Watson Realty was in the news and explained how sales are up.
Check out the video at Central Florida 13 News.
Olympic Pride!!!
October 30, 2008 By View Comments
This morning I attended my usual Thursday morning Kiwanis meeting and was delighted to be seated with Damu Cherry, the Olympic hurdler from central Florida. Damu trains in Clermont’s National Training center and recently returned from the Bejing 2008 Olympics. She had visited our club prior to her trip and had returned to update us on her experiences and future plans.
Kiwanians applaud and hold up American flags as Damu Cherry is introduced.
“The experience was humbling, I got so many texts and e-mails, that my phone literally blew up. It actually broke, went dead in my hand!” she explains while thanking the Kiwanians that sent words of support. Ann Dupee was noted as an inspiration to Damu and recognized her with red, white and blue fingernail polish, which she sported during the games. ”I saw Ann’s nails and loved them so I decided to paint mine red, white and blue with Chinese lettering.”
When the floor was opened for questions someone asked about her experiences and the outcome of her Olympic run. “I remember at the end, thinking it was very close. I’ll never forget the feeling I had not knowing the outcome, watching the board to see the results.”
“I ended up fourth. I lost by .01 seconds. I can’t even explain how to measure .01 of a second so you can understand how close it was,” she admits.
”At that level the smallest details from the way I hold my arm or where my foot lands after a hurdle can make the difference in seconds,” she explains when asked what attributed to the loss.
“I remember waking up sick and going to my coach to let him know. He told me that I was 1% of Americans, and I represented all of them at the Olympics. Do you think the flu can stand in the way of that? I thought about it and knew it didn’t. I had a lot of people depending on me so I did my best,” she admits when asked if her illness could have meant the difference between bringing home the medal or not.
“Is there anything you would change if you could?” the question is raised.
“The person that won was one of the most underpriveliged people at the games. She didn’t have endorcement deals, she wans’t ranked in the top 10. She just wanted it and deserved to win. At that level every runner has their own personal best time. I am focusing on breaking mine. My trainer and I watch footage so I can see every area I can make changes as needed. I want to bring home a gold in Berlin! There is a reason for everything and I am proud to be speaking at many groups like this and in Tampa. I think there was a plan for me and this is what was meant to happen…” Damu Cherry stands before the group, appearing taller than usual. Perhaps due to the pride that she did her best and represented her country and community well.
When asked about China and it’s people, Damu beamed, “They had one million volunteers perform in the opening ceremony. I wasn’t able to see it in person but watched from the Olympic village. It was amazing. I don’t think anything like that can ever happen again. One million people, none of them getting paid. It was amazing, they were so proud the Olympics were there.”
*Proud to be an American, Kisses Kimber
Want to learn more about hometown hero Damu Cherry?
CLICK –> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damu_Cherry
CLICK–> http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=1489/bio/
JUST VOTE
October 30, 2008 By View Comments
Every four years the focus of the world turns to the good ole’ USA due to the presidential election. This year even more attention has been focuses upon us due to the inevietable historic outcome. “One way or the other history will be made!”
Elections have always been a time for contemplation, reflection and some times humiliation. Last election, Florida had the eyes of the world thrust upon it, thanks to “minor” issues with danglin chads. Despite statewide review of our voting procedures and national attention to correct these issues, we have still not been able to beat this “bum rap.” For reasons good or bad, Florida is once again an important part of the election process. We as a community and country need to step up to the challenge and have our voices heard. We are proof, every vote matters! Whomever you chose, JUST VOTE.
As I child I remember asking people what the elections were all about. I had watched as the news about hostages in Tehran seemed take over my TV set. That was also an election year which focused on international stability and I didn’t quite understand what all the fuss was about. If it’s the President’s job to take care of this stuff, and things are bad why did people have to vote now when he was obviously very busy…
A wise man explained it to me this way, “a vote is like a baby’s voice. If they can’t cry to let us know they are hungry or wet, how will we know? When there are important things going on in the world, it’s more important than ever to let people’s voices be heard.”
This made sense to me then, and it still rings true today. When the going get’s tough, the tough get going. The world is no longer one that allows exclusions. No matter how remote, every part is vital to the golbal good. We need to stand up and make a difference. One voice can change the course of history; for Florida, America and yes…the entire world.
