Week 50: Happy to Help the Happy Place

My friend Lauren and her business partner Sally started a nonprofit to get kids and adults of all abilities cooking. After years of working in client and borrowed spaces, they decided to go big and open their own brick and mortar location in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. 

I attended the grand opening events of Happy Place Cooking Space at their charming space today and was really impressed by how it all came together since the day Lauren first approached me at a wine bar and brought up the idea of me donating time and my natural excitement for things I believe in to become a part of the fundraising committee.

Of course, I said yes.

Together, Lauren, Sally, two other amazing women in town with connections and big ideas, and myself met every month to two to brainstorm ways to raise $200,000 to reach their goal (space, renovations, everything needed in a professional kitchen, supplies, tables, chairs, aprons, etc). 

We discussed generous local business we had ties to, families we knew were supportive of their mission, spitballed smaller fundraising ideas individuals would have fun participating in, and more. I really wish I had taken photos during those meetings because we were fed well, "We're a cooking business," they'd say as they dished everything out. 

After months of meetings and texts and encouragement to keep moving forward, the doors opened today. And it couldn't have turned out lovelier! 

The designs and colors do indeed make it a Happy Place! 

The thoughtful food-inspired custom artwork to showcase the donor names looks incredible!

The layout is open and bright and inviting!

The kitchen is stocked!

And the doors, and class registrations, are now open!!

Congratulations, ladies! I'm so proud of you!! 

Week 49: Flyers Full of Feelings

Guys! I am almost caught up on writing my blog summaries; one more to make up and I'm back on track. 😅 And this and the next one are two of my favorites; so simple but I found them quite impactful. And I don't take the use of the word "quite" lightly. 😂 Keep reading and tell me if you agree...

I printed out a stack of flyers and posted them side-by-side in 10 different places around town: cafes, laundry mats, grocery store bulletin boards, etc. One asked people what they needed. The other asked what they would share. The options on both flyers were the same:

• Love
• Hope
• Understanding
• Faith
• Patience
• Courage
• Peace
• Freedom
• Passion
• Healing
• Strength
• Beauty

After two days I went back to a few of the spots to see if any action had been taken. 

And I shed tears at each location as I pictured people reading my signs and feeling the need for Strength, Peace, Hope, and Healing so deeply they tore the strip away. 

And the location where nothing was torn as needed but rather a willingness to share Love, Patience, Courage, Peace, and Passion in the world? Amazing!

I hope the strips of paper people took for what they need can help serve as a placeholder for those things until the real deal finds them. 

I hope the strips of paper people took for what they will give is kept as a daily reminder to give those gifts away. 

And I hope I live both lessons every day going forward: There is no weakness in taking stock of what you need and when you have something to share, give it away freely!!

Week 48: Candy Bars for Clerks

I came up with an idea five years ago during a previous round of Kindness Countdown that I've made a part of my life ever since. It goes like this:

When I notice a store clerk is having a rough day, or the person in line behind me has sad eyes, or someone near me in line gets excited about a snack I add to my cart at checkout when at Trader Joes or TJ Maxx, I add on a treat. 

Here are some examples:

1. When I'm checking out at Trader Joes or TJ Maxx, the two places with healthier snacks near the registers, and an employee or another customer says they like what I chose, or they've been meaning to try it, I add on another pack and give it to them as I'm leaving.
   
   
2. If I notice a clerk at the grocery store dealing with a tough customer in line ahead of me, when it's my turn to check out I say, "There are so many candy bar options to choose from, too many I like. What's your favorite?" And then when they tell me I say "Good choice!," put one or two (depending what they choose - I’m always a sucker for a Snickers) on the belt, and ask them to keep it/one out of the bag...and then I hand it back to them before I walk away. 

It's such a simple idea, and inexpensive, but one that brings a smile to faces every single time.  

Give it a try sometime and I promise you too will be smiling ear to ear! 😊

Week 47: Scattering Native Seeds in Nature

A favorite book I read to my kids when they were young was called Miss Rumphius. In the story, the kids in her town knew her as the Lupine Lady because as she walked, she dropped seeds. When they asked her why, she said "to make the world a more beautiful place."

That was my inspiration for my filling a sugar container with native perennial seeds and shaking it as I walked the paths through my city near the creek and along fields. 

The soil was quite warm when the seeds were dropped and we are now expecting a week of rain so I'm hoping to have some follow-up photos of flowers to share soon!

And then more next Summer, and even more the Summer after that. Because this is a tradition I'm planning on continuing each year going forward.

