Shirley's San Antonio Real Estate Blog

Don't miss ABC World News tonight!

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:18:26 -0600

Don't Miss ABC World News tonight!

This morning on ABC's Good Morning America Diane Sawyer gave a brief tease for a news story that will be on tonight's broadcast of ABC World News. I have a feeling that the story will be about San Antonio's own Gordon Hartman and his wonderful new amusement park, Morgan's Wonderland, that is designed for special needs kids. Mr. Hartman's own special needs daughter, Morgan, is the inspiration for Morgan's Wonderland.

ABC World News airs at 5:30 on KSAT, channel 12, here in San Antonio. If you have someone with special needs in your life or even if you don't, this should be a great story to watch.

www.morganswonderland.com

If you are interested in attending a meeting of CBC Caregivers Support Group, please contact me at 210-414-0966. Meetings are free and everyone is welcome!

Ft. Sam Houston Medical Training Campus Progress

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:26:59 -0600

The first of three dorms has been completed at the new Medical Training Campus located on Ft. Sam Houston. Students will start arriving at the facility in May.

The campus is part of the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission's (BRAC) plan to bring all armed forces enlisted medical training to Fort Sam. When completed the campus will have three dorm buildings, five instructional facilities, a headquarters and administrative building, a fitness center and a dining hall. The dining hall has already has been completed.

The dorm units were constructed at a plant in Belton and the building was assembled on Fort Sam Houston.

Completed dorm is shown in lower right of photo.

A PERFECT STORM IN REAL ESTATE

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:05:25 -0600

Kathleen Cooper and her Texas born husband, James, are doing everything right!

Via Kathleen Cooper, JCKC Realty-Keller Williams, SRES, REALTOR®:

A PERFECT STORM IN REAL ESTATE

What's going on in your real estate marketplace? We have been more busy than I have ever remembered being in 7 years of real estate. We constantly have appointments, are adding lots of new listings and working with plenty of buyers. This has been such a new kind of market.

When's the last time that you can remember a December, January and February being more busy than your May, June and July? We've run into the perfect storm in the real estate marketplace.

What have you been focusing on to keep your business rolling? For me, I've had to learn how to effectively prospect for new business, practice time blocking, use extra communication to keep frustrated sellers from canceling their listings, negotiate short sales, and keep buyers calm when trying to wait for a short sale and price my listings to sell. This is a market that you need to get creative in. The old ways of marketing just won't cut it.

Some creative ways we market are by:

•·         Creating property address website such as www.9MaddenRoad.com

•·         Advertising on Blogs and Facebook

•·         Networking with other agents

•·        Price Watching

•·        Property Business Cards

Don't let this market pass you by. Right now is your time to shine and to seize the moment! This is a defining market. Where do you want to come out at? I know for me, it will be the top of the mountain!

BE BOLD!

Top 7 Questions to Ask Before Buying Your New Home - Kitchen

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:05:15 -0600

Via Stanton Homes - Penny Hull New Home Builders - Raleigh NC Area (Stanton Homes - New Homes in Raleigh NC and Surrounding Area):

Wondering how to save money in your new home?

Tips on What's Worth Upgrading - From a Custom Home Builder

Smart home building tips for the Kitchen

This questionnaire will help you determine where to spend your money in the kitchen as you build - and what you can do differently, later.

1. Where do you spend your time in the kitchen? Factor in ease-of-use and functionality.

2. Who hangs there with you? Do you need an island, breakfast bar, or conversation corner? Do the countertops need to incorporate extra width or arches, or will something simple do?

3. How important is the overall look and feel - layout, cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, cooking, sink capacity?

4. How much traffic flow through capability is necessary?

5. How much usage will the room get? Do you need the strength of granite, or will a laminate be sufficient?

6. What's a reasonable cabinetry package for your budget? Do you need a higher-end wood like cherry or exotics, or will a maple or oak package with lots of extra storage options be better for you?

7. Cooking for a crowd? Need two ovens, deep freeze, heavy duty dishwasher?

Some things are more costly than others to change later. Here's what to focus on:

Layout

The layout is extremely expensive to do all over again. Expanding the kitchen to gain more space involves major renovations that can cost three times more later than during initial construction.

Adding an island or moving major appliances

Another costly renovation; unless your kitchen has a lot of extra space, an island added later can actually reduce your ability to maneuver.

