INDIANAPOLIS Property Management Blog

Property managers play a major role in managing your real estate property. A good property manager should do proper screening of tenants.  

Proper screenings include but are not limited to, rental verifications, employment verifications, case summary checks, and credit checks

The ability to establish and maintain good relationships lies at the height of significance for effective property management. 

It is important to be able to form a good relationship not only with the property investor but also with the tenant. Good communication is key.

Why you should hire a property manager

1. Setting the right rental rates    
2. Collecting and depositing monthly rent payments
3. Marketing and advertising your property
4. Finding the right tenants.
5. Managing Tenants
6. Maximizing profit
7. Ensuring that you are in compliance with housing regulations and property law
8. Property managers handles maintenance requests

Proof of Identity is very important. Most landlords require a picture ID and a social security card. 

Landlords may look at your credit, rental history, income, and/or criminal background to get a sense of what kind of tenant you would be. You don't always have to have a perfect credit score or make massive amounts of money. 

Most of the time landlords want to see that you have been on a job and have a steady income. 

When looking at your credit a landlord may look at your debt payments. Late or past due utility bills, evictions, collections, and/or bankruptcies. 

Rental Verifications are a big way to see if you are the right fit. Looking to see how many late payments you have had. Seeing if you had any damages, and frankly to see if you had any lease violations. 

Questions a lot of landlords may ask you are:

    1. What date would you like to move in?

    2. Do you have pets?

    3. How long have you lived in your current home?

    4. Why are you moving?

    5. How many people will be living in the unit?

    6. How many people living with you smoke?

    7. What is your monthly income?

    8. Have you ever been convicted of a relevant crime?

    9. Have you ever been evicted?

    10. Have you ever broken a rental agreement?

Good Luck with finding your next home. 

Many people in Indianapolis have lost work because of COVID-19. Are you having a hard time paying rent? http://www.indyrent.org may be able to assist you.

While property management fees are important, they must be viewed considering what other firms are charging, the services provided and the quality of those services. The company you hire will be managing one of your biggest assets and the last thing you want to do is make your decision based solely (or even primarily) on who charges the lowest fees.

Residential property management fees but the average management fee ranges between 4-12% of monthly rent.

TBH Management charges 10% of the monthly income

Vacancy fee~ Some management companies charge a monthly vacancy fee ($50) that is prorated when a tenant is landed. Other companies expect to collect the full monthly property management fee even though there is no rent coming in.

TBH Management doesn’t charge a vacant fee nor do we collect management fees when there is no income.

Set-up fee~This fee is for the time invested in setting-up a new account. It ranges from 0$-300$.

TBH Manage doesn’t charge a set up fee.

Leasing fee~ Leasing fees compensate the manager for the time, effort and cost associated with getting you a new tenant. Leasing fees can range from anywhere 25%-100% of the first months rent. 50% is standard.  

TBH Management doesn’t charge a leasing fee

Advertising fee ~ Some companies charge you to market your rental. This is usually between $100-$200.

TBH Management doesn’t charge Marketing Fees.
We post on our website, turbo tenant, Zillow, trulia, Hotpads, Craigslist, as well as our For Rent Sign. We have even used Facebook Marketplace.

Lease renewals~Some property managers charge this fee whenever they have to draw up the paperwork to renew a tenant’s lease. The fee typically ranges from 0-200$

TBH Management doesn’t charge a lease renewal fee

Maintenance fees ~policy may be to notify you if an expense exceeds a higher figure like $500-$1,000, but you may want to ask if this can be set lower ($100-$200) starting out.

TBH Management consults on anything over $300.

Eviction fee ~Fee for serving notices, dealing with attorneys, court appearances, evictions, etc. Hourly rates are typically $25-$50 while a flat fee for the whole eviction process usually comes in between $500-$600 (plus court costs).

TBH Management handles all Center Township Evictions for $200. This includes filing fee, court, damages, and sending to collections. Anything outside of Center Township, we use Landman & Beatty Lawyers and they charge roughly $243 flat fee.

Unpaid invoice fee~This is a small service charge (typically 1.5%) that is added each month to all unpaid invoices that are past due.

TBH Management doesn’t charge a unpaid invoice fee

Bill payment fee~This fee for making owner payments such as mortgage, insurance, home owners association dues, etc. Some management firms don't charge a separate fee, while others don't even provide this service.

TBH Management provides this service at NO cost to you.

Payment to Owners~ What day of the month do they mail checks to owners?
Will the check be for that month, or will the management company hold back a month?
Do they provide direct deposit?

TBH Management provides Owner Payouts on the 26^th of each month. We do not hold back a month. TBH Management provides direct deposit, ach, or we can mail you a check.

Taxes~ Can you pay taxes from your rental income

TBH Management can pay your property taxes from your account. The cost is $0.95 for them to do it online. You will be provided a receipt.

Security Deposits~How do they handle security deposits?

State laws requires funds be held in a non-interest-bearing trust account. TBH Management has an account just for your Security Deposits.

Rent Collection~ How is rent collected
1) Pay in person
2) Pay online
3) Pay at several locations in the Indianapolis Area.

How do they deal with delinquent payments?
All tenants that are in arrears will receive a reminder call that they owe their rent on the 6^th of each month. On the 7^th, they will receive a letter via email or a maintenance staff member will drop the letter off at the unit. On the 8^th, the tenant will receive another call. If the tenant hasn’t paid their rent by the 10^th of each month, we file eviction.

How much is late fees? What is the “grace” period?

TBH Management charges $25 after the 5^th of the month and $5.00 each day until the rent is paid in full. All tenants have a grace period of 5 days.

Tenant Screening~ No landlord ever wants to land a bad tenant, but regretfully all screening processes were not created equally. Applicants put their best foot forward and the more they have to hide the greater lengths they will go to hide facts that would eliminate them from consideration.

TBH Management runs a credit check, case summary report, and we verify proof of income. All applicants must provide us with all the information. We do require that they make 2.5x the amount of rent before being approved. This is based off their NET income, not Gross. This is to take in consideration of their child support or any garnishments from their check.

Size of the company~ How many people are on staff.

TBH Management employees 2 full time office staff members and 2 part-time office staff members.
We also have 5 full time maintenance technicians to preform our daily work orders.

Office Hours

TBH Management is open Monday – Friday from 9 am until 4 pm. We are closed on all Major Holidays. We do have 24 hour emergency maintenance.

I hope that I have helped make your process in finding a property manager easier. If you would like to discuss TBH Management managing your property give us a call at 317-542-1141 or customerservice@tbhmanagement.com

Now that we’ve rung in the new year, here are some ways you can save money and spend time here in Indianapolis this season. As you know the weather in Indiana can be a little indecisive but it is officially winter, so here are some tips on how to save a little during these months from IPL. https://www.iplpower.com/Ways_to_Save/Home/ You can also view and manage your own energy usage with IPL. Something else to think about is making sure your home is prepared for the winter months. make sure your gutters are cleaned out so whether it’s rain or snow this winter, your roof and foundation stay in good shape. You can take a look at our previous blog post for a full list of ways to winterize your home.

Finding activities to do here in Indy may seem a little harder during the winter but in reality, there is almost always something going on for the whole family to enjoy such as, visiting one of our many museums, supporting our local Central Division hockey team, the Indy Fuel, out at the state fairgrounds, or learn to ice skate yourself at the fairgrounds at the Pop Weaver Youth Pavillion. You can also check out one of our local news station’s website for an up to date calendar for upcoming events here in central Indiana. Community Events Calendar

Until Next Time...

Thank you, Shelly

Can you believe it’s October already? The leaves are changing colors, Pumpkin Spice EVERYTHING are back and Halloween costume stores are popping up around the country. Get into the Halloween spirit by starting to decorate your home with some spooky decor. Save your money by using recycled items or materials that you already have sitting around the house. Spook your neighbors this Halloween season, and try out these following decoration ideas.

Please keep in mind of Trick or Treating Hours. Indianapolis, Indiana is 6pm-8pm. 

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind. 

1. Plan a Route 
2. Use the buddy system
3. Stay on the sidewalks
4. Stay well lit
5. Check you kids candy
6. Use your manners
7. Stay safe and have fun. 

Indiana has been experiencing summertime temperatures and if you are not careful, this heat will wreak havoc on your electricity bill. The easiest way to save money is to set your air conditioner above 78 degrees. I know it seems pretty high, however, every degree below 78 adds 8% to your cooling cost. Making sure that your furnace filter is cleaned will also help the air flow through and will not overwork your a/c unit. The lower you turn your unit, the harder it works to stay caught up. Never set your air conditioner below 68*. Ways to help keep your home cooler is by getting a ceiling fan. This helps circulate the air in your house. Another way is to make sure that you have sealed up any leaks in your home from your window and doors. Last, but certainly not least, get proper blinds, shades, or curtains for the rooms facing the sun. If you are lucky enough to have the day off, pack a lunch and go to the park. Go creek stomping or to a splash pad. Nothing cools you off like the coolness of ice cold water. If outdoor isn't your thing, check out these indoor events. 

Many places have FREE MUSEUM DAYS. You can check that list out by clicking here 

Kids Bowl Free program is available. Check it out here

Go to the movies for just $1.00. Found out where by clicking here
Don’t let the rainy days deter you!  Check out “The Park”, a giant indoor playground, at Trader’s Point Christian Church. Click Here 

Here is a list of places where your kids eat free. Click HERE

Hope this helps you beat the heat. Until next time........

Spring is just around the corner and you know what that means? Spring cleaning. Almost everyone's favorite thing to do, right? Well, I have a way of helping you out. It is the 30-day De-Clutter Challenge. Here is how it works. 

Day 1 Empty one junk drawer

Day 2 Purge your clothes

Day 3 go through movie collection

Day 4 clean your tv stands

Day 5 go through your mail pile

day 6 clean off the kitchen table

day 7 purge 2 kitchen cabinets

day 8 donate old books

day 9 clean out your wallet

day 10 clean out your purse

day 11 purge out your makeup drawer

day 12 clean shower

day 13 purge bathroom cabinets

day 14 purge old shoes

day 15 purge more kitchen cabinets

day 16 organize the linen closet

day 17 purge medicine cabinet

day 18 clean out freezer

day 19 clear off kitchen counters

day 20 empty another junk drawer

day 21 clean out fridge

day 22 purge more kitchen cabinets

day 23 get rid of unnecessary accessories 

day 24 clean out your car

day 25 organize toys

day 26 donate unused toys

day 27 donate old games

day 28 organize cleaning supplies

day 29 purge 2 more cabinets

day 30 clean

By the end of April, you will have a new decluttered and clean house. If you have a day that you can't use, then clean something else. Don't rest until the end. 

With April you get lots of rain so, make sure that your gutters are clean and free of debris as well. 

Until Next Time.........

Looking for a property manager to lease out your home for you? Here are 12 questions you should ask before deciding on a management company.

1) What are the services you offer to your clients? 

Make sure that their services fit your needs.

2) How many rental units do you manage?

Too few rental units and they may be inexperienced and too many you may get lost in the shuffle. 

3) Do you or your company own any of the rental units?

Make sure they don't own any of their own. If your unit is vacant at the same time theirs is, you can almost guarantee they will try to rent their home before renting yours. 

4) How do you determine the rent amount?

You don't want your house overpriced so it doesn't rent and you don't want it underpriced because that will cost you money. 

5) Under what conditions can I cancel my management contract with your company? 

There is nothing like dealing with a company that you aren't seeing eye to eye with. Make sure you can void the contract if you are unhappy. 

6) What are your management fees?

It is important to know this so that you can determine if it is going to be worth hiring a property manager. 

7) Do you have lease renewal or lease up fees?
This is also important to know. You would hate to be hit with unexpected fees. 

8) Are there fees when the unit is vacant?

You don't want to pay a management fee if there is no income coming in. 

9) How do you handle owner payouts?

Knowing when and how you get your money is important. 

10) How do you "market" the property?

Having a property manager that markets your property correctly will help you rent it faster. 

11) What are your income and screening requirements? 

You want to try and get a qualified tenant in your unit and keep them as long as possible.

12) What miscellaneous fees could I be charged?

Again, you don't want to be hit with unexpected fees. 

Selecting the correct property manager is extremely important. Make sure they take the time to get to know you and understand you. Don't hinder too much on web reviews as it is easy for upset tenants to post negative reviews. When checking out a property management company make sure you check the Better Business Bureau. 

Until next time.....   

Now that the temperatures are dropping it is time to get prepared for those winter months. These steps, most of which you can do yourself, will help you survive the winter months.  

1) Have a technician inspect your furnace to make sure that it is clean and in working.

2) If you have a ceiling fan, reverse it. This will allow the fan to push down the heated air. 

3) Caulk around window

4) Clean the gutters 

5) Divert water. Use an extension to your downspouts so that the water runs 3-4 ft away from the foundation. 

6) Turn off outside water faucets

7) Make sure all the doors have weather stripping 

8) Prepare an emergency kit

 ***Indoor Candles and matches or lighter. 

 ***Find and store utility companies phone numbers in your cell phone

 ***Buy batteries for flashlights and any other battery operating devices

 ***Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food (be sure to include pet food if you have animals)

 ***Blankets

 ***First Aid Kit

 ***Portable Radio

Also, remember to change and keep your furnace filter clean. On top of that, make sure that you leave all your faucets on a drip. This will help the pipes from freezing. Keep cupboards open so that the heat can get to the pipes. 

