2018 - Day 365/0 - Monday...1704...New Years' Eve...

As further testament that there is indeed climate change (or possibly just confused flora) here is another photo of another set of Iris in the back just blooming their (there, they're) little hearts out. Bless them, they are really pretty, and just a hint of what is to come. Sorry that we are expecting to have a couple overnight temperatures below freezing, but the Iris seem to take it all in their (there, they're) stride. We shall see.

So...this is the last day of 2018. I have been reflecting on the past year. Many of you know that I am obsessive-compulsive. I wish I knew what event in my childhood sparked that particular trait, but I am stuck with it, and you, by default are as well. I am a list keeper. A number keeper. That particular hickey started about ten years (maybe a little more) ago, when the cattle did something to rupture a water pipe back in one of the pastures and we went through (thru, threw) about 50,000 gallons of water before we figured it out. So, I started keeping lists and meter readings. Ans, as the years passed (past), I added more things to the list of things that needed to be kept track of.

Here are the results of my list keeping for 2018: We used an obscene amount of water this past year, about 119 thousand gallons. There is a lot of landscaping that needs to be watered, so don't hate me. Plus cattle. Shut the front door. On brighter note for conservationists in the crowd, we only used about 40 thousand kilowatt (kWh) hours of electricity. I checked with Mrs. Google, and she said that the average house in the United States uses over 10 thousand kWh or electricity per month. We also returned 1147 kWh of electricity back to the grid, so that is a good thing. We had 37.8" of rain for the year, and we got 2,369 eggs (197.4 dozen) from the girls. At about 50 cents per egg, we are about to go broke. AND, over the last twelve months, I have received 18,321 spam e-mails.

Good night, and I hope we all have a better New Year!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, IRIS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 364/1 - Sunday...1714...

We pretty much stayed around the house all day long. It was cold (in the 40s), grey and dribbly. I did manage to keep the fire going and took a couple naps and got the chicken coop cleaned. About 4 o'clock this afternoon, we piled up in the car and headed in to Austin. We had dinner at Kerby Lane on Kerby Lane, and then went to check out the lights on 37th Street. Not as great as they were years ago, but it is post-Christmas, so maybe some of the residents got OUT of the spirit. At any rate, it was gun, particularly the 'Joy to the Weird' lights.

Tomorrow is the last day of 2018, and I have been working on my year-end post already. Stay tuned, you are about to find out just how crazy I am.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, WEIRDNESS, Kindnesses, Wh
irled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 363/2 - Saturday...1704...

“Frederick, Maryland” Founded in 1745 by German settlers, The City of Frederick today boasts over 65,000 residents (and Peter), making it the second largest city in Maryland after Baltimore. 

Famous lawyers the likes of Francis Scott Key were from there. Frederick is now famous for its historic homes, Civil War battlefields, architectural spires and an eclectic, bustling downtown. But did you know Frederick was at one time home to Patsy Cline? Or that it boasts three critically acclaimed restaurants by Top Chef and James Beard finalist Bryan Voltaggio? And did you know my friend, Peter is a REALTOR® there and passes his time as an Artisanal Pencil Sharpener? I didn't either, but it happened today! In todays' post, I received my very own missive, a signed certificate of authenticity that my pencil (enclosed as a part of the aforementioned missive), the Dark Stallion (maybe the Dork Stallion, it's kind of hard to read), was hand sharpened by Peter on December 16th using a state of the art Staedtler Single Hole Metal Sharpener. It is truly a thing of beauty, and must really be seen to be fully appreciated. The care and attention to detail are exquisite, and I am sure that it took Peter most of the day to get it sharpened so perfectly. Lines are forming to the right of the home office, and you can get your tickets to witness this thing of beauty yourself on-line for $19.95.

Nothing more need be said. I am speechless.

Is there any pie left?

Deeds, Actions, Changes, DORK STALLION, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 362/3 - Friday...1694...

It is the last Friday of 2018. It is the beginning of the last weekend of 2018. It is the beginning of the last Holiday of 2018. AND, it is a four-day-weekend too. The next REAL Holiday will be Memorial Day, and it seems like such a long time between now and the end of May. I am pretty sure I will make it, but it seems like a REALLY long time. Of course, I remember when I started this journal (this year's journal entries) and it seemed like it would go on forever, and the year is already over. Whatever. So, the temperatures are supposed to take a nose dive beginning tonight and lasting much of the coming week. We have not had a fire in the stove in about a month or so, so tonight was a good time to get one started. If you look closely, you can see the Callie girl in front of the stove. She likes the fires, she knows how to stay warm.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, LAST THINGS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 361/4 - Thursday...1696...

I am prepared for 2019. I officially took down my 2018 wall calendar, and replaced it with a 2019 wall calendar. I believe I stayed current with the year when writing checks, and I don't expect I will write 2018 on any checks after Monday. I will admit that I wrote a check or two in 2018 and dated them with 2014 on the date line. I am obviously living in the past, and not in the future.

I stopped at the car wash on the way home this afternoon, to relay (in an incredibly calm demeanor) his tale of his less than satisfactory experience there a few days ago. Think back... There were apologies galore, but no mention of compensation. No refund for the cost of the car wash, no mention of a monetary compensation for the destroyed (and not notified of same) windshield wiper. The manager did not write down my name, no documentation of the incident, nothing. Just an apology. I wanted to escalate the conversation to a supervisor, but, well, you know...

Deeds, Actions, Changes, PREPAREDNESS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 360/5 - Wednesday...1698...

Think back. I know many of my legions of followers are afflicted with short attention spans, but just think back three days. Sunday...Day 357/8...I spent an hour and twenty minutes at the carwash. Totally disappointing experience. Blah, blah, blah...well, yesterday, Jody and I went in to town to have Christmas Dinner with our friends Michael and Lynda. On the way in, there was a little mist in the air, and I turned the windshield wipers on. Much to my surprise, there was NO WIPER on the driver side. The forecast was for absolute DOWNPOURS beginning today and especially tonight. In fact, we are under a tornado watch right now for the next several hours. Whatever... Another little gift of incompetence from the car wash. My first stop this morning (in a light drizzle) was to the dealer for new wiper blades. NO I CANNOT go to a parts place and buy new blades. And if I could, I am not smart enough to install them, so shut the front door! AND...as soon as it quits raining (Friday or Saturday most likely) I will make another stop at the car wash and try my best to have a reasonable conversation with them.

