Accept the Compliment

Just over a year ago, I was sitting in a class at the National Auctioneer Association Designation Academy. This particular class was not one where I would have the opportunity to earn a designation, but, by doing the work, I earned A LOT more. It is like getting a gift that keeps on giving.

The class is called Interpersonal Communications & everything is pretty top secret. That being said, I had a personal experience in that class that....truly, until the last couple days, I didn't really understand. I didn't know how to handle it & it became BLATANTLY obvious in the class. I did not know how to accept a compliment.

Our Interpersonal Communications Class

I am not claiming to fully understand the complexities of ME, but....again, it's like the gift that keeps on giving....I see a little more.

I can't remember the exercise, but I can remember my dear, dear friend Suzanne giving me one of the most sincere compliments I have maybe ever been given. If you knew my friend Suz you may describe her as the heart emoji on Facebook, where the hearts are just beaming and shooting EVERYWHERE. Well picture me as Princess Leia on Star Wars shooting those hearts with laser beams. I mean...I was trying to go every which way, in any direction I could, physically with my mannerisms, mentally & emotionally....forget it! I don't even know where I was going.....just out of there. The teacher made me sit there and accept it.

Suz & myself in Vegas. 

Here's the thing; It wasn't like I didn't want it or like to hear it. I LOVED hearing it. The issue came when I was asked to really process it & let it all soak in.

So that led to what came next....TEARS. Tears because I was so ticked off that I could not accept her compliment. TRULY accept it...with all of me. This was a compliment.....I was & am STILL so very grateful for on SOOOO many levels. Tears because I felt like I was being chastised like a child to accept something so kind AND THAT I HAD TO BE. AY CARAMBA!

LOL! Suz was just looking at me like....😳... Not expecting my reaction at all & not really knowing what to do to help me process it. Needless to say....that day, I left exhausted going around and around and around trying to figure out what is going on with me that it triggered that sort of reaction & like all good things....I needed time.

Me, TK, & Suz having lunch during one of our breaks. 

I sit here reflecting on my life in its entirety & I have pondered some of the new choices I am implementing in my life & how it has changed me in such a short time. Since the time of this reaction I have brought into our family a precious, precious third child & I reflect on how my time management has HAD to change & how I am adapting in somewhat of a clunky manner, yet fully & completely making the space (mentally, emotionally, & physically) for this new little blessed person. I have a better appreciation of the actual time in a day....my time....my energy. AND, it is not that I didn't have an appreciation for it before, but I have a better appreciation now because I have to.

Me & my sweet Hunter

I can't believe I am putting this out here like this, BUT I had such little respect for myself that I squandered every EXTRA ounce of energy I had on being better & perfect for other people, with ABSOLUTELY no regard for myself. That being said, the thought of what neglecting myself was doing to other people around me, wasn't even on my radar

When Suz shot that SINCERE & REAL & EARNED compliment my way.... I. HAD. NO. SPACE. FOR. IT. It was like a machine short-circuiting.




I #1 had NO THOUGHT or CALCULATION in my limited capacity, so NO PLAN on how to accept it.

& #2 had never....EVER had someone hold me to the fire like that. That made me face it.

And what still blows my mind....is the "thing" I was having to face was something that was SO kind & true & real & authentic & so, so special to ONLY me.

As I type this, THIS Christmas morning.....after my midnight round of Spark, allowing me to pull an all-nighter and accomplish getting all the presents wrapped without the children seeing....yep! Still going! AAAND.... allowing me to ponder what this season is all about.

EVERY time I think about Christmas, my mind goes straight to the crucifixion. Baby Jesus came here to die for me. I have a shot because Baby Jesus loved ME enough to WILLINGLY hang on that nasty cross. 

What will I do when I'm faced with that fire? I think my reaction just over a year ago is a glimpse.

I also think of the love of Baby Jesus through the love my sweet, almost 9-month old baby shows me. He loves me ALL THE TIME: when the house is messy (which is always), when I forget things, when I mis-schedule a meeting, when I accidentally bump his head on something.... He loves me because I show up. He loves me because I'm there.  He's loves me because (no matter my mood) I have chosen to sacrifice a piece of me for him. Jesus loves us like a baby loves his momma.

"Be It Unto Me," by Liz Lemon Swindle: This is a beautiful piece, depicting Mary & Baby Jesus that was shared on Facebook. It totally grabbed me. 

Have I loved myself, like Jesus has loved me? Have I loved myself like my baby boy has loved me? So far, not. even. close.

I know that I am only dipping my toe into the water of what that reaction is really ALL about, but I share this NOW because I know there are other people out there doing this....being SUPER hard on  themselves & shortchanging themselves of the real, true love that is out there.  I also know that some people may never have an experience where it does come to the surface. God has designed me in such a way that I desire to put myself thru the ringer! Squeegee me out until there is nothing left & take me Home!

