THANKSGIVING 2017

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!  And Happy Thanksgiving!!

This is just a short post for the holiday.  While we are able to return to our traditional Texas Thanksgiving meal this year (Turkey Dogs, Tater Tots, and homemade Sweet Potato Pie!), there are lots of things to reflect upon this year.

Every morning on my walk, I offer thanks for my life, my parents, my spousal-unit, my health, and my good fortune.  But there are other things I want to mention here.

I expand upon my thankfulness for the spousal-unit who, for completely unknown reasons, chooses to stick around even as I move us and stick him smack in the middle of a kitchen renovation!  :)  He obviously got the dose of patience I missed out on.

I am thankful my aunt had a long and full life... and am thankful she does not have to suffer any longer.  I am thankful to so many in Louisiana who provided care and love to my aunt.  We should all be so lucky to have such wonderful care in our final years.  Bless all of you.

I am thankful to be back in Texas and able to have OUR traditional Thanksgiving meal!  I am also happy to be in a new city that offers all I need without all the things that aren't great about a big city.

I am thankful for Ikea and the reasonable proximity to my new location!!  I continue to be thankful for the spousal-unit who is able to interpret the assembly drawings and is willing to put the darned stuff together!

I am thankful for so many friends who continue to stick with me, even as I move from state-to-state!  It is wonderful to keep those relationships going and I appreciate their willingness to do so.

There are plenty more... but I will let you get to YOUR traditional Thanksgiving meal now.  :)

Gobble, Gobble...

Until next post...

THE WACO HOUSE RENOVATION PROCESS - BEFORE

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!

Okay.  I have put this off long enough.  This will be a long road with many stops to get you from the house purchase condition to its current state.  I have debated how to present it to you to make sense.  I think I will show you the "before" pictures (taken after going under contract and when I was here for the inspection) all in one post.  Then, we will break it down as the destruction/reworking begins.  Finally, I will post the "after" pictures so you can see the changes.  Might even do a before/after post with the two shots side-by-side so you can see the whole change!  We'll see.  If you have any thoughts about how you would like it presented, let me know!

So... as mentioned, I was here for the inspection of the property.  What I didn't know was the family of the owner was having an estate sale the upcoming weekend!!!  The house was FULL of "stuff."  It was pretty funny.  The "before" photos are going to show you what I saw when I got my first look at the property!  (I trusted my Realtor, Cindy, enough to make an offer and go under contract without seeing the property first.)  What follows are a lot of pics and descriptions.

Opening the front door, which is centered on the front of the house, one finds the entry.  There is a cased opening to the right leading into the "formal" rooms (living & dining), an opening with double doors directly ahead leading into the den which opens onto the back patio via a sliding glass door, and a hallway to the left leading to the bedroom wing.

Looking to the right into the formals, the living area is first, then the dining after passing through the pony wall with the spindles.

From the dining area, there is a door leading into the kitchen.  Interesting layout as the electric cooktop/microwave, sink, dishwasher, refrigerator, and double ovens are all along the wall to the right!!  You will see some changes when we get to the end!

Did I mention the kitchen was carpeted?  Yep.  Surprised me!

The door at the far side of the kitchen goes into the utility room and where there is a door into a half-bath.

From that door, one can turn back toward the kitchen and see the peninsula between the kitchen and den.  There is also a little corner built-in with glass doors and shelving in the kitchen to the right.

Standing at the corner of the peninsula, this a view of the den... the double doors at the far left lead into the entry...

... and scanning to the right, you see the fireplace with the sliding glass door leading onto the back patio just past the furniture.

Walking into the den and looking back into the kitchen.

Looking down the hallway from the entry toward the bedroom wing.

First door on the left leads into the (now) guest bedroom.  It is on the front of the house.  It is connected to another secondary bedroom (second door on the left at end of hallway) on the front corner of the house by a Jack and Jill bathroom which is the partially opened door on the right.

The Jack and Jill bath was interesting!

