Let's Walk Down a Country Road Let's take a walk down a country road.  What might we see today?  Deer, turkey, chipmunks, bees, hawk and bluebirds.  What's in bloom at this time of year?  Lots and lots of Queen Anne's Lace, probably not its scientific name, but that's the name I remember.  Looks great in wild flower bouquets, too. Let's Walk Down a Country Road And here is my favorite tree...   Just a short walk    Thanks for walking with me . . . down a country road.         08/19/2013

Erie/PA Toastmasters Is Here to Help You Prepare for Big Presentation   Eriez Toastmasters Club Can Help Eriez Toastmasters Club will help improve your communication skills and open doors in your personal and professional life. Instead expensive seminars or academic courses, you will learn in a self-paced atmosphere of fun & fellowship.   Eriez Toastmasters Club Eriez Toastmasters Club 2nd & 4th Monday 6:15 - 7:75 pm Millcreek Mall Library (next to Dick's Sporting Goods) 2088 Interchange Road Erie, PA 16509 *************************************** Search for club near you.  www.toastmasters.org   08/19/2013

Good Morning World via Presque Isle Bay Erie, PA   Thought the world might like to see the sunrise over Presque Isle Bay in Erie, PA.   My day starts or ends better over the water.  Have a great day where ever you are today. Good Morning World via Presque Isle Bay Erie, PA   08/17/2013

  Erie, PA Toastmasters Leadership Training 2013 Three Erie Toastmasters clubs attend Toastmasters Leadership Training Institute: Bayview Toastmasters Club Eriez Toastmasters Club Noon-Timer Toastmasters Club Topics included How to Conduct Productive Meetings,  Characteristics of Effective Leaders and Review of Officer Duties, Recruiting and Retaining Members Last, but not least, how to use Social Media to promote Toastmasters.  Visit our websites.   Bayview Toastmasters Club Eriez Toastmasters Club Noon-Timer Toastmasters Club Erie, PA Toastmasters Leadership Training 2013 Find a Toastmasters club in your area @ Toastmasters.org       08/10/2013

Erie, PA What Can Eriez Toastmasters Do for You?   Whether you work in an office or from home as many real estate agents do, whether you are a student, stay at home parent or retiree, Toastmasters is the most effective, enjoyable and affordable way of gaining communication and leadership skills.    Visit Eriez Toastmasters Club Second & fourth Monday 6:15 - 7:45 Millcreek Mall Library next to Dick's Sporting Goods 2088 Interchange Road Erie, Pa 16509 Contact:  Mary Yonkers, 814-881-7548       Erie, PA What Can Toastmasters Do for You? Erie, PA Toastmasters Eriez Club       Join me in Real Estate classes in Erie, PA   Real Estate ClassesAlan Kells Schools of Real EstateMary Yonkers, instructorErie, PA 08/09/2013

Income Generating Ideas from Toastmasters ~ Eriez Toastmasters, Erie,PA Erie, PA Are you ready to give presentation at the office? Need to practice? Lack self-confidence?  Whether you are a professional, a community volunteer, student or retiree Eriez Toastmasters is an invaluable resource for all members.  "You may have ever-so wonderful ideas, but if you cannot sell them to others, you will not succeed."  Mark Zupan, dean of the University of Rochester's Simon Graduate School of Business in New York Visit Eriez Toastmasters Club or our website:  Eriez Toastmasters Club 2nd & 4th Monday  6:15 - 7:45 pm Millcreek Mall Library (next to Dick's Sporting Goods) 2088 Interchange Rd. Erie, PA 16509 Find location near you:  www.toastmasters.org Eriez Toastmasters Club Facebook Network with oth... 08/06/2013

   Social Media:  Stop Whining   Stop Whining.  Who's whining?  Not me!  I am just posting on FaceBook(and ActiveRain) (and sometimes onLinkedIn and Twitter and Pinterest and Google+).   Whining defined:  crying or talking or posting in a complaining, nagging way. What about online whining.  Not me!   Recent FB posting was just a little humor, right? And, I received sympathetic comments from my FB friends, too.           Do you remember when I posted this photo?  This is my front yard.  I will spare you the whining, but Erie's winter is just four months away. (Ugh!  Erie has had snow as early as late October.)   Seriously, an occasional complaint about weeds or the weather adds a little levity and gets us a little sympathy, too, as people can relate.  BUT, no one wants to read fifteen p... 08/02/2013

