Word of the Month…

Studies have shown your income and wealth are directly related to the size and depth of your vocabulary. Here is this month’s word, so you can impress your friends (and maybe even fatten your wallet!)…

Undulant (UN-juh-lunt) adjective

Meaning: things that rise and fall in waves

Sample Sentence: I easily became entranced watching the undulant sheets in the breeze.  

Did You Know?

There is a lot of science behind the reds, oranges and yellows of fall leaf color, but did you know that some colors depend on the amount of sugar in the leaves? The drier and sunnier the weather, the more sugar in the leaves, which makes them the vibrant reds and purples we all love to see.

Get Grout Stains Out

Use this simple solution to gently yet effectively clean grout between your kitchen and bathroom tiles:

• Combine 3/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon dish soap; pour into a squeeze bottle.
• Apply cleaning solution to the grout; let stand 15 minutes.
• Wipe cleaning solution with a damp cloth. Do not scrub; that could lead to scratching the tile.

Quotes To Live By…

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”

–Helen Keller, humanitarian

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.”

–Walt Whitman, poet

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

–Maya Angelou, poet

Stay Safe Out There

     Traveling can be a lot of fun: with exploring new places, discovering new cultures, and making memories to last a lifetime. It is easy to get so wrapped up in what we’re doing that we can quickly forget to stay safe at the same time. These tips will make sure you’re making the most of it all, safely.

• Before you leave home, use your smartphone to take photos of your driver’s license, passport, and medical insurance card, just in case.
• Always make sure that someone who is not traveling with you knows your itinerary. Set a schedule to check in with them every once in a while.
• It’s easy to be distracted by taking the perfect selfie, but just like at home, be aware of your surroundings. Don’t fall and watch your belongings!
• If you are traveling internationally, check with the U.S. Department of State for any alerts that may impact your trip. Enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) ensures you’re updated while traveling. mytravel.state.gov/s/step

Scrub-A-Dub-Dub

     Let’s be honest, there’s nothing glamorous about cleaning the bathtub, but it’s a chore that needs to be done. What to do, though, if there’s a stain that you just can’t seem to get rid of?  This simple solution may just do the trick.

1. Mix a squirt of dish soap with warm water, then create a 50-50 mix with white vinegar in a bottle. Shake well. Note: This mixture works well on all tub materials, but do not use vinegar on stone.

2. Spray or apply the mixture onto the stain; let sit 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Scrub and rinse the area, repeating if necessary.

You can keep bathtub stains at bay by being proactive, too. Fill a spray bottle, half vinegar and half water, and spray down the tub each evening, leaving it overnight. Before using the next morning simply rinse and voilà, a clean tub in no time at all! Careful with vinegar on some fixture finishes, though, as it can corrode.

www.TruBritRealEstateGroup.com

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”

Hamilton Wright Mabie

Brain Teaser…

What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?

 (See page 4 for the answer.)

Real Estate Question?

Maybe you want to know how much your home is worth. Or maybe you just need a recommendation for a handyman, carpet cleaner or plumber…Either way, I love hearing from all of my good friends and clients. And I’m happy to help answer questions you might have about anything relating to real estate or home-ownership. If you have a question, tip or idea, call me at 207-553-2662. I’m here to help!

Have A Laugh

Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they use a honeycomb.

Leave The Leaves

In recent years there has been a backyard movement to shed our rakes and leave leaves where they fall. Why? Not only do the leaves supply nutrients and act as natural fertilizers for lawns and gardens in the wintertime, but they also create habitats for small critters who make their homes here, including butterfly pupae, and worms and other soil aerators.

Interior Design Websites

Before you redecorate your home, use these websites to see how your ideas will look in reality.

www.superdwell.co – Choose an aesthetic and color palate that suit your taste, and watch your space come to life, complete with a shopping list.

www.3dream.net – Helpful tutorials will walk you through the design process.

www.floorplanner.com – See how your furniture will fit into place to make the most of your space.

Making Sense Of

Food Labels

   One of the biggest aspects of healthy living is how we fuel our bodies, which can be a bit daunting. Food packaging provides a lot of information about what is in the items we’re eating, but it can be confusing to decipher just what all the info means. Let’s take a look.

• Serving Size. One of the first things to look at on food labels is the serving size. For example, it’s easy to guzzle down an entire 24-ounce bottle of sports drink with a front label that reads 80 calories per 12 fluid ounces. Take a moment to spin the bottle to the back label and you’ll find that there are actually about 2.5 servings per bottle, for a total caloric intake of 190 calories.                                                                   
• % Daily Value. A good rule of thumb when looking at the % Daily Value in a food is 5% or less of a nutrient per serving of that item is low, while 20% or more is high. Note: Daily Values are based on a diet of 2,000 calories a day.
  
