The last six months

The blog has been neglected, obviously or I wouldn't be attempting to catch you up on the last six months . . .

July: We had a profitable co-op garage sale, nothing like decluttering! Derby Day in Yamhill was a hit on the 18th; you've never partied till you've partied with countryfolk - YEAH BINGO, frog jumping contests, derby races, and an adult tricycle race. By the 20th we had two transactions going and met with two new buyers. On the 31st we left for the Garver campout, our first one ever. The family "rents" farm property near Fort Hill that borders the Yamhill River, it has bathrooms, showers, a small A-frame house with a big kitchen and a HUGE fire pit. Josh and I spent a lot of time in the water, the river is only about 6"-8" deep so we could walk a loop from the field back to the firepit. Sahara had a great time playing in the water (she may have been a newt in a past life) and Josh found a few crawdads, a golf ball and some interesting rocks . . . all I got from the river was a broken shoe.
August: I went all alone to visit my mom for a mini-vacation; Josh handled ALL the real estate appointments and questions giving him some great experience and me a stress-free getaway. While I was visiting mom we took time to enjoy the simple things - we carted the dogs around on the Gator, nearly got arrested/shot for trespassing (mom scared me a little later, but that wasn't funny), floated a few miles down the Deschutes River, got hats at Goodwill and decorated them. Mom and I both had such an incredible time it was hard for both of us to go back to reality. I had a birthday (whoopty doo). My mom had a birthday, the big 5-0, friends came from near and far to celebrate. Josh's Grandpa R.A. celebrated his 90th birthday with a HUGE party that Rosemary, Dean, Jean and Winifred planned - there were countless people there! On the 25th we got the ball rolling to renew our Foster Parent Certification through DHS, we did a LOT of paperwork, had the homestudy and did more paperwork. Picked up two more first time buyers (thanks to Becky & Cindy). I have to get off track a little here and just say how great our loan officers are; Becky Swenson and Cindy De Las Heras are the BEST there is and such a blessing to us personally and professionally. My friend Lacey and her fiance' Mark came from Fresno to visit for a few days; they were here for work so we didn't get to spend as much time socializing as we'd have liked but we did make it to McMenamins for a beer milkshake (don't knock it till you try it!).

September: Started the month with two more first time buyers. Did more paperwork to renew our Foster Parent certification and turned in our fingerprints. Oh I forgot about camping . . . ever year on Labor Day my family goes camping, it was a nice trip but will be our last year. Got three more deals going and closed two. I became a Mary Kay consultant. Got brave and had my stylist Misty cut 8" off my hair. Got reunited with an old friend on the 19th and celebrated my dad's 51st birthday. Josh and I took a three day weekend (he had one remaining "use it or lose it" vacation day) and road the Max into Portland. Josh had never been on the Max and we both love Powell's Books. We had sushi, walked a few miles and enjoyed gelato for the first time. My girlfriends and I had our third bi-annual "Naked Lady Party" (clothing and accessory exchange). Got another new first time buyer.

October: We got our bird tags and went grouse hunting - we both fired a few times but got nothing; we did however have a great time with dad and Susan and learned a lot. Had a closing. Went on two listings appointments. I took a great class on Short Sales and Foreclosures in Salem. Josh arranged for McMinnville Water and Light to do an energy audit on our house - Matt, the auditor said we are doing the best for a two person household he's ever seen. And I took another class and got some great marketing ideas. When mom came for her infusion we took her to Bauman Farms in Gervais for their harvest festival, we had such a blast "hang gliding", petting the animals and wheeling mom around in her new to her wheelchair that Josh picked up.

November: Had three closings! Turned the clocks back, ugh, I don't care much for the dark. I got sucked into a little fiasco with Mom's appointments . . . in a nutshell I was reminded that not everyone is a people-person and I am a self-proclaimed advocate. I also realized medical advocacy is a secret passion, one that I someday will put to work for others (not just family). Got two accepted offers. And we (light and singing from heaven) hired Kellie, a housekeeper! We went on a wine tour - one where we got to be the passengers, what a fun and yummy day. The King family had an amazing year hunting - in total we got FIVE elk, one of which was my Dad's, we're so proud. Missed two Thanksgiving gatherings and went to one.

December: This is fresh so I remember it better - so far we've got three accepted offers this month - that's a total of five closings and five deals in progress, not a bad last quarter. We completed our business plans and so far we are way ahead of schedule. One of the fellow brokers (and his assistant) in our office said they'd like to be number one for 2010, Josh and I decided in addition to ambitiously pursuing our business plan that we also would like to be number one in our office, competition is a motivator. Josh, David and I went to stay with my mom for a weekend to go snowshoeing. We shoed about two miles at Wanoga Park at the base of Mt. Bachelor. We attended both of our companies (Ore-Land and Codlwell Banker Professional Group) Christmas Parties - the owners of both had very positive things to say about the coming year. We baked like madmen and held our first Christmas Party (in cooperation with the Carl's), other than the anxiety of being unprepared two hours before the party it was a complete hit, we'll definitely be doing it again next year. Cindy and Becky (yes, our two favorite loan officers) took us out for an appreciation dinner at Nick's Italian Cafe', what an amazing evening, delicious food, great company and two bottles of Pinot from Panther Creek, YUM.

And today is Christmas Eve Eve - where did the year go? Don't get me wrong we are both enthusiastic for what the future holds for us, especially professionally but it's nice to get the stresses and excitement from 2009 behind us. Our furnace died night before last, bbbrrrr, it could be worse . . . we are so grateful for the woodstove and Grandma King's quilts.

May you have all the blessings of Merry CHRISTmas and have a very Happy New Year.