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Featured image for “OFF MARKET 11004 Obee Rd., Whitehouse”
01/10/19

OFF MARKET 11004 Obee Rd., Whitehouse

Newly renovated throughout on a FULL ACRE! Full-home retro-foam insulation in 2018. Kitchen offers granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and open floor plan. Home has a top-of-the-line Kinetico double-tank water softener w/ spring reverse osmosis system! Newer mechanicals, too! Newer roof, windows, siding, shutters and gutters. All one floor. Includes home warranty! TWO master suites, 3 FULL bathrooms, and annual
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01/25/16

The Real Value in Home Improvements

Does our milder than normal El Niño winter have you thinking about home improvements that you could tackle when spring rolls around? Whatever weather comes our way over the next few months, now is a good time to make plans for projects that could not only make your home more comfortable, but also increase its value when you decide to
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01/04/16

Selling in 2016?

The “ball” has dropped, the noisemakers are silent and the confetti is cleaned up. Now, it’s up to us to take the wraps off of this New Year. If you are planning on selling a house in 2016, what can you expect? Will mortgage interest rates go up? (Probably.) Are home prices increasing? (Perhaps, modestly.) Will my home sell quickly?
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05/02/11

Congrats Jeremy and Michelle!

Moments like this are among my FAVORITE!
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04/24/11

Easter Bunny Chooses Coloring Contest Winners!

CONGRATS TO THE WINNERS! Amber Stark, Age 30 wins the OVER 30 category! Elizabeth Hemsworth, Age 10 wins the DOMESTIC USA category! Silviana Cuijper, Age 11 wins the INTERNATIONAL category!
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Featured image for “Finding quirky things makes me happy”
03/18/11

Finding quirky things makes me happy

When showing houses, you never know what quirky things you might find.  I enjoy taking pictures of such quirky things and posting them to a blog, twitter or my facebook page, much like I’m doing now. Sometimes it’s the little things. Like the bear toilet paper holder that might sway you to buy the house.  Just ask your Realtor to
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02/02/11

Grandpa had a list of “isms” he’d ponder upon

My grandpa was a wise man. I was always amazed and very proud at all he accomplished as a very successful businessman, but he didn’t have any special advantages growing up. His family was very poor. I remember my mother telling me the story about how he was the only kid in his high school graduating class who did not
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Featured image for “Glass Mosaic Class at Toledo Art Museum”
01/27/11

Glass Mosaic Class at Toledo Art Museum

Not to sound cliche’, Toledo has a rockin’,  world-class art museum.  I’ve taken some great classes, meet some new people and expanded my horizons. I always sign up for classes I know nothing about.  Now I can add printmaking and glass cutting to my resume.  I’ve got cuts on my hands to prove it.  Here’s my latest work!
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09/14/10

A case where spell check worked!

Having done a *little* time in chaotic newsrooms, I can see how this might happen. How unfortunate.  But I’m sure the fire had it coming. Devastated family members frantically searched the home for any sign the fire might have survived, but authorities believe the extinguishment was complete.  No word yet on what sparked the blaze. Thank god nothing like this
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09/07/10

Thanks for supporting me and the MDA over Labor Day!

I recently went to jail for Jerry’s Kids and truly appreciate y’all bailing me out. I raised nearly $1,000. I’m truly blown away by the generosity. Together, we sent at least 1 kid to camp. Thank you for helping make a difference!
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06/17/09

This photo makes me want to get a dog

When I get email with about 500 FWs in the subject line, I normally delete. This one managed to slip through the cracks. It makes me warm and fuzzy. Just thought I’d share.
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06/10/09

My Twitter buddies, in mosaic fashion.

No excerpt
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06/07/09

Twitter helped me close a tough real estate deal

I’ve used Twitter since early 2008, back when it was mostly geeks and before it began going mainstream. People on the outside looking in don’t quite understand it, and my trusted advisor and tech guru Ed Hunter has decided, it’s almost impossible to explain to the average person. While the Twitterverse can be overwhelming to say the least, it’s best
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03/31/09

Lone flower spotted in backyard-a sign of hope

HOPE, that is-that the furnace can soon be turned off, grass will become green and coats will no longer be necessary. Real estate activity also increases during this time and for many reasons. BTW, I hope this photo isn’t too shameless about promoting the Indiana Hoosiers. It truly was an accident. Truly.
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02/20/09

Friday’s Omelet! (Kids, I think it’s my best work yet)

[polldaddy poll=1386817]And the bowl of fresh fruit should give me a little extra credit for my critics.
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10/28/08

“I’m a PC” guy, John Hodgman spotted at Border’s

  ANN ARBOR, MICH-Ann Arbor was one of many stops for Hodgman’s book tour for his newest release, “More Information than you Require.”  I managed to snap this paparazzi-esque photo with my iPhone. He’s a minor TV celebrity, you know.  Apple CEO Steve Jobs made him famous overnight with the “I’m a Mac” TV spots which first aired last summer.
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10/26/08

Grave yard down the street…

No excerpt
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10/17/08

If you have some disposable income, you might consider this.

