"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues"

– The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

On March 2^nd Dr. Seuss would have turned 108! In honour of this stupendous occasion we would like to giveaway Family of Four Movie Passes to go see “The Lorax” at Empire Theatre Orleans.

How to enter: It’s simple! Comment on this post and let us know your favourite Dr. Seuss book or movie and why!

Hop on facebook or twitter additional entries!

1) "Like" Christiane Lafleur - YOUR Real Estate Professional on Facebook and let me know what your favourite book or movie is in a comment on my fanpage wall.

2) Follow me on TWITTER (@Christiane_L) and tweet: I'd love to win the #drseusscontest with @Christiane_L (Would you? http://goo.gl/xKARX)

3) Refer any of your friends, family or coworkers (Selling, Buying or Investing) to The Christiane Lafleur Real Estate Team before March 30^th 2012 at 10AM. Call directly or email anytime.

The winner will be announced March 30th 2012 at NOON - STAY TUNED!

One entry per contestant per platform. Deadline is March 30th at 10AM.

**Contest is open to residents of Ottawa, ON, Canada and up to a 25km radius. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook or Twitter. Ottawa Real Estate Board members are exempt**

Have you been thinking of investing lately?

Is your portfolio not exactly where you would like it to be?

Have you looked at your investments lately?

Are you aware that the Globe & Mail was reported that "Canadian Real Estate continues
to deliver better returns than the stock market"

It might be a good time to start thinking about investing in Real Estate. We will be hosting an Investment Seminar in Ottawa for anyone who wishes to diversify their investements. Based on the Millionaire Real Estate Investor book, come learn how and why you should be thinking of investing in Real Estate. Specially here in the Ottawa area, the market is still very strong.

Everyone has thought about owning an investment property. In fact every home owner is an investor already. Their home is the best investment they have ever made. They are an “Accidental Investor”. Anyone can, will you?

Date: March 7, 2012
Time: 7:00 - 8:15pm
Location: Dymon Storage ( 4338 Innes Road, west of Tenth Line)

Click on the Investment Seminar in Ottawa to register for free. Limited seats are available so make sure to hurry and not miss out.

Sometimes you provide advice to friends and relatives and never know if they wanted it or not.

Last night I was out playing cards with friends, one of whom is going to sell her home in a few months. About three weeks ago we talked about her hiring an agent and I stressed the importance of interviewing two or three and finding out some answers to, what I believe, are important questions. I told my friend that the internet is now the biggest screening tool that Buyers use for deciding to see a home. I also said that some Buyers have purchased homes (usually from overseas) without ever stepping foot in the home. It is all based on the photos and videos. Given the importance of good photos and videos, I suggested that she ask each agent:

• Who takes the photos that will be used in the listing?
• Will there be video?
• How many photos will be used?
• Do I, the Seller, have a say in which photos will be used?
• Where will the photos be posted (websites)?

Photo credit: Ace of Spades Card Trick Macro 10-19-09-02

Continuing on the theme of things that people have written or said, here is another autograph. Now, you might wonder why an adult would write something like this is a nine year old's autograph book. I bet he never considered that what you say or write will live longer than you and that children tend to remember what adults

say about them.

May you always live

So that after you are dead

Your name will never be listed under

CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

What the heck? I wonder why Roses are Red wouldn't do. It took me some growing up to realize that little poem is just nasty. Now, when you write something in a post or a note or a letter, I hope you remember that it will likely live longer than you will and you may want to consider how you will be remembered. I know I didn't like this person after I realized what he said. The person who wrote this is now deceased and this is what I remember about him. Sad, isn't it?

Last night we went out for Valentine's Day (okay, a few hours before the stroke of midnight but so close to the 14th as not to count). One of my favourite restaurants a few years ago was Allium on Holland Avenue. For some reason, time passed and we had not been back. In looking for a place to celebrate Valentine's Day, I suggested Allium. Monday night is tapas night and that allows me to taste a few things without ending up with a huge plate of only one type of food. I was not disappointed! We had great service, wonderful tapas and then for only $4.00 a half of a Banoffee pie (see the photo from the Allium website above to realize that this was not a huge serving but JUST RIGHT. I saw a Jamie Oliver television show where he made one of these pies and it stuck as something that I would like to taste. Mission accomplished. It is made of graham crumb crust, toffee, bananas, whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Not something for every day but a treat.

Part of what made the evening was the variety of patrons in the restaurant. There were a couple of families with school aged children, women out with their girlfriends, couples, and groups. The atmosphere was lively and upbeat.

I highly recommend a meal at Allium or (if you are like me and like variety) the Monday tapas evening. Make a reservation just to be sure to have a spot.

Allium 87 Holland Avenue; Ottawa, Ontario;

613-792-1313