Be a SMILE & MOVE kind of person!

Oh, I am SO in on this!

Drawing my affirmations this week!

Why you ask? Because it simply is more fun. More emotional and more creative. And because it takes more time and thought. The more time and thought we put in to what we D0 want, the better! I AM, I ALLOW, I HAVE and I hope you do too!

Rock your day, have fun in whatever you do and share that energy with every soul you contact today!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

14 things i love about living in the suburbs

as compared to previous post 13 things i miss about living in a central austin bungalow

1. a bathtub big enough for two and a separate shower. 
   
2. a kitchen that holds EVERYTHING, is big enough for a center island, and is open to the family room. 
   
3. a garage- this is my first time living with a garage and the first 3 months we lived here i always forgot to close it. my car is covered and always warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
4. the front sitting porch and the back hanging out porch.
5. our neighbors, (who called me whenever i left it open and asked if she should shut it for me). 
6. room for kids, kid friendly rooms, and kid friendly neighbors. 
7. planting trees and watching them grow year after year..
8. the wedding hot tub 
   
9. our neighbors--who gather most evenings for a visit on the curb while the kids run amok up and down the street. 
   
10. it was a completely blank slate when we moved in and i love to paint.
    
11. our neighbors and the neighborhood pool in the summers.  some days it is just us.
    
12. more house for less money, much more house and much less money. 
    
13. did i mention our neighbors and BOD (beer of the day).
    
14. bill and i started our life together here with the kids. 

13 things I miss about living in a central Austin Bungalow

as compared to the next post 14 things i love about living in the suburbs

1. the origional hardwood floors-  next to the real wood baseboards and the sound of a time before I was born that whispers when you walk. 
   
2. a long wide front porch overlooking a lush green lawn and yes, even the cars going by...a sitting spot for friends....wine with my girlfriends on that porch. 
3. screen doors.
4. wood windows all up in the spring and the layout of those open windows bringing a perfect breeze through the entire house. 
5. having a WHOLE bedroom as a closet. 
6. colorful flower gardens to piddle in after work and on saturday morning and the 3 rose bushes on the south side that bloom all year long. 
7. the 11$ cab ride from down town. 
8. sunlight in the family room with it's floor to ceiling walls.  the best spot for hanging out and my home office. 
9. the soft zen zoysia grass in the back yard surrounded by a perimiter of iris'.
10. being exactly 7 minutes from anything, everything, and everyone. 
11. color parties: The Fabulous Pink Party, The Blue Shasta, The Solid Gold Party, and countless dinner parties on the back deck. 
12. the doggy door.
13. falling in love with billy there in the spring of 06.

 

did you make a list today? here is mine

1. "I'm loving you on purpose today." Quote of the week from my fabulous and supportive husband.
2. Keeping the marriage a priority helps solve many of the problems that come up in life, and if problems do come up, keeping the marriage first makes handing the problems so much easier.  Thanks for the great chat baseball moms! 
3. I have 3 dogs. 2 of them are stalkers.  
4. The best place to allow sadness to wash over you is in the shower.  Get the release out, let it wash down the drain, and step out a new person. 
5. Blogging- love this little outlet. 
6. Ziz Ziglar and Brian Tracy's writings that help me every day of my life. 
7. My friends and family have way donated for the Hill Country Ride for Aids 09---thanks everyone for your support! 
8. My vacuum cleaner rocks----and sucks up my 3 stalker dog's hair!
9. Clean white sheets on the bed. 
10. Choices, Freedom and Dreams.  
11. The ressurection. 

These little lists really aren't for you except that maybe you will make a list of your own. A list of blessings, of smiles in your day, of things you are grateful for.  Focus on the good and be grateful. 

Happy Easter and may new life and grace bless you this week.  

it is just what I do.....explained for today.

There is a question I have asked many clients: “If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you do?”

The answer is scary and fabulous all at the same time for many of us.  Our thoughts and beliefs and “everydays” are made up of so many pieces.  So many voices and influences, it is often hard to listen to the quiet dreams of our hearts.  I know the quiet dreams of my heart, as I am always engaging them and nurturing them. 

Recently, a moment of past pent up hurt flashed that dream as a better alternative than what that present moment was offering me.  In a sensitive moment of feeling completely misunderstood (one of trigger spots I’m working on healing), my reaction was to remove myself from the pain and move toward the pleasure of the dream instantly and without regard for a community I not only belong to but actually, love.  Even if the end choice is good, we still have to remember that there is a path to that choice…..and spur of the moment choices can be dangerous for the surrounding hearts.  Personal and professional collateral damage. 

Question: Is it selfish to --AT TIMES--protect my own heart and values from the damage? I think not.  A team is only as strong as the weakest link, they say, I’ve come to believe that being my BEST self helps not only me personally, also all those I come in contact with and those whom I am in relationship with.  I spent up to about age 24 NOT taking care of my body, my mind, my heart, my spirit.  That certainly didn’t work.  Is it really possible to put others first and protect yourself?  Aren’t adults capable of taking care of themselves? When does looking out for everyone else steal from one’s own soul?   

