Volunteering, and Seeing the Results

Back in the spring, when I was still with Coldwell Banker, they finally invited us to work on a Habitat for Humanity build in Fairfield. Since I joined CB in '06 I worked tirelessly to raise funds for H4H. There were builds in Sacramento and other counties to which I was invited, but I prefer to put my energy in my backyard, in a city/county in which I work. Finally, Fairfield was chosen for 2 builds.

I showed up on work day with 3 fellow CB agents. We were offered electrical, exterior painting, and post-hole digging. I chose the latter -- I'm the stronger of the 4 of us women who volunteered, and I don't mind physical labor. Also, I dislike electrical, have painted enough, and have experience digging post holes.

There are experienced contractors who are also volunteers who provide teaching/guidance on whatever level is needed. The recipients of the homes have to put in a minimum of 500 hrs. of sweat equity, and Jean (a Gallagher descendant; I believe we have a relative or two in common), checked us in, made sure we had hard hats and gloves, and distributed lunch at the appropriate time. Her unwavering dedication and loyalty is inspiring.

I ended up digging 3 post holes, mixing concrete for them, and planting the posts that day. Legs were fine, upper body hurt the following couple of days.

A couple months later I read that the houses were vandalized by thieves stealing copper. So wrong!

Saturday, Aug.24, I attended the dedication of the houses to their recipients. I was the only former CB agent there -- none of my colleagues attended, and I know they received the invitation. When I signed in it was as the NSCAR President, to match the name tag I wore.

It was a big  deal. Our local state senator was present, as was our local state house assemblymember. I'd just seen them recently, so I didn't take up much of their time. Local officials were present as well, and there was a fair amount of speechmaking.

Finally we got to the part where the homeowners spoke -- and that was amazing. Hearing their stories, their history, their gratitude -- humbling and inspiring.

I'm grateful to have seen the results, to hug the new homeowners, and to have given my time and talent to help the hardworking, deserving women their homes.

By far, this is the best part of my real estate career.

Shoot Me Now!

Chris signed up for 2 triathlons, as he's been looking for a new challenge for a while. I run and bike with him, but haven't been swimming since '05 or so. My colorist advised against it, and I agreed with her.

Yesterday Chris rode his TT bike 15 miles, ran 3, swam 1/2 mi. with some time between the workouts. I rode a casual ride with a girlfriend who's doing a Ride Around the Rockies kind of ride next month. She doesn't ride much, or fast, but she's good for long tours, and I was happy to pace her on what is for her a distance ride (35.2 mi.). It was fun; we saw turkeys, pheasant, deer, and many other cyclists. We chatted and overall enjoyed the ride.

Chris mentioned as we drove to SF to have dinner with my best friend from 5th grade that he wanted to swim and ride today. I don't know what inspired me to say that I'd do it with him -- maybe just wanting to support him in his new venture? Once the words were spoken I knew that I was committed.

So this morning I got up to let out the dogs/make the coffee&espresso/feed the dogs. I really didn't want to do all that at the butt-crack of dawn so after the dogs were fed I got horizontal on the couch. As usual, once I'm awake, I'm up, so I did the coffee thing; Chris made oatmeal. We packed our bags and headed to Gold's.

I haven't been in Gold's pool, just the Jacuzzi, and without my glasses had to squint to read the protocol signs. I have a pair of Speedo goggles that I don't remember buying but have never been used; I put them on, showered, got in the pool and pushed off.

The years of practice came back in the first half-lap: how to swim, the hand entry, the head-tilt, the kick, the breathing-timing, all of it -- including the boredom, the sense of sensory deprivation, the memory of same-old, same-old. I stopped a few times due to breathing issues but cranked out 300 meters until my brain called boredom.

I sat in the Jacuzzi for maybe 3 minutes, watching Chris swim away, when I realized I could help him improve his stroke. Doh! I swam and taught swimming & water safety instruction for nearly 30 years. He used to splash around in pools. Maybe he'd listen

And he did. And I finished off enough laps to make 500-ish meters (I lost count once I got back into the lap pool). He completed 1/2 mile. I was happy to have overcome my Gremlin that didn't want me to enjoy swimming.

After about 45 min. of driving home, eating, gathering equipment and changing clothes we headed out on the tandem. We had some rollers and a category 4 hill  to climb -- all very familiar -- and a NNW wind to buck. Often I found myself privately kvetching about the conditions, the gear, when to stand -- my body and mind didn't want to be part of a team, and yet if we weren't on the tandem, I know I would have bailed. And then I was on board and it was great.

So I'm pretty fatugued yet pretty stoked about new challenges. I may or may not do a tri, and ultimately I will remain curious about my abilities and stay open to new challenges. That mindset got me this far, and I trust that it will open new pathways in the future.

Be open -- be curious. Because you never know what might be in your future.

A Little Bit of Overwhelm

Last week, from May 1 through May 5, I spent in meetings or walking to meetings in Sacramento, as part of the California Association of REALTORS (R) midyear meeting. We celebrated Legislative Day on the 1st, with 40 members of our Association attending, and 2800 REALTORS(s) attending overall. The energy was amazing! Alex Creel hammered home what we needed to address with our elected officials, and how we should address those issues.  Governor Jerry Brown addressed us live ( Arnold always video'ed it in; boo!) for the 3rd time (once as state AG; twice as Governor), and although he didn't share anything new, he did share what he accomplished since he was elected. The results aren't pretty but they are what the electorate wanted.

