This year has to be one of the weirdest years on record! With a global pandemic causing both too much 
togetherness AND too much isolation, western forest fires choking the air, social unrest and upheaval, political turmoil and uncertainty, and (for us) a crazy real estate market — this year is definitely taking its toll on many people.
I read an article recently that talked about how important it is for friends and family members to connect! And also how important it is to not only share our concerns and how we’re being affected, but also to share what we’re grateful for and what good things have come from our ‘new normal’.
So I thought I’d share some things I’m grateful for as we begin a month of gratitude and appreciation. Read below for part one of what I’ve most appreciated this year!
My Team
I couldn’t do what I do without the team I work with every day!
Angie, who for over nine years has kept her eagle eye and firm
grasp on all the details of our clients’ transactions from the time they go under contract to the time they close. She’s encouraged me, pushed me, helped me, guided me, and been an amazing force in my life! She’s also grown into a terrific businessperson in her own right and I’m so proud of her.
Lizzie, our team member on the other side of the world, who has quietly and consistently managed our database and our paperwork for over four years — while we sleep! If you ever feel like you’re a little too ‘cooped up’ during this quarantine period, remember Lizzie, who has been in her house in the Philippines with her seven-year-old son since March 1st. We love you Lizzie, hang in there!
Mackenzie, our rockstar buyers’ agent who is away at college!
Who else do you know who enters her freshman year of university with 52 college credits — earned while going to highschool, working two jobs, getting her real estate license, playing volleyball, and becoming one of the best competitive shooters in the country? Plus she gets rave reviews from our clients!
Taylor, our newest team member, who started in a junior role, left to pursue other things, came back in August to help out for ‘a couple of weeks’ and recently accepted the challenge of becoming our full time Executive Assistant — aka ‘The Boss’. She pushes, cajoles, harasses, teases, and generally tells me what to do and when to do it - in a good way! She also reads my mind, makes me laugh, and is whipping our office into shape while taking great care of our clients, managing our home transformation vendors, and ensuring we have a good time while doing it — happy hour anyone?!
My Pets
What would life be without our animals? 
Poppy (aka Popstar, Poppyseed) our neurotic and quirky little mascot. The border collie makes her love me and the jack russell terrier makes her tip over our office garbage every time we leave — the little stinker! She loves Brad, the UPS guy, treats, gratitude walks, and sleeping 
in front of my desk either at home or at the office.
And Whiskers, my foster fail — the softest, sweetest, love bug of a cat whose catio is the square footage of some NYC apartments. He is sooo spoiled!
Technology
Love it or hate it, technology has been a critical lifeline for many — both personally and professionally.
Because we’ve been doing virtual consultations via phone and computer for out-of-town clients for over six years, having this nailed prior to COVID-19 coming on the scene made for a seamless transition to conducting ALL our appointments this way. While some agents were struggling to figure out how to work in this new world, we didn’t miss a beat!
Toast
How could I have a gratitude list without 
including toast?! Whoever thought, "Wow this bread is really great, but if it were crunchy it'd be amazing," was so smart! Toast is awesome and it’s what’s for dinner many, many nights! :) #yaytoast
The Weather
If you’re going to have a pandemic that keeps you from traveling, it’s good to have weather that
allows you to be outside! With cold wet weather on it’s way, I’m feeling particularly grateful for the lovely spring, beautiful hot summer, and amazing fall weather we had in 2020. Boise is a fantastic place to live for those who want to be outside!
My Family
I’ve always said I’m pretty lucky because I actually like the people I’m related to! I have two sets of parents who are great role models for how to stay young while getting older. I have two terrific siblings and their awesome spouses, two nieces who have grown into amazing young women, and two nephews — one a rambunctious and adorable 2.5 year old and one who was just born. It’s been hard not being able to spend more time with them, we typically got together in person at least once a month for holidays and birthdays pre-COVID. I included the 'not-for-the-Christmas-card' goofy photo.
Our Clients
We do what we do for people. When someone 
tells me they’d love to be in real estate because they love looking at houses, I always say, ‘It’s not about houses, it’s about people. How do you feel about people?’
Even though this year has brought out the crazy in a few people, the majority of our clients are grateful, trusting, intelligent, 
reasonable, wonderful humans. What we do is hard! We’re dealing with all the big stressors in people’s lives — home, family, money, change — all bunched together into a couple of months! And we do it for lots of great people every day. Thank you!
