Holiday season!

Its very hard to believe that just a few weeks ago we were sunning on the water and enjoying the warm weather. It has been raining in NC for several weeks now off and on and if I had to guess we might have had about 20" of rain in the past month. It amazes me that the ditches on the island are still full and it doesn't seem to be going away. They have been pumping Reed Drive out for awhile now so cars can pass down that road.
Today the weather was unusual.... 70 degrees today! But..... (there is always a but) it was rainy again and then tomorrow the high is to be in the mid 40's. So, tell me is there any wonder that we are all sick and never getting well?

Well, I am finally done with the decorating that I am planning on doing this year. My boys will be spending the holiday together in Houston with their wife and girlfriend and my grandson will be in Pennsylvania visiting his other grandparents. So, we are here with hubby's boys and their families and my daughter and her fiance. But on Christmas morning it will just be us. Krista is going to stay with her father for Christmas eve to enjoy her little sister on Christmas morning. Hopefully Santa will leave some presents for Sawyer here so when he returns he can have his Christmas here with me. Unline last year, I will not be getting him any cowboy boots. That was just a disappointment for him.
I have been cooking cookies and Chex Party Mix, as that is my specialty! I will make us a Christmas dinner or maybe we will go to the Waffle House for our dinner!
One thing my daughter and her fiance decided to do is forgo presents for each other and take the money and give it to someone who needs it more than them. They have picked out a waitress that they know who is a single mom and am going to give her the money instead. Now isn't that amazing?? I am so proud of them for thinking of doing that. That is Christmas,sharing the love of God and making a sacrifice for someone else.
What way will you show someone love this holiday season? Think about it and what you can do for someone else. Just when you think all else is lost maybe you can spend time at the homeless shelter, the soup kitchen, grab an angel from the tree and give someone else the joy of the season.
Remember while you are out shopping, stressing or putting the emphasis on the wrong things of this holiday that we need to remember the Gift that God gave each and every one of us. Give a part of your holiday to someone who may need it more than you.

Things I have been thinking about.....

You know sometimes things happen around you and there are some of those things you may want to share with others. I have found that some of them you can send in an e mail to friends or share with others on Twitter or Facebook. Some you want others opinions on.... so here are some things that I have been thinking about.
First might be the incidence of violence in our country. Like the shootings last week at Ft Hood. This one hits me a bit harder because I am a mother of a militray service member that is stationed at Ft. Hood. Just so happens that he has the good mind to call his momma every once in awhile especially when his Post is in a very high profile situation. Thank you to my son for taking one second to call mom and say "Hi mom, I am ok but its crazy here right now, I will call you later". That is the most wonderful sentence I have heard this past week. Many parents on the other hand were not so fortuneate to get that call. It is so hard to see this situation because as a parent you feel that if your child or spouse or any other relative is here on American Soil on a base that they are safe from harm from others. I know that when I was watching the events evolve on tv FOX News (my choice of news networks) were very cautious in relasing the name of the alleged shooter. The reason for this was that the name represented a man of Muslim decent and they were not going to release it until they felt sure of his name and status.
Yes, it is distressing that our servicemembers are that distraught about deployment to a war zone that they resort to these events. Yes, there may be other underlying reasons but I feel sure that based on what I see our service members are stressed about deployment. Muslim or American...... they are stressed many have been there way too many times!

Movies is another thing that has been bothering me. On friday nights my husband and I do our "date night" where we usually have dinner and do a movie. Lately the movie choices have been less than desireable. I personally don't want to spend my money much less my time on a movie that blows cities, people or countries up and tries to create the mose gruesome of situations. Just turn on the Television and you can get a first hand account of all of this crap without having to spend money on the movie. The previews we saw were so disgusting that I think I am going to have to find something else to do with my date night from now on.
We saw the Dickins classic "A Christmas Carol." As I remember that story as a child I really wasn't a fan, but since they were advertising it and a friend wanted to take her son we went along. This movie was done wonderfully as far as effects and 3-D was concerned. It went way out on some things as far as showing Mr. Scrooge in the future being chased by black carriage pulled by black horsess with red eyes.... The ghost of the future was depicted as "the grim reaper" and even showed him falling to his death in his tomb. Come on Hollywood its a G rated movie and I will not suggest that anyone take a child under 10 at least to this movie unless you want to spend the night sitting up with them after the bad dreams they will have!

More violence in Orlando.... what ever happened to people trying to work out their problems with each other by talking or resolving them like normal people. Lets not go shoot up buildings with people in it for no reason at all.

Probably the most distressing thing this weekend was to hear that a wonderful child that was a good friend of my nephew's back home in PA decided to end his life. Do we as parents not know when there are things troubling our children? I know that depression is a bad thing, I have experienced it but I was smart enough to ask for help and get some. Please take a few minutes to talk to your child about the situations in the world and let them know that "Suicide is a permanent solution to a tenporary problem." Many people hurt daily from the effects of people taking their own lives and its important that people know there are folks here to help.
With the holiday's coming up I know that there will be many that don't know when or where they will find enough to give the extras to their child or family. Just know that the child will be fine and the most important thing is that they know they are loved and that no material items will be more important than love.
In the coming weeks we will be getting into the holiday season. Let us all try to remember its not what we buy for one another and that it is more important what we say and do for one another. Actions and words are very important and remember find a needy cause to help out. My project again this year is "Operation Christmas Child" which our church is hoping for 1000 shoeboxes to send to the operation overseas.
Respond and let me know what your mission is for the holiday season.

Fall is here!

Many of you know that I am not a fan of cold weather! Well I guess I ought to give in and accept it because it is now feeling and looking like fall. My back yard has lots of palm trees and flowers and until now they have still looked very bright and blooming. The yard was cut on Friday and now it is covered with acorns and leaves and it seems to be a never ending battle.
Halloween was last night and we didn't have a single trick or treater at our door. We have a small neighborhood but I still thought someone would bring their kids by. Sawyer and I decorated a month ago with our scary pumpkins and spiders and all but nobody came by to appreciate them!! He and I went to the Trick or Treat under the Sea at the Aquarium in Pine Knoll shores the other night. It was fun!
November has arrived.... can you believe it? It was just a few weeks ago that we were donning our bathing suits and sun block to go out and enjoy the water. The last time I remember was when we saw a school of dolphins going by and it was beautiful to watch them. The spot fishermen that have a habit of occuppying the Intracoastal waterway in the fall and they have come and caught. The oyster season has arrived and one of our local restaurants T&W Oyster Bar has a great business this time of year. Seems as tho it was just June when we were in there celebrating my birthday!
In a few weeks we will be going to see my son Ryan and his wife in Houston for Thanksgiving and my Anniversary. I am excited to see them, as it has been almost a year. I love the area he lives in and am planning a few extra days to get a chance to see the state.
So, if you haven't had the chance to get out and enjoy the leaves changing and the smell of buring outside, take a minute and step outside your door and realize that Fall certainly has arrived!!!

