2008 Fun Day at the office

Friday, Oct. 31, 2008

Happy Birthday to Claude --- he hit the big 40 today. I know I don't look old enough for my baby to be 40 ----- I am just well preserved!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Halloween ---- The Johnnie Dodds office is hosting a Halloweenie Roast today at 12 noon --- will show you how much fun we are having:

Left to right: Liz (The Pink Lady), Rick Sanchez (the clown), Linda Vincent (a pink witch), Becky Hayward (a pink witch), Jenny Welch (a pink witch), Kimberly Bessinger (Minnie Mouse), Liza Valero (leather rock & roll chick)

Ed Ball did double duty ---- Halloween and Red, White & Blue ----- He is great!

On the left is Hope Rogers in her biker jeans with the leather --- adorable!!!!

On the right, Evelyn Elkins with her Dad, Eric ---- just precious!

On left: Rick, Bill, Millard, Mike & Stan

On the right: Millard, Susie & Mike

On the left: Stan, Deepa & Jason

On the right: Melanie, our Title Lady

Liza in a 50 year old dress made by her grandmother

Our Witches On the Left: Clara, Becky, Linda & Jenny

Boyd(The Business Man) & Joe (The Realtor)

And a wonderful time was had by all. We look forward to 2009.

Until Later ----

Liz Loadholt

A Fun Day in the Office

Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008

Photos from 2007

Tomorrow is Halloween ---- Johnnie Dodds is having a Halloweenie Roast at 12 noon ---- any and all are welcome ---costumes are preferred, but not required. Donations for Breast Cancer Research are accepted, but not required.

In the offices today:

Santee: Ricki Williams, Susan Stroman, Jill James, Martin Ridgen, Neil Pepple

Johnnie Dodds: Currie McCullough, Ashley Melton, Stephanie Wilson-Hartzog, Becky Hayward, Susan Bryant, Kim Beall, Stan Huff, Max Hill, Tim Rogers, Mike Terry, Rick Sanchez, Joe Eddleman

Manning: Alfred Kelley, Charley Schmidt, Joette Wielicki, Belinda Jordan, Shaun Richburg, Billy Geddings, and Deborah Ridgeway. Also in the office – Carol Jo Horne/Residential Mortgage.

Sumter: Kim,Kathy,Sylvia,Pat,Jo,Shirley,Marion,Tim,Corrie,Mary.......Holly

Boyd & I went to vote absentee today --- there was a huge line

--- but it moved pretty well. This was one advantage of being over 65. This took up most of the afternoon.

Until later -----

Liz Loadholt

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008

Last Friday I had a very pleasant surprise. Not only did a large # of our agents turn out in red, white & blue to show support of our troops, but our newest recruit, Tammy Cupp, showed up in Mt. Pleasant in her red, white & blue.

Welcome to Tammy Cupp, formerly with Wyboo Plantation real estate. She shows upfront that she fits right in with our family. I was impressed when she arrived in her red, white & blue.

Tammy is a patriot.

How did your denim & pink day turn out? A Johnnie Dodds, we had a very large # of folks in pink and denim ----including Boyd & Liz

In the offices today:

Manning: Bo King, Peggy Haley, Angie Jordan, Joette Wielicki, Billy Geddings, Deborah Ridgeway, and Yana Mathis.

Santee: Susan Stroman, Jill James, Neil Pepple, Martin Rigden

Johnnie Dodds: Stan Huff, Bill Knight, Becky Hayward, Susan Bryant, Marilyn Durkee, Joe Eddleman, Betty Pigott, John McBride, Beth Walden, Lane Baker, Mike Terry, Tom Nelson, Mary Nielson, June Kemmerlin, Amee Baker, Susie Schumm, Jason Ogden, Eric Elkins, Rick Sanchez, Tim Rogers (Hope Rogers).

Congratulations to Susie Schumm --- she got a duty call today to write a contract.

Focus Group today was very good --- Liza Valero did a presentation on "Building something to sell" --- she shared some of her ideas of "thinking outside of the box".

Remember: This Friday is Halloween ---- Johnnie Dodds is having a Haloweenie Roast at 12 noon --- you need to wear a costume and hopefully donate to Breast Cancer Awareness --- fee the Pink Pig ---anything will do --- $1, $5, $10, etc. --just stuff it in the Pink Pig.

