A Tribute To The Class Of 2011

They may be on their way to a new future but we mothers know that they hold our hearts FOREVER!!!

I also would like to pass on a poem that has been near and dear to me ever since my son was a toddler. It was written for a son however the words hold so true for every parent.

A Touch Of Love

You were six months old and full of fun.

With a blink of my eye, you were suddenly one.

There were so many things we were going to do,

But I turned my head and you turned two.

At two you were very dependent on me,

But independence took over when you turned three.

Your third birthday, another year I tried to ignore,

But when I lit the candles, there weren't three, but four.

Four was the year that you really strived.

Why, look at you now, you're already five.

Now you are ready for books and for rules.

This is the year that you go to school.

The big day came, you were anxious to go.

We walked to the bus, going oh, so slow.

As you climbed aboard and waved goodbye,

I felt a lump in my throat and tears stung my eyes.

Time goes by so fast, it's hard to believe

That just yesterday you were home here with me.

And tomorrow when the bus brings you home

and you jump to the ground,

You'll be wearing your cap and graduation gown.

So I'm holding to these moments as hard as I can,

Because the next time I look,

I'll be seeing a man.

God's Favor On You Class Of 2011...

Woman And A Fork...

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. 'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.. 'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.

'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.' The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say. That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked. 'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor. The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie.

Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.' The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled. During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.

And just remember...keep your fork!

The BEST is yet to come!

The version quoted above is a rewrite of the 1994 Roger William Thomas short story "Keep Your Fork"which appears in the 1996 best-seller A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Happy 5TH Anniversary American Pie Pizzeria!

Zebulon’s American Pie Pizzeria will be celebrating their 5th year anniversary on Tuesday, April 12th.

This family owned business opened up their doors in the shopping plaza between Movie Gallery and Subway. Now that Movie Gallery has closed their doors they have expanded into that section and now offering more eating space as well as a party room.

This isn't your "norm" party room though...this is a theater media room with a W-I-D-E TV Screen, theater seating, plenty of eating tables & p-r-i-v-a-c-y!

What a GREAT place to throw a get together! Birthdays, Sport Teams, Guys/Gals Night Out…think of the MANY possibilities.

The following material was provided by Mark from American Pie Pizzeria:

History of AMERICAN PIE PIZZERIA

Since 2003 Since childhood brothers Mark, Joey, Billy and Matt absolutely loved pizza. After all, most kids do. Growing up in southern California, Mark, his brothers, mom & pop would eat a lot of pizza, (4 growing boys). It was easy on mom’s pocket book and the boys loved it! Mark recalls eating at Pizza Chalet, Shakey’s Pizza and of course Pizza Hut. Many nights were spent in the kitchen developing unique recipes (burning & throwing a lot of things away) all in the name of good taste! If Mark didn’t like it no one would like it! Between adolescence & the ripe old age of 32, Mark & Wife (Joy), Forest & Lana decided they wanted to open a good sit down pizzeria of their own that people would choose to visit again & again. Customer service, quality taste of food, in a good family atmosphere would be the key to a GREAT pizza restaurant. In 2003 they celebrated the opening of their first store in Barnesville, GA and the telephones haven’t stopped ringing! Since then American Pie Pizzeria has expanded to 6 locations with more on the pizza horizon.

Good Service, Good Food, Never Say NO Attitude!!!

Barnesville Zebulon Thomaston Griffin Locust Grove Carrollton

Offering Pizzas*Subs*Calzones*Pasta*Salads*Wings

Lunch Buffet Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Hours Open: Monday-Thursday 11-9 Friday & Saturday 11-10 Closed Sunday

Visit us online at www.APiePizzeria.com

Pike County New Listing

Thanks for dropping by! Please go to the following link to view the Ecard Virtual Tour on this property. 145 Rebecca Circle, Griffin, GA 30224 Powered by ZingDing

145 Rebecca Circle, Griffin, GA 30224 | Powered by ZingDing

145 Rebecca Circle, Griffin, GA 30224 Powered by ZingDing

125 Rocky Branch Road Barnesville, GA - Upson County

Hey! Check Out This Home On My ECard Virtual Tour:

Powered by ZingDing

Thank You For Taking The Time To View This Listing.

