This time of year is always a favorite of mine-- I enjoy Black History Month, and International Women's Day... as much as 'enjoy' is really a reflection of growth and introspection. That said, I came across this article a few months ago and it really sat with me for a bit. As a B-School alum, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my leadership style and how I interact within the context of a team. It's important to me-- as is community. I have a very high inclusion score... ;)

At the end of last year, I made some guesses about the housing market in 2023. Well, here we are, six months into the new year and how did those predictions turn out? I spoke with economist Kathryn Rooney Vera, Chief Market Strategist, StoneX and we had a freewheeling conversation about the housing market and I’ll combine her observations with an evaluation of mine from last year.

The US housing market has softened a bit after years of soaring prices and frantic bidding wars, but there’s little reprieve for buyers trying to crack into the market. First-time buyers made up the smallest share of sales on record last year, at 26%, even as home values started to cool, according to the National Association of Realtors. And rising borrowing costs and still-high prices have pushed housing to the most unaffordable levels in records going back almost four decades.

March is home to two of my favorite holidays— St. Patrick’s Day and the Oscars.

When the kids were younger they would routinely ask if all families have their now holidays— so St. “Fitz” Patricks day was always a thing for us. As a child with a maiden name of Kelly, my family was also all in. We ate green eggs, green pancakes, green mashed potatoes (less appealing as an adult) and celebrated when the leprechaun would slip through our traps and leave rainbow candy in the form of skittles. I am overjoyed that this is now a tradition celebrated in schools.

This time of the year is often a little slower for me— for all of us in real estate. It’s the time to strengthen systems, catch up with people and breathe.

I am stretching myself with a violin recital— and the suggestion of a book: The inner Game of Tennis, A recommendation to take yourself on a vacation and my new hummus recipe that I can’t take credit for but will happily take all the compliments at book club.

It’s the time for New Years Resolutions, mantras and turning over a new leaf. I am going to be sticking with the same old plan but working smarter at how I approach my time. I am loving this month two books about time and equity (and ultimately clarity in roles and delegation.) Fair Play and Free Time.. . An interesting article on parenting and real estate and finally the good and great Mary Oliver is back.

November already? November seemed to have arrived like a hammer — at least weather-wise. We jumped straight out of the heat of summer to a reckoning of sorts! Welcome fall, winter and the PNW gray!

Scott’s Cheap Flights looks for mistaken airfare pricing or significant differences to median pricing. I love it because you can put in the parameters of either where you are interested in flying to– or what airport you generally fly out of.

Nap Ministry: A friend of mine recommended the Nap Ministry a couple weeks ago.

From the founder and creator of The Nap Ministry, Rest Is Resistance is a battle cry, a guidebook, a map for a movement, and a field guide for the weary and hopeful.

This book is rooted in spiritual energy and centered in Black liberation, womanism, somatics, and Afrofuturism. With captivating storytelling and practical advice, all delivered in Hersey’s lyrical voice and informed by her deep experience in theology, activism, and performance art, Rest Is Resistance is a call to action and manifesto for those who are sleep deprived, searching for justice, and longing to be liberated from the oppressive grip of Grind Culture.

Y’all, did you know that they are doing this on Mars? Let me know if you are up for a showing.