huntsville tx: Write on Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 10/01/09 06:16 PM
Write on!!!
Write what you wanna write about, when you wanna write about it.  Readers may choose to read or not to read, that is not EVEN the question. This truth is really self evident.
Blogging is one of those things that is still being defined and will continue to be because of its very nature.  The medium will not stand still long enough to be defined. 
Who knows what is the right or wrong kind of blog?
Are keywwords the golden calf?
Is it worth the time to just express yourself?
Keywords are important if that, indeed is your only mission.  (Lake … (2 comments)

huntsville tx: Killer and Birthing "Memories at Activerain" - 09/24/09 05:28 PM
My Favorite memory at ActiveRain?  The day I realized I couldn't "break it." (Active Rain -that is) 
I was so nervous about "doing it right." (blogging, that is)  I read all this stuff about how newbies can avoid blogging pitfalls, etc.  I know there are pitfalls in which to well--fall, and ways you can tick someone off by you lack of blogging prowess.  I became free when I just "did it anyway."  I realized well, I needed to try it--I couldn't break it.
I started blogging, searching ActiveRain  for stuff to learn about Real Estate, lending, how Active Rain works, interesting people … (7 comments)

huntsville tx: Love to Hate or Hate to Love..Cuban style - 09/24/09 04:22 PM
Love him or hate him--you must admit, he's brilliant.  Cuban, Mark Cuban that is,  is the owner of the NBA team the Dallas Mavericks--among other things.  He became a billionaire in the mid-90's when he and a friend came up with broadcast.com which started the audio broadcast wave on the internet.  The technology was bought by Yahoo for, let's say a lot of money.
Why do I love Mark?  His spirit.  He has been incredibly successful, buying the Dallas Mavs in 2000 and turning the franchise into a much more marketable and successful entity.  He gave them personality, pizzazz.  One of his … (7 comments)

huntsville tx: CRS Class--One of the Gems in Real Estate Education - 09/22/09 03:27 PM
I cannot think of much of anything that I enjoy more than learning.  Learning keeps me alive, keeps my senses sensing, my blood pumping.  Today's CRS class --CRS 206 Technology--that I attended, taught by CRS instructor Extraordinaire-- Allen F Hainge was excellent.  These types of classes continue to demonstrate to me the vastness of what I have yet to learn.
Hope is the bud of a flower in an eternal spring.  Regeneration never ceases.
Woah--What's up with me tonight?  I guess I really feel inspired.  I have just had my head down just working away for a long time.  I feel like … (6 comments)

huntsville tx: A Fall From Grace--In Front of Everyone - 09/20/09 05:39 PM
A Fall From Grace--In Front of Everyone.  This is not my first blog about the Texas Rangers, but it is my first about Hank Blaylock.  How tough must it be to be not just a starter, but a psuedo-superstar.  There were so many fans of Hank.  there were even "Hank's Homies" that made an incredible statement at the games in support of Hank.
What has happened?  Hard enough to be in a slump, but in the national spotlight in what may have been a pennant race?  That's the issue, what "may have been a pennant race."  We need someone to blame … (1 comments)

huntsville tx: The Debut of the New Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Arlington TX - 09/20/09 05:03 PM
What a night.  The Dallas Cowboys debuted in their new stadium.  It sure is pretty.  And how did it turn out?...a loss.  But, it was a huge night--the glam of the Oscars, touted as the 8th wonder of the world--what a place!  Unbelievable.  Over a Billion dollars--that's Billion with a "B."  It's kind of hard to wrap your head around--that much money--a thousand Million.
Lots of people have lots of opinions about the money spent and professional sports in general.  There is so much money on the line and when a team represents an area or city--what does that mean?  Are … (2 comments)

huntsville tx: FREE Money...Come and get it before it disappears - 09/16/09 05:38 PM
The $8000 tax credit.  Have you seen the latest ad from NAR.  It's done well and the message...well see for yourself:
http://www.realtor.org/home_buyers_and_sellers/2009_first_time_home_buyer_tax_credit 
This is huge.  If you are single and earn up to $75,000 or married with a combined income up to $150,000
Who Qualifies?
First-time home buyers who purchase homes between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.
To qualify as a "first-time home buyer" the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

