Decisions. Decisions.

Tonight's computer work reminds me of how it feels to shop for new glasses.

Nerve-wracking. 

Whatever frames I choose will be on my face for anywhere between 2 to 6 years, so I'd better LOVE them! Same thing with domain names and blog addresses. I'm in the process of tweaking my websites and blogs and can't decide what direction to go in. A place to market my listings and post info about Real Estate is a necessity but I don't want the new blog to be 'all work and no play', if you know what I mean. There are too many other things that are interesting!

Faith.
Falling In Love.
Family. Friends.
Fitness.
Fun.
Fur-Babies.
Finances.
Fads.
Fruits & Vegetables.
......and these are only a few 'F' words!

I'm hoping inspiration will strike this week and I'll dream up the perfect name for a blog, but in the meantime I'm open for suggestions. You can comment here or email me: christinehooks1@gmail.com Thanks so much for visiting and feel free to contact me should you need help with Real Estate, picture framing, library services, Woman's Club, The Salem County Chamber of Commerce, weiner dogs and/or roasting veggies. :-)

Have a GREAT day!

Back In The Saddle Again

It's hard to believe that something I once did pretty much every day has stopped. I began blogging several years ago, maybe in 2008. I've probably written over 500 articles on www.SalemCountyRealEstate.com, 26 about picture framing at www.pictureframingbehindthescenes.blogspot.com, 41 posts featuring Real Estate education at www.southjerseyrealestateacademy.wordpress.com and 27 right here. That totals approximately 587 posts! *whew* It was a lot of work. It was also a great way to express myself. I've come to realize that I miss writing. I miss the release it provides. I miss being able to say, "I'm a blogger." (Not everyone can say that!) Lastly, I miss the exposure blogging affords my various businesses and community projects. I'm pretty rusty. The thought of embedding a video into a post seems a tad overwhelming. It's been quite awhile since I added a photo to a post, as well, but I believe I can tackle that one. The most difficult aspect of trying to restore an old habit is getting started.....so today is the day....and this particular blog is the place. "Back In The Saddle Again." I actually did ride horses when I was a lot younger. My parents sent me to Girl Scout Horse Camp two summers in a row, at Sheppard's Mill Camp. Man, I loved horse camp! Riding is such a magnificent feeling, but even just cleaning out the stalls to be near the horses was ok by me, too. At the end of each two-week session, we scouts put on a little show for our parents. The first year, I was able to ride my favorite horse, "Fruitloops" around the barrels to show off what I had learned. The second year, I was given a horse named, "Nutsy" to practice on. Here's your tip for today: it's probably NOT a great idea to ride a horse named, "Nutsy." My third mount ended up with a trip to the Salem County Memorial Hospital and a visit to the operating room to have my broken arm set. That ended my horse-riding career on-the-spot. The strange thing about that horse was that she loved to walk, she loved to trot, but when nudged into a cantor, "Nutsy" would very often pivot quickly and head for the barn. She turned left and I was propelled right - unable to hold on. Needless to say, there was no navigating around the barrels that summer! There was also no field hockey played that fall, but that's a story for another time. Looking back on it all now, it's pretty easy to see that "Nutsy" had no place at a Girl Scout Camp. She wasn't a safe choice. On the day I came back to collect my gear, one of my friends had been kicked in the hip, acquiring a rather large, rather ugly bruise. The leaders made me get back up on that horse before they took me to the hospital. I didn't realize the significance of that as a young girl, but I sure do now. They were not going to allow me to walk away with a new-found fear in my heart and soul. Wise leaders. I still love horses. I'd love to ride again one day. Maybe this is the year to make that happen so that I would truly be 'Back In The Saddle Again'? In the meantime, I'm content to be here....blogging again. Just a thought for today. "The horse you get off of is not the same horse you got on. It is your job as a rider to ensure that as often as possible, the change is for the better." ~Author Unknown

A Busy Year

A Busy Year

2011 turned out to be quite a year! The funding troubles at The Pennsville Public Library took a huge chunk of my time. Navigating through the still-troubled Real Estate market was a prime concern, too.

I was fortunate to be asked to join The Salem County Chamber of Commerce early in 2011 as a Board member. Fortunate? Well, better described as honored. What a terrific group of business people! I really cannot think of a better group to be associated with......I'm looking forward to learning a lot from these folks.

