Sue Barnes

Kristen Barnes - Graduation Day

2010-05-17T07:25:00.001-07:00

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Therapy for the ACL

2010-04-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

Having the surgery on March 17, 2010 to replace the ACL was a good decision for me, I think. I feel more comfortable knowing I can put forth the effort to recover and continue to ski every year with my family which is my true love (besides my husband, of course).
That said, I am on my way with formal therapy 3 times a week and starting to walk again without crutches or a brace. I have to admit the first 4 days I was pretty tired from the effort but am starting to feel stronger. Through it all I have been working as a REALTOR full time with support for the rest of the things I normally take care of like, cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry and cooking. Thank goodness, for a mom, daughters and a husband to pitch in.
My clients have been terrific and very supportive when we were out and about looking at homes. My business associates have also done what they could to help out. I have to say, you quickly find out who your real friends are. It is a good feeling!

ACL Injury and more

2010-04-22T22:14:00.000-07:00

I went on my yearly trip with family to enjoy the sport we all love----skiing! A ski trip was how I met my husband 30 years ago and we have skied together ever since. This year, it happened - one of those injuries that is going to take time and hard work to recover. I briefly considered not having the surgery to replace my ACL which would mean giving up my sport. After all, people have said, "you are 59 now so maybe it is time to stop skiing". But skiing for me is freedom and special moments with my husband and grown daughters that would be hard to replace. It is skiing in the forest and watching the squirel scamper across the snow, watching each other ski a bit better each year and getting to know their friends in a fun environment and having drinks and dinner together after a fun, long day on the slopes and sharing stories - how can I give that up?
The accident happened on January 3, 2010 at the top of a difficult black run on our first day. I had a small fall and heard the dreaded "pop" as the ACL tore. The ski patrol did a great job managing to get me safely down this steep hill in a sled. We were at Copper Mountain in Colorado. At the bottom of the mountain, there was an excellent first aid station where I was x-rayed and given a brace and crutches. I returned home in a few days and was getting around pretty well. I went to therapy to prepare for surgery. After a bit of research, I settled on Dr. Carter for the surgery to replace my ACL. I am Irish so what better day then St. Patrick's Day for the surgery? I had a "block" when they did the surgery so it was so nice not to have to take any pain pills. I stayed numb enough for the first 24 hours that I only had to take Tylenol to relieve the pain. The surgery was at 7:30 a.m. and I was home by lunchtime!

Staging on a Budget

2009-03-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

Just reading the REALTOR April magazine and discovered a few useful tips for showing vacant properties. www.realtor.org/realtormag. So easy to "make a bed" by using moving boxes in the shape of a bed and covering with nice bedding. I already have been "making a table" doing the same thing and covering with a long tablecloth. Also, since everyone looking a occupied homes is checking out those closets and storage areas, have occupant remove the clothes on hangars that aren't worn very often to make the hanging space look more spacious.

GPS for Showing Real Estate

2009-03-22T07:53:00.000-07:00

About a year ago, I bought a Magellan Maestro 4250. What a time saver that is! I enter the addresses for the homes I am going to show that day, press the button for "Optimize", and presto.....the Magellan arranges the addresses in an organized sequence for showing. This cuts down my preparation time and once I am on the road, the Magellan leaves me free to talk to clients about the homes we are seeing without having to search for the directions.

Arizona Golf

2009-03-21T18:54:00.000-07:00

This is the fun time to play golf in Arizona as it is not too hot or too cold. My husband and I will be playing tomorrow with our daughter and her boyfriend. It is great to have something in common that we all enjoy doing together. We will be playing tomorrow at Ancala Golf and Country Club. It is target golf meaning you have to hit straight to have any chance of doing well. Whether we play well or not, we will have a good time as no matter how I play, it will be more fun than today which I spent cleaning and painting a house we are going to rent.

Golfing at Ancala Country Club

2009-03-17T22:44:00.000-07:00

Scottsdale Chapter Women's Council of REALTORS

2009-03-17T22:10:00.000-07:00

Our Chapter has a networking meeting every month called, "It's 5:00 Somewhere". This month it is atBella Vita of Scottsdale, a Belleview Community. We will be meeting at 5:00 at 5995 N 78th St in Scottsdale, Arizona for a tour of their condos and snacks/wine/beverages. This is a great extra way to meet as our regular meeting is lunch and a speaker.