Enjoy Nature's Own Fireworks ~ SKY on Fire ! ! !  After 58 inches of snow a warming trend melted most of the snow and Mother Nature offered one of her best sunsets this evening.  Here is just one view of Mother Nature's beautiful sunset looking across the road from my house.  Over a half hour the sky has changed from minute to minute from just a teaser to full brilliance and now just muted hint of peace at end of day.  Maybe this is Mother Nature's way of saying there is beauty in every season even a winter sunset. Happy New Year & best of luck in 2014 Enjoy Nature's Own Fireworks ~ SKY on Fire ! ! !    12/29/2013

Erie, PA:  Where Is Your Real Estate M.A.P.?     New agents where is your Real Estate map? What's your goal?  $$$ Income goal?  # of Listings?  # of Listings Sold?  # Buyer Sales? Where to start? Which office? Full-time? Part-Time? How do I find buyers & sellers? Should I do open houses? Phone time? Farming? Social media? Which form do I use?  What disclosures are required?     Success in Real Estate as in any field starts with a plan.  What's your Business Plan for 2014? Unless you have a plan you will just be roaming around and not sure where you are going or how to there.  Too often new agents get overwhelmed and end up leaving the business disenchanted and broke.     M = MASTER: Having a Business Plan won't deliver results unless you offer competent service to all your customers.  Y... 12/29/2013

2014 Real Estate Classes Erie, PA Erie, PA begin your Real Estate classes with Alan Kells School of Real Estate.  Pennsylvania Real Estate License requirements: 18 years old Complete 30 hour Fundamentals class Complete 30 hour Practice class Pass Pennsylvania Real Estate exam Background check Fundamentals class January 11, 12, 25, 26  Practice class Feburary 8, 9, 22, 23 Cost $178 Time  9:00 -4:30 Location:  3036 W. 12th Street Erie, PA 16505 (building behind Animal Ark Pet Hospital-use east driveway) 2014 REAL ESTATE CLASSES Erie, PA Register now Alan Kells School of Real Estate   12/26/2013

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like a White Christmas in Erie, PA Mother Nature turned on the 'lake effect' snow machine last night and Erie, PA will have a white Christmas.  The tree is decorated, the shopping is done and the presents are wrapped.  Now we wait patiently for St. Nick to arrive. From the Yonkers household Merry Christmas    It's Beginning to Look a lot Like a White Christmas in Erie, PA   12/24/2013

Pumpkin Pie aka Birthday Pie      Birthday cake and candles, no way.  Dave's  birthday request since childhood has been pumpkin pie.  Fortunately I have my mother/grandmother's recipe for pumpkin pie and I make it twice a year, once for Thanksgiving & again for Dave's birthday, December 21st, the Winter Solstice. 3 cups pumpkin  (I use 27oz canned pumpkin) 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons molasses (BlackStrap Molasses--it's stronger) 1/4 tsp cloves 3 tsp cinnamon 2 tsp ginger  1 tsp nutmeg  1 tsp salt 4 eggs slightly beaten 1 can evaporated milk (12 oz)  (If you do not have evaporatd milk, use 16 oz milk) 4 oz. milk One pie shell  (I use Pillsbury) Measure all dry ingredients in large mixing bowl.  Beat eggs, add milk.  Mix together. Pour into pie shell.  (Recipe makes enough... 12/21/2013

Shortest Day is Happy Birthday Day Dave Yonkers Let's not worry about Winter Solstice, the shortest day & often darkest of the year.  Let's celebrate Dave Yonkers' birthday instead.  I am sure that Betty & Milton Yonkers were not even thinking about December 21st being the shortest of the year when their first child was born  __ years ago in Fairport, New York.  After celebrating many of Dave's birthdays with him I can verify that his still the 'Light' of my life.  No birthday cake for Dave.  His request since childhood is pumpkin pie.  (I will post  my recipe later.)  David, P. Yonkers, USN retired dyonkers@coldwellbanker.com   Take a moment to enjoy the day and then join the ActiveRain group Do Not Worry ~ Today  Throw your worries in the basket/group and have a good day, my friends. ... 12/20/2013

 A Peaceful Ending . . . Almost     Snow, snow and more snow . . . 48 inches so far this winter in Erie, PA.  No problem, Erie-ites are hardy folks. Enjoy last night's sunset.   (from my front porch) Rising temperatures and rain will melt most of the snow . . . and cause flooding in low lying areas.  Bridge over Trout Run, lower level of my property (left: 12-16-13; right: 2009 flood) And did you watch the national forecast recently?  Record high temps across much of east coast followed by another vicious storm barreling up the mid-section of the country!  Unfortunately weather is not something we can control, but we can take reasonable precautions and think safety first.  Then join the ActiveRain group Do Not Worry ~ Today  Throw your worries in the basket/group and have a good day, my... 12/19/2013