The bath flowed into another secondary bedroom (now my "dressing room!").  It has windows on two walls as it is on the front  corner.  The door into the Jack and Jill is behind the clothes rack.

Standing at the doorway of this second bedroom looking toward the back of the house.  The hallway from the entry ends and makes a 90 degree right turn toward the back of the house.  Note a door to the right, a door to the left, and a door directly at the end of this hallway.

The doorway to the right leads into the third secondary bedroom... the largest one (now the "Man Cave!").  Has a great wide window across the back looking onto the back patio.

Directly across from this bedroom door is another door leading into... the Master Bath.  (More on this later.)

At the end of the hallway, there is the Master Bedroom.  It has a wide window on the side, two smaller separated windows across the back, and a sliding glass door onto the back patio across from the wide window.

So, we will back up a bit into the hallway and look into the Master Bath.  Note the door on the right in the Bath.  That door goes directly into the Master Bedroom.  So, this bathroom, while directly connected to the Master Bedroom, does also serve the third bedroom directly across from it.  I guess you would have to share if you had three kids... but that isn't a problem for us.  :)

Finally, there is a teeny little shower at the back left of this photo.  It was an "insert" cultured marble shower with a very low ceiling.  The shower head was so low, I literally had to do full squats to wash my hair!!  CRAZY!!

There is a little section in the Master Bedroom that goes between two closets to the door into the Master Bathroom.  A little awkward... but works for now.  The Man has these two closets.  My clothes are in my "dressing room."

WHEW!!!  Okay.  You have now seen the place as it was when I arrived.  I have a LOT more photos of everything including some detailing specific items/areas.  But you don't need to see those.  Would be WAY too much information!!

So... we will begin going through the changes to each area as well as the selections made, from colors to flooring to countertops/backsplashes to the final appliances, etc.  It will take several posts to get it all done... but I hope you enjoy the journey.  I will be posting about other things, too, so it won't be JUST the house process.

Thank you for staying with/joining me on this new blog!!  I hope it has some interest for you.

Until next post...

TEXAS PROFESSIONAL EXTERIORS (TPE) REVIEW

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!

Alright.  Before I start the posts about the start-to-finish work done on the house before we moved in, I think it is important you (and perhaps others seeking information on the company) are aware of the experience I had with "Texas Professional Exteriors" or TPE.  Those of you accustomed to my rants are likely pleading that I not launch into one now.  LOL!  I won't.  My commentary is simply to provide information.  Anyone considering this firm should make his or her own decision on using it.

Here are only a FEW of the many, many questions I recommend you ask yourself before you consider having TPE do any job for you:

• Do I want to work with a firm whose owner harasses me to pay additional monies before the project is complete even though the contract THEY provided broke down the specifics of the payment schedule?
• Do I want to work with a firm that uses its own crews to do everything... even though they are jacks-of-all-trades and masters-of-none?
• Is it acceptable to me to have texture done where changes are made that is clearly NOT anywhere near a match to the existing texture?
• Am I okay with floor tiles next to each other that have a height difference sufficient to catch my shoe and nearly trip me... in multiple locations of the flooring?
• How do I feel about a firm where the owner tells me a "suggested" flooring is used ALL of the time but the foreman of my particular job tells me his crew has never installed it before (resulting in several areas that are not properly adhered to the floor)?
• Is it okay for the workers to use paper towels in the toilet in the half-bath I had (kindly) advised they were welcome to use but the foreman did not provide toilet paper when he was advised there was none?  Fortunately, my plumber is MY plumber and was able to resolve the horrific mess for me.
• Why would a professional firm ignore specific installation instructions from the manufacturer creating a need to open up a wall to redo it correctly... after over two weeks of pleas to have it done?

Quite honestly, I could go on and on.  There are so many things that were simply done haphazardly.  I'm not certain some of the things they did were okay for a non-licensed person to do (electrical, plumbing...).  I know they did not bring in any true professionals on any of the work until I insisted my plumber become involved.

