There seems to be very little information out there steering us in the right direction of when, where and how to vote on the 11 propositions that are on the ballot for November 3rd, 2009.

I had a hard time finding the locations on where to vote so I have searched and found them for you and they are listed below.

It is VERY important that you get out and vote on these 11 amendments. Your property rights are on the ballot. Don't leave it up to others to make these important decisions for you.

Propositions 2,3,5 and 11 pertain to the property rights of all of us. I am voting FOR these propositions. How you vote is your business, but please get out and vote!

November 3RD, 2009 Waller County Elections

ELECTION DAY POLLING LOCATIONS

POLLS OPEN 7:00 A.M.

POLLS CLOSE 7:00 P.M.

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 811 14th Street

Waller County Annex Building, 775 Business 290 East

Hempstead High School Library, 801 Donoho Street

Waller County Fair Grounds, 21988 FM 359

Covenant Ranch Fellowship, 31541 FM 1736

Fieldstore County Building - JP2, 29388 Fieldstore Road

Houston Oaks Country Club, 26702 Magnolia Road

*[Pass the Country Club on Hegar Rd. make a right onto Magnolia then the first right into the parking lot]

Waller Junior High School - Main Entrance, 2402 Waller Street

Waller County Community Center, 21274 FM 1098

Prairie View City Hall, 44500 Highway Business 290 East

Monaville County Building‐JP3, 12620 FM 1887

Monaville Fire Station, 13631 Cochran Road

Adams Flat County Building, 36249 FM 529

Mt. Zion Methodist Church, 40998 Mt. Zion Road

Pattison Volunteer Fire Station, 2950 FM 359 North

Brookshire Convention Center, 4027 5th Street,

Brookshire Masonic Lodge, 819 Purdy Street

Katy VFW Hall, 6202 George Bush Avenue

There's a new law taking effect September 1st that we parents all need to be aware of.

It's SB 61 and it amends the existing statute regarding child passenger safety seats.

The bill requires that any child younger than 8 years of age be restrained in an approved child passenger safety seat unless the child is at least 4'9" in height.

The fine is no more than $25 for a first offense and $250 for a second offense. The law also creates a new court cost for conviction of an offense under this section to be collected and used by TxDOT to buy safety seats for low income families. The law becomes effective on Sept. 1, 2009, but tickets for this offense cannot be issued until June 1, 2010. Police officers are allowed to issue a warning before that date.

I'm all for laws that save children's lives. I have a pretty tall 7 year old but she's not 4'9" so we are back to a booster seat and she's not happy about it!

I'll be buying mine this weekend to make sure they don't run out. I have no desire to even get pulled over for a warning.

This beautiful completely remodelled home could be the home of your dreams! Comes complete with granite counters, heated pool and spa with a relaxing rock waterfall, pool house, tile and wood floors, gorgeous fireplace, built in speakers in the living room for your home theater system, custom trim and built-ins throughout, play house for the kids, french doors off the master bedroom, alarm system and so much more! Access to 290 is a breeze, the Cypress outlet mall is approximately 20 minutes away and The Houston Oaks Golf and Country Club is approximately 15 minutes away.

Listing Price:	$261,500
Address	31604 Walnut Creek Rd
City / Zip:	Magnolia / 77355-4017
Subdivision:	Walnut Creek
Property Type:	Single Family Homes
Status:	Active on Market
Bedrooms:	3 Bedroom(s)
Baths:	2 Full & 1 Half Bath(s)
Garage:	2 Car Attached/Detached
Stories:	1 Story
Style:	Traditional
Year Built:	1979 / Appraisal District
Building Sqft:	2,615 / Appraisal District
Lotsize:	59,895 / Appraisal District
Mrkt Area:	Magnolia
Key Map® :	PAGE 246Y
MLS# /  Area:	56231843  /  15-Montgomery Cnty SW

With over an acre of unrestricted land to do with as you please, a pool to relax in during the warm summer and a workshop adjacent to the garage, this homes has to many ammenities to pass up. It's perfect for a home/business and offers a quiet country atmosphere with access to the things you love to do most weither it's fishing, golfing or shopping.