We shall see...

Deeds, Actions, Changes, WIPER BLADES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 359/6 - Tuesday...1671...Christmas Day...

I have owned this suit for at least two years. When I originally bought it, I needed to have the pants altered, they were not cuffed. So, I had them altered and the suit has been hanging in my closet ever since. Even though I am not typically shy about things, even I think this is just a little bit too much. I think they look fine in a whimsical sense on other guys, I just don't think it is a good look for me, personally.

What I meant to say was, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and that you are all looking forward to the New Year.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CHRISTMAS SUITS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 359/6 - Monday...1679...It's Christmas Eve...

Everywhere I went today (and believe me, I put some mileage on the car), people were standing in lines and looking like they didn't know whether to sh*t on the road or go blind. These loose cattle would have fit right in. If only they had opposable thumbs. I made stops at ten different places between 9:15 and 1:15, and I think I am a pretty accomplished person right about now. There was also a lot of horn honking too. The weird is, you can't really tell who the honkees are. The sounds I heard did not seem likely to have been produced by the usual suspects. Odd little honking sounds coming from large vehicles? Throaty deep registered honking sounds coming from Yugos? Irt just does not seem likely. And people were making up problems in the lines too. Of course, I was not at all content just to ignore them, I had to chime in and let them know how ridiculous their complaint was. One 'older' (that is like the pot calling the kettle puce) lady told me she could not stand to walk behind slow moving people. The lady behind her started laughing as I explained to her that was a 'first-world-made-up-problem'. I asked her if she wanted to go in front of me, but she declined. Another gentleman was offered the opportunity to take cuts, he too declined. Every place I went today and stood in line, I asked the person behind me if they would like to go in front of me. Not a single taker.

We are a nation of complainers.

If I am to go forward with this journal, I need a new ending line. Let me know your thoughts.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, COMPLAINERS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 357/8 - Sunday...1689...

I participated in a little bit of retail therapy today, and I did not get any of my chores done around the house. There is always tomorrow, and if I don't get it done tomorrow, there is always the next day. And if not then, there is always the four day weekend coming up a few days after that. I spent a hour and twenty minutes at the car wash (it was really busy) and a few minutes at Costco (I will be going back again tomorrow) and then a little while doing some miscellaneous this-and-that. During one of the this-and-thats, I turned in to a parking lot off the MoPac service road and spied this Indian Blanket blooming. there was no dirt anywhere close to the guy, but there he was, blooming his ass off right there in a crack between the various concretes and asphalts and pedestrians. If that little Indian Blanket can make it, then I think the rest of us stand at least a half-a-chance. It all depends on us. SO, take from this photo what you will, but I am encouraged that, even in the harshest environments, we can all hope for the best, and if we try our best, we can all get our blooms on!

You're Welcome!

Time for some pondering, which is something I do every year just about this time. This journal entry is the 3,642nd entry to this journal. On December 31st I will finish ten years of journaling, which when I started was expected to be a one-year-gig. If you do the math (and include leap year extra days) I figure that I will be 2 entries short of penning an entry every single day for the last (almost) ten years. I can remember vividly the first day I missed an entry; I thought the world just might come to an end. The second missed entry (I can remember that one too) passed with not too much fanfare, but I still feel the need to complete the entries on a daily basis. If I pen an entry on January 1st, you will know that I am in for at least one more year.

We will know in nine days!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, NEVER QUIT, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 356/9 - Saturday...1695...

Those of you who know me at all will not find any reason for panic at the following statement: I am crazy as a loon. Well, maybe not CRAZY in the biblical sense, but I definitely do have some quirks, which leads me to go forward with a theme that I have used in this journal on at least two earlier occasions in recent months. How much is too much? I know for certain that I went on and on about Band-Aids (or products of a similar nature). I also believe I went on-and-on about toilet paper. I have LOTS of socks, but I know for sure you can never have too many socks. Whatever. Today I decided to tidy up the shelves and hidey-holes in the home office. This is where the crazy part comes in. I have 1,669 return address labels from (mostly) unsolicited sources. What with the demise of the US Postal Service, I cannot imagine EVER having a need for that many return address labels. Not counting leap years, I have enough return address labels for 4.58 years of mailings, if I mail one envelope per day. The odds of that happening are not particular good. I give it 8 to 1 against that happening, However, if any of you (kind readers) would like to send me something, just let me know and I will forward you a batch of address labels so you won't have to worry with that part. I considered not attaching this particular photo to this entry, fearing someone might be a super-sleuth and determine the address and send me another batch of return address labels, just out of spite, but that is the chance I will take.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, LABELS, Kindnesses, Wh
irled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 355/10 - Friday...

Well, it is that time of year. Mad dashes and all that stuff. But...I like it, I am not gonna lie. I did do a little bit of on-line shopping this year. I think I spent less than $100 on-line, and it was for stuff that I could not find at the big box stores (even though they had it on their web-site). AND...when I went on line, it was cheaper on Amazon than where I tried to buy it locally. That is the whole thing that makes Amazon Amazon, right? I may have to try this more every now and then. I am NOT keen that I can't touch it before I buy it, but so far, so good. I did not get to the office until about 1:30 this afternoon, and when I got there, my desk was covered with gifts from friends, staff and colleagues. A lovely cashmere scarf, a glass zip lock bag that will soon be filled with M&Ms (lookout Costco), some daffodil bulbs and these durable plastic egg cartons with ribald double entendre sayings on them. All the gifts were wonderful, and I liked all of it. Just between you and me, I am kind of awkward when it comes to accepting gifts. Try to remember that when it comes to mind the next time.

SO...Friday. No work until Wednesday, although I do expect I will be in the office for a few minutes on Monday because I am planning a trip to Costco that morning. I know, I am crazy, but what's the worst that could happen? Plus, I need the M&Ms.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, EGG CARTONS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 354/11 - Thursday...1697...