Deciding the oven would be better in another area means rewiring and restructuring, plus changes to cabinetry (which may not match the originals).

Major structural changes to a kitchen can be the most costly change in the house.

Adding windows

The ability to add windows or sky lights later can depend on the construction of your home. It's not always possible to put it where you want it, once the home has been completed, due to structural issues. This is one of the things you'll want to get right, the first time. Not sure? Talk to your builder about "preframing" a future window.

Adding lighting

If you're going to want a lot of lights in the ceiling, under the cabinets, or in special areas, this is something you'll pay a lot less for if you have it wired when the house is under construction. Doing it later can involve a lot more time and complexity.

However, you don't need to spend a lot of money up front on the latest designer lighting fixtures. If the prewire is in place, you can add many of the fixtures later.

Start simple, with basic lighting.

Putting in a bigger pantry

If you want a big, walk-in pantry, you're going to pay a whole lot less to start right out with that. Unless you're willing to knock out some walls and lose some space later in the adjoining family room, dining room or hallway, there's just no way to add another room in the middle of the house without a lot more work than you're going to want to adjust to.

Cabinets

If you decide on inexpensive cabinets, don't be under the mistaken impression they can be changed out easily later on.

The process can involve much more than the cupboards - including removal of countertops, flooring, trimwork and appliances. Ask your builder how to choose a quality cabinetry that you'll be happy with, without breaking the bank - and start with these tips:

Type of Wood - Consider oak or maple as an alternative to more expensive hickory or cherry choices. A well-made cabinet can be just as appealing in a variety of different species, at varying costs.

Glazes and Special Finishes - a glaze can add 15-35% or more to your total cabinetry package. Consider accent pieces as an alternative if you're on a tight budget. A pair of glass doors or a contrasting accent door hardware can spark up the decor at a lower cost.

Storage Solutions - Have your builder tell you whether that built-in recycle center or wine rack involves an extra charge. It may be just what you want - but find out what it's costing, just in case.

Countertops

The difference in cost can be huge depending on what kind of countertop you use. Recycled glass countertops may sound economical, but can cost three times as much as granite. Your builder can walk you through the choices, benefits and costs of every option out there, so you know just what you're getting - and paying.

Countertop questions to ask your builder:

What kind of countertops are best for each room?

What would it take to change countertops in a few years?

What are my best ways to save money on countertops?

Will a few changes in design save some money on countertops?

Flooring

Starting with a laminate floor won't break the budget later if you decide to go tile or hardwood. The floor is one of the easier things in the kitchen to change later - and many kinds of flooring can be done with some "do it yourself" skills.

Appliances

As long as you don't want two ovens instead of one, or a bigger appliance than what you're starting with, changing out appliances is not going to involve ripping apart the entire kitchen. But before you decide to start with the most economical brands available, determine other cost factors such as energy saving and estimated life cycle.

Ask your builder if you can supply your own appliances - then shop around for the very best pricing.

Keeping Upgrades in Line

Talk to your builder about your lifestyle, and let him help guide your choices, from layout through amenities. Ask your builder if they'll let you take a second look at all your choices before making a final decision - sometimes it's easier to decide when you can sit down with the price tag for each feature.

Room-by-room: Smart building choices that help you stay on budget.

Watch for upcoming articles - and learn what's smart to "upgrade" in your new home, while keeping your overall budget in line.

Kitchen

Bathroom

Master Suite

Bedrooms

Family Room

Entryway

Laundry Room

Garage

Exterior

Energy Savings



Finding Your New Home in the Raleigh Area

Stanton Homes makes it easy! We'll guide you through the entire process - select from thousands of different floor plans, and hundreds of different locations. New homes from the upper $100s to the $500s. Custom modifications available too!

Call 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to find out more today.

Floorplans | Communities | Stanton Homes | Energy Wise | Contact Us

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Browse New Home Communities, Lots, and Land available throughout the Triangle!

Alamance County New Homes | Apex New Homes | Carrboro New Homes | Cary New Homes | Chapel Hill New Homes | Clayton New Homes | Chatham County New Homes | Fuquay Varina New Homes | Holly Springs New Homes | Hillsborough New Homes | Raleigh New Homes | Wake Forest New Homes

Article copyright Stanton Homes 2010.   Provided for informational purposes only, no claims are made by Stanton Homes regarding the validity of any statements.   Stanton Homes is an NC New Homes Builder. Please note: all listing information per MLS, and current as of posting date. Information subject to change. Stanton Homes does not make claims to ownership of above lot listings, but can work with homebuyers to purchase lots and build. Home plans to be approved on an individual basis, subject to neighborhood restrictive covenants and lot restrictions. Ask for further information regarding any community, lot or floor plan.