For more information on the nearby Houston Oaks Golf and Country Club visit

http://www.houstonoaks.com/golf/proto/houstonoaks/index.htm

For more information on this home please call me at 832.752.6962

or call your agent and mention MLS#56231843

31604 Walnut Creek

Magnolia Texas 77355

As some of you Austin Realtors know, as of June 1st all homes over 10 years old are required to have an energy audit performed prior to closing.

This comes as good news to some and elicits groans from others.

Regardless, when it comes time to get an audit, you need to know who to call.

I highly recommend Kevin Dunaway with Dr. Green Energy Auditors.

He works 7 days a week at your convenience. He's fast and he's efficient.

I hear his prices are very competetive as well.

I'm sure you will be more than satisfied with his work so give him a call at:

phone: (512) 744-7615 

or email him at:

info@drgreenenergyauditors.com  

Waller Texas will be hosting it's first annual Waller Freedom Fest on Saturday July 4th 2009.

The festivities will be at the Waller Jr. High Football Field located off of Field Store road and 290.

Event times are 10am to 9:30 pm.

There will be a live band playing called the Robbie Seay Band.

There will be basketball tournaments, food, car show, water slides, rock climbing and more to be followed by a fireworks display after dark.

For a complete list of events and times see the Waller website here....

http://www.wallertexas.com/

 Happy 4th of July!!!!

I'm getting quite a few calls from people wondering when and where the fireworks will be going off in Tomball for the 4th this year. Here's what I know....

From 11am to 3pm on Saturday there will be some fun things to do in the Target parking lot off 2920/249. I heard it includes some bouncy things and water balloons and things the kids will enjoy.

Then come back at dusk with your lawn chairs and set them up in one of the parking lots near Lowe's.

Personally I prefer the old Kroger parking lot which still has the Cinema. Park right in the middle for the best views.

HAve a safe, fun, happy 4th of July!!!

I'm getting quite a few calls from people wandering when and where the fireworks will be going off in Tomball for the 4th this year. Here's what I know....

From 11am to 3pm on Saturday there will be some fun things to do in the Target parking lot off 2920/249. I heard it includes some bouncy things and water balloons and things the kids will enjoy.

Then come back at dusk with your lawn chairs and set them up in one of the parking lots near Lowe's.

Personally I prefer the old Kroger parking lot which still has the Cinema. Park right in the middle for the best views.

HAve a safe, fun, happy 4th of July!!!

Ok now. This has gone beyond rediculous. I'm reading through my emails last night and I get one from "John McCain". The title was "stop the reckless pork barrel spending."

Now I'm going to be honest here and say that I have no clue as to where that term "pork barrel spending" came from but when I read the things included in this stimulus plan of Obama's I get a good idea. I think I have a better name for it but it's R rated.

So I'm reading "John's" email and I get to this sentence....

"It is unconscionable that while we are asking Americans to do more with less in these trying economic times we are about to spend $1.7 million for pig odor research in Iowa, $2 million for the promotion of astronomy in Hawaii, $475,000 for a parking garage in Provo City, Utah, $300,000 to build a Montana World Trade Center, and $150,000 for a rodeo museum in South Dakota."

HUH?!!!!! WE are going to spend how much on pig odor research? WHY? ....and how the heck will that STIMULATE the economy? ....and why do I want to spend money on this?

So I google it and find some links. Here's one (obviously liberal leaning)...

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=why-study-pig-odor

The article explains what pig odor is and where it comes from and how they hope to get rid of it. Really? We don't know this already and we really need to research it at the cost of $1.7 MILLION dollars. Uh huh.

Well here's my 2 cents worth and it won't really cost the taxpayers anything.....IT STINKS, FECES STINKS, ANIMALS STINK.......so deal with it. If you don't like it, don't live near pig farms. I don't even eat pork to begin with and I sure as heck don't care why they stink or want to mess with genetics and try to make a rose smelling pig.

As for the rest of the earmarks listed.....give me a break.

Something stinks alright....it's BO of a different sort.

I don't use coupons much but since it's almost time to start working on my gardening again I start looking for good plant deals. I received an email about a special at Houston Garden Centers and thought I would pass it on. I have personally purchased Azaleas here and they have done well in my garden.

http://ct.wkimailer.com/rd/cts?d=83-2623-1138-2346-321795-195378-0-0-0-1-2-322

Yesterday I started a blog on how to live on a tighter budget. You can find it here.....

http://activerain.com/blogsview/938511/Surviving-the-economic-crisisfrom-materialism-to-frugalism-part-1

Today I will continue with ideas 6-10 on how my family lives/manages and how we will continue to survive the economy no matter which direction it heads. I was never a Boy Scout for the obvious reason but be prepared is still my motto.