One of the nice things about living in the Capital City of Texas (and believe me, there are many), is that I get to visit with our state association staff pretty much whenever I want to. Yesterday, I could have called in for a webinar kind of Ombudsman meeting, but instead, I drove the 24 or so blocks to our association office, and sat in the room with the guide (Candy) and Sherri and did not experience any connection issues. It was fun! And today, it was my pleasure to invite the TREPAC staff to join me for a nice, off-the-cuff-spur-of-the-moment lunch. Some of the most productive and fun things are NOT PLANNED. Don't think about things too long or you run the risk of mucking it all up. Just do it! SO, in addition to all the other wonderful things in my life, I got to have lunch with all these folks today, and we talked and laughed and plotted and planned. All the plotting and planning was accidental. The laughing and talking was all done on purpose!

All day long today I thought it was Friday. I have an appointment to get my hair cut on Friday. Today was not Friday, today was (and still is) Thursday. It is very confusing.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, PLOTTING AND PLANNING, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 353/12 - Wednesday...Done...

It is Holiday office party season, and there is no reason for us to be left out of the mix. Today, Carrie and Tosalyn put together a great office party for about 20 of our colleagues, staff and friends. There was LOTS of food and fun to be enjoyed by all, and it was all topped of with a visit to Zach Scott Theater for a performance of 'The Santaland Diaries.' AA good time was had by all.

I am not necessarily responsible for the content of this journal entry. Apparently, on the way back to the office from Zach Scott, I was convinced to refer to this particular entry with the words 'Boy Parts.' Again, I take no responsibility for the content or the intent of the message that may (or may not) be conveyed in this specific entry. I can neither confirm or deny that this site may (or may not) have been hacked in to by Russian propagandists, whose sole interest is the downfall of this country. Having said that and alerted all my legions of loyal followers to the possibility that I may (or may not) be authoring these words, you may (or may not) proceed. The choice is yours.

Boy Parts.

There. I said it again. I hope you are all happy.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BOY PARTS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 352/13 - Tuesday...1703...

You can all take your Elfs (Elves?) and the shelfs (shelves?) and put them where the sun don't shine. Me? I got me an Elf that I can wrap my arms around, no shelf needed! Yep, Christina the Elf is back for another couple weeks or so, and rumor has it she may be retiring the Elf suit at the end of this month. It has been a good and memorable run, and I am pretty sure that EVERYONE knows about this little mischievous Elf.

This Elf moment was captured at the ABoR Foundation final meeting of 2018 and our little groups Holiday gathering at the board office. The festive part of the gathering included a variety of meat balls of various descriptions. When I got home this afternoon, I told Jody that all I really cared for was a very light dinner, that I had been eating crap and meatballs all day long. Jody had made meatballs for dinner. I had a salad.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, ELF IN MY ARMS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 351/14 - Monday...1689...

I am confused. The dogs are confused (they think something is living under the deck in the dog yard and they are probably right). The chickens may not be confused, but there are a couple missing. Last night I counted (three times) 21 chickens, and that means there are two AWOL chickens. Probably never to be seen or clucked from again. I am confused by the length of darkness we are experiencing here in central Texas. This is not Alaska or Norway. It is not supposed to be dark this long in the day time. But I digress. The topic of this confusing entry is the discovery of these two Iris in one of the back beds. It is NOT springtime, there should be no confusing that fact. We are NOT experiencing springlike temperatures. It is COLD. The days are short and the nights are long. But these Iris have decided to be early adopters (I don't know where they get that from), and bloom in late December.

BUT...the truth is, they are exquisitely beautiful, a pleasure to behold. So enjoy them as much as we are enjoying them now.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, IRIS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 350/15 - Sunday...1660...

Today was a terrific day: piles of eggs, worked on the pool, cleaned the chicken coop, did some miscellaneous things around the house, put ALL the plants outside (I totally expect it to freeze again just any minute), and then we got ready to go in to Austin for Brunch (capitalized?) with friends. We are kind of hit-and-miss with this, but I kind of want to do this every year. I am totally obsessive-compulsive enough to get it done, I guess the real issue is that 'stuff happens'. The last time we had a Holiday get-together, the place burned down a week later. If the same thing happens this year to this restaurant, that might be an indication that enough is enough. Otherwise, it was a really great day, got to see lots of friends, and a good time was had by all!

This should be a pretty quiet week, not too much on my plate for the week, and the week after should be relatively quiet as well. I do not really have any plans for the New Year, nothing really that I am crazy about organizing, and I am CERTAINLY not going to begin an exercise regimen.

We shall see how Madison Avenue can influence me in the next 15 days. I am pretty weak when it comes to subliminal messages.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BRUNCH, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 349/16 - Saturday...1660...

You cannot go anywhere near the State Capitol and NOT take a photo under the dome. It is impossible. You cannot not do it. I had to make a quick stop in town this morning, and decided to go and put my CHL to good use. It really wasn't that big of a deal, but at least I did not have to take off my shoes and empty my pockets. As expected, the dome was still there and it was welcoming a variety of people and Holiday performers. Nicely done Texas State Capitol.

Otherwise, the thing I got the most pleasure from today was cleaning out the drain in Jody's sink in the bedroom. It took a couple tries and a good bit of drano, but I got it taken care of.

Tomorrow, the biggest accomplishment will be cleaning out the chicken coop.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, DOME, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 348/17 - Friday...1668...

The year is winding down, and today was the last Legislative Management Team meeting at ABoR for 2018. There was a recap of all the issues we dealt with throughout the year, and it was eye-opening. on this one group alone, it was figured that we each gave 300 volunteer hours to the process, and could claim success in most of our recommendations and endorsements. Not all, but most, and that is nothing to be ashamed of. My friend and colleague Holly is also on the LMT, and she gave me this pair of socks. You know I am sock-crazy, right? I cannot keep from buying socks, and soon I expect I will be able to go more than a year without having to repeat a sock pattern. I am actually a man of simple needs, socks just happen to be one of the simplest!

And today, I am celebrating the fact that today is Friday. I am not necessarily celebrating the fact that it is freakin' cold outside and there are gale force winds blowing in from the north-northwest. The winds started getting really strong yesterday afternoon, and they are scheduled to subside sometime tomorrow. The forecast for the next week is more seasonal temperatures; highs in the mid-60s and lows in the mid-40s. I will take it.

I am working on my list of chores for the weekend, and it is not terribly extensive. I am pretty confident that I can get most of it accomplished. I do need to take the car in and have it inspected so I can renew the car tags. I can't believe that I put it off this long. It will get taken care of though.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SOCKS, Kindnesses, Wh
irled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 347/18 - Thursday...1647...

