Deb's Lake Livingston Real Estate & Stuff!

See this pretty lady? Her name is Sondra Meyer and she is out of College Station, Texas.

I just wanted to brag a bit and let everyone know that Sondra and I will be having lunch in College Station on Tuesday!

I have a silly Doctor's appointment there...in fact my entire insurance plan is built around College Station and I now have a reason to look forward to seeing the Doctor!

I will get to see my Sondra too! Yee haa! One of these days she is going to take me horse back riding...hopefully in the fall when it cools down.

Sondra just sent her son to Notre Dame and is experiencing "EMPTY NEST SYNDROME" Kinda like you too right Susan Mangigian? And many others I'm sure. My daughter just left my business to go to work with her husband so I guess I'm empty nesting too.

Sondra, I'm looking forward to meeting you in person my dear! Now I'm almost looking forward to my Doctor's appointment.

Doesn't Active Rain create miracles? Yes. It does.

Later in the rain~Deb

Hurricanes are a unique animal in my book. I've seen tornados, tropical storms, hail storms,  wind storms, snow storms and others.

I am in the preparation stages for our own Gustav. I want every one close to please take this to heart. The loss and devestation of the last several hurricanes will be felt for generations. New Orleans and its people are just beginning to breathe again after Katrina.

Being just one hour north of Houston I was able to donate my time to help with the misplaced families and survivors of Katrina. I felt their pain and watched them suffer. My heart opened up to the realization that we are all so lucky to have not lost our loved ones, homes and jobs. I do not want to see this again.

Not now and not ever. But, we must be prepared for the worst. Please review these links if you are anywhere with the possible reach of Gustav. If you need help please call your city offices immediately. Do not wait too long. It's better to be prepared and not need it than to need It and not be prepared.

1.  
   1. Tropical Storms & Hurricanes - An Overview
   2. Hurricane Hazards
   3. What To Do Before June 1
   4. The Safe Room
   5. When A Hurricane Watch Is Issued
   6. When An Evacuation Order Is Issued
   7. When A Hurricane Warning Is Issued
   8. After the Storm - Coping Without
   9. My Survival Kit
   10. My Family Plan
   11. Terms And Definitions

I was on the phone for two days coming up with the possibility of a generator to help us survive thepossible repercussions of Gustav...Home Depot today said they were getting 12.

I called and called and finally the man said they were on their way so I hopped into the truck and headed to the Depot!

Instead they got 7 generators and when I got there they were all claimed.

 People were being turned away that had driven many miles for one. I introduced myself to the employee that had taken my many calls and he was sorry but hey, first come first served. I stepped back into the wings to digest my misfortune and a very loud argument broke out.

The argument was between another man and one of the gentlemen that was waiting for his generator. It grew louder until Home Depot escorted them out. My HD employed yelled..."Debra?" I said, I'm here! He said the generator is yours!

Whew, that was a prayer being answered. So, I got a generator.

Guilt?

Where does that come in? Well, there were massive people beginning to squabble over the generators. One young couple had just made a 70 mile round trip to get theirs. She looked at me and nearly cried.

Temptation tapped me on the shoulder to give up my generator for them...I just had to assess the fact that I too have a husband and animals and the need for the generator. Home Depot literally "accompanied" each of us to receive the generator. Fear and anticipation is in the air.

My friends, take my advice and don't wait till you actually need it to get prepared for a storm. Even if, Lord willing, we are not hit with this Gustav...I'm keeping the generator and next time will be prepared.

Thanks for all your support! I will continue to write as long as I can. I pray for every ones safety.

Later in the rain~Deb (unfortunately that will be literal!)

 

For the last three years I have promised myself that I would buy a generator and gas cans "just in case". When Rita ripped up the southern coast we were without electricity for 5 days...It was 108 degrees in my home. My carpet all buckled from the heat and humidity.

We couldn't go anywhere as the gas stations were out of gas locally and the traffic was at a dead stop. A stop to the point that people were passing away in their cars from no relief.

We still don't know where he will hit but I am praying for Lisa and all the New Orleans gentle people that are just rebuilding.

There are 12 more generators coming in to Home Depot here today and I have been doing all I can to get one of them...my credit card is fired up and ready to go. Wish me luck...

And, say a prayer for our entire coast line. Thanks,

Later in the rain~Deb

What does a Realtor and an Ostrich Have in Common? Huntsville Texas can answer that! 

Texas rural roads are an interesting drive. Here in Walker County we have wildlife on the ground like we have birds in the air! Lots of wildlife...did I mention lots and lots? Yes, bunches. I was returning from a home tour out by the lake and had the pleasure of driving back from the Lake Livingston area on Hwy 980. Our National Forest and highly protected area is thousands of acres along this road. It's a very beautiful drive. 

I was coming around the corner when I saw something that made my mouth drop.

Right there in the middle of 980 was an Ostrich!  A very big one! The best I could tell he was quite lost and displaced (duh).

This is the Ostrich I saw. I panicked! I attempted to pull to the side of the road and get out to help the Ostrich. He would see me coming and run and run and run. Now with large trucks and type A Realtors driving this road I was very concerned. It wouldn't be like running into an armadillo...or a squirrel. This bird could cause a major accident.

 

911...911...911...911...yes, I did. I didn't know what else to do!

 I kept driving up and down the highway trying to get Mr. Ostrich to go back through the

 fence into the National Forest!

 

They answered...she made me repeat it three times. "I'm on highway 980 and there is an Ostrich running all over the road and it's a very big bird"

...I then hear laughing in the background.

