2011 - Day One Hundred Four; Thursday...

Pretty much a normal routine day. I started out with a trip to Home Depot to buy bird seed for the feeders, and some wire fencing to go around the area where we USED to have morning glories. I am pitched in battle with six chickens, trying to keep them from scratching in a particular area so I can once again get the morning glories to propagate. I doubt that I can out-fox the chickens, but I am up for the challenge. Only time will tell...

After that I headed straight to the Board for a Town Hall meeting with much (okay about 150) of the membership. Neal Spelce was the guest speaker for the event, and it was very entertaining. He forecast much of the same for Austin in the near and short term; more job growth, more population growth, more need for infrastructure improvement. Get this: ten years ago, Detroit was the fifth largest city in the country. Now, the population of Detroit (according to the most recent census figures) has a population of approximately 713,000 people and Austin has an estimated population of 730,000 people. That is mind boggling. This is a photo of me with Neal Spelce and our agent Chris.

Guess which one of these fans of mine insisted on showing me her shoes this morning during the meeting? I think it is interesting that no one pays any attention any more if I am photographing women's shoes. AND, I am getting volunteers for the photos. I do indeed need to say that these shoes are KILLERS! And that is not in a good way feet wise, but in a killer way look-wise. Can you all really stand up and be comfortable in those for extended periods of time?

Once I made it home this afternoon, I went back to make sure the cattle had water, I still have not fixed that float in the trough yet, but I will this weekend. Anyway, the cattle could not have cared less that I was back there, and did not pay even a little bit of attention to me. That in and of itself is a good thing, it means they are contented and not needing anything from me. I am happy with that. Jody got four eggs from the girls today and all seems to be going pretty well. NO news there.

Tomorrow is FRIDAY, and I am darned excited about that. We are having guests from Houston over the weekend, our friends Jim and Bonnie. On Saturday I am teaching a class in the morning, and then planning to go and help another friend Jim with his bees. We will see if the other Jim (and Bonnie) are interested in that event or not. It will be fun dumping three pounds of bees (probably between 3-5,000 bees) into a new hive. Of course, that will be after a briefing on how to do it with the fewest stings. Really, when I ramped up my five hives last year, I do not remember getting a single sting. I cannot say that for every time I have worked the hives, but starting a new hive is not something that generally causes problems.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, HOT FEET, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2011 - Day One Hundred Three; Wednesday...

A wonderful day in the neighborhood. I was given the unique opportunity to sit in the office for several hours today, and got several things accomplished. Touched a lot of things, was able to make progress on projects, got everything finished up for a listing appointment in the late afternoon, attended a meeting and generally just had a wonderful day.

Once I got home, I visited with Jody for a little while, and headed off to one of the pastures to check on the cattle's water. The trough where the cattle are now is not shutting off properly (problem with the float), so instead of wasting water (probably about 20 gallons a day) I had shut the water off, and wanted to make sure they had water. The pasture they are in has a tank that STILL has water in it, so there is not a concern they will die of dehydration, it is simply that these giant Chihuahuas prefer city water over muddy water in a big mud-hole on the ground. What were you expecting? While I was messing around with the float, Orchid decided to come over and investigate, and I took the opportunity to take this photo. Doodle bug decided to come over a little later, but I was not prepared camera wise, but I think the photo of Orchid is wonderful.

Here is another photo of one of the Iris, one of the more interesting Iris too. When you are just looking at this particular plant, the blooms ALMOST look like they are black or dark grey. With the flash on the camera, it shows the real color which is a dark burgundy color, very pretty. I have plenty more photos of interesting and exotic Iris around the property, I just do not want to totally bore you to death with them; I will save that for a little later.

This is a photo of the path Miguel is putting in between where one path ends and the yard begins. I expect we could have easily just not messed with it and worn a path in the grass, but that would not have been acceptable to me, I think a nice cottage path is definitely more inviting than a long dead place in the grass. AND OF COURSE the chickens had to get in on the act. Yesterday we got three eggs, today we got five. Since we put the nest eggs in the nesting boxes, we have not had any more crushed eggs, and the eggs we have been getting have been cleaner. AND they have left much of the hay and grass in the nesting boxes instead of IMMEDIATELY scratching it out onto the floor of the coop. Of course, since I am bragging on them now, there will be crushed eggs and no hay in the boxes tomorrow. We shall see...

