Dawsonville, GA

It was quite a debate this morning over my subject matter. I thought about writing about my latest experience with a buyer. I thought about writing about the market, and how many calls I have had lately. But the biggest issue in my thoughts today have nothing to do with real estate, and I'm just going to go with my gut.

I have a Tony Robbins CD that I listen to in the mornings when I work out. If you are familiar, you know that there's a part where he says to speak out loud all the things you are grateful for. Then, anticipating that someone will be growling back, he says: "ok, WHAT WOULD YOU BE GRATEFUL ABOUT IF YOU WERE BEING GRATEFUL?" 2008 has been a very trying year for many people. If it has not negatively affected you, you probably know 5-10 people that it has. If you are finding it hard to be grateful, I'm here to tell you that you are not alone. One can easily get depressed and dwell in misery. I think we all have our moments. The key is not to stay there!

I would like to say that I am so grateful for Active Rain. Thank you to all of you who have made it possible. This is the greatest thing I have ever become involved with in my entire career. And the best part is that it's free! Thank you to all the wonderful people I have met through AR. Some of you have no idea that I read your blogs every day, and the materials and advice you have shared have been invaluable to me.

I was watching the news over the weekend and there was a story about a man with his 2 small children standing on the corner somewhere HERE IN AMERICA with a sign, begging for food. The man told how he had lost his job, and was looking for a job. No matter what your opinion of the man, the children should not have to suffer because of it. Then, the newscaster went to the next story. "Twilight" the movie made 70.6 MILLION dollars at the box office over the weekend. .......and children in America are hungry???

Please take time this week to extend a hand to a needy family. Call your local food bank, senior center, or church to find someone who is in need.

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and family.

On this Veteran's Day 2008......

SLEEP LAST NIGHT?

Bed a little lumpy?

Toss and turn any?

Wish the heat was higher?

Maybe the a/c wasn't on?

Had to go to the john?

Need a drink of water?

Yes.. It is like that!

Count your blessings, pray for them,


The next time when...

The other car cuts you off and you must hit the brakes,
Or you have to park a little further from Walmart than you want to be,
Or you're served slightly warm food at the restaurant,
Or you're sitting and cursing the traffic in front of you,

Or the shower runs out of hot water,

Think of them...

Protecting your freedom!

The proud warriors of Baker Company wanted to do
Something to pay tribute
To our fallen comrades So since we are part of the only
Marine Infantry Battalion left in Iraq the one way that we could
Think of d oing that is By taking a picture of
Baker Company saying the way we feel.
It would be awesome if you could find a way to share
This with our fellow countrymen.
I was wondering if there was any way to
Get this into your
Papers to let the world know that
'WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN'
And are proud to serve our country.
' Semper Fi1stSgt Dave Jobe.'

The attached photo was forwarded from one of the last U.S. Marine companies in Iraq
They would like to have it passed to as many people as possible, to let the folks back home know
That they remember why they're there and that they remember those who've been lost.

As a Real Estate Professional, when listing a property, I work very closely with, and many times actually directing my clients, on the dos and don'ts of preparing a house "For Sale". After all, this is a large part of why they hired us to begin with. We have convinced them to take advantage of the best, most current and innovative market plans for Selling their house. I enjoy this interaction with my clients, it is what I consider to be the funnest, at times challenging, and most rewarding part of being a Realtor. However, I have one client that has been a challenge, and it is ME......! My Wife and I recently Listed our House, with ME,and I have found that many of the items that I suggest that my clients take care of, I find it hard to do. It has given me a different perspective on how to interact with my clients. In the future, I know, that I will not ask a client to do something that I, MYSELF am not willing to do! I was wondering if anyone else out there had any similar experiences that they would like to share when selling their own house?

Dawsonville, GA We invite you to join us for our 4th Annual Veterans Day Celebration on November 11, 2008.

Join us as we celebrate and pay tribute to our Veterans, active duty military personnel, as well as loyal public servants: Dawson County Sheriff's Department, Fire Department and Emergency Services.

The Veterans Day National Committee approved Dawsonville as a Veterans Day Regional Site. Atlanta and Dawsonville are the only two Regional Sites in Georgia to receive this honor.

The parade line-up will begin at the Dawson County Library at 2:30 pm, followed by a moving service at 4:00 pm at the Dawsonville County Middle School, Walls Stadium.

Our Honorary Grand Marshal will be: WWII Veteran George David

Master of Ceremony: Captain Larry Freeland

Keynote speaker: Colonel Jesse Johnson

The meaning of Veterans Day is powerful. It is a day that we show respect toward the men and women who risk their lives to keep us free. Recently Dawson County Students were asked to describe the meaning of Veterans Day and submit an essay. The contest was sponsored by the Veterans Affairs of Dawson County.

Cameron Millholland, a seventh grader at Dawson County Middle School, was chosen as the overall winner. This is Cameron's esay.

Veterans Day is very emotional for me because my father serves as a Major in the Marines. He is leaving in January to go back to Iraq for his third time. It is very hard to have your family go to war. You don't know if you will ever see them again. You think about the little girls and boys who won't see their mom or dad anymore. It is very sad.

I think back to all the moments and memories that me and my dad had together. I have tapes and videos of me and my dad playing with a ball in the backyard when I was about three. I get heavyhearted when I watch the videos and wonder if I will get to see him. My little brother who is two might not get to see my dad ever again. My dad won't get to see him grow up.

I try to stay positive though. Others families are having to go through this rough time. Family members lay in the desert in tents alone while we lay in air-conditioned houses. They lay there praying that one day they will be back there with their family. It makes me mad when people blame other people for sending troops over there. They are over there to protect those foolish people who say that stuff. They allow us to be able to worship who we want and dress how we want. We take stuff like that for granted because we really always had that. Freedom does not come free.

I have been to the Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. and it really made me realize that is really serious and a lot of men and women risked their lives. All the memorials affect my mindset and how I pictured Veterans Day. The emotions of the people at the memorials showed me that a lot have been affected by casualties and wars.

Some people don't know what it feels like to say bye to a loved one and not know if you will get to see them again. If people were to feel how it feels, the world would be a different place. Veterans Day would be more popular than Thanksgiving or Halloween. Some people don't realize that if it wasn't for the veterans and the soldiers right now we wouldn't be able to celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving.

I have started to appreciate Veterans Day a lot more than I used to. Since my dad went to Iraq for the first time Veterans Day is probably one of my favorite holidays. I try not to worry a lot because I know God is in control.

God Bless America!

For more information about the parade and Veteran's Affairs of Dawson County go to:

www.dawsoncountyveteransaffairs.com

Many former homeowners are now renters, and most rental apartments or houses have a "No Pets Allowed" policy. One of the most unfortunate and distasteful fall-outs from this Housing Crunch is the animals that are left behind. Literally left behind in the house or condo to live or die. Many families drop off (surrender) their pets at the local Animal Shelter, Humane Society or some form of Animal Rescue League. I am a current and active member of the Dawson County Humane Society, and a former Board of Director member, and I can tell you "We are Full", and at times, just do not have any room for additional animals. This however is not a problem limited to just Dawson County, or even the State of Georgia, this is a National crisis. I am sending out a plea to Realtors the country; "please get involved". You can volunteer your time, or dig down deep and make a financial contribution, but my biggest request is actually go out and adopt an animal of your choice. Actually, I would like to establish a "Realtor National Adopt a Pet Day", anyone have an idea for which day that could be? The sooner the better.................................