activerain challenges: Need Some Collage Help?
- 04/03/22 01:27 PM
Need Some Collage Help?
This month’s “What Does ActiveRain Mean to You?” should be a fun one! There are no right or wrong answers because it’s about what this platform means to you!
However, if you are a bit hesitant because of the requirement of a collage I hope that this post will help.
I made up the two collages above using the same photos but used two different photo applications…Google Slides (slides.google.com) and Ribbet. Both are free although if you want to get really creative, Ribbet has a Premium version.
Google Slides:
Craig Daniels is the expert on this and has inspired me … (42 comments)
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activerain challenges: Finally…It Was About Time I Changed It! My New Signature
- 03/24/22 02:45 PM
Finally…It Was About Time I Changed It! My New Signature
When the time has come to leave somewhere, someone, or something, I prefer to go. I wouldn’t say that I don’t look back or appreciate my past but I don’t want to linger. Basically, I don't like good-byes.
When I leave a function, I say good-bye to the host/hostess, then I’m gone. It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s me.
So when we left Florida and were settling into full retirement, I wanted to keep moving forward…spending time with my family and old friends and getting back into Houston. The last thing … (44 comments)
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activerain challenges: February Challenge…What or Who Made Me (Part 1)
- 02/14/22 03:29 PM
February Challenge…What or Who Made Me (Part 1)
It’s in my nature to try to understand why someone is the way they are…what went into influencing their behavior. I’ve pondered the same about myself.
The many cultures I grew up in had as big an impact on me as did any individual.
Texas (and Cowboys)
When we moved to Florida in 1987, I almost bit someone’s head off when they told me that I was now a Floridian.
Texas is not just a state you grow up in…it stays with you wherever you are.
Helping others whether or not you knew them…and treating everyone equally … (34 comments)
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activerain challenges: February Challenge 2022…And One Thing Led to Another…Post 2
- 02/09/22 05:37 PM
February Challenge 2022…And One Thing Led to Another…Post 2
There are people who know early in life what they want to do for a career or profession. I was not one of those people.
Subtle influences led me to home staging. Like many, I’ve had different job and life paths before becoming a home stager.
When I was a little girl, I loved going over my uncle’s, who was an architect, design plans. He did primarily commercial buildings but also did some private homes. I would take my little fingers and walk through the floor plan. I would critique to whoever might be listening, … (40 comments)
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activerain challenges: January Challenge…Loss or Gain, a Matter of Perspective
- 01/06/22 04:49 PM
January Challenge…Loss or Gain, a Matter of Perspective
When the World Wide Web began to make an appearance, I asked my husband what it was. I had absolutely no clue. Larry explained that it was a way for people all over the world to connect and speak to each other.
My first thought was…why do we need this to connect with people across the world? We have people here we see and speak with every day?!
This month’s challenge “Things We Have Lost to the Internet” asks us to share what we have observed thanks to our heavy dependence, reliance, and love of Cyberville.
While … (40 comments)
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activerain challenges: Not Just a December Challenge…
- 12/13/21 02:43 PM
Not Just a December Challenge…
Inasmuch as I am retired, my thoughts tend to focus on how I can better my personal life. Where do I go from here??
Life doesn’t stop when you reach a certain age unless you quit…quit thinking, doing, learning, growing, and interacting with others,
I tend to live my life as if I will live to be older than Methusela. Realistic? Not at all. But, hopeful and with humor.
Who I am is not a perfect person, though. So I keep tweaking the things that I feel need tweaking. Just because 2021 is coming to an end, doesn’t mean … (37 comments)
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activerain challenges: Santa Brings Two Christmas Miracles…
- 12/06/21 02:21 PM
Santa Brings Two Christmas Miracles…
Do you believe in miracles? What about Santa Claus? Well, I believe in them both. Put them together and they can be powerful tools to help us through tough times.
