Whining, wining and Poor Richards

When I was in college in the 1980's, Thursday night was the traditional start of the weekend.  After long study halls we often headed to Poor Richard's Pub in Amherst for a little disco and drinking.  Perhaps those were the good old days.

A lot has changed since then and the challenges to our simple everyday pleasures may keep many of us on edge.  To retain some level of sanity I have sought out fun new ways to socially distance while remaining safe at home during the Covid pandemic.   

Those who know me, know I love good food and entertainment.  I also really enjoy good wine.  A glass of wine is a great way to destress and reduce "whining" while relaxing in my now daily prism. Since the start of the pandemic I have been exploring new ventures using virtual and socially distanced tools. I will share one such venture in this post.

Online wine tastings has become a big "thing" and I recently learned that I am joined by many others in this pursuit.  Since there is opportunity to buy much online these days, I recently joined the NakedWine Club , thinking I would test it out for a few months. I have since made two full orders and have enjoyed the opportunity of sampling wines from the comfort of my own living room.  

I thought I would share an article about this emerging trend. There are several online ways to join wine clubs and mine is just one.   Now is a great time to expand your horizons and have a little fun while exploring.  If you would like an invitation to join my wine club I am happy to share their promotional link (click here. ).  

As it is Thursday evening I am ready to start my weekend and hope you enjoy this post.  Comments welcome.   

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys coffee, walking her dog, theater/arts, reading, writing, travel and meeting new people.  She always welcomes the opportunity to have a virtual coffee now that we are amidst the “new normal”.  Check out her website at www.wendybcb.com or her fb page @wendybcb as she posts up to date content to meet the ever changing marketplace.

It’s Fri-yeah, Don't Let FOMO outweigh Staying Safe Over The Weekend and Beyond

It’s Fri-yeah Friday and the start of July 4^th weekend.  This is normally a very busy time with large gatherings of family and friends, fireworks, parades, arts & crafts fairs and traffic. 

We are in the middle of a pandemic and our normal behaviors have been put on yield.  Before doing any activities determine your motivation first.  Then ask the following questions as you are tempted to venture out this weekend.  

1)                  Is there any urgency to be anywhere?

2)                  Does risk of exposure outweigh your personal FOMO?

3)                  What behaviors can I conduct to mitigate risk and stress?

I have been extremely alarmed since the start of this pandemic and have been trying to post positive ways to make the best of the situation.  If you follow me on FB or IG I share these with the hashtag  #funthingstodowhilesocialdistancing.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Perhaps Dorothy had it right in The Wizard of Oz.  My strongest recommendation is to stay home and watch HAMILTON and other movies streaming this weekend.  The Boston Globe also shares some other safe things you can do here.

In the midst of writing this post I discovered an amazing resource for any Covid questions with links to where one can find potential answers.  CLICK HERE .

No matter what you do this weekend it is imperative to practice smart behavior.  On Morning Joe this morning Health Care Expert Dr. Leana Wen recommended  5 actions to follow.  

I am writing this blog to go a bit more in depth with details.

TRAVEL

Driving your own car is your safest best-wear gloves if you need to get gas and try to minimize restroom usage.   Thus don’t drink too much before your trip. I, personally minimize my travel as I would not use a public restroom.  Bring your own food if possible and if you need to stop try going off the road to a local place with curbside pickup.

Airlines are packing travelers in. It is impossible to stay even 6 ft apart.  There is no way to know who you are sitting near, where your food came from, who touched the surface before you and how droplets travel in such a confined space.  Only travel if an absolute emergency and even then if you it is better to drive.

Buses-check local area for social distancing protocols.  Surfaces and air space are a risk, thus I would not take public transportation.

Ride Share-I would be hesitant.  Think …Who was in the vehicle before you?.  What about the driver? Who has she/he been exposed to? 

HOSTING GUESTS

If you do have company I would verify they have not been near anyone or traveled in a hot zone for at least 2 weeks before even inviting or welcoming them to your home.  I would make it clear that you have been following safe protocols and can not risk exposure. 