 

Is 911 suppose to laugh at you?

 

They patiently explained to me that there were no Ostriches in the National Forest...I said "no, it's on 980." I did the best to explain where I was and they were sending an officer. About that time I was finally able to get my Ostrich to re-enter the proper gated area and he went bounding into the National Forest.

 Whew! That was so close. I called 911 yet again and told them the crisis was over. At that time they informed me that I had seen an Emu...an EMU. They thought I was really funny thinking it was an Ostrich.

 

I was a bit embarrassed but hey...don't you think they look alike?? Wouldn't you worry if one was running up and down and across the highway? I'm a very displaced city girl here...but I love it.

 

 

This is the Texas Emu.

 

 

Below we have the Ostrich...

 

Now, granted I had never heard of an Ostrich in Texas but don't you agree they look pretty much alike?

 

Lessons learned:

1. There are no wild Ostriches in Texas.

2. If you see an Ostrich in the middle of the road and you dial 911...

call it an Emu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later in the rain~Deb

www.brooksprimeproperties.com

Dear Diary,

I guess you could call this my Turtle Run? We have had so much rain because of Fay I have flowers beginning to pop everywhere! I just wanted to share some of the sites in my yard with you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above is my favorite tree. My Crepe Myrtle. They bloom up to three months here in Texas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another one of my beauties.                                                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my Kitties...Desi. He follows me like a puppy.                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a HUGE Yellow Jacket enjoying my Lantanna.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wider shot of the Lantanna.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is my cutie Enero...it means January. She was a birthday present from hubby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My roses are popping without any help from me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can tell my beds need weeding! Yuk.....Yucca....Ha!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Desi seems to be getting bored so I had better wrap this up soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh yeah. Don't forget hubbies parking place...he will tow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for joining me in my yard! I will take more photos one of these days but the sun isn't out.

I appreciate all of your support here in the rain.

Later in the rain~Deb

All photos Copyright 2008 Deb Brooks

The Beatles Were Marvelous Dahling...

They were simply wrong...

Now, when I was 7 years old it seems they knew exactly what they were talking (singing) about. Everything that came from their guitars and wonderful angelic voices meant the world to me. I lived, breathed, hummed, swung, and did the mashed potato to the Beatles. Truth be known I don't know what the mashed potato is but it sounds cool. I do remember the twist. It was a few years before me but I won a contest or two with it! Man,could I dance!

I've always felt that I missed the "meat" of any particular era. I looked back with envy to the tight angora sweaters, poodle skirts and saddle oxford shoes. I looked at the "sit ins" and the riots in the streets of the 1970's but was attempting to grow up during that time instead of rebelling. I once wore a dress that reminded me of Jackie O but that's about as "today" as I got.

I actually grew up believing that "All I needed was LOVE". Go figure. That's what they told me. Now, I find myself facing stark reality and I know there is much more to need.

Anyhow, in memory of The Beatles....here it is...All you need is love.

Later in the rain~Deb

The Dog Days Of Summer...yep, they're here. I think I finally figured out why we call these days just what we do. It's almost too hot to step outside. I melt like the wicked witch of the west!

Of course, everybody else is too! The kitties are all curled up underneath the bushes trying to find relief from the sun.

The school lights are blinking again on our streets! Slow Down they're telling us.

Children and parents are shopping, planning, and getting excited for school and their return.

Most schools have had their "meet the teachers" night and the hair salon chairs are filled with little ones getting their bangs cut back from their eyes.

 

Moms are a tiny bit glad they're going back for it does establish a schedule and all children need that.

Fall is in the air...somewhere but not here!

We're in the dog days of summer here in Texas...I'm dreaming of wearing a sweater!

Good luck to all you moms that are preparing to send the children back to school! Life is good and the time marches on.

Later in the rain~Deb

 

 

We must take the steps each day to accompany our positive attitudes.

 This includes acting and reacting in ways that may be foreign to our natures. 

We must learn the words, "thank you". And, we should use them in abundance.

In my opinion there are no bad days. My days are good or great. Those are my choices.

If we adopt the positive attitude, the attitude of gratitude, and the will to work to make our days great, we will all find a wonderful today and tomorrow. 

What you believe will be, will be. Create a great reality!

 

Later in the rain~Deb

Most of us have heard of the supposedly new "Secret".  "The Secret," written by Rhonda Byrne is a worthwhile book to read. 

 I don't think it was necessarily written to tell us something that we had never heard but more to reiterate the lessons we have been taught during our lifetimes.  It was written to connect all the "dots" we have learned during our time on this earth.

Such is written in our very own Ethics of Realtors. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".  The world wants you to understand that you can create your own reality.  If your thinking is based on negative thought then you will be creating negative energy and everything and everyone around you will react in a negative way.  Envy begets envy and distrust begets distrust.

Likewise, a positive attitude will deter negativity. 

Being positive can turn a negative attitude around completely.  I believe that positive thinking,

 a positive attitude, a bright outlook and a sunny disposition are great ways to think and be

but I also believe that ACTION must accompany the attitude. 

If we all just sat on our laurels and thought "sales thoughts", the unfortunate truth is that

we would positively be run into the poor house. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

None of us are perfect but we can strive to be daily! If you get a chance grab the book. It should help your outlook on the world in general. We all need to remain positive in difficult times and sometimes that's easier said than done. This little book should perk you up! And, our Gary Woltal, of course!

Later in the rain~Deb