They made need a little assistance though…
Miracle #1 December 2001
We all needed our spirits lifted after what happened to our country on September 11. Since the patriarch of my extended family was traveling to his middle son’s home in PA, I was put in charge of the annual Christmas Eve dinner for the family.
No one felt like going out so we planned dinner at our home. Just … (31 comments)
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activerain challenges: Happy Thanksgiving...Grateful and Blessed
- 11/24/21 07:10 PM
Happy Thanksgiving...Grateful and Blessed
Happy Thanksgiving to you and to those you will be celebrating it with.
On the final day of the Thanksgiving Challenge 2021, what I am most grateful for is to be living in a country that sets aside a day of the year to acknowledge all that we are grateful for.
And, even with everything else going on, we do have a lot to be grateful for. I am thankful that my ancestors found their way here so that both of my parents could be born here.
I am grateful that we live in a country where you have the … (22 comments)
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activerain challenges: Thanksgiving Challenge 2021… For My Soulmate
- 11/23/21 06:38 PM
Thanksgiving Challenge 2021… For My Soulmate
Many years ago, a group of my co-workers and I made appointments to see Sylvia...a well-known metaphysicist in Houston. I’m not sure why we went but we were young and curious.
Sylvia told me that the young man I was seeing was someone to whom I’d been married in three of our previous lives and that we would eventually marry.
I have no way of knowing or proving that Larry and I knew each other in our previous lives or that we even had previous lives. But what I do know is that we never had a date … (35 comments)
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activerain challenges: Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...Thankful for People
- 11/22/21 04:19 PM
Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...Thankful for People
For as long as I can remember, I have been a watcher of people. I am one of the crazy people who doesn’t mind waiting at the airport terminal because I can watch and observe. It may be why I decided to pursue Psychology in grad school.
And after many years of observation and interaction, I am very grateful for people. I firmly believe that in our deepest souls, we (I have to include myself because I am a person) are a loving and thoughtful bunch of souls!
The basic goodness in people usually manifests itself during and … (36 comments)
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activerain challenges: Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...For My Simple Childhood
- 11/21/21 03:03 PM
Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...For My Simple Childhood
My childhood was like most anyone else’s. Even though we are Chinese, we never felt different. And this was in 1960’s Houston, Texas.
Both of my parents were born in the US. My father and uncle served in WWII. My other uncle, Uncle Charlie, was a Rice architectural grad. I loved looking at his renderings and was fascinated when he showed me a miniature of a house he was building. That may have been the start of my love of miniatures.
He was also the uncle who, on Christmas Eve, would let the children have a small sip … (36 comments)
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activerain challenges: Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...Thankful for Learning
- 11/20/21 03:07 PM
Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...Thankful for Learning
It isn’t something to take for granted or to take lightly. The desire and ability to learn are so important in helping us navigate this life.
It’s not about how many degrees you do or don’t have either. It’s not about an IQ.
What I am grateful for is that I am interested in what I don’t know. That doesn't mean that I’m going to go out and do what I learn.
It also doesn’t mean that I’ll understand everything either.
One of the reasons I love this community is that I can visit here every day and learn something … (16 comments)
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activerain challenges: Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...For Smartphone Cameras
- 11/19/21 01:48 PM
Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...For Smartphone Cameras
and Photo Editing Apps
Usually, my Saturday posts carry photos I’ve taken during the week along with some quotes and thoughts about what went on during the week or some other topic.
I’ve been doing this in some form or fashion since 2014. While I still use a “real” camera for certain wildlife shots, the smartphone camera has made life a lot easier.
My father was an amateur photographer. During WWII he was a photographer in the Army Air Corps and took photos while onboard one of the planes. Later he took and developed his own photos. So I suppose … (34 comments)
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activerain challenges: Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...For My Texas Roots
- 11/18/21 05:23 PM
Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...For My Texas Roots
Larry and I moved back to Texas (and the Houston area) in 2019 after being away, off and on, for thirty years. In all that time, I still considered myself a Texan. And yes, I once almost went for the jugular of someone who felt it necessary to make fun of and criticize Texans.