Family........

I was sitting here today and started to look at the photos on my desk. Yes, I am a picture taker from way back. I really think that I should have chosen to be a photographer instead of a Realtor. I love to take pictures because if you think about it, that is the only way to keep a record of what you were, what you did or how it was.
When I was little, the memebers of my family would always comment that if the camera was close, then Sandy was making a pose. Now, I would beg to differ on that!! I liked to be sure that when I looked at those photos later on that I wasn't doing some crazy face or something like that! So, I guess I was just a cheery kid who liked to get her picture taken. I like to update my pitures weekly if I can or whenever I get a really good one. I try to take pictures of the kids all the time because as time goes on you can see how they have grown and matured. Since my parents died when I was young (under 10) I didn't have the chance to be able to remember how they changed as they got older. I now make sure that even if my mind goes bad, I can at least look at the pictures and see how "it used to be"!

Which brings me to my family..... being the youngest of 5 children there are certain advantages to this. Mostly because after my brother John Scott passed away 4 years ago, we remaining brother and sisters have tried to be sure to stay in touch. John was kind of a loner and didn't have a lot to do with the rest of the family. I think I was the last one to actually have a visit with him about 7 years ago. He was a big guy and had a gruff attitude towards everything. I guess you may call it negitive,I just called it Scott. He was a good hearted person based on what his friends said but I think his hardness came when he became an orphan like the rest of us at age 13.

My oldest sister the one who held us all together when we were kids is getting ready to celebrate her big 60 birthday. One thing she has to look forward to is that she can realistically be called a senior citizen!!! I have to joke her because my brother Mark and sister Jaye, (who all are older than I ) have celebrated their big 50th birthdays in the past few years as well and I still havent!!! So when the AARP stuff comes to their mailboxes they know that I still get "Teen Beat" magazine in mine!!

They are my family and I love them all, but like to rub it in a little that no matter how hard they try to make me feel bad about it, I am the baby and still havn't turned 50!
So, next year when the big 50 comes, I still have a defense, I am still younger than them and no matter what I always will be.

I just was thinking of what kind of present I could get someone turning 60? I guess its probably not any different than someone who is turning 59, but for some reason I feel like it should be a momentous present. I do believe that on her 50th I sent her a box of dead flowers!! I know, it was not a nice present but I do believe I did get her something really nice in addition to the flowers.

So, when you think about your family and start looking at those old pictures be thankful that you have the pictures to look at. Yes, we may have big hair, duck tails or even the wings of the 70's but we have pictures to look at. I tell my children all the time, you had better get along with one another because they are your family.... and you will be with them for the rest of your life!!!!

Help this ministry......

I am sure that a lot of people hear this at their local church or place of worship. I just wanted to let you all know a little about a ministry that has been taking place for several years now. A little strip mall in Phenix City, AL is where it happens. Each morning the doors open for many homeless men and women that live on the streets under the 14th Street bridge. This bridge connects two cities, Phenix City, AL and Columbus, GA. it also connects two States. Now,this is the real delimma is that neither of these cities want to take responsibility for the citizens that are not able to afford a home. This Ministry is World Vision Ministries. My sister who is 3 years older than I helps run this ministry. She and her husband have taken in these people who have nobody else. These folks come for a warm meal, someone to listen to them and occasionally a hot shower and some new clothes. Living under a bridge can be tough, even in the warm south. My sister relates to these people, as she was also one of those people who had problems with alcohol. Fortuneately she found the way out of that dark tunnel and has made it her mission and life to help others. She provides a meal and a bible study and often just some kind words of encouragement for them. They have helped so many move off the streets into rehab or to get a job and back into regular lifestyles. Many of these people are ex-military who have had some type of stress syndomes that have effected them. Many have had addiction problems which she addresses and has another recovery class for that as well.
The reason for my explaination is that recently they have fallen behind in their rent and utilities. Because many of the people at their services do not have anything to put into the offering plate other than an IOU. So, therefore they have been told that if they can't get some of the payments up to date, they will have to close. This is not what this ministry needs, what it needs is support. Support from us people who can help. Donating just a little can mean a lot and it will make you feel a lot better to be able to help.
Many ways you can do this is:
Contact me so I can get your donation to send to the ministry.
Send a tax free donation to:
World Vision Ministries
c/o Jaye Johnson
2202 11th AVe.
Phenix City, AL 36867
At this time what we need to do is to get some funds together to help out. I know things are tough at this time for all of us, but if you can find it in your budget to donate just a little, anything would be helpful.
I have donated things and money to this ministry in the past and I know this is a worthwhile situation, and they need help.
If you send a donation please let them know that you need a reciept and they will send you one and it is so important that you think about this and find it in your heart to do something to help.
http://14thstreetbridge.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/
Check out her blog above and you can see the things this ministry has helped people do.
I don't usually do something like this but it is important that we as a group of facebook friends try to help one another.
If you want more information go to the link above or give me a call.

Take it in your heart to pray about this and for the ministry. If you can't help with money please help with prayers. We want to see Jaye and her family and friends keep this mission going.
Thanks.

Just things.....

I realized that I had not posted anything in a long time, so here is a hodge podge of things that are on my mind.
First things first, is that it is raining again!!! Yes, they called for beautiful skies this weekend and here it is at almost 4 pm on Friday only an hour before the official start of the weekend and it is pouring outside. It doesn't look promising that it is moving out any time soon!! This entire week has been one of those "wonderful fall days" as some of my friends have said. As far as I am concerned it has been pretty a bit chilly for me, but thats all I ever say because if it was 99 degree's I would say its not warm enough outside. Yes, I never used to care about the temperature, but I have learned as time has gone on that I hate cold weather!!!
The Flu is another one of my concerns, one of my friends and her son have the flu and I feel bad for them. Her hubby is overseas and she is nursing the two of them back to health. I wish I could help out, but I can't risk it!! :) I don't do sick well at all and have no plans on getting sick this fall and winter if I can help it. I have been extra cautious to be sure to wash everytime I use a door or shake hands ect. I go to the office and find out today, one of the gials in the office is sick with the flu and then thinks possibly its the "Swine" type. I am not sure if they can determnine that immediately, but I was able to determine that my "Clorox wipes and spray cleaner" that have been hidden under the desk were ready to be broken out to clean surfaces. I wiped the copier, the bathroom door handles and anything that I thought they could have infected. I just wish that if someone was feeling ill that they just stay home that day. Its too easy to spread this stuff. Either way after lunch I left and came home to the cleanliness of my domain.
I am going on a little trip to Myrtle Beach this weekend. Its finally time to take the motor coach out for a trip. Its always fun to do and we are going to do a little shopping and a show while gone. The ting I look forward to the most is that I can go by and see Sawyer when we go through Wilmington!!! He has been so good at school and his grandpa has offered him a dollar for each good day at school.
Well off to the trip so I have to leave now. Have a great weekend.

