AnnaBanana's Blog

Gruene Wine Fest

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:39:44 -0500

Almost forgot this one. Was driving my usual way, cutting down Hunter Road to where it intersects with Gruene Rd. Right at the front door of Gruene Hall, usually cut down tot he right use the new "Not so Low" Low water bridge, check the river and head on towards downtown New Braunfels. I live here and I get to do this daily, as a result I tend to get a bit testy with the touristas. They are usually nice & they are very necessary to our economy but they don't realize that this is a street not a pedestrian zone. Forgive me, I digress, the place was jumpin'. There were people everywhere, busses, trams, cars and people all over the place.

If I had only remembered we would have attended

http://www.gruenemusicandwinefest.org

If you can snag a ticket - get over there!

Mozie on down to Gruene

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:19:33 -0500

Great day in New Braunfels, ran some errands, went to lunch at Mozies in Gruene. A friend and I dropped in to Mozies on Today a little after noon. Pleasantly busy, but not crowded, we were lucky enough to snag the table near the front door. From there we could watch all the tourista action at Gruene Hall and around the shops. This is a really great location - a sliver of a building, about the width of two bowling lanes but longer. The interior is industrial Loft meets Texas Hill Country. Comfortable chairs, Good old fashioned, full bar and backbar, lots of windows, ameable bartender and waitstaff finish the picture. They also air condition the heck out of it. Something only a person from South Texas can truly appreciate

Mozies has a varied menu with emphasis on what I could only call pub food, red meat, great fries, sliders and hot dogs. All of which can be washed down with their good selection of beers and wine, a list of sweet Martini's for the young & daring or great iced tea. I ordered the only vegetarian item on the menu - a "Grown-Up Grilled Cheese" sandwich. A good combination of gouda, fresh spinach & tomatoes on great bread. Well prepared and served with crisp shoestring fries it was a very satisfying lunch or dinner.

The service was attentive without being overbearing, people watching is great, food more than expected - all this and they even offered us a roadie cup for our tea. WoW! All within walking distance of the Guad.

Rain in New Braunfels

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:47:11 -0500

I have been out of the loop for a while, working and not working. Reading a lot and showing houses. This past weekend in Comal County TX was exciting. For the past 20 months or so, we have been in a record setting drought and record setting summer of heat. More day of triple digit heat than South Texas has ever experienced in recorded history. The heat broke a couple of weeks ago. The drought, while not broken, was severely dented this weekend. It was nice to have a day of Sturm and Dunder. The rain and darkness were a welcome change from the dead white heat of this past summer.

Unfortunately when the rain hits around here, it tends to come in big bunches. We had 6 -9 inches is a very short amount of time. Not a record by any means but a nice start. I guess I should confess here that I am a weather freak. In college, I had a choice between geology and meteorology. I chose the one taught by the late Dr. John Freeman, director of the Gulf Coast Storm Research Center. Learned to identify clouds,, weather patterns, all sorts of stuff that has now been replaced by better knowledge from satilites and all kinds of radar. I also remember when Dan Rather was on Channel 11 in Houston showing us the crude radar from the old airport in Galveston, where he had holed up for Hurrican Carla. It was a fuzzy black and white picture but there really was an eye in the center of it. I believe it was the very first time a picture of a hurrican had ever been broadcast live. Yes, I am THAT old.

Hubby and I went out Sunday just to check on friends who live on the Guadalupe and Comal - Comal was a nasty looking ugly brown mess below where the Dry Comal joind it. The Tube Chute, the dam and the tuber bypass were all one ugly brown milk chocolate flow. Up on Hinman island the water was calmer and an odd reddish hue. Over at what used to be the Low Water crossing at Gruene - the bridge was doing it's job and well above the flow. At least the green slimy moss from the long hot summer was washed away. Yay, Fall!

My Day, My Say 3/6/2009

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:04:55 -0600

Nothing much to say except that we need to enjoy each and every day as it comes. I took the boys to the park last week, we walked, we sniffed, we got chased by the geese. It was a good day.

I highly reccommend that if you can, take a walk in your park. Wherever it takes you, it's the getting there that's important.

My Day, My Say 2/28/2009

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 23:27:59 -0600

On the way home from San Antonio today, I took a side trip to look for inspiration at the Antique Rose Emporium. In the early 1980's owner Doug Shoup could be found out in the cow pastures around Independence, TX "RoseRustling" or liberating the old fashioned roses growing around there.His business has thrived and in addition to the absolutely beautiful location in Independence & a large mailorder business, he opened a place between Rolling Oaks Mall and Bracken north of San Antonio.

