FOURTH OF JULY PARADE ~ THE WOODLANDS, TX - 06/29/10 08:21 PM
FOURTH OF JULY PARADE ~ THE WOODLANDS, TX.  The annual 4th of July Parade will be held on Saturday, July 3rd here in The Woodlands, Texas.
The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the corner of Grogan's Mill and Lake Woodlands Drive.
The theme this year is "Only in America". 

Local high school bands, drill teams, cheerleaders, dignitaries, horses and more will greet our residents for a great way to celebrate the 4th of July.
Come on out and support our wonderful parade!
… (4 comments)

13th ANNUAL RED, HOT & BLUE FESTIVAL ~ THE WOODLANDS, TX - 06/29/10 08:12 PM
13th ANNUAL RED, HOT & BLUE FESTIVAL ~ THE WOODLANDS, TX.  This Sunday, July 4th is the 13th annual Forth of July festival here in The Woodlands.  The Red, Hot & Blue Festival is a favorite for Woodlands residents.
 
From 6 - 10 p.m. at Town Green Park and the Waterway, come out and enjoy great food, contests, live music and more!
A huge fireworks extravaganza will complete the night as the sky will light up with one of the best fireworks shows in the entire Houston area.
Bring blankets and chairs and get ready to have a wonderful celebration!  … (3 comments)

THIS IS A PUNY POST! - 06/29/10 06:18 PM
THIS IS A PUNY POST!  I am a self-admitted Punster to the dismay of my family, friends and co-workers.  They roll their eyes and give me moans when I get on one of my Pun Runs.  I am just goofy like that and hope you will work with me on this!
Here are some of my favs:
Pick up a leaf -"Leaf me alone" 
"Lettuce pray"
"A salt with a deadly weapon"  Holding a salt shaker with a knife next to it.  (Lame but makes me laugh!)
My all time favorite:
The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small … (6 comments)

A NEW MOVIE-WATCHING EXPERIENCE! - 06/27/10 11:38 PM
 
A NEW MOVIE-WATCHING EXPERIENCE!  A Houston based company has created a dine-in movie concept that has arrived in Conroe!  Come enjoy a movie and have dinner too!  Star Cinema Grill is located at:
2000 I-45 Conroe, Texas 77301 Phone: 936-539-6088 Fax: 936-788-1956Email: starcinemagrillconroe@gmail.com
A waitstaff will attend to your needs and discreetly serve you while you enjoy the latest movie.  You can also enjoy a draft beer or a glass of wine while you unwind from the day.
The theater can also be rented for a special event or meeting.  My husband and I attended a college football game being … (7 comments)

HAR CONSUMER VIDEO SERIES ~ WHAT IS A BROKER? - 06/27/10 11:37 PM
HAR CONSUMER VIDEO SERIES ~ WHAT IS A BROKER? Is there a difference between being a licensed real estate agent and a license real estate Broker? The answer is YES! The Houston Association of Realtors has done an excellent job in explaining the differences. As a consumer, it is important to understand the concept of a real estate agent and a broker.
For more information with your real estate needs, contact Paula at Bandier Realty Partners. … (4 comments)

A LEAP OF FAITH - 06/27/10 11:34 PM
A LEAP OF FAITH!  I have had a lot of time to ponder the Leap of Faith that I took this week while at Crooked Creek Ranch.  The ropes course was beckoning and my husband and I of course HAD to give it a try.  While strapping into the harnesses the shear magnitude of the height is hard to comprehend.
As I stand in line for the zip line and watched those going before me, it still appears to be a great thrill and lots of fun.  As the young lady hooked my line up and we stood with our toes on the … (7 comments)

COMING HOME! - 06/27/10 05:52 PM
COMING HOME!  I am sitting in the Denver airport awaiting the return home to Houston and The Woodlands.  What a wonderful week this has been.  A great escape from the heat, real life, work and reality.  Having time in the mountains to get back to nature and unwind is a gift I shall cherish.
No matter how far from home we travel, coming home is still a wonderful thing.  Although I am coming home to face one of the biggest challenges of my life, getting back home to loved ones and real life is a blessing.  I am so grateful that … (10 comments)

