ActiveRain Community

ActiveRain January Challenge: Reflect, Rejoice, and RenewThe theme of this month's challenge is: Reflect, Rejoice, and Renew. Your post should be about your reflections on the past year, what you rejoiced about, and your plans for renewal in 2026.  What are your reflections on 2025? What are you rejoicing about from 2025 What actions are you taking for renewal in 2026? Has Active Rain been a part of your reflection, rejoicing or renewal? 2025 was a year of medical issues for both my wife, Dolores, and me. I had mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty ear surgery to remove a cholesteatoma. I now have no ear canal and no hearing in my left ear. Untreated, this condition could have cause brain damage. Thankfully, the surgery was successful and I will continue to have follow up visits with the sur... 01/11/2026

After more than 20 years in the plumbing trade, one thing is always true. January is the panic month for frozen and burst pipes in South Carolina, including Charleston, Summerville, and Mount Pleasant.Every year, when temperatures drop unexpectedly, our phones at Rooter Man start ringing nonstop. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that South Carolina on average has five to fifteen freezing nights in January.The real issue is not just cold temperatures, but how quickly they arrive. Pipes do not have time to adjust, and freezing happens fast.Last-Minute Steps to Help Prevent Frozen PipesIf freezing temperatures are forecast, these quick steps can help reduce the risk of damage: Keep the heat on throughout the house, even overnight. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to r... 01/09/2026

January is one of the busiest months for furniture removal, especially after the holidays. In the junk removal business, we see this every year across the Charleston area. New furniture arrives in November and December, and once the celebrations are over, homeowners are left asking the same question:What do I do with the old couch, mattress, or dining room set?Large furniture is not something most people can easily handle on their own. It is heavy, awkward, and often difficult to move through hallways, staircases, and doorways without help, and this is why Black Dog's Junk Removal services can help. Why Furniture Removal Spikes After the HolidaysMany families replace couches, recliners, beds, and mattresses during the holidays. Once January arrives, the old furniture has nowhere to go. ... 01/09/2026

https://housingbrief.com/article/6961290764564746d79f369f/6227bdb33e0cdd2722aac870?sr=true 01/09/2026

Every January 9th, Balloon Ascension Day drifts into our lives like a colorful daydream, celebrating that glorious moment in 1793 when someone decided, “You know what? I’m tired of walking. Let’s just float.” And float they did—up, up, and away—without GPS, in-flight snacks, or even the faintest idea of how to politely land in someone’s backyard. We have the French aeronaut, Jean Pierre Blachard, to thank for this moment when he took flight in a hydrogen gas baloon over the Walnut Street Prison in Philadelphia.  Fun Fact, George Washington witnessed the launch. It’s easy to think of this as just a quirky historical footnote, but really, it’s a reminder of the magic that happens when we dare to look up. The sky has a way of making our worries feel like tiny ants on a picnic blanket—still... 01/09/2026

SUNNY ISLES MIAMI-DADE, FLORIDA REAL ESTATE BIGGEST SALES* As of Jan 9, 2026  WE HAVE THE KEY TO YOUR DREAM HOME. CHECK OUT REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN SUNNY ISLES. Call now for real estate inquiries! 305-741-2142 or visit www.ralphmagin.com #RealEstateMiami #SouthFloridaRealEstate #RealEstateSunnyIsles #SunnyIslesRealEstate #SunnyIslesEstate  #RealEstateSouthFlorida #MiamiRealEstate #RealEstate #Realtor #houseexpert #househunting #home #RealEstateAgent #RealEstateBroker #RealEstateExpert #RealEstateForSale #Realty #Broker #HomeForSale #HouseForSale #PropertyForSale #HomeForSaleMiami #HomeForSaleSouthFlorida Your House Didn’t Sell in Miami-Dade, Florida. What Now?When your house doesn’t sell, it does more than disrupt your plans; it hits close to home. You prepared for the next c... 01/09/2026