Today was the final class meeting for the SAE Property Management class I was guiding at the Austin Board of REALTORS®. The whole mood of the class kind of changed today; everyone was tired, but everyone was happy at the same time, and it seemed like the result of the four days of classroom had brought everyone together. It was really kind of neat. This photo of the group is not the greatest, and I enhanced the lighting of the photo as much as I possible could. I should have known better and realized that there was just too much light behind the group. I should have had them pointed the other way. So much for that, live and learn! Oh yeah, everybody passed!

Well, to tell you the truth, I am tired of Tire Stores. The back tires arrived today, and I stopped on the way home to have them put on the car. I am weary of getting home WELL after dark, and waking well BEFORE the sun comes up. Maybe I will catch up in a week or so. I am pleased that I do not have to stress about flat tires, low tire pressure, hydroplaning and other tire related crap. I can only stress SO much at any given time, and I do not need outside influences influencing my stress levels.

I'm serious.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, TIRES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 346/19 - Wednesday...1654...

Those of you who know me well know that I have a sock fetish. I like interesting socks. This is a pair of socks I was turned on to by a friend, and so I just wanted to share. Those are not my feet, but I admire the socks! Sharing for a friend...

Well, I finally got tires on the front of the car this evening on my way home. They are ordered, but the tire store got them in the same day. The back tires should be delivered either tomorrow or Friday or Saturday, but I am chilling about that, since (at the moment) there are no flashing lights on my dashboard telling me to 'Pull the F*ck Over, your tires need air, dumbass!' The relief of that is quite welcoming, and I can wait on the back tires.

No problemo.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKEY!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SOCKS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 345/20 - Tuesday...1654...

I LITERALLY chased this Cowboy Santa down South FIrst Street, screaming "Santa, stop!" So, what did Santa do, he stopped, turned around and met me half-way. I admit, we did draw a crowd, and there were selfies all around. The horse was not at all interested in the goings on, but he/she/it was not nervous about anything either. Very calm. I suspect pony downers, but I am not for sure. I was digging on Santa's sunglasses though, they were really cool. I think he got them from a trade show, they looked like most of the gimmes I get and hand out. Bottom line, only in Austin, but that is really pretty cool, too.

Other than that, it was an eventful day. I have been putting air in one tire repeatedly, but I thought A). It is because of the temperature changes or B). There is something wrong with the warning light in the car. That answer was C). There is a nail in the tire. I found that out this afternoon when I went to the tire place, and after ALMOST two hours, they said, yep there is a nail in the tire and the inside of the tire is bald and we can't fix it; here are your keys. I replied (something like) you are sending me away into the dark with a tire with a nail in it. Their response was...YEP. SO, now I am on a mission to get new tires, but I can't in good conscious go back to that place. Costco has to order them, and there is a Firestone dealer that opens at 7 in the morning, I will try them.

I have a class that starts at 8:30, so I am working all the angles.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, COWBOY SANTA, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 344/21 - Monday...1654...

A good day here in central Texas. I left the house early this morning, so I could get in to the office and then head to the Bryan/College Station Association of REALTORS® to present a program on Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals. This class does not lack when it comes to participation on the part of the folks attending the program. Almost EVERYONE has an opinion on the subject, and the opinions are not always positive ones. In fact, some folks are downright angry about the subject. My mission during these presentations is simply to give a total perspective and a balanced perspective on the subject. It would be an achievement if the program was successful in broadening some opinions about the subject, and letting all participants understand that there are anywhere from three (at least) to four sides to every request for accommodation that REALTORS® receive on the topic.

I will now step down off my soap-box.

Otherwise, it was a lovely day. The sun was shining and life was good. Unfortunately, the last two times I have driven from Bryan/College Station, it has been (for the most part) in the dark. The drive to the edge of nowhere from Bryan is really pretty, but the prettiest parts have not been visible on my most recent trips.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, ANIMALS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 343/22 - Sunday...1668...

Okay, class. Keep your test packets closed and your pencils on the desk until you are instructed to begin. This is a timed essay test, only one question. You will have five minutes to complete the test, and when 'time' is called, you must put your pencils down and close your test packets. There will be no talking, and if anyone is observed trying to look at a neighbors answer, you will be sent to the Vice-Principals office.

This is the question: How many Band-Aids (or Band-Aid type products) are too many?

And...BEGIN!

I had given myself a good talking to weeks ago about cleaning out the cabinets below my sink in the bathroom, including the two drawers on each side. I did it today, and it was quite a feeling of accomplishment. I discovered that I had about 15 brand new tooth brushes (at an average of two cleanings a year times the ten years we have lived in this house, it means I use a new toothbrush every two years or so). A couple dozen razors of various makes, models and blades per razor, more shampoos and styling gels than you could possibly ever need, several bars of soap that are now conveniently stored where I can see them, a couple different nose and ear hair trimmers, a couple different (and dead) appliances used for 'man-scaping', dental floss out the king-yang, a couple different kinds of facial jams and jellies (none of them worked), one Susan B Anthony dollar coin, a couple keys that I have no idea about, and at least a thousand loose dental floss picks that are now all nestled in the resealable plastic bag from which they covered the bottom of one drawer. Four brand new bottles of nasal spray. Seven different kinds of Visine or eye drop products (four of them unopened. And prescription drugs. I have no idea what all those prescription drugs were for, but I could probably support a pharmacy if they were in a pinch.

But then there were the Band-Aids. Band-Aids of all different sizes, colors, strengths and brands. I really don't remember buying all those Band-Aids, but I am pretty sure I have not been discreetly picking them up from other peoples houses. Some people go out and buy cars when they are sleeping under the influence of Ambient. Maybe I am making trips at 2 a.m. to the Dollar General and buying Band-Aids. I think I need professional help.

TIME!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BAND-AIDS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 342/23 - Saturday...

This is a photo of some of my belated birthday loot. Yesterday, we had a office late birthday luncheon at the Shoal Creek Saloon in Austin. I have lived here since 1985 and I think that was the first time I had ever been to the place. Pretty good food to be honest. I had the pork chop, and I think I may go back for the catfish one day soon.

