Is your glass half-full of half-empty??

Once, a man pulled up into a gas station in the country, and asked the gas station attendant, "What are the people like in the next town up ahead?" The attendant said, "What were the people like in the town you just came from?" "Awful people, " the man responded. "Rude, cold hostile, abrupt, unfriendly. They wouldn't give me the time of day." "Well," said the attendant, "I'm sorry to say it, but you're going to find exactly the same sort of people in the next town up ahead."
A bit later, another driver pulled in, heading in the same direction as the first. "What are the people like in the next town up ahead?" the second man asked. The attendant said, "What were the people like in the town you just came from?" "Wonderful people, " the second man responded. "Friendly, warm, helpful, patient, kind. They went out of their way to help a stranger." "Well," said the attendant, "I'm happy to tell you that you're going to find exactly the same kind of people in the next town up ahead."

Did you get the morale of the story? You find what you expect to find in people.

Good News in Des Moines Real Estate Market

"Homes sold in the Des Moines metro area climbed 26 percent in December compared to a year earlier" quote from the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors. The article in the Register reports that December pending sales were 1 % lower than in December 2009. The average sales price has increased $3000+ to $163,002. The number of houses sold in December were an increase from a year ago. The average price increased. Days on the market decreased. These are all good signs for our local market.

The gloom and doom news pushers are constant and loud. We have to listen to hear the good news that's right here locally and learn to tune out the naysayers.

The Eisenlauer Team has weathered many market conditons over the years and love what they do. Helping people buy and sell real estate here in Des Moines. We're experienced and optimistic.

Bob 979-2883 Bill 770-2455

What color is honeysuckle?

Every year Pantone announces the color of the year. 2009 was turquoise, which I love. Honeysuckle is The color of 2011. I would picture honeysuckle as a shade of yellow, but it's pink. Pantone describes it. "Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It's a color for every day- with nothing "everyday" about it."

"In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going- perfect to ward off the blues" explains Leatrice Eisman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum."

Just a warning, if you're planning on selling your house soon, don't paint any rooms Honeysuckle. As captivating and stimulating as it might be, it won't help your house sell!

Any more advice on colors? Call your Eisenlauer Team Realtor.

Bill 770-2455 Bob 979-2883

For Unto you a Child is born

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.... So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, and angel of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...

Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

"Glory to god in the highest,

And on earth, peace goodwill to men!"

Spoken by God, recorded by Luke.

Dec 18 in Des Moines

Three things for Sat. Dec. 18.

International Answer the phone like Buddy the Elf. Spread a little cheer and answer your phone "Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?" I wish this was on a weekday so we could answer our business phones this way too!

Downtown Farmers Market is this Friday from 11:00-2:00 and Sat. from 9:00AM- 1:00 PM at 400 Locust St. More than 120 vendors will gave you a last minute opportunity to buy locally made items for gift giving.

Free concert at the Orange Planet in Pleasant Hill. Jordan & Jessa Anderson will be giving a Christmas concert Sat. evening at 7:00 PM. Jordan & Jessa are musicians based out of Nashville. Jordan is a native of Altoona. You can hear a sample of Jessa's music on her website.

If real estate is on your Christmas list, the Eisenlauer Team will help you shop.

Bill -770-244 Bob 979-2883

Pleasant Hill - Hill of Lights Celebration

This weekend is the 24th annual Hill of Lights celebration in Pleasant Hill. It starts Sat. morning, Dec. 4, with Breakfast with Santa at the Youth Center at Doanes Park. Now this is THE most authentic looking Mr. & Mrs. Santa that you will have the opportunity to have a picture taken with. Don't miss it. Bring your camera. 8:00-11:00 A.M.

Family Fun Night from 5:00 - 7:30. Free Bingo with lots of prizes, reasonably priced food and refeshments.

Sunday from 1:00-4:00, come back to the Youth Center at Doanes Park for Make and Take Christmas ornaments. Fun for the whole family.

Bus Tours - the city bus has a capacity for 24 people and can be reserved for groups of 10 persons or more. Call Rick at 208-8214. This is available any weekend in December.

There is also a Giving Tree set up in the lobby of the library. Anyone can bring slightly used winter clothing, canned goods, new or knitted hats, mittens and more under the tree. Donations will be accepted through Christmas and till the first of the year.

They're not Santa Claus, but they can help you with your housing wish list.

Bill 770-2455 or Bob 979-2883

What to do this weekend? Plenty!

East Village Promenade is from 5-9:00. You can shop, ice skate, carol, eat. Santa will light the tree at the Brenton Plaza, fireworks over the river at 6:15.

The largest craft show in the state will be at the Iowa State Fairgrounds this weekend. Friday, Saturday, Sunday - at the Varied Industries Building.

Four Mile Elementary has their annual Craft Show this Sat. Nov. 20 from 9:00-3:00 am.

One of the two winter Downtown Farmers Market is today from 11:00-2:00 and Sat. from 9:00 - 1:00 at Nollen Plaza.

Where and when is your favorite craft show or hoiday event? We'd love to know.

Tell Bill or Bob so we can attend your fave.

Bill 770-2455 Bob 979-2883