On Thanksgiving Day the newspaper came
Full of coupons and sales mayhem,
Promising deals if you and your wheels
Could be there at 6 a .m.

So I scanned the fliers for things that were needed
(and even for things that were not)
I made up a list and clutched tight in my fist
The gifts that the kids thought were hot.

The streets were dark and deserted
as I made my way to the shops
I hummed Christmas songs and prepared for the throngs
Of people who shopped til they dropped.

I couldn’t believe the madness I saw
When I drove up to Target that morning
Car after car, from close and afar
Jam packed and honking out warnings.

Once in the store I sighed with relief
Until the lines that I spied moved along
There were hundreds of buyers (just like at Meijer’s!)
And I suddenly felt this was wrong.

No toy was worth the hour long wait
No sweater too cute to pass by
No CD so cheap or savings so deep
So much commotion, I’ll cry!

Another day when the frenzy has passed
and there’s not a lot on the shelf
I’ll pick and I’ll choose for the things they can use
And find something cute for myself. J

As you’re probably well aware, we’re counting down the final days before discount pricing ends on registration for Real Estate Connect NYC 2009 .  Inman News has put together what looks to be our best Real Estate Connect conference yet, January 7-9th in New York. Real Estate Connect offers the strongest content in the industry, with stellar keynotes, panelists, case studies, and interactive forums, plus incredible opportunities for shared learning and networking.  We’d love for you to join us.  So consider this your official invitation to Connect. Remember, prices go up after this Sunday, so if you haven’t registered yet, you’d better get moving!  Register Here .

View original here: 
An Invitation to Connect

Good Morning!

Thanks to all who sent me what “little thing/big difference” they were thankful for. This list is kinda long, but I enjoyed them so much I wanted to share as many as possible with you. There were some I did not print (ah, being an editor is a powerful thing!) I know you are thankful for your jobs, for the money you made, for the housees you sold. BUT- If you sent me a blurb that had to do with your numbers or how many houses you sold, it DIDN’T go in. Sorry! This was a Little Things in Life Party so only the little things got invited. Enjoy!

The burnt crispies you find in a well baked bowl of macaroni and cheese! Grey Goose Wodka! I am thankful that wrinkles don’t hurt!

I am thankful for the delete key

I am thankful for YOGA PANTS

Jennifer Fry

I’m thankful for YOU and your Daily Dose of Good News – I LOVE it – keep up the good work!!! I’m also thankful for Dove Dark Chocolate, sweet potato fries and my sleep number bed. ?Barb Gubois

I am thankful for my free pedicure, manicure and hair cut I won.

I am thankful that gas is cheaper than a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

I am thankful they put a Starbucks in the Kroger next to our office.

I’m thankful that my 3 year old is almost fully potty trained

I’m thankful for the carts with cars at the groceries store.

Tamitha Belinski

That Matt Millen is no longer in charge of the Lions. Matt Miller

I’m thankful that the carpet in our office is dark and patterned so you can’t see where I spilled some coffee . ANONYMOUS

I’m thankful that I don’t know what Chris Kolano knows so I don’t have to fix all the computer problems. ANONYMOUS

I’m thankful when agents get in the office before me so they make the coffee instead of me. ANONYMOUS

I am thankful for wine.com allowing me to order in Michigan again. . . .

For the charming boys of South Park, Colorado– always good for a laugh and where nothing is sacred. . .

and for the Crowe family tradition of Thanksgiving at the track—Churchill Downs in Louisville for the last day of the fall meet—a delicious meal, open bar and $2 betting on the ponies when you are tired of talking with family—can’t be worse than betting on the stock market after all!

Oh, and for basketball season—Go Cards!!!! ET Crowe

“Girls-only weekends” – therapy, laughter, and relaxation , and no one asking “what’s for dinner” – packed into just 48 hours.

Reading a great book in front of a roaring fire on a cold winter’s day.

My fabulous dog who looks up at me every morning with a look that says “are we going running today?”, and when the answer is “yes”, she becomes so excited I can’t help but smile.

My teenage daughters when they put their sisterly angst aside and giggle or snuggle together, or help each other with homework or deep decisions regarding fashion choices.

Those great conversations that occur with my kids when driving them in the car. Leslie Smith

I’m thankful for remote car starters!! Corinne Shafer

I am thankful that we live in a country where we have choices! Barb Eichmuller

Sweatpants, they’re so forgiving.

Baby monitors: I can watch the football game (or anything else) 2 floors away from my grandson’s bedroom (when he’s there)

Indoor Plumbing: C’mon I know you are too…. Bela Sipos

For filling up my take @ $1.64/gallon yesterday.

