My Fondest "Memories at ActiveRain"|There Are Too Many! but Robert A. Swetz challenged us to come up with some good memories to re-visit so I rummaged through my box of AR memories. First of all, I thought Robert had a stroke of genius with this contest because those of us who have been in the Rain remember back when it was a "small" somewhat intimate community. But my oh my has it grown. That is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination. Indeed there are now over a hundred thousand more members since I joined. The more the merrier, I say. So I tried to think about my fondest memory here at Active Rain and came up with the following post. I simply thought that it says it best for me and I hope that many other Rainers will agree. We really are like one big FAMILY here so without further adieu I give you My Fondest "Memories at Activerain".

We are family was a song done by Sister Sledge in the 80's. I connect life events with music which is something that I've done as long back as I can remember. This week we have welcomed in another new year with the start to 2008'. We've read many posts here on Active Rain as well as through other social networks. Connecting through social networking has catapulted us into a new age in a way that many of us never dreamed imaginable in our life times.

This past year has been such a myriad of events in the world and it promises to be a year filled with more of things both exciting and unknown for 2008'. This week alone the Active Rain network was able to be part of an unimaginable family reunion with Jay McGillicuddy finding his birth mother after a lifetime of not knowing her. This was a story that was right out of a fairytale novel. It was so touching as told from the heart of his beautiful wife and fellow Rainer, Monika McGillicuddy. For those of you who haven't read this story, you must take a moment to read it. You'll be amazed - I know we were.

We saw many of our Active Rain friends in California go through frightening wildfires that put many out of their homes in 2007'. Now they are being threatened by other possible natural disasters with the torrential storms on the West Coast. The outpouring of e-mails and posts last year set off a chain reaction of caring that stretched from one side of the Country to the other. We're wishing our West Coast friends hope and well being for the future.

Just in time for the New Year, Rich Jacobson shared with us a bit of his family joy with a sweet proposal by his son to his fiance. Now that's what I call romantic! Thanks for sharing that with us Rich!

Teresa Boardman posed the question of how are real friends different from social networking friends when through her social networking she was able to locate a set of lost keys. She aptly named her post "Friends".

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman shared her story of hope and how she learned to make plans for dealing with life's curve-balls in her Business Plan for 2008'. Here's wishing you all good things in 08' Sally!

Then this morning I read a post by one of our good friends here in the Rain, Brad Andersohn. His story touched my heart so deeply because it was a story of overcoming life's challenges as a family. That's when I had my musical moment - We "Are" family here and when we connect through social networking. We ask that you all send Brad and his family your prayers and good wishes.

By connecting through social networks, we are sharing more than professional tips and advice, we are sharing all of life's up's and downs with each other. It's just like We Are Family! We all need each other and through social networking we are finding out that we are not alone!

 

A Picture is worth a thousand words in the Pascack Valley of Bergen County, New Jersey.  Summer is taking it's last breath and soon the landscape will become ablaze once more with color.  The Woodcliff Lake Causeway as seen from the Woodcliff Lake Train Station is one of the many pictures worth a thousand words in the Pascack Valley.  Just imagine the commuters delight on a bright and sunny Fall day while they gaze upon this sight as they wait for their train.

Our Buyer Brought Tears To My Eyes today when my husband, Bob called to confirm their final walk through before the closing of the home they had purchased.  We were the Buyer's agents on this transaction.  We were contacted by these Buyers back in the beginning of the year through our website www.HammersTeam.com. 

The husband is a United States Marine and the wife is a part time school teacher.  Normally when people with small children bring their child or children to look at homes it can be difficult.  But this couple has the cutest most well behaved little boy we ever met.  We looked forward to having him along because he kept us so entertained. 

The first time we met these Buyers they wanted us to just take them to drive around our area of expertise which is the Pascack Valley area.  We spent a couple of hours driving them around and they asked some questions but for the most part were very quiet.  Sometimes we get a sense for a Buyer the first time we meet but they were so quiet that it was difficult to read them.  As time passed we took them out to look at homes as they used what they learned from us to help them to make a decision on which town they felt suited them the best. 


             

They chose the quaint Pascack Valley town of Westwood so we concentrated on scouring the town to find the perfect home.  The first home they saw during one of our trips that caught their eye was sadly out of their price range.  But we told them we would keep an eye on it to see if the price would adjust to their range. 

Time passed and the couple found a home that was more moderately priced and they made an offer which was accepted.  During the Attorney Review process, the Seller decided to change her mind and withdrew the house from the market.  We were all shocked and saddened by this turn of events because the home seemed to be a perfect fit for them.  More time passed and we thought that the couple had given up hopes of finding anything that fit their needs and their budget. 

Then one day we got a call from them and happily we began the search once more.  Suddenly that first home they had set their hopes on reduced their price so we visited the home.  This was a modest Cape Cod style home set on a beautiful street in the popular Goodwin Park area of the town of Westwood.  It was an estate with no bells or whistles but the location was a dream for this young couple.  The bidding process began and to make this long story short, the couple were able to get the house of their dreams in Westwood NJ. 
              

