Bartlett, NH

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most
peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to
help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when
I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the
end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class..

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated
and loved.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I 've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that
person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself
with people smarter than I am.

I've learned... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned..... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost, someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow
he may have to eat them..

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned..... That when your newly born child holds your little finger in his
little fist, that you're in love for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the
happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Welcome To Black Bear Realty

Dea Riendeau joined Black Bear Realty for the New Year!

Dea is a committed Realtor with substantial awards and certifications. She brings with her a career both in real estate and the mortgage industry.

Her prior experience in Mortgage Lending made her a natural in working with Buyers and helping guide them through the home buying process to a successful closing while keeping stress at a minimum.

Dea is committed to her Buyer's complete satisfaction and is determined to provide a high level of service. In order to do this she educates herself on the real estate industry, current trends, and keeps her fingertips on the pulse of the local market.

Dea has earned the following designations:

• Licensed REALTOR^® in New Hampshire and Maine
• Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR)
• Graduate REALTOR^®Institute (GRI)
• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
• Banking Foundations Certificate
• Residential Loan Production Certificate
• Residential Mortgage Underwriting Seminar Series

These designations require extensive training. To be awarded these credentials, an individual must demonstrate personal and professional development and competency. Dea has done this extra work because she strives for excellence. She knows that her being prepared means a less stressful, more satisfying experience for you.

Dea, welcome to the Black Bear Team!

www.thebuyersrep.net

Ever have one of those mornings (especially after a party or extremely hectic week) where all you wanted to do was crawl back into bed and sleep some more? This morning I woke up to a grey, drizzly and cold day; my mood was identical! Looking around, I saw more of the same...

On the tube, media mongrels were grousing about stuff that made my teeth grind---Illinois Governor trying to sell Obama's seat? PLEEEEASE! I don't get it...why do these young(er) good looking, politically correct men with golden lives (and wives) go on the deep end and do such stupid self-destructive things?

They must be thinking they're God and nothing will touch them---are they so vain to assume they are above the moral and right compass for the rest of us? Like I said, I don't get it.

And then there's the headline "Joe the Plumber is Angry with McCain---I wanted to get off the bus, he says." WHAT? Don't we all have better things to do then listen to Joe the Plumber???

I apologize if I seem jaded, but for once, I would love to turn on TV, or the news blog and see a news-worthy article or story that will make my heart sing, and be glad to be alive! Don't you agree?

So disgusted with this, I decided to start my day by affirmatively speaking a new reality:

TODAY, I will not be locked into a purposeless routine. I will open up and branch out! I will begin to recognize and appreciate the function that I am and the purpose that I serve. I will continue to identify myself with a greater purpose and leave behind being caught up in mindless (and meaningless) routines. Life is infinitely more than it seems. This is my affirmation for today.

TODAY, see if walking around in a galaxy instead of walking around your office in the same wornout shoes is possible! See what you've been missing. See what you've been over-looking. See that a purposeless routine is a small concern for a vast creature like yourself who can dream up anything in any moment! Let the sense of being part of a galaxy come into being with you today!

(Acknowledgements: Toni Stone for her teaching me about affirmations; Astro Images by Jason Ware)

Country Inns of the White Mountains

12th Annual Inn to Inn Cookie Tour

Saturday & Sunday 11am till 4pm

December 13-14, 2008

Every year the Inns of the White Mountains get together for a fun Inn to Inn Gingerbread tour. Black Bear Realty was proud to sponsor one of the displays in support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. This year the Mayer family got together and designed and baked the centerpiece displayed at The Wildflower Inn.

This year's theme was "Holidays Around The World".

The tree represented the holiday spirit and it is surrounded by ten ginger folks from America, Thailand, Austria, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Finland, Ethiopia, Sweden and The Netherlands.

The boys helped with the baking and decorating. Also a fair amount of eating!

After the snow was applied, the centerpiece was ready to be delivered to The WildFlower Inn. Each Innkeeper hosts guests with specialty cookies and beverages, and shows off their festive holiday decorations. After visiting all fifteen Inns, guests receive a brass ornament. Other Inns in the tour include, The Riverbend Inn, Lake View Cottage B&B, Inn at Crystal Lake, Darby Field Inn, The Admiral Peary House, Eastman Inn, Old Red Inn & Cottages, 1785 Inn, Glen Oaks Inn, Inn at Jackson, Inn at Ellis River, Covered Bridge House, The Bartlett Inn and The Notchland Inn.

So, contact any of the Inns listed for tickets and directions. Enjoy a fun drive and some outstanding refreshments.

Most importantly, make sure to vote for your favorite gingerbread centerpiece...BLACK BEAR REALTY! The MS Society will appreciate it.

Happy Holidays from the Mayers!

REALTORS push the Treasury department to drastically lower mortgage interest rates.

"What would it take to get you to buy a home in this market?"

The National Association of REALTORS have pushed the Treasury department to consider directly offering mortgages as low as 4.5% for a NEW 30 year fixed rate term. The mortgage markets have already dropped half a percent on the rumor.

But would a 4.5% mortgage make you go out and risk buying a new home or vacation property? First, you would need to ask, "Are the current 5.5% mortgages too high?" Second, if you can't qualify for a mortgage today due to bad credit or lack of a down payment, how would that change?

Over the last 5 years we have sold homes to everyone who wanted one. That is the problem. There are not a lot of people left in the "First Time Home Buyer" line. What would make a huge impact on the real estate market across the country is allowing people to re-finance at these discounted rates.

By using these 4.5% mortgages for re-financing, we lower monthly payments, eliminate the problem of adjustable rate mortgages, reduce foreclosures and increase cash available for stimulating all sectors of the economy. Most important we are offering a life line to millions of hardworking homeowners instead of a bunch of incompetent executives stock options.

Backed by issuing Treasury bonds at 3% and sold through Fannie May and Freddie Mac, these new loans would be profit generating in the long-term. The only reason the Banking industry doesn't want these rates to be used to re-finance current mortgages, is that they are greedy and want to keep those higher rate mortgages. They have no incentive to help the average homeowner as long as we keep throwing billions of dollars at them.