Counting my Blessings this Thanksgiving

I count my blessings daily, but Thanksgiving is a time to reflect upon all my blessing over the year and to say "Thank You" for all the great, just okay and even the bad. This has been one busy year,  between trotting across the globe traveling and helping buyers find new homes and sellers sell theirs, it was wonderful to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends this year, here in Texas. 

This is the first time {in 8 years} where someone on Ray's family {mothers side} has come to Texas, so I was excited that Ray's Uncle and Aunt made the trip for Thanksgiving. Being the first time they came, I had lots of places I wanted to take them and things to show them. But I was really counting the week down, until Friday...that was going to be the BEST saved for last! I prepared a Texas size snack basket for their hotel room, with Larry's favorite giant marshmallows (when I took them to Alaska I said they were Texas size marshmallow, since everything is bigger in Texas...that and Alaska has lots of wearables they sell making fun of the size of Texas)., popcorn, candy bars, trail mixes and lots of yummy snacks. We went early and preped their hotel suite, with mint smiley faces on the bed, thesnack basket in the kitchen, ice and cold drinks, Ray (as a joke) even put a picture of us on the nightstand. Larry and Edith were tickled at all the time put into their stay and asked if they could stay forever. I just wanted to show them some Southern hospitality...what Southern Belle wouldn't go all out for her guest!  (my momma raised me right, lol)

So Monday and Tuesday, I touted them around Lewisville and Flower Mound showing them our fabulous real estate, shopping and more. Then off to Dallas, so they could see the X where JFK was shot. Then we picked Ray up and wraped up the evening at Studio Movie Grill, our exciting movie theater with dinner! (This impressed them, plus "Unstopable" was a great thrilling movie).

Uncle Larry was estatic when Ray took them Wednesday, to the Winstar Casino in Oklahoma, while I stayed home baking in prepration for Thursday. I couldn't believe that he had never...ever....ever...been to a casino. I guess we are pretty lucky to have several only an hour or so away. (Not to mention we had them down the street when we lived in MS and MO). Ray made his donation to the casino, or as Ray's tells it...Cheif Snake Eyes, got him. lol....but I was glad that they all had a great time and Uncle Larry managed to get a "green gift" from the casino. I guess it was his beginners luck that helped him win. 

Thursday we drove out to Melissa to my moms for Thanksgiving dinner, and to celebrate her birthday. This year we had a full house, Lauren brought her boyfriend Tyler, we brought Ray's family plue two friends joined us,all together we ended up with 11. Dinner was so delicious and we were all stuffed...and sleepy afterwards. I did watch a little bit of the football game before having a wonderful nap. On the drive home, I couldn't help but think of all the fun tomorrow was going to bring. My grand surprise, the best (in my opinion) of Texas....or at least my favorite thing to do! 

Finally Friday morning came....with delight we headed out to Glen Rose to take Uncle Larry and Aunt Edith to our favorite thing in Texas...FOSSIL RIM. Fossil Rim is a wildlife center, {for any of you who have never been - shame on you - lol, you need to make plans to go right now} in Glen Rose, TX and I had booked us on a Family Tour. Everyone had an AMAZING time at Fossil Rim, it took us about four hours to go through the park with all of the stopping as we fed the animals. I got some amazing photos while on the tour. After our trip to Fossil Rim we enjoyed Buffalo Filet at Uncle Buck's in Grapevine.

 

 

Saturday morning we picked them up at the hotel, which they really hated to leave and took them to their final treat before going to the airport....breakfast at Ham & Eggs in Lewisville. This is a great place to take out of the area vistors, they order their breakfast, like biscuits and gravy or a short stack of pancakes. When their order is served they practicly fall out of their chairs at the size of the food. Ofcourse I had to milk the fact that everything is "bigger in Texas". lol. The pancakes are bigger than 12 inches and two biscuits are the size of a loaf of bread. Aunt Edith couldn't finish a quarter of one pancake. It was great!

I was sad to leave them at the airport, hated to see them go, we all had so much fun, but the weekend was ending and it was going to back to work on Monday. {bummer}

My greatest joy was sharing a unique experience or place with theme; places they had never been only to see the delight expressed in their faces. That wow factor of amazement, awe, excitment or shock, makes me giddy and the great time that they had makes it all worth it for me. I love having guest and look forward to next time. {Like three days, until Ray's dad arrives}

Wanted: Buyers and Sellers

Hey Friends!
The busy buying-and-selling real estate season is here, and I am now accepting new clients! That’s right! If you know of someone in the market to buy or sell a home, I can help.
Now is a great time to buy or sell a home, and I am in a good position to devote my experience and time to new buyers and sellers. I would appreciate your recommendation to anyone you know interested in buying or selling a home. Thank you!

I hope all is well with you, and I thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Tracy Perkins

Beat the Heat this Summer

Beat the Heat: How to Treat illnesses Caused by Too Much Sun



By Danielle Braff

RISMEDIA, June 8, 2010--(MCT)--Bring on the beach days and lazy picnics: Summer has arrived. But be careful. Too much of a good thing can be deadly.

More than 300 people die each year from heat-related diseases — and thousands get very sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The three most common heat problems can affect anyone at any age: heat rash, heat exhaustion and heat stroke — but they're 100 percent preventable.

