Western Mass Homes Lesley Lambert

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Real Estate 5th Most Stressful Job? Motherhood: The Hardest Job of ALL

Before I was a mom I remember thinking that having children would be so special because the love between a mother and a child is the most amazing thing in the world.  I was right, but I didn’t understand a few very important line items. 

Before I was a mom I thought that raising children was simply a a matter of loving them enough.  Once again, I missed something.

Before I was a mom I thought that I was smart, funny, educated, energetic and brave.  WRONG, WRONG. WRONG. WRONG. WRONG.

As a compass, Motherhood is altogether humbling. 

Me in Covergirl, Barry's Plane

Last week I did three very cool things:  I rode in a (very) small plane built and flown by my boyfriend,

Biplane

I flew in an aerobatic bi-plane that threw 4G’s my way and    kept the change

 

AND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I flew a plane MYSELF.  Me in Plane

 

Many of my friends, family and co-workers have told me since that they think I am: crazy, brave, nuts, amazing, fun, and totally insane.  None of what I did last week can hold a candle to the “simple task” of getting my girls to bed.

I am a brave person, but I am also aware: motherhood (and I am certain fatherhood, though I can’t attest to it) is not for the feint of heart.  Enter conciously, tread lightly and be kind to yourself and your kids…this is a hard gig.

Motherhood has asked of me things I would never have offered willingly, but am glad to give.  It has demanded of me gifts I didn’t know I possessed and has required strength I thought impossible.  My gifts to my children have been equally granted to me as I  have learned that I can survive things I never imagined.

What does this have to do with my career or blog in the real estate field?

Not a whole heck of a lot.  

UNLESS….

You are a mother,  or a father, or a person who has met unrealized challenges, or a grandma, or a grandpa, or an aunt…..you see where this is going.

Our challenges are lessons.  Our fears are challenges.  We learn, and if we are lucky, we grow.

I am lucky indeed.

 

 

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Dream Big: Lessons I Learned This Week In Pre-School

Every weekday I start my day as a mom.  I get my oldest daughter on the bus to 2nd grade at Highland School in Westfield, MA and take the younger daughter to her preschool at the YMCA in Westfield, MA.  We walk up the stairs and look at the artwork the teachers have tacked up for display. 

The other day I stopped to look at one particular piece and it stayed with me the rest of the day.  The theme of the art was “When I Grow Up” and each child had drawn an illustration of what they wanted to be.  Some were traditional: a teacher, a policeman, a hairdresser, but this one picture stood out to me:

When I grow up I want to be:  A Ballerina Doctor.

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My first reaction was a giggle and I thought, how cute. But after reflection I started to think, well why the heck not?  See, when we are four we think we can be anything…DO anything and we are RIGHT.  Somewhere along the way we learn fear and allow that fear to alter dreams into something safe.  We stop pressing ourselves because people may scoff or say that what we want is impossible.  Tradition steps in and we take our allotted roles.

I decided after admiring this young lady’s bold dreams that I was a convert to her way of thinking.  I too, want to be a Ballerina Doctor (rhetorically speaking) and am making a concerted effort to find my four year old bravery. 

I am taking chances, boldened by a four year old’s wisdom.  Risks don’t seem so frightening anymore, they are new challenges, exciting and fun.  Limits are gone and in their place are steps to take one at a time to reach my dreams.  My goals haven’t changed, but my road to reach them is a totally new route with fun stops along the way. 

So, I decided I would hang my proclamation up on my virtual stairwell so that everyone can see what my dreams are, too.

When I grow up I want to be: The real estate agent people in Westfield, MA think of when they need help. I want to be known as a problem solver and a caregiver.  I want all of Western Massachusetts to understand my drive to help people when they need to or want to buy or sell real estate. 

This little girl will never know the gift she bestowed upon me, but I hope she never loses sight of her ability to pick the dream that fits her best and work each day to reach it.

I share this with you so that you might tap into your four year old self and remind you to dream big and be brave…life is supposed to be fun!

