Cristal Drake, Realtor Fullerton Real Estate

A Walk Wiht Hope! A fundraiser walk at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange CA, on Sunday, May 18th, 2008 for With Hope - The Amber Craig Memorial Foundation.

With Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention through improving mental health support services and education in our schools and throughout our community. With Hope Foundation is committed to supporting our local schools' efforts in suicide prevention through education. We have pledged to make available, at no cost to the schools, speakers and materials to effectively educate our community's youth.

If you would like to show your support with a small donation, it would be much appreciated! Even a little bit helps! If not, that is OK too, just think of us on Sunday!

If you would like to donate, please make any checks out to:

With Hope Foundation - Tax id number 74-3151202

You can mail them to me at: Re/Max North Orange County - 1441 N. Brea Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92835

For more information on Amber's Story, The Walk, or With Hope, please visit: www.withhopefoundation.org

My son and I will be walking in honor of my Mom, Judy Carman, who was tragically lost to suicide in 2002.

Thanks for your support!

Cristal Drake - Re/Max North Orange County - 714-423-7525

So my day started out like any other, have some coffee, get ready and head out.

Heading out was a bit different. It was Earth Day and I had decided to ride my bike to the office and then on to Downtown Fullerton with a bicycle basket full of reusable grocery bags for clients and friends in the Downtown area.

The ride to the office was pretty easy; all down hill for the most part :o) The tough part was deciding what necessities I could bring with me. I opted for my grocery bags in my basket and my son's back pack with a few essentials....no lap top for me.

I made it to the office and felt a little naked with out all my regular stuff, laptop, etc... but it was all good.

Early in the afternoon I headed off to downtown. I was silly enough to wear white pants so my biggest fear was riding through a dirty puddle or wiping out completely! It was a beautiful breezy afternoon in the California sun and it made me take time to appreciate the lovely town I live in. The old established downtown neighborhood were full of trees swaying in the breeze and the peaceful sounds of the birds singing are things often missed zooming around in my car.

The majority of my clients were not home so I left them their goodies at the door. When I got to Chapman/Harbor where some potential clients work as Graphic Artists, I had a hard time finding a place to lock up my bike. This was so weird because there is a high school a block away and seems like people would be out and about with their bikes.

After hooking my bike up to a water pipe, I went upstairs and Andrea and Christopher Decaro of Decaro Studios said, "we knew you were coming!" (I had sent out an Earth Day email that I would be cruising the area with gifts on my bike). It was a great meeting and I was feeling pretty good.

On to a few other business, including 40 Lashes to see my friend Cyndi Moses. she sent me on to the Fullerton Civic Light Opera on Commonwealth to see Marilyn. It turns out that her son was thinking of buying.

The day ended nicely and nothing traumatic happened. Luckily I didn't have anyone that wanted to see homes because I am not sure how much they would have enjoyed riding on my handlebars! :o)

Lastly, I just wanted to add that I got something TOTALLY unexpected out of the day. When talking to the Graphic Artists at Decaro Studios (Andrea and Christpher Decaro),we started on the subject of blogging. It turns out they were big bloggers and I said that I was really just a beginner and barely knew what I was doing.

The next day when I got in the office, The Decaros had a huge surprise for me! They had created me my own Web and Blog Site as a special gift! I was so excited I almost cried!!! It was beautiful and they are hosting it and everything for me. Here is a big shout out to Andrea and Christopher Decaro at Decaro studious! Check them out at www.decarostudios.com. They are awesome and check me out www.cristaldrake.com. It is a great start and I can't wait to start customizing it!

So it turns out that you can be good to the earth and get an unexpected surprise that you would have never thought of!

Remember to be good to yourself, be good to others and to be good to the earth!

By, Cristal Drake Re/Max North Orange County - 714-423-7525

For Valentines Day, my husband bought me tickets to got see Phantom of the Opera! I was really excited as we were lucky enough to catch a performance, quite by luck, on a trip to San Francisco years ago. He had remembered what a great trip that was and suprised me with tickets to see the show locally!

Assuming that this show was at the Pantages in Los Angeles, I was surprised to read on the ticket that the perfornance was actually for the Orange County Performance Art Center! Wow, they did Broadway Musicals there? Who knew? Not me!

We went last night and it was such a great time! The Phantom was great. The music was moving and the costumes and set were beautiful and vivid.

I had been to this theater a few times before, years ago, but had no idea that they had built new buildings and everything was really beautiful. We enjoyed a wonderful performance and after the show, we walked over to Jerry's Famous Deli for a bite to eat.

Though Jerry's was great (they have a menu a mile long) it was really the only thing still open. We learned that most people come really early for dinner and places like Scott's Seafood will ring bells at differtne intervalls so you know when it is time to head to the theater.

So, check out the Orange County Performing Arts Center at http://www.ocpac.org/ to see what shows are coming to town. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Take the time to enjoy the things that are in your own back yard! You will be glad that you did!

The Orange County Performing Arts is located at:
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

The restaurants mentioned are just a couple blocks away and it is easy to get to right off the 405 Frwy and Bristol - Accross from South Coast Plaza!

By, Cristal Drake, Re/Max North Orange County 714-423-7525

I have been really watching the single family homes in Fullerton and Brea in the 400k range and guess what? They are moving!

There are a number of reps in my office that have first time home buyers and the homes are getting multiple offers on them before they can even show their buyers. Some have been on the market for a very long time and some for just a few days. They are having to act quick!

I am not sure if the spring weather is bringing out the buyers temporarily or if they are here to stay. All I know is that if you are thinking of making an offer, you really need to put your best foot forward if you are in the 300k to 400k range or you may get beat out! If you are waiting for the market to "tank", you may want to start taking a look!

So far, the higher priced properties and the ones that are just plain old over priced still seem to be sitting. But the ones that are priced right (key is priced right) are really getting some action. I am hoping that they will all stay in escrow because we know that loans are a little trickier these days.

I am curious to hear what is going on in other areas. Are homes moving for everyone or do all the first time home buyers just want to live in Fullerton?

If you live in Fullerton, CA chances are that you have heard of Puddleducks! I stumbled upon this unique boutique a few years back when shopping at my local grocery store. I was hooked!

I am a girl that will avoid the mall if at all possible but love unique things and great gift ideas! What could be more convenient that being located right next to my neighborhood grocery store that I visit a few times a week!

This lovely store is comprised of multiple little stores. Basically it is full of vendors, artists and crafters that all have their own unique style and product. Put them all under one roof and you have a wonderful store that has something different every-time you walk in!

Though all the vendors are different, the store is very cohesive and following is a short list of the sort of items they carry:

• Baby and Toddler Gifts and Clothing
• Designer Handbags
• Ladies Clothing
• JEWELRY of All Sorts
• Inspirational Gifts

And the list goes on. They jewelry selection is very extensive and includes everything from inspirational pieces hand created pieces, charms, charm bracelets. You have to see this selection. There is something for everyone!

So, the next time you are out, stop by Puddleducks....They have things you will never see anywhere else!

Puddleducks, 1036 Bastanchury Rd., Fullerton, CA 92835 - 714-529-4003