Merry Christmas to you!

By now, your husband has probably returned from a last minute dash to the mall (mine made one this morning). Hopefully you have completed your shopping and also the food prep for tomorrow's meal. In any case, it's time to turn your attention to your family. Christmas isn't about giving the "right" gifts or cooking the perfect (fill in the blank). Tell your family how much you love them, and share God's love with others as well. There are so many people hurting this December due to job losses, retirement fund downturns, and the bumps and bruises that happen no matter what Wall Street's condition is.
Take stock of all the blessings you have. While you're at it, on a practical note, make note of what worked for you this holiday season, and what you want to do differently in 2009. Pick up only the items you know you'll use next year if you shop the post-Christmas sales.
If you're like me and dread "undecorating" the house, host a tree "untrimming" party. Ask friends to bring their leftover appetizers and cookies, make a crock of spiced cider (email me if you'd like a recipe for spiked maple cider) and have fun telling the story behind your ornaments as you pack each away. I put mine into red and green plastic totes, easily identifiable even in the garage rafters. I also have orange and black totes for autumn, a blue one for birthday paraphernalia and a pink one for Valentine's Day items.
May God bless you greatly, as he has already done with the gift of his Son.

More holiday helpful hints

It's December (already!), so Christmas preparations are in high gear.
1. Skip the homemade cookie dough if what the kids enjoy is the decorating. Use refrigerated sugar cookie dough and get to the fun part in mere minutes.
2. Ask each family member for their favorite holiday dish. Make those and skip all the others. If everyone's favorites fall into the dessert category, make a quick pot of soup and some rolls for your holiday dinner and spend more time baking (and savoring) the sweets.
3. To discourage present shakers, use color coded dots for each member of the family instead of writing their names on tags. Be sure to make a key for yourself and tuck it away.
4. Send out Christmas cards to others as you receive theirs. Not only will you have their current address, but you will also save time by not sending cards to so many people. Let go of the guilt of not sending cards to your neighbor (from 18 years ago) and your dentist.

Resolved to get organized in 2009?

Register now for our next study of The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home (Fast Solutions to Hundreds of Everyday Dilemmas) beginning Thursday, 1/8/09, at Mardel. We'll meet for eight weeks (9:15-11:15am, no childcare available) and benefit from discussion, accountability, and coffee! $30 includes the book and all sessions. Registration is limited to 11, so don't delay! Email cari@buysellorganizeandstage.com for registration details. If this day/time/location doesn't work for you, we can also do a study group at another location just for your friends!

Organized holidays

Christmas is fast approaching, so I'd like to share some of my favorite tips for enjoying a less stressful holiday season.
1. Write down what each present is on the gift tag as you open it. Save the tags in a sandwich bag until thank you note writing time.
2. Host a swap party: invite friends to bring their unwanted items, such as bath sets, clothing and toys, set up areas indoors like you would for a garage sale, and "shop" from each other's discards. At a recent swap, new owners went home with candles, Barbies, a dress, a slow cooker, loaf pans, scrapbooking tools and recent magazines, among other items. Some were brand new and can be given as gifts!
3. Share rarely used spices and such with neighbors. Compare what each of you has before buying pricey items that will lose their flavor before being used up. Then, divide the shopping list.
4. Compare shipping rates at http://www.shipgooder.com/ to find out which service is cheapest for your destination. Or, let online merchants ship your purchase directly to the recipient.
Check back soon for more tips!

Free food - you'll thank me when you try it!

When was the last time you found a restaurant you like so much that you HAVE to go there once a week (OK, I went twice last week)?
Rod and I love Mu-Shu's. Not only is their "fresh Chinese cuisine" served up fast (and steaming hot), but it is the best darn food this side of P.F. Chang's, our former favorite. For only $5.99, you can try a lunch sized entree (no skimping here, it's plenty) with your choice of brown or white rice, and a spring roll or soup. But, don't miss the turkey potstickers. The sauce is so good, we order extra to bring home - not that there are ever leftover potstickers - but that stuff is great on just about anything. I was only half-joking when I suggested that Rod try it on his morning cereal.
Now, the free part: Mention my name, Cari Pemberton, and that you saw this on my blog, and you'll recieve free Crab Mu-Goons (several of their dishes have fun names) with the puchase of any entree. This offer expires 12/31/08, but don't wait to try them out. We need to support our locally owned businesses!

