Attack of the Shopping Cart ... and a Little Insight Into Child Rearing

Hovered at the $1 Spot at a local Target store the other day, I came in contact with an unexpected shopping cart. Not more than three years old, the driver's aim was spot on. I was totally lost in looking at $1 gifts for my daughter, Annie, but was interrupted by the crack that I heard and the pain that I felt at my ankle. I looked up to see a petite little blonde boy who was hurriedly moving his parents' shopping cart faster than they could keep up with him.

Stunned by the sudden attack, I looked up and saw him there, oblivious to what had happened. Parental instinct told me that it was nothing more than an accident resulting from an over-eager little boy who was excited about going to Target.

Almost immediately, the parents rushed over and began fussing with him about hitting me with the cart. They fussed about his not listening to them, and swatted him on the side of his head. Finally, their attention turned to me and they asked, "Are you OK?" I was fine, but barely listening to my response, they proceeded to force the little tike into apologizing to me. Why was he apologizing? My insistence that they didn't need to hit him went ignored, and they finally just walked off, the little boy still unaware of what had happened.

A few seconds later, a Target employee greeted me as I rounded the corner of the $1 Spot asking if I was OK. After a brief conversation with the employee I was soon on my way to get a birthday card for my sister. While walking the aisles, I saw the parents and the little boy once again. I thought about my own children and how their mother and I decided to deal with them in times of crisis like these.

Before Annie and Hunter were born, we decided early on that there would be many times when they would "mess up". The test, however, would be in their motivation. Was the mess up an accident, something that could not avoided? Or was it the result of disobedience? After many discussions, their mom and I decided that punishment was warranted only when disobedience was the root of their choices. Correction for an accident would not result in punishment.

Had that incident been caused by one of our own children, we would have handled it a little differently. First, we would have apologized to the shopping for the accident. Second, only after we were assured the shopper was OK would we deal with our child. Calmly taking the child aside, we would have explained that he/she caused an accident with the shopping cart. Third, we would have punished him/her only if he/she had ignored our direction to not take the cart and walk with it without an adult.

The parents of this child were probably mortified by the accident and took the situation personally. After all, what parent doesn't see their child's behavior as a reflection them?! But, then again, how does a parent, in what they perceive as a safety violation, deal with a child expediently?

One of our goals was to raise our children to respect people, property, laws, and authority. If we react with haste without providing respect in our correction of our children, are we also disrespectful of them?

Studies have shown that parents have more influence on their children far more than any other source or person. And since no day with our children can ever be repeated again, why would we not make the very best of it?!

Only a Month to Go

If you're considering the purchase of a new home, there's only a month left for you have a contract in place on a home for the tax credit. First time home buyers are entitled to an $8,000 tax credit (if they qualify), and those who have owned a home before are also possibly entitled to a $6,500 tax credit (if they qualify).

Don't wait until the last week of April to look for a home. The search will take a little time, then after the first offer, negotiations must take place. Following a binding contract, a home inspection should be completed to repair problems in the home.

For all homes under contract prior to April 30, 2010, closings must take place no later than June 30, 2010. The reason for this two-month time period is for banks who are selling foreclosures and those short-sale deals will have an opportunity to get closed.

There's more information on the first-time home buyer tax credit by clicking HERE. To learn more about the $6,500 tax credit for those who have owned a home previously, click HERE. If you have any additional questions about either of these credits, give your CPA or tax attorney a call.
___________________________________________
If you're looking for a new home or want to sell your home, give me a shout. I'm here to help you get the price, terms and conditions that you want.

When Furniture Shopping is a Necessity!

After my flooded condo was initially cleaned up, my insurance company wanted a comprehensive total of all of my losses. Needless to say, among the many things on the list, one item stood out - my sofa. The water damage to the fabric was irreversible and so shopping for a new sofa became a necessity.

I'm not much of a browser and never have been. But my excursion to find a new sofa after the insurance company took mine became a mission. I started at a locally owned furniture store - a store we've bought most of our furniture from. There was nothing there that I really liked. So I went onto the next one ... and then the next one ... and the next one ...