Social Media:  Did I Un-friend You? Oops!  What happened?  Did I un-friend You? or Did you un-friend me? Are we really friends or just names on the Social Roster?  Let's be honest with each other.  Why do we participate on Social Media?  Are we really interested in being friends?  How can I be friends with 500+ people?  Do I have time to be social with 500+ people?  If so, what is the quality of our interaction? As a newbie to Social Media a few years ago I got caught up in the frenzy of 'collecting' friends for my Social Roster.  Now a little wiser I am starting to sort through my Social Roster and decide who I really enjoy interacting with and who reciprocates.  Be positive:  My mother used to say, "If you can't be positive, be quiet."  In return I find that I do not appreciate listen... 08/02/2013

Time-eating Craving for Social Media ActiveRain, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and _________ and _________ and ___________________. Is Social Media just my Time Eater Fix that gobbles up a lot of my time or do I need to FIX my Time-eating Craving for Social Media?   Okay, how do I get my craving for all things Social Media under control?  Well, perhaps the study tip I share with my students in the Pre-license Real Estate clases will work with Social Media. How does one squeeze in all the 'To-do's' and still have time to study? Simple:  Adult education requires a 50-minute hour of instruction, meaning I teach for 50 minutes, then give students 10 minute break.  When studying I recommend that the students review & study the material for fifty minutes followed by ten minu... 08/01/2013

Which Limb Would You Like? Come, let's escape for an hour.  I know the perfect place.  Come on just walk out the door.  The work will be there when you return.  Yes, you might be busy, but it is such a beautiful day.  Not too hot, not humid, not windy, just a perfect day.  Hurry, I am waiting for you.  Which limb would you like?  (See the ladder to left of my signature.) BONUS: You will be refreshed and ready to get back to work after taking a break.   07/30/2013

Whine NOT . . . Wine Instead Who whines the best?  Kids? Teens? Adults?   No! (crying, screaming, kicking . . .) No, I don't want to go.  No, you can't touch my truck.    I want this (candy bar at store).   Whining kids.  If you are a parent or grandparent you have dealt with whining children.       Whining defined:  crying or talking or posting in a complaining, nagging way. Wine defined:  the fermented juice of grapes +   =  _______       Teens are expert 'Whiners'  Just look at their Facebook               And yes, adults do their share of whining, too.   How many comments have you heard about the weather so far today?     What about work related whines?    Who doesn't moan about Monday morning or celebrate TGIF? (except Realtors!) And, what about the whining posts here on ActiveRain... 07/26/2013

No Penalty for Failure in Toastmasters  Erie, PA Does Public Speaking strike fear in the pit of your being? Do you have to present the Quarterly Report at Management Meeting tomorrow?  Were you asked to be the Emcee at Annual Golf Luncheon? Fear no more! Toastmasters is the best place to learn, to build your confidence, and to push yourself outside your comfort zone. It’s a safe place where there is no penalty for failure!  As I wrote in previous post no one ever died of stage fright, at least not in Erie, PA.  Even the best speakers were once terrified novices, feeling the same symptoms as you when facing an audience.  Sometimes that audience is very large and sometimes that audience is the HR person in charge of new hires and you are the interviewee. Come visit the Eriez Toastmasters ... 07/22/2013

  Erie, PA:  Welcome Eriez Toastmasters Club     Erie, PA:  Welcome Eriez Toastmasters Club:   Eriez Toastmasters Club meets second & fourth Monday 6:15-7:45 pm @ Millcreek Mall Library (next to Dick's Sporting Goods). Looking to develop speaking and leadership skills? Ace a job interview? Ignite your career? Membership in Toastmasters is one of the greatest investments you can make in yourself. At $40 every six months it is also one of the most cost effective skill building tools available anywhere.  ($36 Toastmasters dues + $4 club dues) Come see how we can help you improve your communication & leadership skills.  Visit Eriez Toastmasters Club on Facebook.    Erie, PA:  Welcome Eriez Toastmasters Club   — 07/19/2013

Do You Have 'Rookie' Tattooed on Your Forehead?   Are your clients asking, 'How long have you been in Real Estate?'  Do your feel like you have 'Rookie' tattooed on your forehead? Congratulations.   You passed the real estate exam.    And you completed the office's extensive training program and you are so ready to begin your real estate career.   Your excitement is running high as you drive to your first listing appointment.   All the research about the seller's property has been prepared, organized and re-organized several times.     Yesterday you met with the office manager to review your presentation one more time.        Knock on the door.  You greet the owners and compliment on them on front entrance.  You are about to sit down at dining room table to begin your listing presentati... 07/17/2013

