I love saying that….just flows off your tongue. Too bad it’s only once a year.Been busy back at the Housley house, from hockey to Christmas recitals, never a dull moment. We did manage to take a quick trip to St. Louis for two days as Phil was named to Brett Hull’s Dream Team.

(Brett picked players he played with in St. Louis to be on his Dream Team.) We were treated like royalty (so fun to be in that world again if even just for a brief time), and really enjoyed catching up with old friends. Though, if you’re looking to keep up with the Jones’, don’t ever gamble with the Gretzkys. They kicked my butt. For photos of our evening, you can see them here on Facebook.

Real Estate News –

Not the busiest time of the year in real estate, but somehow we managed to sell an estate in Somerset! A very nice family found the Sheffel residence on our website, called to see it, and just like that, ::::POOF:::: SOLD! Congratulations, Tom & family! You just never know. A few years ago, I sold my sister’s house on Christmas Eve’s Eve. We have a whole slew of new (& recent too) listings, from a dream spot on South Center Lake in Lindstrom, to a brand new listing on Eagle Valley golf course in Woodbury, to the model home pictures here in The Sanctuary in Lake Elmo.

From cabins to castles, we sell them, and we can help you find one too. Please give us a call, because 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we’re selling real estate back at KarinHousley.com.

Here are the sold homes for our east metro area in the past two weeks (since 12/4/09)

Clink link for all the homes

Stillwater School District – 34 Homes Sold

$000,000 – $100,000 – 2
$100,000 – $200,000 – 16
$200,000 – $300,000 – 10
$300,000 – $400,000 – 1
$400,000 – $500,000 – 1
$500,000 – $600,000 – 1
$600,000 – $700,000 – 2
$700,000 – $800,000 – 0
$875,000 – 1

Woodbury School District – 22 Homes Sold

$0 – $100,000 – 1
$100,000 – $200,000 – 9
$200,000 – $300,000 – 4
$300,000 – $400,000 – 8
$400,000 – $500,000 – 0

Western Wisconsin – 23 Homes Sold

$0 – $100,000 – 3
$100,000 – $200,000 – 7
$200,000 – $300,000 – 5
$300,000 – $400,000 – 7
$530,000 – 1

Dellwood North Oaks – 4 homes sold

$250,000 – $282,000 – 3
$650,000 – 1

Big News –

I’m telling you first, as I’m not making the official announcement to the “other media” until January. But, after much discussion with my family, I’ve decided to run for State Senate in District 57. Map of District 57 here. I know, crazy, but someone who believes in budgets had to.

I’m still going to be selling real estate, as the Senate isn’t a full time job, nor should it be a career. There needs to be some fiscal responsibility in the legislature, some incentives to keep & grow businesses in our state, and as always, I’m passionate about education. (Don’t get me going on health care, because remember I lived socialized medicine.) I am running on the Republican ticket, and am so excited for the challenge ahead. The website is HousleyForSenate.com It will be constantly changing, as my iPhone can do amazing things from the road. Little known fact, but did you know that you can contribute to anyone running for public office even if outside your district? My friends from St. Louis just sent a check yesterday! I hate asking for money, but it’s what makes these things go. So if you’re so inclined to help Team Housley get to the Senate, I really do appreciate donations! Send to Housley For Senate PO Box 7 Lakeland MN 55043 Campaign finance law for 2009 allows a max contribution of $100 per person, and $250 per person in 2010….but every $5.00 counts! I’m trying to raise as much as I can before the 2010 ball drops. There is also a credit card link at the HousleyForSenate site.

Ponies Hockey News –

The Ponies are off to a great start, tied for third in the Suburban East conference . They defeated Park Cottage Grove last night 6-3. They play tomorrow night versus White Bear Lake at Aldrich Arena at 8:00.

Told ya it’s been busy.

The Karin Housley Show –

Tomorrow morning at 10:00 on AM 1220 on the dial, or www.klbbradio.com on the web. Click Listen Live. I’ll be talking about a few of my favorite things of 2009, items I’ve purchased, loved & will be gifting this year. Family members need not listen. We’ll also be talking to St. Paul Pioneer Press Tech Guru, Julio-Ojeda Zapata about last minute tech Christmas gifts, and as always, we’ll be talking real estate, politics & a little Hollywood gossip. (Anyone else see Nicole Kidman’s nose? Someone should have told her.)

Three plugs this week –

My friend Billy Larson’s band, Vintage Raggs, will be playing at the Cherokee Sirloin Room in West St. Paul on Saturday night at 9:30 (Phil brought me here for our first date). Billy’s wife Lisa, will be with her band, The Lisa Wenger (Blues) Band, tonight at Neumans in North St. Paul, and at Shaw’s Bar & Grill in MPLS on Saturday. Also, on Saturday from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Rosedale Mall on the lower level, my friend & author Jim Bruton will be selling his book, GOPHER GLORY: THE PRIDE OF THE MAROON AND GOLD with ALL proceeds going to the M Club Scholarship Fund. They expect to have close to two dozen or more former Gopher football players there to sign the books. Also coming will be Coach Tim Brewster and expected to attend is Athletic Director Joel Maturi and former Coach Murray Warmath. Probably never again will someone be able to buy a book at a discount price and get as many former Gophers to sign the book!!

I’ve never even been to a Gopher football game, but Jim’s a good guy.

Shout out to John Heroff. Happy Birthday. 41.

Have a very Merry Christmas! I’m off to show some houses to Marina and her kids!!

Karin

P.S. Julie is still farming on Facebook. Please don’t send her any cows or chickens. She just got back from visiting her parents in California, and let her crops die whilst away. I thought that was the end of it, but nope, she’s back at it. Please don’t tell her that Betty Crocker is now on Facebook, or she’ll start harvesting the darn crops and start her own General Julie Mills.