Don't squander the extra time. Carpe diem!
The cynical view about Leap Year is that it's an awkward attempt to manage the calendar so we don't have Christmas in July.
I'd like to look at it this way: We've been given an extra day to make everything better. So - what will you do to take advantage of this extra time?
Here are 16 ways to carpe diem:
Say thank you. Take a page from Jack Welch and Mark Zuckerberg and write a thank-you note. Or just say it.
Read a magazine you would never ordinarily even look at. Get a new perspective on politics, fashion, home décor or wellness.
Throw out 16 things. Things that don't work. Things you never use. They're just weighing you down. Time to say good-bye!
Start a big goal. I want to write another book this year. If I don't begin by March 1 (yes, that's tomorrow), it probably won't happen. Time to get going.
Contact an old friend. You don't need to give a reason for reaching out. All you need is to make the effort.
Take a drive with an important family member. Use car time to talk about something--or just connect.
Play a board game with someone you like. Electronic games don't count. Sit down, roll the dice and experience human contact.
Map out the rest of your year. Big events are probably already accounted for. Now decide on major milestones and plot them on the calendar.
Cook something new or challenging. I attempted honey-oat cereal bars over the weekend. They tasted great, but didn't hold together (more like cereal crumbles). But at least I tried.
Clean your desk. I know: You did that in December and the mess is already back. Give it another try.
Take a break. Do nothing for 15 minutes. Experience empty time with no electronics or chores. Weird, right?
Book three lunches or dinners with people you like. These need to be agenda-free encounters; it's just about getting together.
Do one thing to improve your health. It doesn't matter what: Just take the first step.
Plan a real vacation--one where you don't check email or do any work at all. This will require setting expectations so your boss and coworkers know you're serious.
Build, craft or grow something. Experience the joy (and challenge) of using your hands to bring something to life.
Above all, don't take yourself too seriously.
And remember: They call it Leap Year for a reason. It's your chance to fly high!
SOURCE: Alison DavisFounder and CEO, Davis & Company
It's always hard to say goodbye to your favorite pets at the beginning of a busy day or trip out of town, but if you live around Manatee and Sarasota, then you can rest easy knowing that there are plenty of dog daycare facilities to choose from. Here are a few you might like to check out.
The Lucky Puppy – 8003 US Hwy. 301, N Suite 105, Parrish, FL 34219
Close to Parrish homes for sale, The Lucky Puppy, offers your puppy a free socialization program every Monday to make new friends. The team at the Lucky Puppy provides a mix of one-on-one interaction with your pet, and group pet activities to promote socialization.
Doggy Resort SRQ – 3424 17th St., Sarasota, FL 34325
With grooming, training, daycare, boarding, and even a bakery, Doggy Resort SRQ has everything you need to keep your pup happy near Bird Key homes for sale. The Doggy Resort features indoor/outdoor playgrounds, a shaded pool, indoor climate control, and optional extras that include expert dog training.
Camp Bow Wow – 2101 17th St., Sarasota, FL 34234
Camp Bow Wow allows pet owners to monitor their pups anytime with live webcams. Close to Sarasota homes for sale, Camp Bow Wow is a nationally known chain with a comprehensive program that includes extensive socialization with both pets and people, along with regular exercise.
PetSuites – 5205 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton, FL 34203
Near Anna Maria homes for sale, PetSuites offers a "first-day free" program at their full-service facility. They even feature a puppy pre-school. Customize your pet's experience with a wide variety of packages, including day play for energetic pups, day boarding for pets that prefer relaxation, and a day spa.
Bayside Pet Resort at Lakewood Ranch – 15117 Garnet Trl., Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211
If you're looking for a luxurious doggy daycare to pamper your pup close to Lakewood Ranch homes for sale, then the Bayside Pet Spa is the place to be. Dogs at Bayside Pet Spa get their own private space, along with the option to socialize with other pets. This facility also goes above and beyond with services that include professional grooming and dog training.
