OK - You are thinking....???  What in the world does this have to do with Home Inspection.  Just think of how much you love your dog  OR pet, If something happened to him  or her it would be such a loss to you and your family. Your pets are part of your family,  your protector and don't always welcome strangers. Picture This: Your home is on the market to be sold. A buyer is interested and has chosen a Home Inspector; say Carl Winters is to come and inspect the house. Oooops! Everyone forgets to remind each other that your dog or pet is in the house and you have gone off to work and Carl, the inspector is coming to inspect the house. He unlocks the front door and lord and behold he meets up with......the dog. The dog barks and runs between his legs and gets out of the house. Wow! Not go... 03/11/2009

If you are a first time home buyer or presently live in a home with a septic system please read. Usually Bacteria is not a friend but since they work morning, noon and night watching over your septic system, we'll say they do a very good job, BUT YOU NEED TO DO YOUR PART This is Part 2 with simple suggestions to help you maintain your septic system and avoida failed system. OK - We know the bacteria work 24/7/365 but you have to do your part. Here is your system.          The Sludge is what will need to be pumped. Simple Steps 1. Strongly recommended only products go down the drain that are biodegradable. Try to avoid mop water and food particles or grease, cleaning items.  Try to use your garbage disposal sparingly. There are additive products on the market that claim to help keep your... 03/02/2009

                            There's something buried in your backyard....Whoa!  In my Backyard? It is out there---constantly Working. Working when you are at work, Working when you are eating dinner and still Working even when you are sleep. Working in the dark of night and in the light of day. Working and working with never a rest.                                                           Your septic system It may be the most overlooked and undervalued utility in your home. But and with a BIG BUT with proper care your septic system can continue to work for you for at least 25 to 30 years.  If you are like most homeowners you probably never give your septic system a second thought. Again a BIG BUT you do need to think about what happens when waste goes down your drain. You depend on you... 03/01/2009

I am a rare breed of REALTOR.  Who isn't one might ask.  It takes a rare individual to not only consider getting into the real estate business, but even more so be excel at it!  So now that I have established that we are all rare, I will get to my reasons for referring to myself as a rare breed of REALTOR.  I am a REALTOR who has an education and experience in graphic arts, marketing and advertising.  In fact my degree concentrations were graphic design and copywriting and I do professional photography on the side...wink wink...make sure to catch my second photographic exhibit next month in New Braunfels, Texas!  I know, I know...I am a shameless marketer...but it's just the way this rare breed REALTOR is wired.  So I am the one that those telemarketers selling SEO, websites, etc, etc, ... 02/28/2009

 Obey the law - It may just save your life or injury.  You don't know where those lines are hidden.  THIS IS ANOTHER  I M P O R T A N T  REMINDER If you live in Comal County TX  (I'm sure it goes for every area) you will be directed by your electric company to report a DIG. You ask what is a DIG? Continue reading - this is a very important reminder.   PEC's (Pedernales Electric Coop. is our carrier). Check with your carrier for information in your area. Please be reminded underground lines carry enough electricity to seriously injure or even kill anyone who comes in contact with them. If you plan to dig deeper than 16 inches on your property using mechanical equipment, please call 1-800-DIG-TESS (344-8377) first. This action is required by state law and could save your life. The DIG TES... 02/26/2009

                   Think Before You Plant Trees are small when you bring them home from the local nursery; but remember they will grow. Look up, Look Down, Look Side-to Side before you plant. I recently read a reminder about trees in our local Co-op Magazine and thought I would pass on this reminder. Trees clean the air, reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide and, when positioned strategically, protect buildings from wind and sun, which can have a noticeable impact on reducing the energy needed to cool and heat the buildings. Unfortunately, when a tree grows too close to a power line, it not only has the potential to cause wide-ranging power outages, but can also be a life-threatening danger as well. Trees can be a contributing factor, if not a direct cause, of as much as fifty percent of po... 02/25/2009

