Thursday, August 28, 2014

Are You Ready For Some Football???

Ok, Folks!  The time has come----It's Football Time.......Everywhere!!!!!

If you are joining the hundreds of thousands of football fans across the country that are setting up their first "Tailgates" of the year, here is a dish you can take that feeds a crowd!  Make it the day before the game, and it is even better!


Cornbread Salad

1 (1 oz) package dry ranch salad dressing mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 (9-inch) pan Tex-Mex cornbread, crumbled (See note)
2 (16 oz.) cans pinto beans, drained
6 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 (11 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

Combine salad dressing mix, sour cream and mayonnaise.  Set aside.  Place half the crumbled cornbread in bottom of large serving bowl.  Top with can of pinto beans.  Combine the tomatoes and green onions, then layer half on top of the beans.  Next, layer half the cheese, bacon and corn.  Top with half the salad dressing mixture.  Repeat layers, using the rest of the ingredients.  Garnish as desired.  Cover and chill at least 2 hours.


NOTE:  Prepare favorite cornbread recipe, adding a 4 oz. can chopped green chilies, and dried sage, to taste.



Lovin' Life in the Lowcountry,
Janie




Monday, August 25, 2014

Predictably Un-Predictable!



A new state, a new company, but a new mission?  Hmmm, let’s see…I usually review this type of thing at the end of the year when I am working on my business plan for the upcoming year.  But now seems like a good time to re-visit my personal mission statement since everything is new!  (And because my new broker asked me to!) 

I wrote a personal mission statement years ago that I can tweak as necessary.  I was going to cheat and just use that one, but in the process of trying to find where I had written it down, (Note to self:  When you write it, POST IT where you can always see it!) I came across a journal I have had since 1994, where I have jotted down notes, thoughts and ideas.  (This is one of my “Idea Notebooks”, which I highly suggest everyone have.)  Flipping through the pages, I found a note I wrote Dec. 20, 2000:  

 “Last night after watching the University of Tennessee play UVA, they re-played an acceptance speech from Jimmy Valvono, given March 3, 1993.  He was presented with the Arthur Ashe Award.  I was so moved and inspired by his comments.  He said, not knowing how much time he had left, he had learned there are 3 things everyone should do, every day:   

1.     Laugh
2.     Think and learn
3.     Move your emotions---often, to tears.

Be excited about every day, and enthusiastic about your goals.  Live each day to the fullest.

He died of cancer six weeks later. 

Sometimes I am guilty of not living life to its fullest, or appreciating myself and my individuality.  I am going to change this.  Now.” 

The irony in this is that over the last several years, I realize, after writing this down in my “Idea Notebook”, I actually DID make some changes over the years.  If you have followed me and the blogs I have written over the years, you will know that there were some great times, and some not-so-great times.  During the last not-so-great time, I realized I needed to follow my own advice.  In doing so, I changed the way I looked at and worked my business.  I used my personality and talents to make my real estate business what I wanted it to be:  About building relationships, and having a great time doing it!  In the book, “First Things First,” by Steven Covey, he refers to developing a mission statement as "connecting with your own unique purpose and the profound satisfaction that comes from fulfilling it."  So I guess I have the base to get started on my new statement.   

Are you trying to write one?  Here are some steps to help you get there: 

Step 1: Identify Past Successes. What are some things you have been successful at in the last several years?    These can be successes you have had at work, home, school, sports, etc.  Write them down.  What is the common theme?

Step 2: Identify Core Values. Write down what is important to you, and what your priorities are.  This list of attributes can be as long as you want it to be, but you will want to narrow it down to the one thing that is most important to you.

Step 3: Identify Contributions. How do you make a difference to those around you?  This could be your family, your friends, your co-workers, your child’s sports team, or your community…Anyone you are around.  Make a list of the ways you could make a difference. 

Step 4: Identify Goals. This is a big one:  Make a list of your personal goals.  You can make them long-term, or short-term.

Step 5: Write Mission Statement. Based on the first four steps, begin writing the first draft of your personal mission statement. 

My mission statement:  To live each day to the fullest, with excitement, enthusiasm and a strong desire to build a successful and highly respected real estate business, earned by developing relationships through consistent and predictably high work ethic of always going above and beyond, and always doing so with a creative surprise up my sleeve.


