Feng Shui Long Island's Blog

I thought this was cute enough to share....hope you enjoy it.

1. Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
2. One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor....
3. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
4. If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?
5. I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?"
   She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
6. What if there were no hypothetical questions?
7. If a deaf person swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?
8. Is there another word for synonym?
9. Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all?"
10. What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?
11. If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?
12. Would a fly without wings be called a walk?
13.  Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?
14. If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?
15. Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?
16. If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?
17. Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?
18. How do they get deer to cross the road only at those yellow road signs?
19. What was the best thing before sliced bread?
20. One nice thing about egotists: They don`t talk about other people.
21. Does the Little Mermaid wear an algebra?
22. How is it possible to have a civil war?
23. If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown too?
24. If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?
25. Whose cruel idea was it for the word "lisp" to have "S" in it?
26. Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them?
27. Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?

I am an animal lover, no question about it.  I think they are kinder then people in many cases....they don't hold a grudge or stay mad at you even if they GET mad at you.  And they always know you love them right back.

I came across this and thought that EVERYONE thinks THEY have the cutest dog.  Now we have a chance to find out!  WE televison is running a photo competition for the cutest dog.  I thought you AR members just might want to enter your Fido's to find out.

http://pictureperfectpuppy.we.tv/

 First prize is $5,000.00  (Just in case the link doesn't work, the site is: Women's Entertainment TV Picture Perfect Puppy Contest

Good luck!

This was originally posted months ago. I know there has been some questions lately regarding Feng Shui and a Diverse Market and thought I would repost this in case it was overlooked.

I know that many Agents are having a somewhat difficult time with the diversity of clients they are getting.  When targeting to a diverse market, both Asians and people of Indian Culture (where it is called Vaastu) are looking for different things.  Feng Shui is a broad area, but here's a few tips to get them IN the front door:

The FRONT door, in many cultures, is considered the "Mouth of Chi."  It is where all the good energy enters.  If the front door is hindered or obstructed in any way, such as a branch casting a shadow or pointing at it, chances are they won't step inside.  Also if there is anything obstructing the front door such as a tree or other object, they will see it as a sign that the energy cannot flow in.  I am often asked about a tree that is directly in front of the front door, and depending how diverse your market is, it is sometimes cut down.

The pathway leading to the mouth of Chi is every bit as important.  If possible, they like to see curved entrances instead of a straight line up to the door.  If there is a straight line, placing solor lights to "grace the entrance way" is a good deflection and shows them you have addressed this issue. 

Just the way many Americans feel strongly about the number 13 being "bad" luck (that's often why you won't see a 13th floor in a hotel), the Chinese in particular HATE the number FOUR.  In Chinese translation, it sounds like the word "death" to them.  Although I haven't found it to be effective for the Agents I work with, we are told to encircle the numbers on the house with yellow paint); the idea behind this is to keep the negative energy confined.  Even with this method, however, if it means "death" they are not likely to even look at the home.

They feel it is important to be graced into a home.  Aside from the obvious of keeping everything outside clean and the bushes cut back, they feel "graced in" by the use of Wind Chimes.  These don't go overlooked and are seen as a sign of "Ringing in the Money" as are bells hung inside the front door from the knob.

We seek to achieve a balance in Feng Shui, based on the Yin/Yang theory.  Having two outside plants (often small evergreens) on either side of the front door gives them a sense of balance and a sign of prosperity. 

Finally, from the outside, people love to see the WORD "Welcome."  It shoud be on the wreath (no dried flowers, please, a sign of dead energy!).  And they don't see a welcome doormat.  It gives them a sense that not only people are welcomed in, but also money and Good Chi.

And this is just to get them IN :)  Here are some examples of what will attract them in:

I am in the "People" business. Yes, I deal with homes and businesses all the time but it didn't take me long to learn it's more about the people.  How personal do you get with a client?  While putting on our "professional" best, is it ok to let them see another side of you?   

I will relate somewhat personal stories to clients if I have something to share.  It creates a bond---and a lasting memory of you.  A recent example of this was at a clients home when they were deciding whether or not to list with an Agency or try to sell the house themselves.  I was encouraging them to find themselves a good Agent, one that they felt comfortable with and they liked.  The homeowner agreed with me and having spoken to several agents already, made a decision to list with one.

"I liked this woman who came here that was thinking about moving herself" she told me.  She knew the Agent had left behind her card and had decided to list with her.  It was apparent this Agent had told her some personal things about herself and by doing that, had made herself a bit vunerable but a PERSON as well.  

Whether you're staging a home, selling a home or working in any manner with the public, let them see a side of you or share some information that shows them you can relate to whatever they may have gone through or are going through.  Let them see the "other" side of you that makes you not only memorable, but HUMAN. 

Years ago in Feng Shui, I remember feeling thrilled if I were called in to do two or three homes in a month...it was unheard of!  No one imagined, back then, the impact it would take on.  In thinking of the aspects of Home Staging and seeing so many of the beautiful websites you have with terrific Before and After pictures, I wondered if you were thinking LARGE enough? 

I don't recall seeing on the sites anything about DESIGN SERVICES for Businesses.  I know you're not Interior Designers but many businesses and even Corporations may not be looking for that.  Just someone with the talent that you ALL possess, an eye for Beauty and a desire and knowledge to make it happen.

What about adding a page for Businesses and Corporations?  I know, I must be CRAZY, isn't it difficult enough just to get work right now for Home Staging for people selling their homes?  But what about in 5 or even 10 years?  Those that have had the tenacity to hang in will see Home Staging has gone from something obscure to the everyday.  Home Staging will be a natural part of selling a home and will you be prepared for the next steps that will follow?

Many businesses do not want to spend the money that is often charged for a complete Interior Design Service.  That's where YOU Come in.....Contacts I get are for services that are wanted out there....such as SHOPPING.  I don't offer personal shopping services to go with or choose new furniture but there are people out there making a LOT of money from this---and they LOVE it!  Not only do many home stagers like to shop, imagine getting PAID to do it?  Here on Long Island in New York, the word is OUT as in other places as well.  It just might be time to ADD to what you do with what you are capable of doing.

We are taught to think "out of the box" and to think LARGE.  Think about incorporating services NOW to your business for Offices, Businesses and yes, even Corporations.  I am often asked to speak or have done Feng Shui with Design for Huge Corporations; I respect a privacy policy and don't publish ANY names or information without written permission. But they are calling...and they can be calling you, too!

One of those Corporations that could be calling you, too:

FOX 5 was just one....

Just THINK BIG!