Wow!  I never guessed that it would take me over 8 months to post again on this site.  Many changes have occurred in my life over the past 8+ months.  The death of a family member in June, 2010 had the impact 0f absorbing months of my life as I helped with the myriad tasks in settling the estate.  It has been an educational process and one I will take time to learn more about as I pursue writing books to help consumers become more savvy in protecting and increasing their wealth.

RETIRED?  WELL, SORT OF…..

I retired from RE/MAX at the end of January.  After almost 8 years, it was a decision that did not come lightly, but I realized the time was right.  I still have a Colorado real estate license and have maintained my membership in Pikes Peak Association of Realtors, CAR, and NAR through 2011.  But I turned in my electronic lockbox key, sold all my lockboxes, and made the decision to spend my days pursuing a new course for my life - as an author and speaker on financial topics.

FIRST, A SABBATICAL

My first goal is to spend some time catching up on my personal life, so a 6 month hiatus from business is in order.  I still have a business association with 2 great RE/MAX agents and refer my clients and friends to them as the need arises.  This works very well for them and for my clients.  I like to help good people stay in business and I want to make sure all my great clients are taken care of when they need help with real estate.  But I also realized that instead of marching headlong into another career, that I needed to take a break, take some time to focus on personal matters, spend more time making art, and catch my breath before jumping into learning about a new industry (for me!) and building a new direction for my life.  So that is what I am doing.

During this time, I hope to post interesting commentaries on topics I consider relevant to the current real estate and financial markets, check out and report on more great local restaurants, and do a few book reviews.  Posting won’t be often or consistent over the next 6 months, but there will be things here from time to time, so stop by occasionally to see what’s new.

VISIT WITH ME

I also realize that I don’t want to become a hermit.  I don’t make a good hermit because I like to talk with people and hear their ideas.  So I am planning regular escapes from the house to work on some writing and meet with people who want to stop by and visit with me.  By April 1st, I plan to select a location or two around Colorado Springs to spend a few hours once a week to get myself out where people are.  I have my art groups and a networking and book club I attend regularly, but that’s different.  I’m looking for a place to hang out and have spontaneous conversations with people I meet.  No networking obligations, just a time to relax, have a cup of coffee, and chat with people.  I hope you will join me!

Live Your Dreams!

So until my next post, Live Your Dreams!  The economy is on the mend, but it won’t be an easy road.  With almost 25% of all mortgages underwater, we are looking at a different version of the real estate market than we’ve seen in the past.  In one way, not posting for months has given me a perspective I don’t think I would have had if I’d had my head in the computer every week.  But we’ll talk about that more in future posts.  See you then!

I recently included Paravicini’s Italian Bistro located in Old Colorado City in my restaurant posts.  I found out by receiving their enewsletter that they are included in a progressive dinner being sponsored by several very nice restaurants in Old Colorado City on March 23, 2010.  That’s tonight!  If you want to see if there’s still room and get more details, call Paravicini’s at 719 471-8200.  The other restaurants participating are Gertrude’s, Pizzeria Rustica, and Jake and Telly’s.  The only one of the 4 restaurants I haven’t tried yet is Jake and Telly’s, but it is a local favorite.  The food at all 3 of the other restaurants is delicious.  Gertrude’s menu includes some very nice vegetarian dishes for those of you looking for a vegetarian restaurant in the Pikes Peak Region.  What a lovely way to spend an evening!  Attending offers an opportunity to do a little walking around the area.  In case you are not familiar with Old Colorado City, it is one of my favorite haunts in the Pikes Peak Region.  Lots of fun shops, good restaurants, and an amazing view of Pikes Peak.  Territory Days is coming up Memorial weekend and there are always other events throughout the year.  The lights at Christmastime are really beautiful.

On Saturday, Gallery Two-Ten in Colorado Springs had their 2nd anniversary celebration.  Grace Wever has her fiber collages displayed there and I had the chance to meet her at the gallery.  I have to admit I didn’t know this fine art gallery existed in Colorado Springs.  They represent some artists who create stunning pieces - everything from Raku pottery to photography to painting and collage.  It’s close to downtown and you can try out one of our local restaurants after your visit.  There are many in the downtown and Old Colorado City areas.  I happen to like to go to La Baguette for their french onion soup.