We want everyone to come --- if you really, really don't want to wear a costume, come anyway.

Reminder: Fridays are red, white & blue day-------- I know that Friday is Halloween, so you will be forgiven this one time if you dress in Halloween rather than the red, white & blue.

I know the market stinks right now and a lot of you are having tough times.

Just think how happy you'd be if you lost everything and everyone you have right now, and then somehow got everything back again.

When I think of my problems, it helps to remind myself I'm not alone. We all have problems. So many, so much bigger than mine, no matter how big your problems are, someone has even bigger.

Take Christopher Reeve — just before his death, he said:"ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN to anybody. In the last movie I did, Above Suspicion, I played a paraplegic. I went to a rehab center and I worked with the people there so I could simulate being a paraplegic. And every day I would get in my car and drive away and go, "Thank God that's not me." I remember the smugness of that, as if I were privileged in a way. And seven months later, I was in this condition. The point is, we are all one great big family, and any one of us can get hurt at any moment... We should never walk by somebody who's in a wheelchair and be afraid of them or think of them as a stranger. It could be us — in fact, it is us."- Christopher Reeve

Until later -----

Liz Loadholt

It's a Pink Day in the Office

This blog presented by AgentOwned Realty for the Charleston, Sumter, Manning and Santee, SC markets ---- visit http://agentownedrealty.com

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008

We have a lot of folks wearing denim & pink in the Johnnie Dodds office today --- making a donation to Breast Cancer Research for the privilege of wearing jeans to the office. Those in the office today wearing jeans & pink are: Ken Kurtz, John McBride, Jenny Welch, Linda Vincent, Billie Jo VanDusen, Kimberly Bessinger, June Kemmerlin, Tyler Bergin, Kim Beall, Becky Hayward, Brianna Harmon, Susan Bryant, Delores Johnson, Bambi Magraw, Mike Terry, Stan Huff, Joe Eddleman(wore a pink ribbon), Stephanie Wilson(wore a pink ribbon), Ashley Melton(wore a pink shirt), Bill Knight(wore a pink ribbon)

Sumter office: Kim Peasley-Parker, Pat DelBeni,Shirley Fields,Natalie Roberts and
Holly Racer also in the office: Corrie Stewart


On a different note--- Clara Hahn sent me the following email after my blog regarding red, white & blue day last Friday: "I was wearing Red White and Blue: My lips are red, my eyes are blue and my hair is "White"". Clara the Pinhead Hahn
Clara, my apologies to you --- you are a patriot!


Sorry, today has been very hectic ---- did not get to do any more

Until later ----
Liz

Friday was a Great Day - Rain and All

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008

By the way, I just discovered today that our subject to financing contracts no longer have the clause that says that anything attached to the house stays, such as mirrors, etc. Thanks to Currie McCullough & Susan Bryant for pointing this out. You need to be very careful when you write a contract to be sure to include all fixtures that are currently attached.

I didn't want the week to end without my letting the group know how proud I was on Friday with the amount of patriotic red, white & blue that was exhibited.

Johnnie Dodds:
Being Patriots: Jenny Welch, Linda Vincent, Becky Hayward, Kimberyly Bessinger, Billie Jo Vandusen, Stokes Gramling, Stan Huff, Greaton Sellers, Betty Pigott, JoAnn Hicks, Ed Ball, Susan Bryant, Eric Elkins, Liz Loadholt (of course), Boyd Loadholt, Max Hill, Elaine Buckholtz

Being Pin-Heads (no red, white & blue):
Tim Rogers, Jason Ogden, Tyler Bergin, Currie McCullough, Joe Eddleman, Lane Baker, Bill Knight, Ken Kurtz, Liza Valero, Delores & Barry Johnson, Brandon Call, Bonnie Simpier, Millard Smith, Michael Whitfield, John Bedkroge, Mike Terry, Marilyn Durkee, Deepa Patel, Pete Steward, Don Davidson, Clara Hahn

Manning office:
Being Patriots: Lola Bradshaw, Belinda Jordan, Deborah Ridgeway, Shaun Richburg, Billy Geddings, Peggy Haley, Alfred Kelley, Joette Wielicki and Charley Schmidt.

