Louise Thaxton #6 in Nation for VA Loans 866-960-9115 VA FHA USDA Louisiana Loans

I must complain the cards are ill shuffled till I have a good hand.
~Jonathan Swift

I know little about the game of poker. My husband is a self-employed cattleman and farmer and I am a commissioned sales professional. I have always felt those two things alone were "gamble" enough for my life.

But several of my friends and colleagues love to challenge each other to a "friendly" game of poker after a long day of meetings when we gather together in one place from the far corners of the USA for various corporate events. Because of their competitive nature, I do think of them when I see this quote:

Cards are war, in disguise of a sport.

~Charles Lamb

I was more than a little excited when this group informed me this past Thursday as we gathered in Dallas for a manager's meeting, that the proceeds from their scheduled game that night would go to the charity which is at the heart of much of what I do, the Boot Campaign, a non-profit organization which helps to support several wounded warrior projects.

And I was even MORE excited when the next morning this group handed me $1,020.00 as their contribution to the Boot Campaign! These mortgage professionals within my company all have a heart as big as the state of Texas we were in and I'm blessed to call them not only co-workers and colleagues, but FRIENDS.

Thank you, HEROES of the mortgage business, for not only going the extra mile in your own community to serve your clients, but for going the extra mile to give to one of the finest non-profit organizations in America, the Boot Campaign, which in turn will give to the men and women of the United States Military for various wounded warrior projects.

All I can say is - Now THAT's a winning hand!

The data for new home sales in November marks the fourth straight month of rising sales volume, making it a 7-month high. This is a great show of strength for the housing market.

According to the Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold rose 2 percent in November. On a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, home buyers bought 315,000 newly-built homes last month.

Existing home sales also climbed in November. But the big story in the report is the remaining new home supply nationwide. There are 158,000 homes "on the market" and with home sales picking up, it is possible that the the complete, national inventory of "new homes" could be sold in just 6.0 months. This is the quickest home sales pace in nearly 6 years for the new construction market.

This is even more than in April of 2010, when buyers could rely on the Federal home buyer tax credit. Home builders expect the trend to continue, people are looking, and builders have a positive outlook for the next 6 months.

The downside? As home supplies drop and builders gain confidence, the chances for a buyer to negotiate for a price reduction or for upgrade decrease. Therefore, if you're a home buyer in search of a new construction home in Bossier City, Louisiana, you might consider that the best new construction "deals" for the next year may be the ones you find today!

As a special treat for several of the great support staff with our Fairway Independent Mortgage corporate office, last week my team sent the "I'll Be Home For Christmas" shirts to over 120 of the Fairway corporate employees. Here are Renola, T, Daccia and Ashley, proudly wearing their Christmas shirts. And you just have to love it - they also have their boots on! You can read about the "I'll Be Home For Christmas" Celebration and parade HERE, held in Leesville, Louisiana, on December 10. To learn more about the boots and why you should get YOUR boots on - click HERE or watch a short video at www.SuitsInBoots.Net.

For every shirt purchased by our team to give away, another will be donated to one of the wounded warriors returning home to Ft. Polk, Louisiana, in October, 2011, from Afghanistan. We are attempting to purchase 1,200 of these shirts to give to each of those wounded warriors - if you are interested in contributing, check out the details in my blog post HERE.

I hope and pray all of you had a blessed Christmas day and enjoyed your time with family and friends!

During this season of giving, I would like to share with you an incredible opportunity for you to give a very special gift to some very special people - the wounded warriors of "Operation Enduring Freedom" deployed from our very own Fort Polk, Louisiana. These heroes were welcomed home this past Saturday, December 10, as the local Vernon Parish, Louisiana, community recognized and honored approximately 3,800 returning soldiers in the "I'll Be Home For Christmas" celebration and parade. This unit deployed to Afghanistan in October of 2010 and began returning to Fort Polk in August of this year. Over 1,200 soldiers from this group received injuries while deployed.

Local artist, and Gulf War veteran, Paula Baldwin, created this unique design especially for the event which included the names of all Units around the wreath. It has now been imprinted on shirts which we would like to make available as a special "Welcome Home" gift to these wounded warriors:

We believe it would be an incredible display of gratitude to present a shirt to each wounded warrior but we need your help! $15.00 purchases one shirt - or you can get two for $20.00. You can send a personal message to be included in your gift so that your generosity is recognized - or you can do anonymously.

To purchase, send your name, any message to be included, and your return e-mail address to info@teamthaxton.comand you will receive a PayPal invoice, or call toll free 866-960-9115 ext 3 for Traci.

All Photography by Next Generation Picture Studio

Day 16 of the 2011 December Blogging Challenge and I am to write an AAR - an "After Action Review" of our event last week, the "I'll be Home For Christmas" parade and celebration. As a civilian and business professional, I would have called it a "survey" - or maybe even a "testimonial". However, the chairman of the Military Affairs Committee which spearheaded this event is a retired military commander, therefore, it was an "AFTER ACTION REVIEW". Ed Williams was an incredible chairman and his former military experience served him well for this leadership position. He asked the volunteers for the celebration last week-end to send in their reviews by today. Below is mine:

"It was one of the most inspiring events I have ever attended. My team (15 of them!) flew in from Florida, and drove from Shreveport, Bossier City and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for one reason – to serve the troops. They considered it one of those very rare events where they had the OPPORTUNITY to serve the ones who serve – To give back in some small way to those who risk everything – the heroes of our nation – the men and women of our United States military."

"At the end of the day, several of my team who had chopped brisket and served the food for several hours (and actually missed the Change of Command ceremony because they stayed with it until everyone was served a meal) said they were “exhausted” but “excited”! They were so impacted by the patriotism of the community and the appreciation of the military. They left joyful and filled with a new appreciation of our heroes".

"Each time I have told someone about the event – tears still whelm up. I have not recovered from the emotion of the day. My only regret is that I only had one of my grandchildren there with me – and even she at the age of 13 was moved by the events. I wished later I would have made it a requirement for them all to attend (As a Grandmother, I can still do that!)".

"I thank all of you on this committee for your dedication and hard work. People thought this was impossible - but the community proved them wrong. God bless America - and God bless each of you!"