It is colder than a fart in a dead eskimo. That is not intended to be any kind of a derogatory racial comment, it is simply a description of the coldest thing in the world. The temperature is indicated to be 41 degrees, but I think the wind-chill calculation would put it somewhere closer to -30 degrees below zero. Celsius. That is cold. It has been dribble all day long, and in the past 48 hours we have recorded EXACTLY three inches of rain here on the edge of nowhere. Wind, rain, falling temperatures, and my eloquent descriptive words mean that it is cold as hell. The bumpy bits of a witch come to mind, but this is a family journal, so I will desist from getting into vulgarities. Suffice it to say, it is cold.

How Cold Is It?

It is so clod that I saw a lawyer last night (several of them in fact), with their hands in their own pockets!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, HOW COLD IS IT, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 340/25 - Friday...Ugh...

Five years ago today, the temperature was FREEZING, and I was installed as the 2014 President of the Austin Board of REALTORS®. Today, it was just raining and miserable, but at least it was not below freezing. Today, it was time to induct the 2019 Board of Directors of the Austin Board of REALTORS®, congratulations to them all. This is a picture of the 2018 President Steve, with our friend Candy, and me.

It's Friday, and we are all welcoming that fact. It has been raining all day long here...it started overnight and has continued all day. Overnight, we had about 0.42" of rain in the gauge, and Jody reports that we received over an inch already today. Expecting another couple inches before the whole event is over.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, INSTALLATIONS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 339/26 - Thursday...1669...

On the way home from the Highland Lakes Association of REALTORS® Installation Banquet, I stopped at the Pedernales Electric Coop Building and took a photo of their lighted tree. In the rain. They are the electric coop, they can afford the higher utility cost. If you think this is nice, you should go to see their HQ in Johnson City, always lovely. The installation was a really nice event, always nice to see my friends and colleagues on their home turf. Thanks to all for their leadership and the invitation to share the evening with them.

Today was also another full day of guiding a class. The final two days of this series will be next week, then that will be be it for this year.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, LIGHTED TREES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 339/26 - Wednesday...1653...

This was fun. Sunday night when I stayed in Austin, a bunch of us walked from the restaurant where we had dinner a few blocks (four) to the Capitol to see the Christmas Tree. It is kind of a miracle that we all survived. Between the crazy people on the scooters to all of us straddling the yellow line in the middle of Congress Avenue (to take fabulous photos), we made quite a scene. We did not really make a SCENE, the SCENE was US being seen by strollers, drivers and (perhaps) the occasional law enforcement official. Bottom line, it was a lot of fun, and it is comforting to know that there are still cities in this country that are clam and quiet enough that activities like this go largely unnoticed and accepted as the norm. For all its' faults, Austin is still a nice place to live, and we all do our best to Keep Austin WEIRD! You're welcome!

I presented a class today to about twenty (mostly) newly licensed agents. The subject was property management, and it was a fun class. The class will total 30 hours (another full day tomorrow and two more full days next week). I feel kinda sorry for the attendees because I can not stand to hear myself talk for eight hours, and I can only imagine what it is like to have to listen to me!

Not that anyone really does, but that is for another journal entry.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, WEIRDNESS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 338/27 - Tuesday...5001...

It has been quite some time since I offered up to you, my legion of followers, a photo of yet ANOTHER wreck on IH-35. When I lived in New Orleans, someone WAS NOT MURDERED one day, and it made the front page of the newspaper. I wonder if there was not a wreck on IH-35 within the Austin City Limits, if that would make the news? Wrecks are so commonplace these days, it is really becoming tiresome. An traffic congestion and time wasted going nowhere quickly is also a real problem, literally a waste of time. So, this happened this afternoon on my way home, there were a couple emergency vehicles, a couple firetrucks and three or four police cars responding to a truck/car incident. When I passed, it did not look like there was terrible damage to either vehicle, and I did not notice anyone receiving any kind of medical assistance. All hat and no cattle.

I finished my second day of New TREPAC Trustee training today, and it was good. Our next meeting will be in January (not that far away), and then a couple more throughout the year. The Legislature meets again in January, so that will be an interesting time.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, WRECKS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 337/28 - Monday...5000...

Today was and still is my birthday. It seems that that is not news. I have had many MANY birthday wishes from friends and colleagues old and new. So nice to receive all those acknowledgements! Interestingly, I have been in meetings all day today, and they will continue tomorrow. The first time in 26 years that I have not spent the day with Jody, but we are nothing if not flexible. My birthday was celebrated by thirty or forty people in the meetings today, and I am sure I will hear more kind words tomorrow as the meetings continue. This is what was left of the Baked Alaska I was presented with tonight at dinner.

Thank you all for your kindnesses, but I am glad that birthdays only come around once a year!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BIRTHDAY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 336/29 - Sunday...Apple Pie...

After a working dinner this evening, I walked with a bunch of colleagues to the Capitol to see the Christmas Tree. It is really fun...it sings and plays the piano. Interesting. And fun!

If you want the temperatures at your house to tumble downward, just let me know. I will come for a visit and take all your plants outside. Within a day or two of that, you will experience the threat of freezing temperatures yet again! It never fails.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CAPITOL, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 335/30 - Saturday...1627...

Welcome to December. This was not intended to be a particularly busy day, but I got everything on my list accomplished. Chicken coop cleaned, lots of this-and-that, and I even got the lights up by the road repaired and lighted. I am about ten days late in doing that. Traditionally, the lights up by the road go on Thanksgiving day and go off on New Years Day. I was late this year, but that will just have to do. I am pretty sure that I am the only person that is obsessive-compulsive about the lights up by the road, and I doubt that too many people pay any attention anyway.

Jody and I both slept through the news, and that is probably for the best. Tomorrow I will be going in to Austin for a couple days worth of meetings, and then I will present a couple classes on Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday night is the Highland Lakes Association of REALTORS® Installation, and I will attend that, and Friday is the ABoR Installation. Things pretty much wind down after that, and it will be relatively calm for the rest of the month.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, LIGHTS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 334/31 - Friday...1626...

I got up early this morning, and headed in to the office. I was in the office just a few minutes after 6 a.m., and made the most out of being there alone and in the quiet. I got everything ready for the class I was scheduled to guide in New Braunfels (The Four Rivers Association of REALTORS®), and touched everything on my desk, cleared some stuff off my desk, and then headed to New Braunfels. Just about a 45 minute drive, down the highway towards San Antonio. About half-way between Austin and San Antonio. This was the second time I have presented this particular class that I wrote, and I will present it a couple more times before the end of the year. If you need to know anything about Service Animals or Emotional Support animals just let me know; I know just enough to get you in trouble! This is a photo of the group of colleagues that took the class, and I think we all enjoyed it and would do it all over again if we really had to!