When Do Real Estate Agents Actually Get Paid?If you’ve been in real estate for any length of time, you’ve probably asked yourself this question more than once.We work relentlessly to generate leads, nurture relationships, show homes, negotiate contracts, and guide clients through inspections, financing, and closing. That process can take anywhere from one to six months—or longer. And after all that effort, there’s nothing more frustrating than finally closing a deal only to realize your brokerage made more money than you did.At the same time, an agent’s expenses continue to rise—health insurance, marketing and advertising, CRM systems, photography, staging, referral fees, and more. It begs the question: when does the agent truly start winning financially?That question is exactly why I m... 01/08/2026

 Now listed at $525,000, this stunning Tudor-style home just became an even better opportunity!This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath residence has been meticulously maintained and is clean, bright, and ready for its next owner to bring their renovation ideas and personal style.✨ More home. Better value. Incredible location.Schedule your private showing today before someone else snatches up this price-improved gem!📲 Call/Text Erik Hiss – 614-431-1770📧 erikhiss@gmail.com  01/08/2026

 814 Meadowview Drive – Moores and Dales SubdivisionAnother beautiful all-brick ranch is officially off the market!💥 Sold for $371,000✨ Thinking of buying or selling in North Columbus?Let’s make your next move a success.📲 Call or text Joseph C. Jackson at 614-431-1220📧 rjoe@kw.comReady to find out what your home could sell for? Message me today for a free home value and market consultation! 01/08/2026

Good post by Kat today, and worthy of our daily Re-Blog.BillGILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV / HelpingArizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor, sell my house, 2026Market, Chandler Those of you who write blogs on ActiveRain may sometimes wonder why there are no, or only a few, comments on your posts. Besides the obvious reasons regarding quality of subject matter and use of white space and graphics, there may be other explanations for limited comments. So if you often get zero or perhaps just one or two comments on a regular basis and you'd like more, these suggestions may help change those results.   Too brief If your blog only includes a sentence or two with a link to a different blog or video elsewhere, or even without a link, you may not get any commen... 01/08/2026

As I listened to Leanne Smith on the weekly Zoom call I realized I was getting to know her better. Hearing about her past, her coaching and her style all helped me understand her better. I also realized how she does business is very different to me and that is totally fine as her market is totally different to mine. She drives dirt roads burning through a set of tires every year whilst I gently roll along macadam roads in suburbia. She carries a gun to protect her from snakes, and her husband rides shotgun to protect her from unsavory characters who might have alternative plans to buying real estate.I looked at the items she shared with us for planning our year and I liked that she looks at things from a quarterly perspective, another aha moment for me along with the ones above, as I ha... 01/08/2026

re·sil·ient/rəˈzilyənt/  adjective (of a person or animal) able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. “babies are generally far more resilient than new parents realize” synonyms: strong, tough, hardy; (of a substance or object) able to recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed. “a shoe with resilient cushioning” synonyms: flexible, pliable, supple; What is Resilience?From a housing perspective, resilience is the capacity of a home to adapt to changing conditions and to maintain or regain functionality during a disturbance or stress. It is also the ability to bounce back after that disturbance or stress. In general, the term resiliency refers to a building’s ability to withstand and recover from natural disasters like hurricanes... 01/09/2026

Modular construction is not a new concept. The first documented prefabricated home was the Manning Portable Cottage built in the 1830’s by a carpenter in London. Fast forward to the present day. Disruption in construction by the off-site modular method has been coming. Modular construction’s impact on today’s home building industry is more like a hurricane than a tornado. We have seen it coming. But now it is happening more rapidly. It is a great time for today’s home buyer to learn about the advantages and act now. What typically happens is that those familiar with the old methods fail to recognize and adopt the coming, better method. Once the opportunity is passed, they blame their missed chance on a new technology that they claim they never saw coming.Converting Construction to Manuf... 01/08/2026

I just noticed that Roy Kelley has an incredible number of points here in the Rain, prompting me to comment to him that it's too bad they aren't redeemable like S&H green stamps.  Since I seem to gravitate toward rabbit holes, that off the cuff comment made me wonder where you could redeem (or even collect) those desirable green stamps.  Turns out ...... you can't any more.  They went out of business in 2020. S&H Green Stamps was a line of trading stamps popular from 1896 until the late 1980s. They were distributed as part of a rewards program operated by the Sperry & Hutchinson company (S&H), founded in 1896 by Thomas Sperry and Shelley Byron Hutchinson. During the 1960s, the company issued more stamps than the U.S. Postal Service  and distributed 35 million catalogs a year.  Customers... 01/08/2026

