estate office where agents and clients could gather and view properties by the fireplace, much like the living room in their own home.  It's not your typical real estate office by any means, but certainly one with atmosphere and ambiance, where agents love to work and clients love to sit by the fireplace and chat about real estate over a freshly brewed cappuccino. I was fortunate to lease a beautiful historic craftsman style building in downtown Grants Pass, built in 1908, rich with history, charm, stained glass windows, hardwood floors and a fireplace with a beautiful mant... 12/07/2011

Something beautiful.  As I was driving along Interstate 5 in Southern Oregon this afternoon, I found myself singing along to a song called Something Beautiful by The Newsboys, and noticing several nuances that caught my attention.  The lyrics to the song totally embodied my thoughts of the day and I was captivated by the beautiful scenery. I saw a couple of motorcyclists riding along in their black leathers with red santa hats.  The red hats caught my eye and made me laugh.  Something beautiful.  The cloud covering was fairly thick today, but I could still see patches of blue skies peeking through, as if to say... I see you!  Something beautiful. When I arrived at my favorite coffee house... Mellelo, I asked if they had any bear claws... they did.  I enjoyed one along with a mocha.  Som... 12/03/2011

Ponder, Ponder, Way Out Yonder!  Do you ever feel like an island with your thoughts?  Totally out there... with no one else in sight?  I hope (for my sake) a few of you are shaking your heads yes! I don't know where my wacky thoughts come from... but they come all hours of the day and night.  I remember a crazy story I wrote in a creative writing class in the 8th grade... about aliens invading a laundry mat and doing a panty raid.  I know I shocked the heck out of my teacher, Mr. Nolet, who probably wondered how that story originated from my noodle.  I wondered too.  Yet, Mr. Nolet was always complimentary and encouraged me to write, none the less.  He was the instrumental reason for my love for writing, and some 35+ years later, blogging simply became the vehicle for my thoughts. I rea... 11/30/2011

Dogs, Chickens & Monkeys... Oh My!  I've seen it all.  But, when I saw this sign at the entry to one of my favorite restaurants in Southern Oregon, I had to laugh.  It made me think of several buyers I've showed property to, who thought it best to bring along the family pet.  Ode' to joy! Don't get me wrong, I'm a pet friendly Realtor.  In my younger days, our family had the gamut of pets... from dogs, wolf, horses, chickens, rats, turtles, fish and birds... you name it.  Bringing them along for the ride, when we looked at prospective homes to buy, was never a thought that entered my mind.  However, I've worked with plenty of clients who did just that.  And, on some occasions, there were dog bites, cat fights and a few contentious snares with words flinging in the air.  What's the prope... 11/28/2011

I'm becoming more of a marshmallow in my older and wiser years.  A little thicker in the middle and softer around the edges.  Marshmallows go with just about everything, don't they?!  They melt quite nicely in a cup of hot cocoa... they taste quite yummy roasted or sandwiched in a smore... and they even look beautiful on top of a jello salad. Marshmallows teach us something about fitting in... they don't need to push or shove to take their rightful place in the world... they just blend nicely with their counterparts.  They're sweet, moist and chewy, and just oh so good!  Who wouldn't want to be a marshmallow? 11/20/2011

Golden Nuggets & Cupcakes!  I just got back from a week in Anaheim California for the National Association of Realtors Convention.  I had the amazing honor of volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.  In addition to hitting the nail on the head, I had the yummy pleasure of gobbling up some inspiring messages and presentations at the conference.  SoCal happens to be my ole' stomping ground, so I felt right at home.  My hearty appetite kicked in from the gamut of fabulous restaurants with delectable apps... all calling my name in unison.  I felt hard-pressed to say no... so I didn't! I have a big appetite for learning.  Recently, a friend asked me why I attend these conferences?  My answer... 'To acquire the golden nuggets.'  Knowledge is power... and in arenas such as this, I love to learn... 11/18/2011

Happy Thoughts Thursday!  I woke up this morning to the sound of pitter patter on my skylights.  Not thinking too clearly, I wondered what on earth could be making such a fuss.  And to my surprise... it was raining! My thoughts... has  Ol' Man Winter arrived early?  I wasn't expecting him for another month.  Though, I must admit, I've been yearning for him in a way... the shorter days and longer nights provide a sense of calm before Winter digs his heels in.  As the weather changes, so does my desire for seeking peace and rest.  My winter thoughts of hunkering down underneath my soft covers with a plethora of pillows is in itself comforting.  I find it harder to jump out of bed in the morning during colder months... I'd like to linger a little longer.  Perhaps there's something to be le... 11/03/2011

