KISS ME, I'M IRISH - GREENER AND LOVING IT!

Today, as St. Patrick's day is celebrated throughout the world, I wanted to jump on the wagon and celebrate with you as well!  When thinking what I could share with you my thoughts went into several areas.  My Irish heritage gives me a DNA that loves the beat of the bodhran and I go giddy over Riverdance.  I know most people love a little Irish liquor called Bailey's but I prefer Saint Brendan's.  In fact give me a pot of coffee and I'll finish a jug of Saint Brendan's in record time! I was the only kid on the block who spent hours searching for four leaf clovers and it has always been my dream to search for four leaf clovers in Ireland. So, although I've haven't had the pleasure to step foot upon Irish soil yet, I am Irish to the core.

Because this isn't a blog for me to gush over the features of a good Irish step dance, Irish whiskey or even a good pint of Guinness then I need to stop myself now and get on with something real estate related. Right? Yes!

In the spirit of St. Patrick's day let's look at what many others are doing this week, going green.  So many articles are being written this week about what we can do to better improve our "carbon footprint" while we are here on Earth.  As real estate professionals we have a responsibility to see that our clients have homes. Regardless of whether they buy or rent, in the end our job is to see our clients placed in adequate shelter.  We certainly want that home to be safe and in that process why not make our clients aware of their carbon footprint as well? 

Why not give your clients a green gift when they move into their new home? Most agents give their buyers a token of their appreciation, a housing warming gift.  Why not make that gift more green?  A gift of earth friendly products show your client that not only do you care for their comfort as they move into their new home but you are also concerned for the earth as well. I know many Realtors give their clients gifts that make that first night in their new home a bit more comfortable.  Why not use earth friendly products? Here are a few suggestions:

• Organic Soap
• Organic Paper Towels
• Organic Toilet Paper
• All natural breakfast foods
• All natural paper plates/utensils
• Energy-Saving Light Bulbs
• Green Cleaners
• Coupons/Gift Certificates to local market offering locally grown foods
• Coupon for Free Dinner/Pizza (great for that first night) An organic or all-natural restuarant is preferrable.

Use your imagination, shop locally and see what interesting items you can find.  Don't forget a few snacks too! Place your items in a nice, reusable and attractive basket and leave on the kitchen cabinet for your buyers. 

Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day.  If you just can't get enough visit www.st-patricks-day.com to get a really good dose of Irish music, photos and fun. As for me I'll be out and about searching for that four leaf clover today and listening to a little Irish music. Click to hear to hear a wee sample of my favorite! (or click below)

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Do you need ideas for closing gifts?  Contact Jeri Winkler, The Secret Assistant today!  Email or visit http://www.thesecretassistant.com/

Give It Up? 24 Hours? I'll Need Rehab!

Can you stretch your imagine, I mean REALLY stretch it to imagine living without your computer for an entire day?

This includes:

• NO web surfing
• NO email
• NO online working
• NO Twittering
• NO MySpace
• NO Facebook
• NO IM
• Don't Even Check Your Calendar!

Are you up for the challenge? Great! Tomorrow is Shutdown Day. The idea of Shutdown Day project is simple - just shutdown your computer for one whole day of the year. Instead of hanging off a keyboard all day involve yourself in some other activities: sports, gardening, fun stuff with friends and family - whatever, just to remind yourself that there still exists a world outside your monitor screen.

You can sign up for the challenge on the Shutdown Day site, http://www.shutdown.org/. Prove to yourself, and the world that you can do it. Enter photos and videos about your challenge. As an added incentive you have a chance to win prizes!

Go ahead...Just Do It...as a great shoe company always says...it is Saturday anyway....you need a break!

We will meet back here Monday to talk about rehab.