My gift to you this morning - In a world that rewards speed, urgency, and constant reaction, one of the most underrated life skills is the ability to pause—just long enough to ask yourself a deceptively simple question: Is this worth my energy?That tiny moment of reflection is a quiet superpower. It interrupts the autopilot mode that pushes you into arguments you don’t care about, commitments you don’t have capacity for, and emotional spirals that drain you for days. It’s the difference between living reactively and living intentionally.When you pause, you create space. Space to notice your own patterns. Space to choose your response instead of being swept into one. Space to protect your time, your peace, and your attention—three things the world is constantly trying to claim.This isn’t... 01/08/2026

Getting Home Safe in Rural North IdahoLately, it seems like almost every day brings news of another highway closure, another accident, another long delay. Black ice appears without warning. Heavy rains turn roads slick. Snow drifts across open stretches. Wind pushes vehicles just enough to matter. Add in distracted driving, impatience, or rushing to beat the weather — and suddenly a routine drive home becomes dangerous.Rural North Idaho is beautiful, but it demands respect.These aren’t city streets with quick detours and streetlights every block. Our highways wind through forests, mountains, open farmland, wild life crossing, and long stretches without cell service. When conditions change, they change fast — and the margin for error gets very small.Slow Down — Even If You Know the RoadO... 01/09/2026

Growing fruit at home is no longer limited to large backyards. Even small gardens, patios, and balconies can become productive spaces with the right planning. Choosing fruit trees for compact areas is about being intentional with space, sunlight, and long term care. With thoughtful decisions, homeowners across the USA can enjoy fresh harvests without sacrificing their outdoor living space.Source: https://themicrogardener.com/choosing-fruit-trees-for-small-gardens/ Start With Fruit You Truly Enjoy Fruit trees are a long term commitment of time, space, and money, so it makes sense to grow what will actually be eaten. When space is limited, every plant should earn its place. A helpful approach is to think about which fruits are purchased most often at the grocery store or enjoyed regularly... 01/09/2026

If you’re searching for a beautifully maintained, character-filled home in a prime Columbus location — this is one you don’t want to miss!✨ Join Us For an Open House:Saturday, January 10 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PMSunday, January 11 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM📍 1041 Rosebank Drive, Columbus, OH 43235💲 Now Listed at $550,000This charming Tudor-style home offers timeless curb appeal, generous living spaces, and architectural details you simply don’t find in today’s new construction. Inside, you’ll find warm wood finishes, abundant natural light, vaulted ceilings, and a cozy fireplace — perfect for relaxing evenings or entertaining guests.The spacious backyard provides plenty of room to host summer barbecues, play with pets, or simply enjoy your own private outdoor retreat.👤 Open House Host:Josh Seeman📞... 01/07/2026

  You’re invited to tour this charming home at 65 N Chase Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204! 📅 Sunday, January 11⏰ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM💰 Listed at $240,000 ✨ Don’t miss this great opportunity to explore a beautiful home in a convenient Columbus location. Whether you’re house hunting or just curious, we’d love to see you there! 👤 Open House Host: Deb McGuire📲 Have questions or can’t make it? Reach out today!   01/07/2026

The Basics of Sage Cleansing Burning sage—often called smudging—is a long‑standing cultural practice rooted primarily in certain Native American traditions. Today, many homeowners use it as a way to refresh a space, create a calmer atmosphere, or symbolically mark a new beginning when moving into a home. Why People Use Sage in Their Homes Sage is believed to offer several benefits: Purification: Some types of sage have antimicrobial properties that may help reduce bacteria in the air. Improved Mood & Stress Relief: Traditional use associates sage with better mood, reduced stress, and increased clarity. Better Sleep & Focus: Certain compounds found in sage have been linked to improved sleep and cognitive support. Symbolic Fresh Start: Many people burn sage to let go of past energy and c... 01/09/2026