Long Hollow

Mother's Day, Husband's Day, and other May Sweet!s

About 50 years ago, this little cutie was collecting turtles near the Magothy River ...pretty much having a Tom-Sawyer-like childhood in the Maryland woods where he grew up with his 8 brothers.

He just turned 60, but still loves playing in the woods around our house, discovering and observing wildlife, and he still looks pretty dang cute in a pair of shorts.

He's a little taller now, and his hair is tinted with silver, but I know behind that facade is the same mischievous cutie you see above. 

When he turned 50, we had a huge blow-out party, which included all of his brothers and most of their families converging on our house.

There were people sleeping all over the house. We even threw mattresses in my closet and a bathroom.

It was awesome and crazy, all at the same time! I can count on one hand how often all nine boys have been in the same place at the same time since I've known them. 

But this year he opted for a small party.  Just the kids, with hamburgers and cheesecake on the menu.

And at this very moment, he's enjoying a weekend of fishing and hiking with his sons. 

<whew>

Happy birthday, Tom!

 

Plans were in place to go see the new "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie for Mother's Day. My older son - the planner - had already bought tickets. But when I woke up Sunday morning, it was such a gorgeous day that another idea popped in my head...

...We should go hiking in the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge near our house instead! I have driven past the entrance so many times, but just never have had the time to go explore it.

Thank goodness my sons  were all for it and my older son was able to get a refund for the tickets. 

 

 It was totally the right decision. The views reminded me of how much I love living here in the Texas Hill Country. And the hike made me feel less guilty about the cheesecake I ate in honor of Tom's birthday. 

 

 (New tennis shoes are a recent 'sweet!'!)

 

Isn't it gorgeous? I can only imagine the sunsets viewed from up there.

 

Since both of my boys are Eagle Scouts, I really appreciated seeing another Eagle's project on the trail; he built these stands that help you see a little bit more of the vista. (I'm just guessing they do - I didn't test them out!)

After exploring all of the trails in this area, we drove to another part of the reserve called Doeskin Ranch, where trails meandered low along a creek, then headed up into the hills.  Different, but just as beautiful, and a good reminder of all of the different terrains you can find in the Texas Hill Country.

My middle son spotted this heart shape on a rock. I would have missed it!

 

 These unique flowers were growing near the creek. I only spotted this one bunch of them. Does anyone know what they are? They remind me of tulips! (But also a tiny bit of that flesh-eating plant on The Addams Family, so I didn't get any closer than this.)

 

Last week Belle learned the hard way she isn't really a puppy anymore. At least not physically. 

She chased one of our tenant rock squirrels into the woods, but hobbled back onto the porch on just three legs. Thank goodness, she didn't tear her ACL, as I feared, but only sprained it. 

After a week of leashed walks and blocking the stairs with an old suitcase and my rolling desk chair (which wasn't always effective) we ventured back down the road for a morning walk. The first one took awhile because of all the sniffing.

I guess a lot had gone on in the past week and she needed to get caught up, much like my email inbox or Facebook when I've been away from either for a couple of days.

 

 

Without furthur ado, here are a few other sweet! highlights from the past month...

~ Noticing a momma wild turkey and one of her chicks strolling beside the creek down below our back deck one morning, thanks to Belle, who noticed her first, but wasn't inclined to bark or run down to chase her.  

~ Learning I'm #7 in my market center for individual closed production so far this year. I'm so grateful to all of my clients who have trusted me to help them with their real estate needs, and to everyone who has recommended me to someone, since my business is almost 100% referral based.  I couldn't have reached this without them!

~ I don't have a hummingbird feeder, but almost every day I spot one zipping around on our back deck through my office window, and one morning he buzzed me when I was standing outside by the rail. (My cell phone case is red.)

How can you keep from smiling when you see a hummingbird?

~ Dinner with my cousin Pat. She was always so good about visiting my mom, and I'm grateful we still get together, even though it's not nearly often enough.

~ Finally having coffee with another UT mom who lives in Austin after months of trying to sync our schedules. 

~ A gorgeous hydrangea arrangement from my son and daughter-in-law for Mother's Day, and a bottle of port from TG and her BF. 

 

 The annual Keller Williams RED (Renew, Energize, Donate) Day was on May 11. Last year my market center converged on my mom's nursing home soon after her passing and worked on several projects, which included planting a pink rosebush in honor of my mom. 

