At the end of every year I and probably you too, look back and say: What could have been done better. What would we have changed?

We are not alone in this thinking for like the world before us, change is everywhere in everything. Finding the time in your life to make Shift Happen is the challenge.

Image Credit
Created by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod

When I first started this blog it was much like the day I became a Realtor®. All I had was starry eyes, a hope and a prayer and the willingness to put it all on the line.

Highs Lows

Some time ago I passed the 30 year career mark as a Realtor® and today I passed the hurdle of creating the 1,000th post on this blog. I can tell you without reservation that it has been a journey peppered with highs and lows.

Weird

Blogging is a weird thing to do as you are always talking to strangers. As you know, our mothers warned us about such behavior however, for the most part you all have been pretty kind to me and for that I thank you. As for the others well… while you may not appreciate it, you have actually made me a stronger person and so too, I thank you.

Appreciated

So to the many thousands who come to visit YatterMatters each and every month, let me say to you a heartfelt – Thanks!

A lot of people depend on the REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive. What started as a compassionate offer of simple warmth to those living on the streets in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is now the largest, longest-running charitable blanket and warm clothing collection in the region.

17 Years

Since 1995, more than 165,000 people have received clothing or a blanket from the annual drive. The 17th annual Blanket Drive will run from November 28 to December 5 across the Lower Mainland.

Thousands of REALTORS® and members of the public will donate. Hundreds of real estate offices will act as drop-off depots and dozens of REALTORS® will pick-up, sort and deliver the donations.

Most Needed

New or gently used

• blankets, sleeping bags
• warm clothing – coats, jeans, pants, sweaters
• scarves, gloves, mitts, hats

New (women, children, men)

• socks
• underwear

Who

Donations to the REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive stay within the communities in which they are donated, or if the volumes are too large, go to charities in greatest need in neighbouring communities.

Where

Drop off locations are close by. For a list of drop-off locations and charitable recipients, go to: Lower Mainland Drop Off Locations

Copyright REBGV, Reprinted with Permission

LEST WE FORGET

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields

11/11/11

They were so young! For me each season brings a deeper understanding of their sacrifice. All wanted to come home – so many never did.

Remembrance Day

Today, this poem is part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Canada and other countries. The poem was written by a Canadian – Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

Photo Credit

It is fair conjecture to suggest that many of us think of seniors as being someone sixty-five or older. Of course, if you are twenty then you probably think of a senior as someone who is thirty. At twenty, thirty or even fifty there are few Free-B’s available to you but if you are approaching your ‘Golden Years’ it’s a different story.

Magic

All the magic of Free-B’s seem to start somewhere around the age of fifty-nine. Recently, I sat in a bank and started to read some of the most boring literature ever produced to find a few hidden gems.

Banks, those places we hate for the service fees they charge and love for the security of knowing they are keeping our money safe don’t make a habit of broadcasting that once you reach a magical age of say 59, you are entitled to a range of services and products that are Free-B’s.

Here are some Free-B’s

• Personalized cheques
• Certified cheques
• Stop payments
• Processing of foreign currency cheques drawn on or deposited to your account
• Commission-free regular American Express®S1 Travellers Cheques
• Money orders and drafts
• Processing postdated or mailed-in deposits

Or,

• Discounts on safety deposit box annual rental fee
• Bonus interest on the daily interest savings account
• Spousal benefits
• In some banks your spouse (regardless of age) can share the benefits of the Scotia Plus Program for Seniors on all designated accounts held jointly in the name of you and your spouse.
• Overdraft protection

The Trick

They won’t make a point of telling you – you have to ask. Don’t be shy. When approaching your ‘Golden Years’ check to see what Free-B’s your bank is prepared to give you. Also check with other banks. The Free-B’s vary and a different bank may offer a Free-B more suitable to your needs.

Adapted from Scotia Online

Image Credit

Feng Shui claims that having fish in your back yard pond is a good thing. My twenty-five cent feeder gold fish have grown to be 10 inch monsters with voracious appetites.

One in particular must have jumped tanks in the store. Since buying them a number of years ago this one has grown to be much bigger than the rest. I don’t know much about fish but my friends tell me he or she is a Koi and should be considered very good luck.

Sharing

It seems that this morning others wanted some of this good luck. This morning this guest came to visit my back yard obviously thinking his luck was about to improve by having a free lunch.