Link To Frequently Asked Questions
Could you use an extra $8000 this year?  Think about … (2 comments)

huntsville tx: Death by Oysters?! --not likely in a month with an "R" - 09/16/09 01:09 PM
Death by Oysters?! --not likely in a month with an "R"
"R's" Rock! It's that time again--a month with an "R"--Do u know what that means? Eating RAW OYSTERS--
RAW OYSTERS, baby!   If you are not familiar, it has been said that you should only indulge in the succulence of raw oysters in months with an "R"--basically September through April--get it, the r's.  No R's in May, June, July or August.  Oops, got an "r" in there.  Dang it, again
So, to all of you raw oyster lovers out there--this is our time.  Oh, I remember oysters in South Padre one … (8 comments)

huntsville tx: Holy Cannoli--2300 sq ft+ waterfront at 209K!!! - 09/16/09 12:21 PM
Okay, say you've always wanted a waterfront property--you want to fish, have access to the open water--enjoy the good life, but haven't been able to afford it.  Here's your answer
A BEAUTIFUL 2300+ sq ft property on Lake Livingston only a couple of hours from Houston Click to see. 
Okay, here's the skinny: Well cared for, 2-car garage, brick, 2381 sq ft, gorgeous sunroom, wildlife including deer roaming in your yard 
Cap Cod style exterior
And have I told you about the view from the fishing dock and sunroom!
Think about weekends with family.  Invite the crew--you'll have … (0 comments)

huntsville tx: Remembering Hurricane Ike - 09/14/09 08:56 AM
September 13, 2008--Hurricane Ike strikes Galveston Bay and proceeds inland.  I live in Huntsville TX, we were not the most effected, but we got creamed.
So, here's the personal chronology:
I had just started in Real Estate.  I was at a closing of my very first sale at noon on Friday, September 12 2008.  It was all downhill from there.
I got home as quickly as I could, and my husband and I started bringing everything in from the outside, hummingbird feeders, bird feeders, hanging baskets, patio furniture.  We have 3, 4o+ foot porches--all with stuff on them.  Our house was … (6 comments)

huntsville tx: Elvis is in the building - 09/08/09 01:42 PM
Baseball and more baseball and Elvis,  The Elvis I speak of is Elvis Andrus of the Texas Rangers.  Shortstop extrordinaire and all of 21 years old.  Tonight, it's the Texas Rangers at the Cleveland Indians.  A double header as a result of the rain-out in Cleveland last night.
Even witjout our All-Stars. Michael Young and Josh Hamilton out on the disabled list, we are looking good.  Elvis Andrus just made the most incredible defensive play in the bottom of the 2nd in the second game--and he made the identical defensive play in the first game. He is definitely a future All-Star.  … (1 comments)

huntsville tx: "Pregnant" at 46 - 09/08/09 12:06 PM
You read that right, pregnant at 46.  I am pregnant with all things yet undone, but finally becoming able to do--you know in my second trimester.  It is time to give birth to everything I have always wanted to do.  What a great start, exchanging teaching for Real Estate, I get to help people find property and sell property and I have more freedom. 
I want to start painting again, I want to write songs again.  All those things and more.  Maybe, I'm not there quite yet, but you know, it feels good to be "pregnant" with the anticipation.  Reaching my goals … (5 comments)

huntsville tx: I love my "teaser" - 09/08/09 11:47 AM
My husband and I were having lunch over the weekend and overheard a great conversation at the table next to us.  They were talking about how much they loved their "teaser."  "Mal-Teasers" of course.  Hey wait a minute, I thought we were the only ones who knew the secret language of the white dog fan club. 
A Maltese is the most elegant of all dogs.  They are brilliant, beautiful, loyal and oh...so lovable.  My little baby Carmen is my only child and oh, so spoiled.  I tell my husband it's all his fault, but I know the truth--it's both of us.  When … (5 comments)

huntsville tx: Music and the soul - 09/08/09 10:38 AM
As I sit and listen to my favorite Norah Jones recordings and still sense the presence of the melodious strains of Andrea Bocelli that played just before, I am in wonderment still about how music soothes the soul.
Not that this is a new concept for me.  Music really has been my life.  I have been a professional singer, taught for more years than I care to mention, yet it always takes my breath away how simple it is--music begets metamorphosis.  Metamorphosis of the spirit.  Good music beckons the inner being to become part of it.  It wraps you and holds you.  … (6 comments)

huntsville tx: Big and Small--A short, short story of moved cheese - 09/08/09 09:49 AM

