Why Are You Always Smiling?

Yesterday after a rather dry meeting around a conference room table at the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, the chairman of the committee spoke to me.

He said, "Why are you always smiling? You must know something nobody else does, 'cause you are always smiling."

My reply was "I am just a happy person. Thank you for saying that." He said, "No really, every time I see you you have a smile on your face."

That made me think of many years ago when as I walked to the unit where I worked, people would stop and ask me why I was smiling. It happened almost everyday.

In truth, the circumstances of life at the time were not "smile inducing", however at the very core I was a "happy" person, and it just showed up on my face.

There was a point when I realized that no one was asking me "why are you smiling?" It was kind of like when no one asks you where you get your hair done anymore -you know it's time for a change!

That is what I did back then - I made a change. Out of a career that was not keeping a smile on my face, and into a way of making a living that is part and parcel of my life.

As Confucius first, and then later Harvey McKay said "Find something you love to do, and you'll never work a day in your life."

So yesterday, I was reminded of that time, and realized what a fortunate person I really am. Years ago as I left for work on Perdido Key - selling real estate along the beach on Florida's Gulf Coast - it occurred to me that I was humming, and almost skipping to get to work. That is when I thought " I love what I do and it shows!" Which became my business slogan.

No truer words have ever been spoken.

The photo above is of my daughter and our puppy Katie nine years ago right here on Perdido Key, Florida. It became the first advertisement for my real estate brokerage company with the slogan "We love what we do and it shows!"

Playing With Tigers in Gulf Shores, Alabama!

Lovingly Referred to as "The Little Zoo that Could" The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is in a class all it's own!

On a recent crisp December afternoon several friends from Ideaworks of Pensacola, Florida joined Bill Stromquist of the Board of Directors, Davenport Properties, Inc. Broker Alison Davenport and her daughter Austin to meet many of the newest members of the zoo family.

Pictured here is Austin feeding a one year old "snowey" bingal tiger that was raised by head zookeeper Cindi Johnson.

The AGCZ is the only zoo in the country that is home to all four types of bingal tigers - the snowey, golden tabby, golden and white.

Ms. Johnson has raised many tigers over the course of her tenure. Some have gone on to other zoos, some have even become entertainers with Sigfried and Roy in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Currently she is raising Sita, a six week old white tiger who was her mother's first offspring and was rejected by her. Once she reaches a safe age, she will be transferred to a different facility. This is to protect the tigers from inbreeding that would undermine their health over time.

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is located at 1204 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, Alabama and they can be reached at (251) 968-5732. When visiting the area, be it Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key or Pensacola, you owe it to yourself to make a trip to what Animal Planet calls "the little zoo that could". They even created a 13 part reality tv series about it!

42% of Perdido Key Listings Have Price Reductions!

Saavy buyers are checking out gulf front and resort properties hoping to take advantage of the seasonal adjustments as the third quarter of the year approaches.

The current inventory of residential properties on Perdido Key stands at a moderate level of just 267 units. This includes single family, attached homes and condominiums, and is far from excessive.

Still between April and September a little more than 40% of sellers have reduced their prices.

Search available listings in Perdido Key, Pensacola and Pensacola Beach and see for yourself!

Interested in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores or Fort Morgan, Alabama? Search here for available properties.

Perdido Key pursuing Pepsi Refresh Prize!

Perdido Key is vying for the opportunity to "give away the keys" to the island with help from the Pepsi Refresh program.

A 15 mile long barrier island that lies west of Pensacola Beach and east of Gulf Shores, AL and Orange Beach, AL, Perdido Key is Florida's 'first beach'.

Thanks to the BP oil spill this hamlet by the sea has suffered tremendous loss of business this summer, though the actual physical affects of the spill have been minimal.

In an effort to reignite the public to visit the area, the Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce came up with the idea of providing about 200 FREE condominium stays that would be paid for by $250,000 grant by the Pepsi Refresh program.

By providing free accommodations the traveler can enjoy the island activities 'risk free'. The Chamber requests that you vote now and everyday until the voting closes on August 31. Log on now!



http://gulf.refresheverything.com/keystothekey

Send this link to all of your friends and encourage them to vote daily!

Pepsi is "doing Good on the Gulf" you can too!

Newbie Blogger

OK, Here we go. This is a first for me, but being a true 'southern girl it is not so surprising that it took me a while! Here in gorgeous Perdido Key, Florida it is about 75 degrees, sunny and breezy as we enter the last days of October.

Perdido Key is a barrier island that lies just south of Alabama, west of Pensacola Beach, Florida and east of Gulf Shores, Alabama. The Spanish "perdido", meaning "lost" refers to the tucked away bays and inlets that allowed pirates, and war ships to successfully hide away in years gone by. Those of us fortunate enough to call this fair isle home recognize the "treasure" that is Perdido Key. Frankly, many of us are very happy for it to be "lost"!

Our sugar white beaches, emerald green Gulf of Mexico waters, abundant fishing, boating, golf and other recreational activities have lurred many a happy soul in our direction.

When the winter winds howl up north, pack up and head our way! You will be glad you did. Perdido Key is a fine example of good old southern hospitality surrounded by the most beautiful beaches on earth. A combination that is just very hard to beat! Come on down!