I personally tend to "over think" or "obsess" or "feel overwhelmed" about all of the "stuff" I have to do or "need" to do.

A couple of evenings ago as my husband and I were playing Sequence with another couple - good friends - I noticed something that I hadn't really thought about before. It was an "ah-ha" moment for me.

The other woman was verbally fretting about what happened yesterday, worrying and concerned over myriad situations in the future which she was not looking forward to, etc., etc. I laughingly told her to "stay in the moment," to enjoy what we were doing now instead of obsessing about tomorrow, next week, next month. Seriously, out of my mouth came those words. Good thing we're good friends, huh? Her husband immediately responded to that in a positive way and reiterated those words to her.

Today I was thinking about just that. We can't change yesterday, and who knows about tomorrow, but I can think about today - in a positive way and make things happen - today! I can see how that would increase my productivity and help keep me from feeling overwhelmed about tomorrow. Tomorrow I will work on that day. I will take one bite at a time from the apple. Not try and cram the entire thing down my throat. (That's a bit dramatic, huh?)

Too many times we are so stressed about our lives that we don't "stay in the moment" and enjoy what is happening then. Like when I take a bath - I let myself enjoy that experience - bubbles and all. When I'm playing golf, I enjoy the trees, the blue sky and the beautiful weather and maybe a few good drives. When I'm visiting with my daughter, I'm enjoying her as she shares with me her life. When my husband and I are hanging out, I enjoy and treasure him. When I'm working on Real Estate, I enjoy that, but it's definitely not my first or my only priority. We each need to enjoy those moments - it will help bring tranquility and peace into our lives.

I know it isn't easy - at least it's difficult for me. I'm just taking a DEEP breath and enjoying where I am right now. We will simply our lives and we will feel much more at peace - by staying in the moment.

Now, I pose a question to all of you who read this post. Do you think that women are more likely to obsess than men?

As I promised, I am sharing some of the photos of our trip to New York, to the New England States and to Canada. I will need to do this in bite-sized pieces; otherwise, it would be difficult for me to sort through 400+ photos to weed out the best of the best.

We stayed in Manhattan on 35th between 5th and 6th Avenue right around the corner from the Empire State Building. Our first experience riding the subway was when we jumped aboard to go to South Ferry where we caught the boat to the Statue of Liberty and to Ellis Island. Very impressive. We were just in awe!

I can't believe I'm this old, and this is the first time either of us have been to New York. We are southwesterners I guess, but we loved the east. Coming from Mesa, Arizona, New York seems like another world. Loved it!

I had made reservations for both the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock so we could make sure we could get in. You will see some photos taken from the Empire State Building early in the day and in the evening from the Top of the Rock. It was a bit hazy so the photos of the Hudson River weren't as clear as I would have liked them to be, but the ones from the Top of the Rock as night descended were more beautiful the longer we stayed. We walked all of the way from our hotel to Central Park - and it was in the 80's while we were there.

We went to Times Square and to the M&M Store. Check out the largest wall of M&M's. We walked until I couldn't walk anymore. We arrived on Monday evening and caught the ship on Thursday at around 1:00. We did a lot of stuff in two days. Scarely scratched the surface.

Anyway, hope you enjoy this! Note quite sure where to share this.

Maybe we need a group for travel?

Our Trip to New York!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

I love these cards on JacquieLawson.com. I'm sharing her current one to all of you. Just click on the photo.......... 

It's been a great year of learning, of getting to know many of you, and of sharing with all of you part of me. It's been an amazing experience and a great outlet for me.

I know many of you are enjoying your day with family and friends, and I can see by the activity here, that some of you are stopping by the Rain to make sure you aren't missing anything

My hope is that 2008 will be an even better and peaceful year for all of us. 

It's really true! My new little home in Apache Junction, Arizona listed for $165,000 just went under contract!

Now I want to list all of the nice homes under $200K.

This one went on the MLS Friday, December 7, http://activerain.com/blogsview/298623/3653-South-Conestoga-Road, we had one offer on the 8th and another on the 9th. Seller accepted the second offer.

This is a darling little home, and I figured it would go fast, but am so pleased that it went this fast. Already spoke with the lender to reassure myself somewhat, buyer's agent went to title today and escrow was opened. Ahhhhhh for those good old days! Are they back? Maybe! We'll just have to wait and see.

Now I just need to see if this closes as promised. I'll keep you all posted.

So? Do you think it sold so quickly because:

1. Real Estate Show virtual show
2. Posted on all three of my websites: www.AzLadyInRed.com, www.MoveToSunnyAz.com, www.TeriEllis.com
3. Posted on the MLS with the Real Estate Show
4. Fabulous photos
5. Priced right?
6. Nice Home?

Feel free to share. I think it was all of the above, and maybe more!

Everyday I receive emails from builders offering HUGE incentives, low fixed interest rates (the builders frequently will buy money at a lower rate in order to offer an affordable interest rate to their buyers).  Builders have and are selling off their inventory homes with DEEP discounts.

For instance, I received an email today announcing:

4.99% RATE IS BACK

AVAILABLE ON 30-DAY CLOSE SPECS WITH 5% DOWN

That is just ONE example. I literally get dozens a week. So, if you're waiting for prices to go down, maybe they won't.  By the time everything is sold out, prices will go up again as before according to supply and demand. 

I just listed a beautiful little home in Apache Junction for $165,000! It's not a short sale, nor is it a lender owned AND the sellers still live in and maintain this property. It'll be grabbed up shortly I'm sure since it is lower by $15K than anything else in that community including short sales and lender owned properties.

Today, 56,506 active listings.