New Year, New Day, New Thoughts                                2011 was the best of times and the worst of times for my family and me.  We took a trip around the world for the best of times checking off many countries on our Goddard list (aka bucket list). A near death experience with a young family member made it the worst of times. I won't go into the details at this point but in my 58 years I never had family issues that I could not put aside to do my work and be productive. This was a hard feeling to overcome and set back some productivity.  The positive outcome from this "worst of times"  2011 experience gave me real empathy for the physical emotion which accompanies personal life issues.  I am so grateful this is a new day, a new year and I can implement new thoughts and share wit... 01/04/2012

Paying It Forward To Seniors. This time of year is the perfect time to start new behavior and pay it forward in some small way every single day! We hear a lot about children and how we can help which is a wonderful and very important activity.  Let's add our seniors to that list of people who would really appreciate some special treatment. A holiday or New Years dinner, some cookies, a bouquet of flowers... something sweet to tell them they are important and valued. It is my understanding from a long time ago, Tony Robbins tape that Shaquel O'Neil and his dad asked 3 questions every day which my family and I have enjoyed subscribing to. The three questions they asked daily, were: 1.  Who were you nice to today? 2.  What did I learn today? 3.  How was I better to day than yesterday? A gr... 12/22/2011

Thank you Lexus for showing us the way! It has been said: "people remember how you make them feel and not what you say."  No matter what sales or service industry you are in, lessons can be learned from the way Lexus treats it's clients.  Leading by example the Stevinson Lexus group in Frederick, Colorado is setting the bar in customer satisfaction.  The opening of their new store made me sit up and take notice of how important every single detail is creating the feeling that lasts and generates raving fans! Making a long story short, our car ownership evolved from the Mercedes family to Lincolns, to the Lexus group over 32 years in real estate and small business consulting.  The Lexus story begins with a friend of mine from my life guard days in Thornton, Colorado when I was 16 years o... 12/20/2011

5 Favorite Take Aways from the National Association of Realtors 2011 Convention in Anaheim, California including tips from Michael Eisner and Jack Canfield. Just returned from the NAR 2011 Convention with some great information. 2012 is less than 45 days away. The five best practice concepts might be a jump start on business or personal plan ideas. The Anaheim Convention Center is located on the outskirts of Disneyland Over 20,000 members of the National Association of Realtors and service providers came together to learn and share with one another in this ever changing new world.    Take Away 1.    Stay in budget: from Michael Eisner. One cannot think of Disney and not think of the name Michael Eisner.  His accomplishments speak for themselves and his ability to lead a team to success.... 11/21/2011

Mobile Marketing?  Are You There? Mobile Marketing is a place you need to be and something you need to know about! If you have not "connected those dots" you need to meet Susan Rice-Lincoln on Thursday, November 3, 2011 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on the Cosmic Cow Pie Blogtalkradio show. Call into the show on (347) 994-1903 or join is in the chat room. The more you learn about mobile marketing and where today's eyeballs are the better off you will be in adjusting as the Cosmic Shift Happens™. Susan Rice-Lincoln is a Mobile and Social Media Marketing Expert and author of "Mastering Web. 2.0." Currently living in France and connecting all over the world. Individuals, small businesses and non profit organizations will want to listen to this life changing information. Susan will be sharing secr... 10/30/2011

Do You Know Amy Stoehr And The Real Estate Masters Guild? Amy is someone you really want to know!  2011 is almost over and 2012 brings with it new hope and opportunities! Amy Stoehr has some ideas to help you "Connect the dots" in real estate sales.  Amy left as the Executive VP of Howard Brinton's STAR POWER Systems in 2008 to launch a consulting business that focuses on the inside-out model of coaching.   Please join me on blogtalkradio Thursday October 27, 2011 9:00 a.m. PDT to meet Amy Stoehr CEO of Real Estate Master Guild.  Call into (347) 994-1903 or join us in the chat room! Amy Stoehr can get you up running and back on track in no time.  Amy is the founder of REMG  Real Estate Masters Guild, an independent source for real estate education, coaching, networking and support.  REM... 10/26/2011

Have you asked the question, will my real estate business be around in five years?  What will it take to stay in the game? Meet Erik Qualman: called a Digital Dale Carnegie and author of the best selling book Socialnomics. Erik describes how social media transforms the way we live and do business. He shares how survival of ALL business today needs to address social media and what it takes to survive in this volatile market.  A frequently requested International speaker, Qualman has been highlighted in numerous media outlets including: Business Week, The New York Times, WSJ, Mashable, USA Today, Financial Times, Forbes, Fortune, CBS Nightly News, and The Huffington Post. He has been fortunate to share the stage with Julie Andrews, Al Gore, Tony Hawk Sarah Palin, Jose Socrates (Prime Mini... 10/09/2011