Today is the day to remember two of our country’s presidents, but I’m finding that today is the day I’m learning about how wonderful and inspiring women can be.  I spent some time this morning speaking with a young woman, Charity Weese, who is on a path of being a lender who makes a difference in the lives of others.  We had a great discussion and I am happy I had the opportunity to meet her.

I also was sent a website link today by a friend who is an art quilter.  This artist’s work is stunning and it is exciting that she is spending her retirement years creating such beautiful works.  I hope to have the opportunity to see some of her work in person.  Her name is Grace Wever and I have included the link to her bio and website here.  Take a look at her Gallery.  I found her bio and her work to be inspirational.  I hope you do too.

If you know women who you think are inspirational, I’d love to know who they are.  We left brained people do have a right brain.  Seeing what other people create and connecting with them can help us train our right brain so we use it more.  That’s what I’m trying to do.  Math and science ARE connected to music and art.  A balanced life includes using both sides of the brain.  Do you agree?

Did you ever want to be an astronaut?  Do you get feeds from the NASA website regularly?  Are you a space geek?  Then get to the Fine Arts Center soon to see the current exhibit on the history of NASA.  I love looking at Hubble photos and have used them as inspiration for ATCs (artist trading cards).

I was sent this article today and thought it was quite clever and deserved a wider audience.  If you know who the author is, please let me know so we can give credit where it is due.  Enjoy!

A New Element Added to the Periodic Table

Research has led to the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neuron, 25 assistant neurons, 88 deputy neurons, and 198 assistant deputy neurons, giving it anatomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact.

A minute amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second to take from four days to four years to complete.  Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2-6 years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neurons and deputy neurons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium’s mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neurons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass. When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

This isn’t what I normally post about, but I’m a fiber artist and I happened to run across this website since a group I meet with once a month just moved to The Bead Corner in Monument.  The quilt shop where we used to meet, Wild Heather, moved to Denver.  I’ll have to make it to Denver occasionally because Wild Heather carries a lot of neat stuff for fiber artists.  While searching for The Bead Corner, I found this site which lists all the bead shops in Colorado.  So if you like beads, check it out.  Thanks Rocky Mountain Bead Society for making it easier for us to spend money and help the economy!

I had a rare play day yesterday which was full of laughter and camaraderie.  I had committed last year to be a member of the audience during the taping of the online tv show, The Quilt Show.  Tapings are done twice a year and orchestrated by my fellow PDQ guild member, Lilo Bowman.  So yesterday was the big day and I and a friend drove 2 hours to La Veta, CO, a very cute little mountain town, to spend the day participating in the taping of 2 shows.  The taping was done by a very professional and efficient crew.  It was a lot of fun!  I even had the opportunity to be on camera to ask a question of guest, Carol Doak.

The Quilt Show is a great quilter’s site that is hosted by Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson.  HGTV cancelled Alex’s popular Simply Quilts a few years ago and The Quilt Show is the result of filling in that gap.  One thing I like about the site is the series of demonstration videos by Bernina.  I have a Bernina machine and the videos are great for learning new ways to use this powerhouse machine.  One of my favorite features is my needle felting attachment.  It’s a total right brain activity that’s easy to do when I don’t want to have to think too hard.

Over the weekend a local news story told the tale.  A grass fire started near Garden of the Gods and it wasn’t started by any of the usual suspects - lightning, carelessness, wind blown sparks.  Instead, it was started by a squirrel!

Apparently, a squirrel was on the power lines and touched 2 lines at the same time, thus committing squirrel suicide and bursting into flames and falling to the dry landscape below.  This started a grass fire which nearby neighbors held at bay until fire crews arrived to put out the blaze.  So the next time you see a squirrel on the power lines nearby, keep your hose handy.  You might need it.

Thanks to my daughter, I am providing you with the link to Track Santa through Norad’s website.  I checked it out.  It’s a fun place for the kids (big and small) to watch the old man with the white beard make his way around the world.  In the meantime, the kids can try out the Kids Countdown page and have some fun while they are waiting for Christmas Eve.