Take a look at our November newsletter!
NOVEMBER 2024
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A DEAR FRIEND’S LEGACY OF INSPIRATION Lessons From Next Door
November is full of essential holidays that make us reflect on our lives and the world around us. Veterans Day allows us to thank our loved ones, friends, and community members who served our country in times of need. A few days later, Thanksgiving gives us a chance to pause our daily routines, celebrate family bonds, and express our gratitude for life’s many blessings. In addition to including these long-established special moments, November is National Inspirational Role Models Month — a designation I hope will grow in recognition. I’ve been fortunate to know many people (family or otherwise) who have inspired me to be the best person possible. That said, I’d like to tell you about my dear friend and neighbor, Craig Van Hooven. I first met Craig when I was 8 years old. He was around 30 then and already had a reputation as someone who loved our small neighborhood. His care for our community extended to serving as a role model — and, on many occasions, a voice of guidance and reason — for the younger people around town. From taking me to a Jaguars game in 1997 to fishing offshore out of Port Canaveral (where we saw everything from submarines to thousands of dolphins), Craig was always there for me. He reached out whenever he sensed I needed positive and encouraging company. He also set an example of how to be a good father and husband through his love for his wife, Cerese, and their sons, Christopher and Cole. That said, Craig could be tough at times. He was the kind of guy who’d pick at you and give you a hard time for everything! If he had an opinion, he’d tell you. With no filter to speak of, he’d call you out and just tell you how it was. One time, I wanted to change the paint color in my old house. Well, he didn’t like my choice, and he got pretty aggressive about it. I got angry and said, “I like this color!” Looking back on that day, I can only chuckle and marvel at the super- honest and truly unique person he was.
The Craigs in our lives may make us uncomfortable sometimes, but they also make us stop and think, “Maybe they’re right. Maybe I’m not doing the right thing here and need to make a change.” You’re not always going to agree with everybody, but it’s good to have people tell you what you don’t want to hear. That’s one of the many gifts my neighbor — a mentor and friend — gave me. Sadly, cancer robbed him of his golden years. Last Mother’s Day, I ran into him while walking my dog. He had lost a lot of weight by then, but he was in high spirits. He had recently bought a jacked-up Bronco that he couldn’t wait to show me. The truck was huge — and he could barely get into it — but he was so excited to have it. Although he was very sick, his enthusiasm was infectious. I cherish that moment, as it was the last time I saw him alive. Craig passed away peacefully on July 30 at the age of 68. It’s a very surreal feeling to look at his house through my window and know he’s not there. His beloved truck is still in the driveway, and his golf clubs are still in his garage. Most significantly, I can still hear his voice in my mind. I always will.
As you prepare for the holidays, think about all the wonderful people who’ve influenced your path and inspired greatness within you, and thank them for
everything. If you know someone who needs a guiding light, be the love and help they’ve yet to receive. That’s what Craig would have done!!
Robert Burns
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With the holiday season quickly approaching, many will likely travel over the next few months. Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or car, having a good magazine on hand helps pass the time. As a visual person, I believe a great picture is worth a thousand words. I always encourage my clients to send me pictures of designs that prompt new ideas of how they’d like their homes and properties to look — just as someone would show a photo to their hairdresser to give them an idea of the style they want. Here are four magazines I enjoy reading on the road that may inspire your next home design project. Design Dreams HOME MAGAZINES THAT AWE AND INSPIRE
Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles AtlantaHomesMag.com Of course, nothing is stopping you from looking beyond Florida to kickstart your home decor goals. A Georgia mainstay since 1983, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles showcases some of the city’s most memorable spaces and the many talented folks who comprise its thriving design community.
House Beautiful HouseBeautiful.com A staple of the design world since 1896, House Beautiful offers tips and insights for do-it- yourselfers and veteran pros alike. In addition to exploring its print edition, check out its website for stunning visuals that surprise and inspire.
VERANDA Veranda.com
Florida Design FloridaDesign.com
This biweekly magazine calls itself “the authority on extraordinary design,” and its contents are indeed impressive. Covering everything from ways to liven up your living space to how to enjoy the finest in luxury travel, this high-end publication will give you plenty to see and consider as you plot your next home project.
