Diana's Neighborhood » Home Depot

Wahoo! It’s Friday – still chilly out and we’re due to get the second part of this nor’easter. It also looks as though our Ladies Bunco Night in New Fairfield is going to be canceled. Although, one of the gals, who was selling fresh Apple Pies from the New Fairfield Community Center – went around delivering our pies since we were not meeting up tonight. I couldn’t wait – and even while she was still backing down my driveway, I was popping my apple pie in the oven. Soon, the sweet apple smell took over the kitchen and the entire home – Mmm, do I Love that smell, and it tasted even better!

Ok, I couldn’t help myself, I had to talk about that tasty dessert first, this is probably how I cope with life’s upsets and focus on the positives. Well, so much happened before having a slice of pie.

Melissa called – hysterical – saying she skidded coming down a wet, leaf covered hill. When I could finally make out what she was saying, my understanding was that her car started to slide, then she felt as though she went over something which made her lose control of the car. Thankfully, she was not hurt and she didn’t hit anything. Upon getting out of her car, she noticed that what she had run over was her front tire! Hugh??!! How the heck did her tire come off? Well, thanks to a client, who is a New York City Police Officer, asked if she recently had some work done – Yup, oil changed and …. her tires were rotated! This is still under investigation and I am so relieved that she was only shaken, but not injured.

To take her mind off of things, we went for a bite to eat, then ran errands – one of which involved me going back to Home Depot – once again! Melissa chose some track lighting for her room…

and I dealt with having to put in our 2nd claim into Allstate. Our 1st was back in August when someone cut off my husband on I-684 - he hit the guard rail and totalled his car. Again, I am thankful that Joe had no injuries. We definitely have someone watching over us – doing Double-Duty today since Joe received a call while Melissa and I were still in Home Depot – he was going back to work on Monday after being laid off since August! This is why we should always have Hope, Believe and have Faith.

My Life as a Realtor – Day 83

dianasantos — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:47:31 +0000

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 83:

Columbus Day! Kids are off from school – I went into Danbury – then to the office… Century 21 VJF Realty - Home Depot… for the 10th time this month! My last stop before going home was A & P.

Home Depot

received a buyer call – Yahoo! – while I was in the office – someone looking for land – also got my listings together for tomorrow’s appointment with my First Time Home Buyer.

Joe is getting the house ready for winter – Ugh! He insulated Amanda and Sara’s outside bedroom wall that leads into the attic above the garage – no insulation - Mmmm – guess that’s why their room seems to always be chilly. Joe also painted the front doors and finished insulating all the windows around the doors. Maybe… just maybe, I won’t freeze my butt off this winter!

My Life as a Realtor – Day 80

dianasantos — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:39:06 +0000

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 80:

Closing Day! Met with my client this morning to do the walk-through before closing.

A Rainy – but wonderful Closing Day!

We made sure all was well with the house and then headed to the attorney’s office in Danbury, CT.

The Closing Table

All went very well during the closing. Afterwards, it was back to work, grocery shopping, gassed up the car, and yes – do you really think I couldn’t go a few days without a trip to…

Home Depot!

I can’t wait to be done with all the painting and renovations! That is now what my clients will be doing with their new house - many trips to purchase items to make their new house a home!

My Life as a Realtor – Day 76

dianasantos — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:09:41 +0000

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 76:

I can’t believe I have to go back to Home Depot… again… since the moulding that Joe purchased yesterday was, well – I’ll be nice… or maybe I won’t – it was just darn ugly!!!

Stopped by my clients home first to have him sign a price reduction – 2A Hudson Drive ~ New Fairfield, CT

Water View of Ball Pond

Then off to the office ~ Century 21 VJF Realty ~ Brewster, NY…

Home to pick up Jonathan and drop him off for soccer practice…

All while talking, texting and e-mailing clients – I love my phone, I love my phone, I love my phone… To be able to assist all of my clients from anywhere and everywhere is awesome! How did we ever manage without cell phones?

Oh, I remember when I was pregnant with Amanda – who is now 17. Two weeks before my due date, my husband was at a soccer game about an hour away – and of course, I go into labor and Joe has no cell phone! In the end, it all work out – my sister, Lisa, who was also expecting ~ her son Derek ~ came and stayed with Melissa – who was 3 1/2 – and David – who was 1 1/2. My brother-in-law, Richie, drove me to the hospital – where all the nurses mistook him for my husband and kept wanting to examine me with him in the room! Miraculously, my contractions seemed to slow down - I think Amanda decided to wait for her daddy before making her dramatic entrance – so, I was told to go take a walk around the hospital halls. Poor Richie came with me – wobble, wobble – down the hall I went – and to my surprise, when I reached the end of one of the hallways where the elevators were – the doors opened and there was my Joe – soak and wet due to a terrible rain storm during the game – but he was there and Amanda was born – healthy, happy and beautiful!

