Wednesday, December 2, 2009
I'm Back
Hi all it's been a little while, I've been busy with some unforseeable events. Still selling real estate and facilitating peoples needs. I am getting ready to head to Italy, in a week! I am totally bummed that my camera is out of order...gona have to borrow one of my sibling's camera. I will keep you all posted.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday the 13th
I have not written in a while, have been busy with work and side projects. We had a nice Veteran's Day BBQ this year, we cooked some spicy cajun sausages, steaks, baked potatoes, frijoles de la olla, dirty cajun rice, roasted veggies and some home made super garlic-y bread. Every one had a great time. All you need is some great food, refreshing cold beers, good tunes, great company and by all means some old school moves to elevate the moment from memorable to epic. As I grow comfortably into myself the realization that as time goes by, friends, better yet friendships are like hair on some sets of heads. For some they start losing them straight after high school, others not after college or marriage, few keep them strong and healthy, most start to thin out over time but rarely does one grow them back or make new ones, easily. Here's a thought, cherish and nourish the hair on your head, the friends you have and just made for you will be very happy you did.
On a side note~~~~~~~~~~
So I just realized it's Friday the 13th...and what no Freddy Krueger or Michael Myers movies? I figure it's close enough to Halloween, but I guess they release them through out the year now. Hmmmm....
After Thought~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is such a nice chill in the air, the kind of chill that triggers the craving for comforting foods, drinks and movies. What I would give for a nice bowl of Minestrone with a side of French bread with aioli and a nice glass of Chianti or Sangiovese. Bread is such an instrumental source of comfort, like a blanket wrapped firmly to keep out moisture or like a sponge to sop up the unspoonable concoction left on your soup bowl. I miss the cool weather of Northern California and I trully appreciate it when it honors us with its presence here in Southern California. I will never take a cool breeze for granted ever again.
On a side note~~~~~~~~~~
So I just realized it's Friday the 13th...and what no Freddy Krueger or Michael Myers movies? I figure it's close enough to Halloween, but I guess they release them through out the year now. Hmmmm....
After Thought~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is such a nice chill in the air, the kind of chill that triggers the craving for comforting foods, drinks and movies. What I would give for a nice bowl of Minestrone with a side of French bread with aioli and a nice glass of Chianti or Sangiovese. Bread is such an instrumental source of comfort, like a blanket wrapped firmly to keep out moisture or like a sponge to sop up the unspoonable concoction left on your soup bowl. I miss the cool weather of Northern California and I trully appreciate it when it honors us with its presence here in Southern California. I will never take a cool breeze for granted ever again.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Hallow's Eve
I don't have a costume this year. I will more than likely be the Designated Driver tonight and tomorrow. Safety first. Hope Every one has a fun weekend! Remember, NO Drinking & Driving!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
How To Save Money at a Restaurant
TRICKS ON HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RESTAURANT TAB
Unless you've been hiding underneath a rock, you are aware of the current state of the American economy. It grows gloomier by the minute and shows no signs of improving in the near future. Nonetheless, the desire to treat one's self to a nice meal at a nice restaurant is always tempting. Most people enjoy dining out with friends and family at least once a week, some once a month. We enjoy the service, we over order, over eat, end up with left overs, a hefty tab and then there's the tip. You don't have to give up treating your self to a nice sit down meal, there are several cost effective tricks to reducing your tab, such as Lunch Specials and discounts.
Some people have grown accustomed to a certain style of living, like splurging on fancy restaurants and posh bars. These are the people that will most benefit from these simple steps, especially if there is a sudden change in their financial situation. Utilizing these simple tricks, you can still eat out with your friends and loved ones while still keeping some cash in your pocket.
Here are the Tricks!
Trust me, I Managed Restaurants For Years.
The Tricks...
Don't order while totally starving, grab a couple of almonds or an apple and drink plenty of water before you leave the house. People tend to over order when they are very hungry.
Take advantage of the bread or chips offered while you wait for your meal and order water.
Do you really need an appetizer? If you are with a friend share an appetizer or maybe a house salad. House salads tend to be less expensive and are the healthier choice. Ask for the house specials, sometimes they include a salad or side dish. Many restaurants offer very reasonable lunch specials, do your research.
