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Dear Daughter,

You’re officially a two-year-old. You probably won’t remember this birthday, or much of 2020. I’m OK with that, given the mess that it is. My hope is that by the time you do start forming your childhood memories, our world will be a little bit brighter.

Here are my wishes for your next birthday:

That we make it to the other side of the pandemic. That we can look up to and respect the people we’ve chosen to lead our country, our state, our city and our community. That I can take you to your first ballet and plan a trip to Disney World to see your favorite princesses. That the children in our country, and all over the world, can go to school. That parents can go to work. That people can find work if they’ve lost it. That we can see grandmas and grandpas without hesitation. That there’s a little less hate in the world. That we all come out of this more resilient human beings, with the drive to do the things we’ve always wanted to do.

I hope that the world will be a little bit better by the time you turn three. But that won’t be enough. What comes next for the country is up to you. The world has changed, and being a little girl is now a very important job. You’ll need to be strong, be kind and be hopeful. You’ll need to listen with an open mind to others who are entirely different than you. You’ll need to speak up when something’s not right, and you’ll need to take action when you can make it right yourself. You’ll need to take a stand on things that matter. You’ll need to defend yourself and others. You’ll need to make yourself heard. You’ll need to be thoughtful. You’ll need to lead.

For now, you just eat your Frozen-themed cake and build your block towers and sing songs and read books and laugh until you’re rolling on the floor. But there will be a day that you won’t fit all tiny-like in my arms, and there will be another day when I won’t be able to pick you up at all. I hope when that day comes you will have tackled each and every one of your hopes and dreams knowing that while this world is not perfect, it’s your world, and you must take it on fiercely and with conviction.

I know you will do all of this because I see it in your kind eyes and your fearless spirit. I see that you have what it takes to lift all of us up. I know you and your peers will be better than us – more compassionate, less biased, more open-minded, full of love. Ready to take on the world, turning the bad parts into good, and making the good parts the best that they can be.

I am funneling all of my hopefulness and love into you, knowing that you will be great.

Happy birthday,

Mama

This looks like a short week, populated mainly by food truck stops. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But chances are we will have more announcements of beer places closing because an employee tested for COVID-19. And places opening up after scrubbing down.

Monday, July 27

Tuesday, July 28

Wednesday, July 29

Thursday, July 30

Starting in March 2020, everything about how we lived our lives changed. Activities that we took for normal, we now had to think about and most likely overthink before doing them. It’s four months later and life as we knew it before the pandemic is slowly starting to return….very slowly. Places that were closed are beginning to reopen. That leads to decisions on whether we should be going to them. Tough decisions.

I like to think I’ve been careful during the pandemic. I usually think things through before going anywhere….usually. For instance, I’ve been going to the grocery store since this started in March, but I go to stores where I know the layout. I try to buy only a few things, I go get them, check out and get out! I try to spend ten minutes or less in the store. Same thing at Walgreens when buying needed items. Yeah, I admit to occasionally breaking this rule, such as when I was trying to buy a new cell phone and doing the research on new models, but it’s rare.

However, now with almost everything partially opened, it’s led to possibly taking more chances and definitely to more thinking and decisions.

The big ones are easy:
Airplanes, nope…not yet. Not even with an empty middle seat. It’s going to take a wedding or a death to get me to fly…and maybe not even then.
Cruises…nope…maybe never. We’ve already seen where new cruises have been linked to multiple cases of Coronavirus. There’s nothing I need to see bad enough to get me on a ship in the near future…not even Alaska.

The little ones make the decisions tougher.

Restaurants have been open for more than a month. I’ve eaten outside on more than a few occasions. I’m never comfortable doing it. I may act cool and collected while doing this, but the reality is far from it. I’m always looking around to make sure that no one is sitting next to our table. When the meal is over, I’m glad to be gone. And, now that we can eat inside, I’m worse. I’ll do it, but admittedly, it’s scary.

That leads to this weekend. Museums are now open. Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast Communications reopened yesterday with free admission through August 2nd. They have an exhibit called “Stay Tuned: Rock on TV.” It’s from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and features artifacts from the early days of the rock-television era. It started last October and was planned to end in April.

Keyword is plans because…
plans during a pandemic in 2020 …what plans?

I missed early opportunities to see this and now the pandemic has given me a second chance.

