Step 1: Acquire goods. Necessary goods: modeling clay ($8), silver paint ($2), jewelry-making accessories ($2), silver chain from Target ($5)

Step 2: Roll out tiny balls of clay, and press flat. Take the finger of your choice (yours, your child’s, your cool neighbor’s), and press down gently, making sure that the clay picks up the impression of the fingerprint. We made three, just in case something went wrong, and we did learn that you should only (initially) press the clay about half as flat as you’d like the necklace, and then use the finger-pressing part to press it the remainder of the way. This will make a better imprint.

Step 3: Insert posts, or use a needle to put a hole through the clay (you will either insert the jump ring through the hole you made, or though the post, after it dries). Use this time to smooth any edges (this is optional- we left imperfections. I think it looks more personal that way, and I also didn’t want my daughter to feel like it wasn’t good enough as it was!). Now, either let your clay air-dry, or bake it per manufacturer’s instructions. Word to the wise – if you chose an air-drying clay, don’t put it in your oven. It will explode. We learned that the hard way. Also – if you want to carve tiny initials or a name into the back, do it before it dries!

Step 4: After your clay is completely dry, gently paint it silver, making sure to cover the front, back, and sides. Since I used posts to attach the jump rings, I also put a thin layer of super glue on the clay around the post’s entry point. Once the paint is dry, attach your jump ring and then string the chain through. Voila! A 15-minute, completely personal, TOTALLY adorable present that any mom/grandmother/really involved neighbor would love.

I happen to be the mother of three very lovable, very excitable, very bed-hoggish (is that a word?), and very needy puppies, who happen to have selective hearing when they’re in trouble. I don’t own them – they own me. And my bed. And my house. And sometimes my shoes… if I absent-mindedly leave them around the house. And no matter how bad of a day I may be having or how stressed out I become, the moment I walk through my door at home and see my three bundles of joy bouncing up and down (and sometimes peeing due to sheer excitement!), I know that everything is right in the world. I imagine it must be the same with children – I still trip over toys that were placed very strategically (at least, in my mind they were) by the front door for me to trip over the moment I walk in, I still have to feed them and bathe them and shove them under the covers at night to calm them down, and I play with them and teach them to NOT pee in the house and to NOT antagonize one another for their bone. For the most part, they get along – other days, they drive me insane. Not every family’s perfect!

On that note, may I introduce my puppies to you!

Try saying no to this face… Pfft.

This is Dobby. We got her January 2011 and she’ll be two years old in November. She’s black as night, except for the white on her toes and chest. She loves to antagonize her younger brother and older sister, loves to eat anything and everything in the household – toilet paper is her favorite… I have no idea why… – and playing with her little duck squeaky toy. She sleeps under the covers every night and doesn’t mind it when you fold her ears back. Her tail never stops wagging, and beware! Her bark is mightier than her bite! Her favorite hiding place is under the bed whenever anyone comes over. She’ll get used to you eventually!

Look at those ears!

This is George. He’s the newest member of our puppy family and he’ll be a year old in August. We just got him in March! He has a pair of ears that never ends and I don’t think he’ll ever grow into his paws. He loves antagonizing his older sister as much as she does him and his favorite things to eat are dog food, cheese, cowboy boots, $100+ pair of shoes, socks, paper, grass, and sometimes bugs. He can jump across stepping stones without ever touching the grass below him and he can catch a treat or toy mid-air. He has VERY selective hearing and could play for 24 hours straight. He recently developed the habits of sleeping on people’s chests and burrowing his head in between someone’s head and neck, so if you ever wonder why you feel like you’re suffocating, look for George!

You don’t mess with this dog.