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU...... - 06/25/10 05:50 PM
HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU.....  What a way to experience the beautiful Colorado Rockie Mountains than on the back of a steady horse!  Today we awoke bright and early and headed to the stables where we found the horses ready to take us on another adventure here at Crooked Creek Ranch.
We wound through the hidden trails within the trees to emerge onto the most beautiful sights ever!  As we came out of the woods, the magnificent view literally took your breath away!  I was doing good to stay on my mount as I snapped pictures at every turn.
We crossed over … (4 comments)

TAKE A HIKE! - 06/24/10 06:09 PM
TAKE A HIKE!  Today we took a hike with over 400 people from our Young Life Camp!  The entire camp took a trip up the mountain where we experienced some great views and a great lunch awaited us at the top!  Seeing the kids help one another and encourage those who wanted to stop was incredible!

It was a two and a half hour hike and the weather was perfect!  Below are some of the 70+ kids from The Woodlands that came to this camp.  It has been truly rewarding to see them bonding and being very supportive of one … (9 comments)

TAKING TIME TO PLAY! - 06/24/10 01:49 AM
TAKING TIME TO PLAY!  Vacation Day 3 and what a blast we are having.  What I have noticed the most is that the teenagers at this camp have relaxed into the camp mode and have now been electronic free for three days.  The end result is the beauty of seeing these teenagers out playing. 

These kids are truly playing!  They are running around laughing, being creative, allowing themselves to be real and just getting back to the basics.  Seeing this in action has been an awesome thing to witness.
As an adult guest, we too are being able to just … (9 comments)

DETAILS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE! - 06/22/10 01:53 AM
DETAILS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!  My husband and I are here in Fraser, Colorado at the Young Life Crooked Creek Camp.  This is like NO other camp experience that I have ever had.  This is a LUXURY resort like no other!

From the moment we first drove up to the entrance, we were met by enthusiastic staff members who offered us a cool glass of lemonade and fresh fruit!  Wow, what a pleasant surprise and how wonderful such a small detail this was.  Weary from the travel and having this as our first encounter was meaningful.
As we drove down the … (15 comments)

FIRST PEEK AT A PEAK! - 06/21/10 07:02 PM
FIRST PEEK AT A PEAK!  Day one as we drove up into the mountains from Denver and this picture is the first peak that we saw.  As a Texan, there is something really cool about seeing a snow-capped mountain.  I was like a kid in a candy shop!  As we rounded the curve and saw this sight we knew we were officially on vacation now!

I wish the picture was a little better but had to take this through the windshield.  For me, I wanted to remember the picture as it represents a week of no humidity, rest and relaxation.  … (6 comments)

ACTIVE FRIENDS ~ THE BEST AR SUCCESS! - 06/21/10 06:25 PM
ACTIVE FRIENDS ~ THE BEST AR SUCCESS!  Yesterday I met up with Cherise & Gordon Selley from Colorado Springs.  I met Cherise and Gorden via Active Rain.  When I joined back in February and began learning how to "walk in the RAIN", I quickly learned that the BEST part of AR was meeting new friends!
Cherise & Gordon began commenting and then subscribed to my Blog.  I in turn subscribed to theirs.  Over the past months, these two have become friends.  Cherise even called me after she read My Life By Design ~ My Life Defined in which I shared the health challenge … (33 comments)

YOU ARE INVITED TO MY VIRTUAL ACTIVE RAIN VACATION! - 06/20/10 02:04 AM
 
YOU ARE INVITED TO MY VIRTUAL ACTIVE RAIN VACATION! 
I am heading out to the beautiful mountain of Colorado and YOU my AR family are invited!   I AM taking my computer and look forward to seeing my AR family even while I vaca in the mountains. 
I am meeting a fellow AR member Cherise Selleyand her husband Gordon for lunch!  Of course we will take pictures and will write a post on this!  We have never met in person yet we feel like we should know one another as we visit each other on our daily Blogs.  How cool is that?
I … (8 comments)

HAVE DINNER ON THE LAKE ON THE SOUTHERN EMPRESS - 06/18/10 09:04 AM
 
HAVE DINNER ON THE LAKE ON THE SOUTHERN EMPRESS!  Wouldn't it be fun to have dinner on an 1800's replica riverboat right here on Lake Conroe?  The Southern Empress is a beautiful three-tiered boat that is docked right here on Lake Conroe at the April Plaza Marina.
Book a corporate event, a wedding, private party or simply a luncheon or dinner on this beautiful boat.  What a fun way to have dinner while cruising around the beautiful Lake Conroe?  Watch the sunset and relax on the deck with a drink in hand.
To book a reservation, go online or call 936-588-3000.
Happy Cruising!
… (6 comments)

New Listing in Carlton Woods! - 06/16/10 05:19 PM
New Listing in Carlton Woods! 

