These photos take me a million miles away from my troubles! Nature is calling and bidding me to stop and relax. Smell the roses... take time to see the beauty around me.
In such a busy day we live in, it is a good thing to take a break every now and then. These pictures remind me of those times when I have been able to do just that! I am looking forward to my next break!
It may seem strange that I have a collection of pictures that are... well, doors. It seems I can find something interesting in the strangest places! When I think about doors though, I think of how chapters in our lives open and close. You never know what surprise might be behind the next one. Here are some neat photos I caught...
Each door in your life... may be a new opportunity!
Rutherford County is a great place to work! The county is growing at amazing rates and there are good options for employment if you are moving to the area like so many others. Here are the top 10 employers in the county:
Company Product/Service Employees
1. Nissan North America, Inc. Small Trucks & Cars 6,700
983 Nissan Boulevard
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 459-1400
2. Rutherford County Government Government 3,350
Courthouse Suite 101
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 898-7745
3. Middle Tennessee State University State University 2,006
110 Cope Administration Bldg.
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
(615) 898-2300
4. Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. Vehicle Tires 1,850
1201 Bridgestone Parkway
La Vergne, TN 37086
(615) 793-7581
5 Ingram Book Company Books, Magazines 1,658
One Ingram Blvd.
La Vergne, TN 37086
(615) 793-5000
6. State Farm Insurance Companies Insurance 1,550
2500 Memorial Boulevard
Murfreesboro, TN 37131
(615) 898-6000
7. Alvin C. York Veterans Administration VA Medical Center 1,150
Medical Center
3400 Lebanon Road
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 893-1360
8 Asurion Wireless Device 1,137
1850 Midway Lane Refurbishing
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 459-7460
9. Middle Tennessee Medical Center Medical Center 1,100
Rutherford County is the fastest growing county in Tennessee. The population growth combined with high incomes continue to give Rutherford County a competitive edge. Retail development is growing at an amazing speed with new developments such as the Avenue on Medical Center Pkwy and new additions to Stones River Mall. New homes continue to be built and new families continue to move into the county. There are endless things to do and great restaurants all over the county. Here are some of the Demographical statistics:
Rutherford County 2007 Population Estimate: 229,380 2007 Average HHLD Income: $62,262
Murfreesboro 2007 Population Estimate: 92,559 2007 Average HHLD Income: $56,926
Smyrna 2007 Population Estimate: 32,197 2007 Average HHLD Income: $59,904
La Vergne 2007 Population Estimate: 27,373 2007 Average HHLD Income: $66,730
Eagleville 2007 Population Estimate: 472 2007 Average HHLD Income: $64,676
It is staggering to me how many pets end up homeless these days! The statistics are so sad. Many of these unwanted pets in the Murfreesboro area end up at PAWS - Rutherford County Pet Adoption and Welfare Services. Way too many of them never make it to a home and end up being put to sleep. If you are in the Middle TN area and are considering getting a new pet for your family- you should look here first. You may just find some furry critter that captures your heart and you can save a life- literaly. Check out the link above for hours and adoption guidelines.
If you don't have room for a new furry family member, maybe you could consider making a donation to the Adoption Center. Money can always help in order to keep the lights on, the pets fed, etc but you can also donate the following items and be of support to a good cause.
Cat Food (dry and wet)
Dog Food (dry and wet)
Paper Towels
Cat Litter
Towels
Plastic Trash Cans (55 gallon)
Litter Boxes ($1.97 at Wal-Mart)
Bleach
Rechargeable Batteries & Chargers "AA" (for digital cameras)
...That strangers hundreds of miles away can become friends and have never met face to face? A few strokes on the keyboard, a click of the mouse... a connection, a bond is made... What a blessing to live in such a time where this is possible! A dear AR friend, Tom Braatz wrote an inspiring blog "Thank you for being there..." that sparked the thought for this post. He speaks of some amazing people on AR that are inspiring, encouraging, uplifting, giving.... I have found it to be so true as well. I have met some of the nicest individuals here. I have made friends that I truly believe if tragedy struck and I needed them- they would be there for me if even just to have a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen. I have seen it with my own eyes and been a part of it. Strangers, but yet friends- banding together to help a fellow Realtor who has lost their home and belongings... Encouragement to someone who is struggling with a setback or illness... Teaching and sharing tips and ideas to help another improve themselves and their business. Expecting nothing in return but gaining a multitude of ideas, inspiration, and support.
Active Rain is about more than just Real Estate. Yes- many topics here is about Real Estate, selling, investing, marketing, etc. but more than that... WE are about the people behind the Real Estate. We are about support and sharing. We are a community. We are a family- bonded by a common interest and goals but we are brought close together by our humanity. We inspire each other with our zeal for life and our care for those we serve. My eyes have been opened to ideas I might have never thought of without finding it here and I have had the opportunity to share some of my own. My heart has been enlarged by the selflessness I have seen here.