Order an entree that will satisfy not only your cravings but your hunger. Most portions in restaurants now a days are over portioned, look for something wholesome and reasonably priced.
Stay a way from alcohol, specialty drinks and dessert. Nothing bulks up a tab like a couple martinis or a bottle of wine. Stick with your water, you are there for a nice meal not a booze fest.
Find coupons for your favorite restaurants online, in your local newspaper, school ads and even magazines. Look for new restaurants with Grand Openings, these always have specials that run for weeks to get the word out. Check with your local chamber of commerce for a list of Grand Openings. Sign up at your favorite Restaurants so they can send you newsletters and coupons.
Great online sites to check include but are not limited to valpak.com, wow-coupons.com, and restaurant.com.
Learn how to cook your favorite restaurant dishes, practice makes perfect! Ask the waiter, manager or one of the cooks and they typically will share some of their yummy food tricks.
Lastly, there is nothing wrong with sharing a plate and don't forget the left overs, make sure they don't rot away in the fridge. Enjoy your meal!
http://www.squidoo.com/reduceyourtab
Laura
Unless you've been hiding underneath a rock, you are aware of the current state of the American economy. It grows gloomier by the minute and shows no signs of improving in the near future. Nonetheless, the desire to treat one's self to a nice meal at a nice restaurant is always tempting. Most people enjoy dining out with friends and family at least once a week, some once a month. We enjoy the service, we over order, over eat, end up with left overs, a hefty tab and then there's the tip. You don't have to give up treating your self to a nice sit down meal, there are several cost effective tricks to reducing your tab, such as Lunch Specials and discounts.
Some people have grown accustomed to a certain style of living, like splurging on fancy restaurants and posh bars. These are the people that will most benefit from these simple steps, especially if there is a sudden change in their financial situation. Utilizing these simple tricks, you can still eat out with your friends and loved ones while still keeping some cash in your pocket.
Here are the Tricks!
Trust me, I Managed Restaurants For Years.
The Tricks...
Don't order while totally starving, grab a couple of almonds or an apple and drink plenty of water before you leave the house. People tend to over order when they are very hungry.
Take advantage of the bread or chips offered while you wait for your meal and order water.
Do you really need an appetizer? If you are with a friend share an appetizer or maybe a house salad. House salads tend to be less expensive and are the healthier choice. Ask for the house specials, sometimes they include a salad or side dish. Many restaurants offer very reasonable lunch specials, do your research.
Order an entree that will satisfy not only your cravings but your hunger. Most portions in restaurants now a days are over portioned, look for something wholesome and reasonably priced.
Stay a way from alcohol, specialty drinks and dessert. Nothing bulks up a tab like a couple martinis or a bottle of wine. Stick with your water, you are there for a nice meal not a booze fest.
Find coupons for your favorite restaurants online, in your local newspaper, school ads and even magazines. Look for new restaurants with Grand Openings, these always have specials that run for weeks to get the word out. Check with your local chamber of commerce for a list of Grand Openings. Sign up at your favorite Restaurants so they can send you newsletters and coupons.
Great online sites to check include but are not limited to valpak.com, wow-coupons.com, and restaurant.com.
Learn how to cook your favorite restaurant dishes, practice makes perfect! Ask the waiter, manager or one of the cooks and they typically will share some of their yummy food tricks.
Lastly, there is nothing wrong with sharing a plate and don't forget the left overs, make sure they don't rot away in the fridge. Enjoy your meal!
http://www.squidoo.com/reduceyourtab
Laura
It's Been A While....
Been rather busy with offers and studying. Posted my first Squidoo lens today on how to save money at restaurants. This economy is hitting us some harder than others, I can no longer dine out with friends every week...we all have to save our pennies. I've been looking for ways to supplement my income, been doing lots of research. Will post results as I go along. Recently joined Wealthy Affiliate, talk about information overload--definitely NOT for people suffering from ADD. Feel like my brain, ears and eyes are bleeding. Nevertheless, I am excited and open to new opportunities. "Where there is a will there is a way."
On a side note, the weather has changed here in Southern California and I am looking forward to the rain.
;-)
On a side note, the weather has changed here in Southern California and I am looking forward to the rain.
;-)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
“I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain; What a wonderful feeling, I'm happy again.”
