Anna Matsunaga

Well, had not been there yet until last night, but we had a coat that had a lifetime warranty on it need a new zipper and so we ventured into the "NEW" Nordstom store in Tacoma Mall.

Our family has been going to the "OLD" Nordstom store ever since we moved to Tacoma in 1992, so the change, well....is a bit of a shock, we could not find anything. ( Which in our case is usually the ladies bathroom which we need to find fast since we have a potty training 2 year old in the family). We now know where the women's bathroom ( "lounge") is and from what the Nordstrom's staff tells me everything that is not the cafe' and women's clothing is down stairs, everything that IS women's clothing and the cafe' is upstairs....sounds simple, but things just looks so different that it will take me some time.

At first I thought that the store was smaller than the other, but it the employees tell me that is it actually 4000 square feet larger than the previous Tacoma Mall store., Part of the feeling smaller I think is that the ceilings are lower than in the old store and the store is wider and less deep than the last store.

So....my verdict is mixed, I am a creature of habit, and I did not see the Grand Piano along with the pianist anywhere when we were there, so it will be a while before I can give you a real opinion of the store. So long as they continue to have the same service they have always had, I will keep going. Of course, I'll keep going to Target too. ( more for prices than service) I love Nordstrom for some of the things I just can't get else where and for those things that are the same price there as elsewhere. ( but I get great customer service AND feel pampered AND have a great return policy in case the purchase does not turn out to be what it was supposed to.)

So the store does look nice and new, but a little cold compared to the last store. ( not in temperature, it just seems less homey) It was good to see lots of my favorite people working there still so that was comforting. Do I like the store better? Time will tell.

If you too are considering moving to a new location, call Anna Matsunaga with Team Momentum of Keller Williams Realty Tacoma. Find out what is the best way for you to accomplish this move in today's market, explore some possibilites you may not have considered. For your own free private consultation call today!- 253 212 1252

Looking for a home to rent where your land lord welcomes Fido too?

I have a client with a great 3 bedroom 1.5 story home with an extra room as well in a nice part of South Tacoma. He will allow for dogs in this location. The house has lots of light and is close in to everything. The back has a deck and there is a fenced yard for your dog. The rent is $950 a month.

This same client also has a house for rent that will soon be available in the Tacoma/Lakewood/UP area. It is a cozy 2 bedroom with a fire place, and a garage and will rent for $850 a month.

He is also about to purchase ( it closes this month) another South Tacoma home in Fern Hill area it has 4 beds, a garage 1.5 baths and a big yard. Rental amount for this one to be determined. Please contact Anna Matsunaga of Team Momentum, Keller Williams Tacoma if you would like to be put in touch with this land lord.

Anna Matsunaga, Team momentum, Keller Williams Tacoma 253 212 1252 or anna_matsunaga@kw.com

Ok I just posted about marathon training. Now I am public with it which I have not done so far since then people would know if Idid not do it, but I think I am past that.

I have been training with my friend who was also in a car accident with me and she has had issues with her knees since the accident and so is having to take a break from it for now. So I have been going with my dog instead for the last little bit. Thankfully most of my issues from the accident have been more with head aches which while no fun have not stopped me from going, The accident issues with my hips have simply kept me walking more than running.

So, now I am going with our dog Chip. He is a half pitbull half blue heeler. No I did not pick him, he was my husband's pick at the pound as a puppy a year and half ago. He is sweet, but cannot compare to my companion dog a Dalmatian named Cappuccino, who we had for 14 years....Anyway running with Chip is very different from running with Kelly. I appreciate him for going with me, but can't wait for Kelly to be doing well enough to go with me again.

So reasons I prefer my friend as a running partner to Chip our dog....

*When I run with my friend I never worry that she might attack the little ankle biter dog who is barking at us.

* My friend is encouraging and getting lost in conversation with her makes me forget how far we are going and also how wet and cold it is. ( this likley will be even more valued as the weather gets colder)

*She and I can swap running clothes ( Chip only has one outfit and it does not fit me)

* When I have a conversation with Chip it goes about like this....."No...Leave it!" "No!" "good boy!" "Heel" we dont' have much else in common to talk about.

* I have better form and posture when I don't have to hold a leash

* I don't have to drag Kelly into the bathroom by force when I stop for a potty break because she is afraid of the door. ( she waits quietly outside with out chasing any ducks or squirrels)

* I don't have to search for a leash when I am running late and missing running time doing it

* She has running experience and can share tips like I should not be hearing my feet much at all while I run. ( Chip has running experience too, but has not shared any tips)

* She has never threatened some one we met on a run/walk.

* I don't need to carry any plastic bags with me

* keeping up with her is inspiring ( chip just "heels" after all I told him to he goes what ever pace I am going)

* She thinks up new places to train.

* She is much better at using mapmywalk and mapmyrun.com than Chip is and much better than me too. ( still don't know how to make it work yet to save and figure a distance so I am stuck wth the old fashioned drive it and check the odometer...)

* I just plain feel upbuilt when I get to spend time with Kelly,,,,,,,

But to be fair to Chip ( in case he or one of his realitives or friends read the blog,) he is a better or just as good a running partner in some ways

* He can go anytime of the day or night that I want to and I don't have to plan it.

* Chip HAS threatened ( ok growled under his breath) some one on we met on a walk/run ( Kelly just is not as intimidating as a half pit bull dog)

* Chip's legs are shorter than mine.

*Chip's running style is not much more elegant than mine.

* When I run with Chip, and people look, I am pretty sure it is at me.....on the other hand maybe not, 3 people commented on how pretty he is in my last run alone.......

