Michele 1 #1 January 4, 2003 Today was a day full of surprises, ups and downs. It was amazing. And I wanted to share it with you. I wake to the jangling phone and the pager going off at the same time. I have been so stressed about money that I've been having nightmares. Last night was no exception. Despite getting to bed just about midnight, I am awake throughout the night. I am finally able to shut my head off long enough to fall asleep about 4 am...and when the call-to-arms comes at 7:30, I am groggy and not yet fully awake. And yet here I am, talking to a client, calming him and reassuring him, and fuddling my way to a three-way conference with his lender. The lender has made major mistake and there is a serious problem in being able to close the deal on time - which means not only do I have a client who's rightfully pissed off, but now I won't see a check for at least 10 more days. I had been able to retain some basics (utilities, rent) only by promising them that they would have their money by the middle of next week - and now, with rent and car payment and all the utilities due, with no source of money, that will not happen. Not even close. I will muddle, I guess. Muddle and pray and cry. Crying, it seems, has become far too regular an event for me. And it is not the way to start my day. I decide, as I am up and awake and now coffee laden, that I will go into the office. I'll clean my desk, I suppose, nothing else to do, nothing else pending with this escrow now delayed. As I sort through yet another pile of paper which needs to be filed, my broker walks by. "Happy New Year", he proclaims, and I smile and wish the same. Not satisfied being next to a phone that is not ringing, I come home and go on-line in the computer room and consider placing applications with temporary agengcies. That will allow me to at least pay the rent, although it's not what I like nor want. But what use is liking or wanting to be in real estate or writing when it's not paying the bills? I have given in...and, tears burning, I sigh. Yet another concession of failure. But I also must do what needs being done, and soonest started, soonest completed... In the middle of the search for temporary agencies which are accepting applications, I check out my e-mail. There is a note from someone here who has lurked and read my stuff, and he is asking for help writing something very important. Although there is no pay, it is an opportunity to assist someone, and perhaps make a contribution to his dream. It is the first time someone has asked me to write something - and it is gladly accepted. While corresponding with him, I get a call from my broker. "Where are you?", he asks. "Um, Denis, I am at home, where you called me... What's up" I reply. "Come back into the office. We need to talk". These are not words I can take without dread filling my belly, but I promise him I will be back within the half hour. I reluctantly return to the office, certain that I made a mistake somewhere, that I had screwed something up. In the short time it took for me to drive in, I have managed to convince myself that being fired is alright, as I was looking for other work, and that my E&O Insurance hadn't come due just yet, that my dues and fees for the Board of Realtors and the National Board of Realtors weren't yet due, and that it was no real loss...or, in the alternative, that I was being sued for something beyond my control... I walk in and plop my bottom down into Denis' office. He's on the phone, but is concluding the conversation. He smiles tensley at me, and I cringe. This can't be good....Denis hangs up, and asks me about a listing that I had taken last February which we cancelled because the seller had decided to not sell (due to circumstances beyond her control and beyond mine). Denis asks to see the file, and the close-out paperwork. I get it and bring it to him. He tells me to go get a cup of coffee, and, when I return, he hands me an envelope. Inside, I find a check for $1000.00. I look at him, and he tells me that the seller sent it to him, and that this was a token of her appreciation for all my work, and that she felt bad that I had worked on a file that she had been unable to continue with. I tell Denis that the reason the seller couldn't sell was because of financial difficulties (her husband had been in a bad accident and couldn't be moved then), and that I couldn't take her money. He told me too bad, he'd already talked with the seller to make sure it was what she wanted, and said that because of the cancellation, no office split would be retained from the check. Which meant that the whole thousand was for me. As this is going on, I hear my name being paged from the front desk. Not expecting anything or anyone, I go up, and find a boquet for me from a friend, wishing me Happy New Year. I take it back to my desk, and, clearing a space for it, sit there and look at it. The phone rings. It's the lender. They have been able to rectify the error they made, and were sending over new documents for me to have my client sign. If I could turn the docs around in 90 minutes, then the deal would go as planned - set to close next week. I immediately call my clients, and drive three cities over and have the wife sign them, and return to my office where the husband would sign them, and the messenger ordered to take them back is waiting for me as well. I get that all packaged up, and sent on it's way, thinking this has turned out well after all. I have $1000 I didn't know about in my hand, a paycheck next week, and flowers. Whhhheeeeee! I get back to my desk, and, as I sit there, my mother's tenant comes in. He hands me a wad of cash, for this and next month's rent for my mother - $5,000 in all. He will be out of town in the end of January, and didn't want to keep my mother waiting. I am thrilled. Not only because I have $5K in cash in my hands, but because this will help my mother out no end right now...but I now have to go to the bank and make my own deposit and get a cashier's check for her. The phone rings, interrupting my plans for the balance of the afternoon. Someone I have never heard of is asking me to come do a market evaluation on her property in a nice area, and she's heard great things about me. She wants to sell it, if the price is right, rather than put it back up for lease. Can I come work for her? "Uh, sure...and just really curious, but how did you get my name?" She tells me that Alice, a former client, has referred me highly, and that she can't wait to meet