My journey took me to Thomasville in Cool Springs where I searched the showroom to see if there was something there I could "live with". I looked at all the sofas on the floor (their Floor Sample Sale is going on now), and found one that I really liked. But it was almost white. With sometimes muddy shoes, or the desire to lie down on the sofa after a workout, I didn't think that one would quite work out. One of the designers, Cathy Meadows, greeted me and a few minutes later, she was answering all my questions.

With today's mass produced furniture in so many retail outlets, it's a challenge to find something that is built with quality in mind. Sofas and chairs are a real investment, so quality construction is essential. Among my list of questions Cathy answered for me were: (1) What's the frame made out of? (2) How is the frame constructed? (3) What is the construction of the springs? (4) What are the choices of fabrics or leather and what are their grades? (5) If leather, is it analine, semi-analine, pigmented, or corrected? (6) Is the leather top grain or split-hide?

Trying out various sofas for comfort and analyzing them for style, I finally landed on a contemporary sofa that I loved. And, it fit me perfectly - just the right depth for me to sit on without feeling like the underside of my knees were hanging off the cushions, and the perfect length for inevitable Sunday afternoon nap. The grand total of 78 inches in the seating area even makes it a great place to sleep if I have family in from Virginia. Thomasville won my loyalty that day, and I continue to send clients over to Cathy almost weekly. And if you'd like to visit Thomasville online before you go, CLICK HERE. You'll find just about any style for any room in your home.

Furniture knowledge isn't really all that hard. Before you go, do your homework. If you're looking for bedroom or dining room furniture, then know the difference in the ways that various pieces are constructed. Find out about veneers versus hardwoods. And learn about how seats of chairs are constructed. If looking for upholstered pieces such as sofas and chairs, research various construction techniques as well as various types of fabrics or leathers. Whatever you're looking for, remember that "you always get what you pay for" and that good quality furniture can last a long time.

And when you get there, always ask for a better price. The worst thing they can say is, "no". If you want the lowdown on all the other places I checked out, let me know. I'll be glad to share my experiences with you.
_______________________________________________

This Realtor knows houses, the Middle Tennessee market, and how to negotiate on his client's behalf. If you're looking for quality real estate services, give Jack a call.

Sommet is Out, Bridgestone is In

If you've been behind the eight ball, or the hockey puck, rather, then you may not be aware of the latest change to the former GEC downtown. The ever unpopular, and unknown, Sommet Center name has now changed to Bridgestone Arena.

After a lawsuit against the Franklin-based Sommet Group filed by the Nashville Predators months ago, the pro hockey team partnered with Nashville-based Bridgestone to establish a new identity for the mega-arena. Luckily the lawsuit was settled and everyone can now "move on."

Bridgestone has been trying to improve it's image since the Ford Explorer escapade several years ago. Obviously Bridgestone needs and wants to build a stronger and better branding image, so identifying themselves through pro team sponsorships makes sense.

Now, when I go to see the Preds play, I'll feel like I'm sitting in a place that people can at least pronounce. Hopefully The Sommet Group can find another sponsorship that fits them a little better.

To read all about the center's change of name, check at the article from the Nashville Business Journal HERE. Thanks, Bridgestone, for giving this Nashville venue a little more recognizability.
________________________________

Thinking about buying or selling a home in the Nashville area? Give me a shout to get the process started.

Undercover Boss

Alright, so I admit it - I watched "Undercover Boss" more out of curiosity one Sunday night when nothing else much was on TV. First episode, I was hooked.

The premise of the show is that a CEO, President, or Owner of a fairly large company will go undercover and work in several departments over a series of days to find out what really goes on in their companies. They pose as a new employee or as a person doing research on various jobs within a company. Little does anyone know, they're harboring the head honcho while they do their jobs.

Watch a little while and you'll find the appeal as I do. Not long into each episode, you'll laugh and you'll cry. You'll be amazed that female Waste Management drivers have to use the bathroom in a tin cup on their route. Or that it takes skill to assemble frozen White Castle burgers into their containers. And that blessings abound for those who work hard with a great attitude.

For more info on "Undercover Boss", check out THIS SITE. And don't miss any more episodes.
_____________________________________

To work with an agent who takes care of his clients, give me a call. Your desires are my priority. And don't forget to tune into "Undercover Boss". It's worth watching.

