Just for Fun

It seems that people need a laugh – especially on Friday. So, we dig back in to classic comedy scenes from a much better age of television. Some clips I found from past TV comedy when TV comedy meant something far different from today. A more innocent time and a time of real quality. Hope you enjoy the clips. Due to the length, there is just 1 clip per week. Enjoy! 09/04/2026

Trivia question answers for Thursday September 3, 20261. Which planet is known as the Evening Star? Venus2. What company has a mascot named "Poppin Fresh"? Pilsbury3. In which city would you find Michelangelo's secret underground drawings?    Thanks to a comment by Leanne Smith the correct answer is Florence, my mistake her catch! Thanks!4. What is 400 in Roman numerals? CDTrivia questions for Friday September 4, 20261. What is the largest city in the contiguous United States in terms of area?2. Tomatoes originated from which continent?3. What medical term is used to describe the process of seating?4. What percentage of lightning strike victims die from their injuries?Enjoy your day. 09/04/2026

It is always fun to learn something new about Portugal's culture or people!   Luckily, I don't have to use my translate as much when going to the store, I am starting to understand some of the written words.  Now, if I could just understand what they are saying when they are talking!Anyway, going to the store, I noticed ALL of the cans are pop-top, you don't need a can opener.    It was interesting to see a can opener in my apartment that my landlord furnished.Also, all of the plastic bottle caps cannot come off.   You should have seen me trying to take that puppy off the first time, but I couldn't.  Sure is nice not to see plastic bottle caps on the ground!   And, finally, on a sad note, I THOUGHT maybe they would not do Daylight Saving Time here, but I was WRONG.  09/08/2026

Reducing added sugar is one of the simplest ways to improve your overall health, and the benefits start surprisingly fast. I’ve been diving deeper into better eating habits and nutrition, and I’m learning that living a healthier life really begins with what we put into our bodies!When you cut back, your blood sugar becomes more stable, which helps reduce fatigue, mood swings, and inflammation. Over time, this can support healthier weight management, better sleep, and improved heart health.The brain feels the difference too. High sugar intake can overstimulate the reward centers in your brain, making cravings stronger and focus harder to maintain. Cutting back helps reset those pathways, improving mental clarity, reducing brain fog, and supporting more consistent energy throughout the da... 09/03/2026

 Friday Fun…What Are You Reading? This is a day I love celebrating!  Today is National Read a Book Day, so I hope you’ll celebrate by taking some time to read a book today or this weekend.   Whether you choose a physical book, an e-book, or an audiobook, you are stepping into a world that can take you far away or right into your own backyard. -760-770 million tracked book sales in the U.S. each year -Over 4 million new book titles each year -The Bible is the #1 best-selling book of all time Did you know that reading:-increases your vocabulary-improves your cognitive health-increases your ability to focus-relieves stress And…besides that…it’s fun!!! The next time you’re considering a gift for a young person, how about a book? (and yes…their toy or video game) Several years ago, I celebra... 09/04/2026

🏠 PEOPLE SOMETIMES ASK ME… “WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?”I'll tell you why.Mortgage banking is not for sissies. 😂It's intense.It's deadline-driven.It's document-filled.And sometimes solving a mortgage feels like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while the clock is ticking. 🧩⏰As mortgage professionals, we wear A LOT of hats.Loan officer.Problem solver.Negotiator.Project manager.Communicator.Cheerleader.Sometimes… professional firefighter. 😂🔥And the sidewalk leading to a new home is often paved with the blood, sweat and tears of the buyers, sellers, Realtors, loan officers, processors, underwriters, attorneys, title companies and everyone else involved in getting that transaction across the finish line.That's why I try to attend as many closings as I possibly can.Because after all the emails…A... 09/03/2026

No day starts without coffee (in my world), but not sure about ten cups!  How many do you drink, or do you drink coffee?    I know some days it feels like I need more.   Thanks Inna - great post, and funny too!   A little sip, a brighter day,Then off to sell L.A. away. ☕🏡 From early calls to deals at ten,I pour a cup… then pour again. By cup number ten, I’m moving along—Calls are returned and the coffee is strong. Some Realtors run on sleep and grace…I just keep coffee close, in case. 😄   ☕☕ Grateful for coffee — my unofficial business partner and official survival strategy. What’s your unofficial business partner—coffee, tea, or something stronger? 😄   This Active Rain post is created by Inna Ivchenko. Thank you so much for checking my blog,  likes and comments!                        ... 09/03/2026

