I Found My Christmas Spirit This Year in the Most Unusual Place

Each year, the time presses us into a frenzy, the demands of balancing work and all the things that need to be done to shop for others, to get Christmas cards out and to prepare for gathering of family and friends.  This year was especially rushed, and I don’t know why really. It’s not like I have had no warning, like I didn’t have 11 months to prepare for Christmas.  Procrastination fills every moment and there are always excuses for me not to shop. Shopping to me is a curse that rears it’s head at the most inopportune times. This year was no different. Giving is a wonderful thing, which I enjoy, but it’s the task of the purchase and the thought of what to give that gets me all sidetracked. Perhaps if I would think about it ahead of time, it would not be so overwhelming.

This year, during one of my moments of procrastination, I pulled into Whataburger on Thomasville Road, a familiar and beloved place in Tallahassee, not realizing this time something worth pause was about to happen. I stopped for two reasons really, first, I was starved, secondly, I wanted to get my girls, who since they were old enough to eat real food, developed a passion for Whataburger. My dad, the hamburger connoisseur swears that a Whataburger is the best hamburger in town, and believe me, he’d rather eat there than anywhere else on earth. As I ordered and paid for gift certificates, I was helped by the sweetest, most courteous counter clerk ever. I noticed her striking face the last few times I ate at Whatagurger. She has a humble spirit and a shy smile. When I made my purchase, it came over me, the Christmas spirit, the true spirit of giving. I found myself wanting to do something spur of the moment, something slightly meaningful for just her. I wondered about this hard working young woman, probably  my daughter’s age, and if she would have a memorable Christmas. I found myself digging through my wallet filled with receipts form the week’s purchases and I found it, the last $20 bill I had at the time. I asked for her hand, and I placed it in her hand and closed it tightly and said, “I know it’s not much, but I will be back. I want you to spend this on you,..just you. Please do that for me, Merry Christmas.”  It was as if the room went dark and a light came over her. She replied shyly, “thank you, this is the first Christmas present I have gotten.” I have a feeling it may be one of the few that she may be getting.  It made me smile, and I vowed right then and there,..to go back to check on her, to get to know her, to make sure that the next $20 I slip her will be for something again, just for her.

I hope you and your families have a terrific Christmas. I hope that we all renew our spirits, looking around thankfully for all that we have and reaching out to those who are deserving and in need and that we give, not just at Christmas, but every day. Merry Christmas Everyone! Pay It Forward!

365 Things To Do In Tallahassee, FL

Bradley’s Family Country Christmas at Bradley’s Country Store

There is magic that happens when little ones see Santa Claus. In the country there is even more magic when Santa visits Bradley’s County Store this year. If you have young ones filled with wonder think about taking them to the Bradley’s Country Store for some down home country Christmas fun.

You all know I grew up near the Store, and with the owners, and I always love going back. It certainly brings back great memories of when I was a kid sitting on that porch drinking a bottled Coca-Cola! On Sunday, December 17, 2011, from 2:30 – 4:30 kids can enjoy a visit with Santa, roasting marshmallows, petting the goats, face-painting and pony rides and to top it all off, hear Sachel, the Bradley’s singing dog!

The weather is perfect this weekend and the sun will be shining so bring the family, grab a hot dog or sausage dog, pizza and more great food while the kids run, play and enjoy the afternoon at the store. They are sure not to forget their fun here – and we all need some fun. It’s a perfect time to stock up on your smoked sausage and hand milled grits for Christmas morning too. Say Hi to my mom Patsy, who will be running a register inside the store!

Map to Bradley’s Country Store:

View Bradley’s Country Store in Tallahassee, FL in a larger map

The Nutcracker

Tallahassee Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker”

Since my girls were young, we have made a date during the holidays to make “The Nutcracker” a part of our Christmas holiday. Both of my girls were dancers since age 4 and 5, and this is our celebration of those years and the “bigger” picture of the ballet at it’s finest! Tonight we will go again, take in the Tallahassee Ballet Orchestra accompanying the 2011 Cast in another great performance.

