Valrico, FL

I'm not usually a violent man...

I have never been much for violence. As a matter of fact I don't even own a gun or rifle. Now I am not one that is against the NRA or anybody that owns a gun.

As a matter of fact, I had to borrow a gun from a friend of mine so I could protect my property. I borrowed a 410 Shotgun from Jim. I distinctly remember the conversation.

Me: Jim, I need to borrow one of your guns.

Jim: You need a gun?

Me: Yeah, for tonight.

Jim: What's going on?

Me: I want to shoot my neighbor.

Jim: What for?

Me: I found out this morning that he and his family were in my backyard last night.

Jim: Well, you want a .22? It's not likely to kill him, but he'll know your serious.

Me: No, I want to kill him and any of the rest of his family I can get at the same time.

Jim: Your going to need my 410 Shotgun most likely, but you'll want to be within 30 yards of him.

Me: Oh, I'll be within 30 yards. I just need to wait for him and his brude to start coming up my backyard and BAM!

Now anybody that has been following my blogs knows I love River Hills here in Valrico and I have loved my neighbors up until now. Those that follow my blogs may recall that I live on a conservation area. Eleven hundred acres of natural Florida woods split in the middle by the Alafia River.

But, now there is a problem neighbor.

Hogs have come from the woods and torn up about a third of my backyard.

Now, the truth is I really am one of those non hunters that respect the rights of others to hunt. But, I am going to call a trapper to solve this problem.

I suspect I will learn a few things about pigs and how to keep them from destroying my backyard.

But, a little help from my friends will be accepted. So what should I do?

Rick Frissell ~ Diamond Dwellings Realty ~ Valrico, Florida.

813 340 6828

Now is the chance to view spectacular art by nationally known artist John Costin. Mr. Costin has been recognized across the country with awards for his outstanding bird portraiture. His talent for art is through his skill of the Intaglio Printing Process.

In addition to viewing his artwork, John Costin will be available to explain his process. Make plans to attend and "Meet the Artist."

Rick Frissell ~ Diamond Dwellings Realty

813 653 1241

Ah yes, this day has finally arrived!

I actually love voting day. This is the best day of the election process. Yes, a lot has to do with the fact that this morning is the beginning of the end of campaigning and campaign television ads. But, there are a couple of fundamental reasons I love this day other than the end of campaigning.

The Bedside Alarm Sounded Early

The alarm went of at 5:00 AM this morning, but it was not required. Since I rise early, this mornings alarm was for security reasons. Although I seldom have the alarm as my wake up notification, I knew that minutes either way this morning would put me way back in the line to vote. There are a lot of ambitious neighbors in River Hills.

Our precinct for River Hills, in Valrico, is at the clubhouse. If your early, as I usually am, you get to sit on a chair next to the entrance doors of the poll. As the second person in line, I know that my wait to vote is limited to exactly one hour. Polls open at 7:00 AM and so the wait time for me is now established.

But, the best part is sitting with neighbors for each election. I always meet someone new in our community and I always am sitting with someone I know.

This year I met Nancy for the first time. Nancy is a Dermatologist with her office in Brandon. Her issue is health cars, "of course" she adds. She is also active in mission trips, in particular to Haiti and Dominican Republic. Missions work is a topic of great passion for our family as four family members go to different parts of the world to serve those that have tremendous needs.

Ken lives on the same street and he was there. Ken and his family moved in this past summer and is enjoying the opportunity to be a part of our community.

Ruth from a couple of houses down the street was also there. "Yes, we got hit by the hogs!" I told her.

Her family and our family live on a beautiful conservation area that backs right up to River Hills. There are plans to submit a separate blog on "Life Backed up to Conservation" at a later time. As positive as our experiences over the last 10 years have been, we woke to a backyard uprooted by wild hogs. Stay tuned for that very next blog on that story!

7:00 AM and the line is alredy beginning to build!

But besides catching up with the neighbors and meeting new neighbors, this is a great day for a greater reason. I get to cast my vote!

That statement seems so simple and cliche. But, the candidates can not be more opposed in views than we have had running for the office of President in many years. I guess in the past having my candidate win was stressful. This election I don't feel the stress.

Oh, it is not because I am not passionate about my vote. I am! But I probably have more faith in my fellow Americans then ever before. So as this day ends and the votes are counted, I could find my candidate is "President Elect" or I could be on the losing side.

But, regardless of what side I end up on, I feel good about our process as much as I always have. Sometime tonight we will have one man concede and the other accept. And our country will continue to be great. And that is why, each time I vote, I know it is another vote for our freedoms.

Rick Frissell ~ Diamond Dwellings Realty

813 653 1241

Great News - Pending Real Estate Sales are on the Rise!!

The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in August, jumped 7.4 percent to 93.4 from an upwardly revised reading of 87.0 in July, and is 8.8 percent higher than August 2007 when it stood at 85.8. The index is at the highest level since June 2007 when it stood at 101.4.

Lower home prices mean increased affordability. Now more people can afford to purchase a home. Renters and people who had been sitting on the sidelines are starting to realize that now is the time to buy. These numbers reflect the facts.

People wanting to get their piece of the American Dream are taking advantage of low home prices.

I can tell you that despite all the doom and gloom that is being highlighted on the new about the current economic crisis, LENDERS ARE LENDING MONEY. Call me and I can get you connected to my mortgage lender, Craig Nesbitt with Apex Lending.

Feel free to call me about any questions that you may have about the current housing market.

Warmly,

Stephanie LeFew

Full time Realtor working to make your Dream of home ownership a Reality

Loving what I do...& looking forward to hearing from you

813-991-1355 home office

813-624-3332 cell phone

http://www.TampaHomeBuy.com

stephanie@tampahomebuy.com

Valrico is in Hillsborough County, in the Tampa-Saint Petersburg metro area, its name means "valley of gold. Valrico is boarded by Brandon, Lithia and Riverview. It is approximately 13 miles east of Tampa. Valrico has a large variety of homes from condos, townhomes, single family residence and luxury family estates. It also offers gated communities such as Riverhills, Canterbury Oaks, Eastmonte and Twin Lakes. Valrico is growing. Many new subdivisions have been built and completed in the last several years. The surrounding areas of Brandon, Lithia, Riverview, and Durant have also been growing. New developments have been built in the Bloomingdale area around the Bloomingdale Golf Course. Traveling south is the subdivisions of FishHawk, FishHawk Trails, and FishHawk Ranch. The growth has been fueled by homeowners looking for affordable single family housing.

Valrico offers a variety of dining experiences from fast food to fine dining. A short drive takes you to the Brandon Westfield Shopping Center with over 130 stores. Close to Valrico, there are the Tampa and St. Petersburg museums and Performing Arts. Valrico also has a variety of recreational opportunities including golf courses, parks, youth and adult sports leagues.

The contents of this posting are the property of Pam Mabe and Solaris Realty of TampaBay. For more information on Tampa Bay communities, real estate and subdivisions go to my website by clicking on Tampa Homes.