RANDOM POST 1

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!

Again... long time between posts.  I won't bore you with details but sometimes "stuff" just gets in the way!  I know you all know that... so hope you are forgiving.  :)

This post is named based on my knowledge I will periodically not have a full event to share... thus you will get random thoughts, random pictures, random randomness!!!  There will be more... so each can be numbered and you will know what to expect.

Without further ado (AKA "rambling"), here are some interesting things I have discovered over time here in the Waco area.

While walking, I encounter any number of interesting things.  One thing I found that I really like is a home up on a slight hill in the neighborhood that has a long run of concrete steps to get to the front door.  While usually we find just the steps, someone apparently had a level of creativity that allowed them to embellish the steps.

Now then... not everything is quite so substantial nor does everything catch one's eye immediately... but I was drawn to a bright blue spot on the curb along the street so investigated further.  Very interesting!!

Quite honestly, it took a few seconds to sort through this mentally!!  It was very early morning and quite the surprise.  Yep.  The cicada had just removed its old brown "jacket" and was greeting the morning in its brand new blue one!!  Had never seen that before!  I assume it was "drying out" to be able to fly since it allowed me to get extremely close.

Now then... a cicada's worst enemy is a Mississippi Kite.  They are beautiful birds that are in the Waco area from about late April until they migrate around October.  They hang out in the tops of trees or on power lines.  They take off and swoop through the air, diving and swerving until they grab... yep... a flying cicada right out of the air!!  They catch it with one foot, fly to a nearby point to sit, and eat it right up!  I really enjoy watching them while they are here.  This guy was hanging out in the tree next door.

When I was looking in Waco for a house, my friend met with me a couple of times.  We did go to the Magnolia Silos, primarily just to see what was going on.  Over the course of a year or so, we went a few times.  Each time, new things had been added.  This was one of the earlier trips (when the crowds had not yet gotten ridiculous!).  I was interested in the gardening area and liked some of the ways the beds were set up.

Some really great ideas of how to garden in a smaller or higher space!  That's what we seek as we get older but still want to enjoy our gardening.

So... these are little things that get my attention but not full-blown events to post about.  Hopefully you are willing to see some randomness from me periodically!

Thank you for staying with me!!  I really appreciate it!

Until next post...

THE POND LIFE!!!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!

Well now... I became aware of the 2018 Waco Pond Tour at my local Wild Birds Unlimited (where I buy a TON of bird stuff!).  The tickets were only $5 and benefited the Lake Waco Wetlands which looks like another place I need to visit!  It was a self-guided tour with some ponds open Saturday and Sunday and others only open one of the two days.  Having LOVED my pond in Austin, I thought it would be fun to see what is here in my new Texas home!  I am (currently) pondless here.  (This is where the spousal-unit's eyes roll back into his head as he becomes afraid there is a pond in his future!)

So... I asked a "new" neighbor with whom I have talked frequently if she would like to join me.  She agreed so we got the tickets and set off early on Saturday morning.  I didn't want to impose on her day so had only mapped out six ponds on our side of town to view.  She wasn't familiar with ponds but after the first couple, she was ready to add others to our tour!!  (There were over 20 ponds on the tour.)  Our morning stretched to a 9:00-4:00 day of navigating and enjoying!!

I will say the folks who graciously opened their homes (back yards, really) to strangers were absolutely lovely.  Many had cold water, tea, and/or lemonade available for those touring.  There were sign-in sheets at each location.  The owners were more than ready to talk to you about the pond, the fish (which many had), and the enjoyment of it all.  It was really an interesting day meeting and greeting!

The ponds ranged from small (alongside the back patio with a few plants and no fish) to massive (multi-levels with waterfalls, lots of water lilies, fish in two levels, and rambling throughout the back acreage!).  There were "formal" ponds... and there were completely "natural" ponds.  There was something for everyone.  It was very interesting.

So... without further rambling on my part, I invite you to view the pictures I took at some of our stops.  Unfortunately, you can't hear the waterfalls or see the fish swimming... but I think you can get the idea.