Being Pin-Heads:
Bo King, Angie Jordan, Celina Gleason

Santee office:
Being Patriots: Jill James ,Angie Williams

Being Pin-Heads: Susan Stroman

Sumter office:
Holly has been too busy to send me updates lately ---- but I did get this in an email from Kim Peasley-Parker:
"Ok Liz, before you call me a pin head I must say this in my defense. Last night at 10 PM I realized my red, white and blue outfit was in the hamper to be washed. I spent the past two nights cooking home cooked meals for a friend of ours who just got back from Iraq on Monday. So please take mercy on the non red, white and blue people today as it was just too late to start laundry and I was just too tired. (Ray and I have made him au gratin potatoes from scratch, venison tenderloin, home made pulled pork barbeque and beer can chicken in the past two days. How is that for patriotic?)"

Wow---- how more patriotic can you get than that? You are forgiven for not wearing your red,white and blue. Thanks for being a Patriot!

Last week was so hectic with the quarterly meeting preparations as well as a potential law suit that I am desperately trying to keep from going that far. I will let you in on the facts later. Is all very interesting.

Until later -----

Liz Loadholt

It's a Great Day in SC

Monday, Oct. 13, 2008

This blog presented by AgentOwned Realty for the Charleston, Sumter, Manning and Santee, SC markets ---- visit http://agentownedrealty.com

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Johnnie Dodds is having a "Denim & Pink" Day
-- each person will wear jeans (or denim of any kind) with a pink shirt or at least something pink -- In order to dress this way, you will make a contribution to Breast Cancer Research --- $1, $5, $10, $20, etc --- whatever you feel you can do. I would like to ask the other offices to do the same. Johnnie Dodds has chosen Wed., Oct. 22, 2008 for its Denim & Pink Day.


Did you hear about the Pink Ribbon Tour 2008? I had read about it in the paper -- These firefighters pulled a breast cancer awareness ribbon statue on a trailer headed across the country touring --- the trailer was pulled by a pink firetruck. Mike Terry of the Johnnie Doddds office was a sponsor in the Charleston area. As a matter of fact, Mike Terry wrote an article for the Full Throttle magazine about it. Thanks, Mike.

Here is a quote from Dave Grabill who organized the "Guardians of the Ribbon" tour: "I believe that we are only limited if we choose not to see the beauty of life and what it means to be here on this planet. It is a short time; we need to touch as many lives as possible, so that when it is over, we will have touched lives of people that we have never met."

What a great quote ---------

If you are a breast cancer survivor, please email me.



In the offices today:
Johnnie Dodds: Ken Kurtz, Susie Schumm, Betty Pigott, Mike Terry, Bonnie Simpier, Max Hill, Susan Bryant, Tom Nelson, Currie McCullough, Greaton Sellers, Tim Rogers (and Hope Rogers),Becky Hayward, Bill Knight

Manning: Alfred Kelley, Celina Gleason, Deborah Ridgeway, Belinda Jordan, Peggy Haley, Angie Jordan, Mary Partee, Bo King, Billy Geddings, Shaun Richburg, and Carol Jo Horne.

Santee: Neil Pepple, Jill James, Ricki Williams, Angel Griffin, Susan Stroman, Jan Lovell

Until later ----
Liz Loadholt

Showing support for United States Troops

Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

This blog presented by AgentOwned Realty for the Charleston, Sumter, Manning and Santee, SC markets ---- visit http://agentownedrealty.com/

These are the patriots from Johnnie Dodds and Isle of Palms offices today: in photo from left bottom row: Delores Johnson,

2nd row: Linda Vincent, Kim Beall, Kathleen Emry, Kimberly Bessinger, Susie Schumm, Becky Hayward

3rd row: Jenny Welch

4th row: Chris Borders (you may think he does not have all 3 colors on, but look at his blue socks), Clara Hahn, Peggy Reese, Billie Jo Van Dusen (notice her great scarf), Liz Loadholt, Heidi Hildreth (and Tristan), Mary Nielson,

5th row: Stan Huff, Elaine Buckholtz, Ed Ball, Susan Bryant

6th row: Bill Knight, Ken Kurtz and Greaton Sellers

Then we had the following come in after the photo in their patriotic colors: Bobby Crouch, June Kemmerlin

Sumter Office: Sylvia, Kim, Shirley and Kathy all proudly wearing Red,White and Blue...including myself......Holly

Manning Office: Belinda Jordan, Lola Bradshaw and Ashley Ardis

Santee Office: Kim Matthews, Martin Rigden, Susan Stroman, Jill James & Angela Williams

Guys, you are awesome ---- we get better every week. We are getting other people's attention.