Skating Into First Place

Since 1988, I've never missed watching the Winter Olympics. In fact, I remember distinctly watching Bonnie Blair's winning streak, Brian Boitano's gold medal performance, and Dan Jansen's memorable poignant moments.

This year was no different. Glued in front of the TV night after night, the only thing better would have being there in person.

Watching Shaun White take the gold for Men's Halfpipe Snowboarding was incredible. Having already won the gold medal for the event, he performed even better in his encore performance. How about Lindsey Vonn in the Ladies' Downhill Alpine Skiing event? Ever seen anyone ski like that? And then it only got better when Evan Lysacek told home the gold for Men's Figure Skating. To top it all off, Seth Wescott won gold in the Men's Snowboard Cross event.

I think there's a little bit of a competitor in all of us. Who doesn't secretly want to experience snowboarding in the Halfpipe event like White? The confidence that bursts from his pores is enough to encourage me to daydream that I could perform skateboarding maneuvers like he does.

Overall, the US (yes, that's us!) took home 37 medals, an all time record high. This year, we even outdid Germany, our fiercest competitor. If you want to see the final medal standings, CLICK HERE. You can see the results and get the scoop on each of the events.
________________________________________
For a real estate agent who consistently and constantly keeps up with the latest market conditions, give me a shout.

Oreos and Milk

Who doesn't like Oreos?! And who doesn't like them dunked in milk?!

I was reminiscing about eating Oreos this week and amused myself at the various ways I've enjoy Oreos and milk. My favorite way: Oreo Double Stuff dipped briefly in a glass of organic skim milk just before biting into it. I prefer a brief dunk because I still like the Oreo crunch in my mouth, along with the sweet, wet sensation.

Other ways to eat Oreos and milk:
- Unscrew the two sides and dunk each side into milk
- Unscrew the two sides, eat the cream off of each side, then dunk each cookie part in milk
- Unscrew the two sides, eat the cream off of each side, put the two sides back together, then dunk in milk
- Dunk the entire Oreo in milk and hold it down so that the cookie soaks up some milk
- Don't dunk at all, but bite the Oreo and then wash it down with a swallow of milk as fast as possible
- Dunking with a friend
- Dunking alone
- Dunking with your son or daughter
- Dunking with a parent or sibling
- Dunking via webcam with a family member or a friend
- Two lovers interlocking arms dunk their Oreos in the same glass of milk
- Dunking in bed while watching TV
- Dunking for breakfast
- Dunking as a mid-afternoon snack
- Place the Oreo on a spoon and dunk in it's entirety
- Put crushed Oreos in a bowl and pour milk on top of them
- Soak Oreos in milk, then freeze for several hours
- Spread peanut butter on Oreos, then dunk them in milk
- Spread vanilla icing on Oreos, then dunk them in milk
- Unscrew five Oreo cookies, then pile all of the filling from four of them onto the last one and dunk that one in milk
- Dunk the four cookies from the one above in milk
- Dunking at a campsite
- Dunking in front of the TV
- Participating in a dunking contest to see who can dunk and eat the most Oreos in a timed event

So ... what's your favorite way?

------------------------------------

To work with a real estate agent who enjoys life and will provide an enjoyable experience for you in the purchase and/or sale of your home, give me a shout. I'd love to work with you.

Gone With the Wind

I love this movie! I've always loved it, not just because it depicts the strength of the Old South after the Civil War, but also because of the special effects of that time.

Yesterday, my friend, Fran, and I got to see Gone With the Wind for it's 70th anniversary. It's hard to believe that this incredible flick was released back in 1939 - long before I was even thought of. But it was and to many, it's considered the greatest movie ever made.

The last time I saw the movie was in Richmond, Virginia, 20 years ago. It was the 50th anniversary and Stephanie and I, like the other hundreds of people there, dressed in period regalia and got to feast on local delicacies during the intermission. Several of our friends went with us, and we made it a great party.