I do hope you saw at least one picture that made you stop and go "That's so cool!"  :)  There was such a variety, it was impossible to pick a favorite!  Each pond had its very own personality... and the most interesting part about that... the pond personality was the owner's personality!!!  Seriously.  They matched.  It didn't become apparent to us immediately but, at about the fourth or fifth stop, we realized what we were encountering!  So funny.

With all that said, I hope you enjoyed the tour.  I would definitely do it again.  It was worth the driving... and even the heat.

Until next post...

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?!?!?!?

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!!

MAN!!!  What the heck has been going on?!?  Suddenly I return to the blog to post about an interesting event... and find it's been nearly six weeks since I posted!!  I do apologize!

I left you knowing I was scheduled to take the Real Estate exam (again!) on 4/11/2018.  Well, obviously, to those who have heard from me since, I managed to get through it.  I am now a Sales Agent with Coldwell-Banker, Apex, Realtors in Waco.  Great office.  Large.  Some really nice people who have been very kind to me.  I am absolutely happy to be there!  Now I am trying to learn a new MLS system, a new Office system, and all of the changes that occurred during my real estate absence!  YikeS!!  It has been daunting... but it is all slowly making sense.

At any rate... I will fill you in on more of that later.  The reason I came to post today was because of the very cute little "Fourth Annual Woodway Roadrunner Festival" we attended on May 19th.  While we love our new area, we don't know a whole lot about it... yet.  Still have a lot of exploring to do.  But this gave us the opportunity to check out what folks enjoy here in this little community.  There were plenty of folks attending and more coming in for the bands and fireworks!  We left before all of that.  So... let's just look at a few pictures I snapped while there.

It is named the Roadrunner Festival... probably because there are a plethora of roadrunners hanging around!  We have seen multiples in our own front and back yards!  The spousal-unit actually had to stop his vehicle on a major, 4-lane road to WAIT for the FOUR roadrunners that were meandering across it!  Yep.  They are here.

There were food vendors, crafts vendors, and the stage for the bands later that day.

 

There were LOTS of "kid" things to do!  Some of them looked like a lot of fun... but we held ourselves back.  :)

All-in-all, it was good fun.  We got some BBQ sandwiches (good) and some fresh "squoze" lemonade (got mine with fresh blueberries... YUM!) before sitting down under a large canopy with big tables to enjoy them.  Some folks joined our table and we had a lively and interesting conversation with them before saying goodnight.

Later that night, the fireworks literally roared!!  We are probably not more than a mile from the area where the festival was held... and it was plenty loud!  I'm sure everyone there enjoyed it.

So... forgive me for the delay.  I honestly will try to do better!

Until next post...

TIME HAS FLOWN!!!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!

Time has absolutely flown... and I have let it slip by.  There are a myriad of things that have kept me from sitting down and posting... but I apologize for not making the time!

So... with all of the "stuff" going on, you would think I would have something to report.  But I don't.  In fact, most of my time has been spent getting the "final" kitchen in order, getting ready for tax season (for my household and for my aunt's final returns), figuring out what I should do is reactivate my real estate sales license (more later), finally getting around to seeing doctors I have avoided for over a decade (!), and just trying to clean out paperwork in the filing cabinet that needs to be shredded and gone!!!  Whew!!!  I apologize for the delay in posts... but I hope you can relate to the insanity of daily life that has kept me away from the computer.

Alright.  The one thing that might be of interest is my decision to reactivate my real estate sales license.  Yep.  After submitting large quantities of online applications for employment, I realized that was getting me nowhere.  One interview wasn't a good return on the time invested!  LOL!!  So... with the Waco market booming right now, I chatted with a gal who has lived here nearly forever.  She pointed me in the direction of a sales agent she knows who is encouraging her to obtain her license.  I contacted him, met with him and his manager, and found myself 'invited" to join the brokerage firm once I had my license reactivated!  Oops!  Time to get in high gear!  After conversing with TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission), I obtained the two 30-hour courses I needed, finished those in short order, then submitted my application for reactivation.  I received the acceptance letter from TREC quickly along with instruction to get fingerprinted (ridiculous, in my opinion, but we all have to do it) and take the National/State exam... again.  Remember, I took this and was licensed previously.  Sigh.  So... I am now reviewing the exam prep course I obtained and have scheduled the exam for this Wednesday, 4/11/18.  I am comfortable the outcome will be fine so will likely be a licensed real estate salesperson in the lovely state of Texas once again soon.