The QR ship is sailing:  Will you be on it?  Part 2 of 3 in the series. Part 2 of 3 in a series. Part 1 of 3 in a series.                                                          First you may be thinking, I have seen those QR Codes and second, why should I care?  QR stands for Quick Response. With the advent of Smartphones there is an exciting phenomena spreading across the world where hyperlinks QR (Quick Response) codes are being used on billboards, business cards, flyer's, t-shirts, store fronts, magazines, merchandise signs in stores and more to give the consumer immediate information about a product or service.  A consumer points their mobile phone at an eye-catching code and they are automatically taken to a mobile web page with phone numbers, contact details or important message... 10/02/2011

The Ship Has Not Sailed! Get On Board!  Part 1 of 3 part series. Social media is here to stay and can help you save money communicating with thousands...... but at what expense?  The answer is: your most limited commodity TIME, so is it worth it to you?                                       Ask youself several questions before you make a quick decision. Where are people looking for ANY type of help?   Is google their BFF? (Best Friend Forever) When someone has a question about ANYTHING how do they find the answer?  When YOU have a question about anything where do you go? If you are driving around and see a sign on a house for sale what do you do to find out the price?  What do your customers do? Do you point your phone at the house and go to the Zillow or Truilia app on your phone or i... 09/19/2011

Truth and "The Debt" Would you be "all in" with "The Debt?"  Dedicating your life to your country requires and "all in" philosophy and the new film "The Debt" just released on August 31, 2011 shows how that works for three espionage Mossad agents. "The Debt" is a suspense filled thriller with passion, espionage, morality, courage, patriotism and tragedy as part of the film which debuted August 31, 2011.  The film is a remake of the award-winning 2007 movie entitled "Ha-Hov" by Assaf Bernstein & Ido Rosenblum. An Israeli-Mossad team of three in 1967 attempt the capture of former Nazi concentration camp doctor, Dieter Vogel, known as the Surgeon of Birkenau, (modeled after Josef Mengele.) The covert mission takes place in Communist controlled East Germany where the Doctor is working as a ... 09/02/2011

How Do You Feel About Vigilante Justice? Do stories of vigilante justice peak your interest? Is talking about child abuse, pedophilia and human trafficking out of your comfort zone?  Do you know about Megan's Law? If you are actively involved in listing, selling or buying real estate this is a Law that you should know about.  The 1994 rape and murder of seven year old Megan Kanka prompted public demand for a broad based community notification of registered sex offenders.  On May 17, 1996, President Clinton signed Megan's Law.  Megan's Law requires two components:  Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification.  Each state has individual requirements so further research and education by state is highly suggested as this issue just seems to keep being a problem around the world.  A... 08/28/2011

The Help:  Would you have the courage? The previews of "The Help" were spot on with delivering a message that is 5 stars and inspires the viewer to stand up for doing the right thing.  There were many lines in this film which are going to be quotable but the one that stood out to me was "Courage is not just about being brave it is about overcoming fear and daring to do what is right for your fellow man." Wednesday, August 10th, DreamWorks Studios released the 2hour and 17 minute Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture directed and written by Tate Taylor entitled "The Help."  This is a story based on the #1 New York Times Best Seller by Kathryn Stockett.  The heartwarming message depicts the travesty of social injustice in America during the 1960's in the authors home town of Jacksonville, Mi... 08/11/2011

Cowboys and Aliens, A Message For All Ages Harry Potter has nothing over Cowboys and Aliens with the imagination and surprises that make the viewer give the screen writers credit for creative content and almost two hours of excitement and intrigue. Blazing space ships, suspense, horses, Indians, love, tight chaps with eye candy rears and piercing blue eyes like Steve McQueen are all part of the "Cowboy and Aliens" adventure film which has several important messages creeping through its science-fiction extraterrestrial elements.   This film reaches back to the love of Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Fist Full of Dollars and John Wayne then brings the cosmic childlike future into the storyline with the twist of old western lessons.  There was a little hesitation to see this movie based on the trailer ... 08/06/2011

