Lucky Day!

Twelve days of Christmas.  Twelve months in a year.  Twelve citizens sit on a jury.  And 12 is the number worn by Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers.  It could be said that 12 is a lucky number.

According to an article in the New York Daily News, some people are betting on it!  Lottery tickets are being purchased at a fast and furious pace and weddings will be taking place on 12/12/12.  Why not?  We won't see another triple digit date for another 100 years!

This isn't the first time it's happened.  If you recall, just last year was the year of the "1's".  We had significant dates such as 1/1/11, and 11/11/11.   Those days were also heralded as people were sure the unusual numerical sequence was going to bring something noteworthy.  It probably did for some!

I don't have anything extraordinary planned for the day, although I may sneak in a few "twelves".  Maybe I'll do 12 reps in my workout, or call 12 friends just to say hello.  What's your plan for 12/12/12?  Getting married?  Flying to Vegas?  Whatever you do, make it special!

Who has a Realtor?

My kids attend a school on the west side of Madison that asks parents to work lunch duty a few times a year.  Sometimes it's inside helping kids open milk containers or washing off tables.  We also work outside on the playground which requires a general supervision of children playing.

I have some clients who have a daughter who attends the same school.  I was working inside lunch duty the other day when this young daughter of my clients' entered the lunch room.  When she saw me, she asked her teacher if she could say hello to her Realtor...me!  The teachers and the lunch ladies thought it was hilarious that a 4-year old had a Realtor.

Needless to say, I have spent many hours with her and her parents looking at houses for sale and getting paperwork in line for the sale of their home.  I've evidently made an impression on her, since she referred to me not by name, or as her friend, but as her Realtor!  I expect I've left a positive impression on her and one that will last until she is ready to purchase her first home.  I can only hope that she'll enlist the help of a Realtor.

So, who has a Realtor?  Even some 4-year olds have Realtors.

Catalog Craziness

The holidays have officially arrived.  I know this not because of the Christmas lights strung from tree branches around town, or the holiday music playing on the radio but rather by my mailbox.  Yes, my mailbox! 

Yesterday I received 13 catalogs in the mail.  Yes, 13!!  Everything from cooking guides to clothing catalogs were stuffed into my postal box.  The poor postal carrier!

I rarely order from catalogs.  At some point I did and my name has now been sold to companies I have never heard of.  I know this because I receive their catalog!  In the past catalog shopping was more mainstream, but with the advent of the Internet, I find shopping with the keyboard much easier. 

But companies still believe catalogs work.  Perhaps they trigger an idea for the hard-to-buy for relative or maybe they spur customers to visit a store or go online.  Whatever the reason, I think catalogs are here to stay, at least for the short term.

As for mine, they are destined for the recycle bin!

Remember to...

I'm a calendar person.  I used to be able to keep everything in my head, but the older I get and the busier I am, the less effective this method is.  So, I use a calendar.

Here are a few things to add to your calendar:

Daylight Savings Time  - don't forget to turn clocks back one hour Saturday November 3rd.  Fall back...

Alternate street parking in the City of Madison begins November 15th.

Leaf pick is underway and will continue as long as the weather permits, typically until the first week of December.  Please don't put leaves in the street.  Leaves can wash into the lakes and cause nutrient build up and algae growth.

Left over jack-o-lanterns?  Leave those at the curb too!  The city streets department will pick up pumpkins at the curb.  Help keep those old jack-o-lanterns out of the landfill and save taxpayer dollars.

Happy Fall!

Halloween Trivia

Halloween conjures up images of small people dressed as ghosts and goblins traveling from house to house in search of candy.

The tradition of trick-or-treating was actually brought to America in the 1840's by Irish immigrants escaping the Great Potato Famine. On Halloween, Irish peasants begged the wealthy for food and played tricks on those who refused them. To avoid being tricked, the wealthy handed out treats - a practice that is now our present day trick-or-treating.

The Irish can also be credited with Jack-o-lanterns. An old Irish tale tells of a man named Stingy Jack. He was unable to enter heaven due to his stingy ways and wandered the world looking for a resting place. On his journey, Jack used a piece of burning coal in a hallowed out turnip - our modern day jack-o-lantern. The turnip carving turned into pumpkin carving when the Irish tradition reached America.

Who knew the Irish played such a significant role in our current day traditions. Today, Halloween has become a tradition enjoyed by young and old, no matter your nationality. Happy Halloween!

Youth Hockey Fundraiser

Did you ever wonder just how spirits are distilled?  Beyond the grain and vats, what's the secret to distilling fine spirits?  Here's your chance to take a peek beyond the bottle! The West Madison Polar Caps are holding a fundraiser at Death's Door Distillery in Middleton beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday October 18th.  The distillery is headed by a Polar Cap hockey dad, who will be hosting the event.  Attendees can tour the State's largest craft distillery, learn how their award winning spirits are made, enjoy fresh local cocktails and great food and help the Polar Caps at the same time. This fun night out will take place on Thursday, October 18th. Tours and tastings start at 6:30pm. Tickets are just $15, and get you one cocktail and food, plus a distillery tour. Additional cocktails can be purchased for $5 and non-alcoholic options are offered at no cost. Roman Candle will also be providing a variety of food for the night.  Tickets will be available at the door or by clicking the link below (tickets available to print). Not a hockey family, no problem...we are a friendly bunch!  It should be a fun night!  Join us! Click to Purchase Tickets

Number 1 Titles

You and I both know Madison is a great place to live!  Well, it seems others agree!  We've all heard that Madison is ranked number 1 for "this" and number 1 for "that", so I did a little search to find out just how many number 1's Madison has accumlated.  Hang on, the list is long (but I may have missed some)!


Madison Ranked #1 City to Raise a Family
24/7 Wall St. Wire, January 2012

Madison Ranked #2 in Overall Health
Men’s Health Magazine, 2012

Madison Ranked 3rd Best-Run City
24/7 Wall St. Wire, January 2012

Madison Ranked #5 Most Bikeable City
Walkscore.com, May 2012

Madison in Top 12 for Water Conservation
Wyland Foundation, May 2012

Madison Ranked as One of Top Retirement Cities in the Midwest
Where to Retire Magazine, 2012

Madison Ranked 8th Best Music Scene
Livability.com, March 2012

Madison Ranked 3rd Healthiest City for Women
Huffington Post, January 2012

Madison Ranked #7 Best Place to Find a Date
TheDailyBeast.com, 2012

Madison in Top 12 Places to Work and Live as a Young Entrepreneur
Under30CEO.com, 2012

Madison Ranked #15 Greenest City in America TheDailyBeast.com, April 2012

Madison Ranked #2 Best City for Men to Live
Men’s Health Magazine, December 2011

Madison Children’s Museum Ranked 5th Best Children’s Museum in the Nation
Parent’s Magazine, February 2011
Madison Ranked Best City for an Active Retirement
Forbes Magazine, February 2011 


Madison in Top Ten for Greatest Cycling Cities
USA Today, 2011
Madison has 6th Most Dog Parks


It's no wonder Madison is such a great place.  The biggest problem is that the secrets out.  But then, you and I have known all along!