Anyone just walking through would likely think it is all beautiful.  Unfortunately, I made multiple trips over during the work and discovered the lack of ability of this firm to do exceptional work.  In fact, a large amount of it is only accepted as I do not want to have to deal with this firm ever again.  I will either live with the poorly done items or I will pay someone else to do them correctly.

So... caveat emptor!!!  I'm going to stop as I find myself becoming angry again... and I have other things to do.

This is all I will ever say about this firm.  We are done.

Until next post...

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!  Welcome back to my world!

So... I have had a few questions of why Waco?  I'm going to take this opportunity to let you know a little bit about the process and what has been done so far.  There was a lot going on in the background while we were still in Louisiana!

In the early spring of 2016, we sold some property we had owned for a number of years out near Junction, Texas.  At that point, we began discussing what we would do in the future when we were no longer needed in Louisiana.  We both knew we were going to return to Texas!!  We also both knew we did NOT want to return to Austin... or move to Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio.  No need for a big city existence any more... especially with all of the traffic, etc., inherent in any mega-city area.  So... after extensive discussion, the spousal-unit suggested that Waco might be a good place to consider.  His interest, of course, was in the aviation industry, which is substantial here.  My interest, naturally, was finding a city of reasonable size... but not huge.  I wanted decent shopping, an HEB grocery store (you have no idea how much I missed that!), a Starbucks closer than 50 miles away (!), and plenty of local restaurants and activities.  Waco certainly filled that bill.  In fact, as I have told a few folks, Waco today is nearly exactly what Austin was when I moved there in 1972!!!  Big university.  Big lake nearby.  Plenty of places to dine and visit.  The only thing NOT in Waco is state government... and that is not anything I miss.  :)

So, having never been to Waco, I visited it for a week in the spring of 2016 to check it out.  I connected with an excellent Realtor (Cindy Gough) who was quick to understand what I was seeking and made it a point to work with me long-distance... not as easy as it sounds.  We visited some properties and I found one that would work.  Long story short: The inspection report was pretty scary.  We terminated that contract quickly.  A bit later, the spousal-unit made a run to Texas and stopped in Waco while here.  He visited some properties with the Realtor at that time.  He found a house he really liked.  Long story short: The inspection report was even scarier than the first!  We terminated that contract quickly, too.  We were now getting into summertime.  Having a good understanding of what we both liked/wanted, my fabulous Realtor began visiting properties I found online that looked like they had potential.  During one of those visits, she began sending me videos of the house she was checking out.  With that information and her comment, "If I were looking for a house, I would buy this one", we put in an offer immediately... without actually seeing it!!  That's how much trust I placed in Cindy.  It was well placed.  I arrived for the inspection and saw the house for the first time.  It was truly the right place.  The neighborhood was great.  The location was perfect.  The house was pretty well laid out for our needs.  The downside was it was last "done" in the 80s, apparently.  :)  It was a 1965 build so there were some things that clearly needed to be done... but the inspection came in well with only one item of concern which the Sellers agreed to cover by reducing the price by the amount of the estimate to have it resolved.  We closed on the house in August of 2016.

Since that time, I made a number of trips back and forth between Waco and Louisiana.  A lot of them were simply to become familiar with the city.  As things began to change in Louisiana and it became apparent we would not likely be there much longer, I contracted with a local firm to do a pretty major renovation of the interior.  You will get a LOT more information on that than you really want in future posts... but know that we finished that up in April of this year (2017).  We relocated in June but still needed to finish the renovation by doing the kitchen cabinets/countertops/backsplash/appliances.  That work started with a different contractor at the end of August and will, hopefully, be completed by the middle of next week.  Three weeks without a kitchen has been interesting!

So... stay tuned as I begin the backtracking to the beginning of the house reno.  There will be some ranting... but I know most of you will be interested in the "before", "during", and "after" pictures.  I will do my best to do it all in an order that makes sense.

There you have it.  That's it for now.  Stay tuned!!!

Until next post...

GOD BLESS SGT MAJ STRICKLAND - 9/11/2017

Greetings to my Blogging Pals.