Since I was looking for inspiration, I expected color but it seems I was a bit early. As you can see, most of the color available was in the pottery. Not much is blooming yet but you can feel it gathering strength and beginning to swell towards spring. While I couldn't afford any of these glorious pots, I did buy some prostrate Rosemary, a Copper Canyon Daisy and something called "Dot Grass" for my yard - NONE of which the deer are going to eat.

Hey, it's spring - a time of HOPE - in all aspects of life.

I intend to enjoy all of it.

My Day, My Say 2/24/2009

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:57:46 -0600

I took this picture last fall on the river (Guadalupe) It's not remarkable but it reminds me of life. As we age we look back and see a blur of colors & textures, some bright, some dark. A few pieces of gold stand out.

While reading an obituary (yes, I confess, I am addicted) one stood out. A lovely photo of a young woman taken in the late 1930's. Obviously her graduation picture. She was a child of the depression, her father had moved all over the oilfields of Texas and Louisiana but she had graduated from highschool with honors. Every accolade she had won was recounted. Miss This, President of That .... Then she got married and had children. That's all, merely a list of her survivors. This woman lived for another 80 years, but for her the gold was way back in school.

I realize that her life was much more than the sum of her public school experiences and that husband and her children are the stars of her life but what do you want your "Stand Out" golden moments to be?

My Day, My Say 2/24/2009

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:34:36 -0600

My Day, My Say 2/22/09

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:17:05 -0600

I read a report today from Richard Fillip, RE/MAX of Texas. In it, he stated that 50% of all new jobs created in America in 2008 were in Texas.

Think some of those jobs could be in places like this? As REALTORS we are at the center of a new energy revolution.

There is nothing like being at the right place at the right time!

Now, get to work.

My Day, My Say

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:56:49 -0600

Driving around this afternoon doing some real estate duties....I spied this huge water tower in Cibolo. A rapidly growing community NE of San Antonio. One of the things I love about doing errands is the unexpected. Less than a mile away, on the same side of the street, is this:

Immediately followed by a huge new elementary school....

In the center of what is rapidly becoming a city, a real symbol of our closely held rural roots. Followed by the hope of everyone's future - our children.

Somehow, it all still works in Texas.

2/21/2009 My Day, My say

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:20:47 -0600

My day, My say!

Immediately followed by a huge new elementary school....

In the center of what is rapidly becoming a city, a real symbol of our closely held rural roots. Followed by the hope of everyone's future - our children.

Somehow, it all still works in Texas.

I'm Baaack! and Texas Rocks!

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:51:36 -0500

I've been gone for a while - and well, I've only been writing when I have to. Like checks and stuff like that.

Since I wrote my last post, My husband and I went to San Francisco for an Aunt's 90th birthday celebration, cruised all over Alaska and ended up in Seattle. While on this really great 36th Anniversery trip and with the use of technology, I was able to put a house under contract while at sea! Is that cool? I also began using Docusign and found out that most of the world is afraid of it. Clients would rather fax documents into oblivion than attempt to use a new product. Anybody else out there have any similar experiences with technophobes?

Gotto go serve some dinner. I'll be back soon'

Gruene River Bridge is DOWN and going back up Part Duex

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:47:38 -0600

Made it by the the lowater yesterday. Looks like the TXDot or whomever is getting busy. There are now 3 stantions up and the Rockin'R side of the river approach seems to be shaping up. Since it was raining yesterday, there was absolutely no one down there - a rarity. No matter the weather, there are usually half a dozen Harley's parked at Bubba's Big Deck. Anyway, I still don't know if they are going to be meeting the target date of Memorial Day weekend. We'll see... The picture is lacking in quality because when I got to the river...I didn't have my camera and took this with my phone.

Child Safety???

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:03:17 -0600

Here's another blast from the past. While wondering around in Guadalupe county, I found an abandoned building, I spied this inside a broken window. Does anyone remember this type of child "Safety Seat"?

It is a real improvement from the one I was plunked down in, but mine did have a canvas seat and a bright blue steering wheel with a red horn in the center. For some reason the red horn didn't work too long. Do you think it might have been disabled by one of the grownups in the car? Anyway, this appears to be from the late 60's maybe? I do remember that this was the best there was. If you know anything about it, let me know. I think it was built for the convenience of the parent, Not the safety of the child, no shoulder harness, flimsy supports, at least the bumper in the front is padded, sort of.

