Looking ForwardWritten by Ray Shay

This past week our

Good Move Bernardo Moving!

family moved from 4S Ranch to the Del Sur Community.  We are always up for a new adventure.  While loading up the moving van, Theresa asked me where we should hang the below painting in our home.  A painting I bought when I was single, attending a Spanish language school in Costa Rica.  I enjoyed the school but the surfing, the food, and living with a local family made it a really cool experience.

I surprised myself when I bought the painting from a local vendor at a sidewalk shop.  I still recall standing in the driving rain as I reached into the pocket of my swimsuit to retrieve some American green backs to pay the artist.  He was so happy, it was money from Uncle Sam.  It reminded me once again how fortunate we are to be from this great country.  

Theresa looked at me a bit cross-eyed when I announced I was going to give the Costa Rica 

Costa Rica Painting

painting to AMVETS, along with a mountain of other "stuff" we had gathered over the years.  As her gaze lingered, I knew she was wondering why I was giving away the painting.  A painting I enjoyed so much and had a custom frame built for it.

Her reaction got me wondering why I do that; most people do not cast away material things they are very fond of.  I realized, for whatever reason, I tend to look forward.  I really don't look to the rear or to the sides of life very often.

I believe some of my perspective is due to how I was raised, but I think a bigger impact was from working emergency services for so long.  Long, before I became a real estate broker, I had the job that is referred to in police talk as, "pushing a beat car." The heat, five-o, fuzz, a host of names, all of which pertain to the same profession, law enforcement. 

 

In police work everyday is different.  I cannot recall a day on the force I did not have a hearty laugh at least once in the shift.   On the flip side, there were days or nights when I was a rookie that after hanging my gunbelt in my locker, I reflected extensively on how I had handled each tactical problem.

I found myself looking back a whole lot.  Then one sunny, July morning several vicious homicides occurred and I couldn't put the incident behind me.  I kept thinking, if only I had approached the business from the south instead of the west, I could have saved the victims.  A few weeks later another critical incident occurred that could have gone better, and there would soon be others.  All were instances where I desperately wanted to re-write history.

I felt like I was Maverick in Top Gun.  Loosing Goose had rattled my cage and I was all screwed up.  Life wasn't fair.  If God exists, why does he let these awful things happen? Viper should have pulled me aside and said, "Let it go Mav, I mean Ray.  You need to move on." I soon learned.

I learned after one shift in the field you are back in the blue uniform wearing that gold badge in about fourteen hours or less.  If you cannot focus on the here and now you are of no use to anyone.  You cannot keep looking back. It will drive you crazy and it will put your fellow officers and the public at risk.   

I am positive that the desire to change the past occurs to people in all professions and their personal lives. It may be a messed up prior marriage, a financial problem, a relationship with a family member or a parent, or maybe you just said the wrong thing and hurt someone's feelings you really care about. I humbly suggest we look forward and if you think you can mend it with a phone call or note, go for it.  Now is the time.

If it is like so many other things in life that you cannot change, then let it go. I still haven't let some things go, but I'm a work in progress. Looking forward just works better for me.

I also need to realize that turning the page on both the good and bad things in life is not really the right solution either.  Maybe I should keep that old painting that was bought during that warm summer rain, so many years ago.  It really was a great time and the glance in my review mirror does mean I am taking my eyes off the road in front of me or how beautiful the architecture is in Del Sur 

Del Sur Morning

I better follow my own advice before the AMVET truck gets here.  Like I said, a work in progress.   

Have a good week.  The weather should be sunny and warm!

 

Ray & Theresa Shay  

Info@TrustShay.com
 

  

Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved.  No duplication of this material without written consent of Shay Realtors.   

 

The Miracle Painting & HBO SportsWritten by Ray Shay

Take a moment and look at the below painting.  It is honestly a miracle.  If you are an employee of HBO Sports, or you ran, cheered someone on, volunteered, or supported our Annual 5K, 10K Thank You Run TM,  do me a big favor and smile because you helped make the, "Miracle Painting" possible.  

The Miracle Painting

Without you ... the painting on the left as well as future paintings likely would have never been completed.  The incredible man who created this work of art would have likely faded silently away, like an old weathered newspaper lying in someone's driveway. 

Why a miracle?  About a week ago, the artist, Francis Tsai was lying in his bed in a small town in Texas.  Linda, his loving wife cares for him around the clock as a respirator and other mechanical machines work with robotic precision to keep him alive.

The problem Francis is bravely confronting is ALS.  Over the last three years his quality of life has deteriorated to the point where almost all his muscles have stopped moving.  He can now only slightly move his mouth, his eyes and eyelids.  The rest of his body is now imprisoned with the non-reversible and quiet stillness of Lou Gehrig's disease. 