Real estate is about so much more than buying and selling—it’s about the relationships built along the way. ❤️ When former clients become lifelong friends who call just to catch up, you know you’ve made a lasting connection. Read about the unexpected joy of staying connected long after closing! One of my clients emailed me yesterday and wanted to call, but asked if it would cost an arm and a leg.   NOPE, are you on Whatsapp?   They were not, but got on, and we talked for an hour. SO fun for my clients to be contacting ME now!   They said thank you for their birthday wish, but wanted to catch me up on their lives.   They KNOW I love that! After we got caught up on their lives, he asked me what I love most about living here.   HMMM, had to think about that for a minute. 1.   The weather, ... 09/03/2026

The Mother Road starts right here. Right at Adams Street and Michigan Avenue, directly across from the Art Institute of Chicago. And this year, the road that starts here is 100 years old. U.S. Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926, connecting Chicago with Los Angeles. The original highway stretched about 2,448 miles through eight states, from Illinois to California. The original 1926 starting point was actually Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue. When Jackson was made one-way westbound in the 1950s, the recognized starting point moved a block north to Adams Street. That's the location we've come to know as the beginning of Route 66. The road became known as the Mother Road, a name John Steinbeck helped make famous in The Grapes of Wrath. During the Dust Bowl, Route 66 became... 09/03/2026

JF Kennedy Class of 1966 Reunion Success!On the afternoon of August 16, 2026, 33 Alumni from the class of 1966 gathered at the Sunset Grill in Watertown CT for a reunion. Sixty years had passed since we received our diplomas, representing the first graduating class of the new J F Kennedy High School in Waterbury CT.From the pages of our yearbook, I snapped what they looked like, as that would be the memory many were seeking as they walked through the doors.In 1966, we were over 300 classmates. Time can be cruel and when it came time to try to gather, I stepped up just because someone had to do it since we no longer knew where our surviving class officers were.Those living in the state, were at an advantage as the drive was relatively short, no longer than 60 miles.We had an alumna come ... 09/03/2026

Labor Day: More Than Just the End of SummerAs we head into Labor Day weekend, many of us think about one last summer cookout, a long weekend, the start of football season, and the unofficial beginning of fall.But have you ever wondered how Labor Day got started?Labor Day grew out of the American labor movement in the late 1800s, when workers were pushing for better working conditions, reasonable hours and recognition of the contributions working people made to our growing country. The first Labor Day celebration was held in New York City on September 5, 1882. Twelve years later, in 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed legislation making Labor Day a federal holiday.More than 130 years later, the meaning behind the holiday is still worth remembering.Ohio has always been a state built b... 09/03/2026

Trivia question answers for Wednesday September 2, 20261. The Larynx is also called what? Voice box2, In what decade was the word "internet" coined? 1980's3. What capital name means "city of joy"? Bucharest 4. How many landlocked US state are there? 27Trivia questions for Thursday September 3, 20261. Which planet is known as the Evening Star?2. What company has a mascot named "Poppin Fresh"?3. In which city would you find Michelangelo's secret underground drawings?4. What is 400 in Roman numerals?Enjoy your day. 09/03/2026

Cabernet Sauvignon: Proof That One Accidental Introduction Can Turn Into Something Very Valuable 🍷Today is International Cabernet Sauvignon Day — celebrated on the Thursday before Labor Day, which falls on September 3 this year. (Checkiday.com)But did you know that one of the world’s most famous wines may have started with a completely accidental introduction?About 400 years ago in Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc naturally crossed — and Cabernet Sauvignon was born. The connection wasn’t confirmed until 1997, when UC Davis researchers used DNA fingerprinting to identify its parents. (UC Davis)So yes: a red grape and a white grape had a chance encounter, and centuries later their child became the world’s most-planted wine grape. A few more fun Cabernet facts: Cabernet Sauvign... 09/03/2026

