Tammy Lankford- lake sinclair

It's really still warm for this time of year, the highs have been a little above average in the 70's this week and finally we've had a week without 5 days of rain.

It is really beautiful this time of year on Lake Sinclair. The fish are biting and water is calm and most of the ski boats and seados have been put away for winter.

Fall is really my favorite time to be out on the lake putzing around in a pontoon boat. (I long ago gave up water skis and fast boats). My husband is the fishing fan in the family. I'm pretty satisfied to have a good book along.

Our two dogs also love the lake and it's hard for us to keep them out of the water. Labs don't care how cold it is and our Great Dane well he'd follow Laney anywhere.

There are still some wonderful real estate bargains out there right now and I'd be happy to come in off the lake and show you some of them if you just give me a call.

Lane Realty is open 7 days a week. 9 to 5 Monday to Saturday and from 1 to 5 on Sunday. But for the week of Thanksgiving we will close Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and only show property by appointment those days.

Check out our web site and search the Lake Sinclair Area MLS to see what available properties you might be interested in seeing.

This beautiful 6 bedroom brick home went to auction last month, but the bank did not accept the highest bid. It's back on the market and the price has been reduced.

It's now listed for $359,900.

It's a huge house with big rooms, a two car attached garage, a full finished basement. The basement is plumbed for a second kitchen to be added. The master bedroom suite is on the main floor with additional bedrooms and baths on the upper level and in the basement. The basement is a walk-out with a view of the pond.

It's on 15 acres and has a pond, paved driveway and well kept grounds. I expect at this low price that it will not last on the market very long. If you want to see this home, just give me a call on my cell phone at 478-456-5161 and I'll be happy to set up a showing with you.

This morning my phone rang around 11:00 a.m. It was my daughter and there is nothing unusual about her calling me. She calls me every day. Some days multiple times. We're very close and so when I saw her name on the caller ID I figured she was just saying hi and checking in.

But today she had a question. "Mom, do I need to drive home and vote?" My answer was no. You see we have nothing to vote on this November in my county. No candidates being elected this year and no referendums to vote on this year. It was one of those moments where I sat back and said... my daughter turned out great. She is still quite young, just 21. She is also on of the most responsible young women I know. She has fabulous work ethic and genuinely cares about her fellow man. And obviously she feels voting is a responsibility, not a right or a privilege.

It reminded me of November 3 years ago. I had of course arranged for my daughter to get a ballot at college so she could vote for the governor of our state. Some of her dorm mates had laughed at her as she studied her ballot and looked up information on candidates and reforendums. She called me that day too, with an outrage in her voice because she couldn't believe that other 18 year old girls on her hall had no intention of voting and didn't really care.

I'm very proud of my daughter. I have to sit back and think that she must have been listening to me at some point when she was pretending to do something else.

So did you have an election where you live today? And if you did, did you vote? And if you have children, are you teaching them the importance of voting? It is our voice. It is the only way we are heard.

And if you are buying a home, it's equally important to have a buyer's agent to guide you through the process. You should listen, not let them make your decision, but thoughtfully listen to their advice before you make a decision.

Every year my Donald carves me a pumpkin, The seeds are roasting in the oven usually by this time, but not this year.

We go to the market and we buy a big bag of candy. We trim the lantana off the steps. The porch light is on, the lights are dim and we get ready... just in case.

And as always, out where we live, the knocks do not come to our door with one single exception.

This year the one beautiful little girl who came to knock on our door and say "Trick or Treat" was Dorothy from Kansas. She was just beautiful and we nearly stuffed her pumpkin full of candy, puzzle books, pencils and gummy things. She gets a real loot at our house, because we only buy candy we like since we usually end up having to eat it.

Dorothy also stayed to visit a while. She got to play with Gabby and give her a fresh catnip leaf as a treat. She also gave a treat to Glen and Laney, but only while they were in their crates, since each of my dogs were larger than Dorothy.

Isn't she just adorable?

I just love those Ruby Red Slippers with those blue socks.

I know that next year we will do the same thing again, buy the pumpkin, carve the pumpkin, put up the decorations and buy the candy and turn on the porch light and wait and while I don't know who will show up... I am sure that I will always have one little pretty girl come to my door and say "Trick or Treat".

Do you turn out your lights? Leave Home? or do you participate in Halloween?

Now I have to go and take care of the cookies in the oven. I can't put the pumpkin seeds in until I take out the cookies and let the oven cool to the right temperature...

Happy Halloween everyone!

Purrrrrr!

Every year house fires cause over 4000 deaths in the United States. Approximately 130 of those deaths are in the state of Georgia. Many could be avoided if all families have working smoke alarms in their homes. Of course having a smoke alarm isn't enough. You have to have WORKING smoke alarm. It should be tested at least monthly and you should have a fire escape plan for your family that you have actually practiced.

Remember those fire drills when you were in grade school? Well plan one for your family. You should practice several times and with no notice to all family members. An in the middle of the night drill will tell you if your family is ready and would likely survive a house fire. It's also a good idea to have several fire extinguishers in your home. I have one in my laundry room, one in the kitchen and one in my bedroom. I also had one in each of my children's rooms when the kids still lived at home, but I sent them off to college with them. (I also keep one in the trunk of my vehicle)

So this weekend when you get that extra hour... make good use of it. Make sure you have working smoke alarms, add fresh batteries and sit down and plan your fire escape plan with your family. It could save your life and the lives of those you love if you just have a plan of action to take in case of a fire.

I've heard it said so many times that people say "well I'd try to get my photographs, they can't be replaced." Well I've lost a family member in a house fire and your photographs can be safe guarded, but you certainly can't replace people. You can scan photos and store the cd at the bank in safe deposit box or use one of the many on-line places to store your photos. Get your family out. Make a plan.

The Ready.Georgia website has some great information for planning. And some do and do nots for different types of fires that you should know and teach your children about.

Most home fires occur in winter when heat from different sources is being utilized. So Saturday night when you are getting ready to go to bed, remember to change your clocks! But even if you forget that... don't worry you'll be early not late to church! But whatever you do, don't forget to make sure you have a working smoke alarm and a fire escape plan. It just may save the lives of those you love. And I can't think of anything more important than that.