We have a wonderful new luxury lot listing in the prestigious neighborhood of Carlton Wood Nicklaus Course.  Carlton Woods is a completely private neighborhood with a 24 hour manned security gate.
Build your fabulous Luxury Estate Home on this 30,691 s.f. lot located on a private small lake and is on a cul-de-sac.  This lot is large enough to accomodate a large home with plenty of parking and yard.  If building a two-story home, the views are even greater with a view of yet another lake behind the property.
Carlton Woods is located in the … (4 comments)

IMPRESSIVE STATS FOR THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS - 06/16/10 09:48 AM
IMPRESSIVE STATS FOR THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS!   I attended the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber luncheon yesterday which featured The Woodlands Convention and Visitor's Bureau.  Nelda Blair, Chairman and Nick Wolda, President of the CVB both spoke on the importance of the tourism to our area.

Because The Woodlands has become a destination, the revenue in sales taxes has greatly benefitted the property owners here.  There is a delicate balance in achieving this and The Woodlands has been able to pull it off.
Here are some statistics learned yesterday:
Approximately 2.2 billion in annual aggregate spending in Montgomery County.  80% of this … (4 comments)

LEADERSHIP MONTGOMERY COUNTY APPLICATIONS DUE! - 06/15/10 12:18 AM
 
LEADERSHIP MONTGOMERY COUNTY APPLICATIONS DUE!  Today June 15, 2010 the applications for the Class of 2011 for Leadership Montgomery County are due by 5:00 p.m.  Applications MUST be received no later than 5 p.m. at the Chamber Offices around Montgomery County.
You can download the application by visiting the LMC website.  There is still time to get your application in if you get busy!  Being a part of this program is worth every minute.  It will be a year you won't forget.
I am fortunate to be a graduate of the Class of 2009.  I will never forget my year with … (5 comments)

TECHNIQUE IS THE KEY! - 06/14/10 09:52 AM
 
TECHNIQUE IS THE KEY!  Believe it or not, I played high school basketball.  Mind you, it was a small high school and if you were the least athletic, you were encouraged to be on the team.  Even though I stand a whopping 5'4, I enjoyed learning the game and being a part of this team.
This was no ordinary team however!  This was Leta Mae Andrew's team!  I have written before about Coach Andrews with the post entitled, It's Time to Thank a Teacher.  One of the main points that Coach Andrews taught us was that above everything else, TECHNIQUE was … (8 comments)

WHEW! WHAT AN AWESOME WEEK! - 06/11/10 10:04 PM
 
WHEW!  WHAT AN AWESOME WEEK!
I am still reeling from the incredible week in real estate!  The market is definitely BACK!  It is a great feeling to see things moving again and buyer confidence soaring!  I am exhausted yet thankful for the transactions going on.
Here is what happened for me personally this week:
ONE Listing SOLD!
ONE First Time Home buyer contract!
5 NEW LISTINGS!
TWO NEW CLIENTS!
Bandier Realty Partners is ready to help you with your residential and commercial real estate needs.  We have specialists in the REO, investment, tenant representation, land development, office buildings, warehouse, industrial,farm … (8 comments)

THE HISTORIC CRIGHTON THEATER ~ CONROE, TEXAS - 06/11/10 12:33 AM
 
THE HISTORIC CRIGHTON THEATER ~ CONROE, TEXAS!  Located right off of the square in downtown Conroe, Texas is the historic Crighton Theater.  For over 70 years, the Crighton has been a place of live entertainment and is still alive and well today.
This little gem continues today in the tradition of excellent live performances with plays, musicals, dance performances, musical performances and comedians.  The beautiful theatre has been refurbished while maintaining it's historic qualties.  Each season there are quality muscial and dramatic productions.
For more information on upcoming shows and tickets, visit the Crighton Theatre website today.
 
