thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursdays…For the ActiveRain Q&A
- 01/21/26 05:11 PM
Thankful Thursdays…For the ActiveRain Q&A
In full disclosure, when the Q&A Section of ActiveRain was introduced, I spent little, if any, time visiting this section.
At one point, it was overloaded with questions from real estate students or nonsensical questions. Nothing wrong with that.
However, the Q&A soon drew me in. I now head there first when I open ActiveRain. Once this is done, I read the posts of members I follow.
So what’s in the Q&A?
On any given day, I may be asked to wish a member a happy birthday.
Recently, Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist informed us about a new group she has … (20 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursdays…For AI Images
- 12/17/25 05:41 PM
Thankful Thursdays…For AI Images
In full disclosure, I was initially skeptical of Artificial Intelligence. And, truth be told, I am still holding it at bay. Anything with the word Artificial preceding it is something I try to stay away from. No Artificial sweetener for me!
However, I like the new relationship I’m developing with AI-generated images.
Just for fun, I did this during one of our Zoom Calls when we were trying out Gemini.Google.com/app
The primary reason is that I can create the image or graphic I want for a blog post.
When I … (17 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursdays…For My Apps
- 12/10/25 05:08 PM
Thankful Thursdays…For My Apps
Many have called me an apps-w____, and they would be right. I love learning about new apps and what fun, information, or help they may offer.
Today is National App Day! Since my first smartphone, I’ve gone through, kept, and deleted countless apps. There are a few that I miss, but I’ve learned there will always be a new app in the pipeline.
AI apps have made their way to our smartphones. Just think, it’s 1997, and if you had a Nokia 6110, you would also have what many believe to be the first mobile app…Snake! I had … (20 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Happy Thanksgiving!
- 11/26/25 04:44 PM
Happy Thanksgiving!
When you go around your Thanksgiving table, and everyone says what they’re thankful for, what will you say?
I am eternally grateful for the buffet of life I’ve been given. I’ve not always chosen wisely from the smorgasbord set before me. I cannot complain because I did have choices, and they were mine, for better or worse.
I am thankful for…
*My family and friends
*Being born in the country I love.
*Being around for the iPhone and Google.
*AI photo generation software
*The many good people in the world.
*Morning walks in nature
*Dark chocolate
*My ActiveRain family
*Still learning something every day
*The love of my life, Larry
I could go … (18 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursdays…Finding Gratitude
- 11/05/25 04:45 PM
Thankful Thursdays…Finding Gratitude
With Thanksgiving being just a turkey leg away, much thought is given to what we are grateful for.
From the time we can utter a sound, we are taught to say “Thank you.” Usually, the word “Please” accompanies it.
From that moment on, we are like B.F.Skinner’s rats. Saying thank you has been reinforced by positive approval or reinforcement from our parents, teachers, and others.
We automatically say “thank you” when someone holds the door open for us. And, what parent hasn’t stood behind their child and whispered, “Say ‘thank you’” at Halloween?
Saying those two words has been ingrained in us … (18 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursday…Giving More
- 09/24/25 04:56 PM
Thankful Thursday…Giving More
Agents share the wisdom of doing more than what is expected in their posts and their actions. They are rewarded not only with sales but also with client testimonials and referrals.
When I was at the grocery store today, I saw a young man providing this kind of “giving more” service. One of his duties is retrieving the carts from the parking lot and returning them to their space by the store.
The cart helpers rarely interact with the shoppers. It’s not that they’re rude. They’re doing their job, no less, no more.
However, this young man saw that I was unloading … (20 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful for Our Weekly Zoom Calls
- 09/17/25 05:10 PM
Thankful for Our Weekly Zoom Calls
Yes, you might consider this another shameless plug for our Zoom calls — and it is.
In 2020, Marie Story floated the idea of a Zoom call as a way of having some kind of human interaction during our time of enforced hibernation. Larry and I were lucky because Texas was not as closed as some states. We continued to walk at our Preserve and chat with our family while standing in our driveways.