Home again...It was a busy day, but it all ended up okay. I had an appointment to get my haircut at 4 o'clock (Happy Birthday Johnna), and she was running a little bit late. Then, after that, I had to go retrieve my luggage from the condo. SO...I was running REALLY late heading home...I did not really get a good start until almost 5 o'clock. The worst part was caused by an 18-wheeler straddling the concrete median on IH-35 and closing two of three lanes of traffic going north AND south. I heard that it was blocking traffic, but I thought I had heard that it was only blocking the south bound lanes. Au Contrare Mon Ami! It was blocking two-thirds of the expressway, it did not matter which way you were trying to go. It took me over two hours to go 18 miles.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, ANIMALS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 333/32 - Thursday...1640...

My first meeting this morning was at 8 o'clock this morning, and very genteel time if I do say so myself, especially since all I had to do was get on the elevator and go from the ninth floor to the third floor. Not a bad commute at all. The first meeting of the day was also the penultimate meeting of the conference. That means the next to last meeting. In case any of my loyal followers are Aggies. Next to the last. Anyway, the next to the last meeting was our Regional (Region 10) Planning meeting. Region 10 is made up of Texas and Dallas, so it is a pretty interesting mix of colleagues and personalities. All of us are interesting in our own ways, and this selfie is of the breakfast meeting this morning.

I left the hotel at about 12:30 or so, and Brandy treated me to an Uber to the airport. She was on Southwest, I was on Delta. Delta was about three miles away from the other terminal...kind of unusual, but I got there. My Plane was not scheduled to leave until 5:45 and of course it was late, about 45 minutes. We made up some time, but we were about 20 minutes late getting in to Austin.

Getting to the condo was good and bad. I wondered why my checked bag felt wet; I had two cans of coke in the checked bag and one of them exploded. Not nearly as much damage as you might imagine, which is just another reason for not feeling bad about stealing a wash cloth from every hotel I visit.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, COKE BUST, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 332/33 - Wednesday...Hmmm...

This is what the snow looks like from the 9th floor of my hotel room in Minneapolis. It has been a long time since I have seen snow. It snows every five or six years in Austin, and when it does, the s=city comes to a screeching halt. No bread or milk left in the groceries! The city is paralyzed. They seen to just take it in stride here in Minneapolis. There is still food on the shelves at the groceries! Life goes on.

I am in the middle of my meetings, I will leave here and head back to Austin tomorrow afternoon. It has been a great couple days, so nice to renew friendships with my colleagues from across the country.

I am the luckiest man in the world.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SNOW, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 331/34 - Tuesday...What?

He has been on a to of flights, to a lot of cold places. He has been on commercial prop planes, commercial prop jets, float planes, helicopters, big jets, little jets, hot air balloons, and probably three or four more types of commercial aircraft that I cannot remember, and I cannot recall EVER having a plane de-iced while I was on it. Have flown in to Boston in the famous winter of 1974, and I was on the last commercial flight landing in New York City three or four years ago, when they closed the airport after we landed. NEVER had a plane de-iced while I was on it. Today, they de-iced the plane when we were leaving AUSTIN for god's sake. And then when we left Detroit, we taxi'd out onto the runway (almost) where we were second in line for de-icing. Interesting. This is what it looks like from the inside (and across the aisle) when the plane is being de-iced on the outside.

I made it to Minneapolis this afternoon, via Detroit. It was kind of an interesting feeling. The Detroit airport is probably 20 miles or so (I will check with the Googles later and report back tomorrow)from where I grew up. This is the closest I have been from that area in the last two decades, at least. I would really like a five or six hour layover just so I could rent a car (or Uber) to go see a couple of the houses I lives in as a kid. Most likely, just another fantasy.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, COLD PLACES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 330/35 - Monday...1620...

I bought a package-deal of three amaryllis at Costco about three weeks ago, and this if the first of the three to burst forth in blooms. The other two have opened up as well since I took this photo the other day, so I think it is amazing that these things have done so beautifully. Nothing like a little splash of color in the breakfast room to brighten things up!

And suddenly everyone returns to the work day world. The brief respite from total traffic chaos was welcome, but the traffic on the commute this morning was not particularly pleasant. Once again, traffic was backed up on southbound IH-35, but there was seemingly no reason for the stoppage. Nothing. No wrecks, no flat tires, nothing. No emergency vehicles, no cops (except the one Sheriff  that honked at me to put down my cell phone, but not before I took their photo for an drive-time Facebook post). Nothing. Just number-to-bumper stop-and-go (mainly stopped) traffic for about 15 miles. But, it was okay in the long run.

I am getting up tomorrow morning at 3 a.m. and leaving the house around 5 a.m. and heading to Minneapolis for a few days. I will be back Thursday evening. The high temperature in Minneapolis today was 23 degrees, and that is not celsius talking. Allegedly, once I get to the hotel, there will be no reason to face the elements. But who in the hell plans a meeting in Minneapolis at the end of November? I know, but if I told you, then I would have to kill you, lest I be killed!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, AMARYLLIS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 329/36 - Sunday...1620...

Not a bad Holiday long-weekend if I do say so myself. I got everything on my 'to done' list scratched off, and I am feeling pretty smug about the whole thing if you must know the truth. It is chilly and breezy outside (like a winter day in Ohio, which is what we use to describe really awful weather), but we have a really lovely fire in the stove, we are both happy and content, and the dogs are both happy. We expect the chickens and cattle are happy, but we are not sure that they are all that great at reasoning, so we will go with happy. After the early news, we went in to Georgetown to see the Holiday lights on the square. Always pretty, and always fun to see people walking around the square lighted (mostly) by the trees and decorations. Some of the stores were open, but we did not check any of them out. We parked the car and did a little bit of walking around, and took advantage of a nicely situated park bench to capture the selfie that accompanies this entry. Lovely. We are all lucky and happy, in spite of all the crap that is going on around us. For that, we are extra thankful.

We now return to our regularly scheduled program, already in progress...

Yea, so I missed the journal entry last night. I remembered that I had not entered the post while I was watching the news, and then I forgot to make the entry again. It has happened a couple times over the last (almost) ten years or so, so cut me a break!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SELFIES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 328/37 - Saturday...1616...