This year we chose Open My World Therapeutic Riding Center as our RED Day nonprofit, helping with maintenance items like clearing rocks out of a riding lot, creating a butterfly garden, adding sensory stations to the riding path, building ramps/platforms to make it easier for clients to move from their wheelchairs to the backs of horses, and lots more. It's an amazing place and it was wonderful to be able to set aside a day of regular work to help them as they help others. 

(That's me in the shorts and blue and white hat. I was on the landscaping committee.)

~ I completed the Certified Home Marketing Specialist designation, which I started back in November! 

~ We have a new air conditioning system. Our awesome A/C guy had managed to patch up our old one the past few years, but warned us we'd need to purchase a new one. I'm grateful the old one held on long enough for us to have enough money to just write a check for the new one!

 An afternoon break with Belle... a yard full of Indian Blankets ... and a geranium to remind me of my mama. 

 

Our daughters shared adventures in Spain during high school, our sons are good friends, and now I've been able to help this sweet friend through the process of building a new home. Her phase inspections are going great!

~ My brother-in-law spent his birthday in the hospital getting checked out for a possible heart attack, but all of his tests came back great. We're not sure what caused his pain, but grateful to find he's in pretty good shape.

~ Back in junior high, I had a big crush on a friend's brother. We talked on the phone and wrote letters, then lost touch until Facebook came along. Now I'm helping him and his wife find retirement property. Life is weird and amazing!

 

Run-walking with Belle while I say my Rosary.

Sometimes we make it out in time to catch the sunrise from up the hill. And one day we timed it just right to meet up with a neighbor walking her two puppies, Levi and Willow. Belle had such a great time with them! And I enjoyed walking and gabbing with my neighbor. 

I've been working with a two great couples since last summer who wanted to purchase investment properties in Austin. They each wanted a place where their UT kids could live for now, and where they could possibly retire to in a few years.

They didn't know each other. One couple lives in Illinois, and the other in west Texas. 

It has been fun and educational getting to know them - we've looked at condos all over the Austin area on their trips here.  

But within a few days of each other, they all narrowed it down to a new complexes in south Austin. One couple closed on a really cute condo last week and the other closes in a couple of weeks.

It's always rewarding and exciting when that happens, but it also always makes me a little sad, knowing we won't be exploring properties together anymore. 

But it's incentive to stay in touch, as well as find more clients to help!

On our Mother's Day hike last week, I was just about to comment about how I hadn't seen any cactus blooms this year, thinking the season had already passed.

Before I could say anything, I noticed this beautiful bloom.  The season is just beginning. 

Hear blessings dropping their blossoms around you.

~Rumi

 

I had no idea...

I had no idea, when I decided to lug the recycling up to the bin tonight, that a full moon was waiting for me at the top of our winding path. It peeked at me from between the trees, but then BOO! there it was, resting just above the silhouetted hill in front of our house, shining bold and bright and casting shadows of trees across the dirt road. 

What a sweet surprise. I had no need for a flashlight -the moon cast a soft glow across my path. An echo of daylight.

I paused and embraced that moment...

...The moon, and its frame of wispy clouds.  The sprinkling of stars. The slight chill of a Texas autumn. Far off, I heard a car making its way through the hills. A dog barked.

Mostly, it was quiet and peaceful, and I let it just wash over me. 

I gave thanks. 

This can be a crazy time of year. And it can be a sad time of year, even while it's joyous.

It's like a rainbow. Or maybe a braid. 

Peace is often the weakest color. The weakest strand. 

We demand a lot of ourselves and our families. For instance, I was not going to let this Christmas go by without putting up my tree and decorations. But between me and that goal sat my mom's chest of drawers and my grandmother's cedar chest in the middle of my living room (not where furniture belongs), plus a bunch of boxes full of my mom's photo albums and of my own books still longing for a place on a shelf. 

I had one Saturday to find a place for the furniture , and then weed through all of my books, deciding who stays and who goes. so I had a spot for the tree.

And I did it. I admit I still have 3 or 4 boxes full of children's books stashed away until I have grandkids, but I filled several more boxes of books that will go to other homes. 

