The Indy Homes Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog posts by tag - lovehttps://www.indyhomes.com/blog/Copyright IndyHomes.com2019-06-19T09:54:08-07:00tag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:11661Make a dog evacuation plan in case of emergencyMost homeowners have never faced a life-threatening disaster, which increases the liklihood of chaos when it comes time to deal with an actual emergency. Whether it be a fire, a flood, a tornado, an earthquake--you name it--there should always be an escape plan for family members AND the family pet. We all have methods of escape floating in the back of our minds. But whether these fantasies involve scaling down the side of a building, or busting through the living room window, these plans are most likely lacking organization and consideration for your furry friend. While cats are more likely to adopt a save-yourself mentality, and are built to leap from high places or even scale down a roof, dogs will want to make sure their human friends are safe and might unnecessarily risk their own life in a futile act of heroism. Here are some tips to ensure that your pet doesn’t get lost in the chaos if disaster strikes.<br />
<img width="308" height="205" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/deposit_photo_fireman.jpg" style="margin: 5px; float: right;" />
Find or Purchase Pet Rescue Decals: These are stickers you apply outside of windows, stating clearly what kind of pet you own and how many. Most ASPCA’s hand out these decals for free.
Assign roles: To ensure that everyone evacuates the house efficiently, make sure that only one person is assigned to grabbing the dog and leading them out of the house.
Check the Hiding Places: Most animals have a place they retreat to during thunderstorms, loud movies, or when they’ve been caught after helping themselves to the pie that was left out on the kitchen table. In the midst of a disaster, they might run to hide in their safe space. Know where those spaces are, and be prepared to check them first if you can’t find your pet.
Grab & Go Dog Baggie: Make sure that there is a pre-packaged bag tucked away containing a leash, treats, dog food, and even a special toy. Since dog food has a long expiration date, pre-packaging an emergency bag can be a measure you take TODAY. Depending on how long the disaster keeps you from returning indoors, making sure that your dog has familiar items is important.<br />
Leave a Door Open: If you are unable to find your dog, leave the doors open. Once you leave a house during a fire, for example, it is recommended that evacuated victims shouldn’t return. Leaving a door open guarantees a way out for your dog.<br />
Have Fire Drills: Running through the same exact steps over and over will ensure that your dog’s pathway to escape is memorized, and that in the heat of the moment, they’ll draw from muscle memory.<br />
Know your Neighbors: Having a support system in place after an emergency is key. If you and your family have to stay at a hotel that doesn’t allow dogs, asking a dog-friendly neighbor if they can take care of your pet in case of an emergency means that you won’t have to admit your dog into a kennel, which could leave them isolated and add to their stress.
The last thing we want as pet-owners is for our pet to suffer. Ensuring this won’t happen means that planning for an escape is a must.2019-05-07T07:07:00-07:002019-06-19T09:54:08-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10714Live near the Monon Trail<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/live_near_Monon.jpg" width="715" height="460" alt="Live near the Monon Trail in Indianapolis, Carmel or Westfield" />
Given the popularity of Central Indiana’s <a href="https://www.traillink.com/trail/monon-trail/" target="_blank">Monon Trail</a> (more than 1.3 million people use it annually!), it’s hard to imagine that some homeowners in the mid ‘90s/early ‘00s were opposed to having the trail run along their property. But the NIMBYs of yesterday have evolved into the Monon proponents of today. With the Monon Trail representing many things to Indy’s citizens—commuting route, exercise platform, art gallery, nature gateway, social outlet, community connector—easy access to the Monon is high on many home buyers’ lists. Not surprisingly, neighborhoods adjacent to the Monon have seen property values rise.
The paved Monon Trail, built along the original Monon railroad line, was one of Indiana’s first “rails to trails.” The first segment, between <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/broad-ripple/">Broad Ripple</a> and Nora, was completed in 1996, and continues to be one of the most popular sections of the trail. Spend any time on the Monon, and you’ll encounter bikers, walkers, runners, inline skaters and even the random unicyclist. (We’d be remiss to not mention the semi-famous <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/life/2017/09/19/meet-pirate-cat-monons-most-hornswaggling-pillager/666953001/" target="_blank">Pirate Cat</a>, who has plundered the hearts of many Monon users.)