… (5 comments)

MOVED TO TEARS ~ SO WORTH WATCHING! - 06/09/10 04:35 PM
MOVED TO TEARS ~ SO WORTH WATCHING! This beautiful video was sent to me by a dear friend. I was so moved and wanted to share it with you all. What a fantastic message of love and unselfish human generosity. Please take time to watch this and the pass it on. You will be glad that you spent a few minutes watching. Enjoy!
… (10 comments)

MY DIRTY CINDERELLA STORY! - 06/09/10 08:58 AM
 
 
MY DIRTY CINDERELLA STORY!  Got your attention huh?  You bad thing you!  This really happened yesterday and I thought I would pass this along.  I just had to laugh at myself and the situation! 
I am out showing homes when one of those big Texas thunderstorms comes rolling through.  It rains like mad for about 10 minutes and then calms down.  Of course the next house I come to the lock box is on the side of the house.
As I gingerly step onto the wet grass to retrieve the key, my foot sinks into a sinkhole and wham!  … (13 comments)

A POSSIBLE BLACK HURRICANE? - 06/08/10 09:47 AM
 
A POSSIBLE BLACK HURRICANE?  Since we are officially into the hurricane season here along the Gulf Coast, the question has to be posed as to the impact of a hurricane hitting now with all of the oil in the Gulf?  As we endured IKE in 09 and listened to the wind and rain ravage our homes and businesses for hours, the horrific thought occurred to me that what if the wind and rain were mixed with black oil?  Can you imagine the mess?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Hurricanes are a REALITY and each year the … (11 comments)

THIS POST PUTS ME INTO THE SIX FIGURE ACTIVE RAIN CLUB! - 06/07/10 09:23 AM
 
THIS POST PUTS ME INTO THE SIX FIGURE ACTIVE RAIN CLUB!  When I joined Active Rain just four short months ago, I didn't understand the point system or how things really worked on this site.  Once I became familiar with commenting, writing posts, entering contests, etc. the points started racking up.  It has been fun watching them add up.
I thought getting to the six figure digits would take forever but low and behold, by staying focused and disciplined, those 100,000 points got there quickly.  I am SO excited to earn that little 100K symbol too!  Wow, I made it … (18 comments)

200th POST ~ TAKE A WALK IN THE RAIN WITH ME! - 06/07/10 08:52 AM
 
200th POST ~ TAKE A WALK IN THE RAIN WITH ME!  I am into my fifth month here on AR and can't believe that this is my 200th post already!  My family would say that I write like I talk - A LOT!  <grin>  I do have to say that I am having a blast writing and love the variety that I find on this site.
So, what have I been writing about?  Everything!  I try to write informative Localism posts, market information, some personal, humor, spiritual, concerns and challenges and many, many more.  Perhaps some days I just write what I … (6 comments)

MY FRIEND & COLLEAGUE NAMED NEW CHAMBER CHAIR! - 06/07/10 12:59 AM
MY FRIEND & COLLEAGUE NAMED NEW CHAMBER CHAIR!  My friend Nina Marino of Keller Williams was elected as the new incoming Chair to the South Montgomery County Chamber!  I am so tickled for Nina as she has been a faithful Chamber member for 25 years!

Nina was the Chair of my Leadership Montgomery Class and helped to make our year very memorable and fun.  Nina is an inspiration as she tirelessly gives back to our community is many, many ways.  I know that she will do a fantastic job as the new Chair!
Congrats Nina!  You make our Realtor community … (6 comments)

MARY ROSS CUSTOM HOMES ~ THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS - 06/07/10 12:38 AM
 
MARY ROSS CUSTOM HOMES ~ THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS! 
 
 Mary Ross is carrying on the tradition of excellence in custom homes here in The Woodlands and in the Woodforest Subdivision.  Mary has worked alongside one of the top builders in The Woodlands for many years.  When the opportunity opened up for Mary to form her own company she jumped on it.
Being a woman gives Mary a huge advantage as her attention to detail is second to none.  Mary does a finish out to a T and leaves nothing undone.  Her signature style is evident throughout each home she proudly … (5 comments)

LOVING THAT PHONE CALL FROM A FORMER CLIENT! - 06/07/10 12:14 AM
 
LOVING THAT PHONE CALL FROM A FORMER CLIENT!  I love it when the phone rings and you hear a voice from the past.  "Hello Paula, this is so and so and you sold us a home awhile back.  My son has moved here and needs to find a home.  Are you available to help him?"
When we do our job and make our clients happy, they refer us business!  I just love getting those calls and hearing from a past client like that.  This business really is about relationships - period!  Yes, the marketing and bells and whistles are important but … (6 comments)