*It’s a small world after all….Kisses Kimber
Continued education…
October 24, 2008 By View Comments
At what age do you lose the ability to actually sit and listen to someone teaching a class?
As I sit here in a real estate class I find myself asking this and similar questions…why? Because I become bored after first 15 minutes. Even in school I would read entire book/handout/etc. and then when I get all the “important” info, I tend to zone out.
I wonder if this makes me a bad person or just over achiever? I pay top dollar to get best education money can buy but in the actual classes always seem to let me down. I guess everyone thinks at different speeds and mine is “super sonic,” lol….
Wouldn’t it be great if you could request teachers by speed? That way none of us would be stuck in a super slow class and then be able to take three classes in same time as one. Ahhhh….guess my mind is wandering again. Dream big! When stuck in a boring class I find myself blogging…lol.
So…if you have already drawn the doddles, read the book, sent everyone you know texts & Facebook pokes…all while asking questions & pretending to be totally interested….what then?
Life is full of unanswered questions, the joy is searching for answers. I may complain but I actually love making my brain work…slow or fast, lol.
*Kisses Kimber
Desperately seeking NETTO?
October 10, 2008 By View Comments
Ok, so by now you realize I am not in Kansas anymore…or more accurately Florida. I am maxing and relaxing in Copenhagen Denmark. It sounds exciting and it is but it is also very very different from the US. Sure they do speak English in addition to the other 5 or 6 languages they all learn in school but Danish is their first language and a lot can be “lost in translation.” In addition to the language barrier there is an actual difference in the way they view things, think and react. This would not be so important except that I don’t happen to be your run of the mill American girl. I am a giant Irean girl with an even bigger personality. Here that can be misunderstood as brash and even rude;( Regardless I get lot’s of looks, lol.
In an effort to aclimate me to the culture my future husband Morten has been introducing me to his closest friends. On the night in question we are stopping by to visit his rowing buddy Jack and his longtime live in girlfriend Katrina. First of all let me explain rowing. Here in Denmark they are surrounded by water and love the outdoors and fitness so rowing is as popular as American football. Unlike football fans, rowers are always involved to the extreme! It’s a lifestyle and it’s serious business. They row almost daily for hours at a time. I have even considered trying to invent a way to harness the efforts of all these giant nordic rowing gods for the powers of good, lol!
Back to stopping by Jack and Katrina’s for a visit. First interesting item is that JAck lives directly above Gunner anothe rowing friend of Morten’s but that is another story completely…just kind of interesting how close rowers really are;) J & K have a delightful second floor home nestled on a quiet street in a lovely part of Copenhagen. In Danish standards it’s a large home with hardwood floors and gracious decor. It’s got a definate male influence but has a stylish woman’s touch. There is huge furniture sprinkled around giving the home an even larger feel and makes you want to try every seat just to see if your feet will reach the ground.
Did I fail to mention that Jack is a jolly green giant of sorts? Well, not really gree but definately jolly and a giant. He is 2.02 meters which is about 6′ft 6? Sure most of the Danish are tall, Morten being 6’3 and most of our freinds are over 6 foot but Jack towers above them all. His girlfriend Katrina is also very tall at just under 6 feet so they are the perfect couple and have an ideal apartment together. Altough, even Katrina made a comment about the fact all the kitchen cabinets would be difficult for anyone shorter than 6 feet to reach them. I guess Jack was designing things as a bachelor, lol. Funny how the love of a good woman can change things. I bet there will be lower shelve in that kitchen in the near future…
So we all settle onto the giant sectional couch that is washed with candlelight and American jazz music. Katrina has brought out a pot of hot tea for her and I to share and “the boys” are of course having beer. The Danish are wonderful entertainers and the coffe table is soon covered with cream, sugar, cups, and two bowls of colorfully wrapped candy.
At first I thought it strange to have two large bowls of sparkling candy but before long I realized that Katrina had hosted Jack’s rowing friends before. Each candy was wrapped in bright shiny foil which designated a different flavor sensation. My personal favorite was the Pearl nut! Which was actually rich chocolate covering a roasted hazelnut! Let’s not forget the Toblerone’s, chocolate covered toffee and other similar delight’s. Within minutes there was a pile of empty wrappers and four very happily chatting friends.