Photos represent typical homes and details of each neighborhood, to help highlight different options available in the Raleigh/Triangle area. No claim of ownership is made to homes or land pictured.

Spring Vistas ~ Fantastic one Story w/Fireplace ~ 3/2/2

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:18:36 -0600

Don't Miss this Fantastic One Story with Cozy Fireplace in Desired Spring Vistas!

Open Floor Plan, Split Master, Covered Patio, Window Seat in Dining Room. New Laminate Flooring in Living Room; New Ceramic Tile in Kitchen, Dining Room, and one bedroom; New Blinds. Newer Matching Dishwasher, Stove, Microwave, and Bottom Freezer French Door Refrigerator. Water Filtration System. Water Softener. Near SeaWorld; Convenient to Lackland AFB.

Front yard completely resodded & new landscaping after picture taken. Mature trees. MLS #817843

Way Cool 1970's Decor

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:09:40 -0600

Refrigerators, sinks, stoves in Avacado Green or Harvest Gold. Shag carpeting, also in avacado or gold, kept fluffy by a carpet rake. Dark panelling in the den, carpet in the bathroom. Lava lamps. I laugh out loud when I think back to the day when everyone, including myself, thought these items of interior decor were really cool... the newest thing. And now when I preview or show homes, if these things are present, they are considered to be ugly, outdated, must be replaced or a redecorating allowance considered. Even before those Harvest Gold, Avacado Green days, "wall to wall carpet" was worthy of an oooh or an aaah and wood floors were rejected. But now wood floors are worthy of an oooh or an aaah. How times change. Sometimes I wonder how the interior decor we now think of as beautiful and the newest thing will look to our eyes in twenty or thirty years.

Construction in Texas to rise in 2010

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:37:35 -0600

According to a report released this week by McGraw-Hill Construction, construction in Texas is expected to rise in 2010.

The 2010 Texas Construction Outlook reports the value of construction starts in Texas will rise 16% to $52.5 billion. Also, growth is projected for 5 Texas cities: Austin 30%, Houston 17%, Dallas 16%, El Paso 8%, and San Antonio (6%).

The report says:

• Housing starts in Texas are expected to rise 31% to $21.8 billion

• Non-residential construction starts will slip 1% to $17.6 billion because of slight reductions in commercial and industrial real estate activity

• Federal stimulus funding will boost public works and utilities construction. Construction activity in this sector will rise to $13.1 billion in 2010, a 21% increase over last year.

(McGraw-Hill Construction has reported on real estate project and product information, plans and specifications, and industry news and forecasts for over a century.)

www.historiesart.com

.End of the old barn...but can't take the memories

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:32:56 -0600

June says that seeing old barns reminds her of her childhood; her post reminds me of my own childhood. Thanks, June!

Via June Lewis Realtor® Northwood Realty New Castle,Pa Lawrence Co 7247304571 (Northwood Realty Services):

There is something about the Old Barns across our country that stir up childhood memories in many of us. The smell of fresh straw, grain bins and hay lofts, will never be experienced by the babies growing up today

I remember the stables beneath the barn where the bigger than life draft horses would enjoy contentment on A Sunday afternoon

A visit to the farms.... where every Sunday the steps to the story book, Victorian farm house would be filled with Sunday visitors and family sitting in a row on the steps. The large porch was filled, everyone enjoying each others company...after all Sunday was a " Day of Rest" not for working or shopping or Walmarts...no.....

.A day to visit with friends at a beautiful old farm house where the flower gardens were always beautiful and fragrant, grandma always in the kitchen and my grandpa ....with his best friend his Shepherd dog at his side would wonder the 100 acre farm bring home fresh fruit from the orchard and water cress from the spring near the creek.

On a hot summer Sunday, the swimming home Stone Wall along the creek was the gathering place to be.

We would know when grandma and grandma had a disagreement...he would sit on the front porch...she would sit on the side porch...but nary a nasty word between them.

A family of thirteen children....Now that is a Walton family...my Aunts and Uncles. The old house is gone ...the only remnant

of the " Good Old Days" was the barn and now...it's gone.

