Downtown and Sanders Beach

National Rubber Ducky Day Jan. 13th

National Rubber Ducky Month!

Would you like a Rubber Duck keychain?  Call me 208-660-8207.

In 1970, Jim Henson performed the song “Rubber Duckie” as Ernie on Sesame Street, and the rubber duck bath toy has been an iconic American symbol ever since. Rubber ducks have been around since the rise of the rubber industry in the late 1800s, but no one knows their exact origin.

Did you know that in January of 1992, a shipment of 29,000 rubber duckies fell off a cargo ship in the Pacific Ocean? By 2007, the “Friendly Floatees” had traveled 17,000 miles around the world on the ocean currents. Some are still afloat today! Over the years, people reported sightings in Indonesia, Australia, South America, the Bering Straight, the Arctic, and (eventually) the Atlantic Ocean.

Happy Rubber Ducky Day!

What a privilege to live in this area!  There are so many wonderful ceremonies in town to honor and remember those brave Veterans!  As we all enjoy our three days of spring weather with family and friends, we also should remember those that served our country!    I will be enjoying the family gatherings and boating on the lake, but I will make a point to attend a couple of the scheduled events on Monday.  Check out this list: http://cindysweeneyhomes.com/custom1.shtml

If you’re lucky enough to be IRISH, then you’re lucky enough!  Today I am Irish, married to a Sweeney!

Sweeney is a surname that, though closely associated with Ireland, is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic MacSuibhne meaning “pleasant” or “well-disposed”.

The Sweeney’s trace their ancestry from Niall of the Nine Hostages, the fifth century High King of Ireland, through the eleventh century King of Aileach in Donegal who was Flaherty of the Pilgroms Staff. Following a family dispute over the succession of the Aileach kingship, Flaherty’s grandson, Anrathan, saiiled across the sea to Scotland. There, according to a sixteenth century family history preserved in the Royal Irish Academy, he acquired extensive lands in Argyll and married a daughter of the King of Scotland. The Sweeney (Spelt Suibhne, pron. in Irish Swivnah) from whom the family derives was a great-grandson of Anrathan who built Castle Sween in Knapdale, reputedly the oldest stone Castle in Scotland.

Here are some of my favorite Irish quotes:

Your feet will bring you where your heart is.

For an Irishman, talking is a dance.

An Irishman’s heart is nothing but his imagination.

When Irish eyes are smiling, watch your step.

May the roof above us never fall in.
And may the friends gathered below it never fall out.

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.

Bless you and yours
As well as the cottage you live in.
May the roof overhead be well thatched
And those inside be well matched.

Mothers hold their children’s hands for just a little

while…
And their hearts forever.

It’s true and I’m sure you’ve read all the newspaper articles and reports!  It’s happening here also!  We are seeing multiple offers within the first week a home is listed for sale.  Buyers are seeing the opportunities, while rates are low and home prices are low.  Foreclosed homes are fewer on the market.  If the trend continues, then our home values will go up!  Quoting:

The housing market is “on a sustained growth path,” according to the latest economic outlook by Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research Group.

“One of the key developments for the housing market last year was the general consensus that home prices, on a national basis, bottomed earlier in the year and continued to build momentum, exhibiting robust year-over-year gains unseen since the housing boom,” according to the report.

Housing inventories are at the lowest since December 1994 and fewer distressed homes have helped to lift home prices!

I was awarded the “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Coeur d’Alene Women’s Council of Realtors!  It has been a great year with this honor and also as 2012 Idaho CRS Chapter President and Coeur d’Alene Realtor of the Year!

I will continue with my commitment to my clients and to the Idaho Assocation of Realtors!