Breaking Out of the Holiday Mode and Heading Straight Into 2012!

All right, that’s it. I’ve milked them for all they’re worth. I’m finding it necessary to publicly announce — the holidays are officially over!!

After 18 months of intense volunteer work, a (thankfully) strong business year and adapting to having my youngest off at college, I decided to relax and enjoy the holiday season. Initially I was simply going to say no to open houses in December and enjoy shopping, baking and, well, eating with the family. By the end of the month this relaxation thing was taking hold. Hmmm, how could I rationalize extending this a little longer? So I set my mind to work and figured why not take advantage of the quiet. My current deals are under control, I should take the first week of January to visit my parents in Ashland; after all, it really was for them. Done! Upon return I was in the zone, without a flinch I realized it was my maternal responsibility to make Anna’s last week at home all about her. There was shopping to do, games to play and movies to watch. I mean, really, what choice did I have?!?

Well, yesterday was it, enough with the kick back attitude, 2012 awaits!! I don’t know about you, but from the get go it’s been clear to me that this is going to be an amazing year. The Alameda real estate market started coming back strong in the latter half of 2011, helped along by low interest rates, stabilizing prices and the return of buyers’ confidence. All signs show this trend should continue and, though we’ll not see the madness of the early 2000s, I believe we’ll see a firming up of our market with great opportunities, especially for first time home buyers.

At the risk of receiving a lengthy dear “John” letter, exciting work is going on in Alameda schools. Yes, funding is still a struggle; yes, negotiations are looming, but creative, collaborative work between parents, teachers and administration are creating opportunities for progressive learning environments and choices for Alameda families. And on on the home front, my husband is happy as lark with this extended cycling season, my daughter is doing well in college, my son is gainfully employed in a job he loves with amazing opportunities and the doggies are spoiled rotten and endlessly entertaining!  

Now you know not only what I’m looking forward to in 2012 but some of the topics I’ll be writing about here on the Alameda Patch. I hope you’ll find future posts both informative and entertaining. Until then I’ll leave you with my new favorite saying stolen from the trailer of 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'  “All things work out in the end, if they’re not working out, you’re just not at the end yet!”