Is Summer Over?????

This was the question someone asked me earlier today? Is summer really over or do we have a chance to catch some more sun and fun at the beach? My answer is always YES, we have plenty of summer left (my glass is half full you see). I don't believe just because there isn't a million extra people on the island that you can't enjoy the beach just the same. There will be more days of cooler weather but there will be equally more days of HOT muggy weather in Eastern North Carolina.
Yesterday, Labor Day for example we had probably the worst weather day that I can remember even since the last Hurricane. No, it wasn't a Hurricane or even a Tropical Storm, just a stalled front sitting off the coast! Yes, it was stalled or maybe constipated, but it was here from sun up to sun down yesterday. Many of my contacts on Facebook, were posting that they were enjoying the day sleeping and relaxing. I on the other hand can't seem to do either even if the sun isn't up so I just went about my business.
I went to the movies with my hubby, and probably for the first time in a long time, we didn't see the same thing. I wanted to see the new flick All About Steve and he wanted to see the Inglorious Bastards, so we went separate this day. Mine was pretty good, I just wish that Sandra Bullock would do some movies that actually show you that she isn't a stupid woman doing stupid things. I did see her in The Proposal and that was good because she was a woman and a person in that movie. This one I saw portrayed her as a smart woman that was desperate to fall in love with this man she was set up on a blind date with. It goes thru lots of silly things she did but in the end the guy she wanted realized she was a smart, intelligent woman. She wore these 1970's red patent go go boots the entire movie. Go see it you may enjoy it.
Back to summer, here on the island fall is a great time of year to check out the beach. It is less crowded and more people are here that are from the local area. We like to think of our area as a year round beach so if you want a quick get away or want to just come for the day head on down to the beautiful coast.
Remember to bring your sunscreen, as it will be good sunbathing weather at least for another 30 days or so. Bring your fishing pole, as the Spots start to run soon and when you cross over the Bogue sound all you can see for a long way is the fishermen out there trying to catch some fish. I wonder who is at work on those days.....
I plan to get out on the boat, deck and the beach as much as possible the next few weeks, so the answer is, NO, summer is not over, for us local people it has just begun.

The Points Patrol

Aw the Points patrol is one of the names my son came up with about a year ago when he and I decided to do the Weight Watchers program on line. He would call and check to be sure that I was counting all of those nasty points you can run up in one day. He would be sure that we counted the salad dressing, mustard and mayonnaise we put on our sandwiches. Now, a year and a half later and many pounds and inches later we have learned how to count those points without the Weight Tracker and the points calculator.
About a month ago I decided I had a personal goal that I wanted to reach so I was talking to a friend who wanted to know how I was able to get so thin. I am not a good eater and hated most foods, but found that if I wanted to eat what I wanted I learned how to do it on Weight Watchers. I have improved my eating habits and eat a lot more fruits and veggies and chicken and turkey than I ever have. Somedays I feel like I am eating an entire head of lettuce. I dip my fork in dressing and eat and never ever pour anything on a salad. Its hard to learn to do but it works. Anyway.... back to my friend that wanted to learn so I always tell people that I never went to a weight watchers meeting but I did it all online. The only person you hurt if you don't do it right is yourself!!!
So, she started and in the evenings she goes out and walks and takes the time to look up the foods and so far she has lost about 12 lbs. She has struggled with dieting and I explained that its not a diet but a change of lifestyle and the way you look at food. Many people use food as a reward or a comfort, I like to think of it as something you need for the body to go. Going down a size in pants is my reward! Another girl I am friends with also wanted to learn so we went over things and she now is also on the "plan". She is out walking while her son is playing football instead of sitting in the stands chatting with moms. Actually she has recruited some other moms to walk with her. Its an easy hour and both mom and son get a chance to exercise. I like to go over and walk with her so we can catch up on our weeks and whats happening in our worlds. She has her own personal goals and hopes to be at the major one by the time her hubby returns in December.
My sister also has been doing the program now for about 2 weeks and I am not sure what her goal is but she is also doing quite well on it. I myself have been dropping gradually, but I am only looking at getting to my personal low and would like to be there by Christmas. Recommended loss on Weight Watchers is like 1-2 lbs a week. So by then I should be at maintenance on the plan.
So, I am going to try to do a weekly update for those who may want to know. If you want to get on board let me know,and I will try to be an inspiration to all that want help. Its a change of lifestyle and one that is good for all,
Let me know if you want some insight for joining this plan. Its easy just go to www.weightwatchers.com You can join online for a pretty inexpensive rate.
Until we all weigh in next week........

Things change, people change and time changes us all!

One of those titles that you think "oh I beleive I realize what she is talking about". When really its not that at all.... If you know me you may think that you know what I am talking about but then again it could be many things.
Things change in our lives that either we consider good or bad. One day you think you know what is going on and then zap.... its changing again. We have our darling grandson who has lived for 4 years so close that I can walk to his home if I wanted to. I have had the pleasure of helping with his first years, showing him things only grandmas do and spoiling him the way only grandparents do. This weekend he is moving...... yes, moving to another town with his mom and this Grandma is not a happy camper!! Yes, I do understand that things change and people change. His mom and my son are no longer married and she has chosen to move to a bigger town for "culture and education". What the heck? My kids were raised right here and they have attended West Point Military Academy and Meredith College and they didn't have to live in a big city to get "culture and education"!
People change..... yes, that is so true and when people get divorced or separate they change. Families as they know them have changed and the members all have to re-adjust themselves to adapt to the change. Some of us handle this better than others. In my family my kids talk.. they talk to each other, they don't mix words they tell it straight. In other families maybe they expect you to know what they think or feel. Yet in others they just clam up or don't speak. Some even act like they have their backside on their shoulders all of the time!!!
I personally am a black and white person. Most of the time you don't have to guess how I am feeling or how I feel about something. Its either yes orno, black or white. I am not a gray person at all and I like it that way. You will know if I like you or not, no faking it on my side. This is where I hate the people who can't make a decision or won't state how they truly feel they just expect you to tolerate their moods and ways. I say "heck no" I won't do it any more!!! And in this day and age and at the age most of you are, it is time to grow up!!!
Time certainly has made me change in the respect that I never thought that I could be so attached to one little blonde haired, blue eyed little boy. He has changed from that little 18" 6 lb baby that I placed on my bed the day I met him and layed there and just stared at him. He was just so innocent then and still today there is such an innocence about him. He will be starting school next week and today he told me over his waffles and syrup that "school is dumb and stupid".
I tried to explain that you go to school to learn to be smart and so when you are old enough to do so, get a good job or fly planes and helicopters like his daddy and Uncle. Needless to say he is not buying this not even from Mama!
So, next weekend when he comes to visit and I get to pick him up from school, he will be telling me how it went. He, if you remember was "kicked out of preschool" back in December because he didn't like to take naps. Wonder if he can make that happen in kindergarten?? I hope not, all I can hope for is that time changes things for him and he will enjoy learning and going to school.
So, when you get the chance to hold your grandchild, take him to the park or just hang out, remember things may change and that could all change in a blink of an eye!!!