Now Are You Ready To View It In Person?

Alicia Gibson, REALTOR-ABR

McLeRoy Realty Inc.

http://www.aliciagibsonsells.com/

aliciagibsonsells@gmail.com

Serving Pike, Lamar, Spalding, Upson Counties

I Will Be Glad To Look In Other Counties...

If You Are Willing To Committ To Using Me!

Presidents Day? More Than Just A Sale? Really?!

Do you even know why we celebrate this day? Some people think only in the terms of a great time to go shopping and get some GREAT deals.

If you are a detailed person or a history buff, Snopes version of Presidents Day is the following: http://www.snopes.com/holidays/presidents/presidentsday.asp.

I have spent the entire afternoon looking up quotes from past Presidents and am inspired by many of them. It's interesting to see what our country was originally founded on and where we have gone. Here are a few I would love to share:

It Is Impossible To Rightly Govern A Nation Without God And The Bible. ~ George Washington

Commerce With All Nations, Alliance With None, Should Be Our Motto. ~ Thomas Jefferson

America Will Never Be Destroyed From The Outside. If We Falter And Lose Our Freedoms, It Will Be Because We Destroyed Ourselves. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Power Always Thinks... That It Is Doing God's Service When It Is Violating All His Laws. ~ John Adams

The Highest Glory Of The American Revolution Was This: It Connected In One Indissoluble Bond The Principles Of Civil Government With The Principles Of Christianity. ~ John Quincy Adams

A Thorough Knowledge Of The Bible Is Worth More Than A College Education. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Hold Fast To The Bible. To The Influence Of This Book We Are Indebted For All The Progress Made In True Civilization And To This We Must Look As Our Guide In The Future. ~ Ulysses S. Grant

Israel Was Not Created In Order To Disappear - Israel Will Endure And Flourish. It Is The Child Of Hope And The Home Of The Brave. It Can Neither Be Broken By Adversity Nor Demoralized By Success. It Carries The Shield Of Democracy And It Honors The Sword Of Freedom. ~ John F. Kennedy

Freedom Prospers When Religion Is Vibrant And The Rule Of Law Under God Is Acknowledged. Ronald Reagan

America Must Not Ignore The Threat Gathering Against Us. Facing Clear Evidence Of Peril, We Cannot Wait For The Final Proof, The Smoking Gun That Could Come In The Form Of A Mushroom Cloud. ~ George W. Bush

If The People Cannot Trust Their Government To Do The Job For Which It Exists - To Protect Them And To Promote Their Common Welfare - All Else Is Lost. ~ Barack Obama

TAX Time...Oh My!

I think a key to getting your taxes completed is having a competent CPA. I've had the same CPA for years and trust him completely. He has all my past tax years on file, he knows our line of work and what deductions to be looking for and he also knows that I am coming to him again this time next year.

I keep ALL my receipts in a box (any shoe box will do) and add everything up for him so he doesn't have to sort through it himself. Remember...he's paid hourly not by commission so I want to make the most of my time! Not sure what you can deduct? Here's an interesting article I came across from Inman News By Stephen Fishman: A tax deductions checklist for real estate professionals. A great read and actually had very useful information.

Some people prefer to use the software programs out there...ummmm not me! I would rather have a real LIVE Person with me should I ever get audited (Please Lord, "No").

GREAT Household Item!

I found this item while standing in the check out lane at Garden Ridge http://www.gardenridge.com/. I have to be honest and tell you that it was purchased awhile back and hadn't even come out of the box until yesterday evening. I ALSO have to tell you that even though we were stuck in our home for a few days with this ice storm, Wayne didn't "think" about opening up the box until yesterday like I just stated. You know the same "yesterday" I broke my left baby toe. "Gee Honey, you want to try moving the TV into the guest room now!' L.O.L. Well, he decided to just put them under the corners of the TV and when I felt better we could try moving it then. Sounded good to me.

So, this morning, I got to studying the box and how it "brags" on how EASY it is to move things so I decided to try it...what the heck? Wayne's gone to work and if I can't...whose it going to hurt? Let me tell you ladies! This product is AWESOME! I moved that big ol' TV ALL BY MYSELF, broken baby toe and all! It restores my confidence in the advertisement world...it works!