This barn was on my grandparents farm and dismantled, taken down and placed on a new home site...good by old barn..but never good by to fun memories and the " Good Old Days "

San Antonio rodeo trail riders ~ I know you were wondering!

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:32:07 -0600

San Antonio rodeo trail riders ~ I know you were wondering!

The state of Texas has been getting a soaking this week. Nature has given us very long drink of cold water along with lots of mist and murkiness. I have mostly stayed home all toasty and warm throughout our mini monsoon but I have been thinking about all the trail riders braving the weather on their long journey on horseback for the San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo. I have been wondering how many trail rides there are and where they all originate. It looks like a lot of fun but I don't know if I could do it. Maybe I could do the one coming from Kerrville or Bandera. Mostly, I enjoy see the photos and seeing them on the local news.

I did a little research and found there are 11 trail rides arriving from many areas of Texas. Doesn't this look like fun! In case you were wondering too, here they are:

Texas Trail Ride

Trail Boss - Cleve Handley

Fri 29-Jan-10 Oakland, Tx

Sat 30-Jan-10 Oakland to Subline

Sun 31-Jan-10 Subline to Shiner

Mon 1-Feb-10 Shiner to Gonzales

Tue 2-Feb-10 Gonzales to Belmont

Wed 3-Feb-10 Belmont to Seguin

Thur 4-Feb-10 Seguin to Bexar Bowling Alley

Fri 5-Feb-10 Bexar Bowling Allen to San Antonio

(photo credit: John Davenport, San Antonio Express News)

South Texas Trail Ride

Trail Boss - Arlis Young

Thur 1/28/2010 Edroy, Tx

Fri 29-Jan-10 Edry to Tynan

Sat 30-Jan-10 Tynan to to Beeville

Sun 31-Jan-10 Beeville to Pettus

Mon 1-Feb-10 Pettus to Karnes County Show Barn

Tue 2-Feb-10 Karnes County Show Barn to Falls City

Wed 3-Feb-10 Falls City to Floresville

Thur 4-Feb-10 Floresville to Bexar County Sheriff Arena

Fri 5-Feb-10 Bexar County Arena to San Antonio

Old Chisholm Trail Ride

Trail Boss - Michael Breiten

Fri 29-Jan-10 Cuero, Tx

Sat 30-Jan-10 Cuero to Westhoff

Sun 31-Jan-10 Westhoff to Nixon

Mon 1-Feb-10 Nixon to Stockdale

Tue 2-Feb-10 Stockdale to La Vernia

Wed 3-Feb-10 La Vernia to Reynolds Nation Wide

Thur 4-Feb-10 Reynolds to San Antonio

Alamo Trail Ride

Trail Boss - Kyle Coleman

Fri 29-Jan-10 Camp Wood, TX

Fri 5-Feb-10 Cross Country Ride to San Antonio

Laredo Trail Ride

Trail Boss - Jerry Chessher Jr.