Ever have one of those weeks??

This has been a crazy week. It never seems to work out the way you thought it would when the alarm goes off on Monday mornings. I think some days I am semi-retired because my body says "go back to sleep" and my alarm says "get up". I have found that I used to get the alarm to go off about 7:00 am then sometime shortly after that I find a way to pry my eyes open and get up. Well most days my sweet grandson Sawyer is popping thru the door about 7:15 when his dad my son drops him on his way to work. Why in the world people start work so early is beyond me. This self employed thing is the way to go!!! Now Sawyer expects his Lucky Charms and milk to be about ready when he comes in because its been a long night for a little guy!!!
Since he has been on vacation in PA I haven't had my routine of getting out of bed. Today I think about 8:00 I finally scooped the sand out of my eyes and found a way to stagger to the bathroom for eyedrops. Not good!!! Heck some people have been at work for over an hour already!! Maybe I do Like Real Estate after all.

I did also sell a house this week. Well I guess the proper thing is that I got a contract on my listing. The only problem is that when it closes, my grandson will be moving to Wilmington. His mother is going to school there and wants to move there. I guess it won't be too bad but only about an hours drive. Great shopping and eating in Wilmington. Then again it could be further and I wouldn't like that at all. No more early morning breakfasts at 7:15 for this grandma. Maybe over vacations he can come and stay with us some. He is starting kindergarden and she wants to get him into his new school to start, and I agree it would be good for him.
He is anxious and ready to start school so I want it to be a good experience for him.

My Friend Tammie has been visiting us all week. She came in on Saturday and we enjoyed a leisurely day on the beach Sunday and this week she has been soaking in the rays of the Carolina sun and surf. Sounds like yesterday she got caught up in a Rip Tide which is something that happens a lot around this area. She was saying that she was jumping the waves and then suddenly her feet got taken out from under her and that another wave hit her from behind. (This is commonly described by a lot of people I have heard). She said she hit her shoulder hard on the ocean floor and then got up and out as fast as she could. I believe she will be sore today.
Always be careful when playing in the surf and if its windy be extra careful because it is not a normal beach day!!! I can't tell you how many near drownings and actual drownings we have had in the past few years because of that.

So, Friday at work is chugging along and the weather is hot and humid. Lots of visitors at our beach and I hope they are enjoying the summer. I look forward to going to look at wedding dresses with my daughter this weekend. She is getting married one year from today so the clock is ticking!!! Knowing her she will use every minute to come up with all of the things she has been dreaming of. Who will be the person to stop that? Not me!! Dream girl..... I hope to do all I can to make it come true for her.
If you havn't been out in the summer sun and enjoyed an ice cream cone or a walk in the park, I challenge you to do it this weekend.

Visitors...

This week is a week for visitors. I am getting a visit from an old friend Tammie. Tammie and I have been friends from when we were about 10 years old. She used to go to the dance studio that was at the house next to mine when I was a child. She also lived near my brother in laws parents and was friends with Laura, my brother in law's sister who is also a friend.
Tammie and I have been friends so long that we probably could do some damage if we sat down with the others families and let the stories fly!!! I do know that some of the things we did her parents would not approve of! Not that they were bad mind you, just things that they wouldn't have approved of back in the late 70's. For some reason I was always the smuggler. I would smuggle the liquor in because I had older siblings that would buy it for us. Now remember we thought buying an 8 pack of pony bottles and splitting it between 6 of us was doing something big!!! Now there was this big "Basketball team" sleep over where we bribed Tammies sister Terri not to tell on us! Or the day we went to the mall to shop and snuck into "Saturday Night Fever" at the movies because her parents wouldn't let her go to an "R" rated movie. Now compare that movie to the "R" rated movies of today and think about how crazy it is to be rated like that back then!!
Anyway.... I am looking forward to her arrival this weekend so that we can spend a little "girlfriend" time together. She has recently gone through some tough times in her life and needs a little get away. Glad to know she wants to do it with me.
I am sure we will spend our time sitting by the pool, going out on the boat or maybe just a spin on the jetski, but either way it will be fun.
There have been times when we haven't talked to each other for months but everytime we get on the phone we just pick up like we talked yesterday. It is so nice to have a great friend like that, where you don't have to put on or pretend anything with them.
I will get her to go to all the places my hubby doesn't like to go where the women are and maybe even plan a little spa day for us!!
What fun....... Have you a great friend like me?? Please let me know and tell me about her or him.
I will report on my visit with her next week.

Back again......

I have been gone from the blog scene for awhile, so I haven't had the thought of what to blog about. I am back again....
Summer on Emerald Isle is in full swing. The vacationers (tourons) as we call them locally have taken over the island. Its wonderful!!! Our business survives on these families that come each year to enjoy our beautiful beach.

I have been travelling a little since last post. I actually went on a trip to Hawaii. It was great to get away and just act like a tourist for a little while. We stopped in Los Angeles on the way out and I had found us a place to stay on the beach in Venis Beach (Muscle Beach). Not a good idea. I read a lot and I see that a lot of people mention this area, but its not the BEST area to go to on the beach in California, if you know what I mean! Very, very much drug use, sale and promotion. Have you ever heard that there are doctors on this particular strand of beach who will evaluate you for medicinal use of Marajuania? News to me but they are on every other block on Venis Beach. One man I walked by was sitting on a trash barrel saying "please give me a few bucks so I can buy some pot! I'm not gonna buy food I am going to get high, I won't lie to you!" Ok, now I am a grown adult but if I wanted someone to give me money for my addiction I would at least pretend I wasn't going to use it on that! Gotta give him credit tho he decided to tell the truth.
Another part of my stop in LA involved getting in touch with an old school friend Leslie. She and I were buddies and hung out a lot in High School and she moved out there shortly after college. Believe it or not, she actually hasn't changed. I was so glad to see her and it was just a fun time catching up with her.
We were also there during the "Michael Jackson death" period. I was so glad that we were not in town the day they had his memorial. Leslie did mention that it was a "Zoo" trying to drive around town.

