ActiveRain Community

I think so? Let me guess? What do others say? I'm assuming that is correct? All irrelevant in a court of law & reality where people are wanting to live life & grow better for it. In the world of assuming, your position is weak, seeking sympathy & involvement with some ignorance thrown in. Sound harsh? Are there exceptions? Does an assumption position have any value?YES, NO, I DON'T KNOWNow here is safe, honest ground to be found in. Your yes should be definitive, your no firm, & your I don't know driven by honesty/innocence. All should be offered up to the offeree with confidence, no hesitation, doubt or confusion. We are earnestly seeking something here. The approach we use puts an objective value on it.THE ABOVE POSITIONWhen we take any of the previously mentioned stands or responses,... 11/06/2025

This past week has been a swirl of emotions. Each day, I talked with my brother as he gently moved closer to meeting his maker, a tender reminder of the preciousness of time and connection. At the same time, I’ve been navigating some new health issues of my own, which gave me a deeper understanding that everyone carries something. None of us walk through life untouched, and yet, we are never truly alone.Getting out, being with others, and sharing honest conversations brought me a quiet sense of hope. It reminded me that community and compassion are healing forces.When I came across Thich Nhat Hanh’s quote:“At any moment, you have a choice, that either leads you closer to your spirit or further away from it.” his words settled deep within me.This week, that choice felt very real. I could... 10/27/2025

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” -James Beard  At the end of last Tuesday’s Zoom meeting, we were challenged to write a post comparing our own state to something Debe Maxwell, CRS mentioned in her presentation about North Carolina. I really enjoyed the whole thing, but when it comes to comparisons, there’s only one direction my mind goes… food!Washington State is the #1 apple producer in the country, while North Carolina holds the title as the #1 producer of sweet potatoes. That’s a fun and flavorful matchup.These two states sit about 2,500 miles apart, Washington in the far northwest corner, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, and North Carolina in the southeast, hugging the Atlantic. One produces the crunch of crisp apples, the other the comfort of warm, sweet potatoes.... 10/26/2025

 Many people are concerned about the high cost of housing in Baltimore County and feel like homeownership is out of reach. However, if you dig a little deeper, you might be surprised at the options available to you! Here are two homes in Baltimore County, both listed under $350,000. If you're serious about finding the right home, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to help you navigate the Baltimore real estate market. 3123 Betlou James Place, Baltimore, Md. 21207  This charming home features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, an eat-in kitchen, and a convenient driveway leading to the kitchen. With three levels and recent updates, including new systems, roof, heat, air conditioning, and even a generator, it’s ready for you to move in and start making memories.=8602 David AveBaltimore, Md 2123... 10/27/2025

Wednesday Words of Wisdom'Yabba Dabba Doo!'~ Fred FlintstoneJust like Fred Flintstone’s famous 'Yabba Dabba Doo!' moment, closing day is pure excitement. Buyers found their perfect home, sellers are moving forward, and it’s a win-win for everyone. That’s what makes this business so rewarding with celebrations all around. Another happy ending in real estate!  Happy Wednesday Rainer'sSheila 11/05/2025

Sandpoint Realty 'Monday Motivation' comes from someone who certainly appreciated happiness.Easy to take this quote either at face value, or to extend it to all facets of our everyday living.  Make it a productive week ahead North Idaho, as we end October.  Be safe, stay healthy.   'Experience the Difference' in working with a full time Professional Sandpoint Realty REALTOR®  Your wants and needs will always be my priorities.  Mark Don McInnesBroker - Owner208 255-6227SandpointNorthIdaho.com - North Idaho Home & Land SearchesSandpoint Realty LLC1205 Highway 2Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 10/27/2025

You wake-up every morning, visit with the mirror or another who is present, you see yourself & they see you, & then all go their own ways after some prep work & the day begins as usual. During the day, the same & as we approach the end of our day, where the pillow beckons, rest awaits & we answer that call, STOP! right there. Inside of you is a spirit that the body cannot live without. It is the real you not the mirror or what others see. It was with you wherever you went, never leaving you or forsaking you. When does that get fed? Respected? Addressed & so much more?allow life to welcome & reward youMAN DOES NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONEHere is an eye-popper, buck-stopper & halt in your tracks statement that we are all familiar with. Mankind is not a robot, a clay pot, accident, wasn't found... 11/05/2025

