Valerie Spaulding~Allyn~Belfair~Hood Canal & Mason County~WA~Real Estate~

Tempers rise as the Temperatures Rise~~ Stay Cool~ "BE" COOL!

We are in the throes of a heat wave for our area with temperatures well into the high 90's and reaching the 100's by the middle of the week. I know - we're wimps here in the Pacific Northwest.use to our comfortable summer temperatures of mid 80's with a light sea breeze blowing through....

But not this week! We have been unseasonably hot - with little to no rain (HA! And you thought Seattle was the rain capital of the world didn't you?) Shhhh. don't let our little secret out- we really have some awesome weather to appreciate.

But as the temperatures get hotter so do TEMPERS... I must admit I do not do well in the heat. It can make me cranky and uncomfortable as it aggravates my MS and just makes me want to run and hide somewhere where it is air conditioned... I don't always have that option though so I do try and prepare for the day so that it does not make me all that cranky and I can deal with it easier.

It really helps although I admit I have to remind myself to s-l-o-w- down and be aware the heat is throwing me off....

I know you've heard these all before but just a few brief reminders:

• Don't hurry - you know what? whatever it is will still be there when you get there...And if it isn't, is it really worth blowing a gasket over?
• DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!!!!! Stay Hydrated- sooo important! Tell me you haven't heard that before!
• Eat light - heavy meals will just intensify the heat and make you feel even more like a pooof ball...
• and Plan Time your day. Do the things outside you need to do early in the morning before the heat descends.
• Check on the elderly- OFTEN!
• Don't forget those pets.... water - lots of water and a cool place to hide.... check on them once in awhile.
• Make sure the kids are playing safe if they're playing in the water and they are supervised.
• Lighten up on the alcohol -alcohol and heat can be an ugly combination -not just for you but for others around you! It causes dehydration too...yep I know sounds crazy...but true.

Remember back to the wild, COLD, SNOWY wacky winter we had??????

Seeeee --- maybe this warm unusual hot weather is NOT so bad...

and as my broker said this morning - what would some people have to talk about, if it weren't for the weather? What a great conversation starter to break the "ice."

STAY COOL!~~~ "BE" COOL!

North Shore Hood canal Waterfront Homes~The Bounty of the Sea at your Feet!

Not to mention all the fun you'll have swimming, boating, kayaking, kicking back - all those things we love to do and CAN DO whenever you want when you own your own North Shore Hood Canal waterfront home.

Doesn't that sound good right about now as we bake in the unsual hi 90 degree heat for our area??

Just think - dinner from the beach - clams, oysters - mm,mm.mmm.. yum yum yum....

Try cooking those oysters in the shell on the barbie......yummy!

Here's my husband's recipe for them:

• Place on bbq in shell on med lo heat.
• When they pop open they are done .
• Open the shell loosen them from the shell.
• Put them back on the barbie on the half shell.
• Top them with mozarella, parmesan cheese and pesto sauce. Let heat til the cheese starts to melt and

oh boy are you in for a treat!

We are in the middle of a heat wave here on the North Shore Hood Canal and surrounding area. Our summertimes generally keep us in the 80's or less - not near 100 degrees like it is today. So we are probably all looking for and heading towards any body of water for a reprieve!

Here along the North Shore of Hood Canal, life tends to glide along at a little bit slower pace.... Unlike the South Shore of Hood Canal, the North Shore is a little bit quieter with very little traffic... The South Shore of Hood Canal is very popular and well know as a destination spot, but the North Shore keeps its secrets pretty well hidden...

Great beaches, deep waterfront lots, private settings, convenient to town and other recreational amenities as well as areas beyond. North Shore Hood Canal Waterfront Homes for sale are many this year. Right now there are currently 18 North Shore Hood canal waterfront homes for sale. With many choices and prices to fit just about any budget or style.

Check it out - come out and explore the great North Shore Hood Canal Waterfront Home opportunities.

If you would like more information drop me a line, or give me a call. I would love to help you achieve your real estate goals. Remember real estate is LOCAL.

I also offer a FREE comparative market analysis for sellers tailored specifically for your home or property. If you would like more information on selling your home in this market, please give me a call, drop me a line, or stop on in! I believe in building relationships for life... YOUR SUCCESS IS MY SUCCESS!

Homes are where memories are made and living takes place!

• Belfair homes for sale
• Grapeview Homes for Sale
• Hood Canal Waterfront Homes for Sale

~~Valerie~~

Associate Broker

Windermere Peninsula Properties : www.windermerepeninsulaproperties.com

My Belfair WA Real Estate Blog : www.BelfairWARealEstate.com

My Website : www.valspaulding.mywindermere.com Email : vlsallyn@windermere.com

Direct Cell : 360-710-5622 Fax # 360-277-5006

Allyn WA homes for Sale - There is something for everyone!

Located on the Olympic Peninsula and along the shoreline of Case Inlet/Puget Sound, the small town of Allyn offers a rural setting and feel with the convenience of quick and easy access to many recreational amenities as well as shopping, schools and areas beyond.

There are currently 53 homes for sale in Allyn, WA with a price range from $179,000 on up to $799,000! So you see there really is something out there for every budget and style!

The Allyn real estate market has faired okay through our economic demise all the while offering some great opportunities for home buyers to get in on the ground floor on prices and interest rates that have been and are fantastic!

Don't forget the First Time Home Buyers Credit of $8000.00 as well! It ends pretty soon and you do not want to miss out on it!