Six hours later the next day we are in Hawaii. Of course its always a challenge to get where you want to go and you have to hurry up and wait. I think we stayed in a wonderful hotel Hilton Hawaiian Village and I would recommend it to anyone. Plenty of shopping, restaurants and plenty of beach. I was amazed at the number of "high end" shopping stores they have there. Every other street corner has an ample supply of Coach,Prada, Chanel, Louis Vitton, Faragamo, Diesel, Lucky Jeans, and so on and so on!! Most every sign is in English and Japanese, which is so unlike things in our part of the country which offer things in Spanish!! Maybe that tells you something!!
Hawaii is a wonderful place to go but as far as I am concerned we could have flown to the Bahamas or the Carribbean and I would have been just as happy! Its a good place to visit, but the water and beaches are great on the east coast and its a heck of a shorter flight than to take 12 hours to get to Hawaii.
Now don't get me wrong, it was a wonderful trip, learned a lot about the beginning of World War II by going to the Pearl Harbor memorial and learning about how our service members sacrificed their lives for us on that day so long ago in 1942.
Being there over Independence Day made it even more meaningful.

Back home and back to the daily grind has been hard. I don't think 3 weeks later I can still blame my sleeping in to "jet lag". Maybe just laziness!!!
The thrill of being back in the daily routine is not all is cracked up to be.

Travelling

I was thinking today that it had been a few days since my last post and what was going on that others would want to read about here in Emerald Isle, NC. Well, the summer has started here on the island. It takes longer to get anywhere on Emerald Drive. I have learned that it is smart to go everywhere you need to before you get on the island or it will take twice as long to get there. A good sign is that it takes more than one turn of the traffic light to get down the street to the water spewing from the top of the Watter Boggin, a favorite on a hot summer day. The Waterboggin has been on the island for a very long time. My daughter worked there the summer of her 11th grade year. At that time the owner was going to sell the property and get out of the waterboggin business. Thank goodness he didn't as of yet. The visitors and locals alike love to go and its a fun place for both kids and adults alike on a hot summer day.
Anyway.... it has been a busy week with the occasional birthday party added in! Like I said before we have so many this month that we finished them up today. We leave on Tuesday early morning for our vacation to Hawaii. This has been planned since before my husband and I got married. Actually we were going to get married in Hawaii, but the first time I went to California, I said it was too far so we opted to marry locally. This November we celebrate our 5th anniversary so we are bundling this in with our anniversary. I was looking on the US Airways website for details about baggage and such. Well it seems that the bags we have are too big and probably after we get them packed they will be too heavy. How can you go somewhere for over a week and not take more than 40 lbs with you? The bag weighs like 5 by itself and then the contents can't weigh more than 35? This constitutes an additional expense to the traveller to the tune of $15.00 for the first bag and then an additional $25.00 for the next one and so forth. So,I guess if we took stock in UPS we could just ship our stuff there hoping it will arrive within the time we are there, maybe it would be cheaper than asking those folks at the airport to move it from one plane to another. I have started to pack a carry on and a big pocketbook or bag as my personal item. Remember tho that you cannot put any liquid in it that is more than 4oz and that includes a used tube of toothpaste that may have.05 oz in it. Yes, we had to throw away a tube of toothpaste that had a little in it even tho the tube said 7oz.
Great thing is that we applied for US Airways credit cards so we could get some benefits towards our travel and my husband uses his faithfully for all of his purchases, so he can get his points. We looked to see if we could upgrade to first class and they want you to use 30,000 points for one person one way to upgrade. Be real......
So, thus begins the brunt of my frustration. I will faithfully pack my bags within my limits and weigh it on the scale before I leave. Usually I am dead on the money so I hope that those shorts and tank tops will be light. I will promise not to buy too much for souvenirs before the weight limit changes and that I won't rip the head off of the attendant that is checking me in when she tells me how much more I need to pay. I will be sure to give you an update as to how expensive checking bags will be. On the website it now states that it will cost you more to take a bag on a plane if you don't pay for it on line before you leave. Yes, its true, after 7-9-09 you are to pay for your extra bags on line or they charge you $5.00 more at the airport. Just think about the number of people who will never go to the website and will have to pay that fee at the airport. I thought the oil companies were bad!!!How bout Granny who doesn't even know what a computer is and she is going to visit a family member. Cha Ching..... Granny it now costs you more to go visit if you take a suitcase. Wonder if I could just put a bunch of layers on my body and then once thru the check in, buy a bag in the little airport store and carry it on. Hey, there's a way to get around it!
Enough venting for now, hopefully it will be relaxing in Hawaii and everyone enjoy the Independance Day holiday!!!

June Birthdays

June Birthdays! Its one of those things when everyone and anyone in your life all have a birthday in the same month. It has been one of those months for me. It all started out with Krista my oldest having hers on June 4th, so of course that is in the middle of the week and she came home on the weekend and we celebrated. She is getting older now and doesn't care for cake so we just took her out for her birthday and went to the beach. Luckily for us it was a wonderful and warm weekend so we had a great time. Then on June 11th it was time for one of our grandsons Ben to have his 5th birthday. Again it was during the week so Saturday was the day of choice for the party. It was a pool party with 20 little 5 and 6 yr. olds with a cookout for the adults. A wonderful time.
This week was my oldest son Pete's birthday on the 17th again he didn't want a cake and even didn't want a dinner so it was pretty easy on that day. I think one evening we will go out and celebrate. This coming week is Alex (my son's wife )birthday on the 25th and then Anthony another son's on the 27th! So, maybe this week we will get a chance to eat some cake.
I love birthday's as I have always felt it is the one day you celebrate differently from everyone else. Its not Easter or Christmas its the celebration of your birth and of you!!!
So, ending the month will be my birthday on the 30th. My loving husband is taking me to Hawaii. So I will be celebrating for about a week!!! No better way to handle celebrating your birthday then to be on vacation. What do you think???
Now that I think about it there are about 5 more birthdays we have to celebrate in July too, so maybe this whole birthday thing isn't so bad.
I wanted to do a group party and do it all at once, but with schedules, it didn't work out again this year.
My plan for Christmas is for all of my kids and my husbands kids to take a cruise! Now that would be a blast. There are so many affordable cruises now and the way they have accomodations for kids makes it even better!!!
So, for now I think I am off to buy yet another birthday present, but I don't mind because I love shopping!!!
Maybe I can do a blog one of these days about the deals I find!!!
Stay tuned!!

Busy, doing what?

