Resort Town Living – Perhaps a State of Mind
When attending social events in Tahoe, one is more likely to hear the question, “What do you like to do?” instead of ”What do you do? It is is common knowledge that most of our local residents chose to move here at one time or another in their lives. And furthermore, most of the transplants did not make their decision based upon financial gains. Far from it.
We may not have an endless variety of dining choices but we do taste fresh air on a daily basis. We may not drive high-end luxury vehicles, but we only sit in traffic for a few minutes at any given time. We may not have renown museums and theaters, but we do have a Mother Nature production every day. And while locals are cautious in planning an event two months away (gotta keep those options open) they are famous for jumping to action when the word spreads about a beach-side picnic or a fresh powder run. They smile more often than not and they just don’t take themselves too seriously.
Case in point, our “gourmet” food club. Are we true gourmets? We’ve been told NOT. Well, we googled the meaning of gourmet and found the following: A gourmet is a person with discriminating taste in food and wine, as is a gourmand. Because gourmand can also mean “one who enjoys food in great quantities” or even “a gluttonous eater.” Discriminating? Hmmm. If it tastes good, we eat and drink it. If it’s bad, we don’t. I suppose that is pretty discriminating. And, I can attest that this group certainly enjoys the food. In fact, we are definitely gluttons! We come up with some incredible meals (pot luck style,) share our “secrets” (where we ripped off the recipe,) can sit at a dining table for hours (not possible in most restaurants) and no tips required (other than ideas for the next event.) Check out the following small video of the most recent event. You’ll get our drift. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIiixo_IpAs
Speaking of tips – here is one to pass along. Whether or not you live in a resort town, try a taste of the “resort life spontaneity.” Pick up the phone, text or email some of your closest friends and family and throw together a quick game of . . (fill in the blank). . ., name the time and place and make it a pot luck with no assignments. If everyone brings a dessert, so be it. Take lots of photos and make your own memory. We guarantee more will follow. That’s just how it is in a resort town.
South Lake Tahoe Featured in Outside
Lake Tahoe, both South Shore California and Nevada, were featured in the March issue of Outside Magazine. Outside is a monthly publication popular amongst outdoor recreation enthusiasts (as well as dreamers) and focuses on fitness, lifestyles and adventures. On the cover of the March, 2010 issue, a teaser promo highlighted an inside article focusing on recommended locations in which to invest during this market downturn. Lake Tahoe, specifically the South shore, received a good deal of attention within that article.
Praise such as, “ Tahoe offers a rare combination of omnipresent sunshine (three out of four days) and some of the nation’s deepest annual snowfalls (40-plus feet)” were listed as well as comments on the exceptional mountain biking and hiking opportunities. The article went on to discuss the redevelopment of the area and starting home prices. They stated that one could find an entry level home on the California side under $200,000 with the Nevada side being approximately 25% higher. They also pointed out the current great values within the Tahoe Keys of which we agree.
The magazine also had a fun quiz to help one decide whether or not they should realistically consider themselves a second home owner and in which areas a buyer should be wise. We recommend this article for second home buyers considering the Tahoe area.
Orbitz, an international travel company also gave Lake Tahoe recent high praise. In February, 2010, they claimed that Lake Tahoe was ranked as the number one ski destination in the world. In fact, this was the third year in a row that Lake Tahoe received this status.
Those of us that live here, know that we are pretty lucky souls. Wages may be lower, jobs a bit harder to secure and museums harder to find. Never-the-less, we wake up and fall asleep to Mother Nature’s glory – never knowing what tomorrow (or the next hour) may bring. It’s all an adventure. This is certainly “bringing the good life home” and fun to see a national magazine take notice.
Finding the Balance in Paradise
Tahoe Tallac Window Reflection
Here I am in Lake Tahoe where each morning brings fresh reminders of the beauty that waits. Yet, there is social media to be addressed, clients to spend time with, agents in my office that I want to mentor, brainstorming for new ideas… And on top of all of this, each day presents unexpected calls and visits. Where is the time for photography, reading a novel on the beach, playing with my granddaughter? Just how does one find time to enjoy life?
Okay, okay – I’m getting to my point. Somewhat of a plug but I can’t help feel that I am not alone in this daily crunch for more time. So, I am going to pass along some great info I came across. It turns out that a client (and now good friend,) Karen Leland along with Keith Bailey are the best-selling authors of six books including Time Management In An Instant: 60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day. They are the co-founders of Sterling Marketing Group http://www.sterlingmarketinggroup.com, which helps authors and entrepreneurs use the power of PR to promote their books and business on time management. Not one to miss an opportunity – I cornered the poor gal to see if she could give me some free advise. ”Karen,” I blurted, ”Knowing there is more than one perspective as to setting priorities, how do you recommend I find the balance between creating a personal work/balance atmosphere yet be there as a coach/mentor for those working in my company – all with their own perspectives?
Her sage advise – “Balancing out your individual to-do agenda while also trying to mentor and manage a group of staff can be challenging. One of the critical keys to doing this successfully is to set very clear boundaries about when you are and are not available. For example: Let’s say you need to focus on a particular project for an hour on wednesday am from 9-10. Let everyone know that you won’t be able to answer questions or deal with problems during that time. However at 11 am – you are all theirs. Most people will learn how to work around a boundary like that, and work things out.