The Moultire News which is a local Mt. Pleasant newspaper, did an interview with me this morning regarding our "Red, White & Blue Fridays" and took the group shots that I have included in the blog. They will publish the story next week.

Troops of the United States, we are very proud of you and we appreciate you. Thank you for giving us our freedom.

Until Later ----

Liz Loadholt

A Big Day in Sumter, SC

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008

This blog presented by AgentOwned Realty for the Charleston, Sumter, Manning and Santee, SC markets ---- visit http://agentownedrealty.com/

We had a session in Sumter today at the Sumter Assoc. of Realtors ---- Introduction to AgentOwned Realty.

We have so many agents new to AgentOwned Realty in the Sumter, Manning, Santee offices that we needed to help them understand all the wonderful things that AgentOwned offers to its sales associates.

We had in attendance:

Sumter office: Kirk McLeod, Kim P. Parker, Holly Racer, Sylvia McCabe, Shirley Field, Kathy Farley, Pat Del Beni, Jo Milkie, Natalie Windham, Corrie Stewart, Mary Grant

Manning office: Debra Gleaton, Ashley Ardis, Joette Wielicki, Mary Partee, Lola Bradshaw, Charley Schmidt, Belinda Jordan, Bo King, Alfred Kelley, Yana Mathis

Santee ofice: Angel P. Griffin, AngelaWilliams, Richard Williams, Martin Rigden, Jill James, Susan Stroman, Neil Pepple, Jan Lovell, Kim Matthews

Thanks for the participation today.

Until later

Liz Loadholt

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008

This blog presented by AgentOwned Realty for the Charleston, Sumter, Manning and Santee, SC markets ---- visit http://AgentOwnedRealty.com

Happy Birthday to Daisy Simpson of the Manning office & Neil Pepple of the Santee office.

In the offices today:
Manning: Angie Jordan, Joette Wielicki, Carol Jo Horne, Shaun Richburg, Peggy Haley, Charley Schmidt, Billy Geddings, and Belinda Jordan.

Johnnie Dodds: Mary Nielson, Clara Hahn, Delores Johnson, Nancy Wilson, John McBride, Kim Beall, Roe Gabriel & Ed Ball attended Focus Group today ----- the topic was "Mold and Radon" ---those of you who have not been in one of Rodney's sessions is missing out. There are really some serious things that you need to know.

Santee office: Neil Pepple ,Jill James, Martin Rigden, Ricki Williams, Susan Stroman, Kim Matthews -

A little bird told me that Angie Jordan's younger daughter just got engaged while in France up in a hot air balloon. How exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until later ----
Liz Loadholt

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008

This blog presented by AgentOwned Realty for the Charleston, Sumter, Manning and Santee, SC markets ---- visit http://AgentOwnedRealty.com


In regards to my question about whar are you doing to be successful in this real estate business, here are some more answers:

Susan Stroman of the Santee office writes: "Hi. LizI have been calling my past clients and sellers and giving market updates and just saying "HELLO, I'm Still here and working". I also have been ASKING for the business.>From doing this I had 2 appointments yesterday and have one past client wanting to sell and buy a waterfront house. Susan"

Dynamite, Susan -- this is what we need to be doing: Calling past clients ----

Jim & Maria Hart with Johnnie Dodds office write: "Hey, Liz. Maria and I have been making it a point to contact our sphere of past clients to make sure that they are thriving in today's market. We feel that this is a great time to touch base to let our clients and friends know that we are still here for them, even after closing. Everyone, so far has been excited to hear from us. We also found this to be a great chance to remind them to refer any friends and family who are looking to sell or purchase. As well, we are focusing extremely heavily on our Internet exposure. Thanks and we hope that you have a great day, Jim "

There we go again --- making those calls ---- thanks, Jim & Maria

Melinda Mitchell of the Isle of Palms offices wrties: "I am still working full-time, seven days a week. I advertise all my listings in the Post and Courier every weekend and receive calls off my ads every weekend. I follow up more with those potential buyers than I used to. I am still getting a lot of calls off of my yard signs. I do not put brochure boxes out unless the owner insists. I would rather talk to the buyers.
I have two vacant homes available for open houses every weekend. One is a townhouse on the golf course in Shadowmoss and the other is downtown in Wagener Terrace. If I were not keeping busy, I would be holding these homes open every weekend, but I could really use some help."

