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What Covid-19 has Taught Me

  We have all experienced something new in 2020. None of us have lived through a shut-down as extensive as this covid-19 experience.  We can each think about what we’ve lost during this time OR we can think about positive lessons we’ve learned.   Covid-19 has leveled the playing field. None of us had prior experience. It does not respect gender, income, occupation or living standards.  We are all learning together.   We can be divisive or find common ground.  So many things in today’s world can divide us into opposing groups OR we can choose to find common ground.   We were TOO BUSY. This virus has forced us to clear our schedule. Let’s count that as a positive.   While, we might miss our regular chosen activities, there’s something calming about a simpler schedule. I think it’s a good time to evaluate what/when/how much we want to add back into our lives as regulations relax. We may find we didn’t miss some activities as much as we thought we would!   Americans (Iowans in particular) are innovative.  Appreciate and compliment the businesses and services that found new ways to serve and thrive in this era. Food delivery services are thriving,  restaurants with drive-thru have people waiting to be served.  (Dairy Zone, an Eastside Tradition is an example)   Our local business owners have enormous hearts and generously give each other a hands-up. We’ve seen individual businesses giving others a shout-out and offering services together to give us a better value. How many “free meals”  have you seen offered?  Elder Corporation has sponsored many, in lieu of one big 60th Anniversary Celebration.   How many “drive-by” parties have you participated in?  We hosted one, and I must say, it was easy to organize, no clean-up and one Happy Birthday Girl!   Zoom meetings have flourished  – how fun is it to attend a business meeting in pajama pants!  We’ve used it for church groups and I’ve heard lots of families using it as for social get-togethers.   And on the low-tech end of the spectrum, simple things like jig-saw puzzles and board games are very entertaining and bring family members together.   I think people are more apt to give grace and mercy in person than on social media – ahem….maybe spend less time on social media!  Iowa Nice is a real thing!   What are your observations?  Would love to know what you’ve learned or how you’ve adapted to the “current normal”.   And a real estate note – people are still buying, people are still selling.  Call 515-979-2883, if you want to be one of them.    
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No time to bet against America

    What a crazy situation we are in, a defining time in all our lives.  Our kids will see life with this as a reference point – life before Covid 19 and life after.  There will be stories to recount to kids, grandkids, in history books and biographies.   How do you want to define it?   Yes, there are people fighting over toilet paper and disinfectant wipes  But it is also a chance to see Americans shine and rise above the ordinary. I was reading a 2016 letter from Warren Buffet to his shareholders.  Referring to economy, he said ” For 240 years, it’s been a terrible mistake to bet against America, and now is no time to start”. I like this sentiment for this time in which we are in.  For every doomsday prediction and story, we can find a story of “Iowa Nice”.  We are also a very resourceful people, thinking of new ways to do business.   Some things I’ve noted.
  • I came home yesterday to an Easter bunny wallhanging and towel by my back door from a neighbor. Another neighbor left us warm roast beef in a container on the front porch.
  • Zoom is allowing their platform to be used by nonprofits, so a group of us have been meeting several times a week for a visit and prayer time.
  • Board games are left out and played often.  On our neighborhood FB page, one family offered to deliver from their board game library to others’ front step.
  • The local theater is offering curbside pick-up of a bucket of popcorn with an advance order.
  • Girl scout cookies can be paid for online, then donated to First Responders in the community.
  • Furloughed workers are offering to run errands for those unable to get out.
  • People are putting teddy bears in their windows for kids to “hunt”.
  • Nursing home residents are getting visitors outside their windows.
  • Parking lot performances are being shared on-line.
  • Colorful face masks being made in homes and donated to front-line workers.
  • Our local Chamber of Commerce just announced a contest for chalk art!
  Let’s follow Warren Buffet’s quote, we won’t bet against Americans creativity and resilience. Share your stories of Americans (and Iowans in particular) sharing and caring and finding new ways to do what needs to be done.
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Act of Intentional Noticing

    Do you ever watch people and notice how many have an electronic device in front of them?  Or observe a group of young people together, but individually on their phones? Have you joined the ‘one word’ movement?  Each year, you adopt one word that is to dominate your choices, your way of living and shift your focus to one particular area. I’ve heard the word ‘Intentional’ in this context.  Being intentional about your thoughts, your focus, your conversations. Well,  I am going to challenge myself, and hopefully others to intentionally notice little details in our everyday life.   Last weekend, I saw a vanity license plate on a car.  It spelled BLONDE, but the fun twist – it was mounted upside down on the car!  I followed (chased) the car till I could get a good photo. Then I posted it on Facebook.  The owner saw the post and commented that she loves seeing people point, smile, take photos and that, in turn, makes her happy. Our family works in real estate sale, so I notice houses.  Sometimes, I drive down a street that I’ve traveled often, and all of a sudden, I notice a house that I’ve NEVER noticed in the past.  Then I wonder, how could  I have missed that house all the times I’ve driven on this street?  That’s what this is about – taking notice of the mundane, ordinary – appreciating them and elevating them by taking note, taking a photo, and/or simply appreciating them.   Today, I stopped at a fun food establishment – Grateful Chef.  It is located just south of the downtown area and makes ‘Grab-n-Go’ meals and freezer meals. This photo is of the salad I purchased for my lunch.  Just look at the visual presentation – juicy red strawberries,  fat blueberries, cherry tomatoes, seeds, lettuce and savory dressing.  Now imagine the explosion of flavor, the contrast of the crisp lettuce, crunch of the nuts and seeds, soft texture of the fruit, the unexpected contrast of the sweetness with the savory.  I appreciate the work that went into this salad, chopping the items, arranging them in a visually appealing presentation that said abundance, health and deliciousness! I plan to start Monday posts about Something-New-I-Noticed.  I challenge you to see new things or old things in a new way and share with your world.