Patriotic Girls

Publication:The Colorado Springs Gazette;Date:Nov 1, 2008;Section:Parent;Page Number:72Election FEVER
Presidential campaign offers opportunity to expand kids’ political awareness and teach the responsibilities of citizenshipBy Kate Jonuska
It’s a subject that’s usually complex, often passionate and always controversial. It’s a topic that you probably don’t want your child to learn about on the street or from TV. No, we’re not talking about birds and bees, but something almost as volatile and important in your child’s social education: politics. In this election year, when the presidential campaign invades our daily lives, more families are finding political issues cropping up at home and are using that opportunity to broaden their kids’ political awareness. For many families, talking about politics and government is an important way to shape a child’s moral character and their perspective of the world. “It’s our personal belief that just as you pass down your faith, you should help inform your children’s political outlook, explain why we believe what we do,” says Cari Pemberton, mother of this month’s cover models Bethany Salgado, age 12, and Erin Pemberton, age 6. Pemberton has gone to great lengths to get her daughters involved during this historic election year — they attended a McCain-Palin event as a family — because she wants them to grow into passionate and informed citizens. “Don’t be lukewarm. Be passionate about something,” she says to her daughters. “Apathy is a huge problem in America. If people were as passionate about politics as they are about football, our country might be in better shape today.”

by Trudy Thomas, excerpt from the Gazette's Life section

The Red Baron?
Cari Pemberton's husband, Rod, is a huge fan of country music. When he learned that Hank Williams Jr. had been nicknamed Bocephus by Hank Sr., he knew that someday he would have a dog with the same name.
The Pembertons have owned their 4-year-old yellow Labrador, Bocephus, or "Bo," since he was a pup. A bird dog, Bo was born and bred at Eichhorn Kennels in Calhan.
Bo's parents are registered champions with the American Kennel Club. His father, Kacey's Cuban Cigar, is a certified pedigree and senior hunter. His mother, Black Forest No Biz Like Show Biz, or "Norma," was thought to be named for film legend Marilyn Monroe. Bo, who once tipped the scales at 103 pounds, lives with the Pembertons, their 12- and 6-year-old daughters, and two cats.
Cari Pemberton, a native Coloradan, says that even though Bo outweighs the cats several times over, he's not the boss. Spike, the cat they've owned the longest, rules the roost.
"Spike is the patriarch," she said. "Bo knows he has to have permission to get on the couch. But if Spike is there, he's afraid to get up because he's not sure Spike will like it."
Even though he's afraid of a cat, Bo's a physical kind of guy. He loves to swim, and there's nothing he likes better than to "fetch up" the morning newspaper.
Also impressive is Bo's ability to do tricks. He can roll over, or when asked, give a high-five - to the right or the left.
For the photo competition, Bo is dressed in goggles and a flight jacket with a Fort Carson Ghostriders emblem on the sleeve. He's doing what looks to be his best Snoopy and the Red Baron imitation. "We've had a lot of fun with that picture," Pemberton said. "It's been on our Christmas newsletter."
Click below to see photo #2: http://www.gazette.com/articles/kids_42455___article.html/pumpkins_.html

Getting involved

Whatever your beliefs, it is important to make time to support them by saying "no" to demands on your time that are not in keeping with your mission and goals.Today, I was up at 4:59a.m. after a night of little sleep (it didn't help that our alarm clock which displays the temperature in the garage read 64.1 at 1:49a.m. - my dear husband woke me up, thinking I had overslept!). The weather was cool and cloudy, but that didn't stop several thousand of Sarah Palin's supporters from turning out for a rally at what locals call Sky Sox Stadium, about two miles from my home. I met up with a friend from church and two of her houseguests, visitors from Wisconsin.A fun surprise for me was the performance by Hank Williams, Jr., aka Bocephus (yes, the reason our dog is named the same). I only wish my husband could have been there for his rendition of Johnny Cash's "Walk the Line" and his a capella version of the national anthem.Accompanying Gov. Palin was Alaska's "First Dude" and two of their daughters. Turned out, they stayed at the Marriott last night and even stopped for an ice cream, baby boy in tow, at the same parlor where Bethany held her birthday a couple years ago.After a well-rounded speech on the McCain/Palin platform punctuated by enthusiastic cheers, the rain held off just long enough to get most of us out of the stadium.So, get out there and share truth about your candidate of choice. If you don't know which candidate or ballot issues to support, it's not too late to get educated. As the saying goes, if you don't vote, don't complain!

BSOS team finishes season in 2nd place

From Brian: Considering that most of the players haven't played softball in a long time and some of us haven't ever played "organized" softball that isn't a bad starting point. We had a lot of fun and look forward to the Spring to improve and grow as a team! Thanks for the sponsorship and the support for our team - all of the guys really appreciated it and wanted me to let you know they say "Thank You".

BSOS team still in first place

From Brian: We are now 5-1-we lost a game on Wednesday. We are however still in first place, as the team that beat us lost their second game. So we are the ONLY team with one loss!!!!! (see team photo below)

BSOS team increases record to 4-0

From Brian: WE ARE STILL UNDEFEATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Won the first game 15 to 5 and the 2nd game 18 to 8!
Also, welcome to Darrin, who according to Brian, is a good player who fit right in on our squad.