Amazing, with each chocolate we unwrapped not only a new flavor but shared small treasures from each others lives. Katrina and Jack told about their courtship and plans for the futre. Jokes about engagement rings and babies were woven between tales of first sexual encounters and the differences in our cultures and views on life. As the tea and beer flowed the music made the perfect backdrop for this “mastercard moment.” Priceless, is the only way to describe the jokes about Jack’s “rowing eyes” that are located on his bum and Katrina’s explaination of the Danish butcher that serves horse meat. Funny how the silliest things can make time fly by.
When Morten’s eyes began to close and Jack finally diverted the topic away from knitting and horse to getting a convertible mustand, I thought it best we make our goodbyes and hasty get away. I knew a few moments more would lead to a sound asleep hubby and I didn’t want to spoil the enchanted evening. Jack and Katrina were the perfect hosts and made me feel so special just for being let into their private lives. They have obvously created a life for them selves and their home is a reflection of their unique relationship and personalities.
As we wisked away I thought how lucky Morten was to have so many amazing friends. I also felt a pang of homesickness thinking of my own special circle of friends and family at home. My thoughts were refreshed by Morten’s kiss on my nose and guided tour of the back streets of Copenhagen. Every car ride is an adventure full of stories od Danish history and culture…wowo being old does lead to lot’s to talk about even on the shortest car ride. I finally settely my thought with this final foil wrapped treasure…
“We all come in to this world with nothing, everything we have is borrowed. The only thing we take with us is love…” Friends, family and memories can keep us safe and warm at night when there is nothing else we can rely on. Until I see you again, hug and kiss someone close to you…I don’t care who. They propably need a good thrill! You know I would if I were you…
‘Kisses Kimber
Oh and if interested…KAtrina said those treats come in a big bag and can be found at NETTO. So far no luck but I am still looking, lol. Not sure they can hold the same magic that the ones she served did but it’s worth a shot!
Copenhagen days…
October 8, 2008 By View Comments
“Bang, crash, clank…” I rush to the window to see chunks of bright reddish orange clay tiles fall past thewindow of our fourth floor apartment home in Copenhagen. I am bundled in my bright red socks, four shirts and three layers of pants. It’s not that cold here, if you happen to be a Viking…for a hot blooded Florida girl like myself, I have to pretend to be in my office where the air is set really cold, lol. October in Denmark means temperatures are around 50 to 60 degrees and probably raining.
I should probably begin at the airport since it has been a while since I have had access to my laptop…
“Hurry up baby, you have to move your butt!” Morten says over the phone in his Danish American accent. My mind drifts back to thoughts of what else I need to get done before we leave for the airport. My “partner in crime” Angela is with me and we begin mentally checking off our to do list. Top of the list is have Angela print out our flight information. I leave her to get the real work done as I rush off to other important things like tanning and stopping by the doctor’s office for a B-12 shot. Since I am de-stressing before the long flight to Denmark, of course I don’t take in my cell phone.
After an hour of “me” time I am back in the car refreshed and ready for anything…or so I thought. Several missed calls show up and I give Angela the first and last return call. Once I realize she printed out our flight info and discovered that we fly out in about an hour and a half and the airport is a half hour away, I decide I need to get my butt moving! As Angela drives like a bat out of hell toward my parents house where Morten is playing with the Vette transfer, I start worrying about getting in trouble with Morten so I give him a quick call.
As usual his voice is unrushed with no signs of agitation, maybe the flight info is wrong and we have another hour. I tell him we will be there in 5 minutes and to wait outside…just to add my attempt at urgency and making the flight. When we arrive he isn’t outside but running up and down the stairs printing out dock information and transport paperwork. Obviously, he has no real clue of the time and I realize that when he does he may not be so Danishly reserved. I only hope somehow things will work out…
We jump in the car, back seat crammed full of everything from jackets to my favorite low fat/high protein snacks. Angela is of course driving and my mother rides in the back with Morten to ensure we make it safely to the airport. As everyone settles down we all begin to realize the time and our distance from the airport. Quickly and quietly we reach our destination, exchange kisses/hugs and race for the check in area with our giant bags.
“Yes, may I help you?” the Delta lady says without smiling. Bad sign.
“We need to check these bags for our flight,” Morten says as he hands the lady our flight confirmation. She doesn’t even look up and asks if we want to reschedule our flight. At this time, Morten’s face begins to turn bright red and broken english phrases and disbelief tumble from his lips. I can honestly see a millions different emotions cross his mind as he looks from me to the Delta lady to the bags.
