Susan Marlette Contact Me

Received this from Kim Peoples who found it on www.Daveramsey.com He seems to be a business person with a more optimistic attitude than most. It’s a good read and I couldn’t have said it better myself:

Yes, many people have lost their jobs and houses. You may be one of them. But guess what? People have lost their jobs and houses even in a bull market. About 93% of people are still employed. That is pretty good! I was alive in the 1970s when unemployment hit double digits, and we’re nowhere near that right now! I’m not making light of the fact that some people are struggling; I’m just putting the situation in the proper perspective.

Even though you may be currently unemployed, that doesn’t mean you have to participate in the recession. People like me who have chosen to not participate acknowledge the reality of a slow economy and suffering people. However, we have decided that we’re not going to form our lives around the negativity coming out of the media and government. We’re intensifying our efforts and going to have the best year of our lives in spite of things slowing down.

Some people who find themselves unemployed will go into new careers or start their own businesses where they have the best year of their lives—professionally, financially and emotionally. Their current job losses are actually blessings in disguise. They believe this and are formulating game plans based on it. I guarantee there are men in their garages right now starting their own mechanic shops. The next Mary Kay Ash is writing up a business plan for new products she’s just created. College students are developing “the next best thing” in their dorm rooms as you are reading this. This is reality!

So think about your skills and interests. How can you leverage those passions into something you enjoy doing every day while earning money for it? If you haven’t lost your job but dread going to work, maybe it’s time to fire your employer and go in a new direction. When you have a game plan for your money and career, you will have a sense of empowerment because you aren’t a slave to the lender (or employer).

When employers start hiring because they believe their businesses will grow, recessions end. Many who have stopped hiring a healthy amount have been paralyzed by fear. They’ve lost hope. People who continue going about their lives in normal ways (without being irresponsible and buying stuff they can’t afford) believe in the future. It’s called hope.

You can have fear or hope. It’s your choice.

I choose hope.

Have a great day!

Susan

Susan Marlette Contact Me

A HAPPY POSITIVE UPBEAT ODE TO SNOW
(or so I thought…)

In November it snowed and the ground was covered
It was so pretty to see
The landscape so white and snowdrifts just right
I thought what a nice place to be.

In December the snow was still coming down
I loved it for Christmas- it’s true!
It was so picture perfect and really quite worth it
The shoveling that we had to do.

Between Christmas and New Year’s the stuff was still there
That’s okay it can stay
Until January 2 when there’s nothing to do
But pay bills and feel cold every day.

The middle of February brings more of that snow
and more and more and more
the shoveler gets weary, his assistant less cheery
as we dig our way out of the door.

It melted- hooray I say on this day
The brown grass reminds me that soon
With this idea of spring we will see everything
As green as a warm day in June

HAHA! Not so fast there’s still a blast
That blankets the world with a storm
You thought it was safe to go back outside
Did you really think it was warm?

I’m sick of the snow! I can’t take it no mo’
I’m trying so hard to be fun,
When winter winds down and there’s no ice around
I’ll give thanks to the Gods of the sun.

Susan Marlette Contact Me

Good Morning!

I had sincerely thought since I left this week’s gig to the last minute that I would peruse the newspaper and find some real live good news to share with you guys (and save my rear end at the same time.) I have to tell you the absolute truth- there was nothing that made me think woohoo the people at Reinhart REALLY need to know this. Seriously! Every headline made me cringe, turn the page or just was the whole thing up and toss it. C’mon Ann Arbor News, there’s gotta be something we can be proud of! So I have taken it upon myself once again to make up some Good News. (Well, not made up as in pretending it’s good but dammit, it’s some Good News to, for and about us…). In the spirit of keeping up our spirits, I’ll just have to give you a little insight into the darker side of the Awards Banquet (from the OTHER side of the Coke glasses and the Reinhart Idol table…)

1. The managers had absolutely no idea they were going to be called upon to showcase their, uh, talents. I swear…

2. Ronda was the original Paula Abdul but I said I would do it when I realized I could write my script and not make any sense whatsoever.

3. Jennifer Fry had a really bad cold that day so her voice was deeper than usual and it worked out perfectly to be the imperious Simon.