Tough day today-business wise. The rain is finally here and I am so relieved, I feel like I can breath again. Since I moved back to Southern California it has been difficult acclamating to the weather and the traffic, it's sufficates me so. Days like today remind me of San Francisco, the fresh air, a bit of the ocean in the skies and the generous warmth of a loved one while cuddling or if alone, the heat of layered clothes and blanket (s). Or perhaps the rain reminds me of the freedom I felt when as a child, living here in Southern Califonia, it would seldom rain, but when it did, while mom was baking I would sneak out side and dance in the rain, the effect of the rain drops' pissicato on the leaves, trees, concrete, roof tops, light posts, cars and puddles were the only arrangement I needed to choreograph the fantasy dance. Mom would catch me and cry out that I would catch a cold and get sick, she thought I was crazy, she would tell any one within ear shot that her daughter, "...the oldest one, the one that never eats meat, only vegetables like a rabbit", loves to dance and play in the rain, barefoot."
I felt so free then, so complete...I felt there was a direct connection between me and God, after all, the rain drops were falling from the clouds, from the sky where God lived in Heaven, they were falling down on to me, so baptismal, such a cleansing of sorts. ~I miss that girl~
And as I look out today, I see the rain pouring, cleansing all of Los Angeles, washing away the dirty film caked over the lens of yesterdays' problems and dissolutions so that we may clearly see the rainbow of hope, option and solution in the horizon. Times are tough right now, for us all--positive resolve coupled with human charity is key. I truly believe, where there is a will there is a way!
“Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain”
I felt so free then, so complete...I felt there was a direct connection between me and God, after all, the rain drops were falling from the clouds, from the sky where God lived in Heaven, they were falling down on to me, so baptismal, such a cleansing of sorts. ~I miss that girl~
And as I look out today, I see the rain pouring, cleansing all of Los Angeles, washing away the dirty film caked over the lens of yesterdays' problems and dissolutions so that we may clearly see the rainbow of hope, option and solution in the horizon. Times are tough right now, for us all--positive resolve coupled with human charity is key. I truly believe, where there is a will there is a way!
“Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain”
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Day 2
I made it to my second blog day, yeahhhh!
Today was a busy day, lots of clients and we toured several beautiful homes. I love it when my buyers get excited about a particular property, they start visualizing their King size bed and dresser in the master bedroom, their kids' desks in the bedrooms, their family heirlooms through out the house, they size up the garage to make sure both cars will fit side by side and they certainly don't forget about the back yard for their sweet labrador Lulu and summer barbeques with loved ones. When it fits, it trully fits.
Finding the right home is just one step of several others, depending on the type of sale of course. Now on to the next step; submit the offer with all the required documentation and wait for deliveration from the sell side. More on this later...it's getting late, gonna watch a movie then get some highly coveted zzzzzzz...till tomorrow.
Today was a busy day, lots of clients and we toured several beautiful homes. I love it when my buyers get excited about a particular property, they start visualizing their King size bed and dresser in the master bedroom, their kids' desks in the bedrooms, their family heirlooms through out the house, they size up the garage to make sure both cars will fit side by side and they certainly don't forget about the back yard for their sweet labrador Lulu and summer barbeques with loved ones. When it fits, it trully fits.
Finding the right home is just one step of several others, depending on the type of sale of course. Now on to the next step; submit the offer with all the required documentation and wait for deliveration from the sell side. More on this later...it's getting late, gonna watch a movie then get some highly coveted zzzzzzz...till tomorrow.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Day 1
Hi All,
I've read many a blog and finally decided to start one of my own. Posts will be about the things I love and am terribly passionate about, such as but not limited to: music, books, art, real estate, food, wine, movies, San Francisco, family, love, design and then some. Well that's about it for now, got to get back to scheduling visits for tomorrow--yup, I am a Realtor and I love it! Although, I prefer to call myself a facilitator or home match maker :-).
I've read many a blog and finally decided to start one of my own. Posts will be about the things I love and am terribly passionate about, such as but not limited to: music, books, art, real estate, food, wine, movies, San Francisco, family, love, design and then some. Well that's about it for now, got to get back to scheduling visits for tomorrow--yup, I am a Realtor and I love it! Although, I prefer to call myself a facilitator or home match maker :-).
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