Organization

Organization is a great skill to have especially when it comes to the business side of things. If a company is unorganized it will make their job a lot tougher than if they had things in an orderly fashion. "My nine year old daughter and eleven year old son are very disorganized," like a majority of the world. Now a days people should not be unorganized because of the amount of technology and how much it progresses each day. We now have electronic scanners which makes filing things just that much easier and without the clutter of all of the paperwork. Having the advancement that we do in technology kind of gives us an unfair advantage over earlier generations, so you would think that businesses are more organized when we really have more of a mess. Everyone's favorite thing in the office should be there trashcan (recycling bin) because that is where all the clutter should go after it is scanned.

Hal Daub's Best You

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."

Hal was the Mayor once and Congressman twice. He made more of an impact in Omaha than anyone else has. Some of his projects include: West Dodge Expressway, Quest Center, TDAmeritrade Center, Heartland of America Park, and Rick's Boathouse.

What you should know when looking for the right apartment

It's beautiful, in Little Italy downtown with everything you've ever dreamed of. Hard wooden floors, a view of the city, all appliances included... But you are not the only one that has had that same dream of living there and that vision. So what can you do to make this reality happen? Here are a few helpful tips to secure exactly what you are looking for:

• Approach your rental search like you would a job search. Come to your appointment organized, serious, and professional. This will help you stand out as the most qualified for the unit you want. 

• Know exactly what you want!!! Landmark posts all of their available rental properties on Craigslist, and all the details of the rental can be viewed there first. Be prepared to make a decision and act upon it, leave a deposit:cashiers check or money order. This will assure that the place is yours.

• Also, come prepared with the information you will need to complete the application  prior address, landlord reference, and a personal reference. It is also important to have a copy of the most recent paycheck stub available, and a driver's license or other form of photo ID.

• Walk or drive around the neighborhood. Ask a neighbor what the area is like and if they like living there. While you are looking at the place to rent check out the parking areas, hallways, and the common areas of the buildings. 

Covering all of your bases and making sure you are prepared can help make the rental process fast and successful. Making sure that you are completely satisfied with your new home is very important because it will be your home for a year or more. 

Stress on.. Life on Pause...

Dealing with Stress...How do you Cope?

              

Lately,  I've been noticing the pressure of succeeding in my job taking a toll on my body. Physically and mentally. Ive Really noticed the changed coming down into this crunch time. Here is my take of what stress does to my head/body as well as tips on

"How to reduce Stress even when you are in  stressful situation"

Here are a few More tips that weren't mentioned in my blog, but  I think can be useful when your in that "Stress Funk"

• Learn how to say “no” – Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, refuse to accept added responsibilities when you’re close to reaching them. Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress.
• Avoid people who stress you out – If someone consistently causes stress in your life and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely.
• Take control of your environment – If the evening news makes you anxious, turn the TV off. If traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route. If going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online.
• Avoid hot-button topics – If you get upset over religion or politics, cross them off your conversation list. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with the same people, stop bringing it up or excuse yourself when it’s the topic of discussion.
• Pare down your to-do list – Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. If you’ve got too much on your plate, distinguish between the “shoulds” and the “musts.” Drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely.
• Manage your time better. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. But if you plan ahead and make sure you don’t overextend yourself, you can alter the amount of stress you’re under.

                           http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm

Enjoy xoxo!

Train Like a Champion

Train Like a Champion

I was with my daughter at swim practice the other day and we were talking about our swim training. My daughter's and my swim coach is Drew Butler at the Omaha Swim Federation. I asked her " Ila, remember during the training today to train like a "?" ,and she answers, "Champion!"

Keep in mind, this is an 8 year old saying this.  I kind of got choked up. I have been thinking about how to get better at something since the Olympic swim trials are coming up in Omaha, and I am training for Ironman Arizona in November. For me, I need to see myself as a champion and train like a champion.  After swim practice, Lisa, Ila and I were eating dinner with her cousin Halle and I was talking to Halle about eating like a champion. Halle was asking us what that means. Ila quickly responded what it means to be a champion.

I want to encourage all parents to take the time to lead their children in whatever pursuits that you have. They are listening very carefully, although it may not appear that way. You just never know.