So the moral of today's story....Buck Up Baby & accept the compliment. Allowing ourselves to be open & vulnerable & soft enough to accept the love being laid on us will only strengthen our entire being and those around us. Every single person we came in contact with over the holidays is affected by the care, or lack thereof, we give ourselves. When we shortchange ourselves, we also shortchange them. All this is easier said than done, which is why I am SO glad Jesus loves us and has blessed us with The Holy Spirit to help us.

Merry Christmas to you all, my friends! May The Holy Trinity cover us with the abundant love & protection of our Father and walk with us, teaching us to love ourselves, like He loves us. In Jesus's Almighty Name. Amen.

A Legacy of Deep Respect & Gratitude

The auction project we are currently working on is for the Pagel Estate in Ganado, TX. We've been blessed to get to know and work right along side this family. We have also had the pleasure of enjoying the beautiful property, where this estate is situated, which will also be up for sale via the auction method of marketing on September 7th.

I like to share the backstories on our estate projects, to give our readers and bidders a glimpse into the life of the people and families associated with these estates. Louis & Louise Pagel were two small business owners that were very active in their community. He ran a sheet metal business & she had a sewing business where she sold fabric, sewing novelties, & made clothes and quilts. Working closely with their children, they have shared numerous stories with us, with so many exemplifying their love of fellowship, helping & being part of a community.

Both had their businesses in Ganado, which they later moved to Edna. While running those businesses and raising three children they also found time to allow the local Girl Scout Troop to hold camp on their beautiful property every year & hosted a many get togethers where Louis enjoyed cooking! Louis served as a Deputy Sheriff for Jackson County & enjoyed cooking for his colleagues.

They were very active in the Masonic Lodge & Eastern Star chapters they belonged to, as well as their church. I can tell by talking to their children that they valued family, had a sense of humor, & just really liked people. Another feeling I get from working with their children is the gentle strength they must have had. The kind of strength that speaks through actions versus words & a love and respect for people that solidified that strength. I never had the pleasure of meeting them, but I imagine they were the kind of people that listened to everyone they met & showed them respect, whether they saw eye to eye on everything or not. Something else that seems very apparent to me is that they didn't necessarily place a value on things, but more so - what those things brought and did for them in their lives. For example: it's not the money she spent on the fabric, but the time, energy, & dedication to her craft & the appreciation for what she knows can be created with the fabric by her or anyone else that has similar gifts & abilities. Everyone's story matters & I feel blessed to play a small part in theirs.

An online auction for the personal property associated with this estate is currently underway. It will start closing at 6 PM on Saturday 7/28/18. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ITEMS. There are numerous items that were accumulated over their lifetime including wonderful vintage fabric, tools, primitives, firearms, quilts, cedar chests, & so much more. Pick up will be this Sunday & those interested in the real estate you will be able to preview THIS Sunday between 1PM & 7PM.

The real property is also up for auction on September 7th. The real property consists of the home place with 5 acres adorned with 99+/- mature oak trees on the property & at least 2 pecan trees and a 1432 square foot house. An additional 7.48 acre tract is for sale at the intersection of HWY 111 & FM 1593, both having ag exemption. More information on the properties can be found here. These properties are separated by the public boat ramp and are minutes away from Lake Texana. Not to mention situated an hour or less from popular fishing destinations such as: Port Lavaca, Point Comfort & Port O'Conner; approximately half an hour from Victoria; 2 hours +/- from Austin, San Antonio, & Houston (about and hour and a half).

House & 5 Acres

House & 5 Acres

House & 5 Acres

7.48 +/- Acres

7.48 +/- Acres

7.48 +/- Acres

Estate situations can be difficult, but what better way to share the love and legacy of a family than to let items take on a new life and be shared with those that enjoy & appreciate them? What better way to bring fellowship back to the place that once was home to many gatherings?

Buck Up Baby! Check out the auction by visiting this link or downloading the "Buck Up Auctions" app for free to your smartphone. Information for the real estate can be found here. Once you click on the property of interest, look under the large picture & click the "Documents" tab for more info, including the full terms and conditions.

Buck Up & Bid! Bid! BID!
God Bless!
Heather Kaspar, NAA, TAA, REALTOR, GRI, ABOR, HAR
TXL 17037

Finding a Way & Making a Way

We have been preparing for the Wachsmann Living Estate Auction this Saturday, June 2nd in the Paige/Manheim area. This is the living estate of Mrs. Joy Wachsmann & the late Clarence Wachsmann.