It's a wonder that anyone over the age of 40 survived their childhood. I have ridden horses since I was 4, Hunter Jumper & not once have I had a helmet on. Same goes with bicycles & rollerskates. My kid, on the other hand, has ALWAYS worn a helmet on horses and almost always on a bike. She lives in Palo Alto CA now, so it's the law.

I find it amazing that now I NEVER get into a car without using my seatbelt. This after NEVER using one in my youth, why? Because they weren't available. I won't drive my clients in my car unless they too BUCKLE UP!

So don't forget it, if I can, you can.

The Starlight

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:24:50 -0600

I didn't make it down to the lowater bridge this weekend...but I did need to kill some time in the Schertz/Cibolo area today. Found some interesting "artifacts" while I was driving around. The Starlight Theatre is in Schertz on Highway 78. This community was voted one of the top 40 places to live in the US and is the top ranked city in Texas. It lies between our little town of New Braunfels and San Antonio. I know there are old drive-ins everywhere but this one seemed to stand out. I'm amazed that no one has "liberated" the sign itself. It's in surprisingly good condition and it has a great sense of style. I love old advertising art and this is a great example. I'd love to know something about the history of the place - other than the "submarine races" that were waged in the back rows. There are a lot of interesting things to see...if you just take the time to look.

Gruene River Bridge is DOWN and going back up!

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:43:45 -0600

The old low-water bridge on Gruene road leading from New Braunfels to Gruene has been torn down and is slowly being rebuilt. If you understand that everyone around here loved the bridge, but realized that it was dangerous, deadly and the time had come for it be replaced. We loved it on lazy hot summer afternoons, even if we weren't in the water, it was always fun to take a slow drive through the shopping tourists, down the big hill and over the bridge. You always had to drive extremely slow and cautiously due to the fact that the toobers exiting the river had a tendency to walk into stopped cars after several hours of merriment dragging a now empty cooler down river.

While all the locals and I can only assume more than a few outlanders are going to miss the old bridge. We are all looking forward to the wonderful new bridge that is due to open for Memorial Day of this year. We have been assured that the unblocked view of the river will still be available. I'm checking up on them every week or so and will keep the pictures coming.

BIG WATER VIEWS of Lake McQueeney

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:10:50 -0600

The oldest rule of real estate is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. This property proves the rule.

Almost an acre of prime waterfront land that has been in the same family since beautiful Lake McQueeney was built. It is situated higher than the dam and as a result, it has never flooded. There is an inground pool, a workshop/garage, a large family home, a boat house, all with over 170ft of improved waterfront, shaded by huge old trees. You can look down on the dam, watch the action at the SKI LODGE, and keep an eye on Treasure Island, all without leaving your hammock. The value of this property is in its LOCATION!

NO RESTRICTIONS on the property, you could build an intimate resort, a multi family retreat or a lakefront mansion

Call Anna @ RE/MAX N-SA For more information 830-708-0655 direct or 210-650-6700 office

Winter in Texas

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:04:13 -0600

The weather outside is delightful, a fire would be so frightful....Yep, it's winter in Texas again. The temperature was almost 80 today. The sky, while not quite a bluebird day, was at least partly cloudy. My husband and I are sitting here with the big sliding back door wide open at almost 8 PM, enjoying the fresh air and the light breeze.

What is happening? Is this Global Warming or just winter in South Texas? I have no idea; but since I have lived in this contrary state my entire life, I can say that within my adult life, on Christmas Day, I have both turned on the A/C because it was so darn hot...and used an ax to break the 4" ice on the pool. I love it here, just because the weather is so bizarre. Do you have any unusual TX weather stories? Like a 40 degree temperature drop in 10 minutes. Do tell.....because I love weather stories. What's happening where you are?

Jerry Lee Lewis

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:37:59 -0600

I don't know if you have to be invited to tell your shaggy dog's story, or not. Since my typing is currently handicapped by having a 16 lb, poodle on my chest, I figured I qualified.

My next door neighbor, a veterinarian works with the Animal Defense League in San Antonio. A pregnant mama poodle was dumped on their doorstep, she gave birth the next day. Needless to say, the neighbor brought home all three puppies as soon as they were old enough.

The only male of the litter was brought over and laid in my husband's lap (my hubby is handicapped) The dog was fiesty, rowdy and full of energy. Since he weighed almost 2 lbs at that time, my husband called him "Killer" I took it a step further and named him Jerry Lee Lewis, whose nick name is Killer. While this picture doesn't do him justice, I like it because he looks like he is an extra for Meerkat Manor!