Melinda is working ----

Announcements:
Focus Group tomorrow in Mt. Pleasant: Rodney with Tremex will discuss the mold and radon issues. 9:00am

Thursday office meeting for Santee, Manning and Sumter will be held at the Sumter Assoc. of Realtors --- Topic: Introduction to AgentOwned Realty --- 9:30 am

In the offices today:

Johnnie Dodds: Tyler Bergin, Joe Eddleman, Stan Huff, Jason Ogden, Currie McCullough, Ken Kurtz, Betty Pigott, Amee Baker, John Beckroge, Tim Rogers (and Hope Rogers),Kay Kennerty, Susan Bryant, Peggy Reese

Manning:, Deborah Ridgeway, Joette Wielicki, Shaun Richburg, Bo King, and Billy Geddings. Lola Bradshaw, Angie Jordan, Peggy Haley, Belinda Jordan

Santee: Susan Stroman, Jill James Ricki Williams Martin Rigden, Neil Pepple and Jan Lovell

No word from Sumter today ---

Carrying a grudge is like a run in a stocking --- it can only get worse. Forgiveness is the answer.

Until later ----
Liz Loadholt

What can we do to succeed in this market?

Monday, Oct. 6, 2008

First thing we can do is to relax & have some fun


No, these photos are not of the same puppy. Yesterday, I picked up 2 puppies from Mandy Pittard --- you know, just to help her out. She had 8 puppies that she needed to get rid of and I wanted to be helpful. Seriously, you may remember that I told you Nellie didn't need me anymore ---she is out day and night now. I really missed that daily routine that Nellie & I had gotten into. Owen & Eliza (grandchildren) went with Boyd & me (Claude went to) to pick out our new puppies. We let Owen select his choice and Eliza select her choice. The deal that I made with Owen and Eliza is that I would take care of them. The one on the left's name is "Ox" (this is Owen's male puppy) --- one on the right is Eliza's and unnamed at this time ---she has come up with "Sparkle Eyes" and "Chocolate" --- we are still working on her name ---

On a serious note ----- I sent out an email today asking what are you, the agent, doing to keep yourself in the real estate business. I want to share some of the answers. Most important that you be doing something everyday.

From John Beckroge in Johnnie Dodds office: "Hey Liz: Things are popping. I have a ratified contract for 213,000...my listing on Indaba Way, I talked the buyer (who was represented), to use Gary Christmas, yea we will get title. Its cash so cant control that, closing in two weeks. I did an openhouse yesterday and met an awsome buyer. I have this week talked to an investor from NY, who I sold a house to in Park Circle, he now have moved here and is going to start buying up property, since its a real buyers market and he knows it. Im getting a new Listing on Thousand Oaks Cr, Crowfield, hopefully in by this weeks ending. And the biggie...My Dentist is giving me a pocket listing for his home on inwaterway, Wild Dunes, 3.4mil. This is the deal of a contact, he also is cutting back on his practice and wants to hook up with me to buy lots of chas. property....All this in the last week, I think I did too much praying, or maybe the bailout has helped the attitudes. Thanks...
John H. Beckroge, Realtor, ABR, CM, ePro ,Shareholder, Realtor of DistinctionWeb - http://www.buy-sellcharlestonrealestate.com/EM - John.Bjr@agentowned.com"

If that won't get you pumped up, I don't know what will.

Lane Baker of the Johnnie Dodds office: "Nobody told me its a bad market. I'm working everyday like its 2005. I'm diversified-and if this is a bad market???? Look out when I hit a good one. Thanks, Lane BakerAgent Owned Realty843-452-3192 direct843-725-6522 faxBaker@agentowned.commailto:faxBaker@agentowned.comwww.FindCharlestonHomes.com"
I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Millard Smith of Johnnie Dodds writes: "For the last several weeks I have been talking to past clients and customers about taking advantage of the good buys that are currently out there. In my entire time in realestate I have never seen such a great time to invest in property. Knowing up front that you are going to have to hold it for 2 or 3 years but after all your alternative is to put money in the stock market and I have never ever heard of a property being worth zero. Putting partners together is what I think is the answer for todays market. (who knows)"

A consistent theme from those who are being successful is "call you past clients/sphere of influence"