4. All songs were carefully handpicked for each manager’s personality by Admin under the directorship of Paula “Ryan Seacrest” Bowman. But we all had a LOT of fun with the selections.

5. Songs that were brought up but discarded were I Like Big Butts, I’m Too Sexy for My Shirt, We Shall Overcome and Brick House. (Don’t ask me which songs were going to go to who. I am sworn to secrecy…)

6. There were alternative “kiddie” songs if the contestant did not know or did not want to do the song they were assigned. We picked really lame ones so they would want to sing the song they were assigned.

7. Amy got to be Randy because she could imitate the Dawg without missing a beat. She was the first one cast.

8. Dave, Bill and Marcia were also totally unaware of the fate that would befall them that day.

9. If you left after the Admin skit (and you know who you are, I hope you are feeling guilty at this very moment), you missed another FANTASTIC stand up performance by Saline’s very own Rick Mangan. The man has another career should he ever decide real estate just isn’t fast paced enough for him.

10. We have the whole thing on video. :o)

Have a great day!

P.S. Aren’t those unusually good green beans at Barton Hills? We always rave about them. My girls think I am demented to go on and on about green beans but you must admit to this phenomonon.

Susan

Susan Marlette Contact Me

Good Morning!

The Reinhart Blood Drive was on Friday at East. I received an excited call from Ed Ridha early in the day. “Are you going to write about the blood drive?” He said. He was so excited, so upbeat, it was hard not to smile at his enthusiasm. He told me the Red Cross had converted their conference rooms into a donor center and contributors were beginning to filter in. There were mass amounts of cookies and juice. Every time slot was filled with a donor and there was a waiting list of people who wanted to be called should there be a no show or someone was rejected. Pam Gurica, Lisa Stelter and many others were working behind the scenes to make this a successful day. I told Ed my time was 3:45 pm. I would see him then.

Big Aside Here: I have never given more than a small vial of blood for test purposes only in my entire uh, 40 something years. This year I was going to be a big brave dog and join the ranks of the honorable and give someone else something they needed that apparently, I did not. I was nervous but determined. It did not help that other Admin people were coming back with stories of dizziness and an hour on the cot to combat that lightheaded feeling. Great. My apprehension grew. I drove white knuckled to the East office humming Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf…

“M” greeted me at the door, a smiling man who had been there all day checking people in and slapping a red “I’ve done this before” sticker on them or, in my case, a large green one that shouted, “NEWBIE WALKING!” (Okay it didn’t SAY that but it was obvious…) I was required to read a six page document promising I had never had 500 different infectious diseases, had not been to countries like Botswana or Zimbabwe in the past year and various other precautionary measures. That’s good- you need to be careful when it comes to your bodily fluids, especially if they are going to become someone else’s.

I chatted with Lisa Stelter and Susan Gartin before they called my name. My smile froze on my face. My number was up, my chips were cashed in, it was my turn at the deli counter. I trudged back to a private booth in another conference room wondering if this really was a good idea. A tech took my license, entered the information into the computer and at the same time took out a… a pricking thing-y to poke my finger to check my iron levels. They were scary efficient- obviously they had done this many, many times. Then she poked me, squished the blood out of that tiny hole in my finger into what I assume was an iron measuring device ( I watched that in morbid fascination, which is so unlike me…) and wrapped a band aid around it before I could say ouch. She looked at the test with a professional eye and said “You didn’t even register on the scale. Have trouble with your iron level before?” I admitted I had but was taking a multi vitamin (as if to say “But I am doing something about it, see?”). She had the other tech do another draw on my other hand. “Nope”, she said briskly, whipping out dismissal papers while telling me, “You need to see a doctor about this. Soon.”