Fri 29-Jan-10 Laredo, Tx

Sat 30-Jan-10 Laredo to Encinal

Sun 31-Jan-10 Encinal to Cotulla

Mon 1-Feb-10 Cotulla to Pearsall

Tue 2-Feb-10 Pearsall to Devine

Wed 3-Feb-10 Devine to Lytle

Thur 4-Feb-10 Lytle to Loop 410 @ WW White

Fri 5-Feb-10 WW White to San Antonio

Hill Country Trail Ride

Trail Boss - Marty Jones

Fri 29-Jan-10 Blanco, Tx

Sat 30-Jan-10 Blanco to Twin Sisters

Sun 31-Jan-10 Twin Sisters to Sisterdale

Mon 1-Feb-10 Sisterdale to Boerne

Tue 2-Feb-10 Boerne to Kendalia

Wed 3-Feb-10 Kendalia to Spring Branch

Thur 4-Feb-10 Spring Branch to Bulverde

Fri 5-Feb-10 Trailer to San Antonio

Cowboy Capital Trail Ride

Trail Boss - Mark Mims Rusty

Fri 29-Jan-10 Bandera, Tx

Fri 5-Feb-10 Arrive in San Antonio

Mesquite Trail Ride

Trail Boss - Linda Gomez

Fri 29-Jan-10 Watterson, Tx

Sat 30-Jan-10 Watterson to Lockhart

Sun 31-Jan-10 Lockhart to Kingsbury

Mon 1-Feb-10 Kingsbury to Seguin

Tue 2-Feb-10 Seguin to New Berlin

Wed 3-Feb-10 New Berlin to Mesquite Hall

Thur 4-Feb-10 Mesquite Hall to San Antonio

Kerr Country Trail Ride

Trail Boss - David Weidefield

Fri 29-Jan-10 Kerrville, Tx

Sat 30-Jan-10 Kerrville to Twin Bridges IH 10

Sun 31-Jan-10 Twin Bridges to Boerne

Mon 1-Feb-10 Boerne to Camp Bullis

Tue 2-Feb-10 Camp Bullis - All Day

Wed 3-Feb-10 Camp Bullis to Bra

San Antonio CBC Caregiver Support Group ~ Caring & Sharing

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:42:56 -0600

San Antonio Caregiver Support Group ~ Caring & Sharing

My husband, Stephen, and I are now leading the Caregiver Support Group at CBC. The meetings are FREE and attendance is open to everyone. You may be a caregiver, expect to be a caregiver, interested in caregiving, or want just to lend your support. No matter what your situation, you are welcome. We will meet every Thursday evening and our first meeting will be February 11 at 6:30 p.m. in room C132.

The CBC Caregiver Support group offers caregivers encouragement and support to ease the strain and reduce the challenges of caregiving. We are here to help each other in any way we can!

Caregiving can be difficult and frustrating. We know the often emotional, physical, and financial strain of caregiving, as well as the psychological rewards. Our goal is to help you care for your loved one and for yourself.

Are you caring for an aging relative? Are you raising a grandchild, young relative or caring for a disabled person? Do you care for someone with Alzheimer's? Maybe your loved one lives in an assisted living facility or a nursing home. Learn how to connect with community resources and change your life!

Caring for the Caregiver

Whether you are just starting out in a caregiving role or continuing to care for someone over a long period of time, you need to care for yourself as well. Learn tips for maintaining your physical and emotional health and find community support that can make it possible for you to take a break from your daily responsibilities.

Mission Statement: The CBC Caregiver Support group seeks to empower caregivers by providing information, education, support, and encouragement.

Caregiver Support Group

Community Bible Church, rm. C132

Loop 1604 at Gold Canyon

Call: Shirley 210-414-0966 ~ Stephen 210-844-9185

email: caregivers.cbc@gmail.com

What Do Homebuyers Want Now? Newest Trends

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:20:18 -0600

What do homebuyers want now?

Home designers and builders speaking at the International Builders Show held recently in Las Vegas reported that today's buyers want cost-effective features and don't want things that have no lasting value. That sounds like a smart idea.

Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design Group here in San Antonio says that it's all about family togetherness - casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces.

Avid Ratings conducts an annual survey of buyer preferences. Paul Cardis, CEO, says that these are the new must-haves for buyers:

Large kitchens with islands
Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.
Home offices
Main-floor master suite
Outdoor living space
Ceiling fans
Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area
Stone and brick exteriors rather than stucco or vinyl
Community walking paths and playgrounds
Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable

I like all of these must-haves, particularly #7 and #10.

~Realtor Magazine via MarketWatch writer Steve Kerch

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shirley Parks, Broker

Sands Realty, San Antonio TX

210-414-0966

www.shirleyparks.com

Fannie Mae to pay closing cost on foreclosures

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:38:20 -0600

FannieMae to pay closing cost on foreclosures

Fannie Mae has announced that it will pay the closing costs on purchases of foreclosed homes in its inventory. Buyers of qualified properties will either get up to 3.5 percent in closing costs or an equal amount for the purchase of new appliances by using the Home Path program and closing by May 1.

Fannie Mae is doing this to clear out the approximately 50,000 properties in its inventory. They are listed on HomePath.com, the Web site created by Fannie Mae last year to sell the growing number of foreclosed homes. The goal is to attract qualified buyers, reduce inventory of vacant homes, stablize neighborhoods and help the housing market recover. Fannie Mae is the largest provider of residential home funding in the nation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shirley Parks, Broker

Sands Realty

210-414-0966

www.shirleyparks.com

Desperately Seeking a Reputable Painter?