Kim Peasley-Parker of Sumter office says: " A few suggestions-

• Keep yourself educated and up to date on the market in your area. Be prepared to speak to anyone about how your market is different than the national real estate market. Also spend 30 minutes a day reading about real estate marketing or any other aspect to keep yourself educated.
• Use the slow time to work on your web presence- When you are in the thick of buying and selling, this doesn't happen like it should. But changes to your webpage should be as often as possible to increase web page search engine ranking.
• Use the knowledge you have worked on to blog about your local market. You will get calls believe me!
• Show up once in a while- Just being in the office you can exchange ideas and get some motivation. It is way easier to forget about your business when you are not around it hearing about real estate.
• Use the slow time to set up systems- Systems that help you in the busy times. Ok the old engineering nerd coming out, I have my own procedure on how to name files after I scan documents in a transaction. This helps me to remain consistent and not have to try and rely on memory. This can also be done for marketing and other business related activities. "

Great ideas --- learn to blog --- work on your web site -- almost all buyers go to the internet first --- before they get in touch with a real estate agent.

More to come tomorrow ---

Listings:

Johnnie Dodds: Currie McCullough - 1
Lane Baker - 1
Jim Hart - 1

Sumter: Pat Del Beni - 2

Manning: Belinda Jordan - 1

In the offices today:

Manning: Celina Gleason, Charley Schmidt, Alfred Kelley, Angie Jordan, Peggy Haley, Lola Bradshaw, Belinda Jordan, Shaun Richburg, Daisy Simpson, Joette Wielicki, Carol Jo Horne


Johnnie Dodds: Michael Culp, Stan Huff, Thea Riley, Tyler Bergin, Joe Eddleman, Jason Ogden, Susie Schumm, Currie McCullough, Ed Ball, Stephanie Wilson-Hartzog, Deepa Patel, Greaton Sellers, Tim Rogers, Becky Hayward, Bill Knight

Sumter: Jo Milkie, Sylvia McCabe, Kim Peasley-Parker, Pat Del Beni, Shirley Field and Corrie Stewart

Santee: Susan Stroman, Jill James, Ricki Williams, & Neil Pepple

Until later -------

Liz Loadholt

Thanks to our Troops

Friday, Oct. 3, 2008

List of our Patriots today:


Santee: Kim Matthews, Angela Williams

Johnnie Dodds: Chris Borders, Stan Huff, Billie Jo VanDusen, Jenny Welch, Linda Vincent, Becky Hayward, Bill Knight, Ed Ball, Kimberly Bessinger, Kim Beall, Tyler Bergin, Ken Kurtz, Stephanie Wilson-Hartzog, Susie Schumm,
June Kemmerlin
Sumter: Kim Peasley-Parker, Sylvia McCabe and Holly Racer








Pin-heads today:(those without red, white & blue):
Johnnie Dodds: Marilyn Durkee, Kay Kennerty, Sandy Nettles, JoAnn Leigh
Santee: Martin Rigden, Jill James
Sumter: Jo Milkie


Next Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, The Moultrie News will be at 824 Johnnie Dodds for an interview and a group photo --- they are going to do a story on our Red, White & Blue Fridays. Please JD and IOP agents be at the office at 10:00am --- they will do the photo at 10:30am --- please wear noticeable red,white & blue ---something that will show up in the photo



Personal story for you ladies and men:


I feel that I would like to share with you the details of my cancer scare----so that it may help or save you or one of your loved ones. Although mammograms are very important - critical- they don't always find the "c" --- I had a suspicious spot on a mammogram which led to a needle biopsy which lead to a lumpectomy --


The result of the lumpectomy was that there was something suspicious on the very edge of what was taken out, so the surgeon wanted to go back and get a larger piece.


Boyd & I did not have to think very long before we told the surgeon that we wanted the whole breast taken --- we didn't want to fool around and wish later that we had done this.


After the mastectomy, the results came back --- the area that was "suspicious" was benign, but there was another spot that was the "fast growing cancer" --- this was an area that would not have been found had we not done the mastectomy. Scary, isn't it?


In a follow up visit to the surgeon after the mastectomy, he said that I need to have mammograms every 4-6 months to carefully watch the other breast. Again, it did not take Boyd & me long to tell the surgeon --- "Let's get rid of the other one, too" --- 4 months after the first mastectomy, I had the 2nd one. They removed lymph nodes also. There was no other cancer found --- thank goodness!