Deeds, Actions, Changes, WATERY COWS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2011 - Day One Hundred Two: Tuesday...

Last night, I went out after publishing my entry, and took a photo on these Amaryllis that are blooming in one of the front beds. Many of the Amaryllis we have here (really only about three or four now) were given to us by friends, particularly Joe Mac and Carolyn. Since we have just a little history of moving now and then (I am a Texas REALTOR) we have planted Amaryllis at SEVERAL different properties, and they are always beautiful once the naturalize and bloom. Very, very nice!

Today was a very interesting and very rewarding day. It was the annual REALTOR visits to Capitol Hill, and the day was a tremendous success. Great successes like these are not easily achieved, and most of the credit lies with the Government Affairs and Political Action Committee staff at the Austin Board of REALTORS. They all (Earl, Christina and Anna) did a great job preparing us and tutoring us on the issues that we presented to our elected officials, and we were warmly received. This photo is of me, my business partner Carrie and our great agent Chris. There were REALTORS from all across the State, and it was a wonderful grass roots effort.

This is a photo of me at the Capitol, and I am just throwing this one in because I like the photo, and it is my journal, so a little bit of this self-aggrandizement is to be expected. A big shout-out to another valuable ABoR staffer Kate for taking the photo. I expect there are a lot of photos floating around right now, and I would be happy to be the recipient of any you might like to share.

I attended several sessions with our State Representatives or their counsel of Chiefs of Staff. After all, the legislature is in session, and we have a tremendous number of really important issues that need to be decided this session, including our looming budget deficit. My groups met with representatives for Representative Elliott Naishtat, Representative Mark Strama, and Senator Kirk Watson.

The highlight of MY day was being the Team-Leader for State Representative Donna Howard, one of the most endearing and delightful people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. She is truly an asset to her constituents and is certainly a friend to REALTORS in her District.

Our day ended with a meeting with freshman Representative Paul Workman, and he was very candid with us about his learning the ropes during this session, and his earnest efforts to make sure all his decisions are for the benefit of all.

A truly enlightening day for all involved. My thanks to everyone that had a part in this annual event, and I hope to be a part of it again next year.

So, even though my Hill Visit was pretty exciting, there was fun stuff happening on the home front as well! Miguel came out today and started (and almost finished) our new path from the front of the house to the front barn and chicken coop. Can't really tell much about it right now, but I am thinking it is going to be pretty darned nice. Photos tomorrow or the next day. We got three eggs from the girls today, and there maybe one or two more, but we are not really sure why the production has decreased in the last week. Maybe they are just going through a phase. We shall see...

Deeds, Actions, Changes, HILL VISITS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2011 - Day One Hundred One; Monday...

Another day of pitfalls and pick-me-ups! Remember, for every valley there is a peak.

We were really lucky and got about a third of an inch of rain last night. Jody got up in the middle of the night and closed a couple of the windows (we have the LOUDEST windows in the world) and I did not hear a thing. I woke up at one point, and Jody said we were in the second round of winds and rain, and I was totally oblivious to the first onset. Self-medication really works!

Pretty much a full day in the office, and there were a few challenges; but nothing that won't look less disastrous after a good nights sleep.

Once I got home this afternoon, I went out to take a look at the cattle; I think we should be having another calf or two in the not too distant future. The cattle are all happily ensconced in the other pasture with plenty of nice ripe green grass. they have not even touched the bale of hay that is out there with them, and with the rain last night, the other two pastures should make a nice and speedy recovery.

Here are a couple pictures I want to share with you. First, this is a photo of the bottle tree that Miguel and I got started yesterday. There is plenty of room for additional bottles, and as you can see, I only drink the cheap stuff. Here is a question for you; do you have any interesting bottles, particularly the cobalt blue ones? I am not opposed to buying wine based on the color of the bottle, but in my experience a bottle of wine in a blue bottle costs at least $7. Out of my league. So, just in case you need a new source of recycling... I would even consider a pick-up service, just let me know what you need.

The next photo is just kind of an oxymoron to me...a nice oriental carpet in the living room, a lovely needle point chair (that I am really partial to) and my work boots next to them. I just thought it was a humorous sight. If you really want to know what I thought, just ask me.

