45 Life Lessons We Should All Learn...

My awesome team leader, Janice Baldwin, sent these life lessons to everyone this morning. It was written by Regina Brett, a columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. In the e-mail it talked about how Regina had just turned 90 years old; I had never heard of this woman before so I did a little research. I found her website: ReginaBrett.com and as it turns out she just turned 50 in 2006...so the e-mail floating around is inaccurate as to her age, but still contains a wonderful amount of life lessons we can learn from.

According to her website, the following article is being turned into a book titled: "God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours" --it will be released April of 2010.

So without further ado...here are the 45 Life Lessons we should know by Regina Brett:

• Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
• When in doubt, just take the next small step.
• Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
• Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
• Pay off your credit cards every month.
• You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
• Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
• It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
• Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
• When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

• Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
• It's OK to let your children see you cry.
• Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
• If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
• Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
• Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
• Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
• Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
• It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
• When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

• Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
• Over prepare, then go with the flow.
• Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
• The most important sex organ is the brain.
• No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
• Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
• Always choose life.
• Forgive everyone and everything.
• What other people think of you is none of your business.
• Time heals almost everything. Give it time.

• However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
• Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
• Believe in miracles.
• God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
• Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
• Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
• Your children get only one childhood.
• All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
• Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
• If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
• Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
• The best is yet to come.
• No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
• Yield.
• Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

I think that Regina really knows what she's talking about! All of these tips and lessons are great ways to live your life and reminders that we only get one shot at life here on Earth. Which one was most meaningful to you?

For me, as a Christian, my favorite one is "The best if yet to come!" This one means the most to me because while this life is great, I know that I have an even better one in store for me in the future--eternity in Heaven with my Savior and Lord! Life on Earth is just preparation for eternity spent with God.

In fact, I'm reading an awesome book on Heaven by Randy Alcorn simply titled "Heaven." I am just beginning it but so far it's been very good--I'm learning a lot and it's one that I would recommend every Christian to read.

So, please tell me, which Life Lesson means the most to you?

P.S. In case you're interested...all the photos were taken by me while on my study abroad trip to Australia...a truly beautiful place! I would highly recommend a trip there if you've never been!!

Photos ©2009 Anne Rains Photography, All Rights Reserved.

If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today!

Children Say the Darndest Things...2nd Graders Reveal Why God Made Moms!

I received the following e-mail that contained answers by 2nd graders on "Why God Made Moms." Their answers were too cute for me not to share this!

I love listening to children; hearing their answers to various questions--some of the things they come up with are so very sweet and other things they say are just hilarious!

I think you'll enjoy this and hopefully it'll make you smile and laugh a little. Not sure what the weather is doing in your part of town, but here it's rainy and thundering...hope this brightens your day up a bit!

Why Did God Make Mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. Because we're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What Kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy..
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name...
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot...
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3.. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.


It is so much fun asking children questions and then listening to their answers. If you're a parent, take the time to really listen to your child and if they say something funny, write it down--maybe keep a journal--later down the road it will be so neat to look back at some of the clever, sweet or hilarious things they've said. I know they will enjoy it also!

My dad actually used to fix my sister and I huge bowls of icecream and sit us down at the kitchen table. He would sit there with his video camera, recording us and asking us questions why we chowed down on an enormous amount of icecream. I have great memories of those days and now have several tapes to look back on. I really appreciate my dad taking the time to do that and make those memorieswith us. And best of all, now I can hear all the crazy things I said when I was little.

Have a Happy Weekend!

If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this excitingjourney! I serve Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today!

Photo Credit: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3

One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

Well, since I'm having a YARD SALE tomorrow, I thought that I would share this awesome post about how to have a successful yard sale. It has lots of great tips that helped me, especially since this will be the first one I've ever done!

My fingers are crossed and I'm praying that the RAIN will hold off...40% chance tomorrow during the time I'm having it...yikes!