I realized today that it had been a week since I last posted something so I thought I must write something, even if it is quick.
This has been a busy week..... I am working with some people who are trying to get their loan finalized so we can close the deal. Many of you remember me talking about closings the other week. Well, I can honestly say that most of the reasons we can't get anything closed has nothing to do with the people wanting the loan. It is the people behind the scenes that control the lending and the evaluation process for the consumer.
If you watch the news they say "oh the market is good, there is plenty of money out there at good rates". Heck yeah! There are a lot of good mortgage companies out there wanting to lend money, but they want a first time home buyer to "jump through hoops" to get the money. This particular time its not the mortgage company but the appraiser. Of course, I got the draw of an unknown appraiser that was assigned to do the job. Nobody, and I mean nobody that I know in the business is aware of who this person is or where they came from, but that is not for us to decide. Anyway.... they were asked for more info and just said I gave you all I am going to do.
Well, anyway.... we are working again to get this to the closing table.
Be aware, if you are planning on buying a home in the near future, be sure you have cleaned up your credit. Get the bad stuff off right from the start. Most of all be sure that you have a down payment of at least 10% minimum. Mortgage companies have money to loan but they want you to put some substantial money up front to make it a good deal for all. Remember that you can qualify for an $8000.00 tax credit for first time home buyers. Check with your tax preparer or accountant for more information.
For now I will continue to work for my clients to get this moved to the closing table. Maybe the next time we will get some people on the appraisal side that want to help us out and get the right information the first time so we don't waste an additional month trying to get it done.
Until the next time........

Aaaah Monday!

Just another Monday at the lovely island of Emerald Isle. Most days I don't complain too much about my job but today its been a trying one.
I have a house that is supposed to be closing and we seem to be having another crisis with the mortgage company.
With the rise in foreclosed properties, we have found that the mortgage companies have really tightened up. I thought this was something that was happening to people who may be wanting to get a mortgage that may have a less than normal credit score or someone who has had problems with their repayments. No, that doesn't seem to be so true anymore. It seems that the mortgage underwriters have taken it upon themselves to just ask for everything (including your first born) as proof that you plan on paying for this property.
I have been working for almost 2 weeks to get a loan closed for a great client. This is the first home they have ever bought so I was hoping this would be a fun and enjoyable experience for them. Needless to say, it has been far from easy. The mortgage people keep on asking for more. When I say more I mean more than the normal average person should have to produce to get a mortgage.
Now, I do understand that the current economic crisis has created this situation, but should all good standing American citizens who want to buy a home be punished for those that decided to just quit and walk away? I do think NOT!
So, I continue to search for the needle in the haystack which will provide enough information for these very prudent people called "underwriters" to approve this loan.
Keep your fingers crossed that we get the ok and we can move on. As I wrote earlier in one of my blogs, closing days don't come very often so when they do you want to get it taken care of quickly!
So, remember if you have a desire to purchase a piece of property you need to let me know as I will be the expert in gathering information after this deal closes!
Besides that the weekend at Emerald Isle was simply wonderful. Sunny, warm in the 80's and no rain!!!! Finally...... its supposed to be a beautiful week so book your property now for the weekend. www.bluewatergmac.com.

Business on the Beach

It was a busy weekend here at the beach, I believe it was good for all of the businesses. Because we are primarily a vacation destination for most people the majority of the businesses were glad to see the steady stream of traffic heading onto the island. Started Thursday night, loaded cars, SUV's with kids hanging out the windows and plenty of people in the grocery store. I did pass a funny car kind of like a Honda Accord with surfboards, strollers and coolers all strapped to the top of it. They were going to stay for awhile, the way it looked.
I don't think I have seen that much traffic in a long time around here. I left my house which is about a 5 minute walk to the grocery and Lowes Home Improvement store across the street and I had to weave thru a stand still line. I spent about 15 minutes there and came back and the same people were still sitting there. What a mess!

Memorial Day was beautiful so we put the boat in the water, loaded it up with the grill, a cooler and some food and set off to the islands. Being that we live here year round,locals have little islands that we can go to that the tourists don't, so its kind of a meeting place. Its great because there are kids and other adults to visit with. We had a great time getting out and enjoying the warm sun. I forgot to sunscreen parts of my body so I am dealing with sunburn this week!
Based on the amount of people in the stores and those on the streets tells me that it is going to be a good summer season. Remember to look our company up if you want to come to the area at www.bluewatergmac.com, we can help you out.

We love to share our beautiful location on the Crystal coast, we would enjoy having you come and see us at the beach. We appreciate the business.

Welcome Back!

Its kind of an ironic saying, Welcome back! That has several meanings to me this Memorial Day Weekend. For many its a four day weekend, the one that starts the "summer season", cookouts, getting together with friends and family.

Well for me this Memorial Day has special meaning. As many of you know I have two sons that serve us in the military. Ryan is a Captain in the Army and has been serving in Afghanistan with his group since December. I have been keeping up with him on the internet and the creation of web cams,Yahoo and Skype. I have been able to see him and feel like we are talking in person. He and I are talking right this minute... the great part is that he is on his way back home. After lots of prayers, God has helped arrange it so that he can return home this weekend. They needed someone to come back and take over at the place he worked at Ft. Hood and they asked him to return home early..... This is almost unheard of that you get to return early from a years assignment overseas! So, my Memorial Day will be a bit different this year.
For our family it not only will be a Welcome Home but a thank you to heaven above that he has been kept safe. Thank you to Ryan for his commitment to his country. He has been married over 2 years and the large majority of that he has been serving in a war zone. He has a wonderful wife who has learned to deal with his absence, but holds down the home front until he returns. Thank you to her as well for understanding that he has that commitment.

In addition I also have another son Pete, who is a Captain in the Marine Corps. He too is on active duty here in North Carolina. This weekend he is serving at an airshow representing the Marine Corps instead of being at home with his friends and family. He has spent a good amount of time being away from home and his 5 year old son Sawyer. It is so hard to explain to a little boy that his daddy has to be away in a far away place or on a ship for 6 months. That amount of time is a long time for a little boy!

My other reason for talking about welcoming people is that the beach has finally woken up!! We have lots of folks here visiting us and I say Welcome Back to them as well. We love to have you here for a visit. I decided to go over to the beach this morning to the office and had to go early because after about noon you have to wait in traffic. Well, this morning like many other times I got over and did my errands, and when I got ready to go back the traffic started.

As I approached the top of the high rise bridge over Bogue sound, there was a wreck at the top. Unfortunately this is a common occurrence in the summertime, as people are looking down at the beautiful views and then someone stops suddenly in front of them! Crash!!!! This one was three cars, nobody hurt but since it is single lane the traffic stops so the police and rescue squad can come and do their job. I went out about 2 hours later and the traffic was still sitting because there are just so many people wanting to get to that beach!!!