me. So tomorrow I have a listing appointment (not sure I'll get it, but still...out of the blue, another listing appointment!!!). Phew. This is all getting to be a little much. I almost feel like someone is playing tricks on me - it's almost unbelieveable. I get the balance of my work done, and go to the bank. Standing in line, I am chatting with the lady behind me. She would like to sell her house this year, as well, and wonders if I might be willing to come and evaluate her house? Uh, sure. I can do that, here's my card, give me a call and we'll set it up.......and now it's my turn, I'm at the front of the line, and I approach the teller. I buy the cashier's check, and make my deposit. Grabbing the reciepts for them, I start back to my car. Looking at the reciept for my own deposit, I realize there's far more in there than there should be. I go back inside, and tell the teller she had done something wrong, the balance should be $1038.53, not $2038.53...and she checks my records...sure enough, my father had made a deposit into my account this morning for the additional thousand dollars...and when I call him to make sure he didn't err and get it into the wrong account (he and I bank at the same back), he said "nah, honey, I just figured you could use it. I know it's been tough lately". I am now crying, but a very different kind of tears than this morning. Having sat down and done my budget, I have to say that, between my father's generosity, the unexpected check and a paycheck next week, while I am still not out of the hole, I have managed to stop digging it deeper. Pennies from Heaven...and blessings from unexpected sources. I really just wanted to share the good news for a change, you know? You all have been here right along with me, and I thank you for all the prayers and hopes and faith in me and cheering me along and support, the referrals and the friendship and the camraderie. It has made all the difference in the world, and it has touched me greatly. AND!!!! Someone wants me to write something for them! And I can actually see my way clear to go jump next weekend - at the Jack Off to Perris Boogie....YAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DZBone 0 #2 January 4, 2003 It couldn't have happened to a nicer skydiving chick! _________________________________________________ If you hadn't read this, would it have made a sound? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #3 January 4, 2003 That's really cool... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #4 January 4, 2003 michele, it makes me so hapy to hear that things are taking a turn for the better with you....stand strong and before ya know it it will be a thing of the past........ p.s. i think jtval is going to perris that weekend, i'll make sure he gives ya a hug for me.... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #5 January 4, 2003 I couldn't be happier for anyone, trulyJ -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luna 0 #6 January 4, 2003 Michele, I am beyond happy for you! I just knew things would turn around for you eventually. What an incredible start to an incredible new year for you. I'm walking a marathon to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Click Here for more information! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #7 January 4, 2003 That's wonderful, Michele. Looks like 2003 is starting out to be pretty good for you. I wonder what else is next? She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpergirl 0 #8 January 4, 2003 That's awesome Michele! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jceman 1 #9 January 4, 2003 Ya did it again, Michele. Memo to self: Make sure a box of Kleenex™ is handy before starting a long post by Michele. Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money. Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suz 0 #10 January 4, 2003 Michele - That's a blessing honey.Give yourself a big hug for me. Love your work. Don't bother me, I'm living happily ever after Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #11 January 4, 2003 Yay for you Michele!! You so deserve the good stuff thats happening to ya!! ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,587 #12 January 4, 2003 Wonderful, Michele. It's easier to look on the bright side when it actually exists, isn't it? Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #13 January 4, 2003 Yeah, what they all said. _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Push 0 #14 January 4, 2003 Congrats! The old adage goes "money isn't everything". The new adage goes "money is like air, you really miss it when it's gone"Seriously, congratulations. Keep posting your stories, I've always found them great reading. Blue skies and many clients, Michele. -- Toggle Whippin' Yahoo Skydiving is easy. All you have to do is relax while plummetting at 120 mph from 10,000' with nothing but some nylon and webbing to save you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DYEVOUT 0 #15 January 4, 2003 That is the longest post I've ever seen. ----------------=8^)---------------------- "I think that was the wrong tennis court." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #16 January 4, 2003 QuoteThat is the longest post I've ever seen. Oh just wait, i'm typing up my Kevin922 Report: New Years in Florida -- it may actually be longer. But i've got videos and pictures to go with it ;) BTW Congrats Michele! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #18 January 4, 2003 Awesome Michele! I knew things would turn around for you!!maura Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quatorze 1 #19 January 6, 2003 Chele, that is wonderful, thanks for making me smile on a personnally terrible weekend, and to PLFKING that is the most amount of I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #20 January 6, 2003 Michele, I'm feelin' good after reading your post. If you're smilin' then I'm smilin'. You deserve all the goodness that comes your way. Frank Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #21 January 6, 2003 QuotePLFKING that is the most amount of [Smile] I think that I have ever seen And I am saving them up so when I have a rainy day, I will have a smile to cheer me! Thanks, guys. I didn't get the listing on Saturday - she may not be really ready to sell. But I did get an offer on the listing I have on the market right now, so we're working with that to see if it's strong enough...or maybe wait to get the next one. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