More than 20 miles long, the trail’s southern point begins just north of downtown Indianapolis at 10th Street. From 10th Street, the Monon runs north through many residential neighborhoods, including King Park, Mapleton-Fall Creek, <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/meridian-kessler/">Meridian-Kessler</a>, <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/broad-ripple/">Broad Ripple</a> and Nora in Indianapolis. Crossing 96th Street, the trail continues into <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/carmel/">Carmel</a>, where it’s known as the Monon Greenway, and then north into <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/westfield/">Westfield</a>, until it terminates at Grand Park at 191st Street. The trail picks up again at 216th Street and stretches north another three miles into Sheridan. These two segments of the Monon are scheduled to be connected in 2019.
As you travel the Monon, you’ll find that each segment has its own distinct character—from green canopies to gritty urban landscape to vibrant commercial districts. There’s so much to experience and explore, including painted murals and other public art, the bustling restaurants, shops and galleries of Broad Ripple and downtown Carmel, the Indiana State Fairgrounds and various parks. Other trails connect to the Monon, including the Indianapolis Cultural Trail at the southern end and the Midland Trace Trail in Westfield, giving users foot or bike access to both the cultural treasures of downtown Indianapolis and the pastural peacefulness of the suburbs.
Interested in living near the Monon Trail? We’ve listed below the current homes for sale nearby. We’d love to hear from you, too—what do you love most about the Monon Trail? Tell us in the comments below!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
Monon Trail Homes for Sale2018-03-29T18:00:00-07:002019-06-19T09:32:47-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10071Do you LOVE your friends? People with rich social circles are said to live longer, have less stress in their lives, and be happier and more self-confident than individuals who try to fly through life solo. Is it any wonder then that you should be working to build strong friendships at every stage in your life?
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/girlfriends.jpg" width="413" height="290" alt="girlfriends enjoying a spa date" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" />When it comes to friendships, quantity counts. (Evolutionary anthropologist Robin Dunbar suggests humans can juggle 150 stable social connections at a time, and roughly fifty of those relationships would be classified as good friends.) But it’s not just the number of friends you have that matters. Turns out, you should heed the types of friends you have in your social circle as well.
Having a diverse, well-rounded group of friends provides you with a strong support system and a range of social interactions that will help you lead a happy and healthy life. For advice on what types of friendships you should cultivate, read on.
The childhood buddy
The friends you made while you were in grade school are worth keeping around. Longtime pals share memories that span decades and help you remember the good old days, which research suggests will boost your overall happiness in life.
Fortunately, you don’t have to let geographic boundaries stop you from reaping the rewards of this special relationship. If you no longer live near your childhood friends, just be sure to give them a call or send them an e-mail every few weeks to make certain you stay involved and interested in each other’s lives as the years go by.
The caretaker
You know the old saying, “Mom knows best”? Well, so does the caretaker in your group of friends. Let them dote on you because that’s what a caretaker does best, and doing so benefits them just as much as it does you. Plus, you’ll need him or her around to offer advice, bring soup over when you’re sick, and nurture you through the bad days, bad decisions, and bad breakups.
The mentor
Think of this friend as your personal life coach. A friend who also serves as a mentor will pass on his or her wisdom and offer you the pep talks you need. (For this reason, they’ll likely be older and more seasoned in the game of life than you are.) Utilize this relationship to get feedback and support when you are going through big life changes and in need of thoughtful and candid advice.
The work pal
When you spend forty hours (or more) at work each week, it makes sense to seek some companionship during your office hours. Avoid getting buddy-buddy with your boss so there isn’t a conflict of interest when it is time for performance reviews and pay raises. Instead, seek out a colleague who is in a similar position as you and who shares some common interests as well. Whether you build your budding friendship by talking about sports and sitcoms or by chatting about life at the office, a workplace pal will make breaks, cafeteria lunches, and office parties much more enjoyable.
The activity partner
Whether you’re into racquetball, throwing pottery, or thrifting at antique malls, having a friend to share your hobbies with makes those activities more fun and more meaningful. If you have trouble finding someone who shares your interests, consider joining a group dedicated to your particular hobby. Who knows? Your new best friend might be the person doing downward dog on the yoga mat right next to yours.