When we step foot in some of these old barns & hay fields, we can't help but get a feeling of nostalgia. This time, we got it when we entered the old Wachsmann Tire Shop. I know, I know. In a tire shop?! Yes. You could tell that at some point in time it was a place where people met, their problems were solved & community happened.

The old shop was being used to store some of their peanut farming equipment like: the combine, grain dryers & peanut trailers. It also contained tire equipment & truck, trailer, tractor, ATV, & lawn mower tires that had never been mounted. Up until a few short years ago, people could still come and buy tires.

When one of the sons recalled the story of how the tire shop began, it was clear that Mr. Clarence, prompted by a family member in another little farming community up the country,  had decided this community needed a place that could service & provide tires for the farmers and ranchers in their community.

Mr. Wachsmann had a need for tires for the equipment that ran his farming operation & he was willing to drive up the country to pick them up, not only for himself, but for a few neighbors. With a little encouragement from his cousin, he made plans to provide the same kind of business in his community.

A business was born right there in the heart of farming country in a tin barn & a hay field. That business, while there, made life a little easier for members of that community.

It's not like these folks just sat around waiting for people to need tires. They ran the tire shop while they were farming 500 to 600 acres of peanuts, 100 acres of corn & milo & runnin' 400 momma cows & a 2000 to 2500 head hog feed lot.

Stepping foot on that place was reminiscent of the days of finding a way, making a way & doing that with whatever knowledge and ability you had at any given moment. I'm not saying those days are gone, but it's sure not like the days when everyone around you were doing the same thing....finding a way & making a way.

When you think about farming & ranching & tires, you definitely think of the fellas, but, no mistakin',  Mrs. Joy had her hands full. Her one son described her as the "backbone of the whole operation." When I asked about her he said: "She really did everything." :)

Her jobs included:

• Running the dryers & checking the peanuts for moisture, letting the boys know when they were ready to head to town.
• Checking cattle while the boys were in the fields. 
• She sewed EVERY peanut sack.
• Pretty much ran the tire shop because Clarence was out in the fields
• Kept herself, her husband, & 4 boys fed & clothed
• Helped butcher the cattle & hogs
• Tended the garden & the flowers (which she loved)

We will be out there, THIS Saturday, doing our best to play our part in their story. You can find a working list of the items that will be put up for sale on Saturday HERE. You can also find more info on our WEBSITE and videos & more pictures on our FACEBOOK PAGE.

Buck Up & Bid! Bid! Bid!
Heather Kaspar
Buck Up Auctions
TXL 17037

Auctioneer Bid Calling Contests - An Explanation to the Public

The Texas Auctioneer Association State Convention is knocking on the door. What that means to me as an Auctioneer is that I have an opportunity to fellowship with Auctioneers from across the state & some visiting from other states, meet with vendors that help me improve business operations, receive continuing education in areas specific to my auction company's role in this industry, and I get to compete for the State Champion Auctioneer Title.

When I mention the competition to friends, family, and members of the public that aren't as familiar with auctions some picture each contestant coming in guns blazing ready to light the stage up. Others ask questions trying to understand why there is such a thing, and others seem like they want to ask me questions, but they don't know what to ask.

Considering that the contest is literally right around the corner I thought this would be a great opportunity to share what competing means to me & many other contestants & invite friends, family, & members of the public to join us for the Prelim round taking place on Sunday at the Hilton in College Station. Prelims are scheduled to start at 2:45, but if you are interested in coming, be sure to LIKE the Texas Auctioneer Association Facebook Page for the latest updates. You can also go to the Texas Auctioneer Association Website, where there is LOTS of interesting info about the auction industry.

Last year when I made the Top 10!

Getting back to what competing means to me. Several years ago, I attended my first convention. I had never been to one, didn't know what it was about & literally walked in like a sponge...just soaking it all in. I decided to sign up for the rookie contest & wound up placing 3rd. Stepping up and competing showed me something. I went from knowing very few people to meeting a group of people that were there doing the same thing I was...working on making ourselves better....learning things we did not know, but needed to...meeting people that could help us with the things we hadn't experienced yet....and dedicating ourselves to bettering our method of communication with others in the sale of merchandise. Not only did I meet and make friends with the other competitors, but after I stepped off that stage - there were people that didn't know me, make a point to talk to me....even if it was just to tell me how I did or shake my hand & introduce themselves. It put me out there. As a rookie, I didn't really know what that meant, but I knew it was good & I liked the way it felt.

Every single time I compete I learn something & I leave better than I came. Being judged by other Auctioneers & those in the industry that hire us, let's us know how well we are communicating with our audiences & helps us to see where we can be more effective.

First year of the Texas Lone Star Open in Fort Worth, TX. 