We found that medical providers, insurance companies, and  Government agencies will only fund equipment that is essential for survival.  They will not help Francis with unproven technology solutions which would nurture his brain and allow him to communicate with his family and say the things we all take for granted like, "I love you" or simply, "good morning."

Francis Tsai and Teddy

Teddy discovered any technology solution would have to go through a series of tests and evaluations before it could be "approved" and/or covered by insurance companies or Governmental agencies.   A marathon of approvals which Francis does not have time to wait for. 

Many of you may recall that Teddy approached Theresa and I a few months ago and asked for our help.  I wrote about our encounter and told you Teddy's name was, "Tatum."

I gave you a false name on purpose.  I was protecting both Teddy and Francis's identities, and their privacy.   I have since received permission to tell you their real life story.  To read Part one of their story which was published previously, click here for, "Tatum's Prisoner."

 

Teddy recently flew to Texas on his, "own dime" as they say and walked into Francis and Linda's Tsai's home.  Teddy was carrying a suitcase full of unproven equipment and a dream.  He so deeply wanted to help his long time friend to communicate with his family and return to creating beautiful paintings.  Artwork which had taken Francis to the top of the illustration and concept art/design disciplines, as well as the International Comic Art scene.

I personally think Teddy wanted to unlock what is being restrained in Francis's brain.  Art so unique and raw it was like a hundred young horses on a cold Nebraska morning, full of energy and an incredible desire to run free.  If Teddy could just unfold the newspaper.

Teddy had the idea to use some, "off the shelf" products and to integrate them with an eye tracking sensor generously provided by Tobii Corporation.  

Teddy quickly found after he connected Francis to the new system of computers and hardware that he had not only unfolded the newspaper of Francis's life,  but what was being held back actually exploded with a rainbow of colors, enthusiasm, and appreciation.  Within hours, Francis was again writing frantically about his thoughts, aspirations and of course, creating beautiful art.   

Linda and Francis Tsai with Teddy

This is where each of you come in.  Because of you, HBO Sports, and Tobii corporation and so many other people and businesses who supported the run, we were able to pay for the equipment through our non-profit, Helen's Closet.  Money that our Government, Insurance Companies and others wouldn't. What you accomplished should give each of you a very good reason to smile.

Teddy and all of you opened a vital door for an incredibly gifted man.  You gave back to him the ability to communicate with the people he loves, share his visions and make the most of his life before his time on this beautiful planet ends.  We all owe you each a sincere, "Thank You".  What you accomplished was amazing.

Here is another of Francis's many paintings.  Wow.  Click here to view many of his other creations 

"The Joker" by Francis Tsai

Have a great week.

If you wish to donate so more ALS patients can communicate with their families, nurture their brains and just maybe make something fantastic, please contact us or simply go to Helen's closet.org and click Donate Now.   

Have a great week!

 

Ray & Theresa Shay  

Info@TrustShay.com
 

  

Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved.  No duplication of this material without written consent of Shay Realtors.   

 

OPEN HOUSE 1/20/13

OPEN HOUSE

Sunday 1/20/13 from 2-4pm

553 Golf Glen

San Marcos, CA 92069

www.ShayRealtors.com

Virtual Tour

OPEN HOUSE 1/19/13

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday 1/19/13 from 1-4pm

8305 Katherine Claire Ln

San Diego, CA 92127

www.ShayRealtors.com

Virtual Tour

The Broker's Corner and Local Market Update

The latest news on local real estate by Ray Shay, Owner/Broker Associate of Shay Realtors of REMAX Ranch and Beach.  #1 in sales in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.

 

Upside down on your home and still struggling to make your payments?  Consider an Imminent Short Sale.  If you have kept current on your payments but have a valid reason you cannot continue, you may be eligible for a Imminent Short Sale.  The bank will pay all commissions and expenses to sell your home and the day after it closes escrow you can be eligible to obtain a new FHA home loan on a different home with only 3% down with   NO waiting period.  Call me for details at 858 449-4970.  

Local Market Update   

Home prices are continuing to climb and inventory drop.  We had about 40 people attend our open house on Saturday at a Del Sur Home.  We are fortunate that each of our open houses we have highly qualified loan officers present to answer any of your questions.  It is just another way we strive to provide a level of service you won't find anywhere else.

Prices continue to rise with start of the new year!

In the attached custom report, that is update weekly,  You will find easy-to-read graphs with statistics, and valuable information broken down into bite-size pieces about current market trends specifically for our 92127 zip code.   

