Living Small in a McMansion World

Jay Shafer Home

Living small in a McMansion world is a concept that is still foreign to most people.  “I’ve got to have bigger; I’ve got to have better!” is usually the American homeowner’s mantra.  But there is a movement afoot to scale down.  In fact, the average new home construction country-wide has decreased by about 200 square feet from recent years. And from Sarah Susanka, author of  The Not So Big House to individuals quietly changing their lifestyles, living small or small-er is an idea that can’t be embraced soon enough.   You may not be moved to live THIS small, but what Jay Shafer is doing is inspired, to say the least.  Check out his video by clicking on his name. 

If you have questions about living smaller, or greener, call me at 406.869.7677 or Facebook me on the group BILLINGS.

Tips for a Positive 2011

Well, it’s a new year.  And I’ve decided that we can wish everyone a Happy New Year until January 15th. It’s arbitrary, but it gives me the chance to greet everyone with that hopeful phrase for a few more days!

In the spirit of the New Year, here are some tips for a positive 2011!!

1.  Take a 10-30 minute “Thank You” walk everyday.  While you walk, practice gratitude.  It’s the ultimate up-lifter.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.  Buy a lock if you have to.

3.  Buy a DVD-R or Tivo and tape your late night shows. You’ll get more sleep – it’s the ultimate energizer.

4.  When you wake up in the morning, complete the following statement. My purpose is to _________________________ today.

5.  Live with the 3 E’s:  Energy. Enthusiasm.  Empathy.

6.  Read more books than you did in 2010.

7.  Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong, prayer.  They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8.  Dream more while you are awake.

9.  Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

10. Mentor someone and be mentored by someone.

11. Engage in daily random acts of kindness.  It’s good for the soul.

12. Make space in your life for new and flowing positive energy: clear your clutter from your house, your car and your desk.

13. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

14. Smile lots, and laugh often. You’ll feel better and so will people around you.

15. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:          I am thankful for _______________________.   Today I accomplished ______________________.

16. Enjoy the ride.  You only have one ride, so make it as sweet and rich as possible!!

Happy New Year!

mortal blogging mistake #1

Well, I did it.  I committed the #1 mortal blogging mistake:  I stopped blogging for a long period of time.  3 months, to be exact.  I didn’t plan it, I didn’t consciously avoid it.  Life just happened.  And my focus was drawn somewhere else.  What happened is this:  my 78 year old mother, who is active, healthy, an avid and talented gardener (green thumb+++++), a gifted musician and pipe organ virtuoso, grandmother, friend and, often quite pill-ish person, fell from a ladder while putting something on a shelf in the garage.  She hit her head and suffered a fractured skull, two subdural hematomas, swelling and bleeding into her brain.

People asked me why she was on a ladder.  Are you kidding?  She’s not dead!! Shes’ got stuff to do!!  And she can do it without help, thank you very much!  Quelle question!

Three months later, my mother is recovering nicely, thanks to extraordinary care at New Hope Rehabilitation Center, the nursing staff at Billings Clinic, and the professionals at Beartooth Hospital in Red Lodge.  She is strong on her feet and getting better mentally.  I expect her to be digging in the gardens at her own house and at the Beartooth Nature Center next spring.  Her return to the organ may take a little longer.

So, three months have passed, with the ever present thought that maybe I should be blogging, but then came the thought ” no, not today.”

Today, I am blogging.  And the point of this little note is to remind you, kind readers, that life is tenuous.  Grasp it with all the vigor you can muster.  Tell the people you love that you do, in fact, love them. Tell them often.  Extend a helping hand to someone in need who crosses your path, no matter who they are.  Give thanks. Often.  Be gracious to and grateful for the elderly. They have trod a personal path we can only guess at. On second thought, ask them about their life.  They’ll have some stories to tell.

Mortal blogging mistake?  Maybe, but probably not. Besides, there were more important things to take care of.

See Through Dog

See Through Dog

Another Weekly Chuckle!!

Weekly Chuckle

Here’s the Weekly Chuckle.  Don’t we all need one?!!

If you want to know exactly where the property line is, just watch the neighbor cut the grass.

Houses today don’t have enough closet space. Sure they do. They’re just called guest bedrooms.

House problem: The oven is self-cleaning, but the kids aren’t.

Trivia: The floors of buildings are called stories because early European builders used to paint picture stories on the sides of their houses. Each floor had a different story.

Do you have questions about real estate in Billings?  Call me at 406-869-7677 or Facebook me at the group BILLINGS.   I have answers! (And if I don’t, I’ll find the answer.)

July Market Stats are Positive!

July Market Stats are Positive!  We have a lot of inventory on the market, and it is indeed a “buyer’s market”, but here in Billings, the numbers show a positive trend.  Whew!  Good news for  Billings, good news for homebuyers and good news for home sellers!  Here are the charts that tell the story:

HOME PRICES 1996-2010YTD

ACTIVE LISTINGS 2009v2010

INVENTORY DETAIL

 If you have questions about real estate in Billings, call me at 406-869-7677 or Facebook me at the group BILLINGS.  I have answers! (And if I don’t, I’ll get it for you.)

It’s Construction Season. Please Slow Down

It’s construction season in Billings, Montana.  That means it’s summer.  And it also means that, although lots of projects are main arterials that divert traffic to other arterials, there are some detours that will direct you into neighborhoods.  Neighborhoods where people live, children play and pets escape their leashes.  I was driving my usual route today and found myself diverted onto – you guessed it – a residential street.  As soon as I turned the corner, I was met with this sign:  It was a hand-painted sign by a resident of a street that has been inundated by detour traffic.

It caused me to check my speedometer; I was going a tad bit fast. After all, I was JUST FORCED TO VEER FROM MY REGULAR ROUTE, FOR HEAVEN SAKE!!!  The sign also made me realize that I’m probably not the only one who had to leave their chosen, blocked route and started blasting through someone’s neighborhood, as though it were the 35 mph(okay, 40 mph) street I had just left behind.

If you find yourself in the same situation I found myself today, please…slow down.  We aren’t going to shave that much time off of our trip by maintaining speed.  But we do jeopardize lives and, at the very least,  peace-of-mind of the street’s residents.

Yes, the endless summer road construction is frustrating and inconvenient. Imagine how inconvenient it is for the residents who live on these beleaguered streets!!

Respect our fellow citizens.  Slow down. 

Your fellow Billings-ites thank you.  So do I.

Something New in the Neighborhood!

 

Here’s the very latest in curb appeal! 

Have questions about getting your house ready to sell? Call me at 406-869-7677 OR Facebook me at the group BILLINGS.