The first Zoom Call was like a gathering of friends having coffee. After a few Zoom Calls, we decided to add a … (14 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursdays…Thank You for Whoever YOU Are
- 05/21/25 04:34 PM
Thankful Thursdays…Thank You for Whoever YOU Are
Whoever you are, thank you for being you.
Today is International Being You Day, and it reminded me that each one of us is a different You!
We are pulled by society to conform…to think as others think…wear the same styles…drive, eat, believe, etc
AND YET…
We admire those who are true to who they are.
What a push and pull.
It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
Andre Gide
It begins before we are aware we’re being molded. Every parent wants their baby to say their first … (21 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursdays…Honoring Our Peace Officers
- 05/14/25 05:14 PM
Thankful Thursdays…Honoring Our Peace Officers
This is National Police Week (May 11 through May 15, 2025). It is a week to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving their community.
Today, May 15, is Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Growing up, our parents and our teachers taught us to respect our police officers. A few years after my brother’s friend joined the Houston Police Department, my brother followed him.
My brother(left) and my cousin, Ben. Graduation Day.
If you are of a mind, say a prayer for all of the officers who sacrificed their lives for us. And add prayers for … (17 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursdays…Grateful For Your Time
- 04/16/25 05:06 PM
Thankful Thursdays…Grateful For Your Time
Since 2020, on Tuesdays afternoons at 1 PM C.S.T., I have had fun getting to know some of the ActiveRain members.
What began in early 2020 (I can’t remember when, can you Debe Maxwell, CRS ?) grew into our Weekly Zoom Calls.
ActiveRain member Marie Story asked anyone interested to join her in a Zoom call. She lived in Southeast FL, in a condo, and needed human interaction.
We had so much fun, we met again and again. To keep it going, we decided to add topics or speakers.
… (18 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursdays…for GOOD People
- 04/02/25 04:34 PM
Thankful Thursdays…for GOOD People
It’s Good People Day at least that’s what my calendar app tells me.
I celebrate GOOD people! You know them…you may be one yourself. Haven’t you known someone who when asked to describe them you say…They’re GOOD people.
Note…I say “They’re good people” not “she’s a good person.”
The term Good people falls into a category of its own. Some people are generally kind, and positive and do the right thing. Hopefully, those of us reading the above fall into that category.
However, in my opinion, Good People are at the core of their being… GOOD. They’re not perfect … (17 comments)
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thankful thursdays: ThankYOU Thursday…For YOU…Roy Kelley
- 02/25/25 05:32 PM
ThankYOU Thursday…For YOU…Roy Kelley
Last month’s ActiveRain Challenge asked us to share our plans for 2025. Since I’m retired, one of my goals was to return to reading the many books I have in my office, bedroom, and “Read next” list.
It’s not that I stopped reading, however there are so many other avenues I’ve taken that keep me reading all of the time.
So… Roy Kelley suggested that were I to post a book review every week or so, you would know that I’m on schedule. Talk about being held accountable!
Any-hoo… I popped open a book in my Kindle app and started Og … (20 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursdays…For an Abundance of Family
- 12/25/24 06:00 PM
Thankful Thursdays…For an Abundance of Family
If this were a Wordless Wednesday post, my title would be Pooped.
We had 35 for Christmas brunch. My feet are killing me and I am a pooped. However, it’s the kind of tiredness you feel when you’ve worked hard and had a good time.
Family is the most important thing in life. We had family and family’s family and in my world that boils down to FAMILY.
The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.
Richard Bach.
… (17 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursdays…Gratitude for My Wise Sellers
- 12/11/24 01:53 PM
Thankful Thursdays…Gratitude for My Wise Sellers
Even though I’m retired from providing staging consultations and vacant home staging, I have fond memories of sellers (and agents) who helped make my job easier.
Holidays are hard for sellers because as much as they want to sell their home, they are also knee deep in decorations.