A Realtor's Technicolor Dream Coat.  It might surprise some of you to know that the handsome heart-throb of the early 70's, Donny Osmond, is my cousin.  It surprised me when I first learned of it.  Our family ties trace back to a small town located just outside of Salt Lake City.  While our love for family, faith and music are fondly similar, our journey in life took us down different paths. Most remember Donny for songs like 'Puppy Love' and 'Go Away Little Girl,' but my fondest memory was his 6-year stent in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  It's a story of faith and redemption and it began in Chapter 39 of Genesis (Old Testament) about a man named Joseph, one of Jacob’s twelve sons, who was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brother... 10/27/2011

Beyond The Garden Gate.  I've known so few, truly creative people in my life that when I encounter one, I'm intrigued and I want to know more about them.  Clara Putlitz is one of those people.  Clara is the Proprietor of a lovely florist business located in the quaint town of Grants Pass, Oregon.  The name of her business, Beyond The Garden Gate, is not only inviting, but thought-provoking.  Who is this mysterious flower lady and what lies beyond her garden gate? I stumbled upon Clara's ingenuity purely by accident 7 years ago, when I saw one of her creations delivered to my RE/MAX office.  I was stunned by the natural beauty of the arrangement... it was truly a work of art.  I've been on the giving and receiving end of flowers for most of my life... and I've never seen anything that co... 10/25/2011

It Makes My Heart Happy!  As I flew over the snow-capped Siskiyou Mountains this morning, I was awestruck by the natural beauty of the landscape.  Life takes a different shape from 30,000 feet, and it's simply magical.  Perhaps it's my renewed spirit...  I've been vacationing in Colorado and Los Angeles for the past 2-weeks and I'm feeling re-energized.  There's something quite rejuvenating about chilling with friends and family without a care in the world.  No place to be, no deadlines to meet, no cranky demands... just me and my cup of joe... sipping in the world at a slower pace.  I love it when that happens! My best friend and I hung out in Breckenridge Colorado last week... a charming mountain town with eclectic shops, great restaurants and gorgeous scenery.  It's one of my favorit... 10/09/2011

The Josephine County Historical Society is pleased to announce their 2011 Graveyard Tour!     Come join us for a step back in time as our Living History Players make "pioneer spirits come alive!"     The Graveyard Tour takes place at the Oddfellows/Masonic Cemetery in Grants Pass on Saturday, October 22nd at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.   Advance tickets are $5.00 each and can be purchased at the JCHS Research Library, located at 515 SW 5th Street, Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM.   Tickets may also be purchased at the gate for $6.00.      Mark your calendars and come join us for this fun, family event!   Click here to visit the Josephine County Historical Society's website for more information,   or download the Graveyard Tour flyer.      10/08/2011

I'm a Gun Toting Realtor... and I Won't Apologize!  Most of my friends and acquaintances know me as a tall 'girly' girl who has a big heart, a warm smile and a gentle spirit (on most occasions).  What many of them don't know is I pack a mighty pistol.  I've been a gun owner for more than 20 years and I've taken safety courses and target practice, so I know how to use it.  My pistol has become a trusted friend and valuable companion on many real estate appointments.  Here's why... This week, an attractive man presented himself as a cash buyer from Iowa looking for a million dollar property to buy in Southern Oregon.  He contacted several female Realtors pretending to be someone he's not.  Fortunately, each of the Realtors trusted their intuition and decided not to meet the man alone.  Th... 09/23/2011

Stand By Me.  Last week was quite a doozy for me on so many levels, but mostly emotional.  I was feeling a little out of sorts because of the seriousness of events at hand.  At the end of one of my meetings, a friend sent me a text and said... 'I looked across the room at you today and thought, wow, she is doing such a good job.' It doesn't take much to make my heart happy.  I'm a pretty simple gal.  But, those words brought a huge smile to my face instantly.  My friend knew exactly the moment I needed to hear those words and she was generous with her delivery.  It didn't cost her anything to say them, but the benefit was enormous.  It didn't require a huge effort for her to text them, but the effect was beyond words.  In that one simple moment, my friend Susan, stood by me and I felt c... 09/20/2011