Happy blogging and I hope you are as thankful for our Active Rain community as I am. We truly have something to be proud of.
Need some great dip recipes for the tailgaiting season? Here are three great ones to try out! Hope you enjoy!
PIZZA DIP
INGREDIENTS
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup pizza sauce
2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
2 ounces pepperoni sausage, chopped
2 tablespoons sliced black olives
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, oregano, parsley, and basil.
Spread mixture in the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate, or a shallow microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture. Spread the pizza sauce over all. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, then top with green pepper, pepperoni and olive slices. Cover, and microwave for 5 minutes. Serve hot.
Spread cream cheese on the bottom of a microwave-safe dish. Spread a layer of chili over the cream cheese. Finish with a layer of shredded cheddar cheese. Microwave for 5 minutes or until the cheese melts. Serve with spicy nacho tortilla chips.
ZESTY DILL DIP
INGREDIENTS
2 cups mayonnaise
2 cups sour cream
1 tablespoon dried parsley
3 tablespoons grated onion
3 tablespoons dried dill weed
1 1/2 tablespoons seasoning salt
DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, onion, dill weed, and salt. Mix all together, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
Have plenty of these staples on hand for your dips.
Tortilla chips
Pita triangles
Vegetables
Chips
Crackers
Bread rounds or sliced baguettes
Shrimp
Have fun setting the scene for game day! Get creative and serve your dips in vegetables acorn or spaghetti squash, peppers or put it in hollowed bread.
Remember the Little Engine that Could? Most of us probably recall the little phrase " I think I can... I think I can... It is a good little reminder to have a positive attitude. By nature, I am a fairly optimistic, positive person. I guess it was passed to me by my dad and grandfather. I can't remember them ever being very negative people at all. Believe me too- I know what tough is. I have had much and lost it all, went through most of my early childhood without my mom, lost my sweet dad who was one of my best friends, been afflicted with a tumor that has not been able to successfully been removed... I have had a hard time. Overall, even when things are really tough- I usually can keep a good attitude about it. I remember there is someone who is always worse off than I and I count my blessings. I however, am human and have those moments of weaknesses when I just feel all is lost...whoa is me...it's not fair... You know what I am talking about. We've all been there.
The question is- How do I stay positive even when everything around me is crazy and I feel like screaming I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!! How can I cope with the pressures?
Good question! Here are some of my strategies-
1. Get some air! Fresh air that is... slow down and take a deep breathe. Oxygen is essential to a clear mind. When you are anxious, you generally breath more rapidly and take shallow breaths thus not getting enough oxygen. Stop and deep breathe. Go outside and take a breathing break. :) This is one of the ways I cope with chronic pain too. For the ladies who have ever taken Lamaze classes- remember how proper breathing techniques is one of the main things they teach you for childbearing?
2. Try to keep things in perspective. Many times down the road we look back and realize that circumstances we went through was really not the end of the world as we once thought it was. I try to keep this in mind when I am in going through the fire and tell myself- what doesn't kill me will make me stronger. A little saying I like is " This too shall pass". All things do.
3. Find pleasure in the little things. It will make you a happier person. The happier a person you are, the more endurance you will have to face the difficult days.
4. Surround yourself with good people who are supportive. Wow, this can make all of the difference. Be a good friend and you will have good friends. What better way to face a storm than to have an umbrella and a true friend can help shield you in the rain.
5. Sing! Yes, you heard me right- sing. Sing in the shower, in the car.... I am always humming or singing some kind of happy tune and half the time I don't even realize it! Music is good for the soul. Well, some kinds of music is- there are some exceptions... that is for another blog...
6. Have a little faith in yourself! Don't beat yourself up! Start by telling yourself- I think I can...I think I can... I think I can.. Then move up to I KNOW I CAN! If you believe you can do something- you can. I once heard that whether you think you can't or you think you can- either way you are right. If you don't believe you can do something- you never will.
7. I can honestly say that my main source of peace and strength when things are tough would be my faith. I turn to prayer, scripture and meditation when I need strength that I do not have. No one- not even the hard core optimist is immune to discouragement and self-pity. I'm not. I rely on something outside of myself to get me through the hardest of times. Even those who are not believers can benefit from at a minimum some quite time to meditate. Life can get so hectic and busy. When we are struggling, it seems that our minds have a difficult time sorting through all of the noise, confusion, heartaches... Sometimes it is good to just be still so we can hear that little voice in us...
I wish all of my friends on AR a happy and productive year! Remember to keep pushing forward!
I have reached a milestone! With this post- I finally am reaching 25,000 points! YEAH! It has been a fun journey and I have learned so many wonderful things and met the greatest people here on Active Rain. I have to admit, I do like playing in the Rain!
I look forward to reaching my next 25K for my 50,000 mark! Thanks to all of my friends for reading my posts and commenting and for submitting posts that contribute to a wealth of information to help others! I am proud to be a part of this community!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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Each door in your life... may be a new opportunity!