To help keep the gas bill low, set the thermostat to an agreeable temperature and wear extra clothing or cover up with a blanket. I have a great heated blanket that I like to snuggle up with and it helps keep me warm. Socks will also help your body keep in that body heat. 

Warm yummy food will always warm the soul and is good for the body. I'll share some of my favorite receipts next time. 

Until next time.........

Looking for a Property Manager? Well you have come to the right spot.

We are a locally owned and operated Property Management Company large enough to support your needs but small enough to give you personal attention.

We offer a wide range of property management services to fit your needs as a landlord or home owner. We tailor our services to ensure that you have the highest level of service for your home.

We never charge a lease up fee or a lease renewal fee.

Our low monthly fee includes:

Access 24/7/365 to our Owner Portals

Monthly Accounting statements

View repairs request and status update

Receive direct deposits for your rental proceed

We advertise your property on a dozen websites as well as craigslist.

When processing an application, we check credit history, to see if they have been filed on/evicted or if they have left owing money to a property management company or landlord, and we check to see if they owe any utility companies.

We have access to online applications

Tenants can pay in person, by mail, or we'll even go pick it up at no charge to you!

We can do rehab and repairs for your property. Almost all repairs are done in house, cutting your rehab cost by 25% or more.

We look forward to talking with you about your property management needs.

Thanks,
TBH Management

I don't know about you but the change in time as really thrown my body for a loop. I always found it hard to get out of bed because it was so dark and it still felt like "night-time" to me. I just wanted to say in my bed and snuggle with my doggies. It was also harder for me to fall asleep because when I went to lay my head down at night time, it just didn't feel like night time. Now, with the change, I am hoping out of bed every morning and ready to go. The nights are where I am finding it super hard. When I get home from work it is almost 5ish. We get dinner done about 6ish. It is super dark out and I am so tired that I am ready to crawl in bed and go to sleep but I can't. I look at my clock and I find myself stunned that it is only 7pm. I know I am "old" but I am not THAT old. 

I also don't like the colder weather. I thought fall meant like low 60s not low 40s. I feel like it is getting colder sooner rather than later. Does this mean we are in for an early winter with lost of snow???? I sure hope not. I am not a BIG snow person. I can't wait until I can be one of the winter birds that head to Florida for the winter. With it getting cold make sure you check your furnace filters. I can say that enough. A dirty furnace filter can lead to all sorts of problems. Also,. make sure your gutters are cleaned. With the leaves falling like they are, you don't want to have a leak on your hands. 

One of my favorite things about fall is the smell. My husband brought home pine cones a few weeks ago and every time I walk into my house it smells like cinnamon. It is so good. Baking is another smell that I just can't help but love. The smell of cookies in the oven, YUMMY!!! I love making chocolate chip cookies from scratch. You want to know something funny? I can't make sugar cookies to save my life! They are one of the hardest things I have ever tried to make. Now, I can make a mean peanut butter pie but there is no baking involved in that. 

Thanksgiving is coming up and it is one of my favorite Holidays ever. It makes me happy to be around so much food and family. We have a lot of food. We do a turkey and a ham, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, rolls, and tons of desserts. We talk about how well all the kids get along and how much they have grown. We talk about remembering when we were their ages and how the world has changed. One thing that amazes me still to this day and I love.....the kids aren't on their devices. They are actually talking and playing with each other. It is so awesome. 

I have checked the forecast for the next several days and it is going to be cold. 

Check your furnace and make sure that it is running properly. 
If you have ceiling fans make sure you reverse it to push the heat down

Clean the gutters

Make sure all the water pipes on the outside are shut off. 

Happy Birthday weekend to the world's greatest husband, dad, brother, son, and friend.

On Sunday, not only is it Daylight Savings Time (remember to set your clock an hour back), it's also my husband's birthday. He will be 35 yrs old. We aren't planning much, just dinner with some friend's and family. I have had a hard time figuring out what to get him. I wish I could give him everything that he could hope for but, he ended up with me so how much more could he want (lol). I am really excited to celebrate him. He is a truly wonderful human being. He is a great cook and always makes me whatever I want to eat, even when he really doesn't want it. The good lord above broke the mold when he made this man. I am so thankful for him each and every day of my life. 

  
We just celebrated Halloween. Not much to celebrate really. I am not big on decorations for Halloween. Not my favorite "Holiday". My son doesn't go trick or treating but my daughter is still all about it. Especially, since this is the first year she has had her braces off. She was Carrie White from the movie Carrie. She even went as far as watching the movie the night before so that she could get in character. I didn't know that you could look so cute. 

We also got to spend some much needed time with so friends from out of town. Tracey and Lonnie came in town for the wedding of Tracey's middle son Trey. Trey had the honor of marrying his love Taylor. They are super cute together. They even have a cute nickname Treylor! It was a beautiful wedding in a remodeled barn. The wedding was upstairs and the reception was down. It was such a cold evening but there were plenty of heaters to keep the bar warm and you were sure to work up a sweat on the dance floor.  

That got me thinking. The weather. It has been super cold out however, this weekend is suppose to be nice. This is the change to winterize your home. 

1) take a pool noodle and cut down one side. Slide under your door to prevent air from coming in. Cut to size. 

2) replace your furnace filter

3) use blackout curtains 

4) Tweaking your thermostat so it isn’t running when you’re away from your home is a smart way to save money. You can create a different program for your days off so your house stays warm. For extra savings, try dropping a few degrees from your normal setting. 

5) Stay warm and safe

Until next time........

Well, July was a great month for us. Not only was it the 4th of July and we spent it with our friends and family celebrating with food and fireworks but, we were able to take our children on two nice vacations. It is GREAT having a large family that lives throughout the United States so you can have a place to stay for free. Makes for a cheaper vacation when you don't have to pay for lodging. 

The first one was to the Adirondack Mountains in New York. We stayed in a house that gave us the most beautiful view of a private lake. We were able to lounge around and enjoy the view. It was extremely peaceful. All you heard was the beautiful loons making the most amazing noise. It was unlike anything I had ever heard before. The kids got to go on a hike and go creek stomping. They swam and kayaked. We had the lake all to ourselves. We drove up to Gore Mountain and saw some stunning views. We drove into town and went shopping. We were able to make a lot of wonderful memories. I can't wait to go back. 

   

We were home long enough to wash our clothes, kiss our dogs, and go back to school shopping. We were off again for a long weekend to Michigan. We have been a few times before but, each time is even more wonderful. We go Jet-skiing, tubing, fishing, and we get to spend time with lots of family that we don't get to see and we get to eat the BEST ice cream. Oh and the view is breathtaking. From the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep. 
 

Now that I am finally back to Indiana and here to stay for awhile I really need to get some house cleaning done.  
Here are some quick tips to help you get a better looking home. 

1) If you have 1/2 of a lemon you can use it to clean stainless steel. 

2) Clockwise cleaning. Move clockwise around each room, putting away clutter and mislaid items. Stash any stuff that doesn't belong in the room outside the door to sort and put away later. Don't get side tracked. 

3) Change bedroom linens. Wash linens in hot water weekly to clean and disinfect them.

4) Prevent shower mold and mildew by simply keep your bathroom exhaust fan running while you take a bath or shower, and for 30 minutes afterward. You can also use your towel after you are done drying off to wipe of the walls. 

5) Spray down trash cans outdoors with a hose and a little dish soap. This will help prevent unwanted odors. 

I know some kids have already started school and I am waiting for mine to start. They don't start until the 15th of August. The last fun thing of the summer we get to do is go to the Indiana State Fair. I can't wait to try all the fall foods however, I think we will stay away from the rides this year. 

Until Next Time.............

Tomorrow is the 4th of July. I love the 4th of July. Fireworks are going to be coloring the skies, grills are going to fill the air with a wonderful aroma of yumminess and kids will be laughing and swimming in the pools. Parades are going to line the streets and it is all about Family, Food, Fireworks, Fun, Friends, and Freedom. My family is always very patriotic but we love our Red White and Blue however, we go all out on the 4th

I can't wait to go and watch the parade and see all the cool floats. I can't wait to go to Carmelfest and smell all the good food and look at all the fun stuff. Afterwards, Chris and I will probably go on a motorcycle ride and then grill out for dinner. Brats, Burgers, and I am going to try and convince my momma to make her homemade potato salad. 

This past weekend we went to our friends' Craig and Stephanie. They had a few of their closest friends over and we hung out by the pool and ate a bunch of food. Later, Craig and Julian set off fireworks. It was pretty awesome just hanging out and laughing with everyone. I really do have a great group of friends. 

Kristin and Kristen really love my daughter Ali. They just think she is the cutest and because I can show favoritism, I agree with them. Ali could live in the pool if you would let her. She has to be a little bit mermaid LoL. 

If you are looking for things to do the next few days check out these local activities:

July 3rd Fishers: Concert: My Yellow Rickshaw @ 7:00pm Fire works start at 10pm. Pack a dinner or check out all the amazing food trucks. Saxony Blvd

July 4th 21+ Metazoa Block Party. 140 S. College Ave: Doors open at 2 music starts at 4. Bring your pets. Live music, Fireworks can be seen from downtown. Lawn chairs welcomed. Food from Union Jack, Nicey Treat, MJs BBQ. 

Music by Busty and the Bass | Michigan Rattlers | Audiodacity|Lazer.Lloyd |Levi Driskell

July 4th IPL Freedom Fest Downton @ 6:30. Music by Lemon Wheel, face painters, bounce houses, games, and fireworks at 10pm. 

July 3rd and 4th CarmelFest 2017 will be held Monday-July 3 (3pm-10pm) & Tuesday-July 4 (noon-10:30pm). The two-day outdoor festivities will take place at the Carmel Civic Square. FREE two-day outdoor festival, the "CarmelFest Parade" (July 4th at 10:30 am), the spectacular Fireworks - July 4th 9:45 pm (simulcast on WHJE 91.3 FM radio), an interactive KidZone, CarmelFest Has Talent Vocal Competition, live entertainment on three stages and the Freedom Run. 

TBH Management would like to wish you a very Happy and Safe Holiday. 

Until next time..........

This week is one of the toughest weeks I will have. It is the anniversary of my baby doggie Marley's death. Friday will mark the one year ago that Marley had a tumor in his spleen that was rapidly growing and the only thing we could do was to put him down. It was one of the hardest days of my life. If you know me and my husband, our dogs are like our children. They sleep in bed with us, we talk to them like they are going to respond, and we tell them that we love them. Marley was our first family dog. He came to us at 5 weeks old. He looked like a little fur ball. He was super cute. Marley was half beagle, half yellow lab. He had the cutest face. He was the runt of his little so his growth was stunted. He had the lab face and the beagle body. Marley was our 3rd child. He was so sweet and lovable. Everyone loved him. He was the only dog we had for years until we adopted Cooper. After Cooper, we got Brantley. At first Marley wanted NOTHING to do with puppy Brantley but as Brantley out older he and Marley were always playing together. Marley was our alfa dog. He KNEW he ruled our house. It didn't matter that Cooper was older and both Cooper and Brantley were bigger. Marley was the BOSS!!! After finding out that we had to put Marley down, we spent the next 2 days showing him how much we loved him. He got ice cream, milk, beer, steak, a long walk, a bath, and lots of love (which he never lacked). So many tears were shed. After it was all said and done we brought Marley home to his final resting place, under our bedroom window. He has a headstone and flowers. We still go outside and talk to him. It is like he is still with us. Marley was the best dog ever. There will forever be a place in my heart just for him. We were so lucky to have him for the 7 years that we did. They were some of the best memories we have.  

So, now that I am done crying and I have dried my eyes let me tell you why I love this weekend. IT IS 4th of JULY weekend. Nothing like family, food, friends, fireworks, and FUN!!!!! Our friends always throw the best party. We sit around the pool drinking and eating. Then, when it finally gets dark, we shoot off a bunch of fireworks. It is so awesome. We go all out with red white and blue jello shots, we all dress in our red white and blue (which is abnormal for my crew). My husband makes homemade guacamole and salsa which is the BOMB. I make either a red white and blue cake or cupcakes. I can't wait to share my pictures with you next week.

I want everyone to have a safe and happy fun filled weekend. 

Until next time........

My Mother's Day started off with a big bouquet of roses from my husband and kids. I was also treated to breakfast with my mother, father in law, husband and kids. I got a shirt that I really wanted and later in the day my husband was going to get me a Tattoo!!! I was super excited for. Unfortunately, the tattoo was scheduled during the same time as my son's soccer game so I had to miss it. Everything in my gut told me that he was going to score his first goal while I was gone. Sure enough at the exact moment I called my step mother, Julian was kicking his first goal of the season. He played so well that he was able to score another goal within minutes. My heart ached because I really wanted to be there for him but I am so thankful that my wonderful step mom was there to cheer him on. 