It was another week before I had time to actually decorate my house and tree. So I gave the task four hours (or, three favorite Christmas movies, however you want to put it), then had the kids put away all of the boxes, even though only about 2/3 of the decorations made it out.

But it was done. 

 

 

I'm trying to keep sight of what the season is all about than just be busy with the signs of the season.

For me, it's the season of Advent, which I've already written about HERE, and preparing for the coming of Christ.

Like other religions, that also means spending more time with family and friends, and showing your appreciation to them. It also means spending more time in reflection and prayer. 

But life, and work, continue, making the same demands as always.

Something's got to give.

We no longer do mandatory gift-giving, but I do still plan to send out cards, even though I send way more than I receive.

I just love the tradition. It makes me sit and think of each person on my list, to reminisce and give thanks they are still in my life. Even if it's just to send a Christmas card once a year. I've been sending my own since I was in 9th grade.

Actually, I had planned to work on cards this evening.... until I saw the moon.

Which made me say thanks, and made me think of other blessings in my life lately.

So, without further ado, here are some recent sweets...

 

Having all my kids together, and finally properly celebrating my 31st anniversary of becoming a mother. And, of course, my son's birthday. 

(Weird, wonderful coincidence: Two girls who graduated with my son gave birth to their firstborns on my son's birthday - so we share the anniversary! Isn't that amazing?)

 

An afternoon of food, friendship, and wine! We had been trying to schedule a day to meet at Flat Creek Estate Winery for about a year to take advantage of a raffle-prize group wine tasting, and finally managed it this past Sunday.

Of course, it was perfect timing, right in the middle of the holiday stress, to just sit and relax with friends you've known for ages, who know your ups and downs and are always cheering for you. 

...especially when you've just become a grandma like the beautiful un-grandmotherly-looking woman on the right, whose beautiful granddaughter was born on my son's birthday. 

 

The beauty of autumn leaves.

Each morning I run/walk with Belle down our dirt road, reciting the Rosary. I never quite finish, so I take a couple of laps around my house.

One day I noticed these leaves lying on our porch swing. I mean, I finally saw them lying there, and realized how beautiful they were. 

Sometimes we get too caught up in our habits - even good ones - to really pay attention, don't we?

 

Another morning I was jogging down the road and noticed a splash of red in the cedar trees.

Out of pure curiosity, I continued running past our house to see what it was. 

And I was glad I did. (Thank you, God!)

Yes, the beauty of autumn leaves. 

 

Being accepted as a member of the next Agent Leadership Council of our market center was a huge honor. You have to be in the top 20% of production - which I didn't even realize I had reached - plus go through an interview process.

And I made it!

Keller Williams is different in that agents help make big decisions in the operation of the office. We won't get paid for our time. It's just a way of giving back and trying to help make us even better.

We started with an all-day retreat last week... which started with breakfast tacos from Taco Donut Palace. (Remember, we're in Austin!)

 

One morning, after way, way too many gray, drizzly days, the clouds disappeared and we were given the most beautiful, crisp, clear sunrise.

That moment when the sun kisses my hollow is always so amazing, like a painter bringing his work to life, and especially after you've been starved for color. This photo doesn't do it justice, but I hope it gives you a hint. 

Definitely another "thank you" moment. 

 

 

Belle has a new friend. 

Our neighbor's cat, Willow, has started hanging around our place quite a bit. 

It made me nervous at first because Belle has a gung-ho hunting spirit, and I was afraid she would hurt (kill) Willow, without meaning to. 

But Willow is pretty savvy. She has not only survived, but seems to have the upper hand in the friendship most of the time.

Honestly, I know she's just here because of the mice and the bird feeder - and the slim hope of making it indoors. 

But seeing them together, especially during this political season that seems to never end, brings me hope that we can all focus on our common goals and interests. I know we have them. 

We don't have to give up our individual beliefs, but we can show respect for each other's. Fear is taking on way too much power in this country these days.

And that's what will be our downfall. Not our differences, but Fear.  

Don't let Fear guide you. Focus on hope, love, and peace. They are just as powerful.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season, full of love, hope, and peace. If you're missing loved ones, as I am, focus on the people you still have in your lives, on giving and sharing. I do believe it helps keep sadness from clouding the sweets all around us.

