Transforming Ugly Ducklings

Since I didn't have the best hours of rest last night, which was due to being awakened nearly every hour by the pain and itching of those gnat bites I received on my forehead and right temple yesterday, instead of trying to go back to sleep around the hour of four, I just got up and pretended it was my normal hour of rising. When I looked in the mirror, I did notice most of the swelling had gone down on my forehead and temple, but I still had that swollen bag under my right eye which was also caused from a gnat getting in my eye which I couldn't get out, so it's likely decomposing in my tear duct while sending out more toxic microbes. At least it's getting better, but I can assure you from here on out, I'll be wearing that face netting over my hat whenever outdoors working until a hard frost destroys those devils.

Having arrived at office exceptionally early, I went ahead and got caught up on the news feeds, and then busied myself with clearing out unwanted print-outs, newspapers and magazines which had been piling up. I even started sorting thru everything I'd been saving in my desk drawers, and at least half of it went to the shredder. As much as most of us don't consider ourselves hoarders, I'd say the bulk are in denial, and mostly because we tuck things far enough away to where it becomes and 'out of sight, out of mind' build-ups which continue to get overlooked and mostly forgotten.

Another referral came in from a woman who's planning on moving back to the area, and only because she's now retired and wanting to be closer to her aging parent and long-time acquaintances. I believe she'll be an easy 'fit' as long as I can find her something acceptable in the Briarstone area. I forwarded her the info on the only one that's currently available, so perhaps after she gets a good look at the photos, she'll be making the trip to get a personal viewing. As chance would have it, she knows a good number of people I'm acquainted with, which always helps with the comfort levels whenever meeting up with a real estate agent for the first time.

I had to take my vehicle in for service this morning, so I was without wheels for about three hours, which had me closely tied to office. When they did call and say it was ready, I grabbed my checkbook and walked over, and just as I was opening it to pay, I was pointed to a sign reading, 'No Checks! Only Cash or Credit Card'. You can imagine how I reacted, and especially when asking if they'd take a Cashier's Check and the answer being, "I'm sorry. No." Of course I had to take another long walk to my bank and get cash, but you can be sure I voiced my frustrations with my favorite teller. I swear half or more of our country is doing business with either cash or credit cards whch I find troubling. When I got back to pay for it, I was just a tiny bit bristly with their annoying cashier who seemed about as un-plugged from it all as a person could get. While driving back, I couldn't help reminding myself how annoying I find orthodontically 'perfect' teeth, as well as really twisted-over and bucked teeth. I believe everyone's teeth should have varying degrees of personality, instead of the many 'Barbies' and 'Kens' we have running around. Oh, and don't get me started on all the brilliant white 'bleachings' people are having done with their teeth which nearly always clash with their complexions. Several years ago I made a really big mistake by saying to a young professional, "My gosh! Can't you get your teeth any whiter?" That was definitely an 'oops'.

Since we're on the subject of these many 'alterations' people are having done with their bodies, I'm also seeing even more having their eyelids clipped to the point where they always appear to be in a state of 'Surprise!'. Of course I can almost always spot those who've had Botox, Juvederm, fat injections, fat transfers and grafts, and especially if I've been around them before they'd decided to 'feel and look' younger. I'll never forget the day when I was standing in the kitchen of a dear one and seeing her daughter walking in the front door, and the moment I looked at her face I asked, "What did you do to your eyes?" Ouch! That was another time I should've kept my lips zipped.

I've also been noticing all the more online advertising of dental implants which seem to be the rage in these times. I truly 'get it' when a person wants to fill in a very visible gap, but to have an entire mouth filled with them, is a bit much. It won't be long until we'll no longer see people with fillings in their mouths because dental technology is getting that much more sophisticated. OK, it's time for me to stop talking about all these procedures which are transforming ugly ducklings into glorious swans. Truth be told, I've always had a soft spot for those so-called 'ugly ducklings'.

I'll be out of my office most of the morning tomorrow with meetings, along with my having to open up the house at our acreage listing, just so our County Health Department can get a few water samples for testing. Not to worry because I do enjoy driving to acreages in weather like we've been having. It'll be interesting to see how many more fields of corn have been harvested since I was there last.

We've been getting a good number of showings at my two new listings located at 1715 N. Delaware and 1012 N. Carolina. I even had to run out and unlock 1012 N. Carolina for an agent from out of town whose office is at least an hour's drive from here. In spite of the both of them being on the market for such a short time, it'll be great if we can get the two of them quickly sold.

I'm hoping the seller I met with on Saturday gives me a call tomorrow, just so we can get started with the pre-listing process. Now if that one's priced right, for sure it'll be gone in a day or two.

Tonight's One-liner is: If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?

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