Olga Diaz Potter, Associate Broker, CRS, ASP, ePRO

Well, FALL is upon us in Pullman, WA. I'm having my cup of coffee before I start my day and admire the scenery. The weather has changed and the view from my backyard is quickly turning from green to gold.

It was a glorious SUMMER this year with warm temperatures lasting well into the end of September, but now the temperatures have started to cool pretty drastically. Pullman weather changed from having 90's heat up our days to the high 50's during the day...all within one weeks time. Wow! Talk about changes! I quickly turned the air conditioner off and the heater on! Warm PJ's came out and blankets were put on the beds. The green hills have turned to gold and we are enjoying the beauty of FALL.

As we jump into the month of October, we admire the change of scenery and enjoy the Palouse season of FALL!

What a kick! Today was Sports Day at Sunnyside Elementary in Pullman, WA. My eight year old daughter jumped out of bed and hurried to see if her dad had gone to get her the jersery he promised. There wasn't a peep out of her as she quickly made her bed and put on her WSU Women's Soccer jersey, short and socks. She smiled (even though half asleep) as I took her picture. Our mini WSU Coug!

I just returned from the Pullman/Moscow Airport. I dropped off little Lucy and she looked anxious in her small doggie carrier. She is awaiting her flight to Seattle to reunite with her happy owners. This is the story about Lucy. This is the story of how I'm a REALTOR by day and for a short period, was the Lucy Guardian at night.

Former clients from the Seattle area were in Pullman for the weekend to work on a house they had purchased for their WSU student. Somehow Lucy wandered from the house on Friday evening causing great distress to her owners. They called to let me know what had happened. After contacting the Whitman County Humane Society, Lucy's owners spoke to a "pet detective" who took notes about Lucy and her disappearance. Mike, Lucy's "dad", posted signs all over the Pullman College Hill neighborhood, and both owners looked around the neighborhood hoping she would turn up. I was hopeful that Lucy would be found but I was also worried as Lucy is a 5 lb. Toy Fox Terrier who could easily be snatched up or run over.

On Friday night, the owners scoured the neighborhood with a flashlight, and on Saturday, they continued the search. My husband, Matt, was aware of the incident and offered any assistance. After telling his WSU Soccer Team about Lucy being lost for what was two days at that point, the soccer team went door to door in the area hoping they could get a lead on where she might be. NO LUCY! No LUCK! NOTHING!

After deciding to stay an additional day, Lucy's parents departed for Seattle on Monday. They were extremely sad, but felt their hopes of finding Lucy begin to fade. They left early that morning and sure enough, later that day, I received a call. Someone had found Lucy!

She was found on College Hill, shaking and very hungry. The owners were called and, of course, were thrilled that Lucy had been found. They worked immediately to get Lucy home but couldn't get her transported until Wednesday. Guess who Lucy stayed with for those two days? Matt, Cassidy, our daughter, and I took care of Miss Lucy. We were the temporary guardians. Oh, and I can't forget Chloe, our dog. She adopted Lucy like a big sister and guarded her with surprising curiosity.

I just dropped Lucy off for her trip back home. Now back to work...a REALTOR once again.

Go Cougs! WSU Women's Soccer 2009 begins! We had 30 Soccer Athletes come to dinner this as we welcomed back form the upcoming season. This is such an exciting time for us as a family and as a community! The girls did really well last year. They travelled to the NCAA Soccer tournament and had a very successful year but that was then and this year brings ten new Freshmen into the mix. I can't wait to see them play! They are quite a group of successful young women, not only athletically, but academically as well. Their first official practice began on Wednesday. The ancticipation for the season is electric!

It was a relaxing and welcoming night. We had the team, coaches, trainer and staff over not only to celebrate the beginning of the season, but the community that is WSU Women's Soccer. Go Cougs!

Saturday, August 1st, was a great day! It was the 2009 Golf Classic benefitting the Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation... and my first golf tournament! I was nervous, and excited and I waited as the excitement overtook those feelings of nerves. COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON sponsored the fourth hole. It felt good to know our company was a part of this great event. By the time our team approached the hole, I felt pretty comfortable...ha, ha...and then I took out the driver and hit the ball. I can't tell you how far it went, but it went. For me, that's good after a couple of months of lessons.

The Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation Golf Classic was held at the beautiful Palouse Ridge Golf Club in Pullman, WA. It was an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start and our group started on Hole 17. Of course, this was the first time I was going to play eighteen holes. I really didn't know what to expect. The event included a Post-tournament lunch, award ceremony, and raffle drawings. The format was a Scramble (thank God for that) and there were four people per team. I had such an incredible time. My teammates were super. The food was great and the golf was good. It was a fun filled day of golf!