Property Management Blog

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.............

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..........

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………….

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...........