This is just one of the reasons why we live out here on the Edge of Nowhere. We get to see the sunrises and the sunsets. That is hard to do when you live in a more urban area. Not impossible, but you seldom take the time to stop and look at them, much less stop and take a photo. And post it to your blog. And irritate other people with them! But, as I said, that is just one of the reasons. Other reasons include gathering eggs, cleaning the chicken coop, starting a fire in the stove, sitting in the big blue chair, cutting grass, watering plants, putting plants inside so they don't freeze, taking them all back outside two days later...it's kind of like lather, rinse, repeat...only different. Then there are the neighbors. Some we like, some not so much. We won't get too deep into that conversation. There is also the quiet.

But the sunrises and the sunsets are right up there on the top of the list. I remember the first sunset I saw from the Edge of Nowhere, just a little more than ten years ago. I remember it vividly. It was really beautiful. There have been some better since we have been here, and some not as good, but at least we both take a few extra seconds and acknowledge the existence.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SUNRISES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 327/38 - Friday...1600...

Well, after I got the truck stuck in the mud in one of the pastures, the odds were 50/50 (really more likely 70/30) that I would get the tractor stuck as well while I was trying to drag the truck out. It was close, but I actually got the truck unstuck without getting the tractor stuck, so I am pretty proud of myself for accomplishing that. I am not always smarter than chickens or cattle, and I am usually not smarter than mud, but today was an exceptional day for critical thinking on my part. AND, I accomplished all those things all by myself. No help getting the truck stuck, no help getting it unstuck.

BRAVO!

The day started with no newspaper. This has been a more frequent challenge lately. The newspaper office is certainly no help. They said we would have our newspaper by 9a.m., but they lied. We were planning to go in to Taylor to get molasses buckets and stuff like that, so I decided we would pick up a paper. I stopped at CVS to get a paper, and it was $4. Holy Crap! $4 for the paper? We went on to Taylor Feed, and Jody said we needed to take the paper back because it was yesterdays paper. I had not even paid attention. We stopped three or four more places (Jody was becoming frustrated but I was on a mission), and we finally for a newspaper at HEB, todays paper, $2. I think $2 is a bit outrageous as well, but it is what it is.

Stopped at Tractor Supply as well, and among other things, I got a pair of lovely house slippers for $10. I think I may go back and get another pair. Warm, soft and perfect for things like putting the chickens to bed.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, STUCK TRUCK, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 326/39 - Thursday...1597...Thanksgiving...

I am somewhat better. Last night, la grip had me in its' grip. Slept very little, but today I am feeling better. I have slept most of the day, and intend to get a good nights sleep tonight as well. Dinner was delicious. Jody cooked while I slept. Jody cooked most of the day, and I slept most of the day. But, sleeping is good, and that takes care of lots of ills.

Tomorrow will be a day of working around the house. I am planning on cleaning the chicken coop, going to Taylor Feed to get some molasses barrels and some cattle cubes. Stuff like that. And probably stopping at Tractor Supply as well. Maybe cut a few swatches of grass, but I don't want to get too carried away.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, TURKEY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 325/40 - Wednesday...1605...Thanksgiving Eve...

It is kind of a Gray Hay Baling Kind of Day. A gray hay day. The hay is not gray, the sky is gray. After I got home this afternoon, it actually rained just a teeny-tiny bit. Not enough to amount to anything, but you know the old saying, you are supposed to make hay while the sun shines. Not when it is gray and there is a chance of rain. Whatever. I am relatively certain that everything is going to work out just fine, no real big problems.

I have la Grip. La Grip, la grip, the post-nasal drip. It started yesterday, and it pretty much took over today. Pretty sure it is just sinuses, but I am going to go to bed even earlier than usual. I am going to MINNEAPOLIS next week (I know, right?), so I want to be in FINE FORM for that. Allegedly, once I get to the hotel, there is no reason to venture out into nature. Totally climate controlled. I am fully expecting a huge power outage and the airports will be closed for months and I will be stuck up there until June.

Whatever...

Deeds, Actions, Changes, GRAY HAY DAY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 324/41 - Tuesday...1619...

Finished the second day of guiding a bunch of my colleagues through a GRI class. Glitter Related Incident? Not exactly. But for about six of them, this finished their requirements for completion of the designation, and now they can tell all their colleagues and clients that they far exceed the education requirements of the Texas Real Estate Commission, and that they are going above and beyond the requirements to stay educated about changes and trends in their profession. We had a great two days together, and I expect to see many of them time and time again over the next several years! Congratulations to all the colleagues that were in the class!

Tomorrow, there is the possibility that I will get a few minutes extra sleep. Not likely, but there is that possibility. I will head in to the office once I take the girls and drop them off at the beautiful parlor. I have a few errands to complete before I actually make it in to the office, and a few to get completed once I get to the office, and then a few to get completed after I leave the office. In the middle, I will get some power real estate done, and then it is a four day weekend.

There is plenty of stuff to keep me occupied over that long weekend, and I doing there will be any need for me to look for things to get done.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SUCCESS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 323/42 - Monday...

This was kind of a surprise when I opened the refrigerator door this afternoon. It is not every day (or every year for that matter) that I find a whole turkey in the refrigerator. We are very often guests for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, but this year our hosts will be out of town, so we will be on our own. I will be in charge of getting pies, Jody has everything else under control. He has free reign to use every freakin' pot in the kitchen, because that is the deal. He cooks, I clean! It works, so be quiet.

I guided a day long class today to colleagues at the Austin Board of REALTORS®. Fun group and the time passed really quickly. I actually like the subject matter of tomorrow's class better than the class today, so I am expecting tomorrow's class to be better all wound. Can anyone tell me if the apostrophe in tomorrow's is necessary or not? I am feeling kind of insecure with that use of the apostrophe.

Sometimes I don't think I have enough to worry about, so I have to make things up.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, TURKEY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 322/43 - Sunday...1617...

