Happy Friday to all!   I hope that your week is wrapping up nicely.  We sure are having a beautiful start to October .  It is sunny and just lovely out, they say we will see the sun ALL day long and hit the 70's.  Woo Hoo! Today's picture is one that I captured while on the way to a friends to deliver a little fall treat.  I would say though, that I got the treat with capturing this picture.    September was definitely fall like around here - In this picture you can see the leaves already changing colors and it was a foggy, cloudy, rainy cool day...  Just like most of the month.   When I did get to my friends, we were standing in her driveway chatting and a little black bear wondered by.  So fun (well as long as he kept his distance!!)  Wow, a great picture and a bear sighting, d... 10/01/2010

    Happy Friday to everyone! I hope this finds you having a wonderful day.  Things are looking quite nice here in the Pacific Northwest.  You may remember last February when it was so mild and dry round here that the Olympics struggled to have enough snow for the events.  Then in June it was so cool and wet we dubbed it "June-uary" and now for the first weekend of fall it looks like summer has finally arrived, better late than never.... They are predicting that tomorrow will be our first "sunny" day for the month of September.  An entire day of sun???!!!!  Woo Hoo, just in time for Oktoberfest :) I hope whatever you do this weekend it is lovely weeather and you have a good time. ....geri ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Procrastination is t... 09/24/2010

Time to get things ready for winter As Summer officially comes to an end, we know that winter won't be far away.  And before the rain/snow and cold sets in it is a good time to take care of some basic maintenance issues around your home.  You probably have a list of your own started, but below are somethings on my to-do list that I thought I'd share.  Good luck and I hope you enjoy the last bit of nice weather before it is gone.  They are saying we will have a cold wet fall and winter here in the Pacific Northwest, but this weekend is suppose to be absolutely lovely. Enjoy!   Clean out the gutters - If you have rain gutters on your home then cleaning them out in the fall is the best time.  You will want to wait until most of the leaves have fallen and don't forget to check that they ar... 09/22/2010

Happy Friday to all!! I hope your Friday is going well.  Things are peachy in my corner of the world.  I already got word from escrow that we are "released to record" so shortly my buyers will officially own their new home, my "desk" work is going smoothly this morning AND I just got an email from my daughter that she is up for meeting for dinner tonight.  Woo Hoo, now that is a good day :)  Below is this weeks selection of quotes.  I hope you enjoy them, and as always, I will see you next Friday. ...geri   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~    When all is said and done, often more is said than done.    ~Lou Holtz       The deepest secret is that life is not a process of discovery, but a process of creation.  You a... 09/17/2010

  City of Covington & King County Fall Recycling Collection Event WHEN:   Saturday, September 18, 2010  /  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM WHERE:  Kentwood High School /  25800 164th Ave SE       Things you can bring... Motor Oil & Filters Antifreeze Lead Acid Batteries Alkaline Batteries Household Goods and Clothing Tires - some fees apply Porcelain Toilets and Sinks - fee applies Propane Tanks - fee applies Cardboard Bulky Wood Appliances/Scrap Metal - some fees apply Refrigerators and Freezers - fee applies Electronic Equipment   Things you can't bring.... No paint of any kind No construction/demolition debris No garbage No mattresses/furniture No plastic toys, hoses, etc. No window glass Hazardous Wastes such as oil based paint/solvents, pesticides/herbicides, household chemicals and cleaning pr... 09/13/2010

There is always a reason to celebrate...   Every day is a reason to celebrate something.   And if you need some prompting just check out the Daily Holidays website for some ideas.  Last Sunday was Be Late for Something Day, so I am appropriately LATE in sharing that :) In the week ahead we will be celebrating Scooby Doo's birthday on the 13th,  Hug a Greeting Card Writer Day on the 18th, and one of my all time favorites...  International Talk Like a Pirate Day on the 19th.    The entire month of September is Children's Good Manners Month.  LOL, must be cause good old St. Nick will be making his annual appearance again soon and those little ones need to get in practice before Santa makes his "naughty and nice" list.  September also finds us celebrating National Head Lice Prevention Mont... 09/12/2010