Carpe AM, Carpe Diem, Carpe PM!  Isn't that the truth!  Seizing the day should be something on the forefront of our minds from the moment we rise up to greet the world each day.  And why not... it's a pretty freakin' fabulous life! Okay, so I might possess a little more serotonin than the average gal... at least that's what a certain Rainer tells me.  Ha!  Perhaps I do!  But I'd like to think it has more to do with my attitude and the decisions I consciously make to be happy.  I love life and all it's glorious moments, including the good, the bad and the ugly.  Life is but a teacher and I'm its pupil.  When you look at it that way, it's hard not to notice the glass is half full. I'm not saying that I haven't had some pretty awful things happen in my life... I have.  I'm just saying that... 09/14/2011

Monday Morning Mochas with Mel.  I just love to say that... it rolls off my tongue like butter on a pancake.  This past week has been a doozy.  I've been in meetings galore, I've pissed off a few folks, I've driven hundreds of miles to visit with good friends, I've laughed, I've cried, I've listened to others laugh and cry, I've offered hugs, I've been hugged, I've worked my fanny off, I offered someone a job, I've given alms to the poor, I've written a salacious blog and I've sweat to a broken air conditioner (with temps in the high 90's).  It was a crazy fast-paced week and I knew I needed a morning off.  Today, I wanted to ease into my day, without noise, without hustle, without a phone ringing, without thought and without a reason to run.  I slept in until 8:30am.  I did a little Zu... 09/12/2011

Meet-Ups, Make-Ups & Grown-Ups.  Yesterday was a pretty fabulous day.  I drove 3 1/2 hours (one way) from Grants Pass to Portland, Oregon to meet-up with some friends from Active Rain (it was especially fabulous, because I didn't get a speeding ticket).  Someone asked me why I would drive that far for drinks and appetizers?  I suppose I'm a crazy girl.  The truth is, it would have been easier to stay home, in the confines of my office, banging out some work that I've allowed to pile up for weeks.  But, something propelled me to go... I'm a social butterfly by nature and I enjoy meet-ups with friends and acquaintances.  Although... with the surplus of social interaction that I get on a daily basis, I like to spend my down time in peaceful surroundings enjoying quiet solitude.  It's the '... 09/07/2011

Perhaps I should have titled this post... The Sixth Sense of a Naked Blogger.  Sometimes I see things other people don't see... it's kind of a Sixth Sense.  I don't see dead people or anything paranormal, but I do have a keen ability to see things as they really are.  Call it intuition, call it visionary or call it good ole' fashioned common sense.  I can usually cut to the chase and evaluate situations and circumstances at face value.  Yesterday, I had the dubious task of interviewing several candidates for an Association Executive position.  I currently serve as the President of my local MLS Board and as a Director of my Realtor Association Board.  What that means is I spend countless (and I do mean countless) volunteer hours behind the curtain evaluating contracts, vendors, systems, ... 09/01/2011

A Day Without Rain... or several in fact!  I just got back from a short trip to Los Angeles.  It was Hot, Hot, Hot... and I do mean Hot!  Being a former SoCal girl, you'd think I'd be used to the heat... but noooooooo!  Living in Southern Oregon has spoiled this Chickipoo.  I love visiting the land of sunshine and poo ;)  While basking in the sun with my lovely grand-daughter, I confess, my mind wandered down the yellow brick road and into the land of OZ.  Without a single care in the world, I became completely entrenched with Disney characters, NEMO, ballet slippers, pink bathing suits, purple crayons, reciting the ABC's and counting to 10 in Spanish.  Life reverts back to the plain and simple when you hang out with a 2 1/2 year old for 5 days. I wish I could say that I missed a day wi... 08/31/2011

Heaven must be missing a Short Sale Angel.  I just got off the phone with a Short Sale Negotiator from Chase, who must have been sent to me from heaven.  He was kind, he was considerate, he was helpful, he was informative, he was funny... and just plain heavenly.  He gave me his direct line (which never happens) and he said to call him any time.  Any time?  Obviously, he doesn't know this chicky is nocturnal ;) This particular listing has had three offers over the past 8 months, all of which were countered by Chase at a ridiculous price ($50K over real market value) due to some funky BPOs.  All of the buyers have walked as a result.  When the Short Sale Negotiator Angel mentioned the next step was to order a new BPO, I asked what agent he'd be contacting from La La Land to complete it ;... 08/22/2011