Wait a minute- you’re rejecting me? You can’t reject me! I take a multi vitamin. It has iron in it! I run! I take cardio kickboxing classes! I drive the PT Cruiser on Mondays without falling asleep! I gathered up every ounce of imaginable courage I could muster to go on this honorable mission and I’m… rejected? WHAT? Not only was I wearing my big green ROOKIE sticker I was also now the proud owner of a sticker that said, “I tried. Did you?” It screamed, “MY BLOOD WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO GIVE TO SOMEONE.” I was humiliated. BUT - I can now admit this and you know what I’m going to say- I was relieved too. I didn’t have to worry about fainting, or throwing up or driving myself home and hitting a telephone pole and having the paramedics say, “Yeah, she gave blood today. It was too much for her. First time in her 40 something years…” Ed Ridha put a classic good news spin on it and said at least now I know and can talk to my doctor about it. And he is absolutely right. I wish I could’ve written for you the experience of giving blood for the first time, told you how fabulous and easy and rewarding it was. How I laid there in a semi hypnotic state in pleasant surroundings, calmly watching plasma run out of my veins so that it may save the life of another- but that was not to be. Instead, let’s just say the importantance of the gift is why I am writing this, so others can benefit from something so precious that you have and they do not. At least- give it a try.

Thank you a million times to all the people who donated their life force, their precious time and their encouragement to others there. 35 pints of blood were collected and distributed to 3 different centers. There was approximately 38 - 40 donors and SO many more who were willing to give but spots were filled or they were uh…rejected … for VERY good reasons. I am determined to give it another go the next time we do this. You should too. The atmosphere was so positive and good no wonder people wanted to just stay and hang out. I overheard a Red Cross tech say there were some great people here and the Reinhart company had been really fun to work with on this. A writer hears Good News wherever she goes…

Have a great day!

Susan

Susan Marlette Contact Me

Good morning!

Going green. This does not mean going to MSU. (Okay, in the case of my kid, it does but we won’t go into that. Don’t want hate mail from the rabid sector of Maize and Blue fans…) It was the theme of discussion at the North American Auto Show and is always a hot topic for companies that are looking toward the future with an eye on conservation. I am impressed with anyone who puts forth the effort to combine the growth of their business with the incredible task of keeping the environment in mind as an important part of their mission statement. Here are a few local “greenies”…

Our very own Eunice Burns was given the Realtor Environmentalist Award this year. Co founder of Huron River Day, Eunice has been involved in the “greening” of Ann Arbor for more than 25 years. Congratulations Eunice!

Once again, I received a great e-mail from Michael Klement, proprietor of Architectural Resource. They are an environmentally conscious remodeling company who’s amazing transformation of an American Bungalow garnered a selection to appear in the upscale magazine, Fine Home Building Magazine. Bringing national recognition home to Ann Arbor- gotta love that!

The Scrap Box is a classic example of reduce, reuse, recycle. Companies can drop off their unused pieces of well, almost anything, as long as it can be used for something else. Who knew bottle caps could be the wheels on a bus, that yards of cast off fabric can be the curtain for an impromptu dramatic performance or cardboard cylinders make great binoculars (okay, we ALL knew that…)? If you don’t want to spend a lot of money (wicked cheap entertainment, believe me!) and have a dire need to occupy children who have cabin fever, this is a fantastic place to support.

The city of Ann Arbor. FYI- The normal salt mix of 5% salt and 95% sand is required per a Council resolution in order to provide safe traction for vehicles and to protect the Huron River from potentially toxic levels of salt entering the river through the storm drain system. (We don’t want the fishies to have three eyes…) They’ve been working hard, the snowplow and salt guys. Been kind of a busy season so far…

Me? I really promise this time to not throw out possible recyclable items just to see if my husband will pick them out. Another musing on another Monday will have actual tips on how to we can be green. Will they be real or will they be “Susan Tips”? They’ll be real but with a twist, you know that. J

Now, if I could only see a little green in its’ natural habitat…

Have a great day!

Susan

Susan Marlette Contact Me

Good Morning!

Well, the inauguration is tomorrow. I would like to watch it because it is a historical moment. Millions and millions of people will be hanging on to every word he says. His voice is calm and soothing. He is promising things we desperately need and talking about a better tomorrow, a better next month, a better next year. I feel I should be getting up and shouting and pumping my fists and saying Yes We Can!

Let’s rally! Let’s do it! And we all charge ahead with the rush of excitement of having a new love, a new hope.