Week 46: Penny Pony Rides

Meijer is where I do the bulk of my grocery shopping, and I smile every time I see kids riding the Sandy pony at the checkout, knowing the parents had to only pay a penny for their child's ride. 

With homeschooling my kids until the oldest two reached high school and the youngest 7th grade, I am proud to say they were errand-running champs. Heck, just last week I called my son on his day off and asked if he wanted to tag along on my errand day and he said to come pick him up. 😊

Back in the day, my kids were a wonder, they sincerely never really complained or asked me to purchase things out of the ordinary and were quite helpful sidekicks as we made our way through the grocery store, picking up drycleaning, stopping at the post office, etc. 

But I know that is not the norm for kids used to being in school during the day and parents accustomed to accomplishing these tasks solo. The way I see it, the Sandy ride at the end of a Meijer shopping trip is probably helpful incentive for kids and their parents. 

Five years ago, when I was completing 45 acts of kindness to count down to my 45th birthday, I got the idea to put out a cup full of pennies to make the rides free. 

Last week, when my son and I were finishing up my shopping, I noted a cup was there but only had 2 pennies in it. And Summer is just beginning. Unacceptable. 

The next day, I returned with 150 pennies to fill 'er up! And my boyfriend snapped this picture after a woman walking by said, "Get on up there, you only live once!" 

And so I did. Giddy up!

Week 45: ABCD Family Mentor

ABCD (After Breast Cancer Diagnosis) is a worldwide non-profit organization that happens to be headquartered near me in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I first learned about them 20+ years ago when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and was looking for some support, to talk with someone who could not only sympathize but empathize. 

I'm thrilled to say my mom has been a cancer survivor, and ABCD mentor, for the past 20 years!!

Inspired by her generosity in the face of a difficulty I can only imagine, I've also become an ABCD mentor, but for friends and family members of those diagnosed with breast cancer.

When someone going through treatment or someone who loves someone going through treatment contacts ABCD they are asked some questions to make the best mentor match. 

For breast cancer patients, that means asking about their diagnosis, treatment plans, family makeup, etc. Anything that would be helpful for the match specialist to identify the best mentor for them. And the same goes for family matches, but it's usually more related to relationship and personality. 

I have been matched with moms of daughters who have been diagnosed, daughters of moms diagnosed, and friends of those diagnosed. All of them were looking for ideas and support and some comfort as they processed what the future may hold, and sometimes some laughs and virtual friendship. 

Being an ABCD mentor looks different for each match. 

Sometimes it's phone calls, scheduled when convenient for both of us, or being "on call" after an upcoming appointment. 

A few people want to Facetime the first or second time to get to know each other. 

Lots of people prefer texting, which is done periodically throughout the days/weeks/months we're in contact (a lot of times first thing in the morning, before bed, or when I'm sitting in my car before heading in the house, like the sweaty post-gym photo above, because I've thought of them while driving and make sure I send off the message before moving onto something else). 

If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with breast cancer, please contact ABCD to be matched with a mentor. We are here to help...and it's all FREE!!

Week 44: Snail Mail

Hi! Life has been full and happy and wonderful, and also a little more than a little overwhelming, this past month, resulting in me falling even further behind in the writing of these posts. 🙈 I'm going to have to write and post one every other day at this rate to finish the 52 recaps before my 50th bday. But when I set a goal, I reach it, so buckle up, everyone!

A while ago (note no leaves yet on the trees 😑), I wrote some letters to some special people in my life and told them how much they meant to me. A couple went out of state, one went across an ocean. 

I wrote about things I wanted my loved ones to know, to have the paper to hold onto when they needed a reread reminder about how much they mean to me and how proud I am of them for different things they've accomplished, and my future dreams for them and our relationships. 

The reception the letters received makes me want to spread the idea far and wide: 

Write people letters!!

Let people know they're thought of!!!

Give people their flowers!!!!!

Week 43: American Flags for America's Heros

Happy Memorial Day from this grateful American! I live freely because they died willingly. That fact is one I never take for granted.

Saturday morning was an activity I had been looking forward to for the past 11 months of this project: heading to Wood National Cemetary to place flags on the gravesites of military members. 

Mark and I assembled in front of the office with 150-200 other people, we signed in, listened to the short speech on notable people buried in the cemetery, heard the brief instructions on how to position the flags, to leave the pennies on the stones as we found them, and get an idea of which half would head to which part of the cemetery, and then we disbursed. 

All of us volunteers made our way to one of the large black bins of flags, collected as many bunches as we could carry, and set off to place our flags.