Out of the 53 homes for sale in Allyn WA, 32 of these are located in the residential golf course community of LakeLand Village. Here you will find a residential community with a 27 hole golf course, a community lake for fishing and swimming, as well as a lot of choices and styles of homes.

Also amongst the 53 homes for sale in Allyn WA are waterfront choices too at some awesome prices! What's your preference- saltwater on the Puget Sound or freshwater on the lake in LakeLand Village?

Want to know a little bit more about the quaint town of Allyn or the homes for sale in Allyn? Give me a call, drop me a line or visit these websites:

• HOMES FOR SALE IN ALLYN, WA
• Search for homes for sale in Allyn WA using your criteria
• NORTH MASON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Let an expert in the area of homes for sale help you find the right home for you and represent you in the process. Work with a professional local real estate agent that knows the market for where you are home shopping.

I have a wealth of information, knowledge and experience to help you achieve your real estate goals and be successful even in a multiple offer situation.

My success is YOUR success!

If you would like more information drop me a line, or give me a call. I would love to help you achieve your real estate goals. Remember real estate is LOCAL.

I also offer a FREE comparative market analysis for sellers tailored specifically for your home or property. If you would like more information on selling your home in this market, please give me a call, drop me a line, or stop on in! I believe in building relationships for life... YOUR SUCCESS IS MY SUCCESS!

Homes are where memories are made and living takes place!

Belfair homes for sale

Grapeview Homes for Sale

Hood Canal Waterfront Homes for Sale

~~Valerie~~

Associate Broker

Windermere Peninsula Properties : www.windermerepeninsulaproperties.com

My Belfair WA Real Estate Blog : www.BelfairWARealEstate.com

My Website : www.valspaulding.mywindermere.com Email : vlsallyn@windermere.com

Direct Cell : 360-710-5622 Fax # 360-277-5006

SOoOoOoO..... your eyes are open, but are you really SEEING?

What am I talking about? I'm talking about what is going on around you? Are you really processing what you are seeing or are you running on auto-pilot - you know - remote control?

My previous close encounter started me thinking about what you DON'T realize or see in our normal every day routines - especially while driving your car.

I didn't notice the difference or realize it until I started riding a motorcycle and went through the motorcycle safety course.

Your eyes are open while you are driving, but what are you really seeing? How aware are you of your surroundings? Or are you a statistic waiting to happen? Do you drive home on remote thinking about your days events, or talking on your cell phone - just totally lost in thought?

Try this and See what you have seen:

Right now stop reading and sit and think about the last time you were driving. See if you can remember "seeing" the answer to these questions (AND BE HONEST!!!):

1. Do you REMEMBER the drive?? ALL OF IT?? Everything you SAW?? Or were you in deep thought about the day or the upcoming meeting or something else?
2. How many cars were at the first intersection you came across? One? Many? Or did you just drive through the light without even looking because it was green?
3. 4 way intersection oncoming traffice and you are making a left - was there a car in the opposite direction coming to make a right?
4. How many driveways did you just pass with cars in them waiting to pull out? Or side streets?
5. Was there anyone coming from the other direction waiting to make a left hand turn?
6. Was there someone behind the guy trying to make a left or trying to go around them?
7. Do you look for something around a corner or do you assume it's nothing but road?
8. Did you see the 3rd car in front of you put their brakes on? Did you anticipate why?
9. How far ahead of you do you look?
10. Did you see any wildlife or dogs on the side of the road?
11. Is there a car behind you?
12. Did you look over your shoulder or in your mirror as you passed an "on ramp?" Were there any cars merging?
13. Is someone coming up fast behind you?
14. Were you riding too close to the guy in front of you because you were deep in thought about dinner (or whatever else you were looking forward to....;-) ......
15. Did you see the motorcycle while you were waiting to pull out?

These are just a few of the many, many things that I as a motorcycle rider am looking for. I am always on the defensive with each and every sense in tune with what is going on. Read to execute if I need to.I am constantly scanning ahead and to the sides.

The first time I got in a car to drive after the course, I was AMAZED and how much I did not SEE! We become oblivious to our surroundings because we are so relaxed and comfortable in what we are doing, we don't SEE what we are really seeing...

The next time you are out driving - even though your eyes are open -really pay attention and take note of your surroundings and what others are doing as well.

Hey thanks for listening! Soooo how well did you do? Do you "SEE?"

~~Valerie~~

Learning the Hard Way helps us grow - Right?

Letting them learn the hard way is hard on everyone but a necessity in life.

Growing up can be such a pain in the butt. It's hard as a parent to sit back and watch your kids learn a lesson the hard way, but it is how they learn about life and the real world and hopefully take something out of it that will help them in the future, make them grow and be a better person.

It seems like all my children are in the process right now of learning various aspects of lessons of life the hard way.

Some little lessons, some costly to their pockets, some big lessons.

We try to not "tell them" what to do, but discuss whatever the issue is objectively all the while interjecting "our opinion" as just that in the hopes that they will look at that opinion as a reason to maybe not proceed down the path they are choosing. Of course even our opinions are not always right (we were wrong once...) and the choices they make are their own.

At times I want to yell and scream at them because they are acting "impulsively" and not listening to their inner common sense (or anyone else) until it's too late and the damage is done. And it can be painful too watch and not find a way to stop them, but let them learn the hard way....

It's going to help them grow right?!?!?!?!?!?

Okay~ deeeeep siiiiiggghhhhhh........~I'm ready for "Calgon take me away!!!!!" as another lesson in life is learned.....