Christmas Miracle

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:59:51 -0600

To everyone who has been following Lauren's saga; believe it or not, she had dinner at my house Christmas Day! She came home two days earlier and spent Christmas Eve in the emergency room, but she was there! Living, breathing, joking and playing she ate some of the Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding, Some of the ho-made rolls and even the Chocolate Pots de Creme. It was a true celebration of life in the best sense of the word.

There are still some mountains to cross, memories get confused and lost, then appear suddenly. Childhood joy returns to a "grownup" teenager. There are physical issues that need to be addessed but she is laughing, playing, doing her nails and being a young woman again. All of us at that dinner were affected by her presence. It was a pleasure

Cautionary Tale III

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:20:17 -0600

I have to go back to work today.. one of the nice things about being in real estate is that when an emergency arises, you have some time to deal with it.

Those of you who have been following Lauren's story will be please to know that she is slowly but surely still fighting her way out of the coma. With dialysis twice a day now, the removal of the poisons are allowing her better brain activity. She actually was able to free herself from her restraints and get out of bed! Much to the surprise of the nurses at 5:45 AM. Her family is now settling into the shock of what happened and how to deal with it. The police, and others are on the case. Even if this wasn't an intentional act, it is a criminal act of some sort that needs to be addressed. Possibly someone intentionally placed the ethylene glycol into a bottle on a shelf in a store. EVERYTHING that can be tested is being tested. There will be no publicity concerning this case until we find the truth. Until then, please be careful, please warn your children, grandchildren and be vigilant. We were all young and stupid once, we survived. Ten years ago, Lauren wouldn't have.

If we find out the who's. the what's and the where's on this, I will let you know. Until then, frankly, I need to concentrate on work and the upcoming Christmas season. My only baby is coming into town next week and I haven't begun to do anything! Your continuing thoughts and prayers are constantly appreciated.

A Cautionary Tale, Part II

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 21:31:34 -0600

Lauren is fighting her way out of the coma! Last night, it was as bad as it could be. The family was told that if she survived, there was no way to determine what her brain function would be. All of this heartache and fear, is because she was either accidentally or was intentionally poisoned with antifreeze in a dorm room at college. Late this morning she began to respond to hand squeezes, the respirator was removed and she began to fight to regain consciousness. There is hope. It is a very very good day to be alive.

It is amazing how an e-community of complete strangers can help. Her family is so very gratefull for the miraculous gift they have been given. I haven't told them about all of you that were praying for Lauren's recovery. Thank you all.

A Cautionary Tale

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:55:34 -0600

Life is so fragile.

I wrote a short post yesterday concerning my anticipated day. Nothing, absolutely nothing went as planned. I did have a nice property showing. Met some wonderful people and then was starting back towards town and Wassailfest as planned, when the phone rang. It was my friend, whom I was to meet downtown at 6. She had received the phone call that all parents have nightmares about: her 19 year old daughter was being taken to the hospital, unconscious for unknown reasons. Her tox-screens were clear. The child had to be lifeflighted to a critical care hospital in Austin, where it was finally discovered that somehow she had ingested anti-freeze. It is not yet known how this happened, there has been no history or evidence of drinking but she is a college freshman. The why's don't really matter...yet. She is now in a coma, on a respirator, on dialysis & had an EEG today to establish a brain function baseline. Day before yesterday she was cramming for finals.

We are asking questions constantly of our children, who, what where, when, how? What most of us want is for them to reach adulthood safe, happy and healthy. How do you handle the pain and guilt that an event like this is causing everyone involved?

Hug your husband, your wife, your kid or your dog today. Life is so very fragile. Let them know how you really feel about them. Right now.

Wassailfest Tonight!

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:59:46 -0600

Busy day ahead, take hubby for a doctor's appointment, an office party, showing property in the late afternoon, then off to pickup my buddy Jerry Lee Lewis (my white trash poodle) and go for a stroll in downtown New Braunfels for Wassailfest. Saying hello to everyone, checking out the store windows and judging the different types of wassail. Each office and company has their own special ingredient. Several years ago, it is rumored that one place, no longer open, used just a touch of bug repellant. So I will be on the watch for that faint tingle of "RealKill" on the palate;-)

I am planning on meeting a lot of friends there and hoping to pass out a ton of business cards, too. (It never hurts.) What are your plans during this holiday season? We are making a trip to Houston in a week or two for the dysfunctional "Animal House" family gathering we hold every few years. So far, no animals have been fried in the Chritmas tree...yet.