Continuing a tradition that goes back SEVERAL years, I was once again the 'Trash Man' at the Austin Empty Bowl Project. It was cold and windy, but it only rained a little bit. People remember me year-after-year (for good AND bad) as the Trash Man, and it is fun (usually) when they do remind me that they have seen me for years. Today was fun, and I hope there was a lot of money raised for the project. This is kind of an after-and-before photo...the after photo is me as the Trash Man, and the picture being projected in the back ground is me when I was in about the third grade. I was such a trend setter, even back then. I wish I knew what happened to that cute little kid. I would give him some advice, but I really don't have any regrets about anything, and you should all know, I am the luckiest man in the world!

I am going to be teaching a couple days worth of classes this week, then some power real estate on Wednesday and then taking advantage of the long weekend.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SWEET KID, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 321/44 - Saturday...1610...

...and a good time was had by all. Tonight was the night of the annual Austin Empty Bowl Preview Party. This is the 22nd or 23rd year of the Austin Empty Bowl Project, and it gets bigger and better every year. I have been a sponsor for many years, and the project does incredible work for children with food insecurities. Wonderful stuff. The project benefits Meals-On-Wheels and the Central Texas Food Bank, specifically for the Kids Cafe, an after school program for kids. Special thanks to Eric for the pic!

Great work.

Tomorrow will be the actual project, and I will be there bright and early with my trash bags. TRASH-MAN. That's me. Look for me, you probably can't miss me!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, EMPTY BOWL, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 320/45 - Friday...1607...

Friday...the weekend...sleeping a little bit longer tomorrow morning. I like it! I liked today, too, the parts of is that are already over with. Not a bad day. Started out guiding a group of new colleagues through a new member Ethics orientation. Always fun. I like it very much. Then it was off to the office and I went and looked at a new managed property with Kerry, Tosalyn and Maggie. Interesting stuff. Nice home, nice neighborhood, gonna be a nice new addition to our management portfolio. Later this afternoon I met with another prospective client, and we reviewed the management contracts. My prospective client is asking for some changes to be made to the agreement, so we will be working on that next week, and targeting the week of the 26th to have that stuff done.

The Austin Empty Bowl Project Preview Party is tomorrow night, and I am looking forward to that. Then the actual fund raiser will be held on Sunday. Of course, the forecast is calling for cooler temperatures and a 40% chance of rain on Sunday morning. Just perfect to make me crabby and unreasonable. We will have to wait and see how that turns out.

Deeds Actions, Changes, ETHICS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 319/46 - Thursday...1600...

Jody and I had some errands that needed to be taken care of late this afternoon, so we did all those things, and then we stopped in Georgetown on the way home and had dinner. This is a view of the sunset (and if you look closely, the aeration system in the retention pond) outside the restaurant we stopped at. After dinner, we headed in to Georgetown to see if the Christmas lights were up on the square, and to cruise past a little restaurant we had heard about. All-in-all, a nice evening!

It is the Ides of November, was everyone wary? Okay, well, it IS Thursday, which means it is not too long until Friday. And Friday means the weekend. And this PARTICULAR weekend in leading up to a four-day-Holiday. I am REALLY looking forward to the long weekend. I don't expect I will get too much extra rest, but I do expect to get a LOT of stuff caught up with that I don't have enough hours in the day to actually keep up with.

I hope you are all happy for me!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, ERRANDS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 318/47 - Wednesday...1586...

Everything is dead. All the delicate vegetation has exceeded its' expiration date, which, it seems, was yesterday. When I got up this morning, the temperature was in the 28 degree range. The pipes and all that stuff were not affected, but all the lilies, cannas and stuff like that were goners. The iris are still okay and the plants we brought in to the garage and the front barn survived, but it looks bad for the other stuff. It was really an early freeze, but about two or three weeks. Oh well, it will (we hope) all come back next spring.

Today was a busy day; Jody had an appointment this morning and I had a dental appointment this afternoon, and in between those two things I managed to get in some power real estate, and cleared some things off my desk. I have an 8:30 appointment tomorrow morning, a 9:30 and a 1 o'clock. So far on Friday, all I have is a 10 o'clock and a 3 o'clock. Not sure what Saturday and Sunday may bring.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, DEAD, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 317/48 - Tuesday...1624...

I had a most excellent two days of guiding in Houston. Everything was great with the possible exception of the traffic challenges. Today it even snowed for about five minutes. We thought we were going to have to shut the building down and go buy all the milk and bread at the HEB around the corner. The snow stopped, and it was back to having classroom fun. At least it was warm(er) in the room than it was outside, so that was some relief. Honest to goodness, the group of colleagues that had gathered themselves up to take the two days of classes were GREAT...about six or eight of them had been in previous classes, and for some of them, today was their last day of class and they will soon by OFFICIAL Graduates of the REALTOR® Institute. It is a proud day for them and an equally proud day for me, knowing that I was able to help them along their path to success, even if my part was a very small one.

It was great.

I have a serious photo of the class as well, but why should I post that photo if I also have an opportunity to post a silly photo of the group. If I were to post the serious pic, you would all wonder 'Who are you and what have you done with Evans'. I get it.

I need to let you all know also, there were a couple serious 'mayonnaise incidents', but I think for the purpose of this journal entry, we should just try to keep all that hushed up.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, MAYONNAISE and GRI, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 316/49 - Monday...161?...

The second opinion chimney repair guy made it to the house this afternoon, and he sent me this photo of the crap he got out of the chimney flue. Remember, we had the chimney cleaned in late June, and based on that guys report, we wanted to get a second opinion. I probably waited too long to try and find someone to give us the second opinion, but I think everything worked out the best way it could. We really like the company and we really like the values and the integrity of the folks that performed this re-evaluation. We can rest easy that we will not burn the house down if we use the stove, and Jody reports that he has a nice fire going as I write this.

I am still in Houston, finished the first day of class (last day tomorrow), and I pretty much had a BLAST today with these Houston colleagues. The best part of this (in my opinion) is getting messages across to my colleagues without it being painful for them, or having it be a chore for them. The greatest compliment I can get while guiding a class, is 'the day is going by quickly'. That makes my heart sing! I like that! And not only does the time go by quickly, but all of the participants (including me) are taking away valuable information from the classes. We are ALL learning something. Just because I am standing in front of the room does not mean I should not be open to learning something. I am happy to learn, thank you very much!

Otherwise, I was able to guide the class AND keep up with my business by long distance. Multi tasking has nothing on me. I may not be a tech-wizard, but when I get something, you can consider it got.

Okay, I am done, time to watch Antiques Roadshow. More mañana.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CRAP, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!