The main reason we love being real estate agents is that we get to make the American dream a reality for people.  This story was a case in point.  Once we got close to the day of closing, Bob made the call to confirm that final walk through and while on speaker phone spoke to the wife.  Sitting across the room from him I could hear the excitement in her voice as Bob told her that we were so happy that they were able to get the house of their dreams.  I didn't expect it but without warning, tears of joy just began to stream down my face as I listened and remembered all we had gone through with them to get to this point.  So that's the story of how Our Buyer Brought Tears To My Eyes!

 

As in my Part One Farewell to Summer from a Garden State Gardener illustrated, it has been a colorful season.  Since I am such an avid gardener, I simply could not fit all of the flowers I had to share in Part One, so without further adieu I give you Part Two!

 

Before leaving off I was saying how I welcome Clematis growing in my garden anywhere. How could I resist these beauties?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will take flowering everything and that includes flowering bushes such as this breathtaking Weigelia & Viburnum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is the occasional intruder but trust me they are ever so welcome to stop by anytime!  They don't eat much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has been a bountiful Summer indeed as I can't help myself from planting in every corner of my yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some might say I have a Flower Addiction and they would be right!  Life would be so drab without the beauty they bring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's easy to see that I can't get enough of this stuff.  There are many more that I couldn't fit into this post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sweet scent of the butterfly bush blooms late in the season just in time to bring the Butterflies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at who stopped in.  Well, I can't lie.  They dropped in for the food I put out for them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Hydrangea remind me of Cape Cod and the water and they're a beautiful way to end this post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for that secret I promised in Part One of my Farewell to summer - my garden may look huge but it's a small country garden with just enough space to squeeze in every flower I can.  It's a bit messy or casual and it's a true labor of love from start to finish and so was this post.  I hope it brought everyone a glimpse of beautiful memories of the season of Summer.

 

 

A special thanks to my husband Bob for his part in the photography portion of this post!

 

 

 

A Picture is worth a thousand words in the Pascack Valley of Bergen County, New Jersey.  As the Summer draws to a close, we will soon be dazzled with landscapes of many colors such as seen here in Woodcliff Lake.  Fall in the Pascack Valley is spectacular to behold.  We will miss the Summer but it will be easy to take when the colors of the new season explode!

The town of Washington Township New Jersey is known for it's beautiful Condominium and Townhome complexes. 

Washington Township in the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County is conveniently located close to all transportation, schools and shopping.

HammersTeam just listed a Three Bedroom Townhome built in the 1980's. This complex offers a new state of the art playground for the kids, tennis courts and a pool for all.

A Beautiful & Peaceful Complex




Below are the details of the unit.





A Refreshing Dip in the Pool Before Summer is Over.





Priced to Sell at $474,500.

Call us for more information.

This is Part One to my Farewell to Summer.  I'm an avid Garden State Gardener.  I love all kinds of flowers and only wish there were more hours in a day to devote to my garden.  My husband, Bob takes such beautiful photos for me so I thought I'd share them with all the flower lovers out there.  Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

The Crocus are the first breath of Spring as they sometimes push their way up through the snow.  Soon after they arrive, the daffodils make an appearance like a ray of sunshine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pansies are one of my favorite flowers of all with their cheerful faces.  Right around the same time come the grape hyacinths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things start to pop fast now as the Irises explode onto the scene in all their glory.  Another favorite of mine is the Bleeding Heart.  I'm amazed by how nature mi micks Valentines!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poppies remind me of the Wizard of Oz when they burst with a blast of Orange.  Peonies follow along with a sweet smell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob's Mother visited from New Mexico one year and wanted nothing more than to see the Rhododendrons bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roses start emerging everywhere as soon as the air begins to warm.  Who could resist a Rose?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Clematis is a climber that is welcome everywhere in my garden.  It truly is one of the first bloomers but some continue through the Summer.  Just when you think things couldn't possibly get more beautiful; along come the Lilies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Part Two of my farewell to Summer, I'll let everyone in on a secret about my garden.  Stay tuned.....

 

A Picture is worth a thousand words in the Pascack Valley of Bergen County, New Jersey.  As the Summer draws to a close, we can still be witness to the beautiful area sights such as the Pascack Brook Park as seen from inside this peaceful Westwood park.  Fall in the Pascack Valley is upon us as the days grow shorter and the shadows grow long and the sun gets lower in the sky.  We will miss the Summer but the beauty of the area continues to surround us at every turn! 

Labor Day weekend represents many New Beginnings such as school starting and the exciting transitioning from Summer to Fall.

This year's first time homebuyers are running out of time for that First Time Home Buyer Credit.  In fact, most of the fence sitters of the Buyer market are jumping into the market now to scoop up the remaining inventory.  This phenomenon is even causing bidding wars reminiscent of the hot Seller's market of yesterday.  In the real estate market, Fall is like a second Spring because the inventory suddenly increases although this second Spring lasts for only a short amount of time.

Before you know it, the frost will be on the pumpkin and the Pascack Valley farms will be all decked out for the upcoming Fall Season.

 Yes, Labor Day is full of New Beginnings here in the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey.

Now that Labor Day is over, we can start to enjoy all the New Beginnings it brings!