Via Patty Keller Virtual Assistant (AnotherME, LLC):

How To Have A Successful Yard Sale

Spring is the perfect time to clean out the garage, the attic and the closets (even under the kid's beds) and have a garage sale! We've heard that listing agents are encouraging their sellers to have garage sales to help drive traffic and awareness! Better yet, organize a neighborhood-wide garage sale! Offer to help out your sellers with signs, balloons, post on your website, or make some lemonade! Here are a few tips to share.

PREPARATION

Preparing for a yard sale is hard work. Ideally, you should start working on your yard sale 3 weeks prior to the event. However, if you work hard, you can have it ready in 2 weeks. Well prepared yard sales can profit upwards of $800.00 or more.

Week 1: Spring Cleaning - choose one or two rooms a day and begin collecting items in the basement or garage.

Week 2 & 3: Organizing - sort, clean and price your items.

ADVERTISING

Place an ad in the local paper and any online garage sale sites. Craigslist, www.gsalr.com are some to consider. Large signs or banners placed at all the entrances to the neighborhood and directional signs throughout the neighborhood will bring in the customers and keep them shopping. Also balloons on mailboxes are always helpful to confirm you are open and not just cleaning your garage.

PRICING

Put a price tag on everything and ALWAYS be willing to negotiate.

Overpricing is the next hurdle...yard sales are for liquidation. Quality items should be priced less than half off the original price you paid. Overpricing can turn everyone away before they get to the garage.


DISPLAY/SETUP

What you have to sell and how much you have to sell are important factors as well. If you don't have much to sell, then partnering with a neighbor is a good idea. Put everything in one driveway...you need "The Draw". Walk the sale, re-organize items, always talk to the customers. Some people are too shy to ask for a price or to negotiate...being friendly can make a sale.

As the day progresses and tables get sparse. Consolidate items so that tables are always full.

THE DRAW

"The Draw" is very important. Although you should always advertise your sale in local papers and online, you still have to get customers to come to YOUR house.

Perception is everything. Bring some large items or "hooks" (furniture, play, exercise and lawn equipment, etc.) out onto the driveway. Your goal is to gain their interest. You can also put items out that you have no intention of selling, just to get customers in the garage. Yes, that's right, you may have some items that you are on the fence about and you are not ready to part with at yard sale prices. Just don't put a price on it, or, price it higher, you never know, it may sell.

Sell popcorn, lemonade, cookies, water...these are other ways to get people to your house.



(posted by Suzanne Geddes, Marketing/Graphic Designer for AnotherME)

Wordless Wednesday (A Day Late!): A Street with a Story to Tell

Wordless Wednesday...sorry for the delay! I titled this A Street with a Story to Tell because this beautiful cobblestone street is very old and is part of Savannah, Georgia's River Street. It's a really neat street that runs beside the water and has several shops, restaurants and hotels to enjoy.
Photos ©2009 Anne Rains Photography, All Rights Reserved.

If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today!

Who Else Wants an Awesome Home Inspector?

Having a great home inspector is a key part of purchasing a home--someone who doesn't know what they are doing could overlook a major problem with the home that may lead to some very costly fixes down the road. You definitely want someone with a lot of experience and an attention to detail.

Today I went out on a limb and tried a different inspector than I normally use; however, not without doing my homework first though! About a month ago I received an e-mail from Mark Watkins, a home inspector in my area looking for more agents to work with. He included his prices in the e-mail and they were cheaper than the inspector I was currently using so I became intrigued.

I did some research: I replied to the e-mail asking him how long he'd been in the business and if he had some referrals I could look at. He got back to me right away with an overwhelming list of 87 REALTOR names and contact information that are currently using his services. He has been doing inspections since February 2007 and prior to that he was a real estate agent for 11 years! Previous to his real estate career, he also owned a remodeling company. He's completed over 743 inspections. It definitely seemed to me he had plenty of credentials and was worth trying out.

This morning's inspection went very well! Mark was very thorough in doing his job and anytime he found even the tiniest thing wrong he would show it to my client and explain how to fix it. Also, as he was going through the home he taught my client how to take care of their home and maintain it--such as what knob to turn off before the first freeze of the fall and how often they should change out their air filters. I thought this was especially helpful since my client is a first-time home buyer.