My oldest daughter is 26, and this is the 26th anniversary of the Nutcracker. This year’s production features Ivan Popov who danced the role of Prince in last spring’s “Cinderella.” Mr. Popov, a native of Russia, trained at the Moscow State Ballet Academy, and the Vaganova Ballet Academy. He’ll perform with his real-life fiancé, Mercedes Schindler. Both dancers are currently with Columbia Classical Ballet.

So, tonight we will visit the ballet, get wrapped up in Christmas and all things imaginative and wonderful. If you have never been to any of the Tallahassee Ballet’s productions check them out here: http://tallahasseeballet.org/ . Make the ballet a tradition!

Do your children like to dance? Here’s a List of Dance Studios in Tallahassee, Florida

Tallahassee Dance Academy -*Where my girls danced!

In Step Studio – Multi cultural Dance Studio, Tallahassee, Florida

Dance Electric

Sharon Davis School of Dance

Tallahassee Little Theater

The Dance Studio

Performing Arts Studio of Tallahassee

Hannah Bergstrom’s School of Dance

Killearn Perfoming Arts – Step Dancers

Southern Academy of Ballet

As a Realtor in Tallahassee, it is always fun for me to share with new customers and residents special features of our community. Do you need to know more about Tallahassee, FL? Are you considering a job transfer or relocation to Tallahassee, FL? I will be happy to share our relocation package with you and prepare you for your Tallahassee visit.

Clint Aaron Miller. 03.08.1971 – 12.11.2011

Clint Miller was diagnosed with advanced Stage 3c testicular cancer on February 12, 2011. He fought through respiratory failure, a blood infection, pleural effusion, grand-mal seizures, cyber knife procedures, radiation and more as this cancer spread to his brain. 10 months ago, we had no clue.

Clint Miller was a friend I never met face to face. It did not matter. We knew more about each other than most friends. We knew many in the same circle of friends, we broadened our friendships because of each other. We had a no bullshit philosophy in common and we shoot straight because that is who we are. Clint’s transparent personality was refreshing and at times took my breath away and challenged my mind. We shared laughs, photographs, and phone conversations, but not nearly enough.

3,148 people were connected to @TheRealClint on Twitter. 937 Prayed and shared sentiments, thoughts, jokes, and cried together on Facebook’s Clint Miller (@TheRealClint) Prayer/Support Board. Clint Miller has been a part of nearly every conference I have attended, in the spirit of those mutual friendships, his #WeLoveClint support wrist bands have been reminders of his fight and this fight of others, photographed with family, with friends, on personal journeys and in moments solitude and reflection as a reminder of our friend, and the fight against the evil , wicked killer, cancer. Cancer stole a life, too soon.

If ever you thought that social media has no value, I can only tell you this, were it not for social media I would not have met my friend Clint Miller. I would not have met hundreds of others, chatting across the Nation, and the world everyday with whom I have common threads, common heartaches, and more importantly a common exuberance of life and for living. Clint embodied #PayItForward #LiveNow #OvercomingBullshit. “These are real people you are establishing real relationships with, that you really do touch.” Words to remember by Clint.

Clint Aaron Miller. Husband. Father. Friend. Active Rain Blogger. Twitter Poster – and first male member of the Twitterqueens . I was lucky enough to be the first guest on TQ Radio on Blog Talk Radio, and the second episode (Take a Listen.. such a great episode with Susie Blackmon too.) was Clint Miller described as ” Clint Miller (@therealclint) of Real Estate Client Referrals, blipmeister extraordinaire and just a plain nice guy.” I learned so much from Clint. Truly…. Inspiration to Others. Fighter For The Cause To Just Do The Right Thing.

I end this post with a challenge, a renewed  spirit, but a more careful walk. #WeLoveClint

To the Miller Family, know this, you have a legacy, many gifts to share still, all formed by a one of kind man who gave us all something to take away from his life.

I Will Rise, RIP Clint Miller  No More Sorrow, no more pain. Rest In Peace, My friend Clint Miller.

Tallahassee, FL is about community and it’s a community about family and friends. I missed the festival of lights this year, so I thought it would be amazing to see it through the eyes of our community. Take a look at the amazing videos, photos, and more that I was able to find on the Winter Festival and happenings around Tallahassee, FL!

