As we all know, the holidays can provide some of life's greatest joys—But it also can contribute to some great frustrations for weary travelers. I was surfing the AARP website and came across a recently posted list of tips to help make the process go more smoothly.
AARP Members also save on airline travel, car rental, cruises, hotels, vacations, and more. It's all in AARP Member Discounts and Services“You don’t stop playing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop playing”. Ben Franklin Stress is a part of life. You can't avoid it, but you can learn to manage it! REALTOR® gramEpat
I recently read an article that mentioned that for the last 25 years Saint Jude's Ranch, a non-profit youth home, has operated a holiday card reuse program. The ranch provides counseling and opportunities for troubled youth. The kids operate a business taking used greeting cards, neatly cutting off the front covers, 
gluing on new back covers, and selling the result. The kids earn money, experience and a sense of purpose.
The St. Jude's program has been such a success, they have millions of cards and may never need any more. But you can help them by buying the cards, and help to close the recycling loop. To help recycle cards, you send either entire cards, or cards with the backs cut off. To save cost, bundle the cards and send via UPS ground or request the "library book
rate" at the post office. Address: St. Jude's Card Recycling, 100 St. Jude Street, Post Office Box 60100, Boulder City, NV 89006. Or perhaps you know of a group in your community who could use the cards for a similar fund raising program. If you want to create your own 'Green projects' for the Holidays, Ruby Glen.com has some great suggestions. It's easy to be GREEN . Have Fun!REALTOR® gramEpat
At the Recent Maine Association of Realtors®' Convention in Bar Harbor, PepTalk company owner and motivational speaker, John T. Jenkins offered a program on safety and self 
defense. He gave an interesting, informative and interactive presentation showing some of the choices that are available during personal self protection situations. The National Association of Realtors® also recently produced a REALTOR® Safety Week Kit that was packed with powerful tools that you can use to build members’ awareness of potential on-the-job dangers and the proper procedures that can save lives.This "10 Second Rule " article was part of the kit that was provided.
1 0 - S E C O N D R U L E
Inattention is one of the main reasons people find themselves in dangerous situations.
Take a few precious seconds during the course of your day to assess your surroundings.
Take 2 Seconds when you arrive at your destination.
• Is there any questionable activity in the area?
• Are you parked in a well-lit, visible location?
• Can you be blocked in the driveway by a prospect’s vehicle?
Take 2 Seconds after you step out of your car.
• Are there suspicious people around?
• Do you know exactly where you’re going?
Take 2 Seconds as you walk towards your destination.
• Are people coming and going or is the area unusually quiet?
• Do you observe any obstacles or hiding places in the parking lot or along
the street?
• Is anyone loitering in the area?
Take 2 Seconds at the door.
• Do you have an uneasy feeling as you’re walking in?
• Is someone following you in?
Take 2 Seconds as soon as you enter your destination.
• Does anything seem out of place?
• Is anyone present who shouldn’t be there or who isn’t expected?
10 Seconds TOTAL
Taking in your surroundings lets you spot and avoid danger. Make it a habit. Then
share it with someone else.
(Appeared in “What You Can Do About Safety,” REALTOR® Magazine, September 2000.
Courtesy Night Owl/Vector Security, Landover, MD.) PLEASE....Stay safe! REALTOR® gramEpat
Thinking of starting the new year with new carpets? Don't let a major carpet job go by without asking about recycling. Natural fiber ca
rpets can be composted. Old synthetic carpets have value as recycled mate
rials. Individual consumers generally can't get rid of a carpet, but you can ask installers and renovation companies if they will do it for you. It's Easy to be Green. REALTOR® gramEpat
REALTOR® Family Photo....The National Association's first Board of Directors, 1909.
Where are the women in this family? I'm going to have to search the 'family tree' to find out when women began to appear in Association photos. "Stay tuned" My Realtor Family was founded as the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges on May 12, 1908 at the YMCA Auditorium in Chicago, IL. In 1981 there were three earlier unsuccessful attempts at organizing a national real estate group. With 120 founding members, 19 Boards, and one State Association, the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges' objective was "to unite the real estate men of America for the purpose of effectively exerting a combined influence upon matters affecting real estate interests." The Code of Ethics was adopted in 1913 with the Golden Rule as its theme.As in all families, the dynamics change , but traditions continue to be passed down through the generations. NAR started out as a group of 120 men...and now has over a million men and women. And for generations to come, we will continue to pass on the NAR code of ethics tradition: "Treat Others, as You Would Like to be Treated"! To my REALTOR® Family ( men and women! ) : "Best Wishes for the Holidays" . REALTOR® gramEpat
gluing on new back covers, and selling the result. The kids earn money, experience and a sense of purpose. 
rate" at the post office. Address: St. Jude's Card Recycling, 100 St. Jude Street, Post Office Box 60100, Boulder City, NV 89006. Or perhaps you know of a group in your community who could use the cards for a similar fund raising program. If you want to create your own 'Green projects' for the Holidays, Ruby Glen.com has some great suggestions. It's easy to be GREEN . Have Fun!
defense. He gave an interesting, informative and interactive presentation showing some of the choices that are available during personal self protection situations. 
rpets can be composted. Old synthetic carpets have value as recycled mate
rials. Individual consumers generally can't get rid of a carpet, but you can ask installers and renovation companies if they will do it for you. 
An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day. Irv Kupcine 
Where are the women in this family? I'm going to have to search the 'family tree' to find out when women began to appear in Association photos. "Stay tuned" 
a new friendship means? How is it possible to find the right holiday present when "The best gift life can offer is meeting folks like you." ? What a wonderful delimma....Too many new friends and no search results that can begin to show how much I care! REALTOR® gramEpat