Set up chairs that are 6 plus feet apart in your yard.

If they need the rest room,  have them use one dedicated guest facility and clean it after they leave. 

Ideally its best if guests bring their own food and utensils.  If not use papergoods and serve individual portions vs family style. 

GOING TO THE BEACH-

image below says it all

GOING OUT TO EAT

If you comfortably feel you do want to go out to eat here are some recommendations:

I am sharing this post from the Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce newsletter and and have edited it a bit.  These practices/protocols should be followed anywhere you go for services.

10 ways to help

our restaurants this summer

The upcoming three-day holiday weekend provides a perfect opportunity to help local restaurants come back, safely and successfully.

Here’s ten ways you all help our restaurants and their employees while dining out this weekend and all summer long.

1.     Don’t go if you don’t feel well. Don’t risk others’ health for a chance to enjoy a burger and fries.

2.     Wear a mask. Not while eating, but all other times. Face coverings aren’t for your protection as much as they are for the protection of the employees and your fellow diners. Show respect to your server and staff who will be working hard to provide you with a fulfilling and safe experience. They’ll be working hard to ensure your safety. Show that you care about their well-being too.

3.     Keep your distance. Social distancing rules exist for a reason. As happy as you may be to see your long-lost college roommate sitting at another table, wave and make plans to Facetime later.

4.     Go easy on the staff. They’re taking a risk coming to work. They’re cleaning every surface you touch. And it’s hot wearing a mask while working as a short order cook or carrying plates of food outside in the 90-degree heat. Try and place your full order at one time so they don’t have to run back and forth.

5.     Expect to pay more. If you’ve been to the grocery store, you’ve seen how food prices have gone up. Restaurateurs also have a lot of fixed costs (rent, insurance, utilities, equipment) and new added costs, including PPE and cleaning protocols, but fewer customers to cover them. Prices need to go up.

6.     Leave a great tip. Social distancing requirements have reduced the number of seats and, therefore, customers over the course of a shift. Tip 20 percent or more. 25 percent would be appropriate in these times.

7.     Don’t be a no-show. With limited seating, every customer matters. If you make a reservation and can’t keep it, cancel as soon as possible, not ten minutes before. Don’t be the person who makes multiple reservations for the same night, so you can decide where to go later.

8.     Expect that things will be different. The menu may have changed. The silverware may be plastic. Ketchup may come in packets. Certain ingredients may not be available.  Go with the flow and enjoy.

9.     Don’t linger. Enjoy your meal. Enjoy desert. Then let someone else enjoy your seat (right after your hardworking wait person wipes it all down!)

10.  Don’t yap on Yelp. We’re all adjusting to a whole new way of doing things. If you were disappointed by something or have other feedback, talk to a manager.

NETWORKING/MEETING NEW PEOPLE  and even DATING TIPS

Okay I don't have all the answers but the comic at the top basically says most of it.  Zoom, FT and real phone conversations are the best first step.  I am available to meet new clients using any medium and enjoy a first coffee Zoom these days as a substitute for meeting at Starbucks.  

I know I have not covered everything but I wanted to post this blog before the weekend kicks off.   The bottom line is to be SMART, be SAFE and always ask yourself if an activity is worth the potential risk of COVID19. I can’t think of any activity I would want to do where I could answer YES.

I wish you and your family a Happy and Safe Holiday.  This is a time to create new memories under "new normal" circumstances.  It will be a new history to share in the future with your children, grandchildren and generations to come so make the best of it!!

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys coffee, walking her dog, theater/arts, reading, writing, travel and meeting new people.  She always welcomes the opportunity to have a virtual coffee now that we are amidst the “new normal”.  Check out her website at www.wendybcb.com or her fb page @wendybcb as she posts up to date content to meet the ever changing marketplace.