And last, but absolutely not least, this is Cheyenne. She is the queen dog of the household and she will not let you forget it for one second. She was born on New Year’s Eve in 2000 and will be 12 this year! She loves going for long walks around the block, chasing cats, and stealing bones from the little dogs of the house. Her best days are spent sleeping in the armchairs of the household with all four paws up and in the air and laying in the sun. She’s always on the lookout for someone to pet her for hours and will shove her nose under your hand or arm should you dare stop petting her. She can make a bed out of just about anything and will completely rearrange a bed to make it comfortable for her. She loves just about everyone – especially if you give her food…

And the best part is, most Camden Apartments accept these little terrors…erm, I mean, well-behaved dogs. Some Camdens even offer covered dog runs and trails – and you know what a happy puppy means… A happy life! And we want happy residents! So happy mother’s day to all of our moms out there! Whether you’re the mom of four human children or three puppies, this day is for you! And I know the greatest gift I’ll receive tonight is lots of sloppy kisses, jumps, (maybe a little piddle!) AND I get the pleasure of feeding them dinner tonight. Boy howdy!

You get used to waking up to this in the mornings.

A priceless moment of affection and appreciation to a woman who never stops giving to everyone else.

Mom,

Me and Mom just after Christmas this past December

I want to take a moment to thank you.  Thank you for your unconditional love.  Thank you for always cheering for me no matter what.  Thank you for knowing what was best for me when I had no clue.  Thank you for teaching me how to love longer than the day is long and more than an ocean can own the earth. Thank you for teaching me how to act and how not to act.  Thank you for teaching me faith and thank you for teaching how to dream.  Thank you for showing me how to be hopeful and optimistic. Thank you for proving that mothers have no shame, no barrier and are never too proud to ask for help.  Thank you for showing me how to work as hard as you are able and then where to find the strength to finish the job.  Thanks for laughing until you cried when there were no explanations.  Thank you for being silly and steadfast even when I gave you every reason to put your hands up and say I’m done.  Thanks for not staying away when I said to stay away.  There aren’t enough words, flowers, cards, days, weeks, years, sunsets or stars to show my gratitude for every ounce of effort and commitment you gave me.  In the moment when you feel defeated remember the foundation you gave me to succeed.  If the memory gives you regret realize that it all brought me here and here is a beautiful place with more moments of happiness and delight than not.  It’s all because you loved, loved me and never gave up even when it would have been so much easier to give up.  You are an example of determination and tenacity.  Love yourself knowing that you are an amazing mother that created a winning recipe for love.  Thank you for being you and loving me.  I love you.

Shirley

I’m grateful I have a beautiful and loving mother with a never ending smile.

No one knows your likes/dislikes more than you do. No one knows that you hated looking at your white appliances at your last home and are ready to upgrade to black or stainless steel appliances. Or that you had terrible neighbor issues at your old community and are looking for peace and quiet on an upper floor. Whatever your hot buttons are - no matter how big or small – make them be known! Stop taking what people give you and start demanding what you want.

Now I will tell you that unfortunately we can not always get EVERYTHING we are looking for but it’s always a good idea to start with those MUST HAVE’s and work your way down from there. As I am touring future residents we always go over these three questions . This way the tour becomes an open-ended conversation more than me generally explaining our community features and availability.

Here is an example of how I used these 3 questions to help find my current home at Camden Brookwood…

1) I MUST be on the top floor ( Had bad experience with neighbors at a previous community)

2) I WOULD LIKE to have black appliances instead of white ( Not a deal breaker – if I can’t get black appliances I’ll put sun glasses on and pretend they’re black. They ultimately just need to work!!)

3) I DON’T CARE ABOUT location to parking garage or having an elevator. ( Wow this was a tough one. I walk up three flights of stairs. But the bright side is that I can save on an alarm because I don’t imagine a burglar would want to walk up my 3 flights of stairs and then walk down those same heavy stairs ha ha!)

So you see I got my must have ( top floor), managed to get my likes ( black appliances), and I even get daily cardio (walking up the stairs). I can tell you by following this philosophy I have never been happier in an apartment! I’ve been at Camden Brookwood for three years this month and I can’t wait to renew again!

By being an informed consumer about what you want/don’t want or like/dislike you will find that you are happier. Use these questions in other areas of your life ie. job searching, searching for a romantic partner, getting a new pet, selecting furniture, and so on…

Black Appliances!

Look at my high ceilings. I LOVE being on the top!

So next time an agent or employee asks you specific questions about what you’re interested in don’t be shy! Speak up and express what will make you happy with your decision. It works for me every time!