My Life as a Realtor – Day 75

dianasantos — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:24:42 +0000

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 75:

Sunday…. back to Home Depot- except this time, Joe went – Yippee! He purchased moulding to make a frame around our bathroom mirror and add crown moulding. I know, I thought he was all done – the renovations seem to never end…

Sent listings – phone calls – set up a Public Open House for my listing – 2A Hudson Drive ~ New Fairfield, CT - for Sunday, October 11th from 1 to 4pm

We also just had a price reduction – Home being offered for $305,000

My Life as a Realtor – Day 73

dianasantos — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:48:26 +0000

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 73:

Guess what? Today I went to…. Home Depot…. again! Purchased a few more items that were needed for Joe to finish our master bathroom.

Just about the entire time I drove into Danbury and back home to New Fairfield, I was on my cell with clients – all good news.

Amanda took this photo as I was taking my shortcut from Danbury into New Fairfield

My Life as a Realtor – Day 72

dianasantos — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:42:45 +0000

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 72:

Pellet Stove in Living Room

Worked from home – then off to Home Depot – again – for more paint – and, since Joe moved our pellet stove – that we absolutely love – from the family room in the lower level – to the living room on the main level - I went to buy a woodburning stove. Well, after talking to a very knowledgeable Home Depot employee, I decided to go with an electric – cast-iron-looking stove. Since we really don’t use the family room on a daily basis – the kids are mostly in the main level den which has a fireplace. Adding the pellet stove to the living room, will help cut down on our heating costs – oil – and keep the main level cozy. OK – maybe now I’m just a tiny bit ready for cooler weather… maybe.

Electric Stove in Family Room – Tisha & Remi seem to like it!

My Life as a Realtor – Day 68

dianasantos — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:55:30 +0000

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 68:

It’s Sunday – finished making appointments for tomorrow. Then off to Home Depot in Danbury, CT - again.

I took Jonathan with me to pick up some items that Joe needed along with paint.

Different shades of Blue and a Red was chosen

My Life as a Realtor – Day 63

dianasantos — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:47:15 +0000

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 63:

Joe and I made a trip to Home Depot in Brewster, NY. We have decided to renovate the master bath – Yahoo!

A very nice Fall display at Home Depot in Brewster

By using alot of materials that we already have – thinset, sheet rock, paint… Also, by using the same shower doors, toilet, mirror, vanity and cabinets – simply painting and changing the handles on them – will make a huge difference and keep our cost down.

Then back home – back to work and cleaning – cooking – and looking forward to watching the 2nd night of Dancing With the Stars!

Energy Efficient Tax Credit

dianasantos — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:30:04 +0000

Here is some great information from Home Depot on how you could do some energy improvements in and around your home to save money and possibly receive an Energy Efficient Tax Credit ~ CLICK ~

kaibara87 (away for 1 month)! – Flickr.com

My Life as a Realtor – Day 53

dianasantos — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:59:33 +0000

My Day as a Realtor ~

Day 53:

OK – Saturday – Joe is moving quickly with our kitchen renovation – we – or he – is painting the kitchen cabinets – Glidden’s Linen White – and a few more touches – real, real inexpensive and I can’t believe the difference already!

Today I was Joe’s right hand man – went to Home Depot in Brewster, NY for a few things…

Home Depot in Brewster, NY

Then to HomeDepot in Danbury, CT for a few more things…

Then to A & P in Brewster, NY for MORE groceries and MORE mums – hey, for $4 each, I couldn’t resist!

Throughout the day, I e-mailed and spoke with clients – then, Hubby-Hub and I – and my sis Lisa and brother-in-law, Richie – went out to dinner to the Portuguese Cultural Center in Danbury, CT – Caravela Restaurant. Good food, good wine, really good company!

My Life as a Realtor – Day 51

dianasantos — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:30:25 +0000

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 51:

Another busy day – I’m getting behind in my posts and that makes me unhappy.

Being busy is appreciated – and I really don’t know how to sit still!

