Welcome 2009!

Welcome 2009! May it be a year of change and fellowship. 2008 was a year of stress, pain, sadness, and loss. 2008 saw the passing of my Grandmother, my dear Collie RyRy and the horse of a lifetime Easy. 2008 was a frustrating year that had me searching for meaning amid chaos. It taught me that being a Realtor is more about being a friend and advisor than being a business-person. It taught me that I love advocating for my clients when the doodoo hits the fan (those lawyer genes crop up every now and again!) It taught me not to be an idiot with my own safety and health. I am hoping that these lessons are now learned and 2009 will see me enjoying the rewards instead of learning the lessons ;)

First on my agenda for 2009 is being more involved with my children and DH. Being emotionally accessible to them and not exhausting myself to the point that I tune them out! Second is to take care of my health and wellness. This is still a learning process. Third is to put my own horses training first. He is no longer a baby and needs time and attention on a daily basis. Fourth is to continue to give wholeheartedly to my clients (horse and realty!) There is no other way for me to conduct a business!

Hopefully 2009 will actually bring Clepson, the boy we are hosting from Haiti, to our home for his eye surgery. Hopefully Berlange, a sweet baby in Haiti that my sister will host, will make it to Austin for lifesaving surgery in the next few days. Hopefully little baby Minky will live a happy life with her family in Haiti when she returns in a few weeks. These are my HOPES for 2009.

In The Holiday Spirit!

I am feeling merry and bright today. There is winter in the air and my favorite time of year is upon us! It has nothing to do with receiving and everything to do with remembering those who are near and dear to us. Family, unity and togetherness are a huge part of the holiday season in our house. We are hopeful that the little boy that we are hosting from Haiti will be with us before the end of the year. This is a wonderful opportunity for my family. To get to closely know a child from another culture will be exciting. My children have been patiently awaiting his stay for months now and can't wait to have a new "sibling" for the next few months.





The housing market is typically slow this time of year. Interest rates are super low, but the selection of homes and condos for my clients is a bit on the thin side. So that is a frustration. I have the luxury of having two ready, well qualified buyers but we can't find them their dream homes! My listings are waiting to find their buyers too. Hopefully the new year will bring new hope to the market. The country should start to feel some relief from the recession in the new year (I HOPE).





My horses are well. The snazzy new pony won many ribbons at her first show and is beginning to show a new fit and spoiled attitude. Forbid that she should go a day to two without love, attention and riding. She becomes the power trotting pony and zips around the ring at top speed. Hopefully the daughter's riding skill will soon match the abilities of her Cyder-Ella pony! Diego (my horse) continues to be a joy. He is smart and fun. Hopefully the new year will give me loads of time to ride and train so that he actually lives up to a bit of the potential he is currently showing.

I had to add another photo from the despook, mounted police clinic. I call this photo "horses meet fire".