1.  Time to prepare:  Someone somewhere is going to say that this is deception.  I won’t disagree, if left to my natural state clothes would never be folded.  I don’t mean that as hyperbole, I would either hang my nice clothes or leave the rest in a pile to pick clothes out of and iron before I go out.  This is unacceptable in the eyes of most women.  Just like any guest, I like to tidy up and set my best foot forward for my female callers.  I know it’s deception but it’s a good deception like saying, “No dress could make you look fat,” or “I was only looking at that woman because I was disgusted by how low-cut her dress is.  Why can’t all women be as conservative as you, honey?”

Sometimes this preparation is done because someone might come over.  As the boy scouts say, “Be Prepared.” Also, it is nice to have a fresh smelling house (mine smells like sugar cookies).

Sometimes there is too much time to prepare. I would use it to clean; not recreate a Star Trek set but that's just me...
http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/ultimate-star-trek-bachelor

2. A made Bed: This is the sign of someone who has their life together.  From the moment they wake up they are ready to face the world.  My bed is my sanctuary the sanctuary that is my apartment.  I have way too many pillows for one person (4 to be exact), including a body pillow, a “hug pillow” and two giant feather pillows.  I have a down comforter– with a duvet of course– and matching high count sheets.  Under the sheets is a pillow topped mattress.  People snore just looking at my bed.  My very well made bed.

3. Something Interesting but not too interesting:  I stole this one from Barney Stinson, from how I met your mother.  Your apartment should have an excuse to go see it.  It could be your gorgeous view of the city, a wine cellar, or a full size replica of a Storm Trooper from Star Wars.  (If that is interesting to her feel free to give her my email).  Visiting someone’s home can be an intimate and personal experience.  This gives your date/lady-friend/new friend an excuse to go see where you live other than seeing you.

4. A great TV or Sound System: With a great collection of movies or music.  This gives your space a personal touch and gives some background music or zombie flesh-eating in the back ground.  I am a movie buff so I opt into the zombie flesh-eating ambiance.  This assures there wont be any awkward silences– at least bad ones.  Not to mention both of these are status symbols and as my Grandmother used to say, “You can marry anyone you want; might as well pick a rich one.”

5. A comfortable place to talk:  This does not have to be physically comfortable.  This should be a comfortable place for you and your guest to get to know one another.  Everyone wants a sixteen candle’s experience.  But have you ever sat cross-legged on a table?

This can't be comfortable and they clearly aren't paying attention to the candles that is a fire hazard!
all rights reserved Universal Studios

6. Frames:  In college I loved my posters and random stuff on the wall.  The demotivational posters, concert posters, and one or two which celebrated the female form were all hung by some sort of tape or tack.  The older the poster the more beat up it was, wrinkled and torn from moving from one residence hall.  I am sure that one or two were the victim of my rugby team which used to frequently stay at my place.  The first thing I did post graduation is invest in some new posters, this time art work, and some frames.  I am still able to express myself.  I selected the art of my favorite places and things that represent me.  I just put them behind glass.  I still have art which celebrates the female form.  I hung Roy Lichtenstein’s The Seductive Girl in my bedroom.  I love the style and it speaks to who I am. The only one that isn’t framed is the 4′X6′ vintage Thor comic wall mural which is opposite my Lichtenstein print.

7. An interesting Host:  Your home should be an extension of you.  That is why each list of “the best bachelor pad” is different.  Your date is there because she wants to see you.  All you have to do is convince her she has already made the right choice.  Be yourself;  it has worked this far.  Hopefully, you are clever enough not to screw that up.  I advocate being a gentleman but history has shown that, that is not a necessity for love; ask any of King Henry VIII’s wives.  The only requirement is to be awesome by your and your guest’s standards.  So good luck and bachelor on!

Do you have a cool bachelor pad?  Do you agree?  Do you think I am an idiot (you’re probably not alone)?  Let me know, send in pictures of cool spots and I’ll do my best to post them.

