Pocket this...

Saw this on a church sign, ponder on this,

"Faith does not stand around with its hands in its pockets "

Easy as 1.2.3...Clever idea...

Weeknight Taco Salad

4 flour tortillas (8-inch)
1 lb. ground beef
1 pkt. (1¼ oz.) taco seasoning mix
4 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese
1 large tomato, chopped
¼ cup ranch dressing

HEAT oven to 425°F.

CRUMPLE 4 large sheets of foil to make 4 (3-inch) balls; place on baking sheet. Place 1 tortilla over each ball; spray with cooking spray. Bake 6 to 8 min. or until tortillas are golden brown. (Tortillas will drape over balls as they bake.)
MEANWHILE, cook meat with taco seasoning mix as directed on package.
FILL shells with lettuce, meat mixture, cheese and tomatoes just before serving. Drizzle with dressing.

Drive TRUMPS Talent...

Last night I was reading an article in the Realtor Magazine, written by Barbara Ballinger. Geoff Colvin, author and Fortune magazine senior editor, was interviewed.

He made an interesting point, "DRIVE TRUMPS TALENT ! Becoming successful doesn't require immense natural gifts, PRACTICE matters most, of which most find the commitment overwhelming". And, he adds, "Nobody achieves great performance without encountering difficulties, but some give up too soon".

For example, take Abraham Lincoln, his list of failures but then success! wow!

1831 - Lost his job
1832 - Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature
1833 - Failed in business
1834 - Elected to Illinois State Legislature (success)
1835 - Sweetheart died
1836 - Had nervous breakdown
1838 - Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker
1843 - Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress
1846 - Elected to Congress (success)
1848 - Lost re-nomination
1849 - Rejected for land officer position
1854 - Defeated in run for U.S. Senate
1856 - Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President
1858 - Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate
1860 - Elected President (success

Auntie and Cooper Dee...

Aunt Lynn and Cooper Dee (one of her grandsons).......look at that face, you just want to kiss those cheeks. By the way, this is one of my mother's sisters......she is one of "10" siblings....yep I said "10". You can only imagine how many cousins I have... WOW!!!

Mortgage Rates Update...Great rates!

30 Yr Conventional up to 95% LTV Scores 740+ 5.250 0+0
15 Yr Conventional up to 95% LTV Scores 740+ 4.750 0+0
FHA/VA Scores over 660 5.250 0+0
FHA/VA Scores 620 to 660 5.375 0+0

All for 30 day locks.

Call or reply for rates with lower scores and/or LTV’s on Conventional Loans.

Holley Butler, Branch Manager, City Bank Mortgage, Tel: 903-509-0900 Ext: 3776, Hbutler@citybanktexas.com, Fax: 903-509-0705

So close but yet so far...

The cows and their calves hang out behind the pool at my house each evening. They are so close, but yet so far...thought you would like this daddy...

Cupcake Kabob...

Hey Lauren, I am thinking this would be a great party dessert or I could use this for a Realtor Open House. Just a plethora of ideas, mini cupcakes on cute kabobs...nifty idea, huh...

Want to know what B.A.S.E stands for?...

I heard a great acronym in church today describing the easiest way to explain the Plan of Salvation:

Our "BASE" of Christianity

B = Believe that Jesus died on the Cross for you. He is RISEN indeed.

A = Accept his "free" gift of eternal life-by grace not by works.

S = Switch and turn from your old ways, and follow Him.

E = Express and let the world know through believer's baptism.

What happens at LaLa's stays at LaLa's...

This little man is, oh my gosh, my blessing from GOD......I so need him... I could not have dreamed up a more perfect little person. He held my finger all day yesterday. While I worked out in the yard, while I vaccumed the house, everywhere I went, he said "uh, uh, uh" until he was holding my finger. He just let me kiss on him all day!

Housing Stats June 2009...

According to MLS data compiled by the Greater Tyler Association of Realtors.

June 2009 Stats

Number of Sales = 299
Change from last year = UP 1.4 %
Median Price = $138,000
Change from last year = down 3.3 %
Months of Inventory = 12.8

I will be blogging this report each month. Look under "Label" on the right side of the homepage and click Real Estate Housing Stats to compare each month's stats.

Mission Statement...

Every business should have a Mission Statement.

Meaning: A brief statement of the purpose of a company or organization.

My mission statement is one that involves Honesty and the Golden Rule along with putting other's needs before mine.

Along with my mission statement, I want to conduct my business KNOWING that God does have a plan for me and my clients. What would we do without HOPE-having only positive expectations.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Layton and GG...

My mother has been waiting for a long time for little Layton to walk in the yard with her. Finally, they got to. He is almost running now... busy, busy all the time!

Heed the Signals...

This is from Max Lucado's devotional: Heed the Signals...

Ecclesiastes 12:13

"Honor God and obey his commands, because this is all people must do."

Below are God given, time-tested truths

1. Love God more than you fear hell.
2. Make major decisions in a cemetery.
3. When no one is watching, live as if someone is.
4. Succeed at home First.
5. Don't spend tomorrow's money today.
6. Pray twice as much as you fret.
7. God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same.

Pretty good advice, huh?

Sweet T...

This is "Sweet T" cooling off.....one of my client's (The Taylor's) show pigs...too cute!

Oh, and Thursday, July 23 is FREE tea at McAlister's.

Just enough for Today...