    

Condo Report  and  Single Family Report 

Editor's Note: Thank you for the calls, texts, and emails about last weeks story, "The Fast Curve Ball."  Our family and our business are doing great and we are looking forward to moving to Del Sur. 

lnstagram and Teachers

Written by Ray Shay

Our deal with our three boys, Troy, Raymond, and Ryan is pretty clear.  Whatever social media program they have on their computer, I-phone, I-Pad or I-whatever, Theresa and I can review anytime, anywhere.   

Our son's know we will be checking on their Instagram and they will be held responsible for what they post or communicate.  As long as they do their "jobs" of maintaining very good grades, playing hard on a team sport, and being respectful and polite to others, we are all good.  Violate any of these rules and they loose the privilege of having access to any social media as well as the opportunity to explore the great outdoors.  

I recently happen to access our twelve year old son, Raymond's Instagram.  I saw some funny photos including a picture of a watermelon.  I saw pictures of him and his friends on his SDSC soccer team and a picture of us throwing snowballs at each other at Lake Arrowhead.   I then saw the following picture and writing he found somewhere on the internet and posted on his Instagram account.  I thought it was pretty cool he was honoring a teacher.  

While reading it, I felt the familiar pit in my stomach.  The sadness of the Sandyhook Elementary School tragedy will be with us for a very long time.  Some things you never forget.   

Victoria was an amazing hero.  I feel all teachers are heroes in a special way.  They don't have to sacrifice their own life to save a group of first graders to retain that title.  Teachers save our children every day after they walk through their classroom doors looking for a seat in a frequently over crowded classroom.

Call me crazy, but I couldn't be a teacher. I don't know how my sister Sharon did it. Too stressful, too many hyped up parents and how do you divide yourself up among all those eager children?   I would rather face an armed and barricaded parolee who vows not to return to prison than attempt to walk into a classroom and guide 35 young minds in the right direction.   

Teachers are really amazing people.  They get paid peanuts for all their hard work  and yet due to budget issues, they get to receive an annual registered letter from our School Superintendent saying this could be the year they will be fired.    

As I thought more of Victoria and the dreadful day the armed idiot entered her classroom, the more I realized I am not surprised by her actions.  Have you looked at your children's teacher's eyes when they greet our kids?  Have you noticed their smiles and the hand they often place on their shoulder? Have you noticed how often teachers from years past will ask about your children or call out their first name when they see them?

I have a simple explanation.  Again, call me crazy, but I honestly think the vast majority of teachers as well as principals and other district employees view our children as their own.  They would likely respond like Victoria and do everything they could to protect our children.  I can't think of many parents who would not sacrifice their own lives, so their children could live.

I think the love of your children is normally somewhere in the basic parts of your DNA.  I cannot say every parent has it.  Unfortunately in police work, I would often see the exception where for whatever reason that particular molecular did not connect.  It is not pretty when it happens.

I am thankful for Victoria, her family, and all teachers, administrators and volunteers who support, educate and protect our children. You made our son's Instagram post this month and he had 59 likes. Sometimes good things come in small packages.

You truly are our heroes.

Have a great week!

 

Ray & Theresa Shay  

Info@TrustShay.com
 

A Fast Curve Ball Written by Ray Shay

I enjoy baseball games, but I don't attend very many.  In fact, only a few games a year. I still like the ballpark. I think it is the fresh cut grass, teamwork, strategy, and how individual players or the team handles success or adversity.  

As I was thinking about baseball, I wondered if there is such a thing as a fast, curve ball.  I'll have to ask a baseball expert.  A pitcher normally either throws a fastball or a curve. I don't know a pitcher alive who could combine both of those pitches into a single throw of a smooth, white leather baseball, weighing by Major League Baseball regulation 1.09 (MLB link) between 5.0 and 5.25 ounces.

Regardless, a few days before Christmas, life threw our family one and it was a doozy. As we were hanging up Christmas lights outside our home with our kids riding their scooters and bicycles in our quiet culdesac, the fast ball came at us awful fast and then suddenly curved across our home plate and hit the catcher's mitt with a loud, "pop."  About ten minutes later, Theresa and I looked at each other and without saying a single word, we both knew it was time to move.  Our holiday priorities had suddenly changed. It was time to sell our home.

And we really like our home. As I stood in our backyard I thought about how much I would miss it and our precious neighbors. Most of us had camped out for our homes for about a week and I fondly recall our kids growing up in it.  I then thought momentarily, "I love this home. Should we really move?"  As the thought bounced around in my mind it suddenly seemed weird.  After all, love is the highest mark I can give anything in the world. Sticks and concrete just don't seem to merit it.  I reevaluated my position and thought privately to myself, "Ray, it is just a home."   I then repeated it several times out loud. "It is just a home."