How I feel when I use a Life Hack
Image taken from http://www.infotainmentnews.net

I love life hacks.  They are something I can do daily or over a long period of time to create habits to better myself and my life.  My favorite has been turning around all the hangers in my closet on January 1st.  If I wear it I can put it back the right way.  On Dec. 31st I am making a donation of everything that is still on a backwards hanger.

So you don’t care about decluttering your closet.  That’s fine.  That’s why Camden makes sure there is ample storage in your apartment.  But there are much more to life hacks.  Do you want to learn to search google like a pro? Do you just want to make your every day life a little easier? Or do you want to turn your life on its head and change how you live?  There’s a life hack for that.

Here is a list of a few sites that I have taken ideas from in the past:

• LifeHacker
• LifeHack
• HackCollege (great for Miramar residents!)
• r/lifeprotips

The best life hacks approach something simple in a new way.  They also make it hard to cheat.

Why does this work?  You are using behavior modification.  You’re breaking old habits and creating new ones.  To be successful with this you need constant reminders.  That is why my closet hack is going to be successful.  I am reminded every time I take out something I haven’t worn.  I will also know on December 31st exactly what is being donated.

Other hacks make life more convenient.  My favorite is using a binder clip on the edge of the table to hold up cell phone chargers. I no longer have to search under my night stand, instead it is right there every time. 

Do you have any life hacks?  What have you done to make your life easier or better by putting the work in up front?  Check out the site maybe you can hack your life.

I took a risk when I applied with Camden 13 years ago, but it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. My job is fast-paced, and at times stressful, but I never have the same day twice. I find it immensely gratifying to be able to help people find a home they love and then work with them to solve any problems that come up during their stay with us. I have an amazing team of employees and I take pride in my community. I tend to attribute my passion for my job to the company I work for since I feel like I won the job lottery by working for Camden. I just assume that the employees of every other property management company must dread coming to work since their company is not #7 on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list. It turns out, although they may be hopelessly disappointed that they don’t work for Camden, a recent survey of over 100,000 CareerBliss.com readers may prove me wrong. They asked people to review their jobs and rate them on certain categories that predict job satisfaction and Property Manager tied for 2^nd place as the Happiest Job in America. The reasons people give to support this opinion tend to line up with the reasons I love my job – there is great satisfaction in working with people. Despite our culture’s embrace of technology, the human element seems to be key in job satisfaction. Maybe our career tends to attract optimistic, perky, glass half-full people who love to help others. Who knows? The bottom line for me is that you could not pay me 10 million dollars to go to work every day at a job I hate. Happiness is priceless.

How happy are you with your current career situation? Are you looking for a change? Some of my best employees were Camden residents before they were coworkers. If you would enjoy providing “Living Excellence” to other people, consider a job with Camden. You can check out the Career tab on camdenliving.com for a list of current open positions.

By the way, I said that Property Manager tied for 2^nd place. The other 2^nd Happiest Job in America is Executive Chef. My sweet hubby is responsible for writing the recipes for a large, nation-wide restaurant company, so, in a way he is the Executive Chef of the chain. He is just as passionate about his job as I am about mine. We are one happy little family!

Intricacy and Sophistication are the names of the game
(photo courtesy of www.home-designing.com)

Refreshing Scent

Congratulations, you have successfully brought a partner home, but you are not home free just yet. Your home is but an extension of yourself, and it speaks VOLUMES of what kind of person you are. Let’s start with what should be the first things your partner notices. The second you open your front door, you should have a welcoming, refreshing scent that’s not too strong, but powerful enough to leave a lasting impression.

Live Plants

In this day and age, women all over the world are becoming more and more independent. I commend these women, and highly respect them too. That being said, just because a woman can take care of herself does not mean she doesn’t want to be taken care of from time to time. That’s where the plant comes and its own subtleties come in. The fact that you are able to nurture and maintain a plan in your personal “Batcave” demonstrates the mature and compassionate side that many women simply can’t resist.

Artwork

Sophistication and class might not be the words you use to describe yourself, but they better be the words that describe your walls. Throw away those old Pulp Fiction, Fight Club, and half nude super model posters and upgrade to something with a little more substance. Browse around a local art gallery or even Amazon Art section online and buy yourself a unique, but eye-catching painting. It’s a guaranteed conversation starter!