 

May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.
~Ada V. Hendricks

 

Slide Projectors and other sweets

 

 

Last Saturday night I pulled out my grandmother's slide projector, propped it on my kitchen table, and went back in time through the images splashed on the wall above our stairs. 

Most I had never seen before, like the one above of my grandmother standing in a field of bluebonnets. What you are seeing is actually an iPhone capture of the projection on my wall. I felt the need to share these with my siblings and cousins, and that was the fastest way.

The quality was greatly diminished, of course, but I felt it gave them the same dreamy quality I was feeling as they carried me back to my childhood.  To me, this one looks more like a painting than a photograph. Don't you think so?

One of my cousins (the one on the left in the image below) has offered to scan all of these. She is also the one who regularly visited my mom, always bringing new clothes and treats, so her generous offer doesn't surprise me. I am blessed to have her!

(The beauty on the right is my big sister. The little brat in the middle is me, of course.)

 

 

In my opinion, that was definitely a sweet way to spend a Saturday night, and the gratitude and reactions from my family even sweeter.

Here are some other sweet!s from the past week...

 

A tiny hummingbird appears to have taken up residence off of our back deck.

Since I no longer keep a hummingbird feeder, this seems strange to me.

(I read several years ago that the sugar-water can turn rancid really fast in the extreme heat of our Texas summers, potentially poisoning the little birds. It's necessary to change out the water often, and I don't trust my memory to do so.) 

So the semi-regular sightings of this busy little bird is such a joy. Several times it has flown close to me as I stand saying my prayers near the railing, and this morning it flew up to my library window, just a couple of feet away from me at my desk. 

My mother was partial to hummingbirds. I like to think she somehow has a hand in sending this one to say hello... and make me smile.

(How can you not smile when you see a hummingbird?)

 

I have no photos of it, but I do have this one of Lake Austin taken from a home an agent friend was holding open this afternoon.

I was on my way home from showing properties to a high school friend's son, so I decided to stop and say hi to my agent friend, and check out the listing. Three sweet!s in one trip!

 

 

I'm still working my way through the mountain of my mom's things in my living room. Yesterday's box was full of some items from her room at the nursing home.

Overall, I'm at peace with her passing. But for some reason emptying this box made me acutely aware of the physical absence of her from my life, especially seeing her Bible bag, which contained both her and Daddy's Bibles, along with several notes tucked in the pages, and also a cardboard Easter egg box I gave her full of Hershey's miniatures this past Easter. There were still several pieces of candy left. 

Now, I believe in heaven, and I know it is much better than chocolate. And I truly am happy that Mama is at peace and with Daddy now. But the tears came anyway, and I let them. 

I still count this as a sweet!, because to miss someone, they first had to be a part of you. To feel sorrow or sadness, you must have also felt joy and happiness and love.  

They were and I did. Amen. 

 

 

I had a second article published in TexasHillCountry.com called "Beyond the Bluebonnets - 5 Other Things You Should Know About Willow City", about a small town near Enchanted Rock, one of my favorite places. Yay!

Going to my office to pick up a commission check and discovering another one I hadn't expected!

Another University of Texas mom calling me for help, based on referrals from other parents.

 

One of my clients had specific requirements and a busy work-travel schedule. After working with her off and on for about a year, we finally closed on a property last week that turned out to be just what she was needing.  

We won in a multiple offer situation, so that was doubly sweet! To celebrate, we had lunch at the Shady Grove, one of my favorite restaurants. 

(This photo is of the back of the restaurant - taking a photo was an afterthought! But look at that tree!)

Summer nights... refreshing, soft breezes, stars speckling the sky, cicadas and frogs singing in the background. 

 

As usual, there were a few lakefront properties on the Lago Vista property tour this past week. I never get tired of seeing a full Lake Travis! 

Giving another agent a ride on the tour and getting to know her better.

Some friends from my church warning me they are trying to convince some friends in California it's time to move to Austin and want me to help them when the time comes. 

 

 

I spent the 4th of July outside, but not out on the lake or even in a park eating hot dogs and hamburgers. I took advantage of a holiday (and the sudden motivation) to mow our small front yard, organize my yard signs, and just generally clean up around the outside of our house.

Most importantly, I discovered the joy of a power blower! I had so much fun clearing the clippings and dead leaves off the porch floor... and then the small insect webs off the ceiling!

I didn't know it could do that! Much better than using a broom. 