Those who have been with me a while know about my participation in Project 2996. I began my participation in 2009 and plan to continue this as long as I am able to do so. I ask each of you to take a moment to remember what happened on 9/11/2001. Even if you read my tributes previously, please read them again. It's important that we see this as an individual, personal event... not just something that happened in New York, D.C., and Pennsylvania over a decade ago. It affects us all and will continue to do so. I do not see the 12th Anniversary as any different from the 2nd, the 19th, or the 100th. The pain for the families is the same. But this is a tribute to their loved one!! Please read about this wonderful gentleman.

*** This was posted in 2009 as my tribute to Sgt. Maj. Larry Strickland. I repeat it here as I will continue doing so on each anniversary of 9/11 as long as I am able. There are a couple of notes and updates from 2010 in italic.

Please meet Sgt. Maj. Larry Strickland. He was 52 years old, born in Washington State, and had a Bachelor of Science degree. He had served our country in a lot of places including Germany, Washington State, Washington DC, Texas, and Virginia. He had many awards and decorations. Most devastating for me to learn was his plan to retire upon completion of 30 years of service... at the end of September 2001. After all of his service, he was close to spending more time on his hobbies (fishing, hiking, gourmet cooking, and needlepoint) and especially looking forward to spending more time with his family. SGM Strickland left behind a wife, Debra, who was the Garrison Command Sergeant Major of Fort Belvoir, VA. at the time, three adult children, and one grandson who will never know his grandfather as he was only a year old when SGM Strickland was taken. His parents also were left to deal with the untimely loss of their child.

NOTE: I posted a note to the family at Legacy.com and received two emails.

One was from SGM Strickland's son-in-law and read, in part:

"I came across your blog today while searching for SM Larry Strickland. I am lucky enough to be married to his daughter Julia and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for caring enough to research this remarkable man. Everything you read about him and his character is true. He left behind an amazingly strong wife, a beautiful daughter, his two sons, and his grandson. His grandson was 4, not 1 as many newspaper articles claim, so he does remember his grandfather, and fondly."(I was SO happy to read that his grandson did remember his grandfather and wanted to share that with you all! MNC)

The other email was from SGM Strickland's daughter and read, in part:

"Mary, thank you very much for your kind words. I am Larry's daughter, and it is wonderful to know that though it's been 8 years, remembering him and this tragic event is still as important now as it was the day it happened. He was truly a wonderful man, and the best father anyone could ask for."

SGM Strickland headed out to work that day at the Pentagon as there were some meetings he deemed important enough to attend even though he could have skipped them. He had annual leave built up that needed to be used or lost. He chose to go to work. If you knew nothing more about him than that, you would know the character of the man. It was that character that had him in his office on the second floor when the wing he was in was struck by American Airlines Flight 77.

But this is a tribute to SGM Strickland's life. And I've got to tell you the things said about him and written about him are absolutely glowing!! What a wonderful thing... to have those left behind remember you so well and so lovingly. It's not just family. These were friends, co-workers, people who knew him on a "business" level where, many times, the feelings are not so great. I would suggest you take a few moments today to review three different web sites where there are tributes (and from where I gathered much of the information I am sharing with you). It really won't take that long and, thankfully, most of us did not actually know anyone who was lost that day. Perhaps it would be good to learn about at least one of them. I know it gave me a very new perspective.

Pentagon Memorial Fund - Names of the souls lost at the Pentagon are alphabetical by last name. Scroll down and click on SGM Strickland's name to read about his service career.

Columns - The University of Washington Alumni Magazine- Read a really great article here about SGM Strickland's personal life. Sounds like someone we would all like to have known.

The Washington Post - This project is a database of all of the souls lost that day and has a very nice tribute to SGM Strickland.

Legacy.com - This is where folks can leave notes for the family. Many folks were positively impacted by SGM Strickland. Some commented here about their appreciation of the man. I invite you to take just a moment to leave a note here to let the family know the loss of their loved one is something we all remember.