Of course, adding some things to a busy schedule demands the subtraction of other things. With a heavy heart, I resigned from the Salem County Workforce Investment Board. This was also an honor to be a part of but after careful consideration, I had to admit to myself that it was a nonworking board appointment.

You may ask, "What does that mean?" Well, it means that I attended quarterly board meetings, but I felt that I did not contribute anything to anyone. I felt that it was an appointment that allowed me to say that I was on the county Workforce Investment Board, but I did not contribute in any-way-shape-or-form. One thing about me is that I like to feel like my time is well-spent and I am doing something constructive.

The sweetest thing of all this year was 'Billy The Kid' needing a home. With the passing of Rhondo in January, the house was quiet and empty. Billy needed us.....and we needed him. Perfect together.

Lastly, to wrap up 2011 -- it was a bit of a battle on the health-front, but I'm happy to announce that I'm once again feeling strong and good.

And at the end of the day, isn't that the most important thing of all? I know it's a cliche, but it is oh-so-true.......

"Without your health, you have nothing."

Here's to your good health and abundance in 2012!

I've been a mother for 26 years now. Looking back over all of these years, thinking about all of the Mother's Days, I think the first one was the most memorable. I can clearly remember going to church with my four-month old baby......what an effort to get up, get showered and dressed, feed my daughter, get to the church on time, etc.

As I trudged up the stairs, baby on hip, diaper bag on my shoulder, pocketbook on the opposite shoulder, bangs hanging a bit in my eyes.....

One of the church members, with a huge smile on her face, handed me a pink carnation....a pink carnation for Moms.

I will never forget that moment.

That carnation.

My first Mother's Day.

"Say What You Do and Do What You Say"

"Say What You Do and Do What You Say"

I heard these words many years ago during a workshop on communication. It sounded simple enough, but the reality is that while it is a very simple statement, it is not so simple to follow through to completion.

"Say What You Do and Do What You Say" is your word....your bond....your promise, to not only those around you, but to yourself.

If you say you're going to call.....then you call.

If you say you're going to stop by.....then you stop by.

If you say you're going to help out......then you help out.

If you say you're going to check in on a friend.....then you check in on your friend.

Not doing so breaks the trust, creates doubt, confusion......and finally, hurt.

"Say What You Do and Do What You Say"

Can it really be that simple?

If You Want Something Done, Ask A Busy Person

I'm excited about Real Estate again even though it's been a tough patch lately.

Really tough.

The market is picking up a bit. Not enough to inspire me to do a backflip, but enough to realize we are heading in the right direction. That is, as far as units go.

As far as purchase prices?

Still trending down. (Sorry to say it, but it's true)

So, you may be wondering what could I possibly be excited about?

New opportunities. Lessons learned. New habits. Interesting events. Interesting people.

Beginning in July, I'll be a contributing member for the new Cumberland County Woman's webpage. I'm very pleased to join Esther Lankitus on her project.

Very pleased.

I'll be writing a brief article each month for her new website.

I hope you'll check it out! I'll let you know when it launches

So Who Owns This House Anyway????

I received a call from a gentleman in North Jersey. I seem to be doing a lot of business with North Jersey folks lately. Anyway, he was in the process of foreclosing on a small house in Salem City. He reported that he didn't have the papers back from the court just yet but should have them any day.

He asked me to head on over to the property and let him know what it is worth. That's a tricky question now-a-days. It's harder now than ever to estimate the value of properties. I mean, who REALLY knows what is happening in this Real Estate market?

Let me just say, "The house is a MESS!" Stuff all over.....all kinds of stuff. I dragged a dear friend with me that day and to tell you the truth I was a little bit embarrassed about 'my new listing'. Oh well, as one of my investors used to say, "There's a house for every butt and a butt for every house." (OK, he didn't quite say it like that. That is the 'G' version of his saying)

The client was extrememly anxious for me to complete my work and get the property on the active market. He was more anxious than most. By the end of the week, it was up and running.

Last week, a Realtor from Gloucestor County drove all the way down to Salem to show this poor, little house. Once he was there, he called me to obtain the lockbox combination. There's only one problem with that.....I never put a lockbox on this particular house.

Now, there's a mystery! Who is running around the city of Salem placing lockboxes on distressed houses? Not anyone that I know.

Banks will do this though. Banks actually do this quite often.

My client doesn't know who did it. His lawyer doesn't know who did it. They both want me to cut off the lock.

Me? I want to know who really owns the property. I'd like to see the papers from the court.

I'm not touching that lockbox.