Afterward, I rewarded myself with a Shiner Ruby Redbird beer on the porch swing. I don't normally drink beer, but it just seemed like the patriotic thing to do. 

(It was awesome!)

 

Despite the national tragedies of this past week, I hope all of you had plenty of sweet! moments. But more importantly, I hope you rededicated yourself to love and forgiveness, including forgiving the inexcusable. I believe it will take each of us doing that to attain true peace in our country and the world.

The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you. 

~John E. Southard

 

 

Oktoberfest, Lago Vista Style!

 

 

St. Mary Our Lady of the Lake's Oktoberfest tradition started way before we moved to Lago Vista. Some of the aspects of it change from year to year, but overall it remains the same in two areas:

1. it's a lot of fun

2. it's the main fundraiser for our small church

Those are two good reasons why you and your family should come visit us between 10 and 3 this Saturday, if you are anywhere near the Austin vicinity.

All proceeds benefit church organizations, such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society, who use it to help the disadvantaged in our community, provide scholarships, finance youth activities, and support local first-responders, the Lago Vista Volunteers, seminarians, and more.

Sure, I know ACL is going on downtown. But if you're looking for something to do for the whole family, away from the craziness of Zilker Park during ACL, look no farther. This is it!

 

 

There will be games for the kids, with prizes. Games for adults, with prizes. A zipline for the kids. A classic car "show and shine" for all ages. 

 

 

Inside the church you'll find a silent auction, handcrafted items, baked goods, and frozen casseroles (although those sell out fast so you need to get yours early! You can pay for it and pick it up when you're ready to leave.)

We'll have a dunking booth and a washer tournament, of course. What's a small town festival without those?

Come hungry. We're offering bratwurst, turkey legs, hamburgers, hot dogs, giant soft pretzels.... lots of choices! 

 

Of course, there will be beer. What's an Oktoberfest without beer? Live Oak Brewing Company, which is Austin's oldest brewery, has agreed once again to donate plenty of keg beer for the day, and Capital Wright Distributing is donating plenty of Miller Lite, Coors Light, and St. Pauli Girl beer.

 

 

By the way, thank you for your prayers for Father Joe. He passed away soon after I wrote my last post, surrounded by his family. 

This year's Oktoberfest will be bittersweet because of his passing. He pastored the church for forty years, guiding it as it grew from a small gathering of ten families in a rustic campground building to an established parish caring for over 300 families.

He saw Oktoberfest as a way for the parish and community to come together for a good cause, and get to know each other as one family in the process. That was always very important to him. 

Rest in peace, Father Joe.

 

 

So come on down and help us make it the best ever!

St. Mary Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 6100 Lohman Ford Rd., Lago Vista, TX

Saturday, October 10 from 10 am to 3 pm

If you can't join us on Saturday, please say a prayer for a successful Oktoberfest, and continue to pray for Father Joe's family. Thank you!

 

 

Finishing a blog post, and other sweet!s from September...

 

Tonight there's a super moon and lunar eclipse, all rolled into one event. I planned to take photos as the moon rose above the horizon, but discovered my camera battery was dead!

So I charged it some and then made it out in time to witness the eclipse with Daniel, who just arrived home safely from a weekend trip to west Texas with his brother, where they hiked through canyons, visited eclectic art exhibits, experienced a music festival, and even saw the Marfa lights. Sweet!

However, the photos I took of the eclipse are pretty lame because my equipment isn't quite high tech enough, so I'm not even going to share them here, but standing there in the quiet of the night with my son, watching the moon slowly turn dark, was just the peaceful break I needed after a hectic, high stress week. 

The thing is, September overflowed with sweet! moments, but it rushed by so fast, it was hard to really stop and savor them. So I'm determined to get back into the practice of recording them, in some form or fashion. And reviewing them here on my blog helps a lot!

So, working backward from the lunar eclipse, here are a few I've gathered this month...

 

Anticipation of an annual weekend at the beach with friends, which isn't as good as the actual weekend, but it's still a shining light full of hope! (This photo is from last year.)

 

Joining other council members from your church for an inspirational retreat. A peaceful setting, an energetic, passionate, funny leader, and a Pope Selfie, courtesy of an iPhone app! 

After viewing several properties with a young family, walking into yet another house and knowing immediately it was just the right one for them.