Within an hour, all 37,000+ grave markers had a flag respectfully centered a foot off the stone.

Mark and I chose the section where my grandpa and uncle are buried. We each picked a row and made our way down. 

I thanked each veteran by name as I placed their flag.

Those of us with flags remaining then made our way to the other side of the cemetery to see if any assistance was needed. We met up with another group who were just finishing the last section. And just like that we were done. 

We found one of the flag receptacles to put our leftovers in and then made our way through the cemetery back to our car. 

I couldn't help but say "wow" multiple times as I caught sight of the flags in the tidy rows, catching the wind at the resting places of these heroes.

They lived their lives at war so we can live ours in peace. 

May we remember them today and honor them always. 

Week 42: Fitness Food Drive

Last week's activity was a partnership between two of my favorite organizations: Hype Fitness and Ozaukee Food Alliance. 

I stepped away from my board position at OFA last year so I could focus on my Kindness Countdown project and spread my giving efforts far and wide. But I knew all along a food drive to help stock the shelves of the organization I had been a part of for so many years would play a part in my activities. 

A few weeks ago, I asked Jordan, the owner of Hype, if I could have a barrel dropped off at the gym and hit up my fellow members for food donations. 

Without hesitation, he said yes.

Without hesitation, the members brought in food and/or used the handy dandy QR code to donate funds to the cause.

The morning Mark and I loaded the barrel into the back of his truck to drop it back off at the pantry, members were asking hopefully if we'd do another food drive in the future. Jordan and I exchanged a glance, both smiled and said yes! 

Being surrounded by good people who do things for a good organization! How lucky am I?!!

Week 41: Sanitary Smiles

How many of you have a G-Man (garbage man) that knows you by name, waves when you see him out of context driving through town, oh, and has thrown out the first pitch at an MLB game and sang the National Anthem at an NBA game?? Because I do!!

When I moved from Milwaukee to Cedarburg 18 years ago Michael, our G-Man, was one of the first people I met, as I rushed my bin to the street as the truck drove down the street (I hadn't known the schedule yet). He gave me the brightest smile and warmest welcome!

As the years went by, we learned more about each other, both Packers fans (he liked the green and gold stickers I put on my bins) and faithful believers. 

I don't know my recycling guy as well since he only comes every other week and usually while I'm at the gym, but he's taken extra stuff, I've seen him get out of the truck to move bins stuck in the snow on other blocks, and always waves hello when I drive by. 

And so a few weeks ago, I put together some much-deserved appreciation baskets for them both. 

Included in each basket was some water, a bottle of iced green tea, pack of Red Vines, pretzel chips, stick of jerky, and package of popcorn crisps. Then I wrapped them in cellophane, tied them with ribbon, and wrote out a card saying thanks for all they do.

I wasn't there when my recycling was picked his up but hope he enjoyed the basket! I know Michael was excited about this. 

He was pulling up just as I came out of the house with a couple of boxes to add to my recycling bin that had been emptied earlier that day. He waved me over, hopped out of his truck and said, "Shannon, this is so nice of you! Do you think your friend (my boyfriend, Mark) will mind if I give you a hug?" I assured him Mark wouldn't mind. (: And then we got talking a bit about life. 

He asked what my kids' plans were for the Summer, if I had any real estate deals in the hopper, and said he's always praying for us, reminded me to keep my eyes and heart focused above. 

I know a lot of people who give their mail carriers and sanitary engineers gifts in December, but this is your friendly reminder that a cold drink on a hot Summer day is appreciated! A hot chocolate on the first crisp day in Fall is celebrated! And a just because basket of goodies for the hard-working people who keep this part of your world in order is always met with a smile! 

You'll be smiling too!!

Week 40: Flower Power 🤝 Mama Magic

I'm skipping ahead of a few writeups I'm behind on to keep things current: Last week Saturday I hit up Trader Joes and bought a whole lot of flowers and then asked an employee if I could have one of their flower buckets. She said yes! 

I bet you'd like to know what I did with them all. 😄 Well, here's the scoop!

I opened all the packages, arranged them in the bucket, filled it with water, and then wrote out a sign instructing people to take a flower or two if they were a mom, *for* their mom, if they missed their mom, were dealing with infertility, had a friend who lost a mother or child, etc. 

And then I set an alarm to get up early to set them out in the little touristy town I call home.

Downtown sleepy Cedarburg is one of my favorite things, such a juxtaposition from the image most people have, usually only seeing it after a festival or weekend visit. It was nice to walk the street and envision the best place to put the bucket of flowers for maximum visibility. 

