Deb Brooks, Lake Livingston Real Estate

Is your fear running rampant? The media and their ability to sensationalize the negative is creating a dark cloud over most people. I spoke to a dear friend today who is thinking of letting her license go.

Are you thinking of letting your license go?

How long did it take you to get it?

How much work have you put into your Real Estate Business?

Are you going to let the lag in business win?

I just don't want to see this happening to good agents. We can listen to the media to the point that we could all curl up and not show our faces to the sunlight but what good does that do? That guarantees failure.

Quote: I'd rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate.

George Burns

I have to agree with George. If you love it then stick with it.

When the clouds clear and you're still there with your ball rolling...you will come back stronger than ever.

Later in the rain~Deb

Fall in love today...Lake Livingston area For Sale. Just what you've always dreamed of! Four beautiful acres with private pond and a meandering creek. Wildlife watcher's wonderland.

Totally updated A-Frame home with an entire front of windows looking out over your spectacular view. Recently updated, the home is 2100+/-square feet of luxury. Gorgeous oak kitchen cabinets, custom Italian tiles, Stainless Steel Appliances, lighted corner cabinets to show off your crystal, 23 foot beamed ceilings, huge brick wood burning fireplace, three baths with the guest bath touting an antique clawfoot tub, solid brass fixtures, antique sink and all for the guests!

Owners suite bath is luxuriously decked out with a large 8 jet roman tub, custom ceramic tiles, antique stained glass window, walk-in closet and separate laundry room. This home can be used as a three bedroom with an office or as a four bedroom. A spiral staircase takes you up to a bedroom with another bath with a large stand up shower and a separate bath with a sitting room. At this price it won't last long.

Call Debra for your private showing today! Debra Brooks 936-661-2624

Real Estate is not only a Profession ... it is our lives.

Our business is an integral part of everyone's lives. Not just because we sell Real Estate but because it just is.

We all must be housed.

Mama bird builds her nest for protection and comfort.

The lioness finds her security within rock and caves and even ants build magnificent cities.

One thing for sure ... we will always need to buy and sell houses, excuse me, homes.

Our Profession goes much deeper within others lives than most Professions.

With each transaction there is an entire realm of emotions. Whether one is selling their own homestead or liquidating an estate from a loved one or simply the sale of an investment property.

People put their hearts into their Real Estate.

The most successful agents are not the ones that have massive numbers of sales or listings.

The most successful agents are the "liaisons" between a desire and a purchase or sale. As agents we should open our hearts to the needs, desires, wants, and purchasing capabilities of our clients.

Once we "hear, see, and feel" their needs we can much better serve them.

So, don't just open the doors to your office. Open your intuition and "radar" to your client's needs.

You will find many more homes and many more friendships along the way.

Later in the rain~Deb

I had a ball at Real Estate barcamp Houston yesterday!

Some functions are fun and some are not! This was just wonderful! I didn't completely understand what to expect with a "Free form forum" but I will say it was great. The presentations were fun and informative.

I was able to meet so many Rainers that I felt I was home.

Is that strange? After getting to know so many people through comments, following their lives and seeing their pictures each day I felt like it was a homecoming!

Adding hugs, face to face conversation, and sharing space with others just strengthened the bond I feel for these people! And, I got to meet so many for the first time that I will be including in my sphere that I had been missing.

I was thrilled to meet Active Rain's very own Rich Jacobson, Brad Andersohn and Jeff Turner. They are as nice in person as they are in their posts!

Other Rainer's included Jason Crouch (one of my buds), Amanda Hall, Lisa Heindel, Marchel Peterson (buddy), Pippa Mac, Greg Nino, Russell Lewis, Stephanie Edwards, Michael Price and so many more!

The sessions covered everything from upcoming technology to how to utilize today's technology! The keynote speaker, Paul Chaney is as inspiration in person as his blogs portray.

Don't miss the next one. I will let you know ahead of time before the next sign up as space will be limited. Michael Price wants to keep it intimate enough for some great networking and exclusivity.

Thank you so much Michael Price to you and your wife Laurie and all that helped provide this wonderful experience!

Later in the rain~Deb

I consider myself lucky each and every day the sun shines. Or, I simply awake and stretch and breathe and realize I'm here. I then take the steps I can to make it a good day. Good or great. That's all I have.

I was given a gift of major magnitude today and I must share it with you.

Let me qualify myself with this by saying I'm really not that great with bugs...certainly not scary big ones.

This gift is a rare and beautiful sight I was blessed to see today and I want you to enjoy it too. I knew not what it was till I grabbed my handy google page and looked up...

giant worm green texas...

Up came the pictures. Luckily when I saw this gorgeous creature crawling across my porch today I felt no threat. I just felt intrigued and in awe of the creativity of our nature and powers.

Introducing the most wonderful and so they tell me "common"...Hickory Horned Devil (caterpillar), also known at the Citheronia Regalis (regal moth).

Once I completed photographing him...I took him out into the garden and told him "thank you" and let him go. I couldn't wait to see what I had just photographed.

Enjoy. He was easily a half a foot long and lovely. I wasn't scared....even though I had never witnessed anything like this. It was like a miracle of life crossing my path.

I feel lucky and blessed to have been able to photograph this beautiful creature.

Amazing isn't he? Here's the wide shot. He was easily 5.5 to 6" long and was lovely.

I scooped (very gently) him up in my cup and carried him to the garden. If I am doubly blessed he will live a a long and wonderful life.

He looks small in my huge cup. He's upside down and trusting me. He is an 8 horned thingy. Meaning

he's larger than normal. I'm glad I'm not a screatcher! I opened the door and there he was on my

welcome mat! What a hoot!

Here is a shot of the incredible creature he is destined to become. Behold...

I hope you enjoyed this...I sure did. Later in the rain~Deb