His report was ready within two hours after the inspection and sitting in my e-mail box when I returned home from being out and about! It is very simple to read and easy to understand exactly what's wrong because he highlights the problems with photos.

I would highly recommend using Mark Watkins for your home inspections if you're in his area. He is based out of Buford, Georgia. You would have to ask him if he serves your area though.

His Prices are as Follows (Based on the Sales Price):

• Up to $250,000 the price is $275. Add $25 if on a basement or a crawl space.
• $250,001 to $350,000 the price is $300. Add $25 if on a basement or a crawl space.
• $350,001 to $450,000 the price is $335. Add $25 if on a basement or a crawl space.
• $450,001 to $550,000 the price is $375. Add $25 if on a basement or a crawl space.
• $550,001 to $700,000 the price is $425. Add $35 if on a basement or a crawl space.
• $700,001 to $800,000 the price is $450. Add $35 if on a basement or a crawl space.
• $800,001 to $1 million the price is $500. Add $50 if on a basement or a crawl space.

He also has special prices on Town Houses and Condos.

If you need a home inspector that you can trust, I would call Mark Watkins. 770-527-1865

If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today!

You Don't Have to Break the Bank to Have a Beautiful Yard...

Spring is my favorite time of the year. Why? Because I absolutely love flowers and I'm really starting to get interested in planting and gardening--basically trying to make my yard be the best it can be. However, I'm a newlywed and don't have a ton of extra dough to put into creating a spectacularly landscaped yard.

That is why I love the Loganville Grower's Outlet! Not only do they have a huge selection of flowers and plants of all kinds, but they have fabulous prices. For instance, today I bought one of my favorite flowers, Gerbera Daisies, for only $1 a piece!! Just the other day I was in Lowe's and these same plants were $3.83!! So you know what I did, I bought 15 plants today and only spent $15!!

Another reason why I love the Loganville Grower's Outlet is because the plants are healthy and in good shape. In fact, all the daisies I bought today have a least 2 flower buds coming up and the foliage is very green and perky. I know that these plants will not die the instant I put them in the soil, if anything they are going to thrive!

If you are like me and you're on a budget, but still want a yard that pops with color my advice is to always choose perennials because they typically come back year after year. Gerbera daisies are perennials and I can count on them coming back each year and they usually just get stronger and bigger every year. The longer they are in your yard, the more quickly they come up each Spring and the more flowers they produce. I love the fact that I don't have to continuously replace my flowers each year and that I can work on adding to my yard...not re-doing it all every season.

Just remember, Spring and Summer is prime time when buyers come out...if you have your home on the market, it is especially important to have great curb appeal!! If you need more tips on how to improve your home's curb appeal, please feel free to e-mail me!

The Loganville Grower's Outlet also has a website that they update frequently with all the plants they currently have in stock and their prices. The website also features design tips and plant information.

Click here for WEBSITE

Location: 159 Cown Drive, Loganville, GA

I encourage you to check out the Loganville Grower's Outlet for your plant needs! You certainly won't be let down! If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today!

Just for Fun! Take a Break and Try These Out!!...

I received this e-mail today and it contained five riddles...I was only able to figure one of them out, but I don't think I thought about them long enough.

See how you do...I will post the answers in the comment section tomorrow!

1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns and the third is full of lions who haven't eaten in three years. Which room is safest for him?

2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him underwater for more than five minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But five minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?

3. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it and gray when you throw it away?

4. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Wednesday, Friday or Sunday?

5. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious as to just how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so plain and ordinary that you would think nothing is wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is highly unusual though. Study it and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching!

Again, I didn't come up with these but thought they were a nice little break in the work day!

Hope you're having a prosperous and blessed day!

Good Luck!

If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today!

P.S. The pictures have nothing to do with the answers, I just thought they were pretty!