One of the most famous movies of all time, GWTW had it's share of notables. Of course, most notable were actors Clark Gable, Olivia DeHaviland, and Leslie Howard. Hattie McDaniel, the actor who played Mammie, accepted any role to further the advance of her race, and said so. Another notable was Susan Myrick from Atlanta. Not an actor, but a dialect expert. She was hired by producer David O. Selznick to coach actors in their southern accent. For Selznick, everything had to be perfect, even down to the hoops under skirts. When Ann Rutherford asked Selznick why having the hoops mattered when no one in the audience would know, his explanation was, "Because you'll know." For him, that was enough.

New to the American movie scene was Vivian Leigh. Cast at the last moment, according to legend, Vivian was "suddenly discovered" when she appeared as a companion to Laurence Olivier during the filming of the burning of Atlanta. Of course, sensationalized legends were just as effective in marketing then as they are today. The truth was that an unknown would be cast and that Selznick wanted the publicity to create a huge buzz in America. Regardless of how Vivian was selected, she was the best choice. Years of critics - both professional and novice - have attested to that.

Needless to say, my head is filled with trivia about this great film. How the movie was made fascinates me even today.

While the last screening was last night, you can still get the DVD or blu-ray at local places around town or from a retailer online. It's a great time to watch an incredible classic.

Enjoy ..............

The True Spirit of Christmas

If you haven't taken your children to see Santa Claus yet, there's still time! In spite of economic downturns, job losses and a host of other challenges in our world today, Santa is still the beacon that all is right in the world at Christmas time.

When I was a child, I couldn't understand why we'd see Santa at so many places. My little mind thought that Santa was able to jump from department store to department store, and that he did it just in time for me to see him there. It wasn't until later that my mother, in her hopes of extending my make-believe world, told me that Santa has "helpers" to help him talk with all the kids because he was busy making the toys at the North Pole.

Sometimes today, I wonder if I know the "real" Santa. If not, he's mighty close. Last year, I met Santa Dick at Green Hills Mall working a seasonal job at the mall, and there we became friends.

Over the last year, I've had the opportunity to get to know Santa Dick. He epitomizes what Christmas is all about. Adults and children alike love this wonderful Santa because he genuinely cares about the children (and, yes, adults) that he meets.

Santa Dick recently told me about a little girl he met who understood the real meaning of Christmas. "I just want some balloons for Christmas," she answered when Santa Dick asked her what she wanted. When asked why she just wanted balloons, she told Santa Dick, "So other children who don't have toys can have my toys." Needless to say, by the end of that story, I choked up. That little girl, at her young age, understands Christmas!

How many of us really understand the true meaning of Christmas? I wonder how our economic recession has affected what we give this year. Maybe it's not as much or as expensive as we've given in the past. And that's good. It's time for us to slow down and just love and care about each other.

Do you know what the first gift of Christmas was? It was a baby, lying in a manger, who was born to take away the sins of the world. That unconditional gift is for every single person who ever lived before then, during that time, and since that time. It's for you and for me. Santa Dick would echo these same sentiments.

There's time to go see Santa ... and there's time for us to understand the real meaning of Christmas.

Merry, merry Christmas to all of you! May you be exceptionally blessed this Christmas.

The Polar Express and Camp Hope

I can't say it enough. Kids who have suffered injuries from burns need you!

Every summer, Vanderbilt University Medical Center sponsors Camp Hope, a cost-free camp for these wonderful kids. After being teased and taunted at school and in their communities because of their scars, these children have the annual opportunity to have a stress-free camp opportunity with others their age who have also suffered from burn injuries.

This Thursday, December 3, at 7 p.m., my office is sponsoring a special screening of "The Polar Express" at The Belcourt Theater in Nashville. Tickets are $20/person, age 18 and up, and $15/person, under age 18. Ticket prices include dinner provided by McDougal's, Subway and Gigi's Cupcakes. Of course, popcorn and soft drinks will be provided, too.

Dinner and a silent art auction begin when the doors open at 6 p.m. Professional paintings, paintings done by the camp kids and some high quality amateur artwork will be for sale. You may see a few Titans tickets for auction there, too, so make sure you're there early enough to see what's there.

Proceeds will go to Camp Hope (via the United Way). To purchase tickets online, go to The Belcourt Theater Link. Don't miss out!