Our company handles rental properties and our group welcomed 450 families today and probably that many tomorrow as well. We truly do love having all of our extended family and visitors here on Emerald Isle. We welcome you back and hope you will have a wonderful visit here in North Carolina

Welcome Back to Ryan, my son and all of the military that are coming home from deployments. My prayers to all that are not here and to the families of those service members. Remember those who have given their lives for you and I in order for us to be able to enjoy our trips to the beach and all the things we take for granted. When you eat your hamburgers and hot dogs this Memorial Day weekend, say a little prayer of thanks to all of our Troops!!
We salute you the members of the Army, Marines, Coast Guard, Navy and National Guard!

Hello Motha, hello Fatha

Many of you may remember an old song called "Hello Motha, Hello Fatha" that was popular in the late 60's maybe? Well, that was one of those songs I remember really liking and it was about a kid who was writing a letter home to his parents from summer camp. It said it was really bad at camp and something like "they say we'll have some fun if it stops raining!" It came to mind today as I was travelling down the beach from Atlantic Beach to Emerald Isle. It has been raining here for about 5 days now. Today it has gotten sunny and warm in the 70's and people are appearing everywhere. The song continues with something like "wait a minute its stopped raining, kids are swimming, kids are sailing" and goes on to say that they should disregard this letter and that everything is fine at Camp Granada.

Like Camp Granada, Emerald Isle is sunny and warm again. Hopefully the weather will hold for the beginning of the rental season and the summer. Predictions say that we will see temperatures in the high 80's this weekend, so if you haven't planned your trip to the beach do it now!!! No time like the present.

Many activities are going on this weekend such as the Swansboro Rotary Fishing Tournament which starts on Friday evening and runs through the entire weekend. Or if you are really showing your redneck tendencies you can go to Charlotte for the Coca Cola 600 (NASCAR) which will run on Sunday evening. For me, its just hanging in the back yard, planting some flowers, maybe swimming in the pool and then taking the boat out after church for a leisurely ride in Bogue Sound.

Beginning tomorrow we will be overwhelmed with traffic, long lines and beach goers. Years ago when my kids were younger, we would go to the beach on Saturday and Sunday . One of my favorite things was to people watch so we would give a little commentary to the group as we watched people coming to the beach. It would go something like this......"check out dad he hasn't been out of his suit since last summer, you can tell by the farmer tan and the black socks he is wearing with his sandals. Aunt Polly is slathering up the kids with 50+ sunscreen, no chance that anyone will know they have been to the beach with her around!! Oh look, they have stopped at the Walmart to stock up..... Check it out they have the price tags still on the umbrella, and they have been fighting with it to keep it in the sand and not flying through the air, whacking some innocent baby playing on the beach."

The next time you are at the beach take a few minutes to watch some of the other folks coming for the first time this season. Don't get me wrong, we love visitors and can't wait for them to return. Its just fun to make up these little conversations while soaking up the rays.

Lets hope the sun will stay shining for the Memorial Day weekend, and say a prayer for our troops.

Graduation Time

Well, this is the month, all of the different schools are holding Graduation. When it all started some 8 months ago, it was senior pictures, followed by many different dresses, shoes and outfits for all of the different events to be held. My daughter Krista just graduated from Meredith College (an all girls college in Raleigh, NC) which is full of tradition. I never knew a school with no "official" football team and a sports program like the other state schools in the Raleigh area would have so much going on. We have had the annual Corn Husking activities, which to this day and after 4 years I really truly don't know what it is actually for. It is kind of like a spirit week between the classes with an evening and I mean an entire evening of about 6 hours of performing and competitions. My husband,Krista's brother and boyfriend still don't get it!

We had parents evening, 109th night (that many nights til graduation), class picnic and many others.



This is a wonderful school and my daughter has truly blossomed into a woman. She now has a new appreciation for the names, Coach, Chanel, Dooney & Bourke, Prada, BMW, Mercedes...... do I need to go on?? Thank you to the Meredith girls for this appreciation!



Back to the subject; we spent the weekend of Mothers day celebrating Graduation along with Class day where the girls were all dressed in white with one black left handed glove. (I kind of thought maybe Michael Jackson had an influence on this!) The black glove is worn only by classes who graduate in odd years! Who would have known?? Wonder where that one started, of course I asked but nobody knew! Along with this the Sophomore class (also graduating in an odd year, called the little sis class) does a daisy chain which is made out of real daisy's. They present the class with a parade of the chain and eventually placing it on the grass in the amphitheatre in the "09" shape! Very touching, but again the men are looking at each other like these girls are nuts or something! They also sing songs to each other using the Golden girls show theme "Thank you for being a friend".



Another tradition they do is decorate their graduation caps. Krista's was very cute where she said "Thanks Mom and Dad" and then had the Marine Corps and Army Insignia on it for her brothers Pete and Ryan. Very touching I thought! She could be seen from our seats in the stands by her cap so it was easy to take photos during the ceremony.

She has now been out of college now one week and still looking to use that degree in Accounting that her parents helped pay for.



On another note of graduation my hubby and I will be watching one of our grandsons Ben, who will graduate tonight from his pre-school. I wonder if they have any crazy traditions that 5 year olds do at this graduation? Maybe something like throw away the sippy cup or possibly just

run around and go crazy! I am sure there won't be any black gloves or chains of daisy's and songs with words that go with the Golden Girls theme song "Thank you for being a friend".



This mother is just glad that Graduation is over and once all of the bills are paid it will be time to start planning a wedding maybe???

Cold Monday Mornings

I am sure if you are on the East coast then you are experiencing what I am talking about, a Rainy, Cold, Dreary Monday morning. I knew it when the alarm went off, that when my little eyelids opened and I peeked at the transom above the window. There was no sunlight, just light and it was grey and cloudy!

Well at that point I decided I couldn't get myself back to sleep, so it was move on out into the wet world. Yes, of course along with the cloudy and wet it is also very chilly. I dressed and then after taking my grandson to school, I came home and re-dresseed, as I was way too under dressed for this weather.

Now, let me tell you that if you live in the north or even in the south it is expected to be rainy sometimes, but when you live at the beach, its is supposed to be warm this time of year and most of all sunny!!! NOT, today...... but maybe by the weekend.

Friday begins the "busy season" for us here on Emerald Isle. Everyone who owns a home will be here (unless its rented) and it will be crazy for the next 10 weeks. We love it because it is how we make our living. People will be everywhere and when you want to run out and get a bite for lunch or dinner you will have to plan it appropriately. The line at Rucker Johns, in Emerald Plaza will be out the door and the wait will be in excess of 30 minutes or a seat at Flipperz will take you a good 45 minutes to get. Patience is the key to getting that meal you really want.

Maybe by the end of the week I can get you some new pictures of the beach area. For now I will post my most favorite one from the concert I attended on Saturday with George Straight. Now some of you may ask George "who"? George is a country singer and he has had over 57 #1 hits in the country music genre. The concert was fabulous and like Springsteen, we knew all of his songs and the words!!!! He sang nothing that we didn't know!