Remember When You Were Young and Invincible?!?! - 06/04/10 11:43 PM
One more post that is truly deserving of re-blogging.  Adam wrote a very inspiring post not too long ago.  I have enjoyed re-reading it and thought you might too.  Adam, keep the great posts coming.  Thank you.
Via Adam Couto (Mind, Body and Sales for the Real Estate Professional):
Remember back when…to a time when you were fearless and free as a child. There were no deadlines. No judgments. No such thing as stress. No bills to pay. Time didn’t seem to matter much either. You were young, carefree and for all intensive purposes Invincible! You played Superheros and actually believed you were … (8 comments)

12 Tips for Sellers- Successful Open Houses - 06/04/10 11:38 PM
I found these Open House tips to be very simple yet effective and helpful.  Wanted to re-blog for the clients in my area.  Thanks Marilyn!
Via Marilyn Boudreaux (Century 21 Mike D. Bono & Co.'s):
12 Tips for Sellers
Successful Open Houses

My friend  Gary Schoeffler is a Broker with Prudential California Realty. Gary recently gave an Open House Class and shared these 12 Tips for Sellers:
   1. Keep the yard neat, lawn mowed, shoveled if necessary.  Walkway, entrance, porch should be clean and   uncluttered   2. Garage tidy   3. All the rooms should be neat and clean; remove excess knickknacks and … (1 comments)

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER! - 06/03/10 09:31 PM
 
SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!  Can you hear Alice Cooper singing the song???  Today was the final day of the school year and students can be heard outside splashing in the pool, laughing and playing and just being kids.  I always loved the last day of school.  I enjoyed taking all of those old papers and just dumping them into the trash! 
Ah the lazy days of summer!  With school being out, it is imperative for everyone to be on the alert while driving.  With the Kids zipping around on bikes and skate boards, take a few more seconds to look … (10 comments)

2010 NAMED HURRICANES ~ MY NAME IS ON THE LIST! - 06/03/10 12:02 AM
 
2010 NAMED HURRICANES ~ MY NAME IS ON THE LIST!  I just saw the list of the named hurricanes for the 2010 season.  Right there it was - PAULA!  Hmmm....Hurricane Paula.  Not sure what I think about having a possible hurricane with my name attached to it?  My husband however, would like to tell you that he has experienced Hurricane Paula already.  Ha ha!
On a serious note though, it is important for everyone to begin their preparations now in case we are hit with another IKE.  The Houston area faced many weeks without power and water.  Schools were closed … (7 comments)

THE DEPTH OF THE DEEP WATER OIL DISASTER! - 06/01/10 03:26 PM
 
THE DEPTH OF THE DEEP WATER OIL DISASTER!  The oil spill is certainly an environmental disaster that is making the news.  The other part of this disaster is the economic disaster to cities like Houston, Texas with many, many businesses that support the Oil & Gas industry.
In speaking with many of these top executives, there are major concerns with the call from many to completely halt deep water drilling for awhile.  This would completely shut down many of the secondary businesses that directly support the deep water drilling industry.  As a result, many of these smaller businesses would most … (6 comments)

HAR CLIENT GATEWAY FEATURE! - 06/01/10 01:49 AM

HAR CLIENT GATEWAY FEATURE!  Those of us lucky enough to be in the Houston area, we really do have one of the best MLS systems anywhere!  The Houston Association of Realtors site is user friendly, interactive and is constantly being improved upon.
One of the features that I enjoy the most is the Client Gateway application.  I am able to set up a site for my clients where I can enter all of the criteria that they are looking for in a home.  After putting in all of the selections that someone is looking for, they can begin receiving emails that … (5 comments)

 
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Paula McDonald, RE/MAX The Woodlands, TX 936-203-0279

The Woodlands, TX

More about me…

Chevaux Group, PLLC

Address: 26113 Oak Ridge Drive, Suite D, The Woodlands, TX, 77380

Office Phone: (936) 203-0279

Cell Phone: (936) 203-0279

Email Me

Contact Me
Interested in selling your home? Looking to BUY soon? Call me to get a professional estimate or to show you any property on the market!
Paula L. McDonald
Call: 936-203-0279
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