I'm here to tell you that without the decision to have the mastectomy, I would probably be a very sick person today even if alive because the lumpectomy would not have found the "fast growing cancer".

The moral of this story: please, if you or one of your loved ones has breast cancer, have them think seriously about the mastectomy. It could save their life. It saved mine.


If you are a young person, don't feel that you are free ---- more and more young women are being diagnosed with cancer all the time. Please have those mammograms regularly and if cancer is found, think mastectomy.

Until later:
Liz Loadholt

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008

Remember that October is Breast Cancer awareness month.

Most of you probably know that yours truly is a breast cancer survivor. It sounds so weird just to say that ---- somehow, I feel distanced from it. I guess that is really good. Recently, Roper/St Francis Hospital asked if I would be in a campaign of theirs to raise awareness of breast cancer. I was pleased to do anything that I could to definitely raise awareness. Sometimes, I almost feel like it is a virus because I hear of so many women (young, middle aged and older) that have it.

The most important thing that you women (or you men make sure that your loved ones do) can do is to have regular mammograms ---- critical ---- early detection can save your life. Also, I am a big believer in having mastectomies if cancer is found in the breast. Why take a chance that it will come back? Sometimes, it is a really difficult decision, but one must decide which is more important --- living or possibly dying with cancer?

This is the ads photo that Roper/St Francis is using --on TV commercials, in the newspaper and billboards in Charleston. I will tell you that all 3 of us in the photo had mastectomies --- the Lady on the left, Lisa is an 18 year survivor, I am almost 3 years and the lady on the right, Melanie, is still undergoing treatment.

That's my sermon for today ---- please take this seriously.

Not really, I have one more issue: our Red, White & Blue Day

Another local soldier has given his life so that you and I can have freedom and peace of mind. He leaves behind his infant son and wife.

Please let's show our thanks by wearing red, white & blue on Friday --- that is tomorrow.

Join me in welcoming to our AgentOwned family in the Sumter office: Shirley Fields, Pat DelBeni, Marion Vaughn, Jo Milkie and Corrie Steward.

Listings: Our market appears to be turning (at least a little) ------ yeah!!!!

Manning - Belinda Jordan - 2

Billy Geddings - 1

Peggy Haley - 1

Santee: Lorraine Gethers - 2

Virginia Horry - 2

Johnnie Dodds: Jason Ogden - 1

Sissy Smith - 2

Rob Patterson - 3

Isle of Palms: John Beall - 1

Sumter: Geraldine Sanders - 2

Phyllis Babb - 2

Closings:

Johnnie Dodds: Lane Baker - BC ( used in house attorney) -- Yeah!!!!

Susan Aviles - LS

Sales:

Manning: - Lola Bradshaw - LS

Santee: Lorraine Gethers - BC - in house mortgage & attorney -- Yeah!!!!

Sumter: Kim Peasley-Parker - BC - using inhouse mortgage & attorney -- Yeah Yeah!!!!

Kim Peasley-Parker - LS

Kim Peasley-Parker - BC -- mortgage & title up in the air

Geraldine Sanders - BC - mortgage & tiltle - in house - Yeah!!!!

Johnnie Dodds: Holly Culp - LS

Rob Patterson -- BC - mortgage & title - in house -- Yeah!!!!

Sissy Smith - LS

In the offices today:

Santee: Ricki Williams, Neil Pepple, Jill James, Susan Stroman, Jan Lovell, Martin Rigden and Kim Matthews

Sumter: Sylvia McCabe, Corrie Stewart, Pat Del Beni, Shirley Field, and Kim Peasley-Parker

Johnnie Dodds:

Betty Pigott, Jennifer Nipper, Ed Ball, Joe Eddleman, Stan Huff, Holly Culp (& Ansley), Bonnie Sempier, Tim Rogers, Neil Schneider, Jason Ogden, Currie McCullough, Kathy Cottle, Susana Bryant, Marilyn Durkee

Momma Liz with Ansley Culp -----

Awareness is a major key to success. Keep your radar finely tuned. You never know where a good idea will come from or how far it will take you.

Don't forget our in house loan officers: Manning,Santee & Sumter --- Carol Jo Horne

Johnnie Dodds and IOP -- Becky Hayward & Bill Knight

Yes, they are still lending money ---- please check with them.

Until later ----

Liz Loadholt