In order to keep people safe from the virus, the museum is limiting the number of people allowed into the building. It’s ten at a time and you’re limited to ninety minutes before you leave and the next group of ten come inside. Sound safe, right?

My plan was to order my ticket, be there at ten today, see the exhibit, take photos, leave, go home and write about it.

Plans during a pandemic in 2020…what plans?

I went to be last night excited about my Saturday adventure….but I couldn’t fall asleep. I started thinking overthinking my plan. Why was I going to make this trip? Was it necessary to do this. Why take a risk? After much tossing and turning, I decided no. I cancelled my plans.

Plan during a pandemic in 2020…what plans?

Instead of going downtown, I decided to head to my local Starbucks for coffee and a sandwich. They have an outdoor area where I can eat and read a book. Sounds safe, right? Safer than a museum, right?

I get to the store and see people waiting outside. That’s not a good sign, is it? Strike one! I look inside and people are lined up to the door. That another not so good sign, right? Strike two! I look at the outside seating and it’s full. STRIKE THREE! I’M OUT!!!

Plans during a pandemic in 2020…what plans?

Oh well, I went home, had coffee, read my book, watched some baseball and wrote this instead of writing about my trip to the museum. It was not my original or my back-up plan, but it worked. Still, I’d like to see that museum exhibit. Maybe later in the year when hopefully things calm down…maybe. I’d make plans, but…

Plans during a pandemic in 2020…what plans?

Related Post: My ten favorite items at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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On July 30th, the South Shore community will be gleaming with bright colors for a very special celebration.

As many already know, the South Shore area is home to so many Chicago gems. One place in particular is the South Shore Cultural Center, where Barack and Michelle Obama had their wedding reception. Some of our city leaders reside in this area as well and let’s not forget the tennis courts, golf courses and a beautiful lakefront views. I briefly lived in the South Shore in 2012-2013 and I enjoyed going for a walk with my son to some of the neighborhood stores to get a quick bite to eat. I also recall driving past 76th and Jeffrey Ave. and seeing the DreamSpots Leasing & Sales office and admiring the company logo on the outside of the building. I used to think to myself,
“that is one cool name for a real estate establishment.”

I didn’t realize that shortly after seeing the office a few times, I would meet the CEO, Perdure “Coach” Carter while out networking.

Celebrating 10 Years of A Dream Fulfilled

Chicago-native, Perdure “Coach the Closer” Carter has been the CEO & Managing Broker of Dream Spots Leasing & Sales for the past 10 years. He entered his 30’s with 10 agents. He now has 100 agents and has over 19 years of Real Estate experience. Perdure has solidified himself as a Top 1% Producer in Chicago real estate, helping over 120 investors flip properties for a profit. For many, it can be a dream to discover the wealth of possibilities one can accomplish with the right mindset, resources and commitment to achieve.

Perdure flipped his first property on the west side of Chicago 6 months after landing a job as a Physical Education teacher in 2002. Afer a year of teaching, he transistioned into real estate investing full-time and has never turned back. He is the person you call when you want to learn how to  make $50k in 4 months if you’re committed to doing the work.

Flipping With Purpose

Carter is this week’s Success Stories feature because of what he does as someone who has thrived in Real Estate industry. His company is regularly engaged with the South Shore community. Food giveaways and special programming is offered to those who are committed to creating sustainable income and the opportunity to build out their dreams. I can only imagine what else is in store for this company that continues to provides resources for many to succeed.

Dream Spots Leasing and Sales even offers a Brokers Scholarship Program. This company’s focus is to help investors rebuild economically challenged communities by offering a flipping program (www.flippingwithapurpose.com). Check out their Real Estate Develpoment Program that is broken down in 4 phases to develop long term success in Real Estate.

On July 30th, Perdure and the DreamSpots Leasing & Sales team invites its community out to celebrate a decade of serving with purpose with a mural reveal that will be sure to stop traffic. This mural will be a new landmark in the South Shore community for all to enjoy.
The anniversary celebration  will start at 5p.m. at 7600 S. Jefferey Blvd. Bright colors for attire is preferred. Dj Sho time will have the music going and food will be provided. The mural is funded for by CEO Perdure Carter as a dedication to our communities, legends, unity and the South Shore area.

Teamwork makes the “DREAM” work
Perdure never hesistates to highlight the fact that their is no dream without an effective team. He is known for being a mentor and Chicago leader for many Realtors and Investore in Chicago. That’s why he is more often referenced as “Coach”.