misc: How to Make a Vision Board Using Canva…for Free!!!
- 01/31/24 03:49 PM
How to Make a Vision Board Using Canva…for Free!!!
Wanda and I hope you’ll participate in this month’s challenge…creating a vision or dream board to help inspire you.
There are plenty of tools and apps you can use that are free and easy to use. Upon Wanda’s suggestion, I tried Canva’s Free Vision Board Maker.
Warning…I do not have Craig Daniels’ skills at tutorials so I found a short video from YouTube that provides much more information.
~When you launch the Vision Board, you can choose a template. On your left will be your tools…**Note-the templates or tools with little crowns are for paid … (27 comments)
|
misc: Are You Leaving the Kind of First Impression You Want Your Clients to Hear?
- 01/29/24 05:15 PM
Are You Leaving the Kind of First Impression You Want Your Clients to Hear?
Today is National Inane Answering Message Day. I have no idea why or where it began, however I think you’ll agree with me that we’ve all listened to some pretty annoying outgoing messages.
Since answering machines made their first appearance, it seems to have given license to some people to try to create the most annoying outgoing messages they can.
My great-nephew has one that drives me crazy. His message sounds like he’s answered the call however after you respond and realize that it’s his message pretending to be … (15 comments)
|
misc: Your Best? Most Memorable? Worst? Traditions?
- 12/29/23 01:36 PM
Your Best? Most Memorable? Worst? Traditions?
Today I heard this question…What was your most memorable New Year’s Eve?!
Most memorable doesn’t necessarily mean the BEST though so my mind started wandering. Admittedly, my NYE celebrations would be considered tame compared to those of others.
No particular NYE memory stood out. Of course, you might think it is because I’d had too many adult beverages that could have produced my foggy memory.
Larry, though, reminded me that one NYE (1979), while we were still living in a one-bedroom apartment, he went out while I stayed home.
It’s not like that! His backseater (in his F-4) was … (16 comments)
|
misc: It’s Christmas…Come On…Wish Me Merry Christmas!
- 12/04/23 06:12 PM
It’s Christmas…Come On…Wish Me Merry Christmas!
Being politically correct is highly overrated. I’m not saying you should set out to offend someone. But whatever happened to common sense?!
It’s the time of year when I love wishing people Merry Christmas! It doesn’t matter if we know each other. It’s a seasonal way for me to say “Hello!”
It happened this weekend and it’s not the first time. When we were out on our morning walk, a fellow walker, concerned about offending me said…
“Merry Happy uh well have a good day.”
If you wish me a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah or Happy … (17 comments)
|
misc: Is Your Job Really Done?
- 08/16/23 05:29 PM
Is Your Job Really Done?
Whatever work we do, whatever our job is…how do we know when it’s done?
Agents have lists and a set of procedures they follow to ensure that they’ve done everything to take their clients to settlement. It’s the same with those in the mortgage profession and home inspectors.
The closing date has come. Papers have been signed and all parties leave...your work is done.
Or is it?
The other day I was in a store and yes, I did purchase what I’d come in to buy. However (and this was not the first time this has happened) the young … (25 comments)
|
misc: Thank You To Those Who Make Our Lives Better- Bird Checks
- 04/19/23 12:34 PM
Thank You to Those Who Make Our Lives Better... Bird Checks
A few weeks ago as Larry and I were completing our walk, I saw a bird fly out of a truck. I shook my head and tried to make sure I wasn’t seeing things.
Curiosity took over and I asked the person exiting the truck “Did I just see a bird fly out of your truck??”
My eyes weren’t playing tricks. As it turns out, the lady works for the Public Health Department of Harris County and was testing birds for any mosquito and vector-borne diseases they might carry. These might be diseases … (21 comments)
|
misc: Whew…I’m Pooped!
- 12/25/22 06:54 PM
Whew…I’m Pooped!
The holidays are interesting. Like so many major events in life, their anticipation and planning can be fun…until you’re ready for it to be over…and then, after your hard work and fun, you’re sad to see it all over.
u
Yesterday, I had about 29 over for Christmas brunch. They were all family either by birth or marriage. I started planning a week after Thanksgiving when my cousin who usually hosts Christmas, asked if I would play host this year.