After considering a few locations, I decided on a bench near the busiest corner. 

A few hours later I drove to pick up my son to spend the day together. I normally avoid Washington on weekends but purposely drove past to see if any flowers had been taken, and had they ever! 

I was so happy to see a small crowd around the bench, one father and his two sons (one with a cowboy hat and boots on made my heart melt) picking out flowers to give their mama. 

Around 1:00pm my kids and I headed out to my parent's house and took a detour to check on the flowers and there was only one left! Out of the 75 I had put out! 

We went back a few hours later and I emptied the water and disposed of the bucket and sign. Another activity a success...and planned to be a regular life routine for me long after this project is over. 

As a single mom of three, I have had Mother's Days when no one asked my kids what they were planning on making or giving me. I know firsthand how rough and lonely it feels to have the day treated like any other while the other moms in your life are being lifted up. 

If one of the flowers finds its way into the overlooked hands of someone in that experience, I'll feel like the years I plan on doing this going forward will be a success. 

And if they simply find their way into kids and partners excitedly handing them over to moms already in the middle of a day of showers of love, that's awesome too! 

It's the toughest, bestest job on the planet!! We deserve our flowers!

Week 39: KenDUCKY Derby to Help Kids With IDD

Yesterday was one of my favorite activities of the year: the Kentucky Derby! 

And in my town, the KenDUCKY Derby, where thousands of rubber duckies race down the creek that meanders through town!

My best friend and I attend the latter event each year, donning hats or fascinators, dresses and boots or heeled sandals while sipping mint juleps at Rebellion Brewing and taking in everyone else's derby attire. 

And then, it's time for the grand finale: the dumping of the ducks into Cedar Creek! And cheering ours on!

The duck race is run by All My Friends, a local nonprofit that builds sensory rooms, playgrounds, camp scholarships, and more for children with Autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 

There were 2,456 ducks racing in this year's derby event; their efforts raised over $10,000 yesterday! And All My Friends provided a fun event for the community at the same time. It was a win/win! 

But sadly, not for any of the ducks I sponsored as last week's Kindness Countdown activity. 

But there's always next year! 

Hope to see you there!!

Week 38: Saving 1-3 Lives While Bettering Mine

I've been donating blood regularly for the past 10 years. It's become such a priority for me that I purposely purchase plant-based protein powder (vanilla Orgain Organics is my go-to since it's often on sale at Costco) because I've found that it helps keep the iron levels of this vegetarian high enough to donate safely. 

I made my first blood donation back in high school, did it a few times in my 20s, and then had some health issues, became a mother of three, and went through a few other big life things that kept me from keeping it front of mind. And then at the age of 39, when looking for ways to positively impact my community during my first Kindness Countdown to my 40th birthday, I made a donation. 

And I've never looked back. 

I am an introvert who, if I'm being honest, really prefers to never leave the house. Like, ever. 😅 But I am also a proponent of building a community because I believe it's important to a happy, balanced life. I do this purposely in places I frequent, finding them more enjoyable when connections are made. My every-other-month blood drive is one of those places.

I've gotten familiar with many of the Versiti staff and Cedarburg Lion's Club members that coordinate each of my blood drives. They work hard to make it efficient and energized and actually fun! And they reach out to the community to provide good food and drinks and prizes for those who participate in the trivia as they eat and regroup (and socialize) after their donations. 

During my last donation I ran into an old friend while waiting for my vitals to be taken, the phlebotomist who drew my blood said "I remember you" when she saw my tattoos and we caught up on our kids from my last donation, and I chatted with a retired co-worker who told me it was nice to be connected on Facebook and that she's enjoyed seeing me so happy the past few years after a rough time of life she knew I had made it through. (She also said her daughter had recently relocated to the Milwaukee area and is looking for a job in HR, so if anyone knows of anything, please let me know!) And then the coordinators of the drive reminded me that the next donation scheduled was in June, the annual cookout...and that they'd do their best to get black bean burgers, remembering I am a vegetarian.

All this to say that if you're looking to better your life, this is your reminder to find a community and commit to being a part of it. 

And if you can do it before, after, or while saving 1-3 lives every 8 weeks through a blood donation, that's even better!!

Contact your local Versiti or Red Cross offices for donation locations. 

Week 37: Mile High Meals

Anyone who knows me or follows me on Instagram knows I've done more than my fair share of flying the past three+ years while being in a long-distance relationship. 