  
• Fat and Sugar. It can be tricky trying to determine the amounts of fat and sugar in food. Rather than focusing on the total amounts of each, take a look at the individual amounts. For example, saturated and trans fats: avoid trans fats as much as possible, and limit the amount of saturated fats. As for sugar, try to limit added sugars, which can be masked as syrups, fructose, and juice, to name just a few. 
  
  
• Beneficial Nutrients. Food labels can also help us ensure we’re getting enough beneficial nutrients each day, too, like calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin D and dietary fiber. To that end, the American Heart Association says adults need at least 25 – 35 grams of daily fiber to maintain good health.

www.TruBritRealEstateGroup.com

 Simply ... Thank you!

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks

and gratitude to all our clients and those who have supported our business over the years.

Your trust, partnership, and encouragement mean so much

to us, and we’re truly appreciative of the opportunity to work with you.

  Congratulations to our latest clients — Paul and Dyana Dubay, and Jay and Katie Grant — on your recent transitions.

We wish each and every one of you a wonderful, peace-filled, and joyous holiday season!

Thanks For Thinking of Me!

Did you know I can help you or any of your friends or family save time and money when buying or selling a home? Thanks for keeping me in mind with your referrals…and spreading the word about my services.

Brain Teaser Answer: 

The letter M

History Of Birthstones

Chances are you know your birthstone, or the gem that corresponds with the month you were born. For example, November is topaz.  But when did this tradition start?  According to the International Gem Society, people in 16^th century Germany or Poland began the tradition of wearing specific gems for their birth months. Fast forward to 1912, when the National Association of Jewelers formalized a list of American birthstones and the months they represent.

Red Car Tickets?

People often say that red cars get pulled over the most, and some people even avoid buying cars that color because of this rumor! However, a recent report notes that WHITE cars are the vehicle most pulled over by police officers in the US. Why? Because it’s the most popular color of car (25% of all vehicles in the country are white).

THANK YOU for reading my

Service For Life!® personal newsletter. I wanted to produce a newsletter that has great content and is fun and valuable to you. Your constructive feedback is always welcome.

AND…whether you’re thinking of buying, selling or financing real estate, or just want to stop by and say “Hi,” I’d love to hear from you…

Deborah A Meek

Tru Brit Real Estate Group

Keller Williams Realty

207-553-2662

[email protected]

_{Disclaimer: The information contained in this letter is intended for informational purposes. It should not substitute as legal, accounting, investment, medical or other professional services advice. Always seek a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. This letter is not intended to solicit real estate properties currently for sale.}

Real Estate Corner…

Q: We’ve been thinking of hiring a REALTOR to list our property.  What should we look for in a qualified, competent agent?

A: Just because someone passed a state licensing examination doesn’t mean they are qualified to handle your needs.  All agents are not the same.  Here are a few things you should look for in a qualified agent.  

1. First, determine if he/she specializes either in your area or type of home.  

2. Ask them how they helped clients overcome specific problems they encountered in a past transaction.  

3. Ask them specifically what they will do for you if they represent you.  They should have a step-by-step plan of action.  

4. Ask them how long they’ve practiced real estate, about their track record and how much experience they have.  

5. Ask them about how they plan to market your home. What strategies are they going to use to best present your property to the market?

Want to learn more?  Ask for my Free Consumer Report called “12 Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent.” 

If you have questions or need capable and trustworthy representation, please call me at 207-553-2662. 

www.TruBritRealEstateGroup.com

“Who Wants To Win A

Winter Fuel Voucher?”

     Guess who won my last Trivia Question? I’m pleased to announce the lucky winner was: Jerry McGrath, whose name was the first to be picked out of the hat of correct answers to the following question:  

What summer treat was invented by a child in 1905?

a) Ice cream float b) Popsicle c) Push-pop  d) Icee

The answer is b) Popsicle. In 1905, 11-year-old Frank Epperson accidentally invented the popsicle after leaving a drink with a stirring stick in it outside overnight .

So, on to my next brainteaser:

What non-fruit plant are apples, peaches, cherries, pears, and strawberries all related to?

a) lichen b) sunflower c) ivy   d) rose

Call Me At 207-553-2662 OR Email Me At [email protected] OR DM Me and You Could Be One Of My Next Winner!