And perhaps earn some Kroger fuelperks—if that helps justify the purchase.
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09/28/08

Sarah Palin Corn Maze

  Just 15 minutes from Toledo, Ohio farmer Duke Wheeler invites you to get lost inside the head of Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin. A 16-acre corn maze in Whitehouse has been carved in her image, complete with Palin’s familiar eyeglasses and updo hairstyle. Wheeler says it took an artist from Idaho, a GPS and more than eight hours to mow down
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09/14/08

Tina Fey does Sarah Palin on SNL

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc3Zxq078ns]
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09/01/08

Meet Buddy

He’s my friend.  And lives for the camera.  His social calendar is packed and I see him all over town.
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08/20/08

Peanut Butter Pie: First Attempt.

I have Aunt Kay’s recipe and she would never lead me astray.  I followed all the directions up to the part where it says, refrigerate.  That’s when I decided it was time for a taste test.  Not bad.  It seems to have satisfied the craving.  Lookit me!  Cookin’ and stuff.  I had a slice of pie, but my slice was
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08/16/08

Jody meets Joe Cipriano

Joe Cipriano is probably the top network promo (Fox, NBC, CBS) guy in LA. He’s been the official voice of all promotion for the Simpson’s since the beginning.  Really nice guy.  
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07/21/08

Robert Shiels Surprise!

   Featuring birthday cake made by Chrys Peterson.  I love a well-executed surprise!!!
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07/14/08

Brian Vander Ark

Brian Vander Ark (of the Verve Pipe) gave a private concert on the lawn of a lovely Old Orchard home today. I was lucky enough to be a part of it!  You may recall the song, “The Freshmen.”  That’s him!  A real class act!  
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07/08/08

a weakness….

Whenever I go into a garden shop, say to buy ONE thing—like mulch for example…  I wind up with a car full of posies.  I can’t help it that the flowers JUMP INTO my cart and my credit card swipes itself RIGHT OUT OF MY WALLET.
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07/02/08

Federal Benchwarmers get CRUSHED, 22-2

                Plus, a special appearance by Lee Johnson and all you can eat Taco Tuesday’s at Doc Watsons.     Oh yeah, and I hit my first home run of the season!  Yeah!!  
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06/15/08

Rule 61’s beat Barely Legal, 9-5

No excerpt
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06/12/08

Jody bought Tang.

It’s delicious.  And good enough for the astronauts.  
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06/12/08

Game 2, McGowan & the Miracles

Okay, it’s best to get the losses out of the way early in the season.  So far, so good.  Note our newest mascot, Riley.  And of course, John Hall’s homer!
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05/31/08

Stormy tonight. Sounds like some nasty …

Stormy tonight. Sounds like some nasty stuff headed this way.
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05/24/08

First softball game of the season

Rule 61’s vs Affirmative Defense. We start the season 0-1. First game jitters are over.  Note our mascots, Dart and Cowboy.
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05/24/08

This is a test. I am…

This is a test. I am using Jott for the first time on my blog. I am talking this message. I hope it works. listen Powered by Jott
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05/21/08

Lilac on a picture perfect day

My neighbor/client has a lilac bush in full bloom!  She is sharing!  These are my favorite.  They remind me of Grandma Violet.
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05/19/08

Amazing Race for Literacy

An experienced team of 3, consisting of the mother/daughter duo Lee and Jess Hamner, and myself.  We called ourselves the Biblio-Racers.  We should have won for “Best use of Latin in a Team Name”, but instead we came in second place.  Tons of fun!
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04/27/08

Tulips, finally.

I’m a little discouraged about the prospect of SNOW next week.  I hope it was just a bad dream.  Meanwhile, look at my tulips!  
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04/20/08

Printmaking 101

I’m taking my first art class at the Toledo Museum of Art.  Just for fun.  
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04/20/08

Capitol 10,000 in Austin, March 30, 2008

Back in the 80’s, several members of my immediate and extended family  participated in the Austin-American Statesman Capitol 10,000.  I think I was 10.  It was one of my first 10Ks back when my dad was running marathons like I eat M&M’s nowadays. Fast forward to 2008. I recruited  3 of my cousins to do this 10K race in Austin.  We
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03/31/08

Ted makes friends with Buddy.

No excerpt
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02/21/08

The sad demise

No excerpt
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