I am reading through Exodus now. Amazing...The Israelites were brought out of Egypt and wandered in the desert for 40 years, and ate manna everyday. By the way, there were 600,000 men on foot, not counting women, children, and others, along with their animals. The above picture is coriander seed. This is what manna looked like. They were to gather an "omer", which is about 2 quarts per person per day. Exodus 16:31 "The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey." Can you imagine eating this for "40" years. I just imagine they became creative. I am just fascinated.

Exodus 16:4

"Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions."

We can all learn from this.....God gives us "just enough" for Today. If the Israelites gathered too much it became spoiled. They were not suppose to worry about tomorrow. Ponder this, Hmmmmm.

Cutie-pa-tooti.....

Yep, Jenni (my umpteenth cousin), is pretty cute with that spatula I bought her! uh huh!

My babies...

Pic taken on Sunday, July 19, 2009...... and yes, I think they are the cutest ever!

Listen up Buyers- Amazing!

680 Frederick Circle, Flint, Texas- Whitehouse Schools.
Listen Up---this property is listed at $10-12 sq ft below Sold properties in this subdivision. This property has 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and 2369 sq ft. It is listed at$69 sq ft. AMAZING! This house has 2 YES 2 living areas, WBFP, Separate Dining Room or this owner uses it as an Office. Master Bath has jetted tub, Large second living area with scored concrete. House is finished with crown molding, neutral paint, carpet, ceramic and laminate flooring. 2 A/C units ( 5 and 3 ton), 1 small electric water heater, and one tankless water heater. Kitchen includes dining area also, long counter space, DW new in 2009. DSL-Embarq. Backyard fenced, storage building. Sprinkler system, security system, Woodmark private sewer. You will not find this amount of square footage at this price. Please view this property before you make your Buying decision. ORHP warranty in place for Seller and Buyer. First Time Homebuyers ask about $8000 tax credit. Offered at $163,333.

It is still July-look at these Patriotic Cupcakes!

I found this recipe on another website (Simple and Delicious).

Patriotic Cupcakes
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) white cake mix
1/2 teaspoon blue food coloring (I used gel)
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (I used gel)
1 can (16 ounces) vanilla frosting or your own frosting
Red, white and blue sprinkles

Prepare cake batter according to package directions. In a small bowl, combine 1-1/3 cups batter and blue food coloring. In another bowl, combine 1-1/3 cups batter and red food coloring. Leave remaining batter plain. Fill 18 paper-lined muffin cups with 2 tablespoons red batter, 2 tablespoons plain batter and 2 tablespoons blue batter. Bake at 350° for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Frost with vanilla frosting; decorate with sprinkles.

Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup butter softened
4 2/3 cup powdered sugar
milk (I use about 3-4 Tbsp)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Put butter in bowl and beat with electric mixer until fluffy. Then add about half the powdered sugar. Then beat in 1 Tablespoon milk and the vanilla. Slowly add in the rest of the powdered sugar. Add more milk if needed. Add food coloring if desired

Deuteronomy 31:8

Well, this verse is definitely for me...in my real estate business, we definitely at times are discouraged and we encounter others that are discouraged throughout each day. My clients are not all experiencing "happy" times when they are buying or selling property. It could be due to an illness, divorce, death, economic, and the list goes on. This verse is for everyone~ what a comfort!

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Basketball at "1"?...

Click on the arrow above to play...

I went to see Layton last night before he went to bed. Lauren, Dustin and I sat on the floor in his room and he entertained us. He was so proud of himself. You can hear him as he bends down to get the ball, groan......like his belly is in the way...... lol.....Love this Kidlet...

Exhausted from Heat vs Heat Exhaustion...

It has been extremely HOT outside. It seems like everywhere I go, I am wet, sweating (glowing) and I love hot weather, but good grief, this is heat is too much. We need a break,

Heat exhaustion : Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion often begin suddenly, sometimes after excessive exercise, heavy perspiration and inadequate fluid intake. Signs and symptoms resemble those of shock and may include:

• Feeling faint or dizzy
• Nausea
• Heavy sweating
• Rapid, weak heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Cool, moist, pale skin
• Low-grade fever
• Heat cramps
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Dark-colored urine

If you suspect heat exhaustion:
Get the person out of the sun and into a shady or air-conditioned location.
Lay the person down and elevate the legs and feet slightly.
Loosen or remove the person's clothing.
Have the person drink cool water.
Cool the person by spraying or sponging him or her with cool water and fanning.
Monitor the person carefully. Heat exhaustion can quickly become heatstroke.
If fever greater than 102 F (38.9 C), fainting, confusion or seizures occur, dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance. Information gathered from the Mayo Clinic.

On Wednesday I had a Sundae...

It is 8:30 pm and I am just now cooling off! It was soooo HOT showing property today! Came home, ate supper, and I could not get ice cream off my mind. Hot Fudge did the trick!

Splish Splash...

It was a HOT day yesterday, I showed new clients in Mineola and Lindale. We are off to see 13 properties South of Tyler. Whewwww.....it will be HOT again! I think I might have to jump in my pool when I get home!!! :)

Price Improvement...

11182 Fox Trail in Flint, has had a price improvement. $299,933, below appraised value.

3 Bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2923 sq ft, Extra Office, Room above garage, gunite pool. If you know of anyone that may be interested, have them call me, 903-571-8033.

Life is just a bowl of Cherries...

If you have not bought cherries this summer, you are missing out.....I cannot stop eating them.

Low in calories, fat free, what else can you ask for?