Every Christmas I admire the most creative and beautifully decorated trees imaginable. I see them at stores, on do it yourself television shows and in other people’s homes. However, I wouldn’t trade my tree for any of them. Why? Because every one of our well-loved ornaments has a story.

We pull out the ornament box and unwrap each piece from toilet paper to discover what lies within. From the “Baby’s First Christmas 1980” ornament to the hand crafted ornaments made over the years by my son, sisters and friends. Some of the ornaments hung on the trees we had when I grew up. My son and I sat and laughed as we talked about memories that were inspired by each of those treasures that only come out once a year.

There were those years when we couldn’t afford to give anything other than handmade gifts and ornaments fit the bill. We went through the bread dough ornament phases where we hand molded each piece to the reindeer clothes pins that included moving eyes and puffy tails. I’ve taken tole painting classes, cut wooden ornaments and hand painted each one. There are those that are crafted with needlepoint and works of art done by my sisters who both are very artistic. Many of them were created as moms, dads, nieces, nephews, sisters, sons, daughters and friends sat around the kitchen table and played. Several of the ornaments aren’t even recognizable to anyone but my son and I. A very young boy molded those and painted wild designs. It brings a smile to my face today.

A windmill from Amsterdam to teddy bears from Yellowstone, tell stories of our travels.

We have a variety from quirky ornaments to some pieces that take my breath away. Many families pass on heirlooms in the form of furniture and jewelry. Our family heirlooms will include small pieces that hang on a tree with stories to remind of of life’s difficulties and triumphs. As I look at them, I realize how quickly time flies and how blessed we are to have each other and those crazy and lovely memories to see us through.

Those wonderful designers that create beautiful Christmas delights just can’t compete. All my ornaments have a story and each one of them is priceless.

Merry Christmas!

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The snow has been falling over the last week, Christmas music fills the air and the best holiday shows are on television, sometimes over and over again. Christmas is a wonderful time of year.

This year I decided to get myself a Christmas present. While things are a bit slow, I have time to read, sit by the fireplace, get things done around the house, plan the Christmas Eve menu and…housebreak a new puppy.

Olive, a mixed English Pointer, has joined the Steck family. As most of you know, I had to put my golden retriever, Bailey, down earlier this year because of old age and a stroke. I’ve missed her terribly. Courtney, my yellow lab, has also been in a bit of a funk. So, it was time.

I had considered getting a Golden Doodle, but most of my dogs have come from the shelter. I visited the Denver Dumb Friends League several  times over the last six weeks. It was difficult to walk away without a dog, but the first couple of times, I just thought about Bailey. About a week ago, I went in and the right “one” was there. Olive, formerly Jessie, had been shipped in from another pound and was very shy. The adoption counselor assured me that she had been bounced around probably most of her short life and would readjust quickly, especially with another dog in the house.

Boy, was she right. Olive has fit right in and Courtney, while she gets annoyed on occasion, is playing like a puppy herself. I still miss Bailey, but our family feels a bit more complete with Olive in the mix. She has brought love and new energy into my house just in time for Christmas.

We have an “Olive” for Christmas and she’s the best present yet.

If you are looking for an addition to your family, don’t forget your local shelter. The Denver Dumb Friends League staff told me they average 70 new dogs in every day and thankfully, about 70 are adopted per day. But, they are just breaking even at this point. There are lots of “Olives” that need good homes. To search for a pet at the League, click here. Your local shelter may also have viewing available on line.

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A pilot on the speaker, “Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news, our navigation system is down, but we have a good tailwind. So, while we don’t know where we are going to end up, we’ll get there sooner than expected.”

 Have you already begun your planning for 2008? The new year is always a time for resolutions. Have you identified your goals or the “End in Mind”? How can we get where we want to be without a clear destination and navigation system in place?

Years ago I began using late December, early January, to review what I accomplished during the year and where I wanted to be at the end of the following year. It has been invaluable to me both personally and professionally.

About ten years ago, I was certified as a trainer for Covey’s “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” If you haven’t read the book or attended a class, I highly recommend it. I review the book every year as I begin my planning. It talks about the importance of listening, creating balance in your life and becoming pro-active instead of reactive. The material is as relevant today as when the book was first published.

Beginning with the “End in Mind” is the first step in the process. Set your goals and write them down. Studies have been done that show the power of putting goals on paper. Then as we are overwhelmed with requests and activities, we can evaluate them. Do these things contribute to getting me to where I want to be? Just say “No” to things that not a good use of our limited time.

While I’m still working on fleshing out my goals here is a glimpse of a few:

Increase my business by 25%
Invest in one new rental property
Exercise 3 times a week
Join a photography club

So what are your goals for next year? Beginning with the “End in Mind” will ensure that we make significant progress in our quest for success. Here’s is to a healthy, happy and successful new year!