  Happy Friday to all!  I hope your day is going well.  This picture says it all in my corner of the world.  We are definitely very fall like out there.  But then we have been more fall like than summer like for many months.  I hope you enjoy the quotes and have a marvelous weekend.  I will be seeing my daughter and son-in-law tomorrow so you know mine will be grand!  See ya next Friday :) ...geri  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~    We must believe in luck.  For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like?    ~Jean Cocteau       Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it.  I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.    ~C... 09/10/2010

  Clean Covington Day Saturday, September 11, 2010   The City of Covington is looking for help in removing graffiti.  On Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 8:45 AM, the city is holding its 2nd Annual Clean Covington Day.  The city is asking for volunteers to come to the city's Maintenance Shop (at 180th and 256th Streets) and help remove graffiti around town.  All supplies will be provided, but please wear clothing you won't mind getting dirty!  Kids welcome with adult supervision and a breakfast snack will be provided. An agenda of the day's events can be seen at:  http://www.ci.covington.wa.us/documents/Agenda10.pdf 09/06/2010

  Here is a quick look at what it going on in the real estate market in our area, zip code 98042... There are currently 339 homes for sale with prices ranging from just under 100,000's to just under 3 million. 1 and 2-bedrooms homes for sale:  13 3 bedroom homes for sale:  150 4 bedroom homes for sale:  146 5+ bedroom homes for sale:  30   There were 31 homes that sold in June, 2010.   24 were re-sale homes and  7 were new construction. A further breakout shows what type of homes sold..,. New Construction:  23% Bank Owned:  20.5% Short Sales:  10% Regular Re-sales:  46.5%    The average sale price was $236,053             Low sales price was:  $120,000             High sales price was:  $550,000   *These are sales listed in the MLS only, it does not reflect any private sales. 09/03/2010

Happy Friday to all! I hope your day is starting off nicely.  For those of you who do not live in the Pacific Northwest, it is just beautiful here this morning- we are expecting one of those Chamber of Commerce days, and we've had so few this summer...  what a treat! This picture was taken by my daughter yesterday morning from her job site.  (One good thing about having to be at work before the sun is up!)  So beautiful!  And the sunset was just as amazing last night.  As I said,  more of this today before we turn back to cool, cloudy and wet tomorrow.  Enjoy your 3-day weekend, no matter what your weather will be. Enjoy the quotes and I will see y'all next Friday. ...geri ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Expect trouble as an inevitable part o... 09/03/2010

    Happy Friday to all!   I hope that your week is wrapping up nicely.  Things are peachy with me.  We've got loan docs in for one client, and I've got word that docs have been ordered for another.  Happy Day!!  :) Any big weekend plans?  We are off to the M's game tonight, but with our "summer" weather it feels more like I am heading to a football game.  Better take my blanket tonight! Enjoy the quotes, have a wonderful weekend and I will see y'all next week. ...geri         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Man's mind, once stretched by an idea, never regains its original dimensions.  -Oliver Wendall Holmes, Jr.        It is a funny thing about life:  If you refuse to accept anything but the best you very often get it.    -Somerset Maugham ... 08/27/2010

  Purple Light Nights Bite of Covington The City of Covington is sponsoring a brand new event to benefit local victims of domestic violence.  Purple Light Nights is not new, but this year you will have the opportunity to purchase tickets ($1 value for each) and us them at some of Covington's great food establishments.  Then 50 cents from each ticket sale will go benefit the Covington Domestic Violence Task Force (CDVTF)! The CDVTF provides safe night stays to victims, cell phones, food, financial literacy and community education about domestic violence.    The Purple Light Nights Bite of Covington is sponsored by the CDVTF and the Jennifer Beach Foundation.  The month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.  Tickets are available now for purchase.  You can buy them at Covingto... 08/21/2010

    Happy Friday! I hope that everyone is having a fantastic day and that your week is wrapping up nicely.  They say it will be unseasonably cool today, but the sun is already out and it is just a beautiful morning - what a great way to start the day!  Enjoy the quotes and I will see you next Friday.  ...geri   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   If you develop the habits of success, you will make success a habit.   -Michael E. Angier           Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.    -Lyndon B. Johnson           Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.  -Thomas Edison           Success doesn't come to you.  You go to it.  -Marva Collins 08/20/2010