But really, don’t those speech-y inaugural-y things just drone on and on and on? I start to gray out when I watch anything political. I think about what I need to get at the grocery store or I need to arrange for a carpool tomorrow or what day the movies have to be returned. Maybe I could mute it and have the close captioning on and vacuum and still get the feeling I was there. (Hey there would still be loud, crowd-like noise…)

As I tried to educate myself about this day I have found a few fun facts that I thought I could share. Of course, I cannot just let fun facts lie there and be…fun. I have to add comments. I’m sure you will recognize historic fact and what is, uh, running commentary. If you don’t, so be it. I could rewrite history and make it so much more interesting (but I think there is jail time involved in that…)

In 1789 George Washington took the oath and then added, “So Help Me God.” Other presidents have followed his example. So have most of the mothers around the world, just before doing something that involves a reprimand to a child for doing something incredibly stupid.

In 1961, John F. Kennedy was the last president to wear the traditional stovepipe hat to the inauguration. I cannot see JFK wearing that hat, can you? If Marilyn saw him in that, she would have just laughed at him instead of singing the birthday song to him in that creepy psycho killer way of hers.

Dolly Madison, the first lady to James Madison, hosted the inauguration party for which 400 tickets were sold at $4 apiece. The snack cakes were 49 cents. Red Zingers sold out in minutes…

Fourteen inauguration balls capped the day’s activities for the Clintons in 1997. They set a record with all those balls. The Clintons liked to… dance.

In 2001, the George W. Bush inauguration was interrupted by two naked protesters. I don’t remember that. I must have been vacuuming. Or already had grayed out…

I have high hopes for the political arena this year. Now if I could only get that positive thing going about the weather. But with the shoveled drifts at my house reaching four feet and Sadie literally disappearing in the yard to do her doggie thing, I do reminisce about 75 degree days, sandals and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. Someone please tell me- soon Susan, soon…

Have a great day!

Susan

Susan Marlette Contact Me

Good Morning!

Don’t you love music? I was thinking about this other day. I was in a calm state of mind, driving, not even being ticked off by those who just really don’t know how to drive. I was probably listening to John Mayer or maybe Corrine Bailey Rae as they are my choices when I want to be…tranquil. They are soothing. You know when you get in your car after a long day at the office and you find just the right song to start that drive home? You let that music hang out with you, like a friend. You can evaluate and reorganize the thoughts in your brain without interruption. And when you sing (because you KNOW you sing in your car…) you can usually hit the high notes as your esophagus is relaxed now. At least, this is my theory…

My teenagers love my music- uh…not exactly. “It’s old,” they say. Little do they know that they have listened to more than one remix of a song from my youth. I must admit I am little appalled at the lyrics in the stuff they listen to (Does that make me sound old? If you heard those lyrics, you would say no, Susan you are absolutely right…) but I have to respect them for what they listen to. And I know for fact they enjoy my kind of music because it is on their IPod. Of course, it is only maybe an album (oops, CD. Shows the age there, doesn’t it?) or two compared the eight gazillion other songs they have. But everyone has their own notion of what is good and that’s okay with me. Gives a lot of musicians in different genres a chance, you know?

I listen to music everywhere. You can find me swaying to the beat in the cereal aisle, reading the labels with earbuds in, oblivious to everyone, as this is the ONLY way to grocery shop. I like my music loud when I am deciding on the sustenance for my family. It helps with the life altering decision of which flavor yogurts to buy this week and helps to decipher the math problems that sale pricing can sometimes bring. Do you ever notice how you feel when you hear certain songs or certain artists? If you are in a serene, thinking sort of mood, it is probably a slower tempo, something that just floats around you without having to actually listen to it. Want to get something accomplished quickly, like housecleaning or sweeping out the garage? Put on something powerful and fast. I usually pick something old so I know all the words. And yes, I sing at work- not a word from you, Nancy- but I can close my door if necessary. So far I have not been called onto the carpet about the incessant warbling that comes from my office. I’m sure people just kind of wonder if that high pitched squealing, squeaking noise they think is coming from the furnace will ever stop…

There is some Good News here- music is such a great resource for happiness. It helps you feel what you are feeling and can make the day ever so much better. Are you mad at someone- put on something that screams so you can scream too. Feeling peaceful? Something with lots of strings or horns. Painting the kitchen? Anything loud will do. Having a summer party? Jimmy Buffet or reggae is a must. Music is another drug free drug. Makes you feel better with no side effects. :o)

Go on now, get your groove on…

Have a great day!