Omaha - A Great Place to Live

In this Saturday's column in the Omaha World Herald, Mike Kelly mentions that Omaha and Lincoln made the top ten in a list of the "Ten Best Cities to Raise a Family". This list was prepared by a company called 24/7 Wall Street and published on the AOL Daily Finance web page.

I must say that I agree with the assessment. I have lived in the Omaha area for almost 24 years and I plan to be here a lot longer. This is not only a great place to raise children, but a great place to live after your children have moved away. It has great hospitals and medical schools. It has a vibrant music and arts community. It has a good parks system with bike trails along the Papio. Omaha has made several lists of top cities and my only comment is that it is well deserved and I agree!

North Omaha

For the "About Omaha" section on Landmark Group's new website, a new area of town will be featured every month! This month's featured neighborhood is North Omaha! 

This part of town features some of the oldest areas in Omaha. It is also the birthplace of Malcom X and is a historically significant African-American community. Several educational institutes call this area home, including Creighton University, Creighton Med. Center and Metro Community College's Fort Omaha campus (which features historic landmarks itself). North Omaha has a vibrant music scene and is also home to the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame. What an amazing area of town for anyone who enjoys a wide variety of cultures, music influences and historical landmarks!

Check out these photos featured on the website, and if you'd like to submit some snapshots of your own, email them to lauren@landmarkmg.com. (Click on the photos to enlarge.)

Small Town Outside Omaha Ranked Again!

Another smaller town outside Omaha city limits has been recognized! We always hear about the good things going on in Sarpy County, this time it is Washington County. A small town called Arlington ranked second place for America’s Best Places to Raise Kids 2011, in an article published in Bloomberg Businessweek. The population is only a little over 1,100, which is the smallest out of the other top ranked cities. The number one ranked is Blacksberg, Virginia. Blacksberg is home to the prestigious collage called Virginia Tech.

I used to live in Washington County and starting roughly 5 mile northwest of Omaha, the atmosphere is light years from Omaha. I really was impressed with the school and community support they have.

The best time to check Arlington out is during the Washington County Fair. There are all sorts of things to do for kids and adults. Listed below is a link to the article and some more information about the town of Arlington.

Maintenance Tip of the Day

Leaves have fallen and frost is in the air. There is 12" of snow on the ground, the windows on the car are ice-covered and the kids are singing: "No School!" Now you lovingly look over at your spouse and say, "Honey, have you seen the window scraper, the shovel, the ice melt and did you get the car starter installed?"

Avoid the panic, plan ahead. Put a bag of kitty litter in the trunk. Get yourself prepared! Winters come and winters go. Please enjoy the winter season and be safe.

"I'm Gonna Go With Filthy"

The fourth episode of The Super airs this coming Monday at 8 PM. Watch as we struggle to get the Colbert Apartments past the city inspections in only three days time - a task that others haven't been able to finish in 2 years! Tune into HDNet to find out what will happen! And be sure to like The Super on facebook!

Glad to Be Home After Vacation

Back in September, I took a short vacation to Colorado and enjoyed a week at Rocky Mountain National Park. It was very relaxing. Then I spent a couple days in the Denver area and while there I read several articles in the Denver Post that made me very happy to be living in Omaha. One of the articles was about the Denver Symphony and its financial problems raising the question about how long it would be able to continue. They are looking for major donors to step up. I thought about the Omaha Symphony, which is not without problems, but has a strong community support from institutions and individuals.

Whatever your musical taste, the Omaha Symphony has something to offer to you, from the whimsical dancing Santas in the Christmas program to the music of the Beatles and Beethoven. Thirty years ago I lived in Denver and I have been back several times to visit but am very glad to return home to Omaha. So if Omaha is your home, enjoy it and support organizations such as the symphony which make Omaha such a great place to live!

Risk

I know this is not the kind of advice that I should be giving, but I will give it anyway: Go to work today and quit your job. You are thinking, "What?" You heard me. Go into work and tell your boss you quit.