9-11 Heroes - This is another site where a note can be left. Again... take a moment to leave a note on at least one of the sites. You have no idea how much this can mean to family members.

Thank you, SGM Strickland, for your service, for your honor, and for your character. I'm glad I got to know you.

We should never forget.

GOD BLESS MAJ RONALD MILAM - 9/11/2017

Greetings to my Blogging Pals.

Those who have been with me a while know about my participation in Project 2996. I began my participation in 2009 and plan to continue this as long as I am able to do so. I ask each of you to take a moment to remember what happened on 9/11/2001. Even if you read my tributes previously, please read them again. It's important that we see this as an individual, personal event... not just something that happened in New York, D.C., and Pennsylvania over a decade ago. It affects us all and will continue to do so. I do not see the 12th Anniversary as any different from the 2nd, the 19th, or the 100th. The pain for the families is the same. But this is a tribute to their loved one!! Please read about this wonderful gentleman.

Major Ronald Dutrell Milam was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and had a Bachelors degree from Eastern New Mexico University earned in 1991. He served his country in Germany, Korea, and Saudi Arabia. He had recently received his assignment as Military Assistant for the Secretary of the Army. He had also recently married Jacqueline on January 15, 2000. Things were definitely going well for Major Milam and his new family. His future was clearly a bright one and who knows what wonderful things he would have accomplished!

On 9/11/2001, Major Milam, who had just turned 33 the month before, was at work at the Pentagon. His wife, Jacqueline, five months pregnant with their second child and an Air Force officer, was also at her job at the Pentagon. Neither had an office in the area where Flight 77 struck that morning. Jacqueline was not terribly concerned immediately after the attack assuming they would connect in the parking lot. Major Milam had been attending a staff meeting that morning... right where the aircraft crashed into the Pentagon.

But this post is a tribute to a man who lived well, with honor and with dedication to his country. His college basketball coach had no doubt Major Milam was a leader and a role model during his years working with him. When Major Milam told his coach he had chosen the military as his career, the coach, who thought Milam should pursue a career in law, told the young man he supported him 100%. Major Milam clearly touched many lives during his own. What a great legacy to leave!! We should all be proud of this young man.

Take a few moments today to visit the sites below. If you can, leave a note for his family at either Legacy.com or at 9-11 Heroes. All of the sites below are links to get you there quickly.


Arlington Cemetery Site - If you read nothing else, read this tribute. Major Milam's wife recounts the events of that day and what has kept her going.

Pentagon Memorial Site - This site has a full obituary providing information on Major Milam's life.

The Washington Post - This site has a short remembrance from Major Milam's father about the Major's love of golf.

Legacy.Com - Take a moment and leave a note for the family here, if you wish.

9-11 Heroes - Or you can leave a note for the family here, if you wish.

Thank you, Major Milam, for your service, for your honor, and for your character. I'm glad I got to know you.

We should never forget.

WELCOME BACK TO TEXAS!!!

Hello to my faithful followers of Louisiana Town!!!  You should have seen the last post there, dated 08/02/2017, advising you to join me here!  Welcome!

This is not going to be a long post but is intended to get you here and get you signed up for emails or to follow this blog.  I will leave Louisiana Town up on the web as it has information about some points of interest that might be of value to someone seeking that.  But I will not be posting to it again.

To answer your questions:

1)  Yes.  We have permanently moved BACK to Texas.
2)  No.  Chip and Joanna did NOT have anything to do with our decision, our house purchase, or our renovations to that house.  (I'm sure they are lovely people!)
3)  I don't know.  When will we actually be done and settled in?  Not a clue.  Still surrounded by boxes after moving 06/19/2017.  Still a lot to be done.  I am trying to only look ahead one day at a time.

So... the posts to this new blog will likely be sporadic at the beginning.  However, I hope to explore a lot of things around the city and plan to bring you along as much as possible.  There is a lot here.

Be sure to sign up for the emails or to follow this new blog.  Let me know if you have any problem doing either!

Until next post...