There is a lot of truth about not always succeeding with the first idea or plan drawn.  Corrections, editions and several re-draws can occur. 

Even then it may not be viable and the idea needs to be scratched. Feelings of  failure can surface but need to be squelched with hope and determination to find the right answer.  

The following quote says it all:

"The most successful people are those who are good at plan B."
                                                                            James Yorke

I have received; as all of you have, many wonderful Thanksgiving messages this season. 

I received one from Stefan Swanepoel that I felt truly communicated heartfelt Thanksgiving blessings for 2009 and wanted to share with all of you:

Canyon Creek is working to brighten a needy child's holiday by accepting donations of a new unwrapped toy for the annual CCE Santa Toy Drive. 

Starting on Tuesday, December 1st through Tuesday, December 15th ( a two week collection time schedule) please bring toys and help fill the Brown Santa bins in the hallway by the first floor elevator!

While you're out holiday shopping don't forget the CCE tradition of generosity to help provide a toy for a child in need.  Contact Teri Bender at tdodge2@austin.rr.com for any questions.

If you have never been to the Austin Farmers Market you are missing a treat! This event happens year round on Saturdays and Wednesdays.  If you are looking to purchase home grown food and want to have fun while you are shopping then today is not too late to give it a try!

If you don't want to fight the stores getting ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow; Austin Farmers Market is open today, Wednesday, November 25, 2009, from 3:00pm-7:00pm at Triangle Park: 4800 Guadalupe Street, Austin,TX 78798!  If you miss today's check out the events calendar below for a future fun adventure.

Every Saturday (year-round) and Wednesday (year-round) award-winning downtown farmers' market featuring local farmers with vegetables, fruits, herbs, eggs and cheeses; kindly raised poultry, pork, beef and buffalo; and beautiful Hill Country flowers.  Also local bakers, honey, tea, juice, coffee, prepared foods and artisans.  Celebrated chef's demos, gardening workshops, children's activities and live music from Austin's best local bands.

Saturdays from 8am to 1pm Rain or Shine, YEAR-ROUND.  Free parking at 3rd & San Antonio, state parking garage.  Downtown at Fourth and Guadalupe at Republic State Park.

Wednesdays from 3pm-7pm Oct.31-March 5; 4pm-8pm March 12-October at Triangle Park in The Triangle Rain or Shine; May YEAR-ROUND 46th between Lamar and Guadalupe.  Free parking in the garage west of 46th and Triangle Ave. by the park.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Wednesday, November  25th                                       Saturday, December 5th
Austin Farmers Market                                                   Austin Farmers Market   
when: 3:00pm, Austin,TX                                               when: 8:00am, Austin,TX
venue:  Triangle Park                                                      venue:  Republic Square Park

Saturday, November 28th                                               Wednesday, December 9th
Austin Farmers Market                                                     Austin Farmers Market
when: 8:00am, Austin,TX                                                when: 3:00pm, Austin,TX
venue:  Republic Square Park                                         venue:  Triangle Park

Wednesday, December 2nd
Austin Farmers Market
when: 3:00pm, Austin,TX
venue:  Triangle Park

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration in church Sunday at River Bend Church led by our creative arts team.  What a heartwarming music extravaganza! 

We all were inspired to give thanks for what we currently have and what will come in the future. Carton Dillard exuded such enthusiasm and energy while leading the creative arts team...his manner was infectious and downright contagious!  His arms were pumping and waving with such force you could feel the musicians and singers respond to his movements and direction. I thought of the defensive team coordinator for UT: Will Muschamp.  He runs back and forth on the sidelines and sometimes on the field constantly shouting plays and directions to his football players.  He is in the game with them and they are acutely aware of his expectations. 

What do they have in common?  Their exuburance for life and their job!  Both display such a strong love for what they do it is downright contagious!  

Do you display this kind of passion for your work?  If not why and how can you bring yourself to that level of committment?

There are many that feel they are an optimist...always looking at a glass half full...always thinking positive...always saying something good about a situation or another person.

But I believe a true optomist is one like Irv Kupcinet refers to:

"An Optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day"
                                                                                                             ... Irv Kupcinet

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

If you have not been to China Town Center on Lamar Ave. you need to make it a priority soon!  It opened in 2006 but took awhile to open all 180,000 square feet of retail space! 

They have a wide range of authentic restaurants, stores and Central Texas largest Asian supermarket "MT Supermarket".

The center is located at the intersection of Lamar and Kramer Lane (1901 N. Lamar Blvd).
We went to TC Noodle House and had the most delicious authentic Chinese food! We went back the next day to take pictures and Geno could not resist going in to get noodles for his lunch.  We will be back to check out the many other restaurants.  
Their 2010 Chinese New Year Festival will be Saturday - Sunday, 2/20/2010 - 2/21/2010.  Their past celebrations have been exciting and greatly attended.  They are taking applications for performers and vendors so make sure you check out their website at: http://www.chinatownaustin.com

Marie Funston with Coldwell Banker Mortgage always keeps us updated on changes in the lending industry (which this past year has been numerous).  For further information you can reach her at 512-750-7270 or marie@austinmortgageadvisor.com. Her latest advisory is about the new FHA Requirements being implemented as of January 1,2010:

Effective for FHA case numbers issue as of January 1, 2010, there are new requirements for FHA case numbers affecting all lenders originating FHA-insured mortgages:

The new FHA requirements are in line with the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC), which became effective May 1, 2009, on conventional loans.

Here is a brief summary of the new FHA appraisal rules:

• The appraisal validity period is reduced to four months for all property types.  Previously, appraisals were valid for six months on existing properties and up to 12 months for new construction.
• Appraisal portability.  When a customer switches from one lender to the other, the first lender must transfer the appraisal to the second lender at the customer's request to prevent delays in closing.
• Loan production staff is prohibited from selecting or recommending an FHA-roster appraiser.  This includes anyone who is compensated for closing a loan, such as an originator (loan officer), loan processor, or anyone reporting to a member of the production staff.
• Loan production staff is prohibited from communicating with the appraiser.

It's an interesting market in Austin.  I read many articles about our local market and one newsletter I like to make time for is written by Joe Thweatt with Land Mortgage. Contact Joe at 512-583-1008 or jthweatt@landmtg.com.

Joe talks about the possibility of a housing shortage in Austin.  Is he kidding?  His newsletter peaked my interest.  Joe talks about the money stream for Austin homebuilders slowing to a trickle.  The construction of new homes has been curtailed rather dramatically.  Many home builders have lost spec homes to foreclosures or are "short-selling" them for less than it costs to build them.  

There will be ActiveRain families taking off today or over the weekend to be with family over the Thanksgiving week. Many will be the destination point for other family members to come help celebrate. 

Be careful and take time in the hustle and bustle to remember what the holiday is all about. 

Ray Stannard Baker (David Grayson) sums it up best:

"Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life...a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seed time and harvest, and the ripe product of the fear and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God."

Happy Thanksgiving!  It is wonderful to have many things to be thankful for this season.