RECR's Blog: July 2008

Well...After seeing numerous people here on AR and just about everywhere else tell me that I need to build a Twitter account...

I finally caved.  You can see my account at www.twitter.com/recr.

It was painless to get one built...and with the millions and millions of people that are on there...I highly suggest that you take the 27 seconds it takes to build a profile.  Ive already met a couple real estate agents on the network and am looking forward to developing relationships all around the country with this helpful tool. 

Thanks to you for recommending it!!!

If you would like information about www.recr.com and how we can help you make more money, please contact Clint Miller at 800-977-7058 or 406-329-7652.

I recently wrote a post a while back about a couple of smart phones that I was looking at getting and requested some feedback from everyone about what they use and why.  Many of you responded and I certainly appreciated everything that everyone had to say. 

Im happy to say that despite all of the people that told me to get a Blackberry (You know who you are...lol), I went out the other day and purchased the new Motorola Q9!  And, Im quite impressed! 

The ease of operation is amazing!  (Windows software that operates just like your PC.)  The functions are simple to use...the MP3 capability is very nice.  The unlimited internet access and unlimited texting capability is a huge advantage.  The download speed is respectable and the fact that I can link it to my PC and seamlessly download applications is a major plus.  And the coverage Im getting with Alltel is amazing!  Even the plan was cheap! 

All in all...Im very impressed!  And I would recommend a Moto Q to anyone that is in the market for a smartphone. 

If you would like information about www.recr.com (Real Estate Client Referrals), please call Clint Miller at 800-977-7058 or 406-329-7652.

I wrote this post yesterday..........and I had to repost it (because I think its important) and there is an update and a shout out at the bottom from Michelle Nichols!

I subscribe to a sales newsletter from www.salesdog.com.  And, when mine showed up today, I ran across this news blip on there that I needed to share with everyone...Please read below.

"Did you hug your kids today?

Late last year, long-time SalesDog friend and contributor Michelle Nichols left her position as a columnist with BusinessWeek Online and closed her Savvy Selling business to launch National Hug Your Kids Day. In 1998 Michelle's son Mark died suddenly, at age 8 1/2 years old, from brain cancer. Now she's encouraging working mothers and fathers to put "family first and work a close second." Today is the first annual National Hug Your Kids Day - the perfect time to grab your free copy of Michelle's tip sheet: How Professional Salespeople Can Love Their Families and Thrive at Work. Click here to get yours."

I dont know about you folks...but, my job is not my life.  I use my job help me support my life.  My kids are my life.  And, I dont think I would be much of a person without them in my life.  Not that Im trying to be a fatalist, but you never know what may happen to you or them. 

Spread the word about National Hug Your Kids Day!!! 

UPDATE ----- Michelle Nichols of National Hug Your Kids Day just called me!  Tina LoSasso of SalesDog called Michelle and told her about this little post I wrote.  Michelle called me to thank me for writing it and wanted to send a personal shout out to all of you that commented and helped spread the word.  She started this concept 6 months ago...and had state sponsered events in 17 states yesterday!  She is emailing me a photo of the first ever 'largest kid hug' in Reno and I will posting that photo soon.

So, from Michelle and her staff ---- THANK YOU ACTIVERAINERS!!  OUR KIDS ARE WORTH IT!!!

I subscribe to a sales newsletter from www.salesdog.com.  And, when mine showed up today, I ran across this news blip on there that I needed to share with everyone...Please read below.

"Did you hug your kids today?

Late last year, long-time SalesDog friend and contributor Michelle Nichols left her position as a columnist with BusinessWeek Online and closed her Savvy Selling business to launch National Hug Your Kids Day. In 1998 Michelle's son Mark died suddenly, at age 8 1/2 years old, from brain cancer. Now she's encouraging working mothers and fathers to put "family first and work a close second." Today is the first annual National Hug Your Kids Day - the perfect time to grab your free copy of Michelle's tip sheet: How Professional Salespeople Can Love Their Families and Thrive at Work. Click here to get yours."

I dont know about you folks...but, my job is not my life.  I use my job help me support my life.  My kids are my life.  And, I dont think I would be much of a person without them in my life.  Not that Im trying to be a fatalist, but you never know what may happen to you or them. 