In any case I really miss running with my friend and can't wait 'til her knees feel better. Come to think of it though, I think I'll run with them both when she's ready to run again....they both have so many benefits!

To reach Anna Matsunaga and Team Momentum ( if you want a team that goes the extra mile) Please call 253 212 1252 or visit us on the web @ www.teammomentumrealestate.com

I have never been a runner. In school I remember running as an opportunity to have horrid chest pains from lack of air ( had asthma) and to twist my ankles. So.... Ok maybe I am crazy, but about 6 weeks ago I decided to train for a Marathon. To most people around me I am sure this looked like an impulse decision since it did not seem to be on my radar at all.

Really I have been considering it for a long long time. Why? Well I have a need to push myself and I also need to lose weight. Some how though just the goal to lose weight does nothing at all for me. I have to have something HUGE to bite off and chew or I am not excited enough to even get out of bed.

I do have a number of things against me.....I have never been a runner and clearly if you look at me I am not built like a runner either. I have 3 kids and a husband who in addition to my business take up alot of time. I have never run except as forced to do so in school and it was not a pleasant time when I did. ( Ok I also have run after kids alot) My husband is not an exercize nut and I don't know anyone who has run an marathon. I just had a car accident that I am recoving from and I am hurting extra from it. I am a better walker than runner. . Some of my friends ( just to encourage me ) have taken to cutting out articles about how bad a neighborhood I live in, when I point out that I don't mostly go in my neighborhood, they are giving me articles on the neighborhoods I do go to. I also have a nursing child who I am not used to being away from to do things for myself.

So why?

1. Like I said I need a big goal and nothing else inspires me, a marathon is big!

2. Getting up and going each day makes me feel great!

3. It feels great to push myself.

4. I am feeling better already.

5. I would like to use it to raise money for others who need it. ( I am looking for what would be meaningful, would love suggestions.)

6. My kids are liking it, ( the 2 year old says when I come back, " you have cold hands Mama, you go running again?" I say "yes" and she says "yay Mommy!" ( ok the 11 year old tells me I am too old and will likely die while running, he will be fun to prove wrong.

7. My head is clearer and I am handling the ups and downs of life and work with more calm and a clearer head.

8. It gives me more confidence and discipline in the rest of my life......

9. It gives me time to pray and listen to my Bible cd's

10. When one of my best friends can come it gives me time to just talk

I could go on and on of course.

Right now I mostly walk fast and I jog maybe a 1/3rd of the time. I am up to a 1/3 of a marathon on my long training day. I finish it in the lightening fast speed of about 15 minutes a mile. ( yes I am being sarcastic) I am making progress since I have more energy, and I am going faster and I can go further and further.

Things that have surprised me.

1. I have not lost but one pound and have lost NO inches at all ( in fact have GAINED 1.5 in each thigh and 1 in each calf...it's all muscle right?)

2. I can go further faster than I thought I am ahead of the training schedule.

3. I like getting up around 5 in the morning which gives me the extra time to get what I need done and fit it in the day.

4. I actually want to go on my planned rest days.

Things I am learning.

1. I am a strong person who can overcome obsticals

2. I have missed the outdoor time by myself

3. You can make time for yourself even if you think you have none

I need you help too.

I want suggestions for what to fund raise for. I would like it to be something that benefits families especially children and women. I want it not to be in anyway religiously affiliated I already donate in that way now with my own faith. I would like for it to be relatively local ( pierce county or WA state) although would consider something that is not. I also could use encouragement and if I am fund raising, pledges, thinking I might raise money by the training days or miles as well as the actual marathon. Need your ideas and encouragement.

I was contacted by a reporter from the Boston Globe a couple weeks back she was working on an article about truth in advertising for getting a house sold. (pretty much that it is good to tell it like it is.)

She came across a blog I had written, "Personal Ads/Real Estate Ads, reading between the lines." She contacted me for quotes and had some questions. I just got an email today to let me know that the article just came out. A fellow KW agent was also quoted. I hope it helps get the much needed information to sellers and Realtors alike, in this market, and every market in fact, but especially THIS one, it is so important to tell it like it is.

That way when you say some thing is fantastic people will believe you. Also you don't waste the time of a buyer who really is not a fit, you just get the serious buyer that wants the propery even though you are brutally honest about it. Rarely do my properties fail inspection. Why? Is it because they are in great shape? No, I list some that are. ( My current listing @ 4608 North 22nd in North Tacoma is an example of a pretty much perfect property condition and style wise) I also list some that are what I call a "scraper" in otherwords, it would be better to just scrape it off the lot, might even improve the value to do so. Why do these pass inspection? We are honest and tell it like it is. The buyer knows what they are getting in to.

I actually recommend that my sellers get a Pre-Inspection so that they can SHOW OFF everything wrong with the property. This saves market time as it does not come off the market and back on when they find something unexpected. We avoid buyers who have issues with what ever issues the house has this way. It also helps me be able to better hold the line on the selling price. Why? Well when they say " this or that is wrong with the house" I can say "of course it is that is why we priced it like we did" Of course this too only works if you REALLY did price it accordingly and we do.

Anyway, if you get the chance, check out the article in Today's Boston Globe, you can just go to the Globe on line and type in my name, Anna Matsunaga in the search and it will bring it up. It would make a great email touch to your potential selling clients.

If you live in the Greater Tacoma WA area and are considering selling your home and would like a Real Estate Team that tells it like it is Team Momentum may be the team for you. If you live outside the Greater Tacoma area we would be glad to help you locate a true no nonsense Real Estate Pro in your area. Either way we look forward to talking with you soon.--Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum, Keller Williams Tacoma. --anna_matsunaga@kw.com-- 253-212-1252