Some days you feel bigger than other days.  Some days you feel teeny-weeny and powerless.  I think is has something to do with moved cheese.
Yep, you heard me right--moved cheese.  It's been several years since I read the book, but sometimes I feel like it doesn't matter if you read it yesterday, it's just so durn difficult to remember. 
 
If you are not familiar with the book http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/
Cheese is all about growth, not size.  And remember, relative proportion sometimes smells like bad cheese.
(0 comments)

huntsville tx: There's a frog in my shoe! and 5 steps to snake killin' - 09/08/09 08:51 AM
Yes, this is all about critters.  If you do not like critters, you may want to turn the channel or look away.
Today as my husband was putting on his tennis shoes to begin to mow the lawn, a strange thing happened.  Well, it's in the title....there's a frog in my shoe! ( If you are wondering, he keeps them on the back porch.)
But wait, there have been some critters in the house lately.  Have I told you about the copperhead in the recliner?  No, well that was a good one.
A couple of weeks ago in the middle of the night, … (5 comments)

huntsville tx: Pinto Beans Rock--Easy recipe! - 09/07/09 02:21 PM
Okay...here's a recipe for the best pintos ever and EASY.
dried pintos--boil for about 5 minutes, then rinse
-place in crock pot on high.
add the following
-fill water in the crock pot a couple inches over the beans.
-salt pork (a good hunk---tee-hee about 3 inch by 1 inch chunk)
-1 chopped onion
-3 TB "pinto bean seasoning"-"Fiesta Brand" at Wal-Mart
-3 TB cider vinegar
-2 sliced jalapenos (seeds, ribs and all)
-pinch of salt at the end of cooking.
-cook on high for 6-8 hours
AWESOME! enjoy
(5 comments)

huntsville tx: Wii--kend - 09/07/09 01:41 PM
Wow, a Wii
It's so cool.  We just played baseball.  I must be the last person on the planet to get a WiiSport.  It is amazing to me how sensitive the sensor is.  I know I am not a real baseball player, nor do I play one on TV, but it seems that there is a real sense of timing involved to hit the ball straight, etc.
My husband was just bowling.  That was fun---for me.  The little Wii people have little ball hands,
This may be helpful for the Wii enthusiasts out there.  I bought those kind of connect together soft … (5 comments)

huntsville tx: Another holiday weekend - 09/07/09 12:11 PM
The spool is emptying, the film rolls toward the final credits to this Labor Day weekend.
How relaxing.  It seems not much of anyone is working this weekend, or maybe that feeling is a simple reflection of my choices this weekend.
Feels good--feels great. Sleep is so not overrated.  How appropriate, the title of the lovely music playing right now in my living room is titled, "A Moment's Peace."  So very cool. 
I am looking forward to a great and exciting week.  And also, more days like today, which included strenuous activities like sitting on the porch watching the birds, and … (4 comments)

huntsville tx: Have we become too informal? - 09/07/09 10:44 AM
 Have we become too informal?
In an age where most restaurants welcome shorts and flipflops, the absence of formal living areas in homes (that is my token real estate reference), no more hats if they are not either cowboy hats (which are Texas Formal), or backwards baseball caps, ladies without gloves and the younger generation seeing such as "martian-like" behavior as they seem "far-out" social standards
 Ozzie and Harriet-hey, I'm old and and I barely remember them, and the "The Beave," with the gentle yet offensively didactic moral lessons. Let's face it, there was no cussing on shows or the … (37 comments)