Low key evenings, a pig and lots of marker.

Ok so blogging every night... Not easy if your head is about to roll off your shoulders. The first few nights of December were spent in lots of excitement and sugary goodness so I decided we needed some calm days.

Sunday was spent mostly between church and work but I did find the time to pick up the ham. I told Peyton it was an oink oink but he just said "cold". I guess a frozen ham doesn't excite him as much as it does me. 

What also doesn't excite Peyton is the idea of a black and white movie. He does however enjoy his blanket and a cup of chocolate milk. I on the other hand love "It's a Wonderful Life".


Monday I found out that one dollar goes a long way to entertain a 2 year old. Check out the artwork... a regular Picasso.

Too bad most of it got on his face.

A Little Kindness and the Floating Flamingo

    I have to say that I am one tired mama but I have made a promise to blog this month and blog I will. The great thing about blogging certain highlights of your life is that it makes you go back and appreciate the things you have experienced. When my husband is on third shift I have plenty of time to spend with our son and today was no different. Our morning started of with a trip to good ole Target to buy presents for a girl in need. In true Peyton fashion, we still walked out with plenty for him too.

    After a very short (too short) rest, we headed out with Mammy & Pappy to see the Greenville Christmas Parade. In the midst of severe organized chaos my typical 2 year old threw a typical tantrum. At least there was entertainment while we waited. The lights were very pretty but of all the floats the one that stood out was anything but Santa. Up Main Street floated a very large very pink float. Of course the man in the big red suit showed but I think he is considering flying right over our house unless Rudolf needs to make a pit stop. As always have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Attack of the Killer COWS!

December 1 & 2
   Our first two days of the month have proved to be nothing short of eventful. In my effort to spend quality Christmas time with my family, I got the grand idea to head out to Hollywild Christmas Lights. For those of you who know my husband, you know that a couple hours in a car sitting in traffic, looking at lights and listening to Christmas music just isn't his cup of tea. The wonderful thing about Hollywild on a Thursday at 6PM is that there are very few people rushing out to see the lights. This put Josh in much better spirits about being there and the look on Peyton's face was of course priceless. The sound of Peyton yelling "twinkle stars" rang through the car until we pulled into the Deer Forest...
   Peyton's tune quickly changed to "a deer, a deer... a cow". We had bought crackers to feed the animals which was way too tempting for two cows that headed stright our way. Now who knew that a whole head including horns would fit perfectly into the windows of an xterra. All of a sudden there was one in each front window. I start laughing uncontrollably as Josh pleads only in what I can call the voice of a desparate man. The cow had licked him from wrist to shoulder. All the while my usually vocal son sits quietly and calmly watching from his car seat.
    Now as fun as this was we must move on to go feed the greedy goats while Peyton yells to see the camel he won't pet. If you have never been it is great fun but keep the windows up a little and expect to get your car washed the next day. At least I was able to talk some possible business at the car wash.

    After all this excitement Peyton and I needed some downtime while daddy is at work. We had our first night of making cookies. Shortbread with icing and sprinkles. They may not be pretty but they sure are good. That's what happens when a 2 year old decorates!

   

   

MERRY CHRISTMAS

What Now?!?

Soooo....
    I have heard of the random joys that come with having all decorations up and shopping done and wrapped before December 1st but have never experienced it. Until now. Barring any last minute school gift or charitable contribution I am done. I sat back Monday afternoon and thought what do I do now. For the past 15 years I have spent the month of December like everyone else, scrambling around during my "free" time to get all shopping done just in time to get it wrapped and under the tree. All this so my family could tear off the paper less than 24 hours later. But this year is different so what now?
    Since I have spent most of my adult life in jobs that involve me working the holidays away I was at a loss in this question. Being a real estate agent doesn't exactly fill the month of an abundance of listing presentations, showings and closings. With my husband, Josh, working funtastic hours we can't exactly take a "holiday". The countless times I have to pick up random toys and keep my 2year old Peyton out of the tree... and the dog food... and the other various things he knows not to touch but he does anyway still doesn't fill the time. So I have micro managed December...
    In an effort to continue to get better at real estate I have enrolled in various classes and plan to spend twice the time prospecting. What better time to reconnect with people than during the holidays!
    Most importantly... I plan to do something with my family every day for Christmas. Be it as simple as a one house feature of Santa Clause is Coming to Town or as magical as Christmas morning and the look in Peyton's eyes when he sees that Santa did show even after the numerous tantrums. I hope to be disciplined enough to share these adventures with everyone  and give everyone else ideas to do with their families. Because what is Christmas if we get lost in the buying and wrapping and forget it is all about the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and sharing the joy he brought with family. All of you more experienced parents, feel free to offer suggestions of activities since I am new at this. I hope everyone enjoys this time and takes a step back to not be stressed and enjoy what the season is all about. most of all...
MERRY CHRISTMAS

Daily Real Estate News

Considering this is a topic I have run into with both my buyers and my sellers, I thought it was a great read. Wish we could get more of a handle on third-party web sites but at times it really does feel like a loosing battle.

Daily Real Estate News

Life's Lessons Put to Work

   I think sometimes that people forget that the lessons learned as a child will follow them through their entire life. When I was in second grade Mrs. Martin had a banner of the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If we would all follow that simple phrase in our daily lives, including work and home, there would be no limit to the reward. 
   In the real estate industry, especially in today's market, you learn to return back to those principals. Yes, things are getting better but that doesn't mean they got easy. There is still the need to work harder, smarter and better than before.  In that many people forget to treat people with mutual respect.
   You can not please everyone all the time and some people wil never be happy. Those are usually the ones who forgot the importance of others. I believe that at the end of the day if you can say I did my best for my Lord, my family, my friends and the world around me (where ever that may be) then you have made the world a little better.

HELLO world I am here waiting.

So after the pushing and prodding of various people and the advice of social media "experts" I am taking a stab at blogging. I say stab because I don't mean to but being from the South will inevitably butcher the English language. But since I am sitting here waiting for a possible buyer or seller to just pull into the driveway, I figured why not. What's the worst that could happen. I amuse you for a couple minutes and may even add some valuable insight to what you were wondering anyway. How's the real estate market? Better and getting great. Around here the phones are a ringin'. In fact mine is now so have a blessed day and please stop by anytime.