Tomorrow will be our Hill Visits. We expect about 2,000 REALTORS to descend on the Capitol, and we will be making the rounds of the Travis County delegations. There will be folks from all across the state, and this will be my first experience. I will be in charge of a team of REALTORS that will be visiting State Representative Donna Howard. A very nice woman; I have met her a few times, and she is just delightful.

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

2011 - Day One Hundred; Sunday...

Already one-hundred days into this year. Pretty soon it will be Christmas, and we will be planning next years gardens and transplanting things. All the work I have done this year will be forgotten but not necessarily unappreciated. I spent two or three hours this morning pulling weeds in the front circle and the back circle. Lots of Georgia Cane and other little pesky weeds. Interestingly, all the Georgia Cane is on one long continuous root; maybe not really, but they have expansive root systems. I do not think my weed pulling days are over for this year, but they are over for this month at least. We shall see.

Miguel and I kind of went our separate ways around the property today, I (remember) was busy pulling weeds, and Miguel re-worked the fruit tree staking that he did last week, and then watered the trees up by the road. I pulled weeds and Miguel went on to something else. I pulled weeds, and Miguel started something else. Get the picture? I pulled weeds, Miguel really has no interest in pulling weeds.

Late morning Jody and I went into Georgetown to make a Home Depot run and then a stop at the Dairy Queen. Sorry to say my visit to the Dairy Queen today was not particularly satisfying. Jody had his usual hot-fudge sundae, and I opted for a root beer Freeze (which is really a root beer milk shake), but the guy making it was a rookie and it ended up being something like root beer with a little ice cream in it and it was really THIN. BUT, I was basically craving fluids so it was okay, but not sinfully delicious.

When we got home, I cleaned the chickens water pan and hanging water buckets, and Miguel and I started moving flat rocks from here and there to make a path from the end of the front garden to the front of the property where the barn and chicken coop is. That will be a job, but Miguel will be working on it during the week as well as on the weekend, so that will be good. I also took some square hay bales, dug holes in the centers of them and put dirt in the holes. Then I put some cantaloupe and water melon seeds in the dirt, and I am going to see if that will work for a hay bale garden. It seems like the hay will retain water well (doubtful it will retain water as well as I do, nothing does), but I think it is a good theory, just not sure if it is too late to start anything or if it will work or not. Time will tell. It is an interesting concept though.

Once Miguel left, I took my first jump into the pool. As they said of the water when the titanic was sinking 'it is definitely not hot'. After the initial shock (to several parts of the old bod) it was not too bad. And it is true that I do not have any shame what-so-ever since I am in total control of the photos I publish on this blog. No shame what-so-ever!

Jody and I went into Jarrell for dinner tonight at one of the local Mexican Restaurants. I had the three quesadilla plate (it was DELICIOUS) and Jody had the chicken enchiladas which were really good too. We had been there once before and were not terribly thrilled with it, but it was really good tonight.

On the way home, we were driving through a little subdivision and came upon this kind of old stretch Lincoln limousine, and I had to go back just to take the picture of the front end of this car. Fabulous!

It is going to be a busy week, but at least tomorrow will be a day of mostly office work.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, HORNY LINCOLNS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2011 - Day Ninety Nine; Saturday...

Last night after I finished my entry, I went out into the back yard and was kicking some dead grass around (I had on my pink fake Croc knock-offs, not boots) and this snake was coiled up under the dry grass. It stayed coiled but of course that did not make for a good picture, so I had to provoke it with a long stick. No rattles, but I really do not know what kind of a snake it is. I know it was a scary kind, and if you heard any high-pitched shrieking, that was me.

Stayed in bed until after 7 this morning; does not mean I was asleep, just stayed in bed. When I got up and finished my routines (rituals? OCD stuff?) and made a nice egg loaf. Once we finished that, it was time for me to get started getting ready to head into town. I had a very nice appointment with a couple that are going to put their property on the market for sale and then purchase a new home. They are just starting their family, so they want to be settled in their new home before the joyous occasion. VERY NICE, it would be a pleasure working with them; I will know in a couple days. On the way home, I stopped to survey a possible management property. Again, a very nice home, recently renovated and updated, so there is not much that needs to be done for this property to have happy new tenants. A great location too.

Once I got home, I emptied the rest of the gasoline from the tank into the riding lawn mower, went and let the chickens loose and put the empty gas and diesel tanks into the truck. A few weeks ago I bought a hundred dollars worth of gas and diesel, and did the same thing today. Between the truck, tractor and lawnmowers, we go through a lot of gasoline and diesel. Just the way it is.