We walked to the Capitol for a huge group picture, went back to the Convention Center for our Region luncheon, then went back to the Capital to meet with our Assemblypersons and Senator. The 1st Assemblyperson was definitely warm to us, and the meeting was quite fruitful. The second assemblyperson has always, until May 1st, sent a staffer or even stood us up. I give her 2 thumbs down. That's just poor form.

Our state senator has met with us on many occasions; this time she sent a staffer who indicated that she backed our causes. That's fine with me.

This politicking is disconcerting; I'm in my  2nd year fully involved, following my instincts, and not sure where I'm positioned. I know where I stand with my local association, the state association...after that, what's next?

A Little Catching Up is Due

In November, on a rainy Friday, I held my Installation as Northern Solano County Association of REALTORS (R) President. Colin and Meave and Chris were there; I was so proud that my kids made the effort to attend. Evidently this is as big a deal to them as to me.

Chris and Meave's birthdays were the day before Thanksgiving, and we celebrated low-key, and busted it out on T-day at Colin's place. So many of his high school friends and their S.O.'s, and cats and dogs and new friends, and great food, stimulating conversation, etc. etc. -- what a fun day that was!  I applaud Colin and his roomies for being flexible enough to share their space with others who need it.

And there's more to come...when I make time to update and post pics. My bad for being involved in my business & my Presidency & other "stuff." Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day, even when it blows -- you're still alive, and there's always tomorrow.

Installation Looms

All I've done has lead to this moment, this accolade. In 4 days I'll accept the gavel and become the 55th president of the Northern Solano County Association of REALTORS(R) President. It all seems surreal, like an out-of-body experience, yet I have to own it every step of the way.

It's been a 7 yr. journey. I remember when I accepted the invitation to run for Director, I told a friend that one day I'd be president. I feel both ready and underprepared at the same time. Yet I know what I do will be my best; intelligence guided by experience.

My agenda and program are done. The tickets feature me on my TT bike, where I look quite fast. I think I'm the first serious cyclist to become President. Thus my theme, Cycles of Success. If it wasn't for real estate I'd not have rediscovered my love of riding; if not for my bike, I'd not be HTFU enough to be in real estate.

If the agenda and detailed script are acceptable, then I have 3 days to tweak my speech.

The irony is, that after 11 mos. of ad libbing while following the agenda, I harbor insecurities regarding my time at the microphone. That's never been an issue for me -- from the beginning of my Jazzercise career, I embraced the microphone. Yet I harbor trepidation, as though I'm not up to the task.

I have 4 days to figure it out. Place your bets, peeps, and tune in. I might just surprise you.

That is all.

New Accomplishments

Saturday was a busy day -- our dear friend Lynnette was getting married, and our Fuji Oval race team was having the annual party. We were diligent in ensuring we could attend both, as both events were important to us.

Lynette was a beautiful bride, Rick was a stylish groom, and the ceremony was sweet and moving.  We were honored to witness it. In fact, we were reminded of when we exchanged vows, way back in August '81. That we're still holding those promises true knocks my socks off. I love my man, and I know he loves me. We keep our vows alive, and expand on them.  We're a blessed couple, and we give thanks daily.

Then we moved to the race team party. Mary cooked and defied her injury to  make multiple dishes over a period of days, and pretend it was no big deal. It was a big deal! We all brought side dishes to complement the pulled pork and Italian sausage. I'm sure I'm not the only one who gained weight at that party.

We didn't get recognition as a tandem team, which made me mad.  We're the only tandem team and we scored big-time at Rio Vista (as in the only tandem team and we hauled ass anyway), and Chris wrangled the bike and me and we still scored. That, and we manage to exceed expectations on every ride. So I was miffed that we weren't given our props.

OTOH, I won the Most Enthusiastic Member award -- and rightly so. Last year I cobbled together a TTT at the last minute, and we scored!  And it was fun, despite the frustration of finding a 3rd team member. It was a collaborative exercise, and a great effort, and I'm pleased to have been a part of it.

This year I cheer-leaded our team, repped at the Putah Creek Smack Down (and scored some PBs as well), and had fewer raced than I'd intended. Nonetheless, I tirelessly cheerlead our team, acknowledge results, invite teammates to try new things -- I'm not always successful, but I give it a go. One for all and all for one -- and help the team every chance you get.

That's why I won that award, and why Saturday was so fun for me. A team got me here, and I'm on the team to get the next person to their PB.

Sunday, October 21, 2012, was my 58th birthday. What does one who behaves as though she's half that age do?

She rides her age, on the tandem with her BFF/hubby, with a retired professional cyclist. The Fuji Team Pro fit him just right. We have not ridden the tandem since August, as my memory serves.

Bombing down Steiger Hill Rd. I knew Chris would be balls-out, and I started the Lamaze breathing early. Good idea; bombing down Cardiac and setting a new Strava score required me just tucking in and breathing. Holy crap, I had serious fear!  I kept squeezing imaginary brakes, Lamaze breathing, reminding myself that we've done this multiple times and it's been all good.

We rode 128 to Winters and shared a sandwich and a cup of really good soup. The sun played hide-and-seek, and wouldn't just shine. So soup helped to warm me up.  Stokers should be warm.

We had 18 miles to get my age, so off we went along Putah Creek Rd., my usual TT route.  Fun on the tandem + friend, and on we went, with a final result of 64.3 miles, beer at home, and off went our friend. We'd planned dinner around his presence, so when he bailed, we reconnoitered, and went to the Buck Horn for dinner.  We ate ourselves almost stupid and came home with leftovers.

Bottom line: Birthday ride-your-age-in-miles:http://app.strava.com/rides/25728331

Bone miles: Done

Recovery meal: Consumed.

It was a great day!