And if you’re noticing a house that is  For Sale that you’d like info on – call the Eisenlauer Team. 

515-979-2883.  

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Transition your home decor from Christmas to Winter

Most of us go overboard decorating for Christmas – do it early and do alot.  Then, when the New Year is here, do you transition easily to a winter decor?  Or pack it all up and wait for the next decorating binge in the spring?  I’ve been browsing blogs for some easy tips and hints for fun, easy and inexpensive winter decor. When our hours of darkness are long, a candle  adds a soft, cozy feel to any room, not to mention a sweet aroma. Display natural elements like pine cones in the room. It could be a wreath, it could be in a bowl with greenery. Add some eucalyptus or evergreen for additional color and fragrance. Twigs, branches, natural unfinished wood are all economical accents, especially plentiful this time of year. Leave the branches natural, look for red branches for a pop of color or gild them with gold spray paint. The white, peel-y bark of birch is a textural addition to decor. Use a slice for a pedestal, use logs in a grouping. Here’s a link to suggestion on how to find it at a budget price.   We all have lone mittens and gloves – gather them up and make a garland.  Picture them across your fireplace – use a rope and vintage wood clothespins. porch-scape is a great place to welcome visitors with vintage winter sports equipment.  Picture ice skates with a ribbon, wood sleds holding a wreath, wooden snow skis  and perhaps pair with aged galvanized metal containters.     Nothing says winter comfort like flannel, and buffalo plaid is at it’s peak.  Take a well-worn flannel shirt and make a pillow – DIY here. Or shop online for popular items in black/white or red/white. Would love to see and hear about your favorite winter decor, DIY’s and where you shop for them. If you’re thinking of selling your house this winter, these could be great staging ideas.  If that’s your plan – call 515-979-2883. The Eisenlauer Team is ready to help.   Coming next week – Pantone color for 2020
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What’s your Vision for 2020?

  As we end one year, our team meets to review the year ending and plan for the coming year.  We assess our activities, our expenditures, goals met or goals missed. As part of the process, I do a bit of research to see what ‘experts’ are predicting for the new year. I’d like to share some of my findings. What are your expectations for 2020? If it includes a real estate purchase/sale, please call us (515-979-2883). We are excited for the future and ready to help you and your friends and family.   Linked to sources.
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How to Alfresco without Mosquito

Summer is here and it seems to me the bugs have started early.  I’m sure the wet spring we’ve had has contributed.  What can you do to limit the bugs in your yard, especially mosquitoes?
  • Standing water is the breeding grounds. Empty pails, glasses, bird bath, toys, then turn them upside down.
  • If you have spots in your yard where water collects after a rain, resolve the problem with adding dirt and grade the dirt around the house to drain away. This will protect your basement also.
  • If you have a pond, adding aeration helps keep egg laying/hatching minimized.
  • Check your gutters to make sure they are draining properly without areas of standing water.
  • Swimming pools should be filtered, kept clean and covered to minimize the mosquito population.
  • Replace outdoor lights with yellow bug bulbs.
And if you do all these – it does not guarantee that mosquitoes will vacate your yard.  After all, they do fly! What is your favorite home remedy?
  • A popular one used to be Avon SkinSoSoft. I’m not sure if this product is still availalable?
  • Bounce dryer sheets are supposed to repel mosquitos. It is suggested you rub them on your yourself and your clothing.  Has anyone tried this?
  • Burning Cintronella candles in your yard/patio/deck should aid.
  • Essential Oils – several oils are recommended to keep bugs at bay; Cinnamon, and /or lemon eucalyptus.
If does seem that some people are simply more susceptible or more appealing to mosquitoes and other annoying summer bugs. What’s your remedy?  Would love to hear from you.
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Life’s Not Fair – Or is it?