Lovin' Life in the Lowcountry,

Janie




Tuesday, August 19, 2014

The Big Day!
  • Bags are packed and by the door, but double-check one last time before they head out the door to make sure everyone has what they need--backpacks, lunch money, lunch boxes, etc. And most importantly, give your kids extra-huge hugs, kisses and loads of encouragement before they head to school.
  • Now, if you aren't headed out to work, and will be home for the day, go clean the house! You will have it all to yourself for the next 7 hours!
Lovin' Life in the Lowcountry,

Janie









My website: http://www.janiepughsellshomes.com
Low Country Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonSCLifeintheLowcountry
Real Estate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaniePughofCarolinaOne
My blog:  http://www.janiepughsellshomes.blogspot.com
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/janiepugh
LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/janiepugh
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/janiespugh/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/JaniePughSellsHomes

Monday, August 18, 2014

Back-to-School Traditions

A few more last minute back-to-school tips to plan for next week!
  • Get up a little earlier than usual on The Big Day to fix a special breakfast. Be sure to include protein (eggs, cheese or yogurt), as well as fiber-rich foods like whole-grain toast, oatmeal or cereal. This will give your kids a healthy start to their big day!
  • If you haven't already done so, start a tradition of taking pictures or recording a video of your children before they leave for school. 
  • One more tradition you could start is writing a note to your children for them to read as they go to school or during the school day. I often send little notes of encouragement in my child's lunchbox. Be sure to put your note somewhere they are sure to see it. But be brief and discreet---You don't want to overdo it and embarrass them in front of their friends!

Lovin' Life in the Lowcountry,

Janie

My website: http://www.janiepughsellshomes.com
Low Country Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonSCLifeintheLowcountry
Real Estate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaniePughofCarolinaOne
My blog:  http://www.janiepughsellshomes.blogspot.com
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/janiepugh
LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/janiepugh
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/janiespugh/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/JaniePughSellsHomes

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Beaches, Bar-Be-Cues and Baseball!

Here we are.....the last Sunday before school starts is finally upon us.  How are you going to spend your day?


Be sure to take time to spend with your family.  Put down the techno-gadgets, and spend some one-on-one, face-to-face time with your loved ones.  Reflect and enjoy thinking about the days of summer and how you spent them. Ours were filled with moving a new state, transferring with one job (Boeing) and starting with a new company (Carolina One Real Estate) for the other, completing an educational goal (achieved my GRI designation in July), meeting lots of wonderful new folks, "entertaining the old and making the new" friends, travelling for baseball tournaments, staying in-town to watch the local Charleston Riverdogs play ball, days and evenings at the pool, trips to the beach, picnics, trying new restaurants, carriage rides and learning about the amazing town of Charleston, SC and some of it's offerings!  Although we didn't go on an official "vacation", it has been a bit of a pseudo-vacation:  We now live life on a "Stay-Cation" in this incredible town!  And all the while, I have taken hundreds and hundreds of pictures of it all!


Whether it be time at the beach or pool, playing a game of baseball, a picnic or grilling out, enjoy some relaxed time with your loved ones.  It is just a matter of days before schedules start to overflow with practice schedules, hours and hours of homework, exams, ball games, school dances, first dates, first loves, first heart-breaks, etc.....Lots of physical, emotional, educational and stressful times are ahead!




So sit back, relax, enjoy your family and count your blessings!  (If you haven't started a "Blessings Jar", start one now and read each blessing next year at this time.  We started writing down our "Blessings" on slips of paper January 1, to be read on New Year's Eve.)

Good luck and best wishes to all who are starting the 2014-2015 educational year!


Lovin' Life in the Lowcountry,

Janie
My website: http://www.janiepughsellshomes.com
Low Country Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonSCLifeintheLowcountry
Real Estate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaniePughofCarolinaOne
My blog:  http://www.janiepughsellshomes.blogspot.com
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/janiepugh
LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/janiepugh
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/janiespugh/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/JaniePughSellsHomes

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Last Weekend of Summer!

Just a few more days!  Here are a few more things to do before the Big Day next week:

  • If you already have your school supplies list, go over it again and make sure you have everything your child needs. Get it all together, pack it up and it is ready to go.
  • Talk to your kids about school starting. Are they excited? Worried? Apprehensive? No matter if they are starting a new school in a new area, or moving up to the next level (from elementary to... middle or middle to high school), they may be a little nervous. Reassure them and help them keep a positive attitude. Remind them they will be seeing old friends they may not have seen over the summer and/or making new ones. 
  • Have a special dinner with their favorite foods. Talk about what they are most looking forward to on the first day of school.
  • Be sure to lay out clothes, backpacks, do non-perishable lunch prep and make sure you have a healthy breakfast planned to get them off to a great start!
  • Most importantly, don't forget to set alarm clocks!
Lovin' Life in the Lowcountry,

Janie
My website: http://www.janiepughsellshomes.com
Low Country Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonSCLifeintheLowcountry
Real Estate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaniePughofCarolinaOne
My blog:  http://www.janiepughsellshomes.blogspot.com
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/janiepugh
LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/janiepugh
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/janiespugh/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/JaniePughSellsHomes