Last year my sister in law Amy had suffered two strokes the day before mother's day. She nearly lost her life. For the next year she had to fight hard. Luckily, Amy fought hard and strong. She survived the unthinkable. Last year, right after mother's day, a small group of her friends and family got together and got a bird tattoo in support of Amy. This year Amy was able to join us and get the same tattoo along with her husband, who has been waiting to get it with her. She was super excited. She watched as the same guy that did our tattoo do hers. Amy was mesmerized the entire time. It was extremely meaningful for all of us. I even think the tattoo artist was happy that he was able to give Amy her tattoo.  

I feel like, no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to find the time to catch up on everything. Between both kids being in sports, working full time, and all of our daughter's appointments, WHEW! It is hard to catch my breath. For the past several weeks I have been coming into work early and leaving late just so I can get caught up. Now that my work schedule is back to normal I can work on getting my home life back. One thing I can't seem to ever catch up on is LAUNDRY :( it is super frustrating. I get so close and then it is like both my children come to me with a month worth of laundry that they have been hiding in their bedrooms and I just want to fall to my knees and cry. 

I was hoping to get some SPRING Cleaning done but goooooooood grief that ran hasn't let up and the sun hasn't come out to play. I have so much winter yuckiness still in my house that I want to get rid of. I am needing to trash some old stuff and get some new stuff. I am really wanting to get new patio furniture so that I can enjoy my back porch when it isn't 100 degrees out side but I need to fix the screens first. It is always something ya know?

Mother's day is coming up and I am really looking forward to it. My mom and mother in law are all going to get tattoos for Mother's Day. We are all going to get the infinity symbol with the word "Family". It looks super cute. Hope it doesn't hurt.

The next few months are going to be heartbreaking for me. May 7, 2016 my sister in law suffered not one but two massive strokes. She survived but she is paralyzed on her right side and has global aphasia. That means she can think of what she wants to say but can't get the words to come out. It was a long battle for many months just to get her well enough to come home. In those dark days we unfortunately had to put our "baby" Marley down. He had a tumor in his spleen the size of a softball. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Marley was our first family doggie and was like a 3rd child to me and my husband. Still to this day I miss his sweet face. 

Both of my kids are playing soccer right now which in a way is super cool because they both play at the same fields so I don't have to drive all over the place but the bad news is that Ali's is at 8:30am and Julian's is at 11:30am. So I am at the fields from 8am until 1:30pm. It wasn't bad the first week but the second week was super COLD. 

Tips: 

Make sure to clean out your gutters. 

Change your linens~Put away your heavy blankets, change your sheets, and renew your pillows.

Mow your lawn~Don't wait too long or it will be too long for you to cut it. 

Until Next Time.........

So much has happened since I last blogged. The holidays are always super busy for me. Christopher and I both have families that love the holidays plus, we have children ourselves so it is always crazy. I decided to coach Julian's basketball team and I absolutely loved it. We went undefeated all season and won the CHAMPIONSHIP game. I am so proud of the boys. 

After that my husband and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary together. We always go to dinner at Benihana. It was so yummy. After that, we celebrated Christopher's mother's birthday. Again, we all went to Benihana but, with the almost the entire family. Unfortunately, Matthew couldn't join us. Our family is a little shy on girls so we had to get together while we can. I must say, we are a beautiful group of ladies.

During all of this crazy wonderfulness of working, sports, school, and day to day activities, my daughter Ali decided it would be a good time to break her hand. Not that she did it on purpose. She was playing basketball in gym and Ali was going to pick up a basketball but another girl decided to kick the ball at the same time. The girl missed the ball and kicked Ali in the hand instead. She had a nice crack down the side of her middle finger bone. It had to be placed in a cast for 3 weeks to heal. Luckily for Al, it was a waterproof cast. 

Our son Julian turned 15 on March 30th. We allowed him to invite a few friends to stay in a hotel and swim. They had a lot of fun horse playing in the pool. The older kids get, the harder it is to shop for them. There was some kind of event so, the hotel was completely packed. After the hotel, I took a few of his friends to the Pacers game. It was a lot of fun. Ali and I made the jumbotron. Also, Julian got to get his picture taken with a hot PACEMATE. 

After Julian's birthday we got to go to Florida for Spring Break. My sister lives down there with her family. Christopher, the kids and I went camping. It was super beautiful. We had a spot right on the water. It was so peaceful. We really had no care in the world. The water had fish jumping out of it to catch the bugs. It was the neatest thing in the world to see.

Lucky for us, my sister and her husband own a restaurant in Tampa, Florida called Crusty's Pizza. It has the best food. If you are ever in the area make sure you check it out. You won't regret it.  

While in Florida we got to hit the beach. We took the kids kayaking in Clearwater Beach. We saw fish swimming so fast. We were even brave enough to try and snorkel. Well, that was until Christopher and Julian saw a stingray. We froze and didn't want to move. We braved our way back and decided we were too Indiana for snorkeling. 
 
We have both returned back to work and the craziness of our days. The kids both start school on Monday, Julian starts soccer on Wednesday, and Ali starts soccer on Thursday. Also, because I love being apart of my children's lives, I decided to coach Julian's soccer team. I look forward to seeing how it goes.

Ali got her cast of and is ready to return to being active again. She is about a month shy of getting her braces off after 4 years. First thing she wants is POPCORN! 

Tomorrow is my birthday. I turn 33. The only thing that I can think to do is Spring Clean my house. It needs to be de-winterized. The weather is going to be perfect for it. However, I don't think I am going to waste my day on that. Maybe, a nice motorcycle ride and spending the day with my family is a better idea. 

Until Next Time......

Hello,
I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving. I had 2 wonderful Thanksgivings. I had one with my husband's side of the family on Thursday. My daughter, niece, and mother in law make their homemade sweet potato soufflé. It is a family tradition near and dear to their hearts.


My second Thanksgiving was with my side of the family on Friday. Below is my 2 nephews (blue and Yellow)
my cousins (purple and no mask)
and my daughter (Red mask)

We ate lots of food and did the kids did the mannequin challenge. It was super cute.

Thanksgiving has ALWAYS been my favorite Holiday. When I was younger it was because I loved Mashed Potatoes. Don't ask me why that was the only thing that really stuck out but it was. Now, I love it because it is all about family. I love just spending time with Family. I am lucky that I have so many family members that live so close so I get to see them all the time but there are some that live far away and I don't get to see a lot. I love seeing my cousins and my kids playing together. I love hearing the laughter coming from everyone. For my son this year, I love football. My son is a Freshman in high school and he was able to practice with the Varsity team for a few extra weeks. It paid off because they ended up going to State for their division and they won State in OVERTIME! It was a nail bitter. Both teams played GREAT!!!!

Yesterday, our family decided to hang our outdoor Christmas lights. They ended up looking really good. We don't do anything super fancy. Just blue and white lights but they really do look beautiful together. I have barely started my Christmas shopping and really need to kick it in high gear. I am normally the one that waits til the VERY LAST MINUTE and it drives me crazy every year and I keep telling myself that I am going to start sooner but something always comes up. Maybe next time, right?

Until next time........

So a lot has gone on since I last did a blog. It has now gotten a lot colder. My son was asked to stay on and practice with the varsity football team which is great and all but GOOOOOOOD LORD! They practice 4 days a week and until 6:30. I kind of wanted a break before basketball season started but it doesn't look like I am getting that. It is really good for him because they are working towards playing for State and that would be awesome for him to be apart of.

My daughter has me running around all the time. I am so thankful for my grandma because she has been a big help. Ali has a lot of allergies and those allergies cause her to have asthma. She is on so much medication. We have been to a few specialist and they have decided to fight the allergies by pumping her full of what she is allergic to and hopefully she will become immune to them. She goes twice a week to get 6 shots in the back of each arm. She is pretty brave. She was also recognized as a "Special Person" by one of her teachers. He said that Ali Consistent achievement to the best of Student's ability, having a positive attitude towards learning, and contributes good nature and spirit to classroom atmosphere in a positive way. She is keeping to the family tradition. Her brother got one last year and I got one when I attended there years and years ago. 
                                                                 
We also got to celebrate our Famaiversary. I know you are like "What is a famaiversary" so let me tell ya. It is the day we legally became a family. We celebrate each year by having a wonderful dinner and dessert. We normally do something fun as well. This year my husband made homemade chicken fried rice, steak and chicken. Kind of like Benihana.

Then we had Halloween. Our daughter was the Statue of Liberty. I love how she really takes time and effort into her costume. She doesn't like to be the "norm". She always looks so cute too. She got SOOOOO MUCH CANDY. The problem is because of her braces she couldn't eat half of it. Luckily, my husband and son are helping her out.

                        
To start of the Holiday season we got out kids new pjs. How cute are these. My husband and I got some too but we are going to safe those embarrassing pictures for another time haha!


Now that all the cute pictures and family update is out of the way lets start talking about Fall. Here are a few chores you need to do around your house to get ready for the cold weather.

1) Rake your leaves~ you can also just mow over them while you can and use them for mulch

2) Clean out your gutters~ make sure you get your downspouts as well

3) Change your furnace filter~ this is important to do. Using a dirty filter can ruin your heating

4) Remember when it gets below 32* you need to leave your water at a slow drip

5) Now is the time to plant for your Spring Blooms and remember to cut down your annuals.

Until next time..........

I can't believe how long it has been since I last blogged. So much has happened. So lets just get started.

My son started his freshman year of high school ;( and he is on the football team:)  He practices 5 days a week and has a game on Saturday.

Our daughter is playing soccer and is currently a 7th grader. She is involved in choir. Seems to me that time is flying by. My very active kids have me staying busy.

The past few months have been a super crazy ball of emotions. We had to put one of our dogs down. Bob Marley had a tumor in his spleen the size of a softball and the doctor said there was nothing we could do. It broke our hearts because he was our baby. We had him for 7 years and thought we would have him much longer. I can't tell you how much we loved that dog. If I write any more about him I will be sitting at my desk bawling my eyes out.

Shortly after we said our goodbyes to Marley (the white dog), we received Hunter (the black dog). He came to us through a friend of a friend and he has brought so much happiness into our lives. He is so cute. I love his floppy ears. His personality is coming in and he just makes you fall in love with him daily.

Right after we got Hunter I found out that I had a massive kidney stone that needed to be surgically removed. It was really fast. It couldn't have come at the worst/best time. Worst time because we had planned a family trip to Michigan and my husband was NOT going to let us go on because of it. Best time, well frankly, my family needed a break. We consulted with the DRs and they cleared me to go sit by the lake and do nothing but relax so, that is what I did.

I wasn't able to get into the lake but it was okay because I got to enjoy a relaxing and peaceful weekend with my family. It was great seeing my kids laughing.

We also took a short one day trip to Chicago because 1) the kids have never been 2) I haven't been in like 20 something years. We walked around and ate at some of the "HOT SPOTS". I was super excited because we got to see the Firehouse that they use in Chicago Fire. We saw the "Bean" and many other great things. 

We are currently ripping the carpets out of our house and installing laminate floors. In doing so, I am realizing that it would be a good idea for me to do some Fall Cleaning. So if you get the bug and want to join me here are some ideas.

~Wash your windows inside and out (with 3 dogs and their noses pressed against my windows this might seem like a pointless task but one that should be done)

~Dust and wash your blinds

~Dust and wipe down your walls and baseboards

~Dust off the refrigerator condenser coil. You can use your vacuum brush to assist you.

~Declutter and reorganize your closets

~Replace your furnace filter

~Check your some detector

~Check weather stripping and caulking around your windows and doors

~Clean out your gutters and down spouts

Do a little at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself. You can do one room a day or a weekend, depending how much time you have. Good Luck and Until Next Time........

I love, love, love the spring season. I love feeling the sun on my cheeks. I love that the nights still get cool enough that you can still have a bonfire. I love that the kids are in soccer and baseball. I love that all the beautiful colors come out on the trees, flowers, and everything looks so fresh and new.

One of the things that I like to do in the spring time is to take pictures. I love pictures. My house is full of pictures. My phone is full of pictures. I have pictures every where. Here is a picture of my mother with my two kids (dark blue and green shirt) with my nephews (light blue and red shirts). They love their mamaw so much. They are always fighting over who is the first to give her a hug and kiss whether she is leaving or coming. They push their way to her.

This is Ali's favorite picture. She loves that just their shirts are in color.

Here are all of them giving her a kiss. So much love. It is really amazing what photography can do. We took pictures at this same spot a few years ago and those kids have grown like weeds. I love watching each of them grow into the wonderful kids they are. Hopefully, one day they can take their kids and grandkids to this same spot to take family photos. It is such a beautiful place.

I love looking at pictures. I like to see what the world was like before I was born. My husband and I went to dinner last night and met a man that shares the same birth day as I do. Both of us are April 9th however, he was born in 1942. I was fascinated by that. Could you imagine all the wonderful, scary, beautiful things he has seen in his life. Back when everything was black and white, before facebook, emails, and computers. I would love to time travel back to live a few days in each decade just to see how it was.