And I will end this blog with I am WOMAN hear me ROAR!!!

Juggling Bills? Fannie Mae Announces HOPE For Homeowners!

Are You Pulling Your Hair Out Because No Matter How You Try There Just Isn't Enough To Get All The Bills Paid? You Look At All Of Them And Try To Decide Which One Should Be Priority Bill #1 And So On.

Let's See If I Hold Off On The Car Payment Then I Can Make The House Payment, Or If I Hold Off On The House Payment Then I Can Pay The Car Payment+Daycare+Groceries. Then I Still Have To Worry About The Utilities...#?@*!

How Much Longer Do You Think You Can Continue Doing This? Basically, You Are Robbing Peter To Pay Paul And That Eventually Catches Up To You. Payday Someday. Why Continue Going This Route When There May Be Some HOPE For Homeowners...NOW. The Following Link Gives You A Resource To Check Into Help With Your Mortgage So At Least Check Into It!

http://rismedia.com/2011-01-06/fannie-mae-launches-wayshome-interactive-video-tool-to-help-struggling-homeowners/#more-52231

I'm Ending This Blog With #1 More Recommendation About Your Finances. Set Up A Budget! Do This Like...Yesterday! There Are Resources On This As Well. I Am Not Recommending Doing This Without Doing This In Our Household. Nothing AGGRAVATES Me More Than To Go To The Doctor And They Tell Me I Need To Lose Weight And The Person Telling Me Could Use Some Weight Loss Themselves! We Attended A Dave Ramsey Conference In 2010 And My Husband Listens To Dave Ramsey Daily On The Radio. You Can Access The Closest Radio Station By Going To His Website http://www.daveramsey.com/home/ . Another Step We Took And Just Completed In December Was A 10 Week Course Through Crown Financial Ministries http://www.crown.org/ .

I'm Not Endorsing Either One Of These Programs...I'm Just Letting You Know That I DO Practice What I Preach. We Got Tired Of Doing The Juggling Act Every Month And Being A FULL Time REALTOR, We HAVE To Set Up For Those Rainy Days!

When It Comes To Teamwork...Which Animal Are You?

I Was Asked To "Chair" The P&R Committee This Year For Our Board. A BIG Part Of This Position Is To Get "Captains" For The Relay For Life Teams In Each Of The Counties That Are A Part Of Our Board. For The Past Two Weeks I Have Been Trying To Recruit REALTORS From Our Local Board To Assist And To Also Be On This Committee.

I Have Been REMINDED Of One Of My Favorite Childhood Stories And Decided To Share It With You. So, Tell Me...Which One Are You? Cluck Cluck



The Little Red Hen

Once upon a time, there was a little red hen who lived on a farm. She was friends with a lazy dog, a sleepy cat, and a noisy yellow duck.

One day the little red hen found some seeds on the ground. The little red hen had an idea. She would plant the seeds. The little red hen asked her friends, "Who will help me plant the seeds?"

"Not I," barked the lazy dog.
"Not I," purred the sleepy cat.
"Not I," quacked the noisy yellow duck.

"Then I will," said the little red hen. So the little red hen planted the seeds all by herself.

When the seeds had grown, the little red hen asked her friends, "Who will help me cut the wheat?"

"Not I," barked the lazy dog.
"Not I," purred the sleepy cat.
"Not I," quacked the noisy yellow duck.

"Then I will," said the little red hen. So the little red hen cut the wheat all by herself.

When all the wheat was cut, the little red hen asked her friends, "Who will help me take the wheat to the mill to be ground into flour?"

"Not I," barked the lazy dog.
"Not I," purred the sleepy cat.
"Not I," quacked the noisy yellow duck.

"Then I will," said the little red hen. So the little red hen brought the wheat to the mill all by herself, ground the wheat into flour, and carried the heavy sack of flour back to the farm.

The tired little red hen asked her friends, "Who will help me bake the bread?"

"Not I," barked the lazy dog.
"Not I," purred the sleepy cat.
"Not I," quacked the noisy yellow duck.

"Then I will," said the little red hen. So the little red hen baked the bread all by herself.