First, there is an amazing video recapping 25 years of the Winter Festival made by the City of Tallahassee – Look close, you may see someone you know, I did! Here’s the link: http://www.talgov.com/parks/winter/index.cfm

The Countdown to the Lights of Downtown Tallahassee Winter Festival 2011:

Watch as Amwat Movers ready their float and captured great pictures from the Winter festival of Lights Parade:

How About a Drum Solo?  This guy ROCKS the Drums at the Tallahassee, FL Winter Festival:

How about a Patriotic themed Holiday Light Show the Southwood Plantation Community?

Like Trains? Amazing Model Train Display:

All this has made me want to go shoot some video – How about you? Post your video on You tube, not only will I “Like” it, I will post it here on this blog and share it with all those who love and want to know more about Tallahassee, FL!

Thinking you like what you see? Thinking you would want to relocate to Tallahassee, FL? Thinking of Tallahassee, FL neighborhoods and what home sale prices are like? Think about our Real Estate Team at HomeSalesofTallahassee.com for your real estate needs!

Happy Holidays!

Every now and then, fate brings you gifts. This past week, I spent time getting to know my cousin, who I have not seen in over 35 years. Those were years of our youth, our growth, our history; years that formed who we are today. While it was great to rediscover family history, share stories, visit with her husband and lovely daughter Marissa, the real gift, the highlight of our visit, was a 7 year old, her grandson Kristopher.

Many of you know I have two amazing daughters. Raising my girls was the best part of my life. Their little minds constantly amazed me, their thoughts and questions challenged me, and their perceptions made me examine things closer, and differently.  I was lucky, I didn’t have to help them much with homework,.. they didn’t really need my help, they were so smart. What they did need was enough interest to keep them engaged, challenged and open to sharing. I was lucky, I had a family to help me with raising my girls. Meeting Kris brought all the fun and excitement of those days back again!

When I met Kris, there was an immediate bond, from the first hug, and the first conversations. I saw what I had seen in my children, all over again. Before me was one of the brightest, creative little intellectuals I have ever met. You all know that I am always amazed with talented, creative people and constantly seek to learn what I do not know, but who would have thought I’d learn so much from a 7 year old!  The family stayed with me, so we had lots of time to fill. It’s been a while since I have had little ones, and being  pack-rat I am, I had saved those board games, the ones typical for a 7 year old, like Candyland, Sorry, Battleship. However, I knew immediately, these would not do for this 7 year old. His language, and reasoning skills were far beyond those games, so we pulled out Pente, Othello, and eventually Chess. Yes Chess! ( which he learned immediately!) Kris swiftly beat me at several games, you know.. I was going to take it easy on him at first. that lasted just one game. After that, all bets were off, and at that point it was every man or woman for themselves!

I was lucky being able to spend the better part of a day with Kris in downtown Tallahassee at Kleman Plaza. We visited the Florida Museum of History, talked about and stood with the Seminole Indians and a giant Mammoth. We explored a riverboat deck and a citrus packing plant, we listened to the radio broadcast of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s address following Pearl Harbor. We completed a scavenger hunt took a photo beside  a movie poster of Alec Baldwin,..who he resembles, only pint sized. From there, we explored the Mary Brogan Science Museum learning how sound travels, about weight distribution and gravity. We walked through and art show and saw a jacket made of staples, millions of them.. and we both wondered why that was art. We watched two 3-D movies at the IMax theater about the filming of an African safari, and lastly Puss N Boots – the highlight of the day. Tallahassee, Florida has a lot to offer kids from museums, science, recreation to nature.

More than the games, there was the conversation and the amazing depth of compassion for others, and his inherent understanding of the literal and the figurative, of reality and of creativity. Kris probably doesn’t realize at his age the potential he possesses, but I do. I wonder do his teachers know, do others notice or take the time to explore and uncover the layers of his personality and knowledge to get to his core. The possibilities for Kris are wide open. Will our world be big enough for him, will our society value his offerings? Those are the questions I have and was left with as he traveled home.  I can only hope so. He is our future, and the future is bright! I can’t wait for Kris to return to Tallahassee and our next big adventure!  Debbie and Kris’s Big Adventure