Susan Marlette Contact Me

Good Morning!

Number Eight: Say Thank You. And Mean It

Since I know ahead of time what the next day’s “challenge” is going to be, I was ready to work this one to make up for the dismal failure of the “Avoid Comparisons” segment. Taking on salespeople at Christmas time is really the ultimate reality test, don’t you think? Especially since we are well into the season. Desperate shoppers clutching coffee cups and sweatstained fragments of Christmas lists demand their attention. Neatly folded sweaters become a colorful heap within minutes of opening. Long hours on their feet with only mall food to sustain them. They are ripe for a meaningful thank you.

I took the day off yesterday to do the bulk of my shopping with the intention of saying Thank you and Mean It to every harried, wild eyed clerk I encountered. ( I almost felt like I should have a cameraman with me to film this documentary. I rather fancy the idea of saying, “Al, get a shot of her reaction, will you?” I think the power would have been too much. You KNOW how I feel about power…) I could turn this into a five page report of my adventure but no one wants to read THAT much DDGN ( I think it rather cool that ALL of you receiving this will know what that means. Like knowing the garage door code.) So, I will give you a synopsis of my folly…

My findings reveal that this thing really works! I would look that salesperson in the eye and say sincerely, “Thank you.” or, “Thank you for all your help.” or, “Thank you so much. You’ve really been helpful.” And a perennial favorite, “Thanks so much. It’s nice to talk to someone who knows their product.” I never used their name, I find that creepy. But every time I said Thank You in that sincere manner, they would smile, meet my eyes and say “Your Welcome” in a genuine, albeit surprised, tone. Like your welcome with a question mark. The Good News? We both walked away from our transaction happier than when we started it. It felt great and I couldn’t wait to move on to the next saleperson. I probably spent more than I should’ve… but the positive feedback I was receiving just made me want to do it again! Agh- I was addicted to niceness, what a nerd! I now own a couple more sweaters than I should because I just wanted to see if this girl in Macy’s would be a good victim…er…subject. You know the one, sullen and unresponsive- just the way they teach them to act in teenager school. But sure enough, after my, “Thanks so much, I know my daughter will love this”, (I didn’t have to tell her they were for me, did I?) she grinned a big goofy grin and said, “Oh gosh, you are so welcome.” I didn’t buy a thing at Lowe’s (who knew snowblowers were so expensive) but I thanked the guy profusely-he knew so much about snowblowers!- and left there with his card and both of us smiling. I know I keep saying I am NOT dispensing advice but seriously, all I can say is definitely try this one. You will feel fabulous and so will the person you are touching with your kindness. Oh, and don’t be discouraged by the ones you have no effect on. They will have no idea they missed out on a warm fuzzy in the middle of their shift. Concentrate on the next thank you and truly meaning it. You know, positive thinking, moving forward and all that good karma stuff…

Number Nine: Get Out and Exercise

Have a great day!

Susan

Susan Marlette Contact Me

Good Morning!

So here we are- Christmas Eve. Who’s reading this from home, still in pjs with coffee mug in hand and who has slogged their way in to the office, their feet wet and fingertips chilled? Kudos to all of you, you are reading your work e-mail on Christmas Eve.

Have a warm fuzzy. On the house:

My daughters got stuck in the snow at the movies and people came out of nowhere and helped push them out.

Admin’s adopted family had five children from ages 17 down to 10 months old. They all are getting Christmas presents this year and a wonderful meal. We did that. That feels good.

Leslie Smith was watching the snow come down. She was resigned to go out in the bitter cold and shovel. After some hot chocolate. And after she cleaned out her closets. And washed the kitchen floor. And alphabetized her CDs. As she stared out at the snow, her neighbor breezed by, smiled, waved and proceeded to clear her sidewalk and driveway with his mighty snowblower. Leslie smiled and settled back with a good book, a blanket and another cup of hot chocolate.

