Juggling Act

Many of you may not know, but the area where I live in Florida is very popular for circus performers to live.  Why?  Because there are winter homes for the circus animals in the area so they often have circus performances in the winter around here.  In fact, the person we bought our house from used to be in the circus. 

Well, yesterday I felt a bit like I was in the circus.  We had friends from Virginia were vacationing in Florida for a week and we decided yesterday was the day to get together and catch up.  We have kids with similar ages so we decided to meet at a tourist attraction the kids would like.  We chose Clearwater Marine Aquarium (home of Winter the dolphin).

When I picked this date and put it on my calendar, my work load had been pretty light.  There weren't that many new leads coming in and I didn't have many clients who wanted to see properties right away. 

That changed two days ago.  The FREEZING cold temperatures up north has made it so more people from up north are eager to move now rather than later. 

I was not about to cancel my plans, so I had to do some juggling and prioritizing.  I dealt with a couple things before I left.  Then at lunch, I made a couple phone calls to try to schedule showings for someone to see today.  A couple hours later, I made a few more phone calls to new prospects.  Then when I got home I made more phone calls, sent emails, and did some research for my clients.

It was a busy day (it seemed more so mentally than physically), but I made it.  My clients aren't any worse off, my kids and I got to see our friends who we hadn't seen in a while, and I got to feel like I have at least a little bit of a life.  All in all a good day.

My daughter is convinced she will work with Winter one day.

Winter really is an amazing dolphin

Nicholas - the only male dolphin is very entertaining

The van they use for rescues.

"Stay back!"

Run away....

Cool to see they have bones in their flippers.

Getting Used to Disappointment

"Get used to disappointment"... that's a line from one of my favorite movies.  Today I discovered an excellent way for me to get over disappointment.

You see, I have been in contact with someone since the end of September.  They were buying an existing business in the area and therefore wanted to find a house nearby.  I've been trying to reach them for a couple months figuring I was always catching them while they were at work and they were so busy they couldn't return my calls.  So, today I packed up the kids and we went to their new business.  It just so happens to be a gift shop / deli so the kids and I went there for a late lunch.

Much to my disappointment, I figured out the real reason they had not been in touch with me.  Apparently they just moved into their new house on Jan 1.  So what's a girl to do?  Suck it up.  Eat the food I'd ordered.  And take the kids to the beach.

OK, so I'd already planned to do the beach and checking in on my "client" on the same trip.  What I discovered though is that sitting on the beach, digging holes and tunnels in the sand with my kids, watching the sea gulls, and collecting shells makes all the cares and concerns about a "lost sale" float away with the tide. 

Back in the Groove

Until yesterday, I didn't realize how easy the last few weeks had been for work.  Don't get me wrong, I've been showing houses, writing up contracts, doing inspections, etc but I haven't had a full day of work in a LONG time. 

Yesterday, I got up in the morning and after having breakfast with the kids I headed off to meet new clients.  We spent 6 hours driving around 50 miles to see 7 houses.  Although none of the houses are exactly what they are looking for I now have a better idea of what they are looking for so hopefully we will have more luck next time.

After showing them houses, I meet with another client to discuss in person what they were looking for.  You see, this client just moved into the area because he bought a restaurant, so even catching him on the phone can be difficult.  Oh, and the food looked good so I may have to try it out soon  :-)

After that, I did a full grocery shopping trip (the first one in a few weeks since my mom did some of my trips while my parents were visiting).

When I got home, I found my husband cooking dinner and my kids wanting to put on a "snake show" for me.  I had no idea that (K'Nex) snakes could do the things my kids had them doing. The flips and tricks they were doing was amazing  ;-)  Me... I'm just glad they weren't real.  Ya know what I mean?


And what did the rest of the family do while I was gone?  The kids did school with Daddy and also practiced their snake show for me.  Hubby was also involved in a few conference calls.  Looks like he has a little bit of work to do for someone he hasn't worked with in YEARS.

Bribery or An Incentive?

Call it what you will, but the fact that my kids must earn time on their new Kindle's by doing school work each day, has done wonders for their attitudes (and volume accomplished) when it comes to school.  In fact, I find them asking for more work each day.  Score one for Mommy and Daddy  ;-)

Unfortunately, it's given ME a bad attitude.  You see, we are secretly basing the time allowed to spend on the Kindle upon the amount of time actually spent doing school work.  That means I have to track the amount of time they are spending on their school and then I have to "allow" for Kindle time according to the ratio hubby and I have agreed upon.   Of course they don't want to do everything all at once and then play... No, they want to do a few pages, then play, and repeat.

Not a big problem typically, but add that to the phone calls, emails, and year-end stuff I've been doing the last few days and I'm getting a bit frazzled trying to keep track of everything.

I will overcome this obstacle.  I have no choice.  My kids are ASKING to do school. 

Enjoying a Lull

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while.  Needless to say in late December things were C R A Z Y.  Not only was there Christmas and Loot Day to prepare for, but we had my in-laws visit for a little over a week and then my parents came shortly after they left.  Then 4 of the 6 people in the house came down with a stomach bug (I was lucky enough to be hit the hardest).  I also had 2 houses close in the last couple days of the month which meant final inspections, and meetings for signatures.

So when I realized that I wasn't going to need to leave the house as often for inspections and such,  I wasn't getting many new leads, and I'd made contact with all my current clients I decided to take some much needed "time off."  Don't get me wrong, I'm still dealing with emails, phone calls, and such but it's not at the hectic pace it was just a couple weeks ago. 

So what have I been doing?  Playing board games with my kids.  Taking them shopping so they can use the gift cards they just received.  Reading books (yes plural).  Spending time with my parents.  And going on a date with my hubby for the first time in months.

I'm not sure how much longer this slow time will last, but I'm certainly trying to take advantage of it.  So don't be surprised if you don't hear from me again for a while  :-)