Now with all of that said, remember that with sunshine and spring comes RAIN! Make sure that you have cleaned your gutters and inspected your downspouts to make sure that there isn't any blockage. The last thing you want is a clogged downspout draining into your house. Make sure you have changed your filters so that you get nice cold air when you kick on that a/c. This Saturday would be a good day to get all of your yard work done because it is only going to be 70. Sunday is suppose to be HOTTTTTTT so be sure to mow your lawn on Saturday.

Until Next Time...........

Looking for a new place to rent can be an exciting but exhausting process. You may already know what you want in an home, and you probably have your heart set on a specific area or neighborhood. However, some aspects of finding a home and renting are not exactly enjoyable. Getting approved for a rental isn’t always easy. However, there are a number of things you must keep in mind, as well as steps you must take, to help make the process simpler.

1. Some Landlords Require Good Credit History~ When looking at credit history it might now always be about the score itself. We look to see if you have left owing money to another landlord or apartment complex. We also check to see if you owe any utility companies.

2. Rent Doesn’t Help Your Credit Score~ When trying to apply for a mortgage loan remember that rental payments are not apart of your FICO Score.

3. You Can’t Always Remove a Co-Signer or Joint Applicant~ Understandably, your situation can change within a year. Your roommate can move out of the apartment. If you choose to have a joint applicant, understand that you can’t easily remove this person from the agreement. Each person that signs the lease remains responsible for the unit and the rent payments until the lease ends. To renew the lease for another term without your co-applicant, you must provide information proving you can afford the rent on your own.

4. Get renter's insurance~ It is NOT the landlord or owner's responsibility to replace any stolen or damaged items from your property.

5. Read your lease~ I know that when you move into your new property you are excited and ready to go. However, once you are moved in and settled re-read your lease. When you first move in you might be in a hurry and didn't hear something that was told to you about late fees, plumbing issues, and/or lock outs. It is better to know what is what instead of being surprised about it later.

When you begin to look for a new home be sure to have everything that you need before applying. This helps the process when applying. Call the complex or property manager beforehand to see what items you may need. Many properties need your proof of income and driver's license. Some places request your social security card as well. Remember that application fees are NOT refundable. It cost money to run your credit report. If your application is processing or processed, you will not get the application fee refunded. Some properties also allow you to place a hold fee on the property as well. Before applying for a property make sure that their isn't already a hold fee on the property and if not, see if you can place the hold fee on the property if you are really interested.

Until next time...........

There are many signs that Spring is coming. First, your plants start poking their heads out from the ground. Second, the trees and grass become greener. Three, the rain. All it seems to do is rain and rain and rain some more. Four, day light savings. The old saying Spring Forward, Fall Back. Each Spring we have to jump an hour ahead which means you lose and hour. This April is the 100^th Anniversary of the Day Light Savings Time. Day Light Savings time was invented by Benjamin Franklin but wasn’t used until George Vernon Hudson.

Day light savings for this Spring starts on Sunday, March 13, 2016 and will end on Sunday, November 6, 2016. Most people will wake up tired or even “jet lagged”. It takes several days and some people months to get use to the time difference.

The first day of Spring doesn’t actually arrive until Sunday, March 20, 2016. Spring normally last 92 days, 18 Hours and 32 minutes.

I have a lot of cool things to write about this year. 1) 100^th anniversary of the Indy 500 2) Election year 3) Indiana turns 100.

Few things you need to do to get ready for Spring

1)       Clean your gutters and down spouts.

2)       Clear the weeds from around your house

3)       Sweep around your front porch frame to remove all cobwebs

4)       Inspect your air conditioning unit

5)       Check your outdoor faucet

6)       Clean your filter

7)       Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

8)       Check your dryer vent line

9)       If you have a fireplace, have it inspected and clean

For me, spring just means BBQs, soccer and baseball games. I love spring. I love the colors. I am hoping to get my spring cleaning done early so that I can enjoy the rest of the season.

Until Next Time…….

Ever wonder how we founded upon looking forward to a groundhog to predict whether or not winter would end early or stay around a little longer? Me too.

Groundhogs day use to be called Candlemas Day. Candlemas day is a Catholic holiday which corresponds to the presentation of Jesus at the temple. It is celebrated on February 2, which is exactly 40 days after Christmas. This was mostly celebrated in Germany however, in Morgantown, Pennsylvania a storekeeper by the name of James Morris shared in his diary some of what was going on during this time. The diary was dated February 4, 1841.

Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans,[10] the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate

There is a poem from England that helps you remember whether or not the groundhog seeing his shadow is good or bad.

If Candlemas be fair and bright,

 Winter has another flight.

 If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,

 Winter will not come again

Did you know that there is more than one groundhog that is to predict whether or not spring will come early or stay late? I didn’t know that we had Woodstock Willie, Stormy Marmot, Buckeye Chuck, Chesapeake Chuck, and so many others.

The one we are all familiar with is Punxsutawney Phil. It might just be from the movie starring Andie MacDowell and Bill Murray or it could be from the actual groundhog.  Punxsutawney Phil and his family are taken care of by a group of Inner Circle people. They take care of Phil and his family year round. The Inner Circle provides a week worth of fun activities to do for the town. The inner circle are a group of 16 gentlemen that dress in Top Hats and Tuxedos.

February 2, 2016, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow which means we should have an early spring. If you live in Indiana, it doesn’t feel like we have had much of a winter anyways. Luckily for us, the groundhog has predicted more right than wrong. The paid meteorologist stated that with El Nino carrying warmer weather to much of the United States, they are most certain spring will arrive early.

Until Next Time........

Happy New Year.

I hope that everyone has had a good start to the New Year. Mine has been good so far. Busy, busy, busy. Sometimes I feel like I do too much and other times I feel like I don’t do enough.

So we have had a few changes here at TBH Management. We have officially moved. We are now located at 6028 N. Keystone Ave. We are just north of Kessler on the west side of the road.  We really love our new accommodations and would love for you to come and visit us.

We have a beautiful new waiting area for you to enjoy while filling out your application.

Also, we have a new employee. Meet Amanda. She will be helping us out part time, Monday thru Friday.

We have had some weird weather here in Indiana this week. One day it is some cold you can't breathe and the next day you are running around in a light sweater. It is getting ready to get super cold again today so TBH Management wants to make sure that you are aware of so MUST DOS to prepare for the colder weather.

1) When it is below freezing make sure all your faucets are at a drip. This will keep your pipes from freezing and leaving you with no water.

2) Make sure you leave the cabinets underneath your sinks open at night as well. This allows the heat to get to the pipes keeping them warm.

3) If you have a space heater make sure that it is placed in an area that is not near any fabric or on carpet.

4) Make sure you change your furnace filter. Proper air flow is key when getting your heat to flow throughout your home.

Until Next Time.........

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite Holiday. It is all about family, food, and fun. We start by going to my sister in laws house where my daughter, my niece and my mother in law make a family favorite recipe of Sweet Potato Casserole. This year they were joined by Jack. The day and night is filled with laughter and fun.

Then we get to do Thanksgiving with my family on the Friday after Thanksgiving. We love to play games with the kids and watch them all smile and laugh together. They are so close that they even take each other's punishments together. My son, the handful that he is, got into trouble. He was jumping in front of the camera while people were trying to take pictures. I very strongly demanded that he take a seat. Next thing I know all of his third cousins are sitting next to him. I couldn't help but laugh. One of the best stories of Thanksgiving was meeting my new 28 year old cousin. She is the daughter of my Uncle Greg. He passed away 25 years ago. Anyways, his daughter found our family and was lucky enough to come to Indiana and meet almost the whole family. It was so much fun getting to know someone who just FIT IN. We laughed, talked, and ate until all of our little hearts were content. We watched the kids do the limbo, play freeze dance, pin the nose on the reindeer, and laugh. It was probably the most wonderful Thanksgiving my family has had in a long time.

Now that Thanksgiving is over it is time for CHRISTMAS. The most expensive Holiday ever. I am not a fan of people who put their tree or lights up before Thanksgiving. I mean, let us celebrate one holiday at a time. Now, the day after Thanksgiving I am ready for the Tree. Nothing smells better than a Christmas Tree in my house. We decorate our tree with blue and white lights and many, many, many, many ornaments. My mother has given the children a Christmas ornament every year since they were born. My husband's mother has given him all of his ornaments that he has made throughout the year. After my husband puts the lights on the tree the first ornaments hung are our very first ornaments. Unfortunately, for me, I don't have one. I don't know if I have never had one or if it was lost in one of our hundred moves, or if it was lost in the fire that we had when we lived out in Arizona (along with the majority of my baby pictures).

On Christmas Eve my husband will read the T'was the Night Before Christmas to our children. A tradition that was apart of his family for as long as he could remember. His dad's side of the family would gather together and have dinner. After dinner, starting with the oldest and going to the youngest, they would take turns reading passages from the Bible. After everyone was finished reading the grandkids and great grandkids would cuddle up on his lap and in his amazing voice he would read the story. He did it with so much Jolly and Joy.

Now that I have wiped the tears from my eyes I wanted to let you know that we are MOVING OFFICES. Our new office is located at 6028 N. Keystone Ave. It is on the West Side of Keystone just North of Kessler. We are next to Jacob's Law.

Until Next Time...............

Well it has been awhile since I had a chance to blog. I started real estate school. I would go to school for 4 hours in the morning and work for 3 hours in the afternoon. I would have to rush home to pick my son up from football and start dinner, help the kids with their homework, do my own homework and work on stuff for soccer. If it wasn’t one thing it was another. I was obviously too busy to do anything, including getting sick which is exactly what happened as soon as football, soccer, and my school ended. I have had a runny/stuffy nose, my head has been clogged, a horrible dry cough, and sometimes it feels like someone is sitting on my chest for like 6 days now.

Enough about me and all my whining (as my friend Julie would say). Let’s talk about something else. What should we talk about? (I am looking around my office for inspiration). My office is filled with beautiful pictures of my family and letters from my kids but we always talk about my kids. So……………well that is just sad. Unless I am talking about my kids I have nothing to talk about.

I was talking with my sister in law Amy yesterday as I drove home and I was explaining to her how much I love driving up College Ave in the fall. The leaves are such beautiful colors. I love the burnt orange and the reds.

I was on facebook the other day and I was looking at my feeds and seeing my friends update their status. I loved seeing that a few of the girls that I hung out with in high school are all Moms now and are about to be again. I love seeing that they are making Apple Pies from scratch and helping build houses with Habitat for Humanity. Makes me realize that I hung out with some pretty awesome people.

I have a new friendship brewing with another old high classmate, Lauren. We have been helping each other out with the real estate class. She just passed her state exam and is on the road to being an Indiana Licensee/Broker. I am so proud of her!!! Those test are HARD!!! I have passed my class but have to now past the State Exam.

I am super excited because my best friend in the whole entire world, Erin is moving back state side. She currently lives in Hawaii and even though I am upset that I don’t get to visit Hawaii (plane tickets are crazy expensive) I am happy to have her state side. She will be coming home for a few days as I get to soak up some of her time.

Well….......I finally found something to talk about (besides friends) today is National Back to the Future Day. Back in 1985, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale wrote a movie about a boy who used a DeLorean to travel back and forth in time. The movie starred Michael J. Fox which was almost NOT the case. Michael was approached for the part and had to turn it down because of the show Family Ties. Michael J. Fox had to turn down the role as Marty McFly. Eric Stoltz took the role as Marty McFly however, after 4 weeks of shooting, the directors decided that Stoltz wasn’t right for the part and they turned back to Michael J. Fox. His schedule had opened up some but was told he could only do the movie if he made sure that Family Ties wouldn’t suffer.

The Character of Doc was played by Christopher Lloyd however, the directors originally wanted John Lithgow. Christopher Lloyd then turned down the role but then changed his mind after reading the script with his wife and they let him change some of the scenes.

Lea Thompson was cast as Lorraine McFly because she had worked with the 1^st Marty McFly, Eric Sholtz but they liked her in the part and decided not to recast her once Sholtz left.

Claudia Wells, who plays Marty’s girlfriend Jennifer was also a recast after Scholtz left. The original Jennifer was played by Melora Hardin but once Michael J. Fox signed on as Marty they felt that she was too tall for him and let her go. She never got to film one scene.

Back to the Future opened on July 3^rd, 1985 on 1,200 screens in North America. It spent 11 weeks at #1 at the Box Office. The film grossed $210.61 million in North America and $173.2 million in other countries.

Well that is all for now. I will send you off with these important dates

~10 days until Halloween

~11 days until Day Light Saving Time Ends

~36 days until Thanksgiving (My favorite Holiday)

~62 days until Winter

~65 days until Christmas

Isn’t it amazing how one day can change everything? Labor Day was on Monday and it was so hot. I was hosting a BBQ at my house. We had invited some friends and family over to eat a lot of good food and play corn-hole and euchre. We all sat around talking and having so much fun. It was a really beautiful day. Fast Forward one day and the weather is cloudy and the wind has a certain chill in the air. You can tell Fall is approaching fast. I couldn’t be happier. I love Fall almost as much as I love Spring. Fall has some of the most beautiful colors. I love watching the leaves change from green to orange and red. Driving down the road it seems almost peaceful. Like you are in a painting.