Interest rates are at 5.5%

Jennifer Fry’s 9 year old daughter told her she was the best mom in the universe. (If I was Jennifer, I would be feeling the pressure…)

Susan Schmunk was having a lousy day until she came upon The Shop with a Cop contingent at Meijer’s. Seeing all those little smiling faces shopping and interacting with the policemen put her own troubles into perspective.

Laurie Buys says, “I have learned so much about patience, persistence and the art of reassuring others even when you need it the most yourself. Short sales are good lessons!”

Susan Kellam admired a snowgirl figure that Anita McKay had sitting on her desk. The next day she wrapped it up in tissue paper and gave it to Susan.

Your Christmas Day Daily Dose of Good News will be under your tree and in your homes and sitting next to you at dinner. Amongst all the wrappings, the dog trying to help and the eight year old wanting you to put the batteries in so he can play with the new toy. It will be in the picture of the kids that your mom is teary eyed over and in the scarf your dad is proudly displaying over his pajamas. It’s in the squeal of delight as the four year old finds a pop up book with her name on it. It will be amidst the chaos of having 18 people for dinner and having your special other come up and kiss your cheek and give you a hug. Sentimental, I know. But I’ll take that and soak it up for a day this year…

Happy holidays to all-

Susan

Susan Marlette

Closing Department
Charles Reinhart Company, Realtors
2200 Green Road, Suite E
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
734-669-5998
smarlette@reinhartrealtors.com

Susan Marlette Contact Me

Good Morning!

Ah, the beginning of the year. Not quite like September with it’s new crayon smell (which is what I really consider the new year but that’s just me with kids) but still, a time that most people feel the need to start fresh. Those pesky New Year’s Resolutions have been made and are patiently waiting for execution. Winter seems to be on the downward slide (even if it isn’t really, don’t you WANT it to be?). Stores are pushing shorts, t-shirts and bathing suits for those lucky enough to be going somewhere to escape the teasing madness of a Michigan winter. It’s 20 degrees, it’s 50 degrees, it’s snowing, it’s raining. Oh…my…God… THE SUN!

The Good News- it IS a new year! Do you feel like you are coming out of a dark tunnel, blinking in the light of the new day? Clutching sales contracts and listing tickets, you are now armed with new ammunition. (Oh, that’s giving it a warlike quality, isn’t it? Let’s not do that. Peace in the new year and all…)

Though it was tough, think hard. There has to have been some good that happened to you in that year. We can look back now and shudder with relief that it’s over but I can think of a few things that were awesome about last year. My oldest graduated high school and holy mackerel, was accepted at Michigan State and off she went. I received a little bonus from the government that I spent immediately on something so frivolous I don’t even remember what it was. I went to a party in my neighborhood and met some great people who I never knew lived there and reconnected with other friends I had sorely missed. I enjoyed cherry chicken salad from Busch’s and sweet potato fries at Seva. I had the awesome opportunity to write sunshiny Brady Bunch good time news for you guys. Quick- name three things that happened to you in 2007 that were good! (Due to the scarcity of large scale booyahs, small, significant incidents and lighthearted occurrences count this time. See enjoying cherry chicken salad…) Write ‘em down. Tack it up somewhere close to your peepers and give it a glance every now and then. Then you too will be able to say holy mackerel I did make it to the other side after all. Is it weird to be looking back on such a dismal time instead of forward with bright hope? Yeah, probably. But it’s kind of like turning back to stare down the road you just trudged up on, then look at each other and say in wide eyed wonder, “Did you SEE that?” You giggle nervously, knowing you narrowly escaped the negative mass that had been dogging you all last year. But what happened to you…to us…will undoubtedly affect you in the new year. I’m sure we can use that knowledge to kick some uh, real estate butt. And you are now here instead of there. You just got off the roller coaster at Reinhart Amusement Park. Shew- What a ride! Deep breath in. Let it out…

Turn the proverbial page. Think positively. With conviction. With confidence.

And here we go…

Have a great Monday!

Susan