Fox Creek Pet Ranch – 5557 Lorraine Rd., Bradenton, FL 34211
If you have cats or other small pets in need of daycare then Fox Creek Pet Ranch, located near Parrish homes for sale, is a perfect option. Fox Creek Pet Ranch provides care for a wide variety of pets in a facility that is advertised as safe, clean, loving, and healthy.
If you're searching for a community where both you and your favorite pets feel right at home, then our team is here to help. Contact us to buy and sell homes throughout Manatee and Sarasota.
For most of us, our home is our biggest investment. While we do our best to keep it in top shape, it's easy to make small mistakes that can end up costing us big time. This quick read can save you money in the long run. Remember to:
You can protect your home by creating an annual home maintenance checklist to remind yourself to stay on track with home maintenance.
Grab the Cracker Jack, warm up your mitt and get ready to stand up and cheer — spring training is coming back to the Sunshine State! Each year, some of the best teams in Major League Baseball spend two months in Florida preparing for the upcoming season. We're lucky to have two World Series championship teams call Sarasota and Bradenton home for their spring training season: the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Baltimore Orioles.
Our REALTORS® encourage you to take advantage of the warm weather and head out to a spring training game this year. Whether you're a Pirates fan, Orioles fan, or merely a lover of America's favorite pastime, our two spring training facilities are just a few miles from downtown Sarasota and Bradenton.
2020 Spring Training Games in Sarasota & Bradenton
Are you ready for a preview of the 2020 MLB season? There's no better place to watch the best teams in the league play than at LECOM Park and Ed Smith Stadium.
Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training Games
Be sure to purchase discounted tickets in advance or gather your closest friends for a Group Ticket Package featuring preferred seating. Six-game Weekend Packages are also available, guaranteeing your same seat as the Pirates load the bases against the Yankees, Rays, Tigers, Blue Jays, and Twins! Catch the first part of spring training with these February games.
Baltimore Orioles Spring Training Games
Get ready to see the Os in action against some of the best teams in the American and National Leagues, including the 2019 World Series Champions the Washington Nationals. Pick up single-game tickets or create a 5-Game Flex Plan featuring two prime games. For the ultimate experience, purchase a Birdland South Spring Training Membership which includes access to exclusive events, early admittance to watch batting practice and reduced ticket prices on spring training games in Sarasota and regular reason games in Baltimore! Games through February include:
Spring training is one of the many things you'll love about living in the Manatee and Sarasota area. For assistance in buying and selling homes in the area, contact us today!
On your mark, get set, race! Get your running shoes ready and check out these races taking place around the Sarasota and Manatee area during February and March.
Do you want to race into a new home within Sarasota and Manatee County? Our REALTORS® are here to do more than cheer you on! Contact us today!
Love is in the air as Valentine's Day approaches — make sure this lovely occasion smells just as sweet by gifting the special someone in your life a beautiful bouquet. Sarasota and Manatee counties are blooming with flower shops offering a variety of dazzling daisies, perfect poinsettias, and amazing asters to show your partner how much they mean to you. Let these florist shops around town help make your Valentine's Day truly memorable.
Looking to share a home with the person you love? Contact us, and our REALTORS® will help you find a loving home.
A new roof is one of the most expensive home improvement projects owners may have to tackle. If you've been thinking about replacing your roof, you may be surprised by the number of important decisions you'll have to make. This includes figuring out your financing, choosing a great roofer, and deciding on the best roofing materials for your home.
When it comes time to choose your roofing materials, you may be surprised by the number of options available. Each option brings varying costs, quality, and aesthetics. Not sure which to choose? Start by reviewing the pros and cons of the following five popular roofing options.
Before making your final decision, you'll need to consider a wide variety of factors including your budget, the environmental conditions where you live, and the overall look you want to achieve.
Since replacing your roof is definitely your run-of-the-mill DIY home improvement project, you might also consider asking your roofing company to help you determine which material is the most appropriate for your home and the goals you're trying to achieve.