“Can he go on with his small bags and I can reschedule my flight?” I ask.
“Of course,” she says still not looking up. She taps and types the keys without comment as Morten expalins he will not leave without me! I wonder if he is worried I have changed my mind about making a trip to icey Denmark and I admit the thought of just staying in Florida for another month and then visiting later does cross my mind.
“$2,400 US will get you a flight tomorrow,” she finally smiles. Now 10 minutes have passed and we must board the plane within 30 minutes. There is no way in hell I will pay that much money to take a flight tomorrow since my original ticket only cost $790! Morten is really sputtering and wants so bad to explode I can almost see steam coming out of his ears. I admit at this time I think, “he must really love me to not be screaming at me right now!”
“Can we make the flight if we don’t take our bags?” I suggest.
“Of course…but what will you do with your bags?” Delta lady says almost disappointed. Deep down I of course think this is a plot to ruin my perfect winter wardrobe from making the trip to Denmark but explain I can call Angela to come back and pick up our luggage. At this point all my mental power has been used up and after a rushed cell phone call and mad dash to the drop off point, I become numb with relief/disbelief. Morten realizes his one bag that is small enought to carry on the plane has some space left in it and tells me to shove something I want to take with me into it.
I look at my two perfectly packed giant bags… full of matching outfits, complete with shoes, jewelry and of course hats and jackets. The sheer overload of choices makes me shut down and I feel more like a deer in headlights than a “bride to be” making a trip to visit my husband’s winter wonderland. Morten unzips the closest bag and I momentarily gain some of my senses. Angela, Mom and Morten look on and count down the seconds that I have left to decide. Finally I grab a pair of boots, a jacket and a sweater and shove them into Morten’s suit bag. He thinks enough for me to grab my makeup/medicine bag and crams it inside his already full bag. Lack of time makes people stupid. I didn’t think of my makeup because I was just thinking of freezing my ass off, never thinking I would need my medicine/first aide items and looking pretty. Thank goodness for Danish sensibilty…lol.
Within seconds we are running for the gate and the plane to Atlanta. The mad dash through checkpoints and fumbling of passports/tickets/bags leaves us both breathless and somehow semi hysterical. We both feel elated to be on the plane and almost giddy with the accomplishment of overcoming the objections of “Delta lady!” No matter what happens later, at this point I feel like I won a game show somehow. I am sitting on the plane with Morten who is smiling like an idiot and not even worrying about what will happen next. He is looking at me like I am a new I-phone that happens to be on sale. I can’t help to feel special and dumbfounded at the same time. How can he not be upset with me? Why isn’t he yelling at me? Why didn’t he just leave without me? The last question I ask out loud…
“I couldn’t be without you. I really love you baby and keep loving you more everyday. I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving without you. If you stayed , I was going to stay with you. Is that ok?” My knees buckle a little and I realize that sometimes getting everything you’ve ever wanted can be both thrilling and terrifying. I look at Morten as he tells me of his plans to buy me warm clothes and that he’s sure his mom and sister will help make sure I will be kept warm and safe. He tells me about the party he has to throw the next day and the million other things he wants to show and do with me. The entire time I stare at him and realize for the first time this is all real. Our whirlwind relationship, no matter how brief, has become a life together. We are really a “we.” We are in it for a penny, in for a pound…for better or worse, richer/poorer…with bags or without.
Morten offers me a peanut as he plays with the armrest of our seats. He is actually glowing as he smiles back at me and kisses my nose. “I was really pissed off! I’m so glad we made it…” His grin never falters as he puts his hands on my cheek and looks into my eyes, “I love you. I’ll help keep crazy things from happening in the future!” he chuckles and sits back in his chair like the cheshire cat. I smile even bigger realizing that in reality, I will help him get used to the crazy things that happen everyday instead…
As everyone knows, if something crazy/strange/amazing but always interesting is going to happen, it will probably involve me. I have never set out to find trouble or the unusual. I just don’t ever discount that they are possible and perhaps that is why I have had so many “Kimber-ventures.” For good or bad, things happen to me that never happen to other people, for this I am both blessed and grateful. I will never be satisfied with business as usual…as I sit beside my future husband on a flight to Denmark, I think about my past/present/future and smile.
Stay tuned…
*Kisses Kimber
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