Sporting Equipment

Do you have any hobbies? Any interesting hobbies? Maybe you like playing soccer, basketball, football or even baseball? Maybe your interests are a little more “out of the box” than most? What I’m getting at is that you should make your hobbies visible to people that come into your home. I can guarantee you that she’ll be more impressed with sports equipment laying around in your living room than your collection of Xbox or Playstation video games.

Wine Glasses

Dual wine glasses are the coup de grace for any bachelor pad. After she’s immersed herself in your home, after her senses have completely been enraptured by the sights and smells, comes the time to incorporate the most sensual of senses. You pop open a bottle of red wine you bought earlier that day just for this special occasion. You pour two drinks, one for you and one for her, and make your way to your couch and hand her… a DIXIE cup?!?  Again, the subtlety of having two authentic wine glasses for you and your date will subconsciously trigger in her mind that you are a man, sophisticated and worldly.

I cannot stress the following disclaimer enough: This list has been comprised off the relatively SHORT time I have been an eligible bachelor while I owned my own apartment. Perhaps this list is completely off target; perhaps it leads to many, many unforgettable nights. Whatever the case may be, take this literature with a grain of salt and a light hearted approach. However, the one lesson every bachelor should take away from this post is that your habitat is a direct reflection of your own persona. It’s not a necessity to hang intricate artwork on your wall, have random sports gear strewn across your living room, or even to own wine glasses, especially if you don’t even like wine! A bachelor pad is, like I said, a representation and extension of oneself. Be who you are, and live how you like. Godspeed Bachelors!

These are a few of the tools from my personal tool box

If you are moving or have recently moved into your first apartment, pick up your smart phone and add a calendar event called “Pick up a tool box”.  It does not matter who you are, what your gender may be, or what you do for a living.  If you live on your own you should have a tool box. There are certain things you should always have access to even if you never plan on using them.  It’s like a safety pin.  I couldn’t imagine my life without having a stash of them but I rarely, if ever, need one.

If you need to get a toolbox you have plenty of options.  You can pick them up inexpensively at your local dollar store, Walmart, Target, Home Depot or Lowes. You can usually find a starter kit with most items included. You can also find them at yard sales or on craigslist.  My husband found one at a yard sale for $5. We call it the magic tool box because it was a best-case scenario.  It’s like a big win on “Storage Wars”.  It was a well-stocked kit that we imagine got on the wrong side of a bad relationship.  [Side note: If your relationship is in jeopardy, get your tool box to a safe place before things unravel.]

You may have a family member with an overflowing workshop.  Your father, uncle or grandpa (or for my children, their mother) might have a few extra items in their garage/workshop.  If you are putting your kit together, here is the ”bare minimum” list needed:

1. A hammer for putting up pictures. (It can also double as a weapon if it’s kept by the flashlight in your nightstand.)
2. An all-in-one screwdriver for tightening anything.  We use them on door knobs, drawer knobs/pulls and switch plates. I like having an all-in-one because you never know when you will need a larger or thinner phillips head screwdriver.
3. Needle-nosed pliers are heaven-sent when you need them the most.  You can retrieve jewelry dropped into a hard to reach place.  You can safely remove items from your garbage disposal.
4. Locking pliers for the times when you are doing something tedious and you need a third hand.
5. A set of allen wrenches are great when putting together IKEA furniture. (Could also be used  for unlocking the motor on bottom of a garbage disposal.)
6. A small socket wrench kit (ratchet set) is a life saver if you need to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts, especially if the nut/bolt is in a difficult spot or if it is really difficult to loosen.
7. Flashlights – multiple flashlights.  You should have one by your bedside, one in your car and one in your toolkit.  You never know when you would need to see behind/under your dresser, (looking for an earring or a dropped part to an electronic?) or when a storm could knock out your power.
8. A small level is a must-have if you ever hang photos, shelves, artwork, etc.  Also good for knowing if surfaces are level.
9. A tape measure is used when trying to center artwork on a wall, when shopping for window coverings, or when shopping for, or placing furniture in any space.  Knowing the measurements of a room, a wall, a window, or the clearance of a door swing is necessary.
10. Duct Tape seems cliché and silly but I’m not kidding when I tell you I have several rolls of this stuff.  I have different colors and designs.  I use it for projects, art, or if you need something held in place.  It’s another way to have an extra set of hands. There are some humorous ideas as well. (feel free to share!)