Update from BSOS softball team

Well.....WE WON BOTH GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The first game we were behind every inning and then scored some to stay within reach (as you know) then we were 5 behind in the 6th innning and came back and WON it! The 2nd game....we had the lead a few times then they had the lead for an inning and a half but we again scored BIG in the 6th like 8 runs and held them off as they batted last and won it! It was alot of fun....but I think everyone on the team is sore some where on their body this morning! Undefeated!!!! (so far......)

Thanks to Brian for this update, and to Mike for all his help with managing this team!

What my clients have to say . . .

“The after is always magnificent, truly a revelation for the seller. She is very good with clients explaining the benefits of staging their house. In addition, she always puts in a plug for the Realtor to let the sellers know they have chosen well. I use Cari on all the properties I list and have seen the great benefits she brings to the table. I will continue to use her on all my listings." Judy Carty, 2005 President of Pikes Peak Women's Council of Realtors, ERA Shields Real Estate "At first, we had our doubts that a professional stager would make a difference as opposed to just using common-sense checklists and suggestions found in books and the internet. We were quite surprised at the number of things these guides could not have identified, since our home, like any other, is unique. We would definitely recommend that sellers use your service. It's such a small investment with potential to provide a large return in a short period of time." Henry & Carmen Paguirigan, Indigo Ranch

Meet my partner, Jodi Bohenna

Jodi is a native to the Pikes Peak region. She and her husband have a son and two daughters. Following her graduation from Palmer High School in downtown Colorado Springs she attended the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She graduated with a bachelors degree in psychology and a minor in communication. Her career in real estate was preceded by a management position at the Colorado Springs Country Club for nearly five years, where she first learned how important her natural customer service skills were. She went on to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association where she not only utilized her outstanding customer service skills but also learned about finances. It was after five years there Jodi realized that her true passion was real estate. Jodi enjoys helping people make their home ownership dreams come true. She takes pleasure in working hard for her clients. Once she teamed up with her partner, Cari, she realized that in today’s market a home has to stand out in order to sell quickly and for top dollar; therefore she obtained her Accredited Staging Professional Realtor designation. Jodi excels in real estate due to her vast well-rounded education, her experience working with and helping people, and her eye for value.

Meeting the McCains and Gov. Palin

On Saturday, September 6, my family had the opportunity to meet and even speak with John McCain, Sarah Palin and Cindy McCain at a rally here in Colorado Springs. (Please see pictures, below and to the right.) After leaving home at 8am and working our way through the security checkpoint at 9:30, we staked our spot along the fence separating us from the taxiway. The two campaign aircraft, one a Boeing 737 and the other was an Embraer 190, were already parked. The 737, which they ultimately boarded a few hours later as we watched, was only about 15 yards from us.After their speeches, the Secret Service and local police officers took their places. From black Suburbans, out stepped the McCains and Gov. Palin to thunderous applause and much waving of the flags previously discarded by the DNC.Moments later, Sen. McCain was thanking my husband, Rod, for his military service - before Rod even had the chance to say the same to him. Touching the VIP detachment patch on Rod's flight jacket, Sen. McCain told Mrs. McCain, "Look." Dressed in bright green and orange, Mrs. McCain also thanked Rod for his service. I told Mrs. McCain that I am an adopted child and that I had enjoyed hearing her adoption story very much.As Gov. Palin approached next, I noticed that she is even prettier in person than on TV. She also seems slimmer - how, with a four-month-old?!? Seeing our six-year-old Erin, she stopped and asked for her name. When Erin replied, Gov. Palin proceeded to ask her age. The three also met our 12-year-old, Bethany, who was busy snapping cell phone photos. Now, if I can just learn how to extract those photos . . . I may not, so ask me to show them to you on my phone if you see me! Growing up, I was told I could be anything I wanted to be. Being a mother is definitely tops on my list, especially now that I've experienced motherhood with my two precious girls. (Helping families get organized is up there, too.) Now, my girls have seen first hand what opportunities await women in this great country of ours. Please encourage the girls in your life, especially those approaching voting age, not to take these opportunities for granted.

Cari's experience

I had my first taste of home marketing in college, when I became an apartment leasing agent. Co-editing a weekly newspaper followed as a great place to learn about effective advertising. After moving to Colorado Springs in 1992, I became one of the first professional organizers in the area. In 1998-1999, I added new home sales and mortgage originating to my resume. Finding my niche in the residential sales field, I obtained my real estate license in 2000. Since then, I have added to the skills that benefit my clients by completing numerous continuing education classes. By presenting a Staged product - the listed house - with carefully designed marketing materials, I position clients to realize the maximum profit possible from what is likely their biggest monetary investment. After the move, I assist my clients with creating a comfortable, enjoyable new home.