Getting To Know Anna Banana!

What a fun challenge Kathy Streib and Carol Williams have created for us this month -  May ActiveRain Challenge; Getting to Know You. 

Honestly I had a blast answering the questions and having some fun this afternoon! Thanks Ladies. And.....I am sorry in advance my post is so long! I was having so much fun I just couldn't stop! Now that's a fun contest. Be sure to join in the fun for this months challenge!

1. What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My very first job was at a Sears Store in the Home Decorations and Sewing department. I loved it! I loved decorating with my Mom since I was 9 or 10, so it was right up my alley. And I also was a very good seamstress back then. They actually paid me more than the other workers cause I had more knowledge. and skill sets. I remember the older ladies coming in and asking me questions about either decorating or sewing and were quite surprised I actually knew something! I'm sure Kathy Streib can relate to this! They were so kind to me and encouraged me to keep learning.

2. How long have you been in the real estate or related service industry?

Since my twenties! I bought my first , what we call now 'flip' (back then it was called a rehab) while still in college. I turned it around throughout a summer and sold it in the fall. It paid for my tuition for the next year and covered a few contractor bills. I also was a designer and worked on many projects at the country club in Flagstaff AZ. I didn't get my license for several years but my goal was to sell homes in addition to design and rehabbing. Well design took a back seat and real estate quickly became a full time career. Again, I've been hooked ever since then! 35 years as a broker! Holy Smokes! it must be time to retire and go golfing with our resident pro Carol Williams 😃. Maybe I could learn a thing or a thousand from her!

3. What is your biggest fear and what have you done to try to conquer it?

I used to be deathly afraid of bees! Yes, those sweet little yellow things! When I was 3 or 4 there were a lot of bees in my shoe that I tied on tightand they stung me quite badly. From then on until my 30's I stayed as far away as possible from bees. Then one time while hiking the North Rim of the Canyon we had to pass through a field of flowers. You got it, loaded with bees. OMG my buddy had to talk me down off the clouds. And he did a good job of it as I learned that day to face it, stay calm and tell myself they were not going to sting me., I was fine. It worked. I have faced other 'so called' fears which I also learned which are simply the other side of coin - excitement. Changed my perspective! from then on!

4. What would you do if you knew you would not fail?

Become a world class golfer! Hands down if I had a chance to recreate my profession all over again that's what I would have loved to become.

5. What is a habit you would love to eliminate or change?

Hmmm a habit to eliminate. This really isn't a habit but I have severe arthritis in my feet and I no longer can hike the mountains behind our home. I'd love to change that and maybe some day there will be a way to do so. I always hold the hope!

6. What is your favorite meal (forget about calories or what you shouldn’t eat)

My favorite meal is when Gary grills steaks (he's so good at grilling makes me hungry now)! Add a lovely salad or corn on the cob and I'm a happy girl!

7. What is something you wish you’d done?

Well this kind of goes with the previous question. I wish I had chosen a better more experienced foot doctor that would have shown me a better way of dealing with my foot issue that started in my middle 50's. As it is, he was young and I learned last year that he gave me really bad information. Apparently that happens when they're new to the profession and trying to get their practice up and running. One thing I'm thankful for is my foot doctor I have now. He's helped me a lot this past year or so and tells me the honest truth.

8. Who has been most influential in your life?

My Mom! I think of her a lot just about every day. She was a very upbeat, funny and positive lady. She was also was very wise. She taught me how to treat people and to always be kind. Remember that old saying - if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything. That has been a Godsend! And she told me to ALWAYS keep my sense of humor in tact! Thanks Mom! I can still hear her telling jokes and laughing!

9. What are your favorite business-related books?

There are many. I was given a lot of business books early on in my late teens and twenties. Trying to think of the guys - all were positive thinkers. Think Big was one of the books. I also liked Stephen Covey's Seven Habits book back in my 40's. I've pretty much followed his ideas to this day. There is another book of whom I'm not sure who the author was - it's kind of a compilation of many business people. It was (is) all about leadership, the types of leadership and how to become at leader of oneself. Reminds me a lot of Grant Schneider!

10. Other than business books what are your favorite things to read?

I love reading cook books! Yup, I might be the only one who loves reading them and coming up with new ideas and putting together new recipes. And lately, this past 5 years we've really been in to bird watching and bird books as we have so many birds that love our backyard and water fountain. It's been fun to learn about all the different kind of birds.

11. What are your top 5 favorite movies?

Well my favorite is 'Second Hand Lion' - love that movie. 'A Fish Called Wanda' is another one that cracked me up. 'Mrs Doubtfire' was a hoot! And who doesn't love 'Young Frankenstein'! Plus we watch the original 'Bishops Wife' almost every Christmas for years with friends while sipping champagne. 'Ground Hog Day' and 'Caddy Shack'!

12. If I came to visit your city for one day what is the one thing I must do or see?

Well come to visit me of course! And perhaps we'd go to the Phoenix Art Museum and take in an exhibit or two and then enjoy a lovely lunch in their wonderful restaurant. Or we could take a lovely drive up to Sedona and enjoy the gorgeous scenery.

13. If I came to your city to visit for one day what is the one restaurant you would recommend?

Postinos! Love that place. Great food and wine and a lovely patio setting. We meet a lot of friends there. And many Rainers have come there with me already.

14. If I was going to relocate to your area what advice would you give me that is unique to the area?

Chose wisely. There are some pockets of neighborhoods that are close to a lot of nature preserves and not too far from the airport (if one needs to travel a lot). Gorgeous homes, big yards, patios, pools, golf courses.....fabulous views too!

15. Do you have any special talents?

Yes I am very good at negotiating contracts and working smoothly with people of all kinds. I know how to make things happen!

16 Do you have any quirks?

Yes I do not like being around drama OR negative folks! Period. I'm a No Drama Mama!

17. What is your best character trait?

I am a happy, positive and upbeat crazy woman!

18. Have you ever done anything you would never do again because it was too hard or too dangerous?

Yes, I used to be a dare devil skier when I lived in Vail Co. I did some stupid, dangerous jumps etc that were way over my head and skill level. I ran with a pack of 'mad dog skier' friends and it was fun at the time but I learned quickly to slow down on the double black runs and not be such a dare devil. The good news is I never broke any bones.

19. What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?

I love to cook up great food and spend time with friends and family - oh and we usually do a little wine tasting too.

20. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you want to live?

Honestly, we love where we live now and I don't see that changing anytime soon. If we did make a move, we'd probably chose Florida Texas or Utah. We both prefer the warmer climates.

21. What is something that we don’t know about you that would surprise us?

Ok well you might be surprised to hear this but, I am an introvert and refuse to leave the house because people scare me. Ok so that's total BS but you knew that!! How about this one, I lived in Mexico and learned to speak fluent Spanish. True. I was a nun. So not true! I'm actually a good horse back rider and used to do cattle runs with some friends here in AZ. True. I was the captain of volley ball, basketball and tennis in high school. True. I used to do a lot of sailing. True.

That's All Folks!

Hope I made you laugh!

Getting To Know Anna Banana!