Have I fallen off my rocker? No, I have not. I think that we should all be self-employed. Not only that, I think you should take the greatest possible risk you can find. People who make a lot of money look for business opportunities with a great amount of risk. Truly the time to start a business is when you are younger; the older you get the less time you have to make up for a big business loss. Here are some tips for what you should do when you start your own business:

• Get married. Studies show that married people are happier.
• Learn to live off of just one income not both of yours and your spouses.
• Work for someone else in the business you are going to start before owning one. For example if you want to start a pizza business, go to work as the manager of a pizza business.
• Cut your living expenses to the bone.
• Rent don't own, try to find a landlord that will agree not to raise the rent or sell the house you are living in
• Find a business that you love to do.
• Build up a cash savings. You will need a down payment for the business.
• Educate yourself about the business. Read everything you can.
• Talk to a lot of people who have done what you are planning to do.
• Develop mentors that you can bounce ideas off of.
• Surround yourself with like-minded people.
• Develop a support group of people that you can go to in confidence with your problems.
• Read the book E Myth.
• Take some accounting classes.
• Hire a really good CPA.

Omaha Nighthawks Come and Go

We may have all heard the talk, but it is true. The United Football League's regular season was cancelled with two weeks left to go and the championship game was moved up to tonight at 8 PM eastern. The Omaha Nighthawks will play a "consolation" game at home against Sacramento tonight as well.

I'm sure many Omahans are sad to see the league leave. With the Huskers being Nebraska's only major football team, it was nice to have another name to chant, another roster to root for and a new football environment right at our doorsteps. We got to see a whole new set of talent and celebrate a beloved sport in a whole new way and place. And if anything, it freshened up the city with entertainment and new experiences for the residents.

However the UFL itself was no so happy as Omaha with the league's performance. They lost upwards of $100 million during their run, and players were outed a significant chunk of their salary this year due to the shortened season. The UFL is criticized by many for trying to get too big too fast. Others say, and many agree, trying to compete with the NFL instead of work with the NFL was plain stupid, especially without a major television contract.

But unfortunately for fans, players and owners, the league is coming to a close. On a lighter note, there has been talk of NFL interest in trying to secure the UFL as a developmental league, similar to Class AAA baseball. I read a great article by Omaha World Herald columnist Tom Shatel on UFL's closing and possible NFL interest that covers all the possibilities and outcomes of this situation.

Like many, I am sad to see the Nighthawks zoom away so quickly. At the very least, there is a glimmer of hope for the UFL to see another day.

Maintenance Tip of the Day

Everyone is talking about The Super, and what a nice time we had watching the first episode Monday evening.

Winter is now upon us, the first frost is right around the corner. Snow, ice and freezing temperatures are ready to attack us. We prepare ourselves with heavy coats, insulated gloves, warm and dry boots, but what about our homes?

When was the last time you checked the insulation in your attic? Blown in insulation is easy to apply and most places that sell the insulation will loan you the machine to install it. There are several types of insulation that can be blown in. You can even purchase insulation made from recycled materials that help the enviornment. Instead of materials filling up the land fills it saves energy in your home, saving you money.

If blown in insulation will not work for you, there is faced and unfaced insulation that come in rolls or sections. There are several different "R" values for your specific need. Measure the thickness of the insulation you currently have and take that information with you when you are ready to purchase your insulation. The store of your choice will be able to give you advice on the most cost effective materials you will need.

Looking around the outside of your home can often save you energy and money. Caulk is very inexpensive for the return in value. A $2.00 tube of caulk can seal a drafty window, also check the corners of your house along the edge of your siding for cracks that could be filled.

Clean your gutters, a free flowing gutter will help prevent ice damns. Ice damns cause water to back up under your shingles that can cause a leak on the interior ceilings. While you are looking at your gutters don't forget the down spouts, sometimes the ends are clogged or smashed, restricting the water flow.

Lastly, put your snow shovel where you can find it. Don't wait, store it and ice melt where it is accessible, even a bag of kitty litter may come in handy.

I heard one person say that they love winter, it's just the cold, snow, ice and slick roads they don't like.

Happy winter soltace, be safe and enjoy the seasons!

Midtown Omaha

For the "About Omaha" section on Landmark Group's new website, a new area of town will be featured every month! This month's featured neighborhood is Midtown Omaha! 