Allow me to express my gratitude for sellers who…
~Allow buyers to see their curb appeal without blocking it with large Grinch and other blow ups that during the day look like trash on the lawn when they are deflated.
~Make it easy for buyers to enter the home without having to … (20 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thanksgiving Week…My Cup Runneth Over
- 11/24/24 01:53 PM
Thanksgiving Week…My Cup Runneth Over
While we are grateful throughout the year, Thanksgiving brings out the urge to give serious thought to our lives and what we are thankful for.
When I get the PPM cloud over me (Poor Pitiful Me), the first thing I do is actively think about everything in my life…all of the wonderful people, my friends, my birds…everything!
Reading Brian England’s Sunday posts are a weekly reminder that no matter what I think I don’t have, it pales in comparison to the real life woes of others.
While my life has not been perfect and yes, I do have some … (19 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thoughts…For All the Twists and Turns
- 11/20/24 01:18 PM
Thankful Thoughts…For All the Twists and Turns
Have you ever driven from Omaha, NE to Denver CO? Or from Houston west to Lubbock, TX? I have. The roads (as I remember them) are straight and downright boring.
Looking in my rearview mirror, I’m thankful for the detours, twists, and unexpected turns I’ve had in my life.
For example, had it not been for breaking up with someone I dated for 6 years (5 years too long) I would never have moved to the apartment complex where I met Larry.
I might have lived a life like many of my friends and taken their … (24 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thoughts…For the Strangers We Meet
- 11/13/24 04:11 PM
Thankful Thoughts…For the Strangers
We Meet
Have you ever met a stranger and after a conversation (no matter how brief) you walked away with a pep in your step and a smile on your face??
It happens to me all of the time and for that I am grateful. Usually the chance meetings reinforce my belief that in every person there is some good.
God bless you…
When I was in Target doing last minute Halloween candy shopping, I noticed a young girl around 4 or 5, along a side aisle admiring the toys. I looked for a parent, then saw her father.
I quietly pointed … (23 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Who Raised These Kids? I’ll Tell You.
- 11/06/24 01:33 PM
Who Raised These Kids? I’ll Tell You.
One of the things I love to do is observe people’s behavior. Halloween never disappoints, particularly the children and their parent’s influence.
Recently a talking head on one of the news stations said on air “Who raised these people????”
While I don’t know specifically, let me share two Halloween related stories.
On Halloween in a town in Michigan, a mother left a note outside her home that said…
My son is in the hospital. Sorry no candy.
I’m no Pollyanna so I know that in some neighborhoods, the home may have been egged. However, the door camera caught … (19 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursdays…My Techie Gizmos and Gadgets
- 10/09/24 05:09 PM
Thankful Thursdays…My Techie Gizmos and Gadgets
Michael Jacobs wrote a post for this month’s October 2024 ActiveRain Tech Tools Challenge. I loved Michael’s post and it is a reminder that technology is in the eye of the beholder!
In case you don’t know, I love technology and the many apps that add that “wow” layer.
I grew up when you used a phone to call people not in your presence. If you wanted to take a picture, you used your camera.
When I was a kid, I wanted a Dick Tracy wrist watch that actually worked! I had to wait about 50 years but I … (21 comments)
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thankful thursdays: Thankful Thursdays… A Little Time, A Big Impact
- 09/18/24 02:08 PM
Thankful Thursdays… A Little Time, A Big Impact
Have you ever had someone say something to you or spend 5 minutes with you that changed your life? Well maybe not your whole life but at least your attitude??
When I learned we were relocating to FL, I was devastated. I thought my whole world was ending. Everyone I told looked at me with sad faces as well.
Until… someone in my group smiled and said how excited she was for my new adventure. That was exactly what I needed!
Instead of reading the regular attempt at news, I like to look for feel good stories.
Allow … (22 comments)
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Thankful Thursdays…For the ActiveRain Q&A
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