So... that is what has been going on... or at least a very quick synopsis of what has happened to this point.  I am looking forward to getting back into real estate as it was the best "job" I ever had and never really felt like "work."  The brokerage has been great and allowed me to sit in on some of the sales meetings they have each week in anticipation of my license being received by them.

I hope after reactivation, tax season, and finally clearing my desk, I will have more time to share some things of interest with you.

Until next post...

LAST BUT NOT LEAST... THE KITCHEN

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!

My apologies for the delay in finishing up the house reno tour.  A few things have slowed me down... but we will knock it out today.

Remember, you can see the entire house in its original state by clicking here.

After dealing with the stress of a remote renovation for the majority of the house, I was glad I waited to truly finish the kitchen until we were here.  Although three+ weeks living in a house without a kitchen was a little challenging at times, that spousal-unit was SO on top of it!!  It was begun in early September meaning perfect weather for outdoor grilling.  He set up a couple of long tables in the den, had the refrigerator moved into the den, and set up a work/washing table outside.  It was amazing.  He actually managed to make the whole thing work with only a couple of "extra" meals out... but very few in total!  In fact, it was really no problem at all.  That guy is GOOD!

Okay.  Enough.  If he is reading this, I will have to admit to his fabulous abilities.  Sigh.  Oh well.  :)

Now then... I am going to try to limit the photos per area.  If you have been following the reno, you already have a good idea of the layout and what was in place. With a lot of pics to show you, I won't be typing much else.

Without further ado...

WHERE WE STARTED... THAT PENINSULA HAS GOT TO GO!!!

THIS IS WHERE I WANT THE ISLAND!

PENINSULA GONE!

ROUND ONE - ISLAND IN - OLD CABINETS AND APPLIANCES REMAIN.

COMPLETE KITCHEN TEAROUT!!!!  TO THE WALLS!!!  IT IS GOING TO GET SO MUCH BETTER SOON!!

I will spare you the excessive amount of photos of the work being done.  :)  It won't help you... but I do want to show you most of the items that were done after they were finished.  It is a substantial change... and we are enjoying it immensely.

THE SOAPSTONE TOPPED ISLAND WITH BAR SEATING AT THE DEN END.

NEW CABINETS, REFRIGERATOR, AND A BEVERAGE COOLER INSTEAD OF A DISHWASHER!  (THANKS, JEAN... LOVE THAT IDEA!)

NEW RANGE, VENT HOOD, AND BACKSPLASH.

NEW BUILT-IN PANTRY... AND IT IS GREAT TO HAVE!!!  GOOD IDEA, SPOUSAL-UNIT!!

NEW SLEEK FRIDGE... WITH NO HANDLES!!  LIKING THAT.

BEVERAGE COOLER HAS HANDLES... BUT WE AREN'T PUTTING THEM ON!

NEW "ICE GREY" SINK OF GREAT WIDTH AND DEPTH.  MAKES THOSE BIG ITEMS SO MUCH EASIER TO WASH!

REALLY LOVE THE NEW RANGE... THE OVENS CAN BE USED AS ONE LARGE OVEN... OR JUST AS A TOP OVEN FOR THOSE SINGLE ITEMS AND BAKING SHEETS.

THE VENT HOOD CAN NEARLY PULL ONE'S BODY OFF THE FLOOR!!  KIND OF SCARY!!

Okay.  You have seen it now.  This was the final piece to put the house in shape.  Are there still things to be done?  Yes... but they are minor and can be done over time.  No more rampant insanity without a kitchen or bathroom!!!  Hooray!!  Plenty of time now to decide on area rugs, a couple of remaining lighting fixtures, where to hang the art... all that stuff.  No hurry.

So... I do hope you have enjoyed the journey.  I assure you it was a MUCH longer and MUCH more challenging one than you have had to work through.  LOL!!

Thank you for bearing with me... and staying with me!  Hopefully future posts will be more about Waco itself than about our living situation!  There is a lot to see here... and a lot to do.  We are enjoying it.

Until next post...