With the Fall like weather comes FOOOOOOOOOTBALL!!!! My favorite sport. I love my Indianapolis Colts. They are my team!!!! I turn into a total dude (minus the beer part). I love when my husband makes good food and we get to sit around and scream at our T.V. My poor husband, God love him, definitely drew the short in of the stick when he married me. That poor man cooks and cooks and cooks some more. Not only does he cook full time for his job but he got a second part time job as a private chef for a wonderful couple in Zionsville area. The husband was on dialyses because he was in kidney failure but because of an angel was able to receive a kidney this past Friday. He is now on the fast track to healing and is so happy to have mashed potatoes. Isn’t that funny? This man just went through hours of surgery to get a new kidney and he was super satisfied just having mashed potatoes. Makes you think about what is really important in life. NOW on top of all that cooking my husband makes a meal once a week for 25 hungry 8^th grade football players. I signed up for the job thinking I could be able to handle it when in fact I couldn’t and it got placed on my husband’s lap. Luckily for me, he has been a true sport about it all. Now for the real kicker…..he even cooks us dinner (including my mother) almost every night of the week. I definitely feel like I am the winner between the two of us.

Another one of my favorite things about Fall is bonfires. I love sitting in my back yard with a pair of sweats, a hoodie, and a glass of wine. It is serene listening to the wood crackle under the heat of the flames, the music lightly playing in the background, the fact that it gets darker sooner so I have to fight less with my kids about going to bed. Fall is calm to me.

Now with Fall fast approaching it is time to do some Fall cleaning. Time to get the jeans, sweatshirts, and warm blankets out and get them washed. It is time to open those windows that have been shut all summer long so you can let the cool Fall air in and rejuvenate you. It is time to wash walls, windows, clean carpets, and get ready to bunker down for the winter. Enjoy your last few weeks of being outside without seeing your breath.

Here are somethings to look forward to:

~Tonight starts off FOOTBALL SEASON

~3 days until the Colts start their season

~11 days until Fall actually starts

~50 days until Halloween

~51 days until Day Light Saving Time Ends

~76 days until Thanksgiving (My favorite Holiday)

~102 days until Winter

~105 days until Christmas

~112 days until the New Year

Until Next Time………….

Sooner or later it we all knew it would come. Those big Yellow School buses would begin to flood our streets, children standing on the corner waiting for it to come and pick them up, and parents rejoicing that they finally it to go back to a little bit of a normal routine. The last two weeks have been extremely busy with getting my kids registered for school, getting their school supplies, new clothes, doctor appointments, football practice for the boy and soccer practice for the girl. Tomorrow is the day. The BIG DAY. It is my daughter's first year in Middle School and it is my son's last year. Bittersweet in some ways

.

Luckily for me, both my kids are very athletic, outgoing, and outstanding kids. They should be able to make friends fast.

Some say summer came and went too fast but not me. We took our vacation and the beginning of Summer and ever since I have been waiting for the kids to go back to school. Ali, my daughter, loves school. She is ready to go back as well. My son, Julian, not so much. He likes to hang with his friends and play sports but homework and teachers are not his thing. Luckily, the two go hand in hand. If he wants to play sports he has to get good grades.

Now, we have had an interesting summer this year. We took the kids to California and they rode on a plane for the first time. The kids got to go to the Monon Center and go swimming. They played baseball and soccer. Ali went to Kings Island a couple of times. The coolest thing was when my dad took Ali to the Indianapolis Colt practice on Tuesday of last week. They got really close. So close that Ali's phone with flying out of her hands and landing on Pat McAfee. He picks up the phone and starts taking selfies with her. She was on cloud 9. She would stop talking about it for days.

Afterwards he signed her hat. He is such a great trooper. He made Ali's day. She got a autograph from Matt Overton and Jack Dole.

A few years ago, right before school started I wrote and open letter and put it on Facebook. No matter how excited I am to put my kids on the bus that first day of school it is always scary. You don't know what will happen to them after those doors close. I wanted to share it with you:

There is nothing better than Family, Friends, Fun and of course FOOD! The best part of summers are spending it with the ones you love, doing awesome things, and eating great food. Every 4th of July we do just that. Our friend Stephanie and her husband Craig host an awesome 4th of July party. We all pitch in and bring food, the kids swim and we all sit around by the pool drink and get splashed by the kids. We always bring my husband's homemade guacamole and salsa. Everyone loves it. They are just so yummy.

Family: I love getting dressed up in our red white and blue as we show support for this great country. My nephews and children are just as much into the Holiday as we are. They always look so cute. Ali and JJ are two peas in a pod. They are the best of friends and love doing everything together. Julian and Jacob, well, they are more of the crazy bunch. They make you want to pull out your hair but when they are good they are soooooo good.

Friends and Fun: I love hanging out with Friends. They always make things more fun. Whether it is hanging by the pool, drinking at a bar, or standing across the street from each other talking on the phone because it is way easier than actually crossing the street and talking to them face to face.

Food: You can never have enough food and with the group of friends that I have you will never starve. They are all awesome cooks. We grill out, have all sorts of dips, a variety of fruits, cheese, and veggie trays, a wonderful amount of sweet sweet desserts. I made a red and blue velvet cake with cream cheese frosting!! There wasn't a piece left.

Last but definitely not least FIREWORKS: I love watching the fireworks soar into the sky and then explode into something so beautiful and magical. Sometimes they make me jump and other times I am just so enchanted with them it doesn't phase me. You can be like my nephew and be so extremely tired from the day filled of food and fun that you bundle yourself up and fall asleep before the fireworks even start and continue to sleep right through them. Sweet little boy.

Until Next Time...........

We are in full fledge summer-on-the-go mode. Schools out and the kids are bored of doing the same old thing day in and day out. So many things cost so much and sometimes you just don't have the extra cash to spend. Well good thing for you Indy is full of free and cheap things. Take a look at all these wonderful things I have found for you and your kids to do.

I found a few websites that have a list of free and/or cheap things to do with your kids.

http://indywithkids.com/category/outdoor-family-fun-with-kids/

http://indywithkids.com/kids-bowl-free-all-summer-indy-franklin-greenwood-greencastle-fishers-beech-grove/

http://indywithkids.com/category/indoor-places-to-play/

http://indywithkids.com/category/food-for-families-and-kids/

http://www.mykidseatfree.com/states/Indiana_City_Results.asp

What are some of your favorite things to do over the summer?

Until Next Time.........

I don't know about the rest of you but I am feeling like it is actually SPRING!!!! The weather this weekend was not too shabby. I know the old saying is April's showers bring May flowers and that is exactly what it is doing. I have these beautiful plants in the front of my house that began to bud over the weekend and when I left for work this morning one of them had bloomed. It was so pretty. I wish I wasn't running late so I could have stopped and actually taken in all of its beauty.

Spring has always been my favorite season. I love the weather and all of its craziness. I love watching the trees turn green. I love seeing all the different colors begin to POP. I love everything about Spring.

The month of May is usually a busy month for me however this one was a CRAZY one. My daughter, who is Miss I Can Do Anything has done exactly that EVERYTHING. For the past several weeks she has been doing Pups running (track and field), Girls on the Run (training for a Marathon) and Soccer. She had something to do every single day of the week. Which means Mommy had something to do everyday of the week. Since May is winding down so are her activities (thank you Lord). My daughter is very active. She likes to be moving around. The busiest day this month was by far May 9th. Ali ran her 5K marathon in 40 minutes. As soon as she crossed the finish line and received her metal we rushed off across town so that Ali could participate in her pups run meet which she ran a 100 meter and 400 meter. She placed 1st in her heat for the 100 and 7th in her heat for the 400 Meter. As soon as she was finished with her pups run meet we had to rush off to her soccer game, where she scored the first goal. You'd think she would be tired but she was up playing around at her brother's baseball game that immediately followed her soccer game. We left our house at 7:30 in the morning and didn't return home until 6:15. I was so tired. Ali and I both ended up taking a nap.

My son plays baseball. He likes to pitch (which I think everyone does) and he likes catcher. He isn't a fan of the outfield (which I don't think anyone is). He is getting better at batting. He is a great catcher. He doesn't let the ball get behind him too much. I don't think it is because they are allowed to steal but because it is so far back to the fence that he just gets worn out to easily. He can throw from home to 2nd base. He just moved up a field so I think the adjust is working well for him.

SPRING IS ALIVE!!!!!

Sun shining, flowers are beginning to bloom and trees are starting to show signs of life. I love spring. Spring is my favorite season. I love how everything starts to shine and all the beautiful colors come alive. I love hearing the birds chirp and the smell of BBQs filling the air. I love sitting around a campfire and roasting marshmallows with the kids. Everything about spring makes me happy.

One of my favorite things about spring is when it is warm enough outside to open your windows and smell that fresh air after being cooped up all winter long. I love feeling the breeze come in through the living room as it moves past my house and out the back door. It takes that dusty musty wintery smell out of my house.

When spring arrives the first thing on my list is SPRING CLEANING!!!! Inside and out. Sometimes it gets overwhelming. We have 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, screened in back porch, garage, a fenced in back yard, a front yard with 2 flower beds and 2 side yards. With both of us working full time jobs and the kids in sports it is hard to find time to get it all done. Here is a list of Spring Cleaning Tips that I would like to share with you.

1)       Open your windows: Get Fresh air in and the smell of winter out of your house. Take a deep long breath in and exhale.

2)       Make a music playlist: Nothing makes cleaning better, faster and fun. Make sure to only have upbeat music. The last thing you need is some slow sappy love song playing while you are in the groove.

3)       Declutter, donate and pitch: Make piles for things that are broken and need to be pitched, a pile of stuff that you know is too small or going to be too small for you next year, and a pile of things that you need to comprise into one tote. Decluttering will help your house feel less dirty because you don’t have some many items sprawled around the house. Dollar General, Family Dollar or even the Dollar store has really awesome cleaning supplies for really cheap and they have little organizers to for your closets. If you have a Five Below around you they have these bags you can put winter clothes in and store under your bed.

4)       Make a checklist. Creating a cleaning checklist for each room will help you stay focused and you can feel satisfied when you complete your checklist.

5)       Remember that you dust top to bottom before you vacuum. Don’t do the easy stuff first because you’ll end up with a bigger mess than you planned.

6)       Nothing frustrates me more than washing windows and seeing the white paper towel fuzz still on them when I am done. I learned a few tricks I would like to share with you

a.)     Use coffee filters or newspaper when cleaning windows

b.)    Spray your shower first and let it soak while cleaning the rest of the house

c.)     Same for the toilets. Put toilet bowel cleaner in the toilet and let it sit while you are cleaning other areas of the house. This makes it a lot easier to clean when you are ready to clean the bathrooms.

d.)    When using a sponge make sure you clean it after every new room by putting it in the microwave for two minutes.

e.)     Do you have nasty stove burners? Hate scrubbing them? Well here is an easier way. Take about ¼ cup of ammonia and seal it in a large Ziploc bag.

1)       Do this before you do anything else in your house and make it the last thing you clean. The longer you let them sit the easier it is to clean them.

f.)      When cleaning the faucets in the shower and or sink use a lemon that has been cut in half. Take a lemon cut in half and rub it on your fixtures and then rinse. The spots disappear and it leaves the faucets shiny.

g.)    To clean your shower head, pour distilled white vinegar in a plastic baggy and secure it to the shower head with a rubber band. Let it soak for 1 hour. Wipe clean with a wet cloth. Easy fix for a clogged shower head!

h.)    Cleaning the blinds. No one likes this job because there is no easy away about it. No one wants to take the blinds down, clean them and then place them back up. You can’t dust them because that doesn’t always work. If you have a cup of white distilled vinegar and old sock you are set. In a bowl place equal parts of Vinegar and water. Dip hand in mixture and then wipe the dirt and dust away. When sock gets dirty just dip your hand back in the mixture and repeat.   

7)       Use your vacuum extension tools. They can help you get in the small cracks where the floor meets the wall. If your house is anything like mine this is where all the dog hair hides.

8)       Reward yourself. You have worked hard. Get yourself flowers to add to the fresh smell of spring to your house.

Once you get all of your cleaning done grab your friends and family, pitch in some food, grill out and play your favorite outdoor game. What is your favorite thing to do in the spring? My husband is normally grilling out and the family comes over to play corn hole or euchre while the kids play basketball or baseball in the front yard.

One of our favorite things to do is take the kids and dogs and go creek stomping. They love it!! It is great exercise and it is free and fun. We have labs so they are all about being in the water. We go to the park off of 71st and College. We walk along the creek until it meets the white river and it is deep enough the kids can actually swim and also shallow enough for the dogs to play. I like to sit on the island and watch my family happy, healthy and having a blast.

Until next time…………

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Are you wearing your green? By default I am. I totally spaced St. Patrick’s Day. Did you know that St. Patrick’s Day used to be called the Feast of Saint Patrick? St. Patrick’s Day is to honor the Patron Saint of Ireland.

St. Patrick’s Day was made an official Christian Holiday in the 17^th Century. It is to celebrate the heritage and culture of the Irish. This day also commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. People usually celebrate by having parades and festivals. People normally wear green and shamrocks.