Tickle Your Taste Buds with Avocado Dip   Avocado Dip Recipe One ripe avocado, peeled & chopped or mashed  (we prefer fine chunks) One small tomato, chopped  (use juicy tomato) Half tablespoon finely chopped green onions with tops Basil or cilantro leaves, rip or cut in small pieces (we prefer basil) One teaspoon finely minced garlic Squeeze one-quarter fresh lime over mixture Prepare all ingredients 20-30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to meld. Serve with crackers or baguette bread slices.  Sometimes I serve this as a side dish with Mexican entree. Enjoy a tasty treat for your taste buds.   Tickle Your Taste Buds with Avocado Dip   07/15/2013

Erie, PA Real Estate Classes:  Legal Description of Land     Pennsylvania uses two methods for the legal description of land. Metes and Bounds (used in the thirteen original colonies until cities were laid out.  Many country properties in eastern US use the metes & bounds system.)   Lot & Block also known as Recorded Plat or Plat Map (uses lot and block numbers referred to in a plat map recorded at court house.  This system is used for subdivisions and newer urban areas.) Other states use the Rectangular Survey System sometimes called the Government Survey System established in 1785 after the American Revolution.  This system, based on longitude & latitude, is not used in Pennsylvania, however, you may see it on the PA test as a distractor.       Metes & Bounds--used by thirteen origina... 07/12/2013

PA Real Estate Exam ~ Are You Ready to Pass?     Let's review *Test taking strategy *Study skills *Content review:         ~ Fundamentals          ~ Practice   * Analysis of PA law portion of test * Math skills with formulas           Erie, PA Real Estate Pre-license classes offered by Alan Kells School of Real Estate  will prepare you to take the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam and PASS.   Erie, PA Real Estate Classes Real Estate Fundamentals:  July 13, 14, 27, 28   Location:  3036 West 12th Street Erie, PA 16505    Time:  9:00 - 4:30   $178   Register:  1-814-453-4274   Alan Kells School of Real Estate   07/08/2013

Realtor Alert'For Sale By Owner' Open Houses: Great Source for ListingsNeed a Listing?  Visit FSBO Open Houses Realtors:  Do you need a listing?  Visit 'For Sale by Owner' open houses. What better way to meet the owner face-to-face? They are anxious for visitors to walk through the front door and look at their home.Why not walk in and introduce yourself?Compliment the owners on their home then ask for opportunity to view it. How do you find FSBO opens?  Print advertising:  Yes, the local papers & tabloids that solict our advertising $$ place the FSBO ad on same paper with ours.  Ugh!  local newspaper  FSBO websites:   www.fsbo.com or www.forsalebyowner.com  Your farm area:  keep tabs on your farm area by driving through often.  Talk to the 'chatty-Kathy's' in your farm for the scoop on ... 07/07/2013

Avid Fan of Dropbox . . . Yes, I Am.   Dropbox is one of my favorite apps for iPad, cell and laptop.  As soon as I download photos to the laptop they are uploaded to Dropbox and available on my other devices.  Photos taken with iPad are available on cell and laptop. Photos taken with camera can be downloaded to laptop or iPad then uploaded to Dropbox and now available for viewing on all devices. (Slick!) Be sure to adjust the Dropbox settings to allow automatic upload of photos to Dropbox. Dropbox is truly a wonderful app and it's FREE.   If you have lots of photos and/or documents you can upgrade for $99.Yes, I am an avid fan of Dropbox.   www.dropbox.com     Here is photo taken with iPad and uploaded to Dropbox then inserted into this post from Dropbox on my laptop.       Yes, I am an... 07/06/2013

How Many Hot Dogs Did You Eat on July 4th? Did you beat Joey Chestnut's 69 hot dogs at Coney Island on July 4th?  Best I could do was two hot dogs with mustard, ketchup and onions.  At Coney Island the Hot Dog Contest is sponsored by Nathan's Hot Dogs.  Here in Erie, PA and much of western PA Smith's Hot Dogs are the preferred dogs.    Via Silvia Dukes' post I learned that Americans eat about 150 million hot dogs on July 4th.  Makes me wonder how many we eat in one year.  And how we prepare hot dogs?  On the barbecue grill of course! From Kathy Stoltman's post I learned that the term barbecue originated in the Caribbean.       Barbecue Facts by Kathy Stoltman Some Fun Facts by Silvia Dukes Now, tonight I think I am hungry for ribs on the barbecue grill. Just made potato salad and Mother... 07/05/2013