After boarding dozens of flights a year, I have my routines and typically do my best to focus on catching up on work, checking in with my kids, and keeping my guy up-to-date on my travels prior to boarding. That is, unless I can't help but notice things. Like I did while waiting for my last flight out to Colorado. 

I was working on my laptop next to two kids who appeared to be meeting for the first time. I overheard them discussing where they were from and what their families were like. I found myself thinking about what kind young men they seemed to be as I caught tidbits of their conversation while answering emails and texts to clients. 

And then I saw them join a few more kids who had the same look about them. The look of new kids in the military. And I choked up as I always do when thinking of those who give so much for me to live my little life travelling back and forth, working freely, expressing myself so opening, enjoying all my time here on Earth to the fullest. 

And then my head and heart got to work.

As the flight attendants were making their final round prior to takeoff I flagged one down. I asked her if she could find out if the kids in the back were of legal drinking age, and if so, could she ask if I could buy them a round of drinks. 

She came back and said they were all of age and so excited someone wanted to get them a round, but they weren't allowed to drink as they were technically already active. 

I sent her back, as my "second" 😉 in this negotiation game, with the offer to buy a meal or snack, I told her to really push for it, not to let them be too polite. She came back and said they all took me up on the offer and sent back so many thank yous. 💗

For the rest of the flight, each time the attendant passed, she asked if she could get me anything, on United, because she thought what I did was so thoughtful. I told her I was all good but really appreciated the offer. 

I never spoke those young men but I've thought of them and their families often, praying for their safety and grateful for their service. 

Psst! Kindness is contagious! Pass it on!

Week 36: Serving a Stranger

My youngest daughter and I went to Kentucky for her spring break to take in all things horses. We stayed at an awesome ranch in Berea where it was proven once again what a small world it is. 

My daughter snapped a friend of hers a picture of the donkeys on the property to keep their streak alive. Her friend asked if she was in Kentucky. My daughter said yes. Her friend asked if she was staying at Nicura Ranch. Why yes we were! 

Wouldn't you know, they were the other family overlapping our visit. What an unexpected treat to meet up and talk horses and bourbon with other Wisconsinites on our trip!

While our trip was planned with only horses in mind, this whiskey-lover couldn't help but scope out the old fashioneds on the menus during our meals and google places known for smokey offerings. ;) 

After one meal, my daughter and I made our way to Sedona Taphouse for me to give their smoked hickory small batch bourbon old fashioned a try. It was delicious! While smoke-infused ice cubes is my favorite way for the flavor delivery, a smoked glass is pretty great too (I don't love the smoke things they put on top, the flavor dissipates too quickly), and that's what I found here, a lovely-coated earthy flavor. 

Anyway, I digress...

While I was taking the last few sips of my cocktail, I noticed a gentleman walk in, take a seat to our right, and ask what the cheapest beer was on tap. He said he was looking to spend $3 and was used to cheap beer being a US Navy veteran. 

I looked over at him and noticed he had done his best to look presentable to walk into a restaurant, most likely spending most of his time on the street. The bartender poured his beer and after setting it down in front of him made her way over to me with my check. 

I asked her to please add some food onto my bill for the gentleman sitting to my right and bring me a new check. While we waited for the new bill, we overheard the man ask the patrons on his other side if they were finished with their food. They said they were and handed him their plates; he ate the food they hadn't finished up fast. 

While we didn't stay to see his cooked-just-for-him food get delivered, I hope he enjoyed it hot and fresh. And I hope this serves as a reminder to waste less. Unfortunately, there are hungry bellies all around. 

Week 35: Wally the Whale

Hello! Long time, no posting. Again. 😅 Also again, I've kept up with activities but have been inconsistent with the writing of these posts. I'm not gonna go into why, but if you see me IRL, feel free to ask. Over a good cup of coffee or cocktail. 😉 

OK, onto week 35's activity...

You may recall a few months ago, my boyfriend's very talented sister crocheted 50 chickens we named Mabel and I wrote notes for them all. We placed them inside of plastic eggs and added some paper nesting materials to a bag and had The Ronald McDonald House hand them out to children staying with them while they received treatments in Milwaukee. 

Well, they were so well received, we thought we'd do it again. This time, the crochet queen created 50 adorable whales I named Wally. I again wrote out 50 notes and placed them inside of plastic shell cases before adding everything to individual bags for the kids. 

The notes read as follows: 

"Whale, hello there! My name is Wally and I'm here to help you navigate these rough waters.

Want to hear my sea-riously good idea? Give me a squeeze when you need it; I'm hooked on helping you!"