Since it was Christmas, I wanted to make it festive, so in addition to coordinating the menu, we had our normal … (26 comments)
|
misc: A Christmas Poem…2022
- 12/22/22 07:24 PM
A Christmas Poem…2022
In 2010, I got a bee in my bonnet and wrote a Holiday Poem-Twas the Night Before Selling. I’ve tried to revamp, recreate, repurpose, and renovate it almost every year since then. 2020’s poem included the “special” situation we were in.
So, here we go for Christmas 2022…
A Christmas Poem 2022
Twas the night before moving
When all through the house,
All the creatures were stirring
Even shy Mr. Mouse
Supply chain problems that caused
many delays,
Did not stop all the repairs and
painting for days.
The Inspector had given the
Home an “All Clear”
The sellers were happy and
Shouted a big cheer!
Mrs. Home Stager gave the
sellers some clues,
“Take … (20 comments)
|
misc: Say What???
- 12/12/22 05:05 PM
Say What???
Yesterday I was making a mad dash through our local grocery store to get what I needed to make dinner. Since 2020, the Pandemic, and supply chain issues, I’ve adjusted to finding some items either missing altogether or low in stock.
When I turned the corner to the meat department, this is what I saw. (there was a “matching” empty case around the corner.)
Tell a Texan that there’s no meat and “them’s fightin’ words!!”
Not to worry! The manager said that they had a refrigeration problem and all of the meat had been moved to the back in another area!
Dinner was Saved!
… (22 comments)
|
misc: Just a Thought…How Much Is Too Much?
- 10/19/22 06:20 PM
Just a Thought…How Much Is Too Much?
Earlier this week I read that it was Information Overload Day. Contrary to what you may think, this is not a recent concept. As far back as 1970, Alvin Toffler mentioned it in his book “Future Shock.”
Who here isn’t suffering from too much data…too much information…and too much news??
And if that isn’t enough…most of what our sensory receptors take in isn’t necessarily the truth. It is often twisted to suit someone’s agenda or some warped version of the truth.
Remember when our parents came home from work and turned on the evening news? Later, we’d catch … (22 comments)
|
misc: Do You Know What This Means?
- 08/01/22 01:55 PM
Do You Know What This Means?
There are times when someone cannot call out for help for fear of their life.
I ran across this Hand Signal a few years ago and if you’re not familiar with it, I hope you’ll learn about it and if you want, share it with your family and friends.
It is the signal for help that was originally introduced in Canada by the Canadian Women’s Foundation in April 2020.
It came about in 2020 when many were forced to stay in their homes. This exacerbated the situation for those who were experiencing domestic violence.
With Zoom and video conferences, … (33 comments)
|
misc: What I Learned About Networking
- 05/02/22 03:30 PM
What I Learned From Networking
Grant Schneider recently wrote an excellent post Networking Is a Strategy. He is a member of several Chambers of Commerce and is very active in professional and business networking groups.
While reading his posts, I started thinking about what I learned about networking when I started my staging business.
When I joined the Chamber of Commerce in Delray Beach and attended the new member luncheon, I received the best advice from a long-term member…don’t walk around with a handful of business cards passing them out to anyone and everyone you see.
She said… if you meet just 5 people and … (30 comments)
|
misc: To-Do Tuesday...Getting Ready
- 09/13/21 02:25 PM
To-Do Tuesday...Getting Ready
While we won’t be getting a hurricane this week, Nicholas has decided to favor us with a lot of rain. Who knows, he could change his mind and make us wish we’d turned our sprinklers on!
When we lived in Delray Beach, when a hurricane was on its way, our concerns were for the winds. However, in Houston, it’s always about the flooding.
With our clay soil, lots of bayous, and flat terrain, it makes it hard for whatever water that does fall to head back out to the Gulf.
My “son” (Larry) has had all sorts of fun this weekend tinkering … (35 comments)
|
misc: Customer Service...It Still Matters
- 08/02/21 03:57 PM
Customer Service...It Still Matters
If you read most service-oriented websites or marketing pieces, you’ll see that excellent customer service is always highlighted.