When the bread was finished, the tired little red hen asked her friends, "Who will help me eat the bread?"

"I will," barked the lazy dog.
"I will," purred the sleepy cat.
"I will," quacked the noisy yellow duck.

"No!" said the little red hen. "I will." And the little red hen ate the bread all by herself.

This Time Of Year I Love To Reflect Over The Year

And Let Everyone Know How Much I Appreciate You -

Whether You Are Buyer, Seller, Co-Worker, Lender, Attorney,

Business Colleague, Friends, Church Family Or My Family…




The Gift of Knowing You

The Christmas season fills our hearts with joy;

Bright, happy days bring special kinds of pleasure.

We’re wrapped in the excitement of it all,The sights, the sounds, the smells,

the tastes we treasure.Yet when we have some quiet time to think

About our finest blessings all year through,

We focus on our family and our friends,And appreciate the gift of knowing you!

(Author – anonymous)

Merry Christmas To All,

Alicia Gibson, REALTOR-ABR
McLeRoy Realty Associates

You May Be Ready For Fall But Is Your Home?

Your home should be maintained just like your body or your vehicle. We really felt how hot this summer was and everytime we went out we could "feel" the impact it had on us.

What about your house? It endures the outside temperatures 24/7 day in and day out. I googled a couple sites that may help you put together a check list of your own or just use the existing ones.

I hope this information will be useful to you and by the way..Happy Fall!

http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Home_Maintenance_Checklist--A1730.html

http://www.statefarm.com/learning/be_safe/home/seasonal/fall.asp

http://homegreenhome.us/uncategorized/fall-maintenance-tips/

I am a licensed REALTOR® from Pike County located about 45 miles south of Atlanta and considered MetroAtlanta. I assist buyers/sellers and strive to make the transaction as smooth as can be. I believe that it is a TEAM EFFORT with buyer/seller, lender, attorney and myself. Communication is the key!
Alicia Gibson, REALTOR®,
McLeRoy Realty, Inc. 8945 US Hwy 19 Zebulon, GA 30295
770.584.1854 Cell - 770.567.3300 Fax
http://www.aliciagibsonsells.com/

In Remembrance...

We Will Remember….September 11, 2001

We Are Remembering…
Our Local Hero, Rest In Peace…LCPL Christopher Blake Rodgers
Being Laid To Rest Today, September 11, 2010

May We All Take Time To Reflect On This Day,
May We Take Time To Pray For And Remember
Those Who Defend And Have Defended Our Country!

I am a licensed REALTOR® from Pike County located about 45 miles south of Atlanta and considered MetroAtlanta. I assist buyers/sellers and strive to make the transaction as smooth as can be. I believe that it is a TEAM EFFORT with buyer/seller, lender, attorney and myself. Communication is the key!

Alicia Gibson, REALTOR®,
McLeRoy Realty, Inc. 8945 US Hwy 19 Zebulon, GA 30295
770.584.1854 Cell - 770.567.3300 Fax
www.AliciaGibsonSells.com

The "Sweeties" Of McLeRoy Realty Assoc.

Pike County

Chamber of Commerce

Business Expo

2010

Back Row (l-r): Staci Robinson, Amy Harris, Lisa Wofford, Alicia Gibson, Cathy Nichols

Front Row (l-r): Sky LaPrade, Sheri Akin, Renee Goodman

The Chamber hosted their 2nd Annual Business Expo this past Thursday, August 19th, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. This year they used "It's a 50's Theme" and it was so much fun seeing all the different ideas people came up with to decorate their booth space.

McLeRoy Realty Associates came up with having "McLeRoy's Soda Shop" and we served Coca-Cola or A&W Rootbeer Floats. We went "ALL OUT" even had whipped cream and cherries! Needless to say, when it came to the refreshments, we were the "hit" of the EXPO!

Check out the following link to view upcoming events with the

Pike County Chamber of Commerce www.pikecountygachamber.com

A GREAT Time To Refinance!

While working my office duty I usually try to either do some blogging or read other blogs if I'm not swamped. Having a little "down time" today (which I am welcoming) I decided to check out todays interest rates.