My luck was having him stay long enough to snap this picture.

Of Carp

According to the Spiritual Feng Shui, “fish, especially the carp represents wealth and prosperity because the actual word in Chinese for fish also translates to “abundance”. As with most Chinese symbols, the carp has a legend attached to it. According to legend, the carp is noted for its strength and bravery because it swims against the current. According to some the carp turns into the revered Celestial Dragon when it makes a final leap over the rapids.

Kate at HGTV contacted me asking if any of the readers of YatterMatters would be interested in participating in her show. As we have a pretty vocal group of intelligent folks here maybe one of you would like to be a TV star and let the world know how you really feel about the house buying process.

Dilemas

Kate describes the show entitled Urban/Suburban as “a series about one of the biggest dilemmas facing home buyers – “should we buy in the city or the suburbs?”

Kate claims that the “fact is, most of us can’t afford the best of both worlds – the Suburban promise of a big back yard, small mortgage, space to grow and the Urban promise of great restaurants, energy and convenience. And so, in making those tough decisions house hunters realize they’re not just buying a home – they’re purchasing a lifestyle.”

“In addition to the drama facing a family as they search for the perfect home, Urban/Suburban offers the audience a sneak peak into the real estate market across the country – both in the city and the surrounding areas.

Getting Real

Are you facing this this challenge? Are you interested in participating in the show and want to get real about real estate?

You can reach Kate at casting@forcefour.com for details. Tell her YatterMatters sent you.

* Information provided Courtesy of Forcefour, Logos used with permission

In our city, days pass measured only by the routine. Many are recalled as a days with wet sloppy shoes being the routine. On those days when viewing a home for sale, it is a ritual to remove those shoes upon entry to the property for sale.

However, on some days in our city, you get to forget about those damp, wrinkled shoes waiting near the entrance in that high priced Vancouver home. On those days, when outside in the sun, being a Vancouver Realtor® has it’s perks!

The Benefit

The Lions from Prince Edward Park Nikon P100

A long time friend who lives a life many of us dream of sent me a gift. My friend is a avid blue water sailor, a diver, a raconteur. We met at university and have stayed in touch for almost 40 years.

An avid underwater photographer ‘Smitty’ always thrills me with wonders he finds beneath the waves.

Micronesia

For the past eight months he has anchored off the islands of Palau. His gift to me this year is of a Mandarin fish which I share with you as you dream of being that South Seas sailor.

Twinkling Christmas lights, wondrous window displays, smiles and good cheer combined with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus were found on West Broadway in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood this Saturday afternoon.

Above the din of busy traffic and the jingle of cash drawers opening as they received payment for gifts soon to be wrapped and placed under a Christmas tree, were four celestial voices singing Christmas carols.

Over the Moon at Finn’s on Broadway

Over The Moon Quartet

As the four ladies sang a cappella, smiles instantly broadened. In return, granted, was long sustained applause from those near. This melodic afternoon surprise was sponsored by a number of West Broadway merchants as Thanks and Christmas cheer to regular and new patrons.

Who Are They?

Deb Hope, Pat Fry, Donna St.Germain, and Bev Hunter are the Over the Moon Quartet. Deb, a familiar face to many, is of course Global BC’s Anchor – early news. Check out their video gallery. These ladies have remarkable voices that are a pleasure to hear.

West Broadway Business Association (WBBA) Sponsors

Vancity – 3395 West Broadway Vancouver, BC, Canada V6R 2B1	Omega Travel – 3230 Broadway West Vancouver, BC V6K 2H4
GNK Insurance – 3295 West Broadway Vancouver, BC V6K 2H5	Just Imagine – 3060 Broadway West Vancouver V6K 2H1
Vancouver Kids Books – 3083 West Broadway Vancouver, BC V6K 2G9	Finn’s on Broadway - 3031 West Broadway Vancouver, BC V6K 2G9
Bopomo Studios – 2631 West Broadway Vancouver, BC V6K 2G2	Ten Thousand Villages – 2909 West Broadway Vancouver, BC V6K 2G6
Dairy Queen – 2601 West Broadway, Vancouver	Semperviva Yoga Studios – 2608 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC

Want to hear ‘Over the Moon’ sing for you – email Pat – pfry at dccnet.com

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