  Alzheimer's Support Group   Aegis Living in Kent is now hosting a support group for family and friends of individuals experiencing memory loss and/or needing assistance.   If you are caring for, living with, or know someone with Alzheimer's, then this Support Network is for you.    They will be meeting the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm beginning Tuesday, August 24th.    They are located in Kent at 10421 SE 248th Street.  To join them at their meeting or for more information please call 253-520-8400.  You can also find more information by checking out their website at Aegis of Kent.  08/19/2010

Making your Home and Life More Eco-Friendly   Americans are striving to be more eco-friendly in their lifestyles, but for many they just don't know where to begin. Buying a hybrid car or converting your house to solar power are great ideas, but often not affordable for the average citizen.   Here are some little steps that we can all do that can add up to a big difference.   1.  Use less water - Shut off the water while you brush your teeth -Take showers that are a minute or two shorter -Only run full loads of laundry and dishes       2.  Use less energy - When you need to replace an appliance, buy energy efficient appliances.  They may be a bit more expensive, but they often make up for the increased cost in lower energy bills. - Unplug chargers when you're not using them.  Cell phone... 08/14/2010

  Happy Friday to all!    I hope your week is wrapping up nicely.   It is peachy here in my corner of the world, it looks like sun has come back and we are going to feel like summer once again!  Woo Hoo!  Enjoy the quotes and I will see you next Friday. ...geri   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Edify a person in advance for the positive traits you want him or her to have, and you'll find them making a concerted effort to live up to your praise.    ~Bob Burg       Creativity is God's gift to you.   What you do with it is your gift to God.    ~Bob Moawad       We must learn to help those who deserve it, not just those who need it.  Life responds to deserve not need.     ~Jim Rohn       Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become.  Yo... 08/13/2010

Move with a Plan With summer comes picnics, trips to the lake, walks on the beach...  But for many it is a time to move.  If you are one of the many Americans who will be making a move this summer, with a bit of forethought, the process can be not so stressful.  Here are some helpful hints to help you pack and unpack in an organized manner and make the transition into your new home less stressful.   1.  Pack in an organized manner.  As you begin to box things up keep like items together.  It can be tempting to stuff whatever in that box when you have room left, but if you are packing up the bedroom closet, don't add things that go in the dining room.  It will be just that much harder to unpack and get things where they belong on the other end.   2.  Mark the Boxes.  Mark each box clear... 08/12/2010

    Happy Friday!   I hope this finds you having a wonderful day, like the day I took this picture...  Beautiful scenery and a good class of wine.  However, this won't be my day today, I am off to help a client find the home of their dreams.  We just got an offer in on their house, so now we need to find them a new place to call home. Enjoy the quotes and I will see you next Friday. ...geri ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Speak when you are angry, and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret.    -Lawrence J. Peter   Make it a rule of life never to regret.  Regret is an appalling waste of energy; you can't build on it, it's only good for wallowing in.     -Katherine Mansfield       In the pursuit of happiness, the difficulty lies in knowing ... 08/06/2010

  Here is a quick look at what it going on in the real estate market in our area, zip code 98042... There are currently 321 homes for sale with prices ranging from just under 100,000's to just under 3 million. 2-bedrooms homes for sale:  8 3 bedroom homes for sale:  133 4 bedroom homes for sale:  145 5+ bedroom homes for sale:  35   There were 32 homes that sold in June, 2010.   25 were re-sale homes and  7 were new construction. A further breakout shows what type of homes sold..,. New Construction:  22% Bank Owned:  25% Short Sales:  6% Regular Re-sales:  47%    The average sale price was $290,716             Low sales price was:  $150,000             High sales price was:  $850,000   *These are sales listed in the MLS only, it does not reflect any private sales. 08/01/2010

  Happy Friday to all! Sorry that I missed y'all last week, I hope things were good in your corner of the world.  We had a great trip back to see family but boy it was hot and humid, gotta love Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio this time of year.  Here is this weeks selection of quotes.  Enjoy and I will see you next Friday. ...geri ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.   -Will Rogers       Nothing has any power over me, other than that which I give it through my conscious thoughts.    -Anthony Robbins       What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.    -Dwight D. Eisenhower       It takes a strong man to swim agains... 07/30/2010