 A little sip, a brighter day,Then off to sell L.A. away. ☕🏡From early calls to deals at ten,I pour a cup… then pour again.By cup number ten, I’m moving along—Calls are returned and the coffee is strong.Some Realtors run on sleep and grace…I just keep coffee close, in case. 😄 ☕☕ Grateful for coffee — my unofficial business partner and official survival strategy.What’s your unofficial business partner—coffee, tea, or something stronger? 😄  09/03/2026

The trash pickup here is different than back in Colorado!    In most of  "centro" Quarteira, there are many multi-story buildings.    You must take your trash downstairs and out to the receptacles provided near to your building.   There is one for glass, one for cardboard and one for plastic all for recycling.   Since there are few disposals, you must put your leftover food and scraps into a bag, and put it in the round receptable.   PLUS, I have seen everything near the receptacles, mattresses, furniture, appliances, wood and all sorts of things left.   Every so often there is a flatbed truck that comes by and picks up this extra stuff.    I assume the city pays for all this.Then there are huge trucks that come by (usually at 12:30 am) and hook to the top of the receptacles and someone... 09/05/2026

While grocery shopping, I was so focused on figuring out what the products were (on Google translate), I never noticed there is a rating on many products you buy in the grocery store here.When I went and visited my friend David in Loule, I went grocery shopping with him, and he pointed it out.  I had never noticed this on the containers.Although I took the liner out of the box, and threw the box away, my Cheerios were rated an A.  Interesting, his Wheaties was only a C.As you can imagine, canned vegetables were rated an A, and there were no ratings on rice, oils, sauces or any junk food (that was a bit interesting).The oatmeal is only rated a B, so that was interesting.Just learning something every so often, and thinking you may get a kick out of this as I did.     09/04/2026

“For nearly thirty-seven years, I, his wife, rested and was warmed in the sunlight of his loyal love.”   -Julia Grant  Born: January 26, 1826 (St. Louis, Missouri, USA)Died: December 14, 1902 (Washington, D.C., USA)Years as First Lady: March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877Julia Dent Grant, the wife of President Ulysses S. Grant, entered the White House after years of separation, war, and financial hardship. Unlike some First Ladies who found public life burdensome, Julia embraced her role with enthusiasm. She enjoyed entertaining, welcomed the attention that accompanied her husband’s presidency, and later remembered their eight years in the White House as among the happiest of her life.Julia was born near St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up at White Haven, her family’s plantation. She was one of s... 09/07/2026

📿Beautiful Churches ~ 9-9-26 ☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email BrianI needed a new series in the Rain, and since the highlight of most of my days is attending Mass, I figured a good series would be to share photos from the churches that I have visited over the years.  As many of you already know, I enjoy traveling, and I attend Mass daily.  So, of course, when I make plans for a trip, the first thing I look for is a Catholic Church where I can attend Mass daily.  There is nothing that I enjoy more than being inside a Catholic Church!  I hope that everyone will appreciate this series, whether or not you are religious. I think that we can all agree that Churches are Beautiful.  I specialize in the East Valley of the Phoenix Metr... 09/09/2026

One of my clients emailed me yesterday and wanted to call, but asked if it would cost an arm and a leg.   NOPE, are you on Whatsapp?   They were not, but got on, and we talked for an hour.SO fun for my clients to be contacting ME now!   They said thank you for their birthday wish, but wanted to catch me up on their lives.   They KNOW I love that!After we got caught up on their lives, he asked me what I love most about living here.   HMMM, had to think about that for a minute.1.   The weather, but wish the humidity was lower.   Love the bright blue skies almost every day.  It is 1:04 pm and is 87 degrees and 51% humidity, which isn't as high as it was earlier today.  My A/C went on around 10:30 today.2.  The beach that is only 2.5 blocks from my apartment.  AND, although I don't do sand,... 09/03/2026

Trivia question answers for Tuesday September 1, 20261. What is the young of a pigeon called? Squab2. What is the most expensive aircraft in the world? Air Force One3. Who was. the first singer to have five #1 singles off one album? Michael Jackson4. Which European countries has the most islands? SwedenTrivia questions for Wednesday September 2, 20261. The Larynx is also called what?2, In what decade was the word "internet" coined?3. What s=capital name means "city of joy"?4. How many landlocked US state are there?Enjoy your day. 09/02/2026