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Condo Living

Monte, The Grapefruit, Brightens Chicago Condo in Winter

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on January 14, 2012 Condo Living, That's Life, Winter

Jan 142012

Monte, The Grapefruit, Brightens Chicago Condo in Winter

Meet Monte. My daughter planted Monte last year when working in a Chicago highrise office. She loves plants as much as I do. I suppose this passion for nature is embedded in our DNA. Anyway, one day she came across a seed while she was eating a grapefruit. She decided to plant it to see what would happen. As it turns out, grapefruit plants are excellent indoor plants. They are proof positive that you can enjoy the best of all worlds living in a Chicago condominium. You just need to open your eyes. It was her pride and joy and [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Chicago: Intelligent Gardening

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on October 30, 2011 Business - Not As Usual, Condo Living, That's Life

Oct 302011

Denver, New York and other parts of the country have already had their first brush with winter snow. We, in Chicago, on the other hand have had a pretty easy time this fall. Gardeners are not disappointed. In Chicago we've been enjoying a delightful – though all too short - fall. Trees and other seasonal plants have been resplendent in their beauty. We're enjoying some spectacular displays this year – trees in our neighborhoods and flowers like of mums and other late blooming flowers are dazzling us with all their glory – a reminder that the bitter winter ahead is [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Blogging: Two Way Conversation

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on October 9, 2011 Business - Not As Usual, Chicago, Condo Living, Seniors, Writers

Oct 092011

Blogging is a two way conversation – even though it often doesn't feel like it. I've been getting some very nice comments and feeling like perhaps I'm making headway in developing a style and content that has value to you – my reader. I'm not setting the world afire with my incomparable wisdom and wit. But that's ok, I'm not really trying to do that. Some have asked me how often I update this blog. Honestly, I don't have a routing schedule…I normally try to write something at least once or twice a week….sometimes more, sometimes less. It depends on [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Condominiums: Budgets Lessons Learned

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on July 22, 2011 Business - Not As Usual, Condo Living

Jul 222011

It's summertime and hot as the dickens. But end of the year is right around the corner and it's time for most condominiums to start planning their 2012 budgets. If there's one thing Condominium Owners and Boards can learn from politics, it's that financial planning needs to be an ongoing activity. You just can't wait until disaster strikes. Condominiums are a structure not unlike the Federal government. They survive and fall based on the intelligent involvement of their members as well as their budgets and financial planning. Once you're in a downward spiral, quick fixes just don't work. Most of [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Small Voices Incredible Messages

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on April 15, 2011 Business - Not As Usual, Chicago, Condo Living, That's Life

Apr 152011

I've been thinking since our last post…and that can be incredibly dangerous. Watching the tragedies in Japan; constantly updated news on wars and discord throughout the world; political fiascos in Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida and elsewhere; and, then, President Obama's incredibly uplifting speech this last week… it's enough to leave a writer's head spinning. I had visions of writing about how living in a Chicago condominium gives us first-hand education in what it takes to handle any kind of world event, from natural disasters to catastrophic economic challenges and dealing with "difficult" people. I thought about writing a heartfelt thank you [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Amateur Gardening in a Chicago Condo

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on March 28, 2011 Chicago, Condo Living, Seniors

Mar 282011

Even if you are living in a condominium in Chicago you can enjoy nature in all its glory. Kitchen gardening yields some delightful surprises without regard to unseasonably cold weather. Geraniums Come To Life This is last year's seed Geranium. I was certain it wouldn't survive but decided to see what would happen with a little patience. I kept it in a sunny window and nurtured it with water and MiracleGro. Today, it's 33 degrees, unseasonably cold for this time of year – even in Chicago. But that's ok. In my kitchen I'm enjoying Spring in all its glory and [Click here to see the rest of the story]