Virtually at Your Service

The market is changing and more of our jobs are being shifted to virtual work from home.  Google recently published an article sharing that this lifestyle trend has been increasing as millennials seek greater balance and quality home time.  This has been accelerated as we have all been thrown into the experience of social distancing home during the current COVID19 crisis.   

I am excited to share that as a company Coldwell Banker is staying ahead of the curve.  As a whole the industry is adapting to a new reality and requires much coordination with other services to support the needs of buyers and sellers in a socially distanced world.  There are many parties involved in a real estate transaction and the process is extremely complex.  I  work with several colleagues to make the process as seamless as possible. In addition, I have been very busy taking classes to keep up to date on innovative new tools that better serve my clients.  

There are many things that can be done whether one is Buying or Selling to prepare for their real estate needs.  Many of these steps along the journey can now be done without physical contact. 

I work with a great team to provide services that are available with zero physical contact if required due to Social Distancing needs.   

My colleague Ann Newberry who is a Senior Move Manager and Owner of Smooth Transitions of Massachusetts, suggests starting to clean out one drawer a day as a start. 

First time Buyers can begin both a search process through my website as well as start to get their finances in order.  Tom McLaughlin at Guaranteed Rate offers a platform that starts the mortage qualification process from beginning through the close of a purchase online..   

There are many small steps that can be done to begin the buying or selling journey.   Ann, Tom and I will be offering a Virtual information session on May 20 at 5:00pm to share ideas on how to begin this process.   If you would like to join us please email  Wendy.Bornstein@NEMOVES.com to receive an invitation link. 

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham and checks her social media accounts often.   If you have any questions or know anyone thinking about entering the real estate market feel free to share this with them.  

A Mini Retreat in Your Socially Distanced Home

What are your plans this weekend?  What would you have said three weeks ago if you were given the opportunity for a quick getaway where the only thing you had to do was nothing ie:  no carpooling or errands to do.  You are offered a time to just relax and spend time by yourself ( if self-quarantined) or with loved ones in a private location without distractions.  

Fast forward to today.  We are all stuck in our homes and social distancing.  Each day can look like the next without any break in routine.   No matter your religion either Saturday or Sunday is shabbat, a day of rest and a time to break away from the monotony of everyday and spend some time toward inward thinking.  

My proposal is to set the stage for this same overnight retreat in your head.  You will spend Saturday in an isolated cabin away from it all.  To truly enjoy this experience you need to prepare ahead of time.

 Suggested items to have available include:

- an exercise mat and some work out clothing.  
- a reading device or media to be able to watch local movie releases on demand.  
- favorite toiletries 
- comfortable fun clothing and a dress up dinner outfit
-2 to 3 bottles of wine
-a prepared home cooked dinner

Take some time to pamper yourself. The rules are to keep the news off, put your phone away except for emergencies and resist social media.  

Its time to leave all your work and negativity behind.  

Here is a proposed itinerary but you have the choice to make it your own.  The only suggestion is to break away from the routine you had all week. 
Saturday afternoon-If its nice out you may go for a walk around your block and then come inside and either read or maybe do a puzzle. 

May be do a mediation app or just listen to some nice music.  

In late afternoon you are a bit hungry and can have a healthy protein snack of cheese and nuts while preparing a nice Italian feast for dinner.  

Saturday pm-Prepare a nice home cooked dinner,  Pour some wine and enjoy the candlelight ambience.  After dinner you retreat to a comfortable couch to watch a first run movie on demand or stream a show you haven't had time to see.  


Sunday am-Do an online yoga class.  After the class you will treat yourself to a self spa day.  You can take a long shower or bath, smell incense,  polish your nails, and give yourself a facial. 

Sunday early afternoon- have a nice brunch!!

Hope you are inspired to get away.  Our imaginations can make our reality a positive and fun experience.  I am trying to use mine to think outside the box.  Shabbat Shalom.  

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham who loves blogging, reading, walking her dog and thinking outside the box to make the world a better place.