Let me also say, that standing on a stage in front of our peers, the best of the best in the industry, and other Auctioneers that have decades of experience is not the same for  us as when we stand in front of a crowd of buyers at a gala, car auction, cattle auction, estate auction or any other for that matter. The way I see it, we are putting ourselves in the fire BECAUSE we want to be sharpened.

As I continued to compete, it did not take me long to realize that we are REALLY competing against ourselves. Our performance has EVERYTHING to do with us & not a thing to do with the other competitors. All we can do is go out there and be our best self & take the feedback we've gotten and practice and apply it. We are mindful of things like: pitch, tone, rhythm, hand gestures, presentation, descriptions, speed & increments. Then, for the State Championship contest - we are also judged on our industry knowledge through an interview portion. 

In the Ringman competition last year, where I was a Top 3 Finalist.

If I could compare it to something mainstream, I'd compare it to The Voice. All of those singers can sing. The judges give them feedback & they apply it, but there can only be one winner at the end of the day. It doesn't mean the other's can't sing. It means that day...the winner MOVED the people the most & COMPELLED them to vote. I just think about what those judges tell those singers that run the risk of leaving the show. Something along the lines of: "Once you reach this point you are all winners. Your life will be forever changed, once you walk off this stage."

Earlier this year, I was calling a benefit auction & a lady came up to me, shook my hand & told me she had never heard or seen a female auctioneer & she complimented me on my clarity & told me she had more fun at that auction than any she'd ever been to because she could understand me and she knew what was going on. Then she said..."What you all do as Auctioneers is a dying art." I had such an appreciation for that lady.

She never enjoyed auctions before, so she rarely bought at live auctions - but that day...she bought items, lots of items & she called what I did a dying art & she enjoyed herself enough to let me know about it.

As an Auctioneer, who is around Auctioneers on a regular basis & who hires Auctioneers to help call my auctions - I can tell you all what we do is alive and well, with EXTREMELY talented male and female Auctioneers right here in our state & you have the opportunity to see some of them this Sunday.

2nd Year of the Texas Lone Star Open

At the end of the day, we care about our buyers and our sellers & we want to use the tool God blessed us with to communicate as effectively as possible. Buck Up Baby & come on out! There are lots of GREAT items up for bid, with money raised going to special projects like our scholarship fund & Scottish Rite Children's Hospital.

This past December at the U.S. Bid Calling Championship in Las Vegas
(Pregnant with our new baby!)

Photo Cred: Myers Jackson, Wes Pool, U.S. Bid Calling Championship

Buck Up - It's a Call to Action

Hey Everyone! Over the last year the fact that my blogging has been ALMOST non-existent has been nagging at me. I still have topics to write about come to mind, but it is finding the time to write them! Well I have decided to dedicate time each week towards blogging & a few other things, that I can't wait to put into place!

"Buck Up" is a call to action and has several different meanings in several different dictionaries, but TODAY to me...it means It's time to take action! Share our AUCTION journeys & LIFE journeys & really get back at it!

A month ago Tuesday, we were blessed with our 3rd child! Mr. Hunter Wayne Kaspar has joined our little family & he fits right in! I have been reflecting so much, the last several weeks in particular, & I just feel extremely blessed that we are surrounded by ALL the people we are surrounded by.

While I was pregnant with Little Man, I had several people ask "What are you going to do now?" or "Man, things were really moving with your business. I guess it will have to slow down now..." & a handful of other comments along those lines. The way I see it is...he just fits right on in, to life how we're living it. All this reflecting has given me a VERY clear direction of where I want to go & a more realistic viewpoint on the time it will take to get there & that PEOPLE in your life are what you live and work for & are your safe place and they are worth protecting, honoring, & enjoying. Life doesn't just stop or abruptly change. It's a constant flow of people coming in & out & one thing evolving into the next. I have an incredible team behind me, a supportive family all around me.

Our little family is just livin' it & lovin' it & trucking right along! Hunter has already been on several AUCTION ADVENTURES with Me & My Mom & crew members & we've got many more up ahead!

Day 1 with Hunter :)

The whole fam: Kyle, Me, Kylee Jo (8), Heath (5), & Hunter. 

Here is a link to a vido of Hunter & I on his first Flip N Move Trip! If you have trouble viewing LIKE the Texas Flip N Move Facebook Page!

https://www.facebook.com/TEXASFLIPNMOVE/videos/1920135228299495/?hc_ref=ARSq1y2WaOJd4SHbkwzG0jz2z2gTgY4P7gXqi88I7FYSj05o4RSS0bG2t1zT7sCZp_I

Everyday we have the opportunity to Buck Up & enjoy new adventures, make new friends, & take those we love along with us on the ride! Stay tuned for MORE adventures & don't forget to BUCK UP BABY!