Spread the word about National Hug Your Kids Day!!! 

**********************UPDATE AT BOTTOM OF COMMENTS*********************** 
Reposted right here so everyone can read it easily

UPDATE ----- Michelle Nichols of National Hug Your Kids Day just called me!  Tina LoSasso of SalesDog called Michelle and told her about this little post I wrote.  Michelle called me to thank me for writing it and wanted to send a personal shout out to all of you that commented and helped spread the word.  She started this concept 6 months ago...and had state sponsered events in 17 states yesterday!  She is emailing me a photo of the first ever 'largest kid hug' in Reno and I will posting that photo soon.

So, from Michelle and her staff ---- THANK YOU ACTIVERAINERS!!  OUR KIDS ARE WORTH IT!!!

If you would like information about www.recr.com, please contact Clint Miller at 800-977-7058 or 406-329-7652.

I just recieved an email from Jennifer L. Ellis...an agent of mine that has been with my company for roughly 3 months.  She is in Greensboro, NC, and works with Bruce Williams & Associates -- a Re/Max affiliate in Greensboro.  Jennifer is a wonderful person with a kind heart and a spirit to match.  I have worked with her on several referrals so far and she has shown me that she is a consumate professional.  She is a very diligent agent willing to do whatever is needed to make sure that she operates in the best interests of her clients. 

Here is what she had to say about Real Estate Client Referrals:

"The services that Real Estate Client Referrals (www.recr.com) provides are second to none!!  My business has increased 300% since signing up just a few months ago.  After one month of receiving the first referral, I closed one transaction and was already negotiating the second.  What really has impressed me about www.recr.com is the customer service that you provide.  Any time I have a question I receive an immediate response.  You have a client for life with me!!

Jennifer L. Ellis, Broker, Realtor, SRES
Bruce Williams & Associates, Inc
Remax 1st Choice
Direct 336 387-2211
Fax 336 387-2221
Email  jennifer@jellishomes.com
www.GSOHomeSource.com

Id like to publically thank Jennifer for taking the time to write this testimonial on behalf of RECR.  And, would also like to invite anyone that is interested in our services to contact myself, Clint Miller, at 800-977-7058 or 406-329-7652 for any information that you may need.  I'd be happy to speak with you about our company anytime.

I just caught this on CNN...

Starbucks has released the entire list of the 600 stores that will be closing by the end of this year due to slacking performance. 

Once I had heard this, I jumped on the website and found the list of stores.  Actually, none of the stores that are closing are in Montana...a surprising twist considering the deminished economic state that we are in up here. 

Thank the stars that my triple-shot, half-caf, grande, low-fat, carmel, not-macho mocha is still going to be available for only $5 a cup because Lord knows that I surely cant live without that jolt to my heartrate, blood pressure, and my wallet.  (Its a drug...Im addicted.  LOL)

Check out the list to see if your store is closing...

If you would like information on www.recr.com (Real Estate Client Referrals), please contact Clint Miller at 800-977-7058 or 406-329-7652.

For those of you that dont know...Missoula is the home of the University of Montana (GO GRIZZLIES!!)   and the home of Real Estate Client Referrals (www.recr.com).  Many years ago, the University wanted to preserve some 'green space' behind the campus and purchased Mount Sentinel from the federal government and turned it into a nature preserve.  The mountain has been relatively untouched ever since. 

Last Wednesday around 7pm, the University of Montana residents that live in the University Villages at the base of Mount Sentinel were treated to a spectacular show.  It was about that time that two little kids -- age 8 and 7 -- decided to go into the long grass at the base of the hill with a phone book and a stolen lighter and play with fire.  The burning pages quickly sparked a wildfire that raced up the hillside and quickly charred a total of aroun 450 acres.  The fire was put out by Federal, State, and local fire departments before any structures could be harmed and before the fire went over the top of the mountain and took off through the timber on the back side of the mountain. 

Local professional photographer Chad Harder whipped out his camera and started taking pictures...These are the ones that are by far the best of the bunch.  You can see how impressive this small fire was and how close it came to racing through the town as well as the mountians behind Mt. Sentinel.