Hanging out on Google+ Still wondering if google+ is somewhere you want to go?  There are so many social media venues it really is difficult to decide where to spend your time.  One thing you might want to consider is the fact that google is the 800 pound gorilla in the room so playing in their back yard and posting your links on their sites just could bring some extra juice to the SEO table.  Just some organic food/juice for thought!  I spent considerable time on the site this past week and find it very exciting.  I am talking to people globally and they are all willing to share and help since it is still in beta testing mode and we are all learning together.  As a hybrid between facebook and twitter I think you will find it fun and soon to be profitable there is an ease in sharing wit... 07/19/2011

Google- Are You Kidding Me? An Anti-Social Networking site that has all the features a digital citizen has been looking for! Auto Birthday posts with ALL CAP options and exclamation points!  Street alert which auto posts to your smart phone when you enter a business that is affiliated and also sends discount coupons to all your friends A dislike button Universal friends to start and all you have to do is discard the people you don't like For all the exciting details on google- watch this video. Someone in my circle on google+ asked if there was a "slap button" instead of a poke! Now in all seriousness Chris Brogan has created a multi video post on how to use google+.  It is google+ 101 and give a nice overview of the subject. Google+ is a beta test.  It is an open format where there mig... 07/12/2011

End of an Era Today was an emotional day.  I received news of the loss of one of my most valued friends, Karen Nation. She was our real estate office manager for eight years.  She was my right hand in everything I did.  Organization was her real FIRST name.  She could always fix any equipment,  researched the manuals on anything, had a place for everything, thought about each detail in advance.  Karen always had a smile and always was kind.  She was a devoted mother, wife and grandmother. I could never have done what I did and had time for personal things if Karen had not been part of our team. In 2000 she moved to Wyoming to follow her husband's dream to be closer to fishing and away from the crowds.  I do believe that life is eternal and KNOW that her Love lives on.  It's just sad on ... 07/08/2011

Larry Crowne And The Foreclosure Message! Wednesday is date day for my husband and me.  We drive 30 miles from Williams, Arizona into Flagstaff to have lunch and a movie along with doing errands one can't do in a town of 3,000.  Today we saw Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.  I had only seen the previews and thought it would be an "ok" movie as the previews did not really "move" me but it looked SWEET.  Forest Gump grown up on a reinvention quest is where my imagination was going. I was so wrong, this movie has so many messages and such subtle humor I took 5 pages of notes. Strategic foreclosure (Photo by Brendel) Job loss Relationship issues Substance abuse Entrepreneurial motivation Paying it forward Having a plan B Alternative income sources Loving your neighbor Gangs Ho... 07/06/2011

Girlfriends, Do You Need To Reboot Your Brain? When is the last time you really had: mad fun  (thank you Carolyn Tann Star)                                     got crazy had a little fantasy learned laughed cried with your girlfriends? Are you ready to go boldly into WHAT’S NEXT? You may be a little tired, or discouraged or unsure or just not certain about              who you are and what you really want. The economy may have you scared and feeling less than on top of your game…. For sure…. you know you could use some time without distractions... Some time to relax, reboot and re-connect with what’s important to you….not just what the world seems to expect from you. Do you want to connect with your source and come away with something for the soul? How about…a.. just us girls weekend? I... 06/19/2011

Sizzling Summer Book Signing Bonanza in Broomfield, Colorado! Incredible opportunity to meet three local authors and local artists at Calico Book Store, 300 Nickel Street in Broomfield, Colorado on June 25, 2011 from 11 to 3. Carra Riley, author and small business consultant will be interviewing, Shay Fabbro, Penny Holguin and j.a. kazimer  on a LIVE blogtalkradio broadcast from noon to 2 MDT.  Come into the store, listen to the show on the Internet or call in 347-994-1903. Topics to be discussed include: How they got started What is writing like mixed with life in general Where does  writing inspiration come from What is it like to get a publisher or self publish What is the marketing of the book like What part does social media play in the marketing of a book or blog What advise do th... 06/16/2011

Italian "Goddess" Design and Cooking Secrets Valentina Cirasola is an Italian Interior and Fashion Designer, working in the USA and Europe. She blends well fashion and interior in any of her design work. She loves to remodel homes and loves to create the unusual. Her design reach is global and she is always ready to serve. "I build spaces that do not exist yet, but they exist in your mind. I build your dreams!"    Valentina is the coordinator for the San Francisco Bay area event with different stores called "October the Month of Italian Style".  The event revolves around Valentina talking on a design subject related to the merchandise the store sells, they have food, wines, raffles and good time while people learn from her expertise. She makes the event really fun, lot of laughter and j... 06/09/2011