Nicole R. Grier, Realtor

Gulfport/Biloxi Airport Dedication

Tuseday Februray 19^th I was lucky enough to attend the dedication ceremony for the re-opening of the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport. It has taken nearly 4 years to complete but the airport has now nearly doubled in size and plans are still underway for more personalized services and accommodations.  In fact, anyone driving by can see the land that has been cleared which is reserved for the projected Business

The dedication ceremony began promptly at 4:30pm in the front entrance of the main building and included speeches and the ribbon cutting by several key figures. The event was then followed by a reception on the 2^nd level of the building.  A local band played regional music which provided a warm and inviting environment.  Lookout 49 was on site supplying us with an array of tasty appetizers as the event attendees mingled throughout the complex exchanging greetings and stories of bigger things yet to come for the coast.

As I mingled through the crowd my husband (a former Marine) suggested I take a look at one of the newer additions to the airport that he was most excited about, the USO Lounge.  Prior to viewing the lounge I was familiar with the USO and their support of the military and their families. I was not aware however that among the many, many, many services and accommodations they provide, that numerous airport locations actually house a “lounge” created specifically for service men and women traveling to and from.  As I walked into the Gulfport/Biloxi “USO Lounge Area” I was swept with several emotions. 

Inside the room is a beautiful desk where military travelers can access Free Internet and E-mail to touch base with their loved ones at home while traveling.  There is an entertainment/lounge area with a large screen TV and multiple cushy seats were our weary soldiers can relax or snack as a stocked fridge and pantry await them.  The area also provides lockers (or more like custom-built shelving) where they can safely store their “gear” while enjoying this “home away from home”.

As I was departing my tour of the lounge, a handful of Navy men and women were gathering their items to prepare for departure.  I gave them a huge smile and nod of the head as I tried to squeeze back the tears of pride welling up inside.  The USO has provided unparalleled support to our troops in countless ways both big and small.  With this newest addition to the Gulfport/Biloxi Airport hopefully the numerous service people traveling through our city will feel a sense of that support and appreciation.

The USO is a non-profit organization which relies solely on donations and volunteers.  You can help by contacting your local USO office to find out how you can help support the cause.  I know I will!

Go to www.uso.org to locate the center nearest you!

Baby Cy turned 1!

Vince and Melissa Guillory purchased a home from me after the New Year.   Yesterday their sweet son Cy turned 1 and my family and I attended his Birthday Party at their new home.  Although they have not yet officially moved into the house they have painted several rooms. They also had purchased new furniture which had been delivered prior to the party.The dining room and kitchen was painted a wonderful “safari yellow” which complemented the freshly painted “tan” in the living area.   And the new modern style furniture in coordinating colors just brought everything together.  It was so refreshing to be able to see the updates they have done after the sale.   When working with buyers (which is my specialty) I often only get to see the pre-sale home.  Of course the buyers and I almost always discuss the minor updates and decorating they plan to undertake once the house closes.  But it is always a thrill for me to see “the finished product” once a new buyer (my new buyer) has moved into a residence.  Vince, you did a great job with the pressure washer.  Who knew the house was in need of such a bath?As much as I enjoyed viewing the way the Guillory’s put their own tastes and personality into the home, the most memorable part of the day was seeing sweet Cy (who I got the privilege to see grow in him Mama’s belly) turn into a big boy!Happy Birthday Cy!  I look forward to sharing more birthdays with you in the future!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all and well I guess Happy Mardi Gras and Valentines as well. It feels like such an accomplishment to be writing today! I started my Web page in the summer of 2007 with much trepidation and only a few random entries. After my initial excitement, I seemed to have forgotten my web page even existed. Well no more of that! I made a promise to myself (at the stroke of midnight 2008 and after a few Grey Goose shots as well) that I would stay active with my blog writings this year. Guess I didn’t take into effect how other items (such as my so called life) would prevent me from doing so until mid-February. I have always thought of myself as extremely organized and a devout list maker and so I was shocked to notice that “Write on your blog” which was listed at the top of my To-Do-List slowly kept trickling down the page until it was no longer on my list at all.

In all honesty, I think maybe subconsciously I was stalling on purpose. My hesitation though came from the following thoughts. “What on earth would I talk about and who would actually care?” After a suggestion from my boss and dear friend Damion, I started to cruise the web and read other blog pages to see what they had to say. Prior to doing this my only experience came from my weekly peek at perezhilton.com – My secret deep pleasure by the way. I was completely blog illiterate.

I am happy to report that I am no longer in a state of confusion as to how this whole blogging world operates. Someone summed it up best when they said, “Hey Nicole, just use your blog as a personal on-line diary”. AHHHHH!!!!! The light bulb came on! It has now become ALL to clear. I mean, I’m extremely social and LOVE to tell stories when gathering with those whom I love, know and meet everyday. I can now do the same on my blog! So it is only befitting that my first REAL blog begin today. Februrary 14th. The day reserved by American’s to celebrate love and everything pink (which of course is my favorite color).

So to all my friends, family and anyone else interested in what I have to say: Give yourself a big HUG and wear something pink today!

Flower Arranging

With the holidays right around the corner, there’s nothing sweeter than a well place floral arrangment to set the stage.   Here are 8 easy steps to make your own arrangements.

Items Needed:  Shears, floral foam, finishing spray & vase.  *And of course don’t forget your favorite blooms and a few accents such as ivy or baby’s breath.

1. Cut floral foam to fit snugly into your desired vase.

2. Place the foam in a bowl first and completely soak with room tempature water.

3. Place foam in vase - be sure vase is cleaned first.

4. Remove all thorns and trim stem to desired length.    Your blooms should sit approximatley 1-2 inches from the rim of your vase.  Be sure to also trim any leaves that would be below your water line.

5.  Insert each stem into the foam.  Do not insert stem more than an inch into the foam.

6. You will insert each flower (1 at a time) working from the outside in. You can ivy or other other accent items to fill any holes.

7.  To preserve the life of your arrangement be sure to spray it with some type of sealant.

8.  Be sure to water daily and keep out of direct sunlight!

Tips found in August Issue of Instyle Magazine.

Relax your room

Ready to sell you home?  Need inexpensive ideas to stage a room?   Or just looking for ideas to update a room in your home?   Creating a calm and serence space may be just what your looking for.   Using light colors will transform your room into a tranquil and stress-free space. 

 I recommend using a fresh white paint or soft taupe, nothing to stark - your going for that zen felling. You can also use leftover paint on any wood furniture you have. Another ideas is to use a furniture slip color in a light, cool color.  If you don’t have the money for a slip cover or can’t find one to fit your furniture then use blankets in a cool material.  Just drape them over your existing furniture to create a peaceful environment.

Want to add a few more touches?  Add white or taupe candles throughout the room as well as a vase full of flowers to match! 

Home Prices Expected to Recover in 2008

Home prices are expected to recover in 2008 with existing-home sales picking up late this year and new-home sales rising early next year, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors®.

It is definatly a buyers market right now! Even after the shortage of homes along the Gulf Coast direclty after the Hurricane, we have now settled into a buyers market like the rest of the nation.  Many developers and builders pushed overtime to ensure that affordable housing was available to those in need.  However, now that the housing demands have slowed the market is becoming more in tune to the buyers advantage.  Going forward, with the addition of  new businesses popping up daily there is becoming a demand for an increase in the workforce. These new businesses will effect our economy in a positive wya and we will see the market shift again in the very near future.