So, to be fair to the situation...Today's entry is a sign.  And, you do need to drive on a road to get to it.  But, it isn't a ‘road sign' per say.  However, funny none the less!

Today's entry comes to us from Drummond, MT.  If you turn off of Interstate 90 and head south just outside of Drummond, you run across the Ohrmann Museum & Gallery. 

If you are not paying attention, you will shoot right past this place mistaking it for a farmhouse.  What caught my eye about it was the sign by the road that said, "USUALLY OPEN".  Now, being the inquisitive type, I had to stop.  And yes...they are usually open. 

This museum has some of the coolest steel sculptures I have ever seen.  You can see a bunch of them on his website, but the coolest one by far was the mammoth and the mouse.

But, it was this sign that was nailed to the porch of the gallery and the comments on this sign that really caught my attention.

Now, if you look really closely, you will see some words at the bottom of this sign...Those words are highlighted below...

I figured that alone was worth a posting on the FRSE series!!  LOL!!!

Due to the fact that I was on my way to Gem Mountain to do some sapphire mining again, I didn't have time to go through the gallery, but I figured that anyone with that type of sense of humor deserved to have my business.  So, my next trip down will include a stop at the Ohrmann Museum to figure out if I need some new art or not...Either way, the sign was MORE than worth the stop.  LOL!

If you would like information on how to get more clients delivered to you either via email or cell phone from www.recr.com, please contact Clint at 800-977-7058 or 406-329-7652.

What was once considered a novelty by motorists and cyclists alike is now a HUGE deal!

I was in the market for a scooter a few months ago and checked out this machine.  Nice ride...cost around $5k. 

As gas prices have risen, my curiosity about this bike again surfaced.  So, I headed down to ScooterVille here in Missoula to see about getting my hands on a new ride.

NO DICE!!!

They are sold out.  SOLD OUT!  As in, I cant buy one even if they have one!  In fact, they are sold out until OCTOBER!!  (I dont know how much you know about Montana...but October is NOT scooter-friendly around here...LOL!

So, I did what any good red-blooded American would do...I gave the manager a $500 cash deposit (refundable) on the next available scooter that matches my criteria to come in the door...which would probably arrive in November...and I got back into my F-250 with the 4 inch lift kit and 26" mudders and drove off in a cloud of exhaust fit for a king...or a tug boat.

I guess I can just house the scooter til Spring...Sheeesh.

A while back, I posted a blog about the funniest road sign I had seen recently...And it occurred to me that where I live, I see humorous road signs all the time.  So, I decided to make this a series...and as I trip across road signs in my travels, I will post them as part of this series.

Today's entry into the FRSE series is located about 15 miles up the Skalkaho Highway off of Hwy 93 just south of Hamilton, MT.  The Skalkaho Highway is a 60 mile cut-off road over the top of a high mountain pass that is only maintained in the summer months.  It runs from Hamilton to Phillipsburg and is not even on the map!  During the winter, the road is closed due to the high levels of snow that cover the Sapphire Mountains.  (Many of you know that I am an avid sapphire hunter...Ive written about this hobby of mine in the past...and am happy to say that this trip was most fruitful...but, more about that later)

On Sunday, my family and I were heading up the Skalkaho Highway when we happened across this sign....

ROTFL!!!  Now having driven this road before, I can think of a few other things they could have added to further describe the 30 miles of this road that is cut into the side of a cliff...those descriptions would include such phrases as...

Dangerous
Scary
Flirt with death
Panic-Inducing
Fear Factor
Glorified skid road
Pig trail
and others that I probably shouldn't add due to the graphic nature of the content...LOL

But, 3/4 of the way up the hill, you run across the Skalkaho Falls...Which is an awesome sight that makes the trip totally worth it!

At the top of the hill, you are greeted by this sign also...

And, as you decend down the other side, you run into Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine.  My trip on this day was fruitful, as I mentioned.  We only found around 20 or so stones...but one of them is 4.3 carats!!!!  That stone, when heat treated and cut, will yield a mountable cobalt blue stone that will weigh around 1.4 carats...that stone will have a value of around $1,200.  Well worth the puckered butt and the mild panic attacks to get there...LOL

If you would like information on how to get your sapphires in the rough, give Clint a call at 800-977-7058 or 406-329-7652.