Ryan, Raymond, Troy and Joey

About an hour later, we broke the news to our three boys, Troy, Raymond, and Ryan. They were amazing. Questions came pouring out of their mouths the way only young children can ask them. "Can we move to the Reserve Apartments? That would be awesome! Can we move near our friends? Dad, can we get a two story home with stairs?"

Then our eight year old son, Ryan popped the really big question. "Dad, can we take our couch with us?" I had to smile as I reassured Ryan we could keep our couch as well as each of them.  At that moment and several  times since, I wondered why Ryan's first thoughts of moving centered around an inexpensive  brown, leather, MOR Furniture couch which sits in our family room? Why the couch? 

We got so busy, I moved on to other things like painting and preparing our home for sale. Our home is now in escrow and it is time to start packing up and moving.  The short time on the market was due to it being listed at a fair price and also a reflection of the current real estate market. 

As we began filling boxes, I recalled the countless number of people we have helped to sell or buy homes for a wide variety of their own personal and sometimes private reasons, which are a result of all the different dynamics that leads someone to move. Some of the main reasons are job transfers, military deployment, divorces, marriages, down-sizing or even up-sizing.   Life is like a nine inning baseball game and the only consistent thing is there will be changes.  I think what is important is how you and your family personally chooses to deal with it.

Ryan Shay

 

The more I pondered the role of a home in someone's life I had to go back to the pure genius of our eight year old little boy, named Ryan Shay.  Kids are so honest and they say such valuable things, if we just take the time to listen. I kept wondering why was the very first thing Ryan blurted out was, "Can we take our couch?"

None of our boys once mentioned our swimming pool, jacuzzi, yard, our Culdesac, not the basketball hoop, not the pool table, single level home or our square footage. Their focus was more about twenty four square feet in our family room.  A place where we hang out eating popcorn, and I am known to frequently fall asleep while watching the latest teen movie or the X Factor.   A place warm and safe where they feel love of family.   It all comes back to the darn couch.  I determined our home does not define us. It just protects us from the cold and provides a place to feed our children.

The Couch

We may buy a new home or we may event rent for awhile.  But we will keep our couch and all three of our children. God did throw us a fast, curve ball. A pitch only he could make.   At the end of the game of life, this turn at bat will most likely result in a simplification of our lives and reduction of our expenses.  A life changing event that may ultimately turn out to be a blessing.  

A note to our boy's and many of our friends and clients who have bravely faced similar challenges.   The sunburned and overweight umpire may have raised his big right thumb into the air and hollered, "You're Out!" And the crowd has roared.  We won't throw down our bats nor our helmets, but simply flip them to the bat boy or girl and gather our gear from a fellow teammate.  We will all then slide on our old leather baseball mitts, pull down our baseball caps and be sure to put on a broad smile as we jog out for the next inning.    

How anyone handles adversity or success ultimately builds their character and is what makes us who we are.  Besides, we haven't even reached the seventh inning stretch.

Have a great week. 

 

Ray & Theresa Shay  

Info@TrustShay.com
 

  

Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved.  No duplication of this material without written consent of Shay Realtors.   

*OPEN HOUSE* Sunday, 1/6 from 1-3pm

3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathroom with Attached 2-Car Garage

Katherine Claire Ln

San Diego, CA 92127

$549,888 - $589,888

Welcome to Del Sur! This 3bedroom, 2.5bath well maintained home is nearby Shopping, Restaurants, Parks & the Award Winning Poway Unified School District. Come home to warm neutral flooring & walls with accents of white plantation shutter throughout. This home contains all the luxury you would expect complete with granite counters, matching stainless appliances & surround sound in the family room. Just steps away are the community Pool/spa, parks, & 18 miles of hiking trails.

Call for a showing today! 858-449-7355

JUST LISTED IN DEL SUR, 92127

3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathroom with Attached 2-Car Garage

Katherine Claire Ln

San Diego, CA 92127

$549,888 - $589,888

Welcome to Del Sur! This 3bedroom, 2.5bath well maintained home is nearby Shopping, Restaurants, Parks & the Award Winning Poway Unified School District. Come home to warm neutral flooring & walls with accents of white plantation shutter throughout. This home contains all the luxury you would expect complete with granite counters, matching stainless appliances & surround sound in the family room. Just steps away are the community Pool/spa, parks, & 18 miles of hiking trails.

Call for a showing today! 858-449-7355