HH&R: Introducing a New Topic Type!

I've decided to introduce a new topic type:  HH&R (Home Help & Reminders).  Why? Because the more we look at homes and think about our home and rentals and building homes, the more I realize most people either probably know what to do to keep their home nice (or builder / rehabbers don't think about how homes are lived in when they design their updates).  So, I want to spend some space dedicated to those things.

A little background:  At one point in my life I wanted to be an architect and design homes.  That isn't the direction my life ended up taking, which can be a topic for another day, but that didn't kick my love of homes.  I love going through open houses and critiquing everything.  And as homeowners ourselves, we are meticulous about maintaining our properties.  I should also, at this point, create a shout-out to my husband without whom we would not have the amazingly clean and organized home that we do.  That's all him, and he's totally talented at it.  He thinks about things that never cross my brain and knows how to get things truly clean and organized.  I think about things like layout / flow / general home use.  We both think about maintenance.  Let's face it, those things together keep a house nice and make it so someone wants to pay top dollar when you're ready to sell.

Today's commentary:  Please clean your house before a showing.  We went to an open house this weekend and then a private showing, and the open house was covered in spiders.  Spiders everywhere.  And that's not the first time we've been to an open house where the person showing the house hasn't cleaned up right.  But for now, let's focus on spiders.  Seriously, someone walking around your house (esp if you want them to consider paying top dollar) is going to be put off if every hallway and every turn has them checking to see where to step.  If you couldn't spend the 10 minutes with a duster or vacuum (seriously, just a Swiffer) walking the perimeter of your home and shooing away the visible intruders, they're going to wonder what else you didn't bother to clean.

Feel free to recommend topics you'd like covered!

LMOH: Seeing My Art in the Wild

The other day it made me really excited when a client sent a picture of their kid reading my book and when a friend asked for some of our blank-inside cards to use as her general Thank You (or otherwise) cards.  I love that the Ein & Faye collection gives back to local rescues, and I love that our novels and quote books bring great information (and inspiration or critical thinking?!) to others.

Take a look for yourself!  Maybe you'll find something you love!

Last Bite Publishing Main Page 

Our Etsy Store

LMOH: Big Dipper Alternatives

I was looking at the stars last night - it was a gorgeous evening whispering that fall is close - in awe of the stars.  Always have been.  They're fascinating.  I saw the Big Dipper and I found myself looking at it going, "You know, if someone hadn't decided it was a giant ladle, what else could it have been?"  Two ideas came to mind:  a giraffe, and a brontosaur.  Maybe even something like a stunk flicking its tail.

The thought made me smile.  It made my husband lower his head and laugh.  Wonder what other constellations we can reimagine!