 Lesley Lambert, The Real Estate Natural at Park Square Realty

413-575-3611

www.therealestatenatural.com

 

You Found The Right Home, Now What? First Time Homebuyer Series.

Allright, you went and looked at all the houses for sale in Western MA and you finally found the house you want!  Now what?

 

Buying your first home can be confusing and sometimes overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.  Preparation and education prior to getting involved will help to make the process more enjoyable and exciting for you. 

 

Choosing the home is the easy part…the real work comes after you pick the home.  Be sure that your REALTOR is keeping you informed each step of the way, explaining the forms and all the legalities involved.  You will feel comfortable making your decisions if you understand the process a bit better. If you missed the first video in this series, you can view it here: “Buying Your First Home in Western MA”

This video discusses what happens after your find the right Western MA home…I hope it helps you!

 

 

 

 

If you are looking to buy your first home in the Western MA area, contact: 

Lesley Lambert, The Real Estate Natural at Park Square Realty

413-575-3611

Western MA First Time Homebuyers Start HERE!

As a 20 year veteran of the real estate profession, a lot of my time has been spent helping first time homebuyers.  This is the most important purchase of their lives and they rely on their realtor for guidance and education.  I give that and try to pepper it with a lot of fun along the way.

This video is intended to help first time homebuyers in Western MA start their journey with advice on what to do and in when to do it!  This a fun story about my recent day spent with first time homebuyers in Springfield, MA…we had adventures!

 

 

To reach me to buy a home in Western MA contact:

Lesley Lambert, The Real Estate Natural at Park Square Realty

413-575-3611

therealestatenatural@yahoo.com

 

Westfield, MA Home of The Black Squirrel

Here in my hometown of Westfield, MA we have a large population of squirrels, and many of them are black. 

When people come to visit they are often amazed by these rare little rodents and inquire about their origins.

  black squirel

Photo by Stan Freeman/The Republican

 

This excerpt from Stanley Park’s website explains how these cute little critters landed in Westfield, MA: 

“A Westfield phenomenon since the late 1940’s, the black squirrels now populate most areas of the city and have moved into surrounding communities. Because they are not indigenous to Western Massachusetts, the presence of the squirrels has led to a rather large collection of stories and tall tales as to how they got here, when, and perhaps most important, why? They were a gift to Frank Stanley Beveridge, the founder of The Stanley Park of Westfield, Inc. and Stanhome Inc., from former Stanhome Inc., sales manager’s, Hubert L. Worell and Alvah (Al) Elzerman. In 1948, Worell and Elserman brought the squirrels from Michigan to Westfield, Massachusetts when they were to attend a conference here at Stanhome Inc., or known at that time as Stanley Home Products. The first arrivals were kept in cages and did not adapt well to their new environment; they failed to reproduce and eventually died. Undaunted, Worell and Elserman tried again, this time bringing six squirrels, allowing them to roam free in the confines of the park. The squirrels found their new surroundings and their freedom to their liking, and were soon an established tenant of Westfield. Now black squirrels are to be found all over the Pioneer Valley and are numerous especially in the park.”

Masslive.com featured an interesting story about the black squirrels today, which was the spark to write this blog.  It always amazes me how every region has something special that we treat as common and forget is unique.  Westfield is blessed by having a wonderful park like Stanley Park.  When I am not busy helping people with buying or selling a home, it is a favorite destination with my daughters.

The wikipedia definition of the black squirrels tells about the various locations that they are known to thrive and also mentions our beautiful Stanley Park, Westfield, MA.    The population of the black squirrels extends into about 60 communities in Western Massachusetts at this point.

These unique animals have spurred a retail business spoofing on the Black Dog items from Martha’s Vineyard.  You can buy any number of products sporting the Black Squirrel at this site.

If you are interested in the biology of the black squirrel, this report has all the statistics you are looking for.

While searching google for more information for this blog, I discovered that there is another Stanley Park in Vancouver with black squirrels….what an odd coincidence!  Here is a photo of their squirrel.

 

If you are looking to move to Westfield, MA: home of the adorable black squirrel, be sure to get in touch with:

Lesley Lambert, The Real Estate Natural at Park Square Realty