Whatever your plans, be sure to remember the reason for the season...and don't get too stressed about the "Stuff." I guarantee, in ten years, nobody will remember if the bows were just so, but they will remember if everyone was relaxed and had fun.

Fairy Godmother for Christmas

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:07:19 -0600

So much has happened the past couple of weeks. I haven't been able to write any blog entries because my old faithful laptop had a cardiac arrest. For a while, it looked as if there was going to be a family funeral but the computer was revived and I am assured that the newly transplanted hard drive will be as good as new. I find it amazing how this relatively new form of communication has taken over my life.

While real estate work has been slower than normal, I decided to do something entirely for myself - well not completely myself. First, some personal history; my mother was an Army Nurse, an Ohio farm girl, just out of nursing school when she entered the Army, "for the duration". It wasn't until the Women's Movement started in the late 60's that I realized exactly how extraordinary what she had done, really was. She was shipped to Australia, but ended up in the Phillippines. Immediately became a front line duty nurse decades before women were allowed to do such things. Her group relieved the few nurses that had survived the Bataan Death march and subsequent Japanese internment camps. I grew up hearing these stories like other kids heard about their mothers' going to high school football games.

We are at war again. By some twist of fate and real estate, I was brought into contact with a newly minted Army nurse from small town Illinois. She was sent to San Antonio for training and will be deployed to Iraq sometime next year. Her fiance followed her here this month. They were planning to get married at the courthouse. It isn't often that we get an opportunity to honor our parents memory and make memories for another generation at the same time.

I became a Fairy Godmother last week. In my former lifetime, I catered many weddings, funerals and even a bar mitzvah. So I went to work, made a wedding cake, ordered the flowers, found the location, planned and cooked the menu. Saturday, where the Comal river and the Guadalupe river join, this young couple was joined by a few friends, a minister and one Fairy Godmother. Memories were made and and honored, never to be forgotten.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i131/wrangler_chick82/wedding/wedding173.jpg

Punkin Pie

Anna Horton (RE/MAX North San Antonio II) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 22:26:04 -0600

I am female. I was born more than 50 years ago, so I was raised in a traditional home where the daddy gets up in the morning, goes to work, comes home to the little wife, the kids and a hot dinner on the table. Needless to say, that's not me, BUT I do have the skilz! Since the biggest cooking day of the year is upon us next week, I want to share a story of my first pumpkin pie. I was dating my husband, he had volunteered my 21 year old baking skills to his family... guess who was making the pies?

I was in college & had no car. If you are assuming mastadons were still roaming in the Montrose area of Houston, you are correct. I had to WALK all the way to Freaky Foods on Richmond Avenue to buy the ingredients for two pumpkin pies. Since this was before the Cuisinart had been invented AND Pillsbury wasn't marketing any pre-made crusts yet, I made pie dough using the two knife method for cutting-in the shortening. Add some icewater, then chill the dough. Sprinkle flour on the countertop to roll it out, place it in the pie pans, crimp the edges like Grandma did. Set everything in the refrigerator to chill, again. Well, my day is through, right? Wrong.

Oh, yeah, I still needed to make the innards. Pumpkin did come in cans in 1971, but you still needed to add the canned milk, spices and eggs to make the filling. I was doing this up right! There was even whole nutmeg to grate into the mix. By now, the tiny apartment kitchen was totally covered in a thick layer of flour and it was beginning to cover furniture in the living room, me too probably. I preheated the oven to the proper temperature, got the chilled crusts out of the fridge. Carefully pouring the filling all the way to the top of the pans, I soon realized that it was going to take at least an hour or more to clean up the mess in the kitchen. Opening the small oven, I gingerly placed the two pie pans on the shelf, pushing it ever so gently into the oven, only to have the shelf tilt backwards spilling the still liquid custard all over the bottom of the very hot oven. It was a monumental disaster. As the custard hit the bottom of the hot oven it hissed, sizzled and smoked. Turning off the oven, I opened all the windows and doors, tried to fan the smoke and smell out, finally gave up and sat there staring at the kitchen

I was still sitting there trying to figure out where to start when my husband-to-be showed up. When he finished laughing at my mess, he kissed me and told me that he always thought the best pies came from Luby's. We left my tiny apartment, bought a couple of pies at the closest cafeteria and lived happily ever after...the kitchen did get cleaned up, but not before Christmas.

How does this ANY of this relate to real estate? When it comes to important things like making the biggest investment in your life, hire a professional. Your time is best spent doing what you do best, let a REALTOR do what she does best.