Under Contract

The link the other day didn't work. It went to the entire spread sheet and unless you knew the MLS number or the price it was a pain in the but to try to figure out which one it was. This is the link for the visual tour until they take it down.There was a snafu on the offer paperwork and Mark got real tight jawed about it but Satan will not triumph -- We feel this is where God is leading us. When Mark was at Barbershop the other night he met a friend of his from Albuquerque who lives here now. Truly amazing. Enjoy the pictures. (providing I posted it correctly and it works) Oh Fudge I did it exactly like I learned and the link is not showing up. You can just cut and paste. http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?sk=13&t=1667831 OK so now it works -- I give up.

House Offer Made

After the commercials, the suspense music builds.... We chose House number one. The smallest, the least expensive but the one with the
best views.
http://rcar.p3.fnismls.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=357289e9-cada-41bb-96fb-8cb122358817&Report=Yes
I don't know if that link will work for you. But it is at 245 Bartlett Circle NE in Cleveland, TN. We have made an offer and are waiting for a response. Stay tuned.

House decision Pending

So we have looked at 21 houses in the last 2.5 days. We have narrowed it down to 3. So which will it be the smallest house (2711 Sq ft) in the newer subdivision with the great views but the maybe scary driveway and a triple garage? Or the 3600 square foot house built in 1974 on the golf course? Or the 3300 square foot house all on one level with the great kitchen, the sun room, the billard room complete with pool table and the great porch with large jacuzi? I feel like I am on househunters. I wish I could just wait for the commerical to be over and find out what we picked. We are seeing all 3 of them again in the morning. Stay tuned.

Book Opinion -- "Crucial Conversations"

Elizabeth, this post is for you. While I was at the Florida Library Association Conference in Orlando last week I finished reading Crucial Conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high. This book was recommended by Jill and I did enjoy it. The premise is that when it really counts we tend to let our emotions get in the way of important conversations. I read another book (OK so the memory isn't what it used to be -- I don't remember which one) that talked about the short time between action and reaction and how we can use that moment to choose our behavior. This book uses that moment and the moments during the conversation to recognize that: this is a crucial conversation, what is our own behavior, to recognize behaviors in others and WHAT to do about those behaviors. It includes a self test to see what areas the reader is weakest in -- what behaviors we are most likely to employ. Do we use flight or fight (and the different techniques for each) -- how can we change that in ourselves and in others. I really liked the last chapter which recognized that this was alot of information at one time and made suggestions for application and change one piece at a time. The book is full of examples from the work place and from personal relationships as well. Did I identify some of my own behaviors and some of Mark's? You bet. When Mark and I go househunting next week, we will be having several "crucial conversations" Having read this book, I believe that our discussions will be more productive with less stress. Time will tell.

A Day of Anticipation

Yesterday the book I was reading (Camel Club by David Baldacci) the book I was listening to on my Mp3 player (Good Guy by Dean Koontz) and the book I'm listening to in the car (Treasure by Clive Cussler) were all at pivitol points in their plots. It was a day I could read, listen or go for a drive. What did I do? I went to Bible Study. Sigh so much excitement. I did finish Good Guy in the afternoon while cross stitching for someone yet unborn. And I did finish the book before I went to sleep last night. Now, I just have to wait for Tues when I drive to Orlando for FLA to finish Treasure. In the mean time I have started Hoot by Hiaasen on the Mp3 and The art of Crucial Conversation (or something like that) in book form. I'm thinking about Marie as she finishes her last day in Fort Smith.