Am I Doomed to Failure as Part Time Real Estate Agent?   Can I Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent? Am I Doomed to Failure as Part Time Real Estate Agent?  Well, the best answer is, 'It depends.'  It depends on you.  How motivated are you?  Are you willing to make a commitment to hard work?  Are you willing to flex your schedule to meet your clients needs?  Are you willing to work long hours at both jobs, your regular job and your real estate job?  Yes, it is just like having two full-time jobs. In case you don't know Real Estate agents get paid when their listing sells or a buyer buys.   No, we don't get a regular paycheck every two weeks, but a Real Estate closing check is often bigger than a regular paycheck!!  Can I Succeed as Part Time Real Estate Agent?  Absolutely!  You can succeed ... 12/18/2013

And the Snowiest City Is . . .  (no, not Buffalo) Buffalo, New York at the eastern end of Lake Erie usually has the distinction of being the snowiest city, especially during Lake Effect storms.  December 2013 snowiest city is not Buffalo, nor is Rochester, NY or Syracuse, NY, nor is Anchorage, Alaska.  Drum roll, please . . . Erie, Pennsylvania is the snowiest city for December with 45 inches of snow . . . so far.  (More lake effect snow is forecast for this evening.) Yesterday the only schools closed were city of Erie schools, not the suburbs or county.  Most of snow fell along the lakeshore, not inland.   My birds and squirrels are happy that I come out every morning and fill the feeders.  (See little squirrel in house feeder.) Inside the snowman says, Aloha.   12/16/2013

Let It Snow ~ A l o h a Style   The weather is frightful outside with more than a foot on the ground and more predicted for today, tonight AND tomorrow.  Well, well, inside it is delightful and my snowmen are celebrating.    Even their friend, Bear, is in ready to celebrate . . .  Oops, I think Bear is practicing the hula dance . . .  If you live in snow country you find creative ways to enjoy winter.  (And perhaps plan another trip to Hawaii.  That is my daughter's idea for next family reunion.)    Let It Snow ~ A l o h a Style 12/15/2013

  A Merry Little Snow Fall A dusting of snow gets me in the mood for the holidays.  Decorate inside and outside, shop till you drop, bake or not, sing Christmas carols or just build a fire.  No, we don't roast marshmallows in our fireplace, but I do like to sip a glass of wine & listen to Christmas music (rather than one more football game).  (Don't tell Dave.)    PS The candy canes in the top photo are shorter now since it has been snowing all day. When the official snow total is noted at the airport I think Erie will top a foot of snow.  Happy Hour @ The Yonkers but first I am going cross country skiing in the woods behind my house.  Bye . . . Merry Christmas  Happy Holidays 12/15/2013

Snow, Snow, Snow! Who Loves Snow?    Snow and more snow is in the forecast for most of the country, but who loves snow?  My brother, Bob, who grow in PA but resides in Texas refers to snow as a 4-letter word.  Guess he won't be visiting this holiday.  Here are few snowy scenes outside my door in Erie, PA.   Saw a few deer tracks in the yard morning.  I bet they knew the hunter, Dave, was away at hunting camp.   Merry Christmas   Snow, Snow, Snow! Who Loves Snow?   I Do!!! Photo from previous season, but I will be out on the trail later today.     Snow, Snow, Snow! Who Loves Snow?  I DO!!!    Be safe & warm, my friends  12/12/2013

'You Are Fired!'  How Do I Fire My Brother-in-law, the Real Estate Agent?   With three simple words, 'You are fired!'   Not easy, but very simple.  Just say the words, 'You are fired!'   This dilemma was posed at recent Real Estate seminar by one of the attendees:  We listed our home four months ago with my brother-in-law, a part-time agent, to help him get started in the business.  It took him a week to put a sign in the yard & take a few photos.  He had an open house scheduled but cancelled it because he had to work his 'other job'.  The online photos are not very clear.  We asked him to take new photos, but he hasn't had time yet.  To add insult to injury, a similar house in our neighborhood was listed and sold in three days.  And, their agent sent us a 'JUST SOLD' postcard.   How do... 12/11/2013