Last time rates were this low, I personally refinanced and went from a 30 Year Fixed Rate to a 15 Year Fixed Rate and lowered my monthly payments by $200.00 a month! I locked in at 5.25 % then and rates are even BETTER now!

Mortgage Rates 30 Year Fixed: 4.49%

15 Year Fixed: 3.95%

1 Year Adj: 3.55%

(U.S. Weekly Averages)

As a Realtor we tend to concentrate on our Buyers & Sellers of the present. What about our former clients? Now would be a GREAT time to communicate to them about todays interest rates.

Going Cold Turkey...

My "cold turkey" was not from nicotine but from "communication". When I first signed up to go on this Jamaican missionary trip with my church, I had no idea what to expect. I have been a REALTOR 11 years now and my cellphone has ALWAYS been a part of me. I'm serious! I don't even go to the restroom without carrying it with me...lol.


So, the thought of no cellphone, laptop or communication with my clients for 8 WHOLE days just seemed unheard of. Guess what? I did it! And, I survived! Reflecting back...it was actually a "break" from the stress. We were so busy those days that the time just flew by! I even put my phone on silent once I got home Saturday so I could "crash" without the ringing or hum of the vibration. I also survived that! ;-)


Please...don't think I just left my clients high & dry while I was gone. I left a "detailed" list with names, contact numbers and the status of each transaction with my broker. Anything that came up was handled by her and I am thankful for a broker that was willing to deal with my "hurdles" while I was away.

Family, Fun & Fireworks

http://www.therockranch.com/http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Ftherockranch&h=3f7a90v_f9vF93_5hCl7NLnNGzQ

Oh When The Ants Come Marching In.....

This is a new twist to killing fire ant colonies.

For those not familiar with Walter Reeves, he is from the University of Georgia Agriculture Department, specializing in home gardening. His television show, 'Gardening in Georgia ', is on each Saturday. Check out his website: http://www.walterreeves.com/

I know fire ants are picky eaters and any type poison that is effective takes seven feeding steps before the queen receives it. Plus, if the bait is stored in close proximity to any petroleum or fertilizer products they won't touch it. Contact poisons that are on the market just cause the colony to move away.

A well developed colony can be as deep as 30 feet and spread out some 20 to 50 feet from the mound center...

This was documented by studies done in the early 60's when they were first sited in South Alabama . An environmentally friendly cure for fire ants has been announced by Walter Reeves on his Georgia Gardener radio program. Testimonials that it REALLY WORKS are coming in. Simply pour two cups of CLUB SODA (carbonated water) directly in the center of a fire ant mound. The carbon dioxide in the water is heavier than air and displaces the oxygen which suffocates the queen and the other ants. The whole colony will be dead within about two days.

Besides eliminating the ants, club soda leaves no poisonous residue, does not contaminate the ground water, and does not indiscriminately kill other insects. It is not harmful to your pets, soaks into the ground. Each mound must be treated individually and a one liter bottle of club soda will kill 2 to 3 mounds. Spread the word.

If this does not work, give me a call and I will be glad to give you a deal...LOL!

I am a licensed REALTOR® from Pike County located about 45 miles south of Atlanta and considered MetroAtlanta. I assist buyers/sellers and strive to make the transaction as smooth as can be. I believe that it is a TEAM EFFORT with buyer/seller, lender, attorney and myself. Communication is the key!
Alicia Gibson, REALTOR®,
McLeRoy Realty, Inc. 8945 US Hwy 19 Zebulon, GA 30295
770.584.1854 Cell - 770.567.3300 Fax
http://www.aliciagibsonsells.com/

What's HOT In Georgia?

Seems like the two of the HOTTEST topics in our area are the weather & short sales.

Both look like they are going to be around for awhile and in no hurry to leave! One thing I have learned about short sales is NOTHING is short about a short sale! The media seems to relay to John Q. Public that there are so many wonderful deals out there but do not prepare them for delays in acquiring them. Hearing ALOT of talk from other agents on this subject and have yet to hear the positive. I believe in two sides to every story so PLEASE let me hear from you if you have experienced a good short sale transaction...I WELCOME it!

Through it all, I STILL PRAISE HIS NAME! Hope you enjoy the video and keep COOL!

http://