Cedar City, UT

I don't know how many have seen the Time Magazine article from 2/19/2008 saying that now is the time to buy a house if you're a 1st time home buyer. With prices and interest rates low, if you have good credit, there is no reason to wait. I am not going to quote the article, you can read it for yourselves www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1713483,00.html

I found it an interesting read, and like it or not, it is the best time to buy if you are planning on staying in the home at least 5 years. This goes along with what a lot of Realtors have been saying and writing for weeks, now is the time! Before you lose the advantage of a lower payment should interest rates rise, buy a house! If it looks like I believe that you should look at buying, you're right, but now one of the investment guru's agree with me and the others!

My little sister emailed me this list. I will admit that I just copied and pasted, I do not know who the author is, but thought that it might be worthwhile to incorporate into my life, maybe someone else will find it useful!

Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life!

1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4.) When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to________ today.'

5.) Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6.) Play more family games and read more good books than you did last year.

7.) Always pray, read scriptures, and make time to exercise.

8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of Six.

9.) Dream more while you are awake.

10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11.) Drink plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13.) Clear your clutter from your house, your garage, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class .......but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a princess.

17.) Smile and laugh more.

18.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear the fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special

25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you

26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27.) Forgive everyone for everything.

28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.

29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!

30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.

32.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides remember?!

34.) The best is yet to come.

35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36.) Do the right thing!

37.) Call your family often.

38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: 'I am thankful for __________.' Today I accomplished _________.

39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass.

You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LIFE'S A GIFT ... UNWRAP IT! Have a Blessed day.

Have a great week!

We learned some more good news for business and industry here in Cedar City. Our newest industrial development, Port 15 got some great news as the plans to create a rail loop to service most of the lots in phase II of the development. This should make the option to start or relocate a business or factory here in Cedar City much more attractive to potential developers. Once the spur and the truck route from Interstate 15 are completed the entire project should really be an attractive option.

I hate to keep banging the same drum, but now is the time to buy in Cedar City, before all of this happens and prices go up with demand. We are still a beautiful area with a lot of great inventory. We enjoy 4 Season of the year, and boast the famous Shakespearean Festival, the Utah Summer Games and many other festivals and events. All in all, it is a great place to live and raise a family! Come up and see for yourselves, Darcy and I would love to meet you!

As Spring Training approaches, I will admit that I look forward to the beginning of Major League Baseball for yet another year. Baseball, to me, in many cases is a microcosm of life. It has a definate beginning, middle and end. It has a lot of high points, as well as low points during the course of the season. Unfortunately, this year it has had a lot of low points since the season ended. There are scandals, (some, like steroids, won't go away) and there are great stories.

One of the greatest stories in the history of the game is Hank Aaron. While he was playing he was one of the most consistent, steady ball players in the history of the game. You could start in April and write in ink that he was going hit right around .300, hit around 30 homeruns, and drive in over 100 runs. He was going to be a solid outfielder, and baserunner. He was also going to be a great example and team mate. When his career was winding down he chased, then eclipsed, the most sacred record in sports.

As a young person, I was struck with the class and dignity that this good man showed in the face of terrible adversity. As a failed baseball player, I can attest that the game is hard enough to play well, let alone do so in the face of racial bigotry that Hank Aaron did. I can't imagine going to bat knowing that some moron had threatened to kill your son, daughter or wife if you did your job. Yet he stared down ignorance and threats and did his job more consistently than anyone before or since.

Hank Aaron broke that sacred record of 714 homeruns and went on to finish his career with 755 homeruns. As you know Barry Bonds broke that record last summer. Hank set his record with no hint of scandal, he just did his job. Whether Barry Bonds used steroids remains to be seen, I will withhold my opinion until that proof is out for everyone to see. I found a quote by this amazing man that sums it up. Hank Aaron said: "My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging."

One day I would like to be able to look Hank Aaron in the eye just to say thank you. I would like to thank him for being a great baseball player, a hero of my youth, but as great as you were on the ball fields of the Major Leagues, you're a much better person. Thank you Hank Aaron, for setting an example of how it is done. Just show up and keep doing your job to the best of your ability. Thank you also for doing it with class and dignity!!! I hope when I am done with Real Estate, I can be said that I showed up and worked to the best of my ability, and that I did my best to live up to the example that Mr. Aaron set of how to do so with class and dignity!!!

As I look out my window at what seems like the umpteenth blizard this winter, I had to stop and smirk. I am up to my buttocks in global warming! I am not trying to make light of climatic changes, but rather express my lack of enthusiasm for yet another 12 to 14 inches of snow. It was 50 degrees this morning! I guess that's enough complaining, no one really cares anyway, besides it is hitting most of the country as it has us here in Cedar City.

This, I know, is a freak type storm, it is supposed to snow again tomorrow, then be in the 50's again on Saturday. All I can really say, is that if you have to travel in this weather, BE SAFE!! Another thing is to be prepared for winter driving conditions with warm clothing and supplies in case you become stranded! Once again, I wait for Spring! Have a Great Day!