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I’ve been blogging now for a little less than a year. When I try to explain blogging to my clients, family members and friends, their eyes usually glaze over. I have to admit that mine probably did as well just a couple of years ago. So, what in the world is blogging?

Commoncraft has come up with a fabulous video that puts the concept of blogging into plain English. Their video productions are a definite must see. Check it out.

Special thanks to Jim Duncan who featured this video on his Real Central VA blog, one of my favorite reads.

Enjoy!

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It was a bit frigid today as I set out to preview houses for some of my clients. As I finished checking out the condition of the last home, the snowflakes started coming down. After all, it is December.

I turned onto the highway and in the eastern sky was the most beautiful rainbow. Imagine that…snowflakes and rainbows. I smiled all the way home. What a gift.

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My sisters and I have been very close over the years, especially since both of our parents are no longer with us. We’ve been to wonderful places during our sister reunions and have been asked to leave a few because we were having so much fun. Now the kids are grown and living across the country and it has been a bit difficult to keep in touch. I think I found the answer. Facebook.

Teresa Boardman, one of my favorite real estate bloggers from Minnesota, uses technology to keep in touch with her family. So, I decided to give it a shot. Facebook allows us to create private groups where only invited members can visit. That is great news since my family members can be a bit wild and crazy and I’m not sure I want that out in the public domain. Too many people know already. Our private family group is “The Three Sisters and Family Forum”.

We can share photos, videos, interesting links and catch up on general family happenings. I hope everyone will contribute their thoughts as we try to plan a long overdue family reunion. We are small, but fierce.

If you want to reconnect with a special group of people, this may be the place. It may be family, old or new college friends or even your work group. You can join groups related to your hobbies and interests. It really is a wonderful place to interact with people. Teresa said it best when she wrote that technology hasn’t made things impersonal, she has found that it has created more opportunities to stay in touch.

To get started, sign up as a user. From that point you can create a new group. Make sure it is marked as a private group with invited members only. If you create the group, you will be the administrator and the only one who can invite people to join. When prospective members are invited, they will get an email with the appropriate links to join.

Then it’s time to have fun. Load all those crazy family photos and use the “wall” to post your latest family graffiti. Just a quick warning: Don’t post that crazy shot of you dancing on the table in Mexico as your profile photo. That’s the one the public will see. Let’s keep our wild side private.

There are many social networking sites out there and we’ve all heard the good and bad news about joining. These sites can help you stay connected with family members and friends even when you are far apart. Even the grandparents can get involved. So, let your fingers do the walking and get reconnected.

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There is no place like home. There is no place like home.

My niece, Heather, sent around one of those “getting to know you” questionnaires the other day. You know the one.

Where are the last four places you have lived?
Where are the last four places you’ve worked?
If you could be anywhere, where would you be?
What have you traveled?

When I answered the question about where you have lived, all four of my answers involved places in Colorado. I’ve never lived any place else. I’m one of those Colorado natives. I was born at Fort Carson, near Colorado Springs because my father was in the army. By the time I was three we were living in a house in Hoffman Heights in Aurora since my dad had by then been assigned to Fitzsimmons. I actually remember when both Fitzsimmons and Lowry were military bases and Chambers Road was dirt. Since then, the only other city I have lived in is Denver. My two sisters have moved away for a time with my younger one, Wendy, finally coming home and living in Arvada. She still owns the house we grew up in. My older sister, Mary, is in Flagstaff, Arizona, but I think her heart is calling her home. I won’t be surprised to see her and the rest of her family back here in the next few years.

When I looked at the area I’ve lived in since I was a toddler, it surprised me that I’ve never lived outside of about a twenty mile radius. At first I was a little shocked and thought about how I probably have missed some grand adventures by not leaving Colorado and the Denver metro area in particular. Then I realized, when you are where you belong, there is no reason to move. My adventures come when I travel. I’ve been to Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Austria, Ireland and lots of great states in this country. As a matter of fact, my 50th birthday is just a little over a year away and I’m planning to be on a cruise to Antarctica (funding permitting) when I blow out my candles. But after all the wonderful experiences and fabulous people, I always am excited to come home.

I’m a Colorado girl through and through. I’m lucky enough to have been born in one of the most beautiful and amazing states in our country. For those of you who have been reborn in Colorado, you know exactly what I mean. You may have begun life elsewhere, but Colorado beckoned and here you are.

So I was born here and plan, many years from now, to die here. I’m already in my paradise. There is no where I’d rather be. After all, there is no place like home.

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