Saint Patrick. Who is he? He was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century. He was born into a wealthy family. His father was a deacon and his grandfather a priest. At the age of 16 Saint Patrick was kidnapped by Irish Raiders. He became a slave to Gaelic Ireland. Supposedly, he spent 6 years as a shepherd. Patrick found God and was informed to flee to the coast where a ship would be waiting to take him home. After arriving home Patrick became a Priest. Saint Patrick spent many years converting the pagan Irish to Christianity. He died on March 17.

Here are some famous Irish Quotes.

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light. May good luck pursue you each day and night!

Be kind to those that meet you as you rise, you may pass them again as you fall.

If God shuts one door, He opens another.

May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future!

Happy St. Patty’s Day Everyone.

Remember this is the last Tuesday of Winter!!! Hope that made you smile

Until Next Time…………

I love MEMORIES. As we age our memories start to fade. Luckily someone was smart enough to invent cameras. Again we were lucky enough to have some one invent the smart phones with built in cameras so we can snap photos on the go. 

We try to go on vacation at least once a year. It is hard sometimes because my kids are in sports, math bowl, choir and orff, and almost anything else that they want to do. Sometimes it is hard to juggle everything. One year we went to Michigan another year to Myrtle Beach. This year we are going to California. It will be their first time on a plane. It is only my 3rd so I am still a little scared. I love that I can take pictures of all the fun things we do together. I find myself sitting in my living room and I just look through the thousands of pictures I have taken over the years. Almost every single picture I can tell you exactly where we were when I took it.  Ask anyone who knows me knows I take a lot of pictures. I don't want to miss a thing. I love to capture things when they happen because sometime in the far future when your memories have faded you can remember them through the pictures.

Last weekend I had a VERY busy weekend. The whole week was busy but the weekend man was it full of stuff to do. My son had a playoff game for basketball. He and his team did GREAT! They really played well together. They won and get to move on to the Championship game which is tomorrow. Julian is good at basketball. He can steal the ball and get rebounds like no other.  After his playoff game we had to go to his All-Star Game. He did great however they lost by two points. I took this picture of him because he needed a picture for 7th grade. He has definitely turned into a young man. His features are now becoming his own. Julian doesn't let me take a lot of pictures of him :( but that day he looked to handsome not to.

After Julian's playoff and all-star game we had to head to Ali's playoff game where sadly they lost. It was a hard fought game but the girls just didn't pull it out. Immediately after the game was over we had to rush home and get Ali and Chris ready for the Daddy/Daughter dance. It was really hard to get her face back to white after it was so red. I curled her hair and put on some eye shadow (I am not one for my 10 year to wear a lot of make up). After it was all said and done we slipped on her beautiful dress. I had to take a step back and look at my little girl. She didn't look so little anymore. She was my young lady. I got to sneak in a few shots when I dropped them off and when I went to pick them up. I love when you can capture TRUE happiness. Not something that is posed or stage but true and real. The look on Ali's face is priceless.

To top off the weekend we had a beautiful amount of snow. My dogs Cooper and Marely LOVE LOVE LOVE playing in the snow. They would stay outside for hours if I would let them however I didn't want them to freeze. Julian was such a sweetheart that he went to the neighbor's houses and removed the snow from their cars and shoveled the sidewalks. Ali, well she was like the dogs. She was all bundled up and dancing around the front yard. She would make snowballs and throw them in the air for the dogs to catch. Marely and Cooper would chase each other around. I am one of those crazy DOG ladies. My dogs are like my babies. They sleep with us, they are allowed on the furniture, they go on car rides. They have more privileges than the kids do something lol.

Cooper                                                  Marely

Memories: the mental capacity or faculty of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions, etc., or of recalling or recognizing previous experiences.

So hopefully this winter will be just a memory and we can enjoy the nice Spring air. With the weather warming up remember to clean out your gutters and make sure there is no ice backed up in the down spouts. Make sure that you get your gardens and beds all ready for the pretty flowers that you are going to plant and/or the ones that will begin to bloom but most of all don't forget to stop and make some memories with the ones you love.

Until Next Time............

Valentine's Day~ a day for the exchange of tokens of affection

It is a day that candy and flower shops are at their busiest. I am a happily married woman but I hate Valentine's Day. I am not a chocolate person (unless it is ice cream), I love flowers but hate when they die, and love should be expressed throughout the whole year and not just one day. I know there are a lot of "Holidays" like this....Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day. I don't understand why we have to seclude ourselves to showing respect and love to those we care about most on these particular days. Most single people hate Valentine's Day because it reminds them that they are alone and love sucks. Most married men hate it because it is one more date they have to remember along with anniversary, birthday, and other special occasions to please their wife. Me, I am lucky. I got married on February 7th. So a long time ago my husband and I decided we will never have to celebrate Valentine's Day again. I don't want a card, I don't want flowers, and I don't want a bunch of chocolate that my Chocolate Lab is going to eat and then throw up on my bedroom floor. I would rather enjoy a nice quiet dinner at home with my husband and kids (my husband is an awesome cook). I often wonder if I am a rare breed of if other women just don't care about this "Holiday" as much as I do.

I took to Facebook and I asked 10 of my friends the following questions.

1) Would you like to receive flowers for Valentine's Day? 4 out of 10 said YES

2) Would you like to receive jewelry? 3 out of 10 said Yes

3) Would you like to receive lingerie? 7 out of 10 said No

4) Would you like to eat in or go out for dinner? 2 out of 10 said Out

5) Would you be upset if your partner forgot Valentine's Day? 2 out of 10 said Yes

I was actually shocked by there answers. I had asked 10 different women from the age of 26 and up. All of them are in a serious committed relationship. Like I said I do not want flowers, jewelry, lingerie, and I would rather stay in for dinner and I couldn't care less about this "Holiday".

Now I have asked 10 Men the following questions:

1) Do you think Valentine's Day is more about women or men? 1/2 said woman 1/2 said both

2) Would you like to have dinner IN or OUT? more than 1/2 said IN

3) What would be the best present to get for your husband/boyfriend? This was a little harder for the guys and everyone had something different but it took them a few to respond to this question. My favorite is the cheesy one about their partner's love is all they need.

4) Would you be upset if your partner forgot Valentine's Day? Only 1 of them said YES.

If you simple just showered your spouse/partner with a little extra love and a romantic dinner you would be good as gold. Women just aren't impressed with Valentine's Day anymore. Maybe it is years of disappointment while we were dating and since we have found the our one true love it doesn't matter. 

I think it is important for people in a committed relationship to show each other every day that they love each other. My husband can't say "I love you enough". He still opens doors for me, pulls out my chair, and tells me I am beautiful even though I just got done working out and my hair is in a messy ponytail and I'm in my workout sweatpants.  

Me, February is just one month closer to Spring when the air is warm, the smell of bbqs and bonfires fill the air, kids running around laughing and playing. This is when my Spring fever starts to hit and I start going through the kids clothes and determining what is going to be too small for next winter, what I need to buy them for the new Spring season, and making sure that my motorcycle is geared up and ready to go for any nice day. 

Until Next Time......

I don't know about you but I am glad that the Holiday season is over. Don't get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving and Christmas but I am just over it. I couldn't wait to put up my Christmas tree and couldn't wait to take it down. I love spending time with my family. I have such a big family. My favorite part is listening to my husband read "T'was the night before Christmas" to our children. A tradition he took over once his grandpa passed away :(

 It makes me so happy that even at 10 and 12 they will sit there and listen to their father read. I hope that this is a tradition that they carry on with their families. However I am NOT ready for them to even think about having families right now.

For the past several years my nephews come over and spend the night with us for New Year's Eve. We drink fake wine and the kids play on their tablets or Ipods. This year we decided to make cookies.

So with a New Year comes new roads, challenges, and adventures. I can't wait to see what this year brings. My daughter will graduate from 5th grade in May and I will have to children in Middle School. This really saddens me. Our son will start his last year of Middle school. I am not ready to have a HIGH SCHOOLER!!! We are trying to plan a family vacation to California. My husband and I have joined a gym to get healthier. What are some of your goals or resolutions for this year?

We all know by my last blog that I might be just a "Little" bit of a Colts fan! Well I got two tickets to go to the game this past Sunday. I had the task of picking who I wanted to take with me. My first pick of course was my husband however, he doesn't do well with crowds and didn't want to go. I thought about taking my mom but she is a jinx. Every time she watches the game they do bad or lose and I really didn't want to risk that. Well then there were my children. My 2 children. They are both big Colts fans as well. I sat and pondered about how I was going to take one and not the other and decided that maybe this was a bad idea and I should just take my brother but then I would have 2 angry children. So I weighed my options and decided to take my daughter. It was only fair since her brother is going on a Ski Trip to Michigan next weekend. So Ali and I took off for the game and arrived at 9:30am outside Lucas Oil Stadium. It was FREEZING. We went into the Colts Touchdown Corner and met Jim Sorgi. Ali got her face painted and took pictures of cardboard cutouts of T. Y Hilton, Reggie Wayne and Coach Pagano. When it was time to finally enter into the stadium that is when I saw my daughter's eyes light up. We had REALLY good seats. Lower Level row 15 in the end zone. You could see the players warming up and she was instagramming and taking pictures like you wouldn't believe. Coby Fleener at one point was only 10 yards away from her. She was too shy to yell out and ask for an autograph. Cory Redding passed us by as he was warming up. We shared a wonderful day together and I was extremely happy that she had the best time of her life.

May this year be the one in which all your wishes come true. The one in which your dreams may turn into reality and all your fears may fade away. Happy new year!

Until next time......

Was anyone else as scared as I was this past Sunday when I seriously thought that we were going to lose to the Cleveland Browns? I know during the 3^rd Quarter I had to walk away from the t.v. I was yelling at the players like they could actually hear me. I am also sure I held my breath for what was the LOOOOOOONGEST 45 seconds ever.

We get together on Sundays and watch the pre-game show and then watch the game. My son likes to state the obvious after almost every play. I am so happy for DVR because when I see Reggie Wayne make a one-handed catch or T.Y. Hilton run for 48 yards to the end zone I can’t help but hit the replay button.

So I thought I would give you a little bit of history on the Indianapolis Colts.

Well 1^st and foremost they were originally the Baltimore Colts. However depending on who you asked Indianapolis kind of stole them. So I don’t want to touch on a touchy subject so we will skip to right when they became the Indianapolis Colts.

In 1984 the Baltimore Colts owner Robert Irsay and Indianapolis Mayor William “Bill” Hudnut reached an agreement to move the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis and became the Indianapolis Colts. Just after 2 weeks there were 143,000 request for Season tickets. This was just the start of what was a “Racing Town” turned Football Lovers.

It was just the start of something that was going to lead to greatness. It was a struggle to get started but the Indianapolis Colts have come a long way in 30 Years.

In 1984 the Indianapolis Colts had the lowest yardage in the league.

In 1985 and 1986 the Indianapolis Colts had only won 8 games.

In 1987 now Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson joined the Indianapolis Colts and the team went 9-6 winning the AFC East for the 1^st time. They made it to the playoffs only to lose to the Cleveland Browns.

In 1991 with no luck in the post season since 1987 the Colts fired Head Coach Ron Meyer and re-hired Coach Ted Marchibroda.  For the next several years the team struggled. In 1994 the Indianapolis Colts hired Bill Tobin has General Manager. He drafted running back the Great Marshall Faulk and talented Jim Harbaugh. In 1995 the Colts won their first postseason game and went to the AFC Championship game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately, the Indianapolis Colts lost.

In 1996 the Colts drafted out of Syracuse one of the greatest and most productive wide receivers in NFL HISTORY! Marvin Harrison. 

Coach Marchibroda retired the following year being replaced by Lindy Infante. However, that didn’t do the Colts any favors since they went 3-13 during the 1997 season. In 1997 Robert Irsay passed away and Jim Irsay became the principal owner for the Indianapolis Colts. Irsay’s first line of business was to replace Tobin as GM with Bill Polian.

In 1998 after a horrible season Jim Irsay started cleaning house. He also fired Head Coach Lindy Infante and hired Jim Mora. This was also the year that the most talented quarterback to ever touch a pigskin was signed as the new Quarterback. The one and only Peyton Manning. Fresh out of college but in a world he was all too familiar with Peyton Manning only led the Colts to 3 wins that season. However he did pass for 3,739 yards and threw for 26 touchdowns. He was also named NFL All-Rookie First Tem.

In 1999 The Indianapolis Colts drafted the man of steel behind the wheel Edgerrin James. The Colts went 13-3 and finished 1^st in the AFC East for the first time since 1987. In true Colts history the Indianapolis Colts fell short to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional playoffs.

In 2000 and 2001 the Indianapolis Colts began to struggle again. In 2001 They fired Coach Jim Mora and replaced him with Tony Dungy from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Under Tony Dungy, the Colts returned quickly to the playoffs with a record of 10-6. In 2004 the Indianapolis Colts became AFC South Champions and for faced the dreadful and much hated New England Patriots for the AFC Division Championship game. It was a battle between two great quarterbacks. Tom Brady for the New England Patriots had made a name for himself but could never really stepped outside of Manning’s shadow. However, history repeated itself and the Indianapolis Colts loss to the New England Patriots.