Remembering the night 34 years ago when you met your love for the very first time.

 

Walking your puppy in the glow of a glorious sunrise.

 

Finding out your friend has published another book! (Buy it on Amazon and I'll get a couple of pennies! Beneath this Mountain, by Byron Tully)

 

Thinking you're attending the surprise 30th birthday party of a girl/woman you've watched grow up, and then witnessing a proposal of marriage from her boyfriend who was supposed to still be in Iraq (on his 4th tour of duty, no less.) Whew! That was a lot of sweet!s for one night!

 

Hitting a pinata for the first time in 50 years! (This photo is obviously not me. It's my son, who got lots of practice thanks to all of his birthday parties growing up. But I do have a video of myself hitting it, courtesy of my daughter-in-law's cousin. (Thanks, Sierra!) I just have to say, hitting a pinata is GREAT therapy!)

 

Football Fiestas thrown by your kids. (My son and his wife are party meisters! Food, fun, activities, games, football on several televisions, and even crafts for all ages.) 

 

The Texas Capitol Rotunda.

 

Attending a Platinum Top 50 Real Estate Agents of Austin event at Lakeway Resort, and witnessing a gorgeous sunset on Lake Travis.

  

 Another sunset on Lake Travis.

 

 

Joining others to pray for a friend's baby grandson who will be undergoing heart surgery today, Tuesday, September 29. Please join us!

Celebrating a friend's birthday at an awesome Italian restaurant.

Not having to replace your whole air-conditioning system in your house... yet.

 

 Young love and heroes.

    Dinner and a movie with friends.

    Enjoying a performance by accordion players with your mom.

 

A day of sunshine and water on Lake Travis, with your son and daughter-in-law and friends.

 

 

Remembering and honoring a special person. 

 

(You may have guessed that I actually started this post last night. Probably even before that, but I had good intentions last night. What matters most, for me, is being able to look back through the quick iPhone photos to see that the month was truly full of special moments. Too often I let them pass and fade away, forgotten. Taken for granted.

Well, here's one for today. A sweet young couple closed on their current home today after having their offer on a new home accepted late last night. My job is full of ups and downs, but that was definitely one of the ups. 

So here's to an October full of balance and appreciation and focus, where no sweet! slips away unnoticed!)

 

"Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture."

~Kak Sri

 

Travisso! New Homes on the North Shore of Lake Travis

 

 

One of the perks of being a REALTOR® is receiving invitations to special events at new developments where we get sneak peeks at the model homes. Since I live on the north shore of Lake Travis, I had been watching the development of Travisso for months, eagerly waiting for a chance to check out the master-planned community nestled in the hills between Cedar Park and Lago Vista.

 

 

In September, I finally got my chance to drive past the amazing entrance and check out the model homes by builders Taylor-Morrison, Drees, Toll Brothers, Grand Haven Homes, and Highland Homes and find out more about this new community.

 

 

I discovered the development was presented by the people behind Steiner Ranch. That’s a pretty good resume, in itself. The homes will range from the $200s to the $800s – something for just about everyone! There will be over 10 miles of hike-and-bike trails winding through the community, enough so that the residents won’t have to drive to the amenity center which will be situated on a hilltop with awesome views of the surrounding hill country.

 

 

The amenity center will feature a resort-style pool, a work-out center, open-air pavilion, park and playscape, recreational fields, and tennis courts. Eventually the community will include over 2900 homesites, 355 acres of open space, a nature trail system, a 58-acre regional park, and 42 acres of commercial land.

 

 

All of this is just a short drive from Cedar Park and Austin in one direction, and Lago Vista and Marble Falls in the other direction. From personal experience, I can say the north shore of Lake Travis is a great place to call home.

 

 

I was recently asked to contribute to a blog/website about new homes and builders in the Austin area - and of course, I said yes!

This was my first post, published a few weeks ago. I haven't had time to write another. Heck, I'm scrambling for the time to post it here! But in real estate, busy is good, so I'm not complaining. 

If you want more information about new homes and builders in the Austin area, be sure to check out Builder Boost. 

Or better yet, give me a call, leave a comment, or send me an email. I'm never too busy to help someone sell their home and/or find a new one!  (I'm just too busy to write many blog posts!)