Before you step into the sun, understand the dangers caused by heat.
HEAT RASH

This skin irritation is caused by excessive sweating during humid heat, said Anne Chapas, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at NYU, and dermatologist at the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York. Heat rash occurs when the sweat glands are blocked, which causes sweat to accumulate under the skin.

It looks like a cluster of small blisters or pimples — and tends to occur under the arm pits, in elbow creases, on the chest, neck or shoulders.

You can treat heat rash by keeping the area dry and using over-the-counter products such as baby powder and anti-fungal sprays or creams (look for anything used to treat athlete's foot or jock itch) to lessen the discomfort. If the blisters appear extreme or don't go away after a few days, you can contact your dermatologist, who may prescribe a topical antibacterial or oral antibiotic, said Joseph Fowler Jr., a dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Louisville.

To avoid heat rash when you're in the sun, wear breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen, and avoid using greasy gels or lotions, which may block sweat glands.



HEAT EXHAUSTION

A long day at an outdoor festival can do this to you.

Exposure to heat plus dehydration can lead to this nasty condition. Flulike symptoms plus a throbbing headache, cool skin, chills and a pale, weak pulse can all occur, said Dr. Bob McNamara, chairman of the department of emergency medicine at Temple University School of Medicine.
Treat it by drinking water and finding a cool area to sit.
Continue to stay out in the sun, and the relatively harmless heat exhaustion can turn into the deadly heat stroke.



HEAT STROKE

This is the mother of all heat-related diseases, and can cause death or serious disabilities.

It happens quickly when you ignore the symptoms of heat exhaustion, and your body is unable to cool down.

Quite simply, "it's a medical emergency," said Lawrence Armstrong, professor of exercise and environmental physiology at the University of Connecticut, and author of "Exertional Heat Illnesses."

Normally, your body floats around 98.6 degrees. But it rises to upwards of 103 if you're out in the sun — and especially if you're exercising in the heat. Your body simply can't dissipate all of its heat into the environment, so it starts storing the heat. All that warmth in your body is too much for your organs, which will start malfunctioning, and your body will lose its ability to sweat. Many people will start hallucinating, getting dizzy and even combative, said Rahul Khare, an emergency room physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

The biggest problem with heat stroke is that most people who have it have no idea they're in any danger, Khare said.

There are some immediate things you can do to get someone out of danger, however. First, call 911 and get them out of the heat. Next, grab a drink. Khare recommended a sports drink like Gatorade, because it would have electrolytes — sodium and potassium — that the body loses through sweating. If you don't have a sports drink handy, water will do.

Then, get them under cool water, and place ice packs on their armpits, groin, head and neck, Armstrong said.





(c) 2010, Chicago Tribune.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Awesome DIY Project and Contest

Ever go out of town and forget to water your potted plants? Maybe you are like me and don't even have to leave to forget. Or worry because you are not sure if you have over watered or not watered enough.

One of my new favorite magazines, Urban Farm, has a great Do-It-Yourself project in the current Summer 2010 magazine...How to Make a Self-Watering Container.

If you don't subscribe or haven't heard of them, you can get a copy at a Barnes & Noble store or visit Urban Farm's website.

The concept behind it is so simple yet brillant. You create a water reservoir at the bottom of the container and provide a wick to bring the water up to the soil, keeping it moist, continuously, which your plants will enjoy. This allows you to have peace of mind leaving town again, or if you watered too much or too little, before you left.

So could you use a planter that takes care of itself and looks nice, too?  

With just five easy steps.  you can create an attractive self-watering container.

So your saying five easy steps...right....how will you know if you don't try?

I'm willing to give it a try - Are you?

Don't think you have the time - what if I said this is your Summer Challenge?

A contest more or less...with a prize to help motivate you! I can't think of anyone that wouldn't want to win a prize, I'd like to win one.  

The Low Down:

Follow the directions for making a self-watering container and then post two photos with your email address in the comments section. The two photos need to be of your container upon completion of creating it. The second photo will be of the end results of your palnter, filled with your favorite summer plants. (Remember it is important to select plants that are compatible in their watering needs and sun preferences).

The contest will start today, May 27, 2010 and ends Thursday, June 10, 2010. 

ALL photos must be posted PRIOR to June 10th! A winner will be selected by random, using random.org generator and announced  Friday June 11, 2010.  Winner will receive a $20 Lowe's Gift Card.

Project Blueprints: How to Create a Self-Watering Container

To learn more about how to build self-watering containers in Laura Hill's "Wick It, Wick It Good" in the Summer 2010 issue of Urban Farm.

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5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score

Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:

1. Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.

2. How much you owe. If you owe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, it’s a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits.

3. The length of your credit history. In general, the longer you have had accounts opened, the better. The average consumer's oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she has been managing credit for some time, according to Fair Isaac Corp., and only one in 20 consumers have credit histories shorter than 2 years.

4. How much new credit you have. New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay them promptly.

5. The types of credit you use. Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit — installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example.
For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, visit http://www.myfico.com/.

Your Gen X Realtor

Tracy Perkins, Realtor
Certified Home Marketing Specialist

http://www.yourgenxrealtor.com/

972-874-1905 office

972-874-2107 fax

1211 E College Street, Princeton, TX | Powered by Postlets

1211 E College Street, Princeton, TX Powered by Postlets