Each of the whales were different. 

There were large ones and small ones. Black, light blue, pink, and dark blue whales. Some had rattles inside. All had reinforced eyes thoughtfully (and I'd assume, painstakingly, not that the artist would ever complain) sewn on. 

I love that each child got to pick which whale spoke to them. 

As I assembled the whale bags, I said a prayer of hope they'd bring comfort while in the depths they were experiencing with their new friend, and that they'd celebrate when reaching the calm waters and sunshine ahead.

Week 34: Two Dollar Bill Buys

Week 34 signaled two-thirds of this project complete, and I celebrated it with a fun activity: hiding $2 bills around a Dollar Tree store. 

My girls and I love going to Dollar Tree and looking at the holiday items, buying small toys and activities to keep young cousins entertained, picking up small stationary or kitchen gadgets we need, and usually leaving with a bag of candy from the sweets isle. 

Five years ago we hid $1 around the store. But inflation has hit even the Dollar Tree, and so, for this Kindness Countdown grand finale, $2 bills were used. 

(The use of those bills added a little extra something special for me since my grandma used to give them to my brother and me on special occasions.)

My boyfriend Mark and I took a roll of tape and the stack of twos I picked up from my bank to the store and hid them in all the isles. 

Our favorite hiding places were taped to toys (we enjoyed imagining kids finding them and being able to buy themselves something) and on the paper good items. Buying paper towels and toilet paper isn't fun so we thought we'd chip in. 😁

I tucked a bill inside a book as a bookmark, stuck one under a clipboard, and taped them to the bottom of ramen packages, the back of crayon boxes and sidewalk chalk, and other places around the store until the stack was depleted. 

I hope everyone who found the $2 bills enjoyed the unexpectedness of finding a little contribution to their shopping trip. 

Maybe it even reminded them of someone special from their past who used to give those rare-ish bills to them too. 😊 

Week 33: Freeing Fire Hydrants

Wisconsin got hit with a few snowstorms last week requiring time to be spent outside clearing it from roads and sidewalks. And fire hydrants. But sadly, this daughter of a firefighter noticed once again that the majority of them, in my town at least, had not been attended to.

And so last week, I threw a shovel in the back of my vehicle and sweet talked my sweet daughter into driving around with me for an hour or so while I cleared a path from the street and created access space around a whole lot of hydrants in town. 

Because it's been so cold, the snow that fell was fairly light around the bases, but the frozen slushy stuff from the recent plows was not. I shoveled until my almost-50-year-old shoulder with the reoccurring rotator issue protested too loudly. 😅 I cleared 15 in total. 

After freeing one particularly buried one, I told my daughter I was disappointed to see so many hydrants going unattended. She said, "Maybe people don't know they need to do it." And I bet she's right. Because not everyone grew up with a firefighting father. And not everyone thinks about caring for houses the way I do as a real estate agent. And so....

For those of you unaware, firefighters need a path from the street to the fire hydrant, and they are able to work most efficiently when there is 3+ feet of cleared space around the hydrants. 

Also worth knowing: It only takes 3-5 minutes for a house to become engulfed in flames. 

You do NOT want your hometown heroes spending precious time clearing snow when people and animals and things you love are inside. 

And so, I suggest you take note of your nearest fire hydrant and assess its accessibility. If no one has been caring for it, congratulations, you've been elected Fire Hydrant Captain!

If someone is already doing a great job of clearing it (like my old neighbor Doug, whom you may remember from Week 2's beer delivery post, does) you have some options: 

1. You could thank them,
2. You could do a little something special for them,
3. You could find another hydrant in front of an elderly neighbor, or one being ignored close to home, and adopt it as your own,
4. You could spread the word about the importance of keeping space around hydrants neat and tidy (but not in a preachy way, no one likes a know it all), and/or
5. You could drop off a treat at your local fire station (firefighters love baked goods) to say thank you for all they do. 

And since this realtor is on the topic, another winter maintenance tip is this: be sure to clear space around all of your furnace and dryer vents outdoors to eliminate the possibility of carbon monoxide being trapped in the house. 

And to install a carbon monoxide detector in the house. 

And to change your smoke detector batteries twice a year/each time you change your clocks. 

Wait, I'm sounding like the preachy people I warned about above. 🙈 Sorry! 

For more home maintenance tips (or for help with buying or selling your home 😁), send me an Instagram DM or email at sschultz@kw.com. Otherwise, I'll leave you here, trusting you caught my drift on freeing fire hydrants from snow drifts. 😉