So, back to work on this grey cloudy day, hopefully this has brought a little sunshine into your world today. Let me know your thoughts and we can discuss more topics this week.

This Weekend at the Beach!

Hopefully this weekend at the beach will be beautiful. For the last few days we have had the gray gloomy skies and thunder clouds all around. No serious rain but just enough to make it so you can't really enjoy being outside. Today started out kind of cloudy but as time has gone on it has warmed up and the sun is peeking through.
There are a few major events that are going on besides the weekly T-ball contest that Sawyer and his Mets will take part in on Saturday morning. Sawyer (my 5 year old grandson) plays or should I say he stands in the dirt and plays sometimes, and I help coach. When I signed him up I thought it would be fun for him to take part in a sport my children loved so much, he seems as tho he could take it or leave it. He doesn't know that he actually is rather good at playing. We all go out and watch and the kids have a good time throwing the ball and trying to catch it. I have enjoyed helping the little ones learn how to play, so it offers some rewards to me.

The Cherry Point Airshow is also going on this weekend. This is an annual event and this year they have changed around the performers, so maybe it will offer some new acts. For more information check out http://www.cherrypointairshow.com/. Because I lived in Havelock for 20 years this has become a yearly event for many people to attend. If you like aviation and like to watch different aircraft perform, this is the event you should seriously check into attending.

The event I know I am going to be attending is my first concert of the summer. I am sitting 6 rows off the stage for Country Great George Strait. George is a great singer and I had tickets to see him several years ago and he had to postpone the concert due to sickness. I have said that if he came close again, I was there ..... so, tomorrow I will be going to Raleigh to see him. I really enjoy his music and he has had so many big hits that I know the concert will be full of my favorites. Hopefully it won't rain this time, as many of the concerts get rained on because it is in an outdoor arena. Luckily, I have tickets under the pavillion so I should be safe!

For those who are planning on coming to the beach this next weekend for Memorial Day, you need to check out a few restaurants that I consider "must eat at" facilities. One is on Hwy 58 going towards Maysville, Riso's Restaurant. They offer an Italian style menu and have the best pizza in the area. They use fresh ingredients and the price is reasonable.
The other one I will mention is T&W Oyster Bar. After about a year under a different owner Earl Taylor has re opened the place. It is just like old times again! This year they are also doing all you can eat Crab legs on Monday and Tuesday, so if you are around, you need to check it out!
It is wonderful and you can sit there all night and eat if you would like!!!

I myself will be taking in a movie at the Cinema 16 this evening, so I have to go and see which one I haven't seen. The Soloist is a great movie, if you like movies that are based on real stories you need to see this one. My sister works with homeless people and after I saw it I realized this is what she deals with everyday! Check it out, its worth the money!!!
I will let you know how the weekend goes, let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment!!!

Closing Day!!!!

As many of you know I am a real estate Broker at the coast of North Carolina so with that being said you may also understand the title of my blog today. Its finally closing day!!!

Closing, which many would refer to is when you finish or end something such as a book. In the real estate world it is what we call "payday"! Closing is when the deal you have been working on for months or maybe years finally comes to an end; where the posession of real estate transfers from one owner to another.



The NC coast like many other areas of the country has been seriously experiencing a big downturn in sales of real estate. So, when I say its closing day that is a great day in my profession. Seeing that the last closing I experienced was sometime in the fall of 2008 before it got cold and Christmas came, I am thrilled today. Yes, it has been that long for some of us.



Luckily for many, the market is turning around and the banks are starting to let loose of some of the money that is available at those wonderful interest rates you hear about on the national morning shows. If you follow any of that information they are always telling you about different areas of the country you can find some great deals. Eastern/ Coastal North Carolina is the place you should be looking. We have some of the best deals on the beach at this particular time. Many owners are offering super incentives and bonus's for buyers. If you know of someone who is interested in investing in a property tell them to check out the homes in this area. http://www.bluewatergmac.com/ .



Anyway, back to closing day......... this afternoon we will go to the attorney's office and pick up the check for our part of the commission on this sale. It will be a wonderful feeling to put that into my bank account, only to see it leave again tommorrow!!!! But for one short moment in time I will have a feeling of accomplishment for being a part of this deal. The best part of it is that I have helped someone. I have helped the seller to get this particular property sold and that he is able to move on with his next investment. Many of these sellers immediately take the profits and move it into another purchase.



Tomorrow is another day......... I will move forward looking towards the next "closing day" which I hope will not be another 6 months from now!!!! I don't think my bank account can stand another dry spell such as the past one! I look forward to taking my check to the bank and it staying there for awhile, rather than going back out in another check the next day! The encouraging thing is that the market is picking up, and many of my friends and co-workers are experiencing their own "closing days" as well. So, I am thinking maybe the commentators that report the sales of real estate is down; should be talking to some of us here in Coastal NC, because the world could use some good news!!! Its "closing day!"

Blah Blogs

After much thought about this entire Blog situation I thought why not? We have as a society come to wanting things here and now so I thought that this is a great way to connect with those who want to know whats happening at our area of the beach "here and now".
Emerald Isle is located on the southern most island of the outer banks chain. We like to call it our own "little piece of heaven". It is primarily a family beach with many homes that are built on the ocean sands. Our company Bluewater GMAC Real Estate is the largest company that manages these properties for vacation rental purposes. Most people know that, but for those who are interested in vacationing this is the website you should go to in order to check out whats available. www.bluewatergmac.com We have prices variying from a condo/tel (motel room) on the beach to 9 bedroom "Sandcastles" which are all available for rent.
Also known as the top Real Estate company in Carteret county; Bluewater GMAC Real Estate also offers properties for sale. With 4 offices convieniently located on both the island (Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach) as well as on the mainland in Cape Carteret and Historic Beaufort, NC.
If you or anyone you know is wanting to invest or purchase property, let me know and I can get them hooked up with the right people to make this happen.

So, now that I have gone into my background of my job, I will be offering up local info, weather reports, activities, restaurant recommendations, and just the little things people want to know when they are visiting here. Its one thing when you go on vacation but when you want the "insider " information before you get there, its great to have a resource. I always look into the local scene before I plan a trip or find someone who is quite familiar with the place to get the "scoop" before I go. This is going to offer some of that for those who are interested.

In addition I will offer a little of what it is like being in a place that most folks save all year to go on vacation to. We truely have a wonderful place to live and will be sharing some of that with you as well. Be sure to check back frequently and ask me questions so that I can get you the information. This is meant to be an information blog as well.

Obviously, I could write forever, but lets get this posted so we can start getting on with the task at hand. Write, or comment so we can start planning your trip to the beautiful Crystal Coast of NC soon. Emerald Isle is a place you want to be.