 It is about being true to self. It is about not tolerating a cancer in an otherwise healthy body of this being. Even more than that, it really is about being free to be ALL that I’m am capable and destined to be. It is about expanding my wings and soaring. As a master soul coach, Nigel, spoke with me in February--it is about what is in my heart.  

In my heart, I help millions find a deep love for themselves –exactly for who they are—and I help them use that love to become all that they were meant to be for blessing their businesses, for blessing their families, for realizing their dreams, for honoring their spirits—and maybe—for the blessing the world. 

It’s just what I do.

Oh and, It’s not about the money. 

AMAZING photo called"It takes a silly girl to lie about the dreams she has. (210)" by whatmegsaid under a Creative Commons License.

the other allison crowe

This is the other Allison Crowe..... she sings well. I sing. Not well. 

How can you Austin SHOP & CARE at the same time?

 

Hi Allison! Remember to bring friends and join us tomorrow at Whole Foods Market! (both stores, Downtown and Gateway)   We'll be at the downtown store from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM with free coffee and Bicycle Sport Shop tech support for bicycle commuters, and will have a lunch and learn at both stores at noon.  This is an easy, no pressure way to let your friends learn about the Ride, and how they can participate.   Watching Austin embrace this Ride you have built is so exciting!   Not just for the community that is created, but especially for all the good that happens because you care enough to be involved.  Lives are saved, and we could never thank you enough.    A special thank you to Whole Foods Market for stepping up in such a big way to support your efforts, and to you.  Without you, this Ride would not be able to provide the life saving services for thousands of our neighbors living with AIDS.   If you have already donated or registered, thank you.  If not, you can make a huge difference by registering or donating now.   Peace, David C. Smith Executive Director   Hill Country Ride for AIDS P.O. Box 16529 Austin, TX 78761 512.371.RIDE (7433) info@hillcountryride.org Forward to a Friend | Unsubscribe

 

list for the day - weekend recap

1. Three crazy and always cozy dogs
2. Great neighbors on a Friday night
3. Sunday projects around the house
4. Pizza and Beer on a Saturday night
5. Sleeping late on Sunday morning
6. The Gallery above the Continental Club open again
7. Mike Flanigin and his B-3 Trio
8. Daydreams about rebuilding 4510 Bull Creek someday
9. A blanket and pillow on the front lawn in the sun
10. What are YOU grateful for this weekend?

Yep...I'm getting on the bike again for the Hill Country Ride for AIDS.

 

Yep, the economy is tight…we are all doing our part to save more and spend less. Today, I’m asking you to donate just a little of your hard earned and saved money to the Hill Country Ride for AIDS.  Click Here to Go Straight to the DONATE PAGE or read on to hear more! As you may already know, I have decided to participate again in the Hill Country Ride for AIDS. I am riding again not just because it is one of my favorite events, but more because there are even more people this year who need our help. They need us for basic services, things you and I take for granted every day. I need your help to reach my goal. Together, we are making a big difference. As part of the event, I pledged to raise money. You can make a donation on my behalf, to help me reach my fundraising goal. With the donations raised, Hill Country Ride for AIDS will provide life-saving support to thousands of people living with HIV and AIDS through the excellent work of 10 local AIDS services organizations in the Greater Austin area. Any amount you can give is great; I just appreciate your support. It is so easy to support this great cause - you can make a donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. Thank you for your support, I will keep you posted on my progress. Thank you for supporting me always, but especially in this challenge; you really do make a difference. Allison Crow Flanigin Click here to visit my personal page. If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://www.hillcountryride.org/site/TR/HillCountryRideforAIDS/General?px=1138061&pg=personal&fr_id=1080&et=S_jzlWcf2DNoUrQtbhlukQ..&s_tafId=11910 Click here to view the team page for Crow Flan Clan If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://www.hillcountryride.org/site/TR/HillCountryRideforAIDS/General?team_id=3970&pg=team&fr_id=1080&et=V9ZQ53MxnUYh7YUu7aEJYQ..&s_tafId=11910 Hill Country Ride for AIDS P.O. Box 16529 Austin, TX 78761 512.371.RIDE (7433) info@hillcountryride.org Forward to a Friend | Unsubscribe

 

The Allison Analogy of the Week. Is There Anything in Your Tub

In coaching REALTORS, conversations often take a turn to the feeling that nothing is happening and that momentum isn't building.  As I coach, visual images always come across my mind and this week the bathtub has found it's way in to a few sessions. 

Momentum in Real Estate -especially for a newer agent, is like this bathtub.

Take a look at this photo: Is there any water in the tub?

Most often, the answer I get is, "No, Nothing in the tub."  My response is, "How do you know?"

Then the light bulb goes on. There could be water in the tub, yet we can't see until the tub is full or overflowing. 