Customer service though isn’t just a label you place in your marketing material or talk about on social media. It’s more than just a part of your mission statement.
Customer service should be what you offer...who you are. It should be ingrained in every employee or team player from the top down.
What You Can Do…
Make sure that your employees or team members are informed and educated on pricing, current listings, services, etc.
How many times have you been in a retail store … (36 comments)
|
misc: It’s Hot! Be Cool and Be Safe in the Water!
- 07/29/21 03:38 PM
It’s Hot! Be Cool and Be Safe in the Water!
This is not the first time I’ve shared this information but with so many areas experiencing high temperatures, it’s important to protect you and your family.
Summer weather always calls for some time in the water, either in a pool, the lake, river, ocean, or water parks. And let’s face it, what better way to stay cool and have fun.
However, did you know that…
An average of 3,957 unintentional drowning deaths occurred each year from 2010–2019. That’s about 11 drowning deaths per day.
Besides making sure that you and your family know how to swim, … (20 comments)
|
misc: What Would You Do Differently (If Anything?)
- 07/15/21 05:11 PM
What Would You Do Differently (If Anything?)
Recently one of the talking-head shows "threw out" a question that I thought was interesting...what would you do differently if a pandemic similar to CoVid 19 were to occur again? (knock wood)
I gave it some thought and decided that I would do the same thing that I did in 2020.
I read and listened to information and made my own decisions.
That said what was reinforced was something we all have known since childhood...wash your hands, stay at home if you’re sick, wash your produce, cough into your elbow, and keep your distance … (39 comments)
|
misc: Protect Our Pets...Even If You’re Not the Owner
- 06/24/21 01:27 PM
Protect Our Pets...Even If You’re Not the Owner
The other day when I was leaving my grocery store and headed to my car, I heard a dog barking. He was across the aisle from my car, in an SUV with all windows rolled up. It was 9 am and already 80+ degrees outside with a feels-like temperature of 95 degrees.
I looked for the owner and was ready to call the store manager so they could page the owner and was also ready to call the police.
The car’s owner came out and it looked like she had just a few items that … (28 comments)
|
misc: Thank You For Participating In the April Challenge
- 05/03/21 12:05 PM
Thank You For Participating In the April Challenge
Thank you all for participating in April’s Challenge!
When the April Challenge began, it was also another month of some glitches here in the Rain. This would have made my second time to host a challenge when things were a bit wonky on the platform here.
However, thanks to all of you we had 33 members who participated and contributed 77 local posts!
It may not seem monumental but these posts can help to make your own blog here and on your website more interesting to your readers.
Through this challenge, I learned about a fascinating Veterans … (30 comments)
|
misc: Finding the Fledglings and a Lesson on Targeting and Focus
- 04/19/21 05:41 PM
Finding the Fledglings and a Lesson on Targeting and Focus
The bluebirds in one of our boxes at Kickerillo fledged late last week and we went out Monday afternoon to see if we could find them.
Often they’re high in a nearby tree, protected from predators. They wait patiently while mom and dad hunt for food that they bring to them. We’ve watched them at our home...and that’s an awful lot of work!
It’s not easy to find them because at this stage they’re speckly and blend in with the trees.
So what do we do? Like they say in police shows we Follow the … (21 comments)
|
misc: Funky Friday -Fighting the Freeze For our Feathered Friends
- 02/25/21 02:02 PM
Funky Friday -Fighting the Freeze For our Feathered Friends
Before our very cold weather last week, I’d read in one of my local Backyard Birding Groups that as an alternative to external heat lamps to help keep the hummingbird nectar from freezing, bubble wrap would also work.
Back in November of 2020, Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD shared a post about the Hummingbird Heinie Warmer. Had I known it was going to ever get cold enough in Houston to need one of those things I would have ordered it immediately.
“Hummingbirds burn energy so fast that they need to eat … (29 comments)
|
How to Make a Vision Board Using Canva…for Free!!!
;)
;)
;)