This area of town is one of Omaha's most historic areas and includes the oldest suburb in the city- Dundee. The architecture and atmosphere are unlike any other area in town, and no matter your interests, Midtown has something to offer - from fitness to theater, music and art and the list goes on and on. 

Check out these photos featured on the website, and if you'd like to submit some snapshots of your own, email them to lauren@landmarkmg.com. (Click on the photos to enlarge.)

Nebraska Weather

The weather here in Omaha, Nebraska is always very unpredictable. For the last several days it has been very hot and humid with temperatures ranging between 95-100 degrees, but with the humidity it feels like 105-115 degrees.

It is very hard for Landmark and Dino's Storage employees to be out there in the heat but we always are no matter how the weather affects us. Something always needs to be done or fixed and we will do our best to take care of the customers' needs. That is why I like working at Dino's so much - the people and the dedication I see here makes me feel good about working here, too.

Independence Day - July 4th

Happy 4th of July to everyone!!!! The City of Omaha opened up the sale of fireworks this year and with all the flooding, that has proven to be a good thing since the trips to Missouri aren't that easy this year. So - enjoy the holiday with family and friends - watch some firework displays - and be thankful for the United States of America!!

Missouri River Flooding

As I am ending my day of processing payments, I'm taking many many phone calls for people calling for storage units at Dino's. Omaha, as you may know, is experiencing record floods from the Missouri river going over its banks and many people want to save their belongings.

The Bellevue location has also been going non-stop with people coming in. It is a very busy time for Dino's and I wish everyone that is in the path of the flood many good wishes!

Click Here to View a News Story KETV did about this very topic!

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*If you or someone you know has experienced or may experience flooding, Dino's Storage can help you at short notice. Call 402.916.4015 to inquire more about our units for flood victims.

Living in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska

What is your favorite area of Omaha? Are you a downtown dweller or an Elkhorn suburb lover? No matter what your preference, we want to see pictures of your favorite parts of town!

Landmark Group is going to be unrolling a BRAND NEW website focused on Omaha Real Estate, and one improvement we are making to the site is to include more information about the different and diverse neighborhoods that Omaha has to offer.

For this week's "Neighborhood Focus" check out the pictures below of the NoDo (North Downtown) and Downtown areas!

Leave a comment with your favorite part of town! If you would like to submit pictures for the website, email them to lauren@landmarkmg.com!

Make The Right Move Omaha

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal;
It is the courage to continue that counts."

- Winston Churchill

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In the Omaha/Metro area, a new campaign is being launched called Make the Right Move Omaha. This campaign "will be honest and forthright in terms of presenting the current situation and it is designed to educate and provide confidence in the local market to spur home buying and selling."

According to this campaign, every eight out of 10 Americans believe this is a great time to buy but remain hesitant to actually do so. The Omaha Area Board of Realtors conducted a survey last winter about Omaha's economy and housing market. Of all the homeowners and renters questioned, 90% said interest rates are low, 80% agreed there are a plethora of homes in the market to choose from and 70% believed that homes are more affordable than ever before.

Despite their positive beliefs about the market, Omahans are still not buying. Either they fear losing their job and not being able to afford their home or they don't want to hassle with financing. They also think their current home won't produce the value they believe it should. Which is why the MLS Board of Directors came up with this campaign - they want "to educate potential home buyers and sellers in the metro as to the economic conditions locally and to spur a renewed interest in buying or selling a home."

But back to the Winston Churchill quote above - nobody can promise that you purchasing or selling a home will result how you hope. Similar to the 38,000 homeowners surveyed who said they had thought of buying/selling in the last two years, you have to take a chance. Like Churchill said, the courage to move forward is what counts in the end. The courage to put your house on the market to accomplish your dream of moving to Bali. The courage to buy the new home you've had your eyes on - it may be a leap of faith but it could also be the best decision you've ever made.

No one but you can decide if buying or selling is the right move, but at least Make the Right Move Omaha can help educate you in an honest way about this complicated process. Omaha is a lucky city to have such great resources.

--- Check out their website to take the next step in the process: http://www.maketherightmoveomaha.com/