Use your tool box when you want to hang a picture, put together a new piece of office furniture, or want to hang curtains.  If you have a service request, want to pay your rent, or want to chat with a neighbor, use Camden’s tool kit, mycamden.com. 

If you live in a  Camden Community  you are doing business with an organization that is on Fortune’s List of Best Places to Work for the fifth consecutive year.  They aren’t just the only multi-family company on the list, but they are number 7 on the list.  That’s a pretty big deal. What does that have to do with your first tool box?  All this means is that you won’t need to use your tool box on your apartment.  Camden employs the most talented and committed maintenance professionals in the industry. When employees have extreme job satisfaction they perform better and treat people nicer.  They Live the Promise and Honor the Values.  It just means you have a better chance of being cared for in a way that will exceed your expectations.

Additional items found in my tool box. Out of these items the ones I use most are probably the gloves, the box cutter and the Magic Eraser.

Ahhh, the peace dove… find your happy place

If you had the opportunity to read part one of this blog you’ll know that neighborhoods aren’t like they used to be and that’s no lie! These days it’s becoming more common for neighbors to be complete strangers, even after years and years of living only a few steps away from each other! Camden promotes neighborly love at every point of contact so here are a few ways how you can help promote the love too! Call me crazy but I believe there’s an infinite river of universal love and kindness you can tap into at ANY moment. It’s like that thing that connects us all together. We are all bound by our biology, our nature – our need to drink, eat, and most importantly our need to love each other.

Who is with me?! 

But I also feel something’s missing (as mentioned in blog #1). A disconnect. Let’s pretend that at this very moment I’m mentally tapped into this universal stream of love, can you feel it? I think vibes carry most often times without us knowing it. When trying to meet your neighbors, remember to focus and have a good vibe. I don’t know about y’all but I want to become friends with my neighbors, and try to create a stronger sense of community. If disaster strikes, who will I band together with if not my neighbors?

Change has to start with you. It only takes one person who is willing to reach out to make a big difference.

1.) Introduce yourself - It’s easy and so simple, yet most people are afraid of introductions or even being friendly for that matter. Break the mold! Spread kindness! Take the initiative and introduce yourself to your neighbor at the dog park or even in passing, you will be glad you did. You never know who you will meet. Help your neighbors too! The rewarding feeling that comes from helping others is priceless. At Camden, we have gorgeous fitness centers at just about every community and working out is a great source for finding common ground with your neighbors. Chances are, if you go to the gym regularly you see the same crowd in there day after day, try breaking the mold and introducing yourself and help each other with working out! You might learn something new while opening up this opportunity to help others!

2.) Emanate positive vibes- This is the easy one! Don’t be nervous, put yourself in a happy place. If you’re feeling good, chances are the vibes you give off when speaking to others feel good.

3.) Give a compliment-One thing I have noticed as i’m growing and getting older in this crazy world is how we are ALL so terrified of giving other people compliments! Why? Sure, we can all tell our co-workers and friends who we’ve known for 10 years that we think they look nice today but how come when it comes to people we randomly meet throughout our day, we shy away and/or freeze like a deer in the headlights from compliments? Is it because we are afraid the other person will think we are a creeper?In my line of work , I deal with HUNDREDS of people every single day. I love it. Why? Because I get to meet a unique and interesting person every single day. Just recently, one such extra unique person and I got into a deep conversation over the phone. When she was ready to go, she told me I was “genuine” and awesome. Needless to say, I was in the best mood all day after that. I felt a new river of positive energy go through me and it was good.

This power all came from ONE little compliment. We all have that kind of power. We can share it with everyone we come in contact with.