Tara Campbell Broker/Owner, GRI, CDPE

My sister called to let me know that this is Canton trade days weekend!!!!! We brave the weather come rain or shine when we make the decision to go! We usually go around 3 times a year and always find something different. We've had sun burns, froze to death and played in the rain but continue to go every year! Its a time for us to be together since we live 2 hours away from eachother and just enjoy all there is to offer.

The First Monday of every month (really the first Thurs-Sun) is filled with everything from sheets to furniture to plants to cell phone accessories! I even bought a light fixture for my dining room that the owner told me his "wife decided to change all the light fixtures in the house just because she was bored with the ones we have!" A normal $150.00 light fixture was sold to me for $30.00! There are used items, new items and hand made goods too! People travel from all over just to go to these trade days! It takes me 5 hours to get there but is well worth the trip.

If you are coming to the area, make sure to plan on going to Canton trade days on the first weekend of every month! Its a true, original Texas tradition

Last week I blogged about how I was frustrated with some Realtors in my area so I wanted to take this time to give props to one that I appreciate. Its the small things that really make you respect someone and are delighted when they call and mention they want to show your seller's home.

Carole Anderson called me yesterday to let me know she was going to show my home and asked if it was still available. I told her yes and that is was on lockbox and thank you for showing. In order to give my sellers feedback, which in this market is very important, I emailed Carole Anderson a survey today. Within hours she had it all filled out and the survey was in my in-box. I cant tell you how many times I send this survey out and it is never returned (I emailed another Realtor the same survey and have not received it back yet) so I wanted to thank Carole Anderson for being so responsive! Not only did she send it promptly, she also gave really good feedback that my sellers need!

Every interaction I have had with Carole Anderson has been positive and although we have not done a transaction together, I look forward to doing one in the future!

While I was at my daughters soccer game this morning at the Lions Club Park in Killeen, I was thinking to myself that this town has really changed in the 9 years that we have been here. The City of Killeen has improved their parks and recreation department tremendously within that time and I have seen them offer more activities for families.

There is always something to do whether it be enroll your child in sports or visit the new Tommie Harris (Chicago Bears player that graduated from Ellison High School) fitness center at Lions Club Park. The fitness center offers plenty of classes for its members to include aerobics, "boot camp," stationary bike class, and "light weight" classes. The City of Killeen also has completely maintained baseball & softball fields where kids & adults can improve their skills. They also have a skate park & ice skating rink for the kids!

There are seasonal festivities that include Easter egg hunts, movies & concerts in the park during the summer, halloween festivals, carnivals, art shows, livestock shows, dance competitions, rodeos, special events at the Civic and Conference Center etc... You will never run out of things to do with all the activities the City of Killeen has to offer.

The City of Killeen is located right next to the largest Army base in the world, Fort Hood ,so there are plenty of people they need to keep entertained and they do a very good job of it. Soldiers come here and call Killeen home for a few years at a time and the City of Killeen has to make sure they feel at home and they do a wonderful job.

You can even follow the City of Killeen on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KilleenWeb and it will notify you of all the things the city has going on!

I was not raised here but am thankful the Army has been good to us and allowed us to stay in a town I love for the past 9 years! My children can call the City of Killeen home and be proud of it! It is definatley the place "where freedom grows!"

While we were at the convention, our friends Kristin Moran & Sheila Moran mentioned Build A Sign, a company they blogged about previously & had a wonderful experience with. We made our way to the booth they had and took one of their cards so we could go to their website when we got home. While we were there Paula had a conversation with the representatives and found out they are giving away 20,000.00 banners & jumbo cards to support the troops. This is a wonderful gesture that means so much to us at Fort Hood. Our streets and neighborhoods are currently lined with banners like these welcoming loved ones home from Iraq. This sort of gesture is the reason I am so proud of our Country we live in and wanted to say thank you to Build A Sign for what they are doing. You can go to their website at http://www.buildasign.com/Troops to see these banners they are giving away. We ordered one and two other different banners for our building at a cheaper rate than our local companies! We are also very impressed with Build A Sign!

Another wonderful gesture is from a gas station my husband told me about. He told me last night that he never pays for his sodas when he goes to a certain gas station when he is in uniform and the worker thanks him every time for his service! This is where my husband chooses to buy his gas because of their appreciation for all that he does! My husband has served for 14 years and been to Iraq twice so I definately feel he deserves this and thank God every day for this great nation we live in that these small gestures are still taking place!

WELCOME HOME TROOPS!

I have a special spot in my heart for the men and women who serve our country. My grandpa, father & husband have served and I have a great deal of pride because of it! Soldiers with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and 4th Infantry Division are making their way home from 12-15 months in Iraq! Risking their lives on a daily basis for our freedom! I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome them home and thank them for the sacrifice! Being a military wife I understand what that sacrifice means & am very grateful for all our military troops do for us!