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:14:08 -0600

I have a client who recently had the interior of his house painted by an relative's friend who needed work. This "friend" painted the house but not in the color requested, didn't prepare the surface, use a primer, or tape off edges. My client has no recourse since this "painter" wasn't bonded and is no longer in town. A lot of people, including my husband and I, have had bad experiences with painters, home repairmen, electricians, roofers, etc., resulting from shoddy work, shoddy materials, disappearing after aking for money and getting it; leaving a mess in their wake. We now have connections with a good and trustworthy contractor and I hate to see others get taken by disreputable contractors.

Desperately Seeking a Reputable Painter?

Trusted Sources

The best place to start is with your trusted sources such as friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Ask them about their experiences:

1. Are you happy with the quality provided by the painting contractor? You should also look at their house and judge the quality of work yourself. Pay close attention areas around doors, windows and trim. Notice if the painter protected non painted surfaces or areas by securely taping them off.

2. Were they professional, courteous, and pleasant?

3. Was the project started and finished in a timely manner?

5. Is the painter bonded?

Local Paint Stores

Speak with someone in your paint store. Most professional painters purchase their products from a local supplier such as a paint store, Home Depot, Lowe's.

Purchasing paint and other products of the highest quality shows care and concern for outcome of your project.

If a painter has mostly purchased from a single store over time, a reputation (good or bad) has been built with this supplier. The store will be familiar with the quality of products the painter has purchased.

If you can access this information, on time payment is a good sign of paint jobs finished.

Talk to the counter person and describe your project needs and ask for recommendations. They are very likely to be able to give you the names of trustworthy painters.

Better Business Bureau

Look for house painters that have no bad comments or judgments on record. You can call your local office or check on-line. The BBB maintains records on contractors, including non-members. The records include customer comments.

Ask prospective painters a lot of questions before making a decision!

Ask for references from customers whose jobs were similar to yours.

Notice if the contractor was businesslike, courteous, and punctual for the appointment. This will help provide a stress free experience for you.

Obtain a comprehensive proposal that includes what will be done and what painting products will be used. The proposal should include the type and amount of surface preparation, priming, type of primer, caulking (type and where used), taping, and the brand of paint used, how many coats will be used.

Before calling, make detailed notes of what you need done. This information will be used by the painter in the estimate.

Never Never Never pay a painter or home improvement contractor up front!

"Baby, it's cold outside"... protect your plants

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:27:25 -0600

"Baby, it's cold outside"... protect your plants

San Antonio enjoyed a mild winter last year with month after month of sunny days, high blue skies, and lovely weather. Not so this year. Like the rest of the country, we are experiencing cold weather with freezing temperatures on some nights. Gardeners should keep an eye on weather forecasts and be prepared for a freeze. Help your plants survive freezing temperatures with these simple steps:

~ Remember to water if your plants need it. Move delicate potted plants indoors, especially tropical plants. If you are unsure if they should be moved indoors, then move them indoors anyway.

~ Give your plants a fresh blanket of mulch. Together with moist soil, mulch helps protect roots.

~ Cover flowering plants such as azaleas, camellias, and fruit trees with sheets or blankets. Anchor the covers with bricks, rocks, or other heavy objects.

~ You can use nursery pots or cardboard boxes to create minigreenhouses for small plants.

~ If freezing rain is forecast, cover plants with sheets and blankets, then cover with a heavy plastic and anchor with bricks and stones.

After the freeze ~ Do not wash frost or ice off plants the morning after a freeze. Doing so will raise the temperature too quickly and will likely damage the plant's cell tissues.

A New Year.....Everyday Resolutions.

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:53:08 -0600

Great idea, Tina!

Via Tina Allen (Exit Realty Tri-County):

I have just come across a Dear Abby column with these daily resolutions...I have printed them out and will be putting them all around my home and office. I think I will even make little handheld sheets for my kids. I feel it will be a great way to start our mornings on a positive note. Many of you have probably seen these before but I hope they are a reminder to you and for those that haven't seen or heard before, enjoy.

JUST FOR TODAY

JUST FOR TODAY; I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set unrealistic goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once.

I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY; I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.

JUST FOR TODAY; I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

JUST FOR TODAY; I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

JUST FOR TODAY; I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I will improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking.

JUST FOR TODAY; I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.

JUST FOR TODAY; I will do something positive to improve my health. If I am a smoker, I will quit. If I am overweight, I will eat healthfully - if only just for today. And not only that, I will get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

JUST FOR TODAY; I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.