Texas is where I was born and raised. I thought everyone said “Y'all” until I was in middle school!
My values...how I treat others...come from my family and from being a Texan.
Six nations have ruled over Texas.
What I love is that no matter who … (39 comments)
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activerain challenges: Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...Grateful for Good Dentists!
- 11/17/21 04:32 PM
Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...Grateful for Good Dentists!
We all need them and yet is there anyone out there who gleefully goes to the dentist?
However, I have been blessed to have 2 dental practices who have come to my rescue when I truly needed it, and very painlessly I might add.
In 2017 I broke off and swallowed part of my back tooth the day before the arrival of Hurricane Irma. I was lucky to catch Spodak Dental before they were closing their offices so everyone could go home and board up.
“Come in and even if we’re unable to work on it now, we’ll … (30 comments)
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activerain challenges: Wordless Wednesday...Blessed By Birds
- 11/16/21 04:16 PM
Wordless Wednesday...Blessed By Birds
This is the month when we are asked to take stock of the many blessings in our lives. Yes, wouldn’t it be nice if we did this every day of the year?
However, this is when we focus on and recognize the many things and people in our lives that bring us joy.
The hardest part for me in choosing what to write about is that there is so much I am grateful for. I have a feeling that most of you reading this are in the same boat. And it’s good to be onboard that boat!
So what I … (34 comments)
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activerain challenges: Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...For The Manning Brothers
- 11/15/21 07:36 PM
Thanksgiving Challenge 2021...For The Manning Brothers
Some may say that I’ve stooped to a new low and they may be right but I am very thankful for this year’s Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Manning.
If you are a lover of football, as I am, you might appreciate hearing the two retired NFL, two-time (each) Super Bowl Champions dish on the game while it is being played.
The perspective they bring to the game is one I’ve never heard from other announcers. And, I’ve watched a lot of football.
Peyton knows and loves football and it’s as if you were invited into … (18 comments)
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activerain challenges: The October Challenge...Thank You
- 11/01/21 03:35 PM
The October Challenge...Thank You
Thanks to everyone for taking part in the October Challenge! We had 31 members with multiple posts who shared what makes their area so special.
From a Catoctin Colorfest in MD to the Harvest Festival at Silver Dollar City, MO...to the Best Place to see the Fall Colors in Minot to The Aspens at Snowbowl...we were taken across the States through our members’ posts.
And, even if you did not write a post for the challenge, I hope you had fun reading about October across the country.
Points have been submitted!!
Thank you and keep your eyes open for a … (35 comments)
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activerain challenges: October Challenge- Help Us FALL In Love With Your Area!
- 09/30/21 12:14 PM
October Challenge- Help Us FALL In Love With Your Area!
This month’s challenge is going to be fun for all of us to read! Local posts for your website or blog won’t guarantee a call from a potential buyer or seller but they add a layer of depth to the content you share with your readers.
October’s challenge is to write a post(s) sharing an area or event in your town, city, area, or neighborhood that is all about the Fall season!
Here are some ideas:
-the best place to see the Fall colors in your area
-Fall festivals in your area
-Local pumpkin patches
-Fall carnivals
-Favorite … (135 comments)
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activerain challenges: September Challenge…
- 09/06/21 02:05 PM
September Challenge…
Since May 2020 when Marie Story suggested a ZOOM call as a way of connecting with other members during Covid, the community has been continuing to meet every Tuesday.
Just as I say in my Sunday posts, I learn something new here every day, and I have learned something from every ZOOM MeetUP I’ve attended...and I think I’ve only missed one.
I had no idea what an ADU was until I heard John DL Arendsen speak. I had only known Sham Reddy CRS because he has been kind enough to comment on my posts, however, when he spoke on referrals I … (39 comments)
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Need Some Collage Help?
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