Two Kinds of People in this state – those who go to the Iowa State Fair and those who don’t. So Many Reasons to Go…
  • Music – Free and Paid
  • Talent shows
  • Carnival rides and Games
  • People Watching
  • Sale pitches/things to purchase
  • Food to Eat
  • Animals, food entries, contests
  • Demonstrations
The list is endless, but some of my Faves… The weird stuff at Heritage Hall like – Husband-calling, kid calling, Sibling look- alikes, beard contest and so on. The Sky-Glider  – not exactly a carnival ride – but so much fun to have a birds-eye view of the fair for a short time.  Hokiest ride – definitely the Old Mill! The VitaMixer and the Salsa Maker are my favorite sales spiels – so much fun to listen to and pretty much the same from year to year. 4-H exhibits and demonstrations. The young people will amaze you. The talent, the leadership skills, the creativity – check it out in the SE corner of the fair grounds. Crescenti’s Sandwiches – It’s my favorite ‘only-at –the fair-food’. It’s a crispy warm disc of freshly fried bread with a sprinkling of salt on the outside, inside capicola and shredded mozzarella cheese – YUM. Or you can get the sweet version.  And the Nitro ice cream under the grandstand – best with caramel topping, of course. Love going to see and hear food being judged.  Not the quiet, no talking ones – but the fun judges who talk and critique and entertain. The people watching – this is the Grand Daddy place for this sport.  You can look for the worst dressed, the craziest t-shirts, the couples that don’t seem to ‘go-together’, the tired babies, the tattoos, hair do’s and don’ts  and so on. On our Sunday visit – saw a guy in a skirt with a t-shirt that says – ‘I know you’re watching me’. Yes, of course, you don’t dress like that and not have people watch.  My favorite t-shirt was the guy wearing   ‘certainly not everybody was kung-fu fighting’.  Love it! What is your favorite?  What do you miss that was there and now is not? What foods do you get that you won’t get until next year’s fair?  
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Assessed Value = Market Price…or does it???

What is the correlation between the county’s tax assessed price on a home and the price that house will sell for? Nothing.  It’s comparing apples to oranges. Here are some things to consider.
  • Assessed Value is the means to an end. Our local government needs to collect an appropriate amount of taxes to fund their budget.
  • The government will get what they need – they will either raise our assessments or raise the millage rate. But be assured, they will get the money.
  • Market Value is determined on what buyers are willing to pay at any given time. The main three criteria are price, location and condition. The seller can control their asking price and adjust the condition.
  • Tax assessments are assigned annually. It takes awhile for the assessed value to reflect fluctuations in the local market.
  • Market value is fluid, changing constantly.
  • Tax Assessors are human – they have good days and bad days, just like the rest of us!
  • Home buyers’ decisions are subjective – they will buy what appeals to them.
  • Tax Assessors, for the most part, do not go in your home.
  • Buyers tour your house and have an opinion about what they want, what they don’t want, the work they are willing to do and the tasks they are willing to overlook.
What does all this mean to you?  Are you a buyer? Are you a seller?  The tax assesor site is a great place to sleuth info about a neighborhood. But, whether you are a buyer or seller – don’t use the tax assessed value to justify your buying or selling price!
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Tchotchke Index – Are you kidding ??

20150807_092842 Tchotchke,  pronounced  chach-ke.  It’s an appropriate time of year to contemplate the economic impact of the gifts we buy for the person who needs nothing. One of my favorite blogs – DemoMemo invented a Tchotchke Index. I love this blog, because, as we all know – Figures don’t lie, but liars can figure! You won’t believe the studies that have been done and conclusions drawn from them. Check it out- DemoMemo. First -consider what defines a tchotchke.  Some say a decorative item for the home. Some say cheap and tacky items displayed in the home. Bauble, bric-a-brac, curio, trinket, knickknack. No matter what you call them, we all have them,  we’ve all received them, we’ve all given them. But did you ever imagine that the economic health of our country could be gauged by how much we spend annually on tchotchkes? Self-storage facilities might also be an indicator of our love of trinkets. The assumption is that when we feel economically solid, we spend more on fluff decor. DemoMemo claims that the index peaked in 2000 and fell to it’s low in 2003.  The good news is that 2014 spending on useless bric-a-brac shows cautious optimism. We’re up from 2013, but less than 2012. So, if you’re feeling comfortable in the wallet – purchase a purely non-essential bauble and feel at peace with the universe.
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Along the Way

I like to take different roads to get to my routine destinations. Along the way, I notice things. Some make me smile. Some make me shake my head in puzzlement. Some make me do a U-turn to see if my eyes deceived me. Some compel me to take that route again and again. Sometimes I admire.  I always attempt to record with a photo (smart phones are a wonderful invention). Some thing I’ve noticed Along the Way:
  • A truck that had signage – Hillbilly Handyman.
  • A store to go with it – Hillbilly Palace Thrift Store.
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  • Larger the life picture of Ron Paul as yard ornamentation.
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  • Beautifully manicured and landscaped yard.
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  • The floor covering business that gives “free stimates”. (thought perhaps the letter came off, but opposite side was exactly the same)
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  • Broken plastic lawn chair with For Sale sign.
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  • Dog house with sign that says “Killer” – great security system.
  • The hidden house – so overgrown you can barely make out the roof line.
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  • Unusual paint colors on houses – lavender/purple exterior -stands out in the neighborhood.
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  • Street names – like Giggle or No Name.
  • “Where-did-they-get-that-why-did-they-put-it-in-their-yard” ornaments
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What’s your favorite along the way site?

Follow us on Pinterest – we have an “Along the Way” Board

with new things added as we find them.