In 2005 the Indianapolis Colts began their season with a 13-0 record. They had an outstanding year breaking records and making name for themselves. They made it again to the playoffs vs the Pittsburgh Steelers and again sadly lost.

In 2006 with a seasoned quarterback, veteran receivers, and outstanding defenders Joseph Addai was drafted. They went 9-0 to start the season but had their first loss to the Dallas Cowboys. However the Colts still went 12-4. They made it to the playoffs yet again for the 5^th consecutive year. They beat out Kansas City Cheifs in the first round and there old hometown team the Baltimore Ravens in the second round only to be faced with the New England patriots again for the AFC Championship game. It didn’t start out as the Indianapolis Colts fans would like. At half time the score was Patriots 21 the Colts 3. However, after coming back from the locker room after half time the Indianapolis Colts had changed their game and came back to win 38-34. It was the 1^st time as Indianapolis Colts going to the Superbowl. This was not only a big deal for the team but it was a big deal for the Coach Tony Dungy as he and Lovie Smith were the first African American coaches to ever Coach in a Super bowl.

The Indianapolis Colts went on to face the Chicago Bears in the Super bowl in Florida. The rain was falling down and Indianapolis Fans were nervous. Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts were not great at playing in the rain. However the Indianapolis Colts WON the super bowl 29-17.

For the next several years the Colts made it to the playoffs but always fell short of the AFC Divisional Championship Game. In 2008 the Indianapolis Colts moved from the RCA Dome to the new and very improved Lucas Oil Stadium. Also after the 2008 Season Coach Tony Dungy decided to retire. One of the greatest coaches in Indianapolis Colts history Coach Tony Dungy led his team to a total of 92 wins and only 33 losses.

Jim Caldwell was hired to replace Tony Dungy and he led his team to a 14-0 start. They could have gone 16-0 but Coach Jim Caldwell decided to bench his starters for the last two games to keep them safe and protected for the playoffs. It was a bet that paid off because the Indianapolis Colts beat the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets to advance to the Super bowl again a Cinderella team the New Orleans Saints. However with much disappointment the Colts lost to the Saints 31-17.

In 2010 the Indianapolis Colts hit a rough patch and didn’t do very well. It was also the last time Payton Manning played in a game as an Indianapolis Colt.

In 2011 Peyton Manning was sidelined for the majority of the season due to neck injuries. He still wore his uniform proud and tried to coach 3 different quarterbacks into a winning game. Kerry Collins took place of Peyton as the starting quarterback only to lose the job to back up quarterback Curtis Painter. Curtis Painter also could not fill the shoes of the Great Peyton Manning so they gave 2^nd string quarterback Dan Orlovsky a chance. He failed as well. The Colts went 2-14. With a horrible record the only thing the Colts won was 1^st round pick in the 2012 Draft. Along with the winning season Bill Polian was also fired. Indianapolis Colts fans were left in limbo about what was going to happen with Peyton Manning. Was he recovered enough to plan another season or five? Should they let him go and sign Rookie Andrew Luck and start fresh? Was it a ploy all along? Did the Colts decide that Peyton was not going to have a future with the Indianapolis Colts and they needed and wanted a Rookie Quarterback to last the next 10 years? Again it is all who you decide to ask. There were 2 great choices for Quarterbacks that year in the draft. Some wanted Andrew Luck and some wanted Robert Griffin III nicknamed RG3. After much deliberation Andrew Luck was the 1^st pick of the 2012 Draft and he was welcomed with mixed emotions in Indianapolis.

With Bill Polian out Ryan Grigson was hired on as the new General Manager and Jim Caldwell was let go and hired in his place was Coach Chuck Pagano. It seemed like 2012 was a time for a change. Peyton Manning wasn’t the only star player released from the Indianapolis Colts. Following in suit behind him were greats like Joseph Addai, Dallas Clark and Defensive Captain Gary Brackett. In came Andrew Luck, Colby Fleener and T.Y. Hilton.

The season started off not so great when just shortly into the season Coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia. Indianapolis and the players rallied behind him and became #ChuchStrong. Under Interm Head Coach Bruce Arians the very young and very new Indianapolis Colts went 11-5. Unfortunately, the Colts feel victims to the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs.

In 2013 Peyton Manning returned home as a Denver Bronco and was welcomed with open arms. Several fans had #18 jerseys that were half Indianapolis Colts and half Denver Bronco. Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis beat the Hometown hero 39-33. The Colts again made it the playoffs only falling short of bringing home the AFC South Championship or Super bowl title.

The start of the 2014 season has been a great one has well. The Colts are leading the AFC South and are in the Hunt for the playoff spots. Hopefully with Home field advantage. Remember to stay #ColtsStrong #BleedBlue.

Not only is December 15^th an important date for the game but it is a special day. Mayor William “Bill” Hudnut (longest running Mayor of Indianapolis and one of the greatest men to ever live) is being honored for all of his hard work and dedication to the great state of Indiana. Indianapolis has built a monument downtown that they will unveil before the game on December 15^th. Without Mayor Hudnut Indiana probably wouldn’t have a football team or many other amazing things like the RCA Dome, Monument Circle, Union Station, IU School of Medicine, Indiana Convention Center and Eli Lilly. His goal was to make Indiana a “happening” place. Indiana became a very sports affiliated state thanks to Mayor Hudnut. So we are not only Celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the Indianapolis Colts, we are celebrating the Man that helped bring them here.

Greatest Players as the Indianapolis Colts

Marvin Harrison~He caught for 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns. He has a record of 143 catches in one season.

Peyton Manning~ Do you really need a reason? He is just the best of the best!

Edgerrin James~has 9226 rushing yards, 62 touchdowns

Dwight Freeney~#93 was the most outstanding Defensive End I had seen in some time. In his 11 seasons as a Colt he has 107.5 sacks and 43 forced fumbles. He will always be famous for his signature spin move.

Robert Mathis~in his 16^th season with the Colts Robert is the BEST OF THE BEST. He leads the league in sacks with 19.5. He also has the NFL Record of most strip sacks with 43

Jeff Saturday~best Center in Colts’ history. He has since retired as an Indianapolis Colt.

Adam Vinatieri~Mr. Clutch is the BEST KICKER OF ALL TIME!!!!

Gary Brackett 754 tackles

Dallas Clark~He is an amazing Tight End. He broke several franchise records and has made 427 catches 46 TDs

Marshall Faulk~One of the greatest running back to grace the NFL. The Colts were lucky to have him for the four years they did. He is one of the very few RBs to have 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards.

Antoine Bethea~has 857 tackles 17 interceptions

Bob Sanders~303 Tackles 6 interceptions and a star safety.

Reggie Wayne~A true Colt through and through. He had been a Colt since the beginning and doesn’t show signs of slowing down. Before the start of the 2014 Season Reggie had 13,566 yards and 80 touchdowns.

Until Next Time................

Thanksgiving~

I can almost smell the turkey cooking in the oven, pumpkin pies out resting, and the sounds of friends and family members laughing. It is by far one of my favorite Holidays. It isn’t about anything other than FOOTBALL, FOOD and FAMILY. I like that the only thing exchanged are a few choice words at the t.v. while watching football or between siblings because they are fighting over who gets the wishbone.

Thanksgiving started back in 1621 however it didn’t become an annual tradition in the USA until 1863. This feast lasted 3 days between the Native Americans and the Pilgrims. Thanksgiving is held on the 4^th Thursday of November. Thanksgiving is known for setting aside time to give thanks for one’s blessings.

I don’t know about your family but I am a part of a HUGE Family. My father in law is 1 of 9 kids. Some of those kids have kids of their own. Thanksgiving has always been so amazingly fun and entertaining. You have never met a family more loving. I remember my first Thanksgiving with their family and I was greeted with hugs and kisses. It was truly all about giving Thanks and about family. A Grandpa sneaking his grandson cranberry sauce under the table because mom said he needed to eat more meat, an Aunt meeting her niece for the first time, and so so so much love.

Traditions are a big thing in my family. Every year we get together at my sister in law’s house and my mother-in-law teaches her two granddaughter’s how to make Sweet Potato Casserole. I love hearing them laugh as they are crunching up the corn flakes and getting their hands all messy from mashing the sweet potatoes. I am always in charge of taking pictures because I always seem to have a camera in my hands. Plus I love getting to capture those wonderful moments.

And if 2 Thanksgivings aren’t enough welcome to my family and the 3^rd Thanksgiving. My mom is also a part of a big family. All of her brothers and sisters have kids and even some of them have kids. We normally all pitch in and bring some sort of side and one of us normally get stuck baking the Ham and the other the Turkey. Most of my mom’s family live in another state or not so close so when we get together everyone tries to catch up. We also take a LOT of Family pictures. It is amazing how much everyone grows.

One of my favorite memories of Thanksgiving were the conversations I had with my Grandpa. We would sit at the dining room table and we would have very heated discussions about the new and hip things. My grandpa didn’t like change very much. Plus every year my grandma would ask what we wanted for Christmas and he would say that we weren’t getting anything for Christmas because he was taking my Grandma and going someplace warm. However, EVERY year we went to my grandparent’s house for Christmas.

My favorite food on Thanksgiving is the mashed potatoes and corn mixed together. I know you don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving to have them but I just love them. I have really never liked Pumpkin pie or Sweet potato casserole. What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? What is your favorite Food?

Until Next Time………

I LOVE LOVE LOVE fall. I love the rustic reds, burnt orange, and the smell of bonfires at night. My children spent the weekend raking the leaves in a huge pile in the back yard just so they could jump in it. They did it for hours. They would get the pile big, jump into it until it was flat and then rake it into a big pile again. Brings back memories doesn’t it. It was so beautiful this weekend it almost felt like the beginning of Spring and not Fall. My family had family photos taken on Sunday afternoon at a local park. They turned out beautiful.

Saturday was the perfect day. I spent most of my day out on my motorcycle with my kids and my mother. We went and got my son’s haircut, a few new pairs of jeans, and their Halloween costumes. I must admit that I HATE HATE HATE Halloween. I am not a big fan of Scary Clowns and the kids like to make fun of me for it and try to scare me every chance they get. Also, I am not a fan of scary movies and that is the only thing that seems to come on during the month of October. We spent the afternoon and evening on our back porch playing cards with my brother and sister in law while our kids and the kids I was babysitting were playing a weird form of tag in the backyard.

The biggest thing I love about the fall is it is the start of FOOTBALL SEASON!!!! I know that the season is almost ½ over but there is nothing I like more than watching the Indianapolis Colts play on Sunday. Win or lose I have been a fan of them since as long as I can remember. I think my next blog is going to be about them. They have a lot of history here in Indianapolis and this is their 30^th year here so why not.

Well a few tips for fall clean up.

1)    Clean out your gutters

2)    When raking leaves, rake them around the base of a tree. This helps mulch the tree.

3)    This is the time to start cleaning out your flower beds if you want to plant flowers that will bloom by spring time.

4)    Make sure your downspouts are not clogged when cleaning the gutters

Enjoy time with Family and Friends.

Until Next Time………

Labor Day~

Did you ever wonder what Labor Day was actually about? I did. So I googled it and I found out and it is about ME and YOU and any hard working individual. Here are some important facts about Labor Day for you.

1)      It is celebrated the first Monday of September  

2)      It was originally celebrated on May 4 back in 1886 but they moved it to September in 1887.

3)      It became a Federal Holiday in 1894

4)      It is known to a lot of people as the end of summer and the start of football.

Most families celebrate by having a cookout. Brats, burgers, hotdogs, potato salad, baked beans and lots of other good stuff. Others go camping and enjoy the peacefulness of Mother Nature.

Whichever you prefer I hope that you have a restful week.

Back to School

I can’t think of anyone more excited right now than parents. It is that time again. BACK TO SCHOOL. Do you have all your kids’ pencils, papers, crayons, markers, binders, folders, colored pencils, paints, so on and so forth???? It all seems so overwhelming doesn’t it? Luckily for me I waited, like a lot of parents, until the last minute. We were all scrambling around looking for things and we would hear someone say “Where are the red pens” and someone would kindly point them out. Eventually we were all shopping together calling out what we needed and when we found something the other needed. The hardest thing to find was multicolored highlighters. Which by the way were nowhere near the school supplies.

The night before school….kids are fed, showered, and ready for bed and you crash into your bed waiting for the alarm to sound in just a few short hours. It only like you shut your eyes when the alarm sounds and you are rushing around to make sure they kids are up, dressed, eating breakfast, have all their school stuff, get a couple of pictures, and out the door to make sure that you don’t miss the bus. You wait and wait and wait…….still no bus. Then it goes by and you are like WHAT?????? So you hop in your car and chase the bus down and get your kid off to school only to find out that your kids was at the wrong bus stop. Which isn’t too bad since I had some friends put their kids on the wrong bus that took them to the wrong school OOPs!

Now that your kids are at school you have some kind of relief throughout the day knowing that they are learning but worried and wondering if they are doing okay? If they made any new friends? If they are being bullied? If they are missing you as much as you are missing them? You have waited all summer long to get rid of them just to want to hear from them long enough to know they are okay.