On October 23, 2025, Realtor.com reported the nationwide median weekly housing trends for the week ending October 18, 2025.Total available listings jumped 15.1% for the week ending October 18, 2025, from the same period of time in October of 2024.Time on the market increased 4 days for the week ending October 18, 2025,  from the same period of time in October of 2024.Median listing prices gained 0.4% for the week ending October 18, 2025, from the same period of time in October of 2024.New listing in the market higher 4.7% for the week ending October 18, 2025, from the same period of time in October of 2024.For complete more detailed information about Realtor.com’s real estate trends for the week ending in October 18, 2025, please click HERE 10/25/2025

Sweet Potato Fries with Roasted Marshmallow Dip RECIPE—A North Carolina Classic Worth SavoringTuesday's presentation on North Carolina’s three wonderful regions — from our cool, misty mountains to our breezy coastal plains — reminded me how proud I am to call the Tar Heel State home. Naturally, our conversation turned to one of my favorite topics… food!When the group began talking about North Carolina’s top agricultural exports, I couldn’t resist sharing that sweet potatoes are our state’s #1 exported vegetable crop. That little fun fact must’ve stuck with me, because on my drive home that evening, all I could think about was one of my favorite comfort foods: Sweet Potato Fries with Roasted Marshmallow Dip.This dish is the definition of simple Southern goodness. It takes 'common' ingred... 10/24/2025

8602 David Ave, Baltimore County 21234Parkville MLS #MDBC2143062 Welcome to this charming ranch-style attached home, perfectly situated in the desirable Hallmark Manor neighborhood. This delightful property features a paved driveway with a convenient side entrance that leads you straight into a warm, inviting eat-in kitchen, perfect for casual dining or morning brunches and coffee.     The open floor plan provides ample space for the living room, dining room, and a den. You can arrange your furniture to create custom areas that suit your lifestyle.  Two powder rooms are separated by a tub and a shower.Click to read more about this unique bath.          Outside, you’ll love the expansive, fenced backyard, complete with two oversized storage sheds, ideal for organizing your tools, hobbies... 10/24/2025

BananaTUDES Weekend Recipes is off to a fun start already!  Kat Palmiotti mentioned she was going to make Sweet Potatoes.  Then Patricia Feager asked her to share the recipe.  Kat said - it's one ingredient! I said post it anyway for fun!  And then I thought, well well well.... I'll do a WORD SALAD! How do you like my word salad🤣Weekends are for fun!  So let's get the party started TUDES.  Oh wait..... we already did!🍌 See TUDE recipe below..... Recipe for  Successful BananaTUDES NetworkingDirectionsJoin the BananaTUDES Group or if you're already a member - great!Read the  BananaTUDES  Group Guidelines!Notice how interactive BananaTUDE members are with each other and have been for years!  Group began 9/09/2009 and is the most active group and has been for years. Why?  Because of our rec... 10/24/2025

I am the number one critic of me. In reply to a blog Kit Palmiotti made a simple comment that made to do a review. Remembering good things, happy things and visualizing beautiful things can change gloom into delight. Today I read some old testimonials and they feel pretty good.From Earl JosephI attended a motivational seminar which highlighted Doug Jones was the featured speaker. Doug is the founder and CEO of Mortgage Magic, one of the top real estate mortgage companies in the Bay Area. Doug's knowledge of Real Estate and mortgage Lending is overwhelming. His experience and knowledge of all areas of real estate and finance baffles the audiences in front of him. When Doug isn't running his mortgage company or doing motivational seminars, you can find him doing professional magic shows f... 10/24/2025

This is an email I sent to our reps today.   We are adjusting all of our online presence. On Google we have 21 reviews. It is easier to ask for a G review than Yelp because the person writing a Yelp review needs to open a Yelp account. Years ago we had a total of over 150 Yelp reviews but they kept disappearing from online.(?)  It is only required to review on Google that the writer needs to send the review from  gmail.   My revelation is actually about ChatGPT.  I went to Google today and saw that we have never filled in the 'description of the company'. The space allowed for 750 characters. So I went to ChatGPT and wrote Describe Mortgage Magic for Google in less than 750 characters. Below is the ChatGPT reply and what is now posted on Google.   Mortgage Magic is a California-based m... 10/24/2025

This is an email I sent to our reps today. We are adjusting all of our online presence. On Google we have 21 reviews. It is easier to ask for a G review than Yelp because the person writing a Yelp review needs to open a Yelp account. Years ago we had a total of over 150 Yelp reviews but they kept disappearing from online.(?)  It is only required to review on Google that the writer needs to send the review from  gmail. My revelation is actually about ChatGPT.  I went to Google today and saw that we have never filled in the 'description of the company'. The space allowed for 750 characters. So I went to ChatGPT and wrote Describe Mortgage Magic for Google in less than 750 characters. Below is the ChatGPT reply and what is now posted on Google. Mortgage Magic is a California-based mortgage... 10/24/2025

