Another Day at the Plant

Posted on August 3, 2014 by admin

I thought gardening required sunshine, water, dreams, and a willingness to get dirty. What it really requires is tools, and planning to get tools! I don’t care what your motivation and inspiration is; if you don’t do your research, then you will spend countless hours in pointless tasks. I realized this when my friend lent me her Garden Claw. I had been bending over pulling weeds, breaking my back, and cussing under my breath when all I really needed was this handy little gadget. It was a miracle. It opened my eyes — what else have I been missing? Might it be possible to be “a gardener” without having to actually work so hard?

Until my Claw experience, I made fun of the late night infomercials where it began its publicity. Now, I run to the Google machine, feverishly trying to figure out where to get a Claw of my own. Canadian Tire had them for under $30, and the reviews were fabulous. I pondered the opinions of garden tool purchasers as if I was contemplating the purchase of a luxury jet. My immediate goal became to get my hands on my own Claw.

About planning: you can’t get tools if you don’t know what you will need. Don’t do any gardening project without thorough planning. I was going to install a flagstone patio, but then I realized I could probably afford that fantasy luxury jet more easily. I thought to myself, do I have any tools already at my disposal? Oh yeah, my kids, they could be tools! Instead of Mother’s Day gifts, I asked for gardening hours. My son and I are now in the midst of a fun landscaping project. He is smart, and being smart means he doesn’t want to waste time. Therefore, we plan! In addition, it is only fair I mention that a friend of mine is working toward a Prairie Horticulture Certificate and has made my yard her project. I can’t wait to see the results of all the planning my family and friends have put into my garden!

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/garden-claw-0592610p.html#.U5JBmWdOXIU

Looking for a professional, energetic and knowledgeable Calgary real estate agent who will work tirelessly for you? Let’s get to work! Visit my website for more information – but CALL me for timely communication, market information, contract protection and a friendly hand to help you with your real estate needs.

About Sue Saunders

Sue was born in Victoria and grew up in a large family, which moved throughout BC. By the time she was 22 she had 4 children, was divorced and living on welfare. The move to Calgary in 1976 was an excellent decision. Sue loved the sun, vibrancy and potential – Calgary has become home!

After 20 years of food sales Sue took the Real Estate Course and became a REALTOR® in March, 1997.

Residential Real Estate – Starting with nothing but the course, business experience and a drive to succeed Sue has built a business. In a very determined move she has achieved what only 10% of all REALTORS® do – she is still in business!!

Weddings – In July 1999 Sue was appointed a Marriage Commissioner by the Province of Alberta and still loves performing ceremonies. Meeting lots of great people and traveling to different locations she has done over 1000 weddings now!

Sue is proud of her 6 children and 13 grandchildren! She loves spending time with them and many years ago started a “Wednesday Night Dinner”. The tradition continues and anywhere from 9 – 23 attend these scrumptious, fun filled, crazy, family nights!

She loves golf, reading, games, social activities and embraces change, technology and challenge. Sue works Real Estate and weddings like everything else with humour, tenacity, skill and enthusiasm. Always finding balance between work, family and home – call for YOUR Marriage Commissioner or REALTOR®!!

Stomping Parties

Posted on July 6, 2014 by admin

To say this winter was looming is an understatement. I waited patiently for the snow to melt… and while I waited patiently, someone (or something) was busy having a party under all that snow! And when the snow finally melted, I got to deal with the after-party mess… No, it wasn’t beer bottles and trash, it was worse, it was a chewed up and spit out lawn (voles ate the roots)!!!

Voles are small, subterranean-dwelling little creatures. They look almost exactly like mice, but they are much hardier and can rip through the ground with their tough little teeth. They appear unassuming and unthreatening — I will dare say they are even cute. You might see one and think, “Awwww, cute little field mouse!” Think again, because these are the hard winter partiers who will dig racetracks in your yard and make a mess of your grass, probably laughing at you the entire time. Welcome to spring in Calgary!

I went on a witch hunt after discovering what the voles had done to my yard. I thought I was smarter and stronger than an army of tiny rodents, but I might have been wrong. I looked at traps, poisons, and a whole array of pest removal techniques. I tried “friendly” forms of warfare, like putting steel wool in their tracks. It’s not that I wanted to kill the little critters, I just didn’t want to see them at all. They were in my territory! I wanted them gone.

Finally (a little too late I’m afraid) I learned that the best thing to do is to stomp down the first snow. This wisdom is based on the assumption that the voles can’t tunnel through firmly packed snow. Therefore, next winter, I plan on hosting a stomping party at one of my Wednesday family dinners. I know the grandkids would probably have a lot of fun with traps and steel wool and poison, but I think a stomping party is safer.

http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/environment-environnement/pesticides/mole-taupes-eng.php

About Sue Saunders

After 20 years of food sales Sue took the Real Estate Course and became a REALTOR® in March, 1997.