For having SO many family members that we have to have THREE Thanksgiving dinners.

For having a special relationship with my dog.

For having a home still. Candace Pinaud

I’m thankful for the pint of ice cream I hide from my family in the freezer for personal emergencies. Marsha Volchoff

I’m thankful you’re cheering us up everyday! Anita McKay

I am grateful for my wood stove, robe, slippers the DVR and a dry martini. Jane Stolaski

Thanks everyone for your contribution to brighten a day. Your Daily Dose of Good News tomorrow will be having friends and family around and knowing you will go to bed with a full belly. Special Edition Good News on Friday. If you are near a computer it will be posted around 6:00 a.m. (Guess what I’ll be doing the Friday after Thanksgiving?)

Have a safe and restful holiday!

Susan

What the heck is going on in California? The rate of sales for resale single-family homes flew up 117 percent in October compared to the same month last year, while the median price shot down about 40 percent ( see Inman News article )

Read more here: 
On the double …

With LandAmerica no longer able to count on a merger with Fidelity to resolve its issues with creditors, we may be headed for the biggest shakeup in the title insurance industry since Mercury Cos. shut down operations in five states and sold its remaining title and escrow operations in Colorado to Fidelity ( see story ). LandAmerica says its underwriting subsidiaries are well funded to pay claims, but the question has now become how the company funds ongoing operations.

Read more from the original source: 
Who will emerge from the turn?

Good Morning!

Good News! You have a choice. Did you know that? You do have control over your mood with a few simple choices. Even a temporary lift will give you a “lalalala I don’t know/care about anything bad” sort of feeling. Without the use of pharmaceuticals or alcohol! There are some things you cannot control, like the economy- whoops almost slipped to the dark side- but you can control how to make yourself feel better. You can choose to read the newspapers. Or not. You can choose to listen to News Radio. Or not. You can also choose to listen to your favorite CD or Christmas songs. Crank it up! Choose your mood! You can choose to watch reruns of Scrubs, Gilmore Girls or 3rd Rock From the Sun. (Or Sponge Bob if you are in that particular rut and those with small children or husbands with a questionable sense of humor will understand). Choose to work on a crossword puzzle. Choose to watch Meet Me in St. Louis. Choose to wander the aisles at Lowes without having to make a choice. (I can’t make a decision there anyway- too many choices J) Be thankful for this power you have- to be able to choose how you feel!

I would also like to throw out that traditional question about Thanksgiving which of course is (say it with me now) What are you thankful for? I know I know, you are thankful for your family, your friends, yadayadayada. Now that is all well and good, seriously. But- I want to know what odd thing you are thankful for. Like I am thankful for slipper socks, brand new towels and my James Taylor Christmas CD. Give me the little things in your life that make a difference. If they are fit to print, I will. If not, it will give ME a good laugh and then I will have the good news. Start typing! If you wish to remain anonymous, let me know.

Choose to have a great day!!

Susan Marlette
Closing Department
Charles Reinhart Company, Realtors
2200 Green Road, Suite E
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
800-442-4404
smarlette@reinhartrealtors.com

There’s a move underway on the internet to restore the reputation of commentator Peter Schiff, president of Euro Pacific Capital, whose dour predictions were frequently scoffed at in 2006 and 2007 by on-air talking heads. They now seem eerily prescient, while the laughing heads seem, well…

Here is the original: 
Eating Crow

Connect NYC ’09 is just around the corner (if you haven’t registered, now would be a good time ).  That means its time to start up the roll call.  If you are going to be at Connect NYC ’09, then stand up and introduce yourself.  All you have to do is record a video telling everyone who you are and what has you excited about Connect NYC ’09.  Then, post your video to YouTube or the video hosting site of choice.  Once you’ve done that, send me an email with a link to the video:  Daniel.Rothamel@Inman.com   I’ll be posting the videos right here on the blog all way up until Connect NYC ’09 kicks off on January 7th, 2009. Since I’m asking all of you for videos, it is only fair that I participate:     Don’t be shy! Send me those videos, and I’ll see you in Times Square! read more

Read more here:
It’s time for the Connect NYC ’09 Roll Call. . .

In recent days we have been saturated with news of the terrible housing market THE GOOD NEWS IS PROPERTIES ARE SELLING.  More than ever before, it is important that homes for sale be presented in excellent condition and priced to sell.  If you are planning on selling your home, I would be happy to talk with you.

Inman News has embarked on a major editorial project and we need your input. Please take a few minutes to write a paragraph or two (no more than 400 words) on any or all of the following questions. We plan to publish your responses on Inman News with your picture and credit you for your contribution

Read the original post: 
Roadmap to Recovery