The accountability partner
Live gets hard, and there is no better way to navigate those choppy waves than with a great friend. A friend who offers accountability and discipline can help you achieve your goals, grow closer to God, or create possibilities for yourself far beyond what might be possible alone. An accountability partner can hold you to the high standards you have created, and can grow into a mutually beneficial experience.
Tips for meeting new friends
Looking to expand your social group? Try these surefire tips for meeting new people, and you’ll be on your way.
Say yes. Skip the excuses and just say yes when someone invites you to an event, a gathering, or an activity–even if it isn’t something you’d usually attend. You never know when or where you’ll meet someone who’d make the perfect addition to your circle of friends.
Get out. It’s hard to meet friends when you are sitting at home binge watching episodes of Homeland. Give yourself the opportunity to meet new people by taking an art class, volunteering at a local charity, or joining a gym.
Spread the word. Let your friends and family know you’re in the market for new friends–especially if you’ve moved to a new city and need help making connections and setting up “blind dates” with potential friends. A line I love to use with people is “Who do you know that I should know?”.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2014-08-18T10:49:00-07:002019-06-18T09:31:58-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10234You CAN make a difference!Have you heard <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTtLgT58GD4&ob=av2n" target="_blank">Kid Rock’s new duet with Martina McBride, “Care”</a>? Its message has really caught my attention. Here are the lyrics to the chorus:
“Cause I can’t stop the war<br />Shelter the homeless, feed the poor<br />Can’t walk on water, I can’t save your sons and daughters<br />I can’t change the world to make things fair<br />The least that I can do is care.”
I understand that these are rough times for so many, and we’re probably all a bit jaded by war, the bad economy and the hijinks of our politicians, but we don’t have to be have the selflessness of Mother Theresa or Oprah’s money to make a difference in the world. Caring is a good first step, but ANYONE can make a difference in the lives of others.
Consider <a href="https://www.alexslemonade.org/about/meet-alex" target="_blank">Alex Scott, the 4-year-old cancer patient who started her own lemonade stand</a> to raise money for pediatric cancer research, and raised more than $1 million by the time she passed away at the age of 8. Today, kids and adults around the world carry on her legacy by hosting their own lemonade stands to raise funds for the foundation created by Alex’s parents.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/toms-shoes-blake-w-kids.jpg" width="400" height="267" alt="Founder of TOMS Shoes, Blake Mycoskie" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" />Or <a href="http://www.toms.com/improving-lives" target="_blank">Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS Shoes</a>, who recognized the crucial need for shoes for children in third-world countries after traveling in Argentina. He founded TOMS with the simple premise of giving a pair of shoes to needy children for every pair of shoes he sold. Today, his company has given away more than one million pairs of shoes.
These examples show how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference in the world. But taking the initiative to help others doesn’t have to result in something as significant as a social movement or a business. Small acts of kindness can make an incredible impact too. For example, I was having a bad day recently when a total stranger smiled at me as I passed her in a busy store. She’ll never know how much her bright smile lifted my spirits. It was a simple reminder that our actions, big and small, impact everyone around us. Sure, as individuals, we can’t end the injustices of the world. But we can choose to do good, and small acts can ripple farther out then we might imagine. All it takes is caring, followed by action.
So the next time you hear these lyrics from Kid Rock, “I hear screaming on the left, yelling on the right; I’m sitting in the middle trying to live my life,” know that you can do so much more by taking small action steps than sitting still “in the middle.”
For ideas on spreading kindness and generosity in the world, check these out:
<a href="http://thehalfwaypoint.net/2009/09/50-simple-ways-to-pay-it-forward/" target="_blank">50 Simple Ways to Pay It Forward</a><br /><a href="http://www.kindspring.org/ideas/" target="_blank">KindSpring.org</a><br /><a href="https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/get-inspired" target="_blank">RandomActsofKindness.org</a><br /><a href="http://kindnessmovement.com/?page_id=15" target="_blank">KindnessMovement.org</a>
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2011-12-17T15:05:00-07:002019-06-18T09:39:09-07:00Kristie Smith