On this 51st day, I did alot of driving around with our little rental car from Enterprise- Chevy Colbat

Since Joe has decided to paint our kitchen cabinets- yes, I know, I had said I was going to do it during his visit in Portugal – but never did! So, off to Home Depot in Danbury I went…

Bought some paint, primer and brushes

Dropped everything off at home where Joe had already started to remove cabinets, hinges, knobs and sanding everything down. I then dashed to Shaws for more grocery shopping….

Ran home, made lunch, made phone calls, sent e-mails, made appointments and was so excited about our kitchen redo!

Our “before” pics – dated 1970′s Kitchen Cabinets

Joe priming & removing cabinets

And to add to all of my excitment – I have a new listing!

**********CLICK to View Listing Sheet**********

52 Mountain Brook Dr – Brewster, NY

My Life as a Realtor – Day 25

dianasantos — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:56:25 +0000

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 25:

Today, Sunday, I had an inspection in Danbury on a Foreclosure. Nice home and if my clients are able to renovate as planned, it will be even nicer!

But, just in case, we went and viewed 2 other homes in Danbury. One of the homes was a 1940′s ranch with beautiful, original moldings and doors with crystal knobs.

Afterwards, I was off to Home Depot – also in Danbury

Home Depot – Danbury, CT

I purchased a Hampton Bay ceiling fan for our kitchen – our current one isn’t working properly.

Then home, where I made lunch – made appointments to view homes tomorrow and once again… went grocery shopping at Shaw’s. Amanda came with me and before shopping, we took care of a ton of recycling.

My Life as a Realtor – Day 11

dianasantos — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:20:09 +0000

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 10:

It’s Saturday, the first day in August and we’re busy cleaning and organizing – something I do everyday, although today we’re taking advantage of some time we have before heading over to my sister’s house for a barbecue. Joe is installing a closet organizer in Jonathan’s room – he was the only one without an organizer and what a huge difference it will make!

Closet Organizer – Purchased at Home Depot

I’m multi-tasking, which I enjoy since I seem to do well when I’m under pressure! I’m cleaning, e-mailing, talking with clients – one new client that needs a mortgage broker to assist her. I’m making a simple pasta salad for the BBQ – flew to Shaw’s – once again. Boy do I spend alot of time… and money grocery shopping.

Cell Phone Pic – Shaw’s in New Fairfield, CT

While I was at Shaw’s, I spoke with a client, verifying that she received a call from our appointment scheduling company, AccuShow, regarding an afternoon showing – her first – for her home tomorrow. She did not, so I spent my shopping time on my cell – but all was taken care of and that is why I always push to get things done asap - don’t leave for later, what you can do now!

Blackangel – Flickr.com

We had an awesome time at my sister’s – with the exception of my 4 new mosquitoe bites. The kids went into the pool and we ate and drank and had lots of laughs. We are trying to plan a camp out at our house next weekend with my sister, brother and their families. All the older kids will sleep in the tent in the woods in our back yard and the adults and little ones will sleep in doors. I can’t wait! Note to self… lot’s of bug spray needed.

edans – Flickr.com

Help Planting in the Garden with Home Depot

dianasantos — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:51:16 +0000

If anyone is like me, then we could all use some help planting in the garden.

Hortulus – Flickr.com

The Home Depot has some helpful – and easy – ideas. Here are just a few:

Top 10 Gardening Questions
Build a Tree Ring
Build an Island Bed
Lay a Garden Path
How to Fertilize
Find the Right Hose for Your Watering Needs

Beth Harper – Flickr.com

Thanks Home Depot!

IT’S SPRING – LET’S GO GARDENING!

dianasantos — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:57:11 +0000

Spring is in full bloom all around here in Connecticut and New York. Everyday it’s getting “greener” and more colorful – Yeah! The only sad part for me during Spring time is, once again, being reminded that I do not have a “green thumb“. My brother inherited the gardening skills in our family.

Leonid Mamchenkov – Flickr.com

But OH! - how wonderful the internet is.

HOME DEPOT has a Garden Club, Tips on Landscaping, Watering Wisdom and Container Gardening.
LOWE’S has Creative Ideas for Outdoor Living, Plant and Wildlife, Growing Zones and Eco-Friendly Living.
HGTV has information on Butterfly Gardening, Rain Barrels: Save on Your Water Bill! and for ME – Advice for ALL – THUMBS Gardeners!

So to all my fellow “All – Thumbs Gardeners” – Don’t fret, check out these great sites with loads of information. And let me know which site you found most helpful.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Thanks to GOOGLE IMAGERY