Have A Heart!

Those of you who know me personally or follow me on my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and all other social media outlets already know that I have a charitable heart. I have volunteered for and worked tirelessly on several charity committees throughout the years. It's who I am. It's what I do. I'm asking for you to join me now and Have A Heart.

I'm walking in the 2012 Down East Heart Walk on Saturday, October 20, 2012 and I need all the support I can get! Why am I walking? Heart disease runs deeply in both sides of my family. I've lost grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins to this disease. I decided a long time ago that's not going to be the way I go out. That's why I eat the way I do, exercise regularly, take supplements and maintain a healthy weight. I'm also committed to sticking around long enough to watch my 2 little nephews grow up and enjoy life!

I lost 2 very dear female cousins to congestive heart failure. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the #1 killer of women, claiming almost 435,000 lives a year. Nearly one woman per minute! The AHA is working hard to change the perception that heart disease is a "man's disease" and have initiated the Go Red For Women program. Be sure to visit this link to learn the signs of a heart attack as well as download delicious, healthy recipes for you and your family.

Nearly 1 in 3 adults has some form of cardiovascular disease yet 80% of it can be prevented. In our region alone, an estimated 65,578 people die each year from heart disease and stroke. We can reduce this statistic by promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle. The American Heart Association has a goal of increasing cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent by 2020 as well as reduce the number of deaths from heart disease and stroke by 20 percent. Adults aren't the only ones who suffer however....




The walk is 30 days from now, please Have A Heart and visit My Donation Page to contribute as much or as little as your budget allows. Send me a message to ggwinstead@gmail.com if you'd rather send a check or cash. Thank you SO MUCH for your support and consideration.

With heart,
GG

*All source material complements of the American Heart Association.

At your service, Gena G. Winstead Broker, Realtor, ABR http://www.GreenvilleNCBroker.com/

The Fun Aunt

Last week's book theme was all the fun stuff I run across in my day-to-day life as a Realtor in Greenville, NC. I've had "orbs" show up in listing photos, heard footsteps in a vacant house, walked in on college kids doing the wild thang and been offered a mimosa by a man answering the door wearing nothing but a smile and an incredibly small towel.

After spending yesterday afternoon with my 2 nephews I've decided my next tome will be titled, "Trials and Tribulations of The Fun Aunt." My neck hurts. Bad. Pretty sure I lost more than the 100 single hairs the average human being loses daily. In fact, my scalp tingles where my ponytail was pulled around the back of my head while Tyler The Brave bounced on me. I also bit the inside of my cheek trying to defend myself from the onslaught of Underwear Man. I'm bruised, scratched and exhausted today...and I'd have it no other way. Not having any kids of my own, I love these cutie pies like they're mine.

In mid-attack my sister-in-law who was watching tv on the sofa asked when I was going to come stay with them the whole weekend so she and my brother could get away. I managed to sit up, ponytail around the side of my head, blowing escaped locks of hair off my face and asked real slowly...."You mean...by myself???" I don't know if I would survive! At that point Underwear Man jumped off my back to leap onto the sofa, where his Mama promptly said she was wearing her Invisibility Cloak. (Must. Remember. This.)

A whole weekend with the boys would mean I couldn't stay The Fun Aunt. Right? There would have to be more discipline involved than just unclenching small fists from the dog's fur or releasing the cat's tail. To all you moms and dads reading this, how does one transition from FUN to Authoritarian in the same sentence? I really do enjoying playing Super Heroes and wrestling (this is the South so that's pronounced "wrasslin") and wallowing all over the floor with those guys (even though I need to go for a chiropractic adjustment the next day....)

What is The Fun Aunt's magic formula or superpower to allow play with 2 very physical little tykes yet still maintain a level of control over their safety? Maybe I'm second-guessing my ability to parent since so far I've just been Mama to 4-legged babies. Any sage advice out there? I really would love to keep them for a whole weekend!


At your service, Gena G. Winstead Broker, Realtor, ABR http://www.ggwinstead.kwrealty.com/

Gonna write a book!

My customers, clients and friends ask me all the time, "What's the most interesting thing you've seen or done as a Broker?" Well, it's never a dull moment....some days being more exciting than others and I learn something new with every single transaction. I tell ya, one day I am gonna write a book!

Today started like any typical day. I ran across town to unlock a house I have under contract in Uptown Greenville, NC. The home inspector was already there and we briefly discussed how someone of his size, about 5'10" and 195 pounds, was going to fit under a crawl space only 8" tall. I left that conundrum with him and headed to the office.

Two hours later my client who is purchasing the property collected me at Keller Williams Realty and we headed back to the house. Ten minutes later the block is surrounded by Sheriff deputies and Greenville city police officers. One of them flagged me down and asked if I'd seen a guy in handcuffs riding a bike. Apparently the guy had escaped from the court house and stolen a bike out front. I sorta giggled at the image in my mind and headed back inside, promising to call if I did see anyone matching that description.

The home inspector asked me what was going on, scratched his head after I told him then lead me back to a pair a bolt cutters and a C-clamp sitting on top of a fireplace mantel. I was just in the house a few days before and that mantel was empty. Then he showed me where the sheet of wire and metal bars nailed across a back window had been cut away. He also said that he locked the window, that it was unlocked when he got there. Hmmmm, someone sure had been busy!

The police and Sheriff cars were still circling the block so I flagged one down. The officer was about to come in, probably just to take a break from the madness, when another officer pulled up outside. They spoke briefly then drove away quickly. Now I'm not saying that it was all set-up though one of the officers said it was a possibility. Chances are that the seller happened to put those items there over the weekend. Sure was a noggin-scratcher at the time, though!

This is far from being the pinnacle of excitement I've encountered out in the field. After all, I did get my career started in New Orleans! One day, however, I am gonna write a book.

The fugitive has since turned himself in. The whole article is below.

Handcuffed Man Steals Bike In Front Of Pitt County Courthouse



At your service, Gena G. Winstead Broker, Realtor, ABR http://www.GreenvilleNCBroker.com/