We stopped (of course) at the Dairy Queen in Georgetown, and our friend Minga gave us a little 'extra' helping of hot fudge and whipped cream. Good to know the folks, and it is really fun to see them regularly. It is not hurting my waist (or waste) line too much either! After we left the Dairy Queen, we went to Hobby Lobby to get some wooden eggs to put in the chickens nesting boxes. We hope this will keep them from crushing and eating their eggs. I had been trying to blame it on anything EXCEPT the chickens, but I am pretty much resigned to the fact that they are crushing and eating their own eggs, and it seems to not be such an extraordinary occurrence. Hope these fake eggs will help, we will know soon. We got five eggs from the girls today, so that is good, they seem to be doing well.

The fence guy (Ira) finished on side of the pasture this afternoon, so I moved the cattle to the other pasture, and they are all very happy. Fresh green grasses, the are all excited, and the calves are all playing and happy. Lots of running and jumping and messing around. Even Violet (our first born) was jumping and playing. The two newest calves (pictured here) are just about the prettiest things you could ever imagine. The Monday calf is absolutely gorgeous. I think he is going to be named Karl Kowling in honor of our assistant at the office who was celebrating her birthday the same day the calf was born. Kool!

Beautiful sunset this evening, not the most spectacular we have ever seen, but a beautiful one none the less. I like the way the clouds are accented here. It is still REALLY windy, and tomorrow I am going to have to secure the tin roof over one of the cattle sheds, if it lasts until tomorrow. There is only so much you can do in one day. I have a list of chores to try and get accomplished tomorrow, and WEEDING (do you hear that Mikey?) is one of the things on the list.

Good Night!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, FRESH GRASS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2011 - Day Ninety Eight; Friday...

Today is Friday, thank the Deity of your choice. If you think about it, you and I have lived our entire lives for this day. This glorious day was preceded by a few difficult days, but all in all, I am thankful for everyday, each in its' own way, good or bad. Actually, in my old age, I have become more thankful for Fridays and Saturdays since it really means that I get to sleep in a bit. That is a habit I have begun to take full advantage of (and savor) only in the past several months, maybe the past year. I really like sleeping...

We prepped today for the REALTOR visits to the Capitol (pretty sure 'ol' is appropriate in this case) which will be on Tuesday. I will be a team leader for a visit to one of our Travis County delegations, and we are all well prepared. Tuesday will be another long day, but it will really be very worthwhile! I really enjoy the activism that we are all a part of as REALTORS, and our causes benefit property owners rights as well as our own. A great group of people.

Back in February, the Austin Board of REALTORS was honored for a series of classes I wrote a year or so back. The Board was given the award for the Education Program of the Year in the Legal Category, and today I was given a copy of the award by the Board because I wrote the classes. Very nice. It comes in a lovely deep blue velvet box, and a part of me was secretly wishing that is was a bottle of Crown Royal, but I am happy with the copy of the award. Kind of like a cenotaph, I got a copy of the award, but the Board owns the course. I am not really buried here, just honored with a plague! Whatever...I don't think that came out right, but I mean it in the nicest possible way. I could really use the Crown Royal right now!

Tomorrow I have a listing presentation and a Buyer's representation presentation, so that will keep me occupied for a while. I have made all the preparations, so I think I have everything I need If not, I will have time to either get it done from here, or stop at the office on the way. These clients were referred to me by previous clients that I represented as a Buyer's agent. Referrals are always nice, and I try to do my best for all involved. Thanks Tim and Jennifer! On the way home, I am going to stop by a vacant property that is under contract and take a look at it for property management. I think it will be a really nice home to add to our property management portfolio, and the Buyer of the property is very nice. She was referred to us by one of my colleagues (thanks Judith), and it is always nice to be referred to prospective clients.

You can also expect an update from the Dairy Queen where Jody and I will be enjoying a Hot Fudge Sundae. After that, we are going to make a stop at Hobby Lobby to pick up some wooden eggs to put in the chickens nesting boxes. I looked it up on the Internet today, and it seems it is not unusual for chickens to eat and/or just crush eggs in the nest, but the 'nesting eggs' are supposed to help deter that. I need to take a couple classes in chicken psychology.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, HILL PREP, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!