Great Tips by Kelly McGovern in her blog that she shared with us last week.  Catch it if you missed it. Lack of motivation can be the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals. Today, while I was on my row machine, I listened to the VeryWell Mind podcast about motivating yourself to get healthy.  It was interesting to learn that when you have no motivation to complete a task or start one, there are a multitude of reasons why you are struggling.  The way to combat the lack of motivation is to develop a plan to take action. Here are some experiments to try to get motivated: ACT as if you feel motivated - trick yourself into being motivated by changing your behavior.  Act as if you feel motivated, and your actions may change your emotions. Argue the opposite - When struggling to become motiv... 10/27/2025

This weeks' Sandpoint Realty 'Friday Flag' shows off some Idaho country side ambiance.While returning from a successful listing appointment 128 Westley Lane Priest River Idaho I had to pull over to get this USA Flag with the barn perfectly placed for the background.  You have seen in my Friday Flag posts from time to time the residents flying flags that are not so much in the publics eye as they are mainly for their own enjoyment and that of a but a few others in the immediate area.The Stars and Stripes shown here is a little bit of a combination.  As you can see Ole Glory flying from the road, the flag is actually in a field far from the traveled road.Thank you Priest River Idaho Resident for proudly flying our USA Flag. Enjoy the weekend North Idaho. Be safe, stay healthy !  'Experien... 10/24/2025

Everything, without fail or exception, begins & ends with a type of point of sale, a now, a beginning & ending plus everything in between which is made up of a unique variety of personal circumstances that we will call your life. We all have life, live it, & can share but, no two are ever alike or the same but similar making it valuable in the world of ONE OF A KIND. One of kind is priceless & mankind falls under that heading given deliberately by something so great whose image we are made in. NOTE: The Creator doesn't make mistakes INTIMATE POINT of SALE DEFINED: a moment where deep, personal satisfaction takes place, a connection to anything our choosing or choosing us. Precious OUR POINT of SALE The first, original point of sale was spiritual in nature where the life transaction (an... 10/24/2025

MIDTOWN MIAMI DADE FLORIDA REAL ESTATE BIGGEST SALES* As of Oct 24, 2025  WE HAVE THE KEY TO YOUR DREAM HOME. CHECK OUT REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES FOR SALE ON MIDTOWN MIAMI. #RealEstateMiami #SouthFloridaRealEstate #RealEstateMidtownMiami #MidtownMiamiRealEstate #RealEstateSouthFlorida #MidtownMiami #MiamiRealEstate #RealEstate #Realtor #houseexpert #househunting #home #RealEstateAgent #RealEstateBroker #RealEstateExpert #RealEstateForSale #Realty #Broker #HomeForSale #HouseForSale #PropertyForSale #HomeForSaleMiami #HomeForSaleSouthFlorida  Planning To Sell in 2026? Start the Prep Now in Miami-Dade, Florida  You’ve got big plans for 2026. But what you do this year could be the difference between a smooth sale and a stressful one. If you’re thinking of selling next spring (the busiest seaso... 10/24/2025

Posts Just For You - This Week at ActiveRain October 19 to October 25, 2025 Every day, there is something to learn here at ActiveRain.  With this series, I highlight posts that gave me that lightbulb moment. It could be something techie, a post about Real Estate or other professions, about a place, or a person. Or, it could be a post that made me sit up and take notice! October 19:  Lew Corcoran     If You Could Talk to Your Future Self, What Would You Ask Yourself? Good question!!!  Think about it, and share your thoughts with Lew. Ed Silva Moving Into Fall- Watertown, Connecticut- 2025-4I had to share these beautiful fall pictures from Ed. We don't see that in Houston! October 21: Renee Hahn Just Closed: A Guide to Settling In Your New HomeLooking for a new home, closing, now moving i... 10/26/2025

Just in time - one week before Halloween, and Lise Howe has listed LOTS of Halloween movies to enjoy by yourself or with your family! Halloween movies perfect for a family evening might be a good alternative to having your children wandering around the neighborhood in the dark and cold!  Check out some of these films and suggest that your family host a movie night, complete with scary snacks and drinks worthy of Martha Stewart! Here are 10 family-friendly Halloween movies that blend spooky fun with heartwarming moments—perfect for all ages! Whether you’re planning a cozy family movie night or a festive watch party, these picks offer just the right amount of magic, mischief, and mild thrills: Top 10 Family-Friendly Halloween Movies Hocus Pocus (1993) – A trio of resurrected witches wreak... 10/23/2025