Standing on Top of the World~My Toastmaster Journey to DTM       Why Toastmasters? Why pursue Distinguished Toastmasters, DTM?  Why do mountain climbers want to stand on the summit?  It's a challenge and it's a symbol of one's determination to overcome obstacles.  And, only a few earn that distinction. The cover on Toastmaster magazine (October 2010) motivated me to pursue the highest Toastmaster award DTM, Distinguished Toastmaster.  I slipped the magazine cover in the plastic sleeve of the binder I carried to each Toastmaster meeting for three years.  Knowing that a fellow Toastmaster stood on the summit of Mount Everest, lit a fire in my soul that spurred me up my personal mountain to the Toastmasters DTM award. DTM, Distinguished Toastmaster is Toastmsters highest award.  The Toastm... 12/09/2013

Storm Chaser     Storm Chaser   Oh the weather outside is frightful.  The wind is howling and the temperature is falling faster than the snow, but inside it is toasty warm and cozy. At the end of a long day my favorite room is the Yonkers family room.  Build a fire, put the soup pot on the stove and pour a glass of wine.  Turn on the music or a good football game and . . . Appetizer:  mussels in garlic butter sauce Menu:  Mexican turkey chili  (recipe post later), salad, corn bread   Storm Chaser   12/08/2013

Real Estate Practice Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, 2013   Don't wait until 2014 to begin your Real Estate classes.  Real Estate Practice classes begin December 7, 8, 14, 15, 2013.   Pennsylvania reguires 60 hours pre-license courses.  Real Estate Pracice 30 hours Real Estate Fundamentals 30 hours Join Alan Kells in Erie, PA to complete your classes  www.alankells.com Real Estate Practice Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, 2013 3036 West 12th Street (behind Animal Ark Pet Hospital) Erie, PA 16506 Time:  9:00 - 4:30     12/06/2013

Eriez Toastmasters Club Congratulates Tom Quiggle, ACG ACG, Advanced Communicator Gold Erie, PA Toastmasters Clubs Congratulate Tom Quiggle, ACG  Tom Quiggle has been a member of Eriez Toastmasters Club for five years and has worked dilgently on earning Toastmasters' communication and leadership awards. Tom recently retired from Penelec, a First Energy Company, and is the 2013-2014 president of Eriez Toastmasters Club.  Visit Eriez Toastmasters Club: Dec. 9, 2013 6:15-7:45 pm Millcreek Mall Library (next to Dick's) 2088 Interchange Rd Erie, PA 16509 Contact:  Mary Yonkers, VP Public Relations askmary.yonkers@gmail.com Eriez Toastmasters Club Facebook page   *** Find Toastmasters club in your area:  www.toastmasters.org     Eriez Toastmasters Club Congratulates Tom Quiggle, ACG   11/28/2013

Goal Achieved !!!  DTM, Distinguished Toastmaster Finally I reached my goal: Toastmasters highest award,  Distinguished Toastmaster, DTM  As you can see from the photo taken at Toastmasters District 13 Fall Conference I was all smiles after receiving the DTM medallion from Dan Rex, CEO of Toastmasters International.  And with a last name like Yonkers, I was the last person in line, but just happy to be part of the District 13 Distinguished Toastmasters. District 13 Conference was held at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, southeast of Pittsburgh, PA and nestled in Laurel Highlands.  (part of Appalachian Mountains)  Find a Toastmasters club in your area www.toastmasters.org   11/25/2013

  Are You Smart Enought to Turn Off Your Smart Phone?   Are You Smart Enough to Turn Off Your Smart Phone?  Or leave it at home when taking time off?  I know, I know we are busy Real Estate professional and yes we feel the need to be available 24/7, but . . .   . . .  aren't we just a little obsessive most of the time?  All the time?  I know I can be . . .  so I feel like it is my duty to write this post.     Good is busy in our business, but a little ‘down time’ is sweet!  And of course, the mental health professionals will advise us of the need to take time off, but who wants to miss that VERY, VERY important call, e-mail or text?      Let me share a tidbit of advice from my first broker gave if you can't take a day off, take half-day and if you can't take a half-day, take a few hours... 11/19/2013

Gain Confidence & Find Your Voice: FREE Seminar in Erie, PA Toastmasters and general public are invited to attend FREE Seminar offered by District 13 and David Brooks, 1990 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking. David Brooks is presenting 'Essentials to Effective Communication' Monday, Novemeber 18, 2013 6:00 - 8:00 pm Erie Maennerchor Club - Gold Room 1607 State Street Erie, PA 16501 David Brooks website Toastmasters.org   RSVP:  Lisa@lisapustelak.com   Gain Confidence & Find Your Voice: FREE Seminar in Erie, PA   11/16/2013