6. We drive used cars. Some people think if you buy a used car you are asking for problems or you are getting someone else's cast off that just isn't as nice as that new car smell. I beg to differ. What you get is a HUGE savings in cost since your new car loses over 20% of it's value the minute you drive it off the lot or within the first year depending on which "expert" you ask. Why waste your money like that? Let someone else take that financial loss and you can reap the benefits when they trade it in after 2 years for something new. When I first got my Suburban it was in perfect condition. No one even knew it was used until I told them. It was in fact 2 years old. I will confess that I had leather seats installed because cloth doesn't work with our kids (and I got brand new tires and wheels) but even with the cost of adding leather seats and wheels and tires....I still saved about $20,000 when I paid $21,000 for my used Suburban.

7. Learn to cook. I know several people who eat out more than 4 times a week. I know about how much money they make so this one amazes me that they can afford to do this. They say they don't like to cook, don't like to clean up the mess after cooking or they are just too tired. Well, the economy has taken a turn for the worse and now they have hit rock bottom and don't know what to do. They were running up the credit cards eating out. A lot of people were. So now they have to eat at home but don't know how to cook. Well, if you learn 5 simple recipes you can survive. You can even save and freeze the leftovers for a later date or do what my husband does and take leftovers for lunch.

My 5 simple recipes that feed a troop are...

A) Spaghetti (one week with meat and one without and it's usually ground turkey for us)

B) Beef Stew

C) Chilli (I like to alternate between using chicken, ground turkey and beef)

D) Chicken and rice

E) Beef tips and rice

....and if you need the recipe....just ask and I will send it over.

8. Grow your own food. I recommend everyone learn to grow one food item. Even if you live in an apartment you can still grow at least one item in pots on your balcony. I know because I did when I lived in apartments years ago. Buy a book, take a class, hook up with a neighbor with a green thumb but learn to grow at least one thing and learn to either freeze it or can it. I will be planting my garden soon. The family will help tend it. As a reward they get fresh veggies and a trip to the drive in theater once a month which by the way is $5 per person for two movies.

For the record, I recommend you buy your seeds rather than trying to use seeds from store bought veggies. You can learn to harvest seeds for replanting later.

On a side note, you can also find where other people grow it and let you work the land as a co-op for a subscription fee and you get to share the bounty. They are called CSAs. (Community Supported Agriculture). You can find one in your area by going to www.localharvest.org Here is a map of where they are in the US.

I also know where there are huge patches of black berries every year and the kids and I pick them and freeze them. The owner did give us permission. No trespassing!

9. Buy your meat at night. Most of the big groceries stores mark down their meat at night after 9pm but specifically I know Krogers does this. It's the exact same package you would have or could have bought at 10am but after 9 at night you will find that $20 steak marked down drastically. I learned this years ago when I had to start shopping after the breast feeding babies were asleep for the night so I could sneak out to shop. You can still have streak but at the cost of ground beef and the stores aren't crowded!

10.) Donate to charity instead of having a garage sale. Sure you will get some quick cash when you have a garage sale but did you know that by donating it not only are you helping someone else but you will reap a bigger monetary reward if you itemize at tax time when you calculate those donated items? You may sell that shirt for 50 cents but if you use say Turbotax and use their donation tool then you may get a credit of $2.50 or more towards your taxes for that one shirt? Keep a detailed list of everything you donate. Like, 10 mens shirts, 4 men's shorts, 3 ladies blouses and the date and to which organization it was donated. Get a donation receipt as well because you will need to tell the IRS who you donated it to and they will want the address. These things really add up at the end of the year and can save you money on your taxes and get you a bigger refund. The savings gained is much bigger than what you could make at a garage sale. My husband and I just got our tax refund a week ago. We used it to pay off his truck. That was a good feeling.

That's the end of part 2. Hopefully you can take away at least one suggestion here to make your life in these troubling economic times better. IF not, stay tuned for part 3. Maybe there will be something for you there.