Building Relationships for Life with My Clients

Posted on June 22, 2014 by admin

When you hire a real estate agent, you don’t want to hire someone who will disappear as soon as you close on a home. My mission is always to stay in contact with my clients. I consider myself to be your personal REALTOR for life, and I always make an effort to stay in touch with my clients.

I always tell clients who have just purchased a new home to invite me over for tea when they are settled. It’s great to see people in their new homes after they have made a purchase, and I can often continue to help buyers long after they close a deal.

In addition to selling homes, I match home buyers with local resources. It isn’t always easy to know where to get an electrician, handyman or a plumber to call if there’s ever a problem. I know Calgary and I can match people with the resources they need.

There is great satisfaction in watching people buy a home. A house is the place where families are raised, where memories are made, and where dreams become a reality. I have helped clients buy their first bachelor pads, and then helped them move on to a family home after getting married. It’s wonderful to see how people start their families and move onto the next chapter of life.

I strive to create relationships with my clients that last a lifetime. All of my clients know that I am always available, no matter what their real estate needs may be. Staying in contact is important to me, and it’s just one more way that I can be your personal REALTOR for life.

About Sue Saunders

After 20 years of food sales Sue took the Real Estate Course and became a REALTOR® in March, 1997.

Bringing Couples Together: My Role as a Marriage Commissioner

Posted on June 8, 2014 by admin

Being a Marriage Commissioner is one of the highlights of my life. What can be better than getting a front seat to the happiest day of people’s lives. I love it (I even host ceremonies in my own home) and I have been lucky enough to see more than 1,000 couples get married in Calgary… and there may have been a few repeat customers in there 

Typically, I perform about 80 wedding ceremonies a year. At times, they take place at my home where I can provide witnesses when couples decide to get married at the last minute – or as a surprise. When I help, I go all out. So, since photography is a hobby, I’m the picture-taker as well. This gives me the opportunity to capture their special moments and help them remember all the details of their special day.

To say it’s been a fun job is an understatement and it’s interesting to see the ways that weddings have changed throughout the years. Today, it isn’t uncommon for couples to have their parents and family members around the world watching the wedding ceremonies via Skype. This allows families who live in foreign countries to be a part of this special day without having to spend big dollars to travel.

I have many fond memories of the weddings I have performed. One couple wanted a shower of gold streamers released as they walked down the aisle. So there I was coordinating the timing with the guests, and if I do say so myself, the final look was absolutely beautiful.

Helping to create these special moments is part of why I love being a Marriage Commissioner. Being a part of the biggest day a couple can have is an honour, and I so enjoy doing it. Doesn’t get better than that!

About Sue Saunders

After 20 years of food sales Sue took the Real Estate Course and became a REALTOR® in March, 1997.

Giving Back: Ways I Engage the Calgary Community

Posted on May 15, 2014 by admin

Calgary is more than just the place where I work. It is my home, and I believe in giving back to the community. Volunteering is a great way to utilize your skills, meet new people, and feel like you are part of a bigger picture. There are several charitable endeavors to help better the community where I live and work. It is a priority for me to be personally invested in Calgary’s future.

Meals on Wheels is a program that provides meals for those who need it. This organization delivers prepared and frozen meals to the elderly, people with disabilities, or individuals who are unwell. As a volunteer, I have the chance to connect with residents within the community while offering a much needed service. Fundraising is required to provide Meals on Wheels with the resources that they need to keep up the great work each year. I am involved in a golf tournament for the program that has a goal of raising $500,000 for capital expenditure this year.

I also sit on the Calgary Real Estate Board-Board of Governors and participate in an organization called Calgary REALTORS Cares. Over the last 26 years, this organization has donated more than $5 million to 25 different local charities. We believe in Calgary, and we want to make sure that we give back to the community we work in.

There are many private communities within Calgary that are run by their own resident’s associations. In my community, I am a member of the Chaparral Resident’s Association. The executive board helps to manage the operation and maintenance of our lake and adjoining park. There are many engineers and practical-minded people on this board who make decisions about how to improve the area that we live in.

Participating with all of these groups is wonderful because it gives me a chance to work on a little bit of everything in my community. I get to work within my neighborhood, my group of peers, and with people throughout the city. It is just one more reason that I love Calgary.

About Sue Saunders

After 20 years of food sales Sue took the Real Estate Course and became a REALTOR® in March, 1997.