Despite its focus on our state, this acclaimed periodical has earned readers from as far away as Europe, South America, and Guam. This global attention is all thanks to its reputation for showcasing our state’s luxurious side. In addition to its breathtaking website, Florida Design offers unique Miami, Naples, and Sarasota editions of its magazine.
Robert Burns
Hi! Ella here. I hope everybody is having a nice fall so far! Time flies when you’re a busy 9-year-old, and I can’t believe winter and the holidays are almost here. Until then, let me tell you about all the fun I had last summer! Although the summer was pretty hot, I still liked being outdoors and doing things that made me happy. I loved being in the water and riding the waves on my boogie board. When I wasn’t at the beach, I spent time with my horse, Fairytale. Horseback riding is one of my favorite things, and being responsible for her — she’s still pretty much a pony — has taught me a lot about being prepared and organized. I know how to get on and off her safely, and it’s my job to groom and walk her and handle all the equipment. It’s a lot to do, especially when it’s hot outside, but I love spending time with Fairytale and going through jumps with her! Of course, school comes before play right now, and I don’t get to be outside as much as I did a couple of months ago. That’s okay — I love being at school, too! Learning comes naturally to me, and I’m happy I’m doing well in my classes. My daddy calls me “super-smart,” which makes me smile. Even though being a good student is my priority right now, I still find ways to have ELLA’S SUMMER ESCAPADES CHICKS DIG IT
fun when I’m not at school. The other day, I asked Mommy and Daddy if I could Rollerblade there! You have to have fun whenever you can.
The older I get, the more I notice how busy adults get this time of year. You don’t have to ride a pony or Rollerblade around town, but I think taking time every day to do something you enjoy is good for you. I really like school, but I wouldn’t want to do it all day without going outside for a break. Wherever you are, I hope you get to have some fun time every day!
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consult, design, installation, and follow-up! From professional design product delivery to timely installation, all work is done with expertise, care, and attention to detail. Highest recommendation for Robert and his team.” –Stephen K.
HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. Now, those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” GALATIANS 5:22-25 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” PHILIPPIANS 4:6
APPLE BASKETBALL BLACK FRIDAY FIREPLACE
GRATITUDE LEAVES NAP PARADE
PIE STUFFING TURKEY VETERAN
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From Neighbor to Mentor
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On-the-Go Inspiration Sunny Day Memories
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The Good News Hear From Our Clients
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Paws of Hope
A WARRIOR’S BEST FRIEND When Marine William “Bill” Lins returned home from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, he felt ruined. He wasn’t the same man anymore and felt like he didn’t fit in anywhere. After sustaining multiple injuries and witnessing the horrors of battle, he never thought he would be able to go back to living a normal life. Bill felt an instant connection to the goofy rescue dog Link, who was recovering from his own trauma after living a rough life in a kill shelter. Bill said his canine companion is his 24/7 therapist, providing him with support and safety at all HOW A RESCUE DOG CHANGED A VETERAN’S LIFE
hours. Link doesn’t just impact Bill’s life; he makes a difference with everyone he encounters, from Bill’s children to the youth athletes he coaches. “Together, we kind of make each other whole,” Bill said. “He makes everyone’s world better, and he makes it seem effortless.”
That is until the nonprofit K-9s For Warriors helped him find his missing link — a rescue dog appropriately named Link.
K-9 For Warriors has been pairing highly trained service dogs with military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma since 2011. The free program strives to better the lives of veterans through special canine bonds and ultimately end veteran suicide, which claims the lives of roughly 20 veterans every day. When Bill returned from deployment, he had to recover from two surgeries and realized he had PTSD. He had developed severe alcoholism, drinking every day nonstop as his only coping mechanism. In a hopeless place, the Marine felt like he was losing every piece of his identity and had nothing left. After seeing a friend at the VA bring in his service dog, he noticed a remarkable change in him and decided to apply for the program.
Link has inspired Bill to help others and spread a message of awareness that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a symbol of strength. Bill has since earned his master’s in social work and provides mental health services with his tail-wagging companion by his side for every session.
Together, the pair are showing veterans everywhere that there is hope and that life can get better with a little help from a four-legged friend.
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