 BANG! My car had just been violently hit and the side view mirror hung broken and shattered at my driver side door. As it turned out, the entire side was damaged from bumper to bumper and would need extensive repair.
I'd been parked at a meter on Mountain Boulevard in Montclair, minding my own business, deep in conversation on an email chain so hadn't expected this unhappy event AT ALL! I literally jumped in my seat, let out a few expletives, as in, "What the #$*&!?", and tried to quickly collect my thoughts.
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 Last week, I sold this stunning Piedmont legacy home at 334 Sheridan in an "Off-Market" sale - meaning that this fantastic property never had a Sunday Open, we didn't place a "For Sale" sign in the lawn, and it didn't hit the MLS until after the sale was ratified and nearly closed.
Coincidentally, it was one of two I sold in such fashion this month.  I should have known better than to get hooked on the new Netflix series titled "Tidying Up" based on the best-selling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo (I blame Jill for the suggestion.)
Nonetheless, Marie - who speaks mainly japanese and stands less than 5' tall and no more than 90 lbs - exerts her considerable charm and proven methodology with soft-spoken authority and grace. ("I love mess," she giggles in her lilting broken english.) There's no judgement here, just no-nonsense coaching, gentle persuasion and abundant compassion.  Cliff and I are both on health kicks, what with the advent of a new year and a potential bicycle trip in Italy in June. (I refuse to wear spandex shorts without dropping some serious lbs.!)
As such, bread, pasta and rice have regretfully, been eliminated from our diets, replaced by healthier habits we should have adopted long ago (like fruits and vegetables). Honestly, my system doesn't know what to make of it.  Like any good consumer, I tried to take advantage of the post-Christmas sales, but one look at the long lines and I quickly decided that there's no sweater on earth I want badly enough to fight the crowds. Some bargains just aren't worth the savings, nor are some discounts the deal you imagined . . .
 Hello! It's a new day, a new year, and a new world, and I'm wishing you all a successful, happy and healthy 2019 - however you define that for you and yours . . .
For me, it's going to be about greater self-care and awareness, more balance, and DEFINITELY more joy. (Of course, these are the same goals I set every year.)  It's my last column of the year and I'm wishing you all a safe and happy holiday wherever, or whatever, you'll be celebrating.
Christmas came early for me this year by way of our FINAL & LAST(!) payment on Tristan's college education. After eight years of costly tuition bills, we will thankfully, no longer be footing those costs. . . BIG sigh of relief! (I should clarify that the eight years encompassed TWO kids; it hasn't taken Tristan eight years to graduate.)  The holidays are upon us and whether you celebrate the Festival of Lights, Santa Claus, the birth of Christ, winter solstice, or simply logs on the fire, you've probably been invited to a gift exchange (or two) and know what's coming next.
Last Saturday, we joined our dear friends for Hanukkah at their lovely and inviting home on the peninsula, along with several other couples, for Sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), latkes (yum), and holiday cheer, and arrived with two wrapped presents, as instructed.  On Tuesday afternoon, I was joined by approximately 200 other Realtors at the First Republic Holiday Luncheon at The St. Francis Yacht Club adjacent to Crissy Field and the incredibly picturesque SF Yacht Harbor.
Putting aside the free lunch (which was surprisingly tasty), First Republic annually invites one of their top wealth advisers, Alan Zafran, to share his views on where the markets currently sit and more importantly, what lies ahead, and it's always a worthwhile way to spend the afternoon . . . (Thank you, Alan.)  Yes, I have, and I am thrilled to announce my move to Compass in the Montclair Office, effective immediately.
I'm not alone in jumping over to this dynamic, super-charged, vibrant, innovative company that's poised to create a new paradigm for Real Estate, for Realtors, and how future business is transacted, not only locally but nationally and internationally as well. |
AuthorJulie Gardner, has been writing The Perspective for 12 years and has published more than 500 essays. She is also a frequent contributor to the Sound Off column in the Real Estate section of The San Francisco Chronicle. 
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