Daily activities -excuse me,   daily PROSPECTING   is the activity that fills the tub. Bit by bit, the tub fills. Agents may not have working clients, they may not be closing deals quite yet, but as I often say in individual coaching sessions, 

"The work you are doing, even now is earning you money and building your business." 

Starting a real estate career can bring with it a need for ridiculous faith especially when one is used to a "this-for-that" world where exchange of services or goods for money, or exchange of actions for results is immediate.  Ridiculous faith is only necessary because we may not be used to the 90 day, and COMPOUNDING effects of our efforts.  Sadly, many give up before the tub is full not even realizing that they were just days away. They pull the plug on the tub. 

Prospecting fills the tub. Each day the measure of fill is added to the previous day's fill.  Repeated activity over time gets results.  If you stop filling the tub, just because it feels or looks empty, then you are in effect, pulling the plug on past efforts. Tub empties. 

Then when you begin prospecting again, you are starting from an empty tub, rather than adding to fill from the day/week before.  Trust that your tub is filling.  As long as you keep the plug in, you can guarantee that in a 90 day period, you tub can now look like this: 

*Note...your tub may be full of clients....or time..

or freedom...or closings...or money.

Money isn't the prize....it is what the money provides. Having enough of it is often the cure for worrying about it and so money is what we chose to put in our tub. Besides, it is fun to envision a tub full of money.  

Get to envisioning, get to having ridiculous faith, and above all...GET TO PROSPECTING... 

Thanks to Jimmy Longacre  for illustrating this concept for me professionally.  Jimmy your creativity applied to my analogy is greatly appreciated and I know your creativity for your real estate clients will be too. 

Because it is the Daddy MAC... you might want to join...

This may be the BEST email I've received all week long. Thanks sis!

---------- Forwarded message
----------
From: Meredith Withers

Date: Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Subject: you might want to join...
To: Allison Crow


JOIN
Mac 'n' Cheese of the Month Club
What: Huge family-size portions of gourmet mac 'n' cheese sent to your
door every month. Next month — a Mediterranean version with feta, olives,
sun-dried tomato, and pesto.
Why: It's the daddy mac.
Where: Online at good-tastes.com.

--
Meredith
Withers

--

on CNN.com: Study: Experiences make us happier than possessions

 

Powered by           Study: Experiences make us happier than possessions - CNN.com*

list from last weekend

Last weekend was my birthday, and after a weekend full of love and attention and friends and family, here is my gratitude list:

1. The RED HOT 37 was a blast- I love sharing laughter and my home with tons of friends.
2. The generosity of my friends who blessed me in many ways on Friday. 
3. Homemade Mac-&-Cheese from Mali and Bill Hanna
4. Waking up to a completely clean house despite the party....thanks, Bill! You are the best.
5. Sleeping most of the day on Saturday. 
6. Working out Saturday afternoon. 
7. Sleeping last Sunday morning. 
8. Kentucky Fried Chicken and Milkshake cake with the WHOLE Crow clan at Mom and Dad's house. 
9. Mom-Mom, Poppy, Meredith, Peter, Cameron, Courtney, Joel, Chandler, Fi, NM, BC, and Bill...I love you all and thank you for hanging out. 
10. Mike Flan---thanks for taking Bill and I to the fun celebrity thing Sunday night. It was way cool to meet those folks---and to see Office Space with so much fun energy!

I didn't take my camera to Mom and Dad's....but we did get a good shot from the RED HOT 37 of the 3 Crow Sisters. 

My List for the day

List of the day comes from really trying to be focused on gratitude. So often the sky is falling around us and there is so much to worry about.  My lists are little efforts to put down in writing, and be grateful for- the simple things in my everyday life.  I encourage you to write down, everyday, a list of things you are grateful for....and see if your life doesn't get deliciously better real quick. As Dianna Kokoszka often says, 

Change the way you look at things,                                                  and the things you look at change.

1. Dinner with my family around this round table and goodthing/badthing conversation we play. Each person tells one good thing and one bad thing that happened that day. Even my teenagers will talk using goodthing/badthing. 
2. My teenage son Will is now driving his own vehicle....Parental Bus duties have dropped dramatically since he turned 16 (Lord, I am grateful AND please keep him safe). 
3. Honey Bunches of Oats cereal any time of the day for a tasty treat. 
4. www.LMCCB.com and all the training and great advice I got from Lee and Kimberley and Sherri --if your dogs are controlling your life get help! I look at my 3 dogs--and they are truly daily treasures in my life..and in my families-----> thanks to the training!
5. Teaching classes in our market center about things I'm passionate about or enjoy- how cool is it to get paid for this! 
6. Girl Scout cookies: Thin Mint and Lemonade. 
7. That Girl Scout cookies are only sold once a year.
8. clean sheets and a tightly made bed- thanks billy
9. My mother in law- I got a sweet card from her Saturday and It made me all warm and fuzzy. 
10. My own mom...who called me tonight and who is always there for me...is happy for me to come by anytime and who gifts me with fun socks on special occasions.