 

Here are a few more pics I took that day that may give you an idea of the area and the style of the builders...

 

 

 

 

House dogs, Hangar Parties, October(fests), and other sweet!s

 

Belle is snoring behind me, curled up on a purple and pink fringed blanket TG gave to her. The past couple of nights she's slept beside my bed on a small rug. She's getting better about sleeping through the night without waking me for attention. Just like a baby. 

I've never had a house dog before now. For one thing, I'm allergic to dogs, and it amazes me that I'm not a sniffling, wheezing mess right now. I haven't even taken an allergy pill.

Way back in the '70's, when I first brought my Siamese kitten home, I sneezed constantly for a week.  Then, like magic, I was fine. Maybe I built up a tolerance for Belle during those weeks she and Max lounged in the laundry room, out of the summer heat.

As much as I loved my cat (and miss having one) I have to admit that house dogs - especially country ones, used to being outside - are so much easier. No litter boxes to clean, for one thing. And when we leave, Belle just goes outside and guards the house from her bed on the porch until we return.

She follows me from room to room, and I'm really enjoying her company. It's eased that place in my heart that still misses my Max.

I dreamed of him two nights ago. He was lying beside me and I ran my hand through his long fur. It was a sweet dream, and having Belle near has been a calming, sweet comfort in a crazy-busy week which culminated in a crazy-busy, but fun, fun weekend.

Friday night I helped celebrate the anniversary of Waddle Auctioneers by dancing with friends to the music of  Groove Knight, an awesome band, in my friend Rachel's airplane hangar. It was bittersweet, though, since it was probably the very last party in that hangar. It's currently on the market.

(Know anyone who wants to buy an airplane hangar with a 5 bedroom home attached? You can catch some beautiful sunrises and sunsets!)

 

Saturday I spent the day pouring beer for customers and taking photos at my church's annual Oktoberfest. A friend's son works at a local brewery - Live Oak - and they donated a keg to our cause. (Thank you, Live Oak Brewing Company!)

The weather was perfect, I saw tons of familiar faces, and we ended up raising a lot of money that will be given back to our community.  

Sunday turned out all different than originally planned, but I'm learning to be flexible and it turned into a wonderful day, as well.

I had registered to run 5K in the Run for the Water downtown. However, by this weekend the rest of the family made plans to be out of town, and I realized there wouldn't be anyone home to feed or walk Belle!

So instead of driving downtown to run 5K at 7 am, I slept until 7 am and then ran a mile with Belle at dawn.  I figured the Gazelle Foundation benefited from my entry fee and it didn't really matter where I ran.

All in all, it was a good week. My mom made it through surgery just fine, and even though she isn't getting the quality of care I expect at the moment, I'm grateful she's close enough that I can step in and raise a little, um, heck until it gets on track. 

(Don't mess with my mama!)

Here are some other sweet!s from the past week...

 

 

Monday: pink clouds in the morning; a message from a potential new client waiting in your inbox when you wake up; your husband home safe and sound from his roadtrip; watching a family of cardinals have a bedtime snack at your feeder

Tuesday: catching up with friends and learning about personal safety at your office meeting; moving forward on a contract; a text from one of your mom's nurses, checking on her after a fall and ambulance ride to the hospital; being able to be by your mom's side when she's in great pain from a broken femur and facing surgery

Wednesday: good wishes, thoughts, and prayers from all over the world (thanks to Facebook!) for your mom as she undergoes surgery; laptops, smart phones, and wi-fi so you can work and stay in touch with loved ones while you wait; calls from potential new clients 

Thursday: cousins who visit your mom in the hospital; watching old movies with your mom; nurses who show special care for your mom

Friday: your mom making such great progress she's released from the hospital earlier than you expected; dancing with friends in a hangar to the awesome band Groove Knight

 

 

Saturday: working with your son in a church festival booth; a visit from your oldest; being close enough to see your mom every day and be sure she's getting the care she needs

 

 

Sunday: cutting yourself some slack by not trying to do everything; running at dawn with your puppy; watching an old, silly movie with your son; new real estate leads

Monday: waking to another new lead; hearing that your son and husband made it to their destination safe and sound; visiting your mom twice in one day; cheese popcorn; a dog snoring beside you as you work

 

I hope you all had a great week and this next is even better!

 

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

--Roger Caras