Why on Earth did such a crummy thing happen yesterday?

Yesterday was a rough on Matt and I and even worse for ONE other person -- his name unknown to us -- but he is sad today ...and will be for a while ...because of something we were involved in.

We hit his dog.

More like his dog hit us ..but none-the-less...

That dog had no concept of traffic, or waiting, or fear..  We didn't have a chance to swerve. 

SHE was a big dog.  After the impact we were stunned, turned around and pulled over to check on her.  Matt thought maybe she was still alive.  I left the kids in the car and tried to figure which house was hers. 

The words "Oh No!  Crap!  How do we tell someone what just happened?" going thru our minds.

An ANGEL-OF-MAN, who apharently lives in the neighborhood, stopped and asked if we needed help.  Matt told him what happened and he knew who's dog it was.  He parked his truck, knocked on the owners door and brought him out. 

THE OWNER is a younger man, casual, from the looks of him he appeared to be the silent sort, expressionless.  When he walked passed me I didn't think he looked bothered.. in retrospect I think he was stunned by the sudden news. 

Matt, the owner, and the angel walked over to the dog.  The owner touched the dog-- at this point he became very emotional, it's obvious the dog has passed away.  The guys said a few words to one another, The owner and the angel walked back towards the house while Matt waited by the dog.  I was in the car with the kids and I could see Matt was unsure of what to do, say.   Honestly, the dog was so large, the impact so sudden and forceful, the only concellation we have is "atleast it wasn't a person."


The owner had apharently gone inside to get a jacket.. He came out with his hood up, head down, hands in pocket, walking straight to Matt.  He said "I wanna ask you something..."  Well I am ALWAYS afraid that somebody's got a gun.. Stupid!  I know!  But you've got some stupid fears too....right?

He wanted to know if she had suffered or died right away..

Aw Geez!  Why did this happen ..on a fairly dull Saturday.  We were just out to lunch.. the kids had begged for dessert but we passed (lesson learned...)


As we left the angel had gone to get a shovel that the owner needed and the two men were carrying the dog together to bury her.

Wouldn't it be great if:

The angel has been praying for an opportunity to talk to the owner.

The owner, feeling a sense of appreciation for the help he gave him, waves to the angel when they pass in the neighborhood.

The angel and the owner eventually become friends.

The owner now has a positive influence in his life that changes it for the better.

It was a horrible ordeal.  The dog lost her life -- she will be mourned.  But maybe it can be for a greater good....please. 

I BELIEVE IN A GREATER GOOD.


And ZERO deductible on COMPREHENSIVE coverage...

It appears it's time... R U READY TO LIST?

Erin draws these cute birds!

My husband just plucked a dandelion from the front yard and handed it to me.  Friends are saying their daffodils are coming up..( I haven't checked mine yet...  But as I look out my kitchen window it appears the Lamb's Ear is perking up... btw I'm not a fan of that stuff anymore..)  Erin's got cute "bird pics" all over the house.. she's honing her sketching abilities...

Has Spring sprung early this year?  These warm temps are taking my thoughts to the spring (and dare I say.. ) SUMMER months!!

Plus pendings are picking up at the office!  I just called Barbie and asked her to look up at the pending board.. she said there are 46 pended sales as of Feb 1st in our office alone.  A pended offer is an offer that has been accepted and headed to closing!  If I do the math that's 2.09 sellers accepting an offer every day so far this month -- JUST IN OUR OFFICE. 


Dance with me...

But only for a minute.. we are busy out here.  Take off that apron and put on your walkin' boots.. we've got houses to see!

BTW Here are a few TIPS that I have often given SELLERS who are PREPARING TO LIST their homes:

Check out your window blinds, make sure their straight, not bent or broken -- replace them if necessary.

Empty out a walk-in closet so that it does not look stuffed.  A buyer will not appreciate a large closet if it is full to the max.

Stand outside your front door and look closely at your surroundings.. this is where a prospective buyer makes his first impression while he waits for the agent to fumble for keys and open the house.

Don't bother (unless absolutely necessary) to have the carpets cleaned.  Let the buyer ask for this as there will (hopefully) be all kinds of traffic during these possibly rainy spring months.

Make sure your house does not smell like cigarettes or pets... and if you have to ask that one person in your life who won't sugar coat anything to come over and tell you straight.. then do it!

Less is more!  I hate to use the infamous HGTV term "de-clutter" but by all means.. it's a must.

Home inspectors offer a "pre-sale" inspection for sellers.  This will provide you with all kinds of valuable information and put you in a good position when it comes to negotiations. 

Remember -- if you want top dollar for your house you have to make sure the product matches the price!  Try as hard as you can not to be sentimental.  Use a realtor that will tell you the truth and not just what you want to hear.

Call me if you want more info about this!! 

HAPPY EARLY SPRING!

'Still be productive when I'm under the weather.. How is that?

('Hoping to escape the perverbial "JINX" that comes with the following comment:)  "I have avoided all but one tiny cold this season!"

However, some of my FB peeps -- not so lucky. 

I know something that might help you do-what-you-have-to-do even when you're under the weather!  (I should be paid for this but alas.. I believe in it so much I'm willing to spread the word for free..)

Starbuck REFRESH HOT TEA, straight, -- get a Venti -- or as Georgia says: "Go big or go home!"  ...and I'm especially fond of the shop at 25th and Wabash.

It's the mint blend and the tarragon in it.. Last winter I started throwing tarragon into several dishes I made -- in an effort to ward off the croop.. turns out I can only take so much of the stuff in straight "herb" form... but I can drink the tea all day!

A bonus (or what Starbucks considers a bonus..) get yourself a gold card.. buy 15 drinks and that 16th tea is FREE.  Hey!  If you're cold hangs on for two weeks... it's entirely possible!  (I know, I know! I'm rollin' my eyes with you!)

Oh.... we all know there's no gaurantee.. but it's worth a try.. it seems to work for me!  Be well sick friends!!  And drink up!!

I HATE IT'S BIG, FAT, STINKIN', UGLY BUTT!

It is hard for me to think about what happened to those two little boys in Washington state and not be shook up about it.  I haven't wanted to watch a news broadcast since hearing about them on Monday morning.  Unfortunately, the news just got worse since Monday and it has been hard to avoid.

I called Matt about it this morning after reading the headlines on my laptop.  He says they're with Jesus.  I know they are.. I sit at my desk and ask the Lord to remind me that he is their comforter and he has wiped away their tears.

Oh!  Don't I hate it.. But there IS evil in this world.  It lays low in my-life for awhile and I don't notice it so much.. then it stretches out and makes a loud roar and I can't get the ringing out of my ears.  My first reaction is always to shutter or cry about it for awhile... Not a good foot soldier, I guess.

I am going to pray about a way to face these kinds of evils in a more mature way.  Rather than recoil.. I could.. what?  ...I don't know yet..

I DO know that I CAN NOT WAIT for the day when evil gets it BIG, FAT, STINKIN', UGLY, BUTT KICKED FOR GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!