So the night before school I always say a little prayer and I would like to share it with all of you.

Dear Bus Driver, Please make sure that you get plenty of sleep tonight as I am depending on you to take my children to and from school safely. Please protect them as if they were your own. I know that your job is extremely hard and I am very thankful for you.

 Dear Teachers, Please make sure that you remember that my kids are nervous, scared, and excited all rolled into one. I am trusting you to fill my kids’ minds with knowledge and to keep them safe. I am entrusting you with my kids and know that your job is extremely hard and couldn't imagine doing it myself. I very thankful for you.

                To all other drivers, Remember that there are innocent children at the bus stop eagerly waiting for that big yellow bus to come pick them up and carry them to school. There are kids super excited because Mom and Dad said they were finally old enough to ride their bike to school. There are moms/dads on their way to drop their kids off on their first day of school. Please be careful, take your time, and drive safely. Remember to slow down in the school zones and keep your eyes out for children.

It is that time again. Indiana’s 2^nd largest racing event the Indianapolis Brickyard 400. It is also the 2^nd largest racing event in Nascar Racing (Daytona holds the #1 spot). The event was first held in Indianapolis in 1994 bringing in over 250,000 spectators. The Brickyard is a 400 Mile race which consist of 160 laps.

The term "Brickyard" is a reference to the nickname historically used for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. When the race course opened in 1909, the track surface was crushed stone and tar. That surface was the cause of numerous and sometimes fatal accidents, so the track was repaved with 3.2 million bricks in time for the inaugural Indy 500 in 1911, giving rise to the name Brickyard. Over time the bricks have been covered with asphalt, and now only a one-yard strip of brick at the start/finish line remains exposed.

Racing legends like Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jarrett, Ricky Rudd, Bobby Labonte, Bill Elliot, Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard, and Ryan Newman have all had the pleasure of winning at the Brickyard 400 over the past 20 years.

Tony Stewart and Dale Jarrett have each won the race twice and Jeff Gordon and Jimmy Johnson have both won the race 4 times each. Jimmy Johnson is the only winner to have back to back wins in 2008 and 2009.

The names of the winners of the Brickyard 400 are inscribed on the PPG Trophy, which is permanently housed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. Jeff Gordon won the inaugural Brickyard 400 on August 6, 1994. Since 2012 the Brickyard 400 and Crown Royal have teamed together and have named the race in honor of a U.S. armed forces or first responders.

Hope you all enjoy the Brickyard 400

Happy 4^th of July.

Here is a little history lesson on the wonderful holiday that is filled with a bunch of Friends, Family, Fun, and Fireworks.

Fourth of July is a federal holiday in United States of America commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 declaring independence from Great Britain.

Some cool information about the Declaration of Independence:
~John Adams and Thomas Jefferson the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States

~John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration

~ Edward Rutledge (age 26), was the youngest signer, and Benjamin Franklin (age 70) was the oldest signer.

~ The first and most famous signature on the copy was that of John Hancock. (This is also where the phrase “Please sign your John Hancock”)

Fourth of July at my house consist of going to the parade and a festival afterwards. It is really awesome seeing all the people that come out to celebrate. After we spend the morning and afternoon riding rides and eat “fair” food till we pop we head of to our friend’s house for a pool party and BBQ with all of our friends. We continue to stuff our faces and complain about the weight we are putting on but don’t care cause it just taste OH SO GOOD. When it starts to get dark we hand all the kids sparklers and watch as they run around spelling their names in the air and hearing them laugh. There is nothing more precious than a child’s laughter. Once the sun as went to sleep for the night and the only thing you can see is those big beautiful bright white stars we all gather around in our chairs and watch as the loud scary booms turn into big, bright, and beautiful colors. It is amazing the different shapes and colors the fireworks take on. I love it when the Patriotic songs are playing in the background and you hold your love one’s hand as you are singing along to “God Bless America”.

Then as soon as it began it is over. You stand around talking about how awesome the firework show was and how you are so thankful for your friends for inviting you over. You drag yourself to the car and drive home. Excited to finally be in bed after a very long day. As you lay there with a smile on your face you remember how blessed you are to have a great family and wonderful friends.

Until next time……….

When you think of May in Indiana there is normally a few things that pop in your mind but I bet the biggest thing most people are thinking of is the INDIANAPOLIS 500. It’s only The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. It is considered one of the three most prestigious motorsports events in the world. The Indianapolis 500 is met by people all over the United States. Famous actors and actresses, singers, professional athletes and everyday people come to Indiana just to watch the race. Whether it is rain or shine you are sure to have a blast. The Indianapolis 500 falls over Memorial Day weekend every year but the events last all month long. One of the BIGGEST traditions with the Indy 500 is Carb Day. It is held the Friday before the race and is the final practice session before the race on Sunday. There is a lot going on that day as well as the final practice laps the speedway holds a concert each year. It also has been turned into one of the biggest drinking days of the year. Lots of people spend the whole weekend (Friday to Sunday) at the track camping, grilling out and parting with their friends.

A little History of the Indy 500

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built in 1909 as a gravel and tar track. This was host to many small events like motorcycle racing. During the first two events there were two fatal accidents because of the breakup of asphalt. This gathering brought 15,000 people to the track.

Carl G Fisher who was the principal owner decided to spend $155,000 on repaving the track with 3.2 Million bricks and added a concrete wall 2ft 9 inches high. The newly remolded track drew in 60,000 spectators in on Memorial Day weekend 1910. Throughout the rest of the year the track’s crowds grew progressively smaller. Carl decided to do a 24 hour contest with the winner would be awarded $25,000.

The first 500 was held on Memorial Day, May 30, 1911 and it had 40 starters. This race was host to the first car ever to have a rear view mirror. This race drew in crowds of 80,000 people. Carl was so happy that he decided to establish an annual tradition. In 1912 the winnings was raised to $50,000 and the field was limited to only 33 drivers. 1912 was the first time an American driver won with an American car. This gave the European car makers incentive to build better, faster and stronger cars.

The Indianapolis 500 attracts more than 300,000 people.   

 Cool Information

In 1927 the Purdue All-American Marching Band began performing on the track near the finish line and has been the host band ever since.

1946 American Operatic tenor and car enthusiast James Melton started the tradition of singing “Back Home Again in Indiana” with the Purdue Band. It was then taken over by Jim Nabors in 1972. Sadly Mr. Nabors will be retiring from singing the song at this year’s Indianapolis 500.

Female Participation of any sort were banned from the Indianapolis 500. Even women reports were not allowed in the “Pit” until 1971.

The first woman to ever qualify for the Indianapolis 500 was Janet Guthrie in 1977.

Sarah Fisher has competed 8 times.

Danica Patrick led the race in 2005 for 19 laps which is the first time a woman has ever led in laps and her 3^rd place finish in 2009 is the best finish for a woman ever.

Milk was introduced in the 1933 Indy 500 when Louis Meyers requested a glass of buttermilk after his win. A local dairy company saw that the winner was drinking milk and decided to offer a bottle of milk to the winner for all future races. Milk has been presented at all of the races.

At the 1993 Indy 500 the winner Emerson Fittipaldi who owns and operates and orange grove drank orange juice instead of milk and was booed by the fans.

Don’t forget to wish your Mother(s) a Happy Mother’s Day

Until next time………….

It is finally here.....Spring is finally here. Well maybe. I know that Mother Nature has been playing some very mean tricks on us here lately. How can it be 60 and sunny then go to a thunderstorm and into a snow storm all in 12 hours??? Well hopefully we will be getting warmer weather sooner rather than later. I am surely sick and tired of the snow and cold. This weekend we are suppose to get some warm weather mixed with rain. All I know is that I am ready for warmer weather, cookouts, campfires, and being able to air out my house. I always purge in the Spring time. I open all my windows and I clean. When I clean I mean I CLEAN!!!! I start in one room and work my way through all the rooms until I am finished. Closets get cleaned and organized, winter clothes get washed, dried and stored. I move beds, dressers, and tvs to make sure that I dust and vacuum under and around everything. It takes me pretty much all day. My kids and husband know that they MUST stay out of my way. Don't try and help me cause I have a way of doing things and they will more than likely just get in my way. Now while I am doing everything inside the house my husband and kids can do the yard work. Picking up doggie doo doo, branches, and mowing the lawn. I will stay out of their way. My husband also has to clean out the garage cause that is his man cave. So since I am gearing up to get in my cleaning mode I thought that I would share some MUST dos.

 1) Orangize~You will save so much space if you do this. Check out pintrest on some amazing cool everyday things you can use to organize your cabinets, pantry, and closets.

2) Purge~Get rid of things that are to small or big. Toys you know your kid(s) haven't played with in months. Old damage socks with holes in them. I was once told that you should put all your clothes in your closet backwards. So the hanger is facing out not in. When you do your next load of laundry you will hang your clothes the normal way. Then after one month you can go through your closet and anything that is on backwards hanger is not important enough to wear so get rid of it. (If they are still in good condition donate to your local shelters)

3) Focus~Don't get distracted. Make sure you stay on task. Don't overwhelm yourself. One room at a time. Believe me you will get it all done but you will have to realize that you will make a mess in another room while cleaning the other. However, once you are finished you can move on to the next one.

4) Music~ Make sure you create a playlist of your favorite upbeat music so that you can dance while you clean. It makes for a good workout as well. Make sure that you have positive, up beat music. You don't want to be in the zone and the next thing you hear is some slow love song that makes you want to weep.

5) List~Making a list of things you want to keep and want to throw away before you start cleaning so that you can pre-organize is extremely helpful.

Well I hope these tips are helpful to you and HAPPY SPRING CLEANING

Until next time...........

Well HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! How about 14 inches of snow to start our year off right? I have lived in Indiana for a long time and it has been forever since I have seen so much snow. Sometimes I wish I was a kid again so that I could go sledding and make snowmen but to be honest it is just too dang cold. I had to put blankets up everywhere in my house to try to keep it warmth inside with the -13 degree weather. I did however get cabin fever. Stuck inside with 2 kids for 72 hrs straight is enough to drive any parent crazy. When we were finally able to get out and drive I went to the grocery store, gas station, walked around Meijer. I have never been so happy to be out of the house.

How many of you have already taken down your Christmas decorations? I must admit that mine were down the Friday after Christmas. I couldn’t wait. I loved how the Christmas tree made my house smell so good but I just couldn’t stand the needles falling off and the glistening of the lights. I would have to vacuum twice a day. To say I was ready for the New Year was an understatement. My house is finally put back to normal and I couldn’t be happier.

With the New Year bring New Year Resolutions. What are your New Year Resolutions? Do you try for a little and give up or do you see it through the whole year?

So what kind of advice can I give to the renters this month? How about with all this snow melting the big issue we are going to face are flooding sump pump.

As more than a foot of snow melts across central Indiana, it’s setting the stages for potential flooding problems.

“It’s going to cause traffic problems. It’s going to cause problems for people in neighborhoods. It’s going to cause ponds to form in yards,” said Stephanie Wilson with the Department of Public Works.

Most importantly, you should check the storm drains on your street or in your neighborhood. Those drains should be shoveled and cleared of snow, so that they are not blocked. Keep taking steps to prevent frozen pipes and don’t drive through flooded streets. Keep an eye on the sump pumps and make sure that they’re running. If you think you have an issue with your sump pump call your landlord so they can come out to verify before you have a big mess on your hands.

Until next time………….

Well, all those beautiful yellow, orange and red leaves have fallen. They are most likely covered by the snow. Have you ever just stood back and looked at the snow? The way it lays softly on the ground with a little bit of shimmer to make it look so peaceful. Yes, it is cold and yes, it does stink to drive in but by the time December rolls around when we think of snow we think of Christmas, Hanukkah, and the fresh start to a New Year.  People begin to make New Year’s Resolutions, which a majority of people will not keep. Some will try to lose weight, eat healthier, save more money, move, or just be happier. The start of a New Year can be somewhat scary. Maybe you had a great year and don’t want it to end. Maybe you have had a horrible year and can’t wait for it to end.

All of those beautiful colors of fall have been replaced by greens, reds, whites, and blue lights, Santa Claus, Rudolph, and many other Christmas decorations. Some houses have the smell of a beautiful Christmas Trees as others have beautiful less messy artificial Christmas Trees. People have put away the shorts, flip-flops, and tank tops and replaced them with jeans, snow boots, and big warm jackets.

Tips to help keep your house warm:

1)      Close all of your windows properly. This includes making sure storm windows are closed in place if you have them. Windows should be latched. Keep your windows air-tight. You may want to purchase removable window-caulk to better seal them. At a minimum, stuff a towel or shirt in front of any noticeable leaks.

2)      Use cheap clear shower curtains over the windows that receive sun light. This will keep the cold air out, and the warmth from the sun will heat your house without cold air coming in.

3)      Put up curtains. A set of heavy curtains can block heavy drafts of air. Open them when the sun is shining and close them when it's not.

4)      Seal your doors. Check around the door frame and also under the door. You may want to buy weather stripping or a door sweep. Again, at minimum, make a draft dodger or stuff a towel at the bottom of the door.

We want to wish all of you a Happy Holiday and a Blessed New Year.