O Fallon, MO

Good morning Active Rain,

My name is Missy P Ka Chu or as my friends (which is everyone I meet) call me "Missy". Gosh it is early!! Oh well I digress.

I know that my human, Don Rogers, may not have been around Active Rain a lot lately and thought that I would get up early this morning and fill you in on why he hasn't. All I have to do is get my paws moving before he gets up and see me on his computer.

You see early in December he found out that he had a detached retina and had to have surgery and then two weeks later he had to go back in and have a second surgery. So he really has been having trouble even reading and commenting on posts throughout the month. It is not because he has lost interest it is more like he has been having trouble concentrating on what he is reading. He assures me that he will be back in full stride soon. OOPS, I think I hear him coming down the hall now, gotta run! Don't let him know that I told you.

Happy New Year and I hope you be very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous in 2010!

It's that time of year and what a WONDERFUL time it is.........

For some of us it may have started earlier this year but for the majority of us it started right around or after Thanksgiving. I am talking about the Christmas shopping season. With it comes a lot of running to make sure that we find that perfect gift for those that are very important to us in our daily lives...Mom, Dad, Wife, Husband, the kids, our significant other, friends, peers, oh well you get the picture. Also thrown in the mix if that isn't enough there are all of the parties that we are invited to. Whew, one gets tired just thinking about all of the busy-ness we have in our schedules over the Holidays...It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!

As we are running thru stores and attending all of the parties and focusing on all of the people I mentioned above we have a tendency to forget about those that are not right in the front of our minds. Maybe the money is a little bit tight and we just don't have enough to get all of the things that we have on our list. It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!

Did you know that there are some things that you can do that won't cost very much money at all? These are not FREE but will only cost you very little! Here is a short list of things that you can do that will not cost you much but will cost you just a few minutes of time.

Why not start either an inter office competition or maybe inter agency competition by:

Sending our troops this holiday season phone cards so they will be able to call their loved ones this Holiday Season or anytime they choose to. Just click on the picture on the left and send a card or cards in the amount that you choose to someone that won't be home for the holidays and show them that you care and thank them for their service. It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!

• At the same time you could adopt a service man or woman or even a group of troops. You could send them a care package all throughout the year in thanks for their service. Everybody knows of someone overseas or you could go online and signup for the program. It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!
• What about starting a food drive, and surprising a local food pantry with some much needed food and personal care items. I hear that they are in need of a lot of food due to the amount of people out of work right now. It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!
• On that same line you could organize a group of folks to assist in serving a meal at a local shelter or doing a meal for someone at a local Ronald McDonald house. What a nice thing to do for the family of a sick child and away from home at Christmas. It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!

Then lastly, you see that change in your wallet, no not the bills just the change? Take just one quarter for each family member with you, at the time, and drop it in that red kettle you walk by as you enter or exit a store. It will only weigh you down or cause you to list to one side because of the weight in your pocket or purse. Shucks, you have been talking about losing weight anyway. It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!

This is a very short list of things that one could do this and every holiday season. It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!

God bless you and may you have a Very Merry Christmas and a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!!

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It's that time of year and what a WONDERFUL time it is........Part 1 of 2

It's that time of year and what a WONDERFUL time it is.........

For some of us it may have started earlier this year but for the majority of us it started right around or after Thanksgiving. I am talking about the Christmas shopping season. With it comes a lot of running to make sure that we find that perfect gift for those that are very important to us in our daily lives...Mom, Dad, Wife, Husband, the kids, our significant other, friends, peers, oh well you get the picture. Also thrown in the mix if that isn't enough there are all of the parties that we are invited to. Whew, one gets tired just thinking about all of the busy-ness we have in our schedules over the Holidays...It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!

As we are running thru stores and attending all of the parties and focusing on all of the people I mentioned above we have a tendency to forget about those that are not right in the front of our minds. Maybe the money is a little bit tight and we just don't have enough to get all of the things that we have on our list. It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!

Did you know that there are some things that you can do that won't cost any money at all? They are FREE! Here is a short list of things that you can do that will not cost you anything but just a few minutes of time.

Remember our troops this holiday season by just sending them a card and you can do this without even the cost of a stamp. Just click on the picture on the left and send a card to someone that won't be home for the holidays and show them that you care and thank them for their service. It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!

You see that coat hanging there in your closet? You know the one I'm talking about, it's the one that you have been saying you are going to throw out for the last 2 years....Put it in the car now and while you are out you can drop it off in one of the many clothing drop boxes that you pass everyday on your drive around town. This will help someone less fortunate that you stay warm this winter. It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!

You can take a break from shopping for about an hour, while you are out, and drop into your local Red Cross Blood Donor center and donate a pint of blood. Don't worry your body will replenish that little bit you have just given to help someone else. Who knows you may need someone to do the same for you or one of your family members one day. It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!

Then there are pets in shelters and rescue centers that need some attention. There is a way that you can help the shelters everyday of the year and it will not cost you one penny. Honest, just click on the logo on the left and sign up for a daily reminder and when you get it just click on it to donate .8 of a bowl of food to a local shelter. Now there is something that you can do that will cost you just a little bit and that is go to a local shelter or rescue center and adopt a pet. Well you were thinking about one for the family for Christmas anyway, right? And they will cost less than that pedigree pup or kitten you were thinking about.

It's that time of year! And what a WONDERFUL time it is!!

The city of OFallon MO Real Estate Trends for the week of 11/07/09 – 11/14/09

The City of O’Fallon MO has a great selection of homes at really good prices and interest rates are at a great level too.  There are currently 467 homes on the market of various sizes and prices.  The number of active listings is DOWN from last week.  Check out O Fallon MO when looking for a new home for selection, style and price.  If you have been waiting for the right time now is the right time for real estate in OFallon MO. 

All information is per regional multiple listing service (mls) on 11/16/09 and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Sellers, homes are still being sold as you can see from the pending homes.  If homes are priced right they will sell.  So if you are thinking about listing your home give me a call and let’s talk about the marketing of your home.

The Tax Credit has been extended and expanded, check out the new benefits:

        The new tax credits will be available from December 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010.

        The tax credit will sunset on April 30, 2010, but as long as you have a binding contract by that date, you will still qualify to complete the transaction within 60 days.

        Home sellers turned buyers are eligible, as long as the home they’re leaving has been used as their principal residence for 5 years or more.

        Income limits for both first-time home buyers and home sellers turned buyers would be $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples.

        For purchases made in 2010, taxpayers can claim the tax credit on their 2009 income tax return.

        Home buyers would not have to repay the credit, provided the home remains their principal residence for 36 months after the purchase date.

Give Don Rogers a call today at 315-954-6775 and let’s begin moving toward your new home. 

Helping you achieve your next level of the American Dream.  Ready?