“But Karen” (I pushed) “How do I intentionally find time to set work aside and make personal time equally important?” Patiently answered Karen: “As one of my clients said ’structure is destiny’. So I think the key to this is making specific plans every week, carving out time on your calender, to do things in your personal life that create balance. This might mean making a date with a girlfriend to go for a walk, it might mean blocking off a few hours on a Saturday to work on an art project, agreeing that every first friday of the month is date night with your spouse. If you leave it up to random chance to make time for personal time – it won’t happen.”
Finally – pushing my luck I asked, “How do I continue to maintain stimulation of ideas and creativity in my career when I feel so burned out? Karen’s brilliant response: “I think that may be one of the biggest problems facing those of us, of a certain age, in the workplace today. We’ve been doing our careers for 20 or 30 years and we are great at them, but the challenge may be gone, or burn out starting to set in. The best remedy I know of for this is to find some aspect, or tangent of your profession that you find interesting and pursue it – even if it does not directly result in financial gain immediately. If you have reached the point where you job just does not hold any more juice for you – you have three choices. 1. Tell the truth, get out and start something new. Lot’s of people have taken this leap and lived to tell the tale. 2. Hire someone to do the more mundane parts of your job and become more of an account manager in your business, rather than the one who does all the ground work. You’ll make less money, but be happier. 3. Look at your job as the bread and butter that let’s you do the other things in your life that give you stimulation and creativity. In other words, stop expecting your job to give you that and carve out time for the things that do.”
I realize that I am carrying on longer than usual yet I can’t help but feel I am not alone. Living and working in Paradise is a gift. Let’s face it, we all have our gifts of family, travel, friends and home. Yet, if we don’t make an effort to truly SEE and EXPERIENCE these gifts, so much will be lost and regretted. Make the effort – make it a gift to yourself.
If you are interested in checking out Karen’s book, here is a tip. Buy a copy of “Time Management In An Instant” the week of July 20th and receive a free license to view the Essential Email online course. To buy the book and claim your bonus, or just to buy the book go to: http://www.quality-service.com/timemanagementinaninstant
Hidden Treasures in Lake Tahoe Neighborhoods
We recently moved from one local South Lake Tahoe neighborhood to another. And while I was looking forward to some of the new amenities (pool table, hot tub and high speed internet included,) I was starting to mourn the loss of my wonderful forested trails on the edge of Montgomery Estates. From outside my door, I could head up the road and enter a magical forest of pines, granite boulders, creeks and waterfalls. One hour of strolling and I felt as though I had had a couple of days away from the office.
Now, with no more excuses, it was time to get out and try walking in the new hood. Somewhat bummed, I started out along the various roads keeping my eyes and ears posted for traffic with crisp air, blue skies and chirping birds and squirrels accompanying me.
About the time I was to begin the homeward turn, I noticed a vacant lot that appeared to be bordering some kind of meadow. It also looked as though I may have discovered a shortcut so I decided to give it a try. What a surprise! I had discovered a stunning meadow studded with lupine, mule’s ear, Indian paintbrush, wild irises and a multitude of flowers whose names I simply do not know. Truly! And to highlight the wonder of my discovery, I realized that this hidden treasure was adjacent to Highway 50 in Meyers. I have lived here since 1992 and had no idea that there was yet, another treasure waiting to be discovered.
The more I thought about it, the more I pondered if there was a neighborhood in the South Shore that didn’t have a slice of Paradise right in its’ backyard. Was it possible? To seek some answers to my questions, I sat down with a map of the South Shore and sure enough, every neighborhood had at least a meadow, forest, river, golf course or park – something that could be accessed by foot within a short distance. “That’s it,” I decided. From this point on, whenever I take clients to look at homes, I am going to also point out the neighborhood “escape” route. After all, there is a reason we choose to live in Lake Tahoe. Now, we just need to continue rediscovering the glory.
[SinglePic not found]The Joys of Moving in Lake Tahoe
[SinglePic not found]Years ago (many years ago,) when I was just beginning a career in real estate, a wise and experienced teacher, Danielle Kennedy, taught that a good Realtor should move every 5 years just to stay in touch with the stress, fear and excitement that our clients will go through during a transaction. Empathy will go a long way into shaping one as a great Realtor. Well, Ms. Kennedy, I am here to say that after moving twice in a year, I am about as empathetic as one can get.
Moving in or out of a home in Lake Tahoe has its own unique qualities. The weather for one! On one hand, I have always been taught that it is a blessing to have rain on moving day. What is it when one has a mixture of sun, rain, snow and wind? You know the adage in Lake Tahoe. ”If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes.” Here are a few tips that I learned (the hard way.)
1. If you are renting a moving van, book at least a month in advance and call two days in advance to confirm.
2. DO NOT try to take care of a change of address through an online program. Go straight to the post office on Al Tahoe and Lake Tahoe Blvd. and personally ask for the change of address forms, fill them out and hand deliver – at least two weeks in advance.
3. Collect boxes at least a month in advance – there just aren’t that many in Lake Tahoe.
4. Plan of staying at the new location for at least 48 hours to hook up new utilities. Help comes from out of area and the expected time of arrival is something like, “between 8am and 5pm.” Grab a good book and just relax.
5. If you are not tech savvy, find a pro and ask them to just hang with you.
Fortunately, the entire moving experience is a beautiful experience – it’s Lake Tahoe!! How can you miss??