A Fun Outing for you and your children... If you are looking for fun afternoon with your children then you need to come visit Fisherman's corner at Canyon Lake, TX. Fisherman's CornerCatfish Fishing Ponds at Canyon Lake, TX. They stock 5,000 pounds of channel catfish (1.5 pounds - 9 pounds) with additional stock arriving weekly.There is no admission charge and no fishing license is required. You pay for "your catch by live weight." You can bring your own fishing pole with a minimum of 14 pound test line or they do rent fishing poles for a small fee. Catfish eating habits sometime change daily so it is best to purchase your bait upon arrival to ensure a successful fishing trip. All bait used in the catfish ponds must be purchased in our store. We also carry a full line of bait, tackle, s... 02/21/2009

Spurs Blog Along - January 29 2009 Spurs vs Phoenix (EVERYONE WELCOME)     Thu 29 @ Phoenix 9:30pm 1200 WOAI Come help us spur our San Antonio Spurs Basketball Team to anothr V I C T O R Y We want another WIN JUST LIKE the last one. Oh what an exciting game we had Tuesday night. What's on the Menu? How about chicken fried sandwich. Ceil says she will make up some and bring them by. Everybody knows the drill... AR Golden Dance Team may drop by with a few cheers Dale Baker always brings a surprise Judi has become the pastry chef Shirley, Sheila & Kristen are full of surprises Ricki is always bouncing around on her little blue bouncey ball Richard may come as himself or maybe Elvis Keith is our coastal back up for play by play when they televise the game at Port-A Maybe Ms. Liz will drop b... 01/29/2009

Water Quality and Aquifer Protection I will be sharing information with you throughout the year with updates regarding our Aquifer   The Edwards Aquifer is a unique groundwater system and one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world.  It is one of the greatest natural resources on Earth, serving the diverse agricultural, industrial, recreational, and domestic needs of almost two million users in south central Texas. We Need To Conserve & Protect Our Water http://www.edwardsaquifer.net Below are some helpful links for websites in Comal County   Complete Inspection Service City of New Braunfels Comal County  Comal Independent School District  National Weather Service - Canyon Lake Forecast New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Texas Historical Commission Texas Parks & Wildlife Onl... 01/16/2009

                                                         Discover Mystic Shores, a magical community beside the shores of Canyon Lake. Where 1 to 10 acre homesites are nestled among the rolling hills, overlooking scenic vistas of Canyon Lake and the sparkling Guadalupe River. START SEARCHING FOR CANYON LAKE TX HOMES HERE                                  Map Courtesy of Mystic Shores   [ Back ]   SEARCH ENGINE KEYWORDS: CANYON LAKE TX HOMES CANYON LAKE REAL ESTATECANYON LAKE SUBDIVISIONS CANYON LAKE COMMUNITIESCANYON LAKE HOMES FOR SALECANYON LAKE TX PROPERTY   01/13/2009

                                                           Thought Provoker for Today                                                                         Engineering Question of the Day   How much does a house weight?  How much can a rural two-lane bridge hold?                                             So will this be covered under your home insurance policy?                                                  Or Car Insurance Policy? Or Roadside Assistance? If you are moving to Bexar, Comal, Kendall or Guadalupe county in Texas and should need a home inspection, or if you are building a new home and should need a phase-inspection. Please Call: Complete Inspection Service. Carl Winters Lic. #3630 (since 1994) by TAREI and Registered TRCC for Phase Inspections. - 830-660-0131 or 210-... 01/09/2009

 Some good things are happening at Pedernales Electric Co-Op and services for the customer. I read a recent article in our Texas Co-Op Power report that comes periodically from Pedernales Electric Co-op which is our electric supplier.  On the front it states "Pedernales Electric Ushers In A New Age Of Environmental Stewardship". On the inside cover it states "PEC Brings On More Wind Power" - Good for PEC and customers. It states two environmental goals.  1. Reduce the future energy requirementds of residential and commercial members by up to 20%  2. Secure 30% of PEC's (Pedernales Electirc Co-op's) power supply from renewable energy sources by  2020. Also they will be adding 90 megawatts of wind power onto the grid. The purchased windpower will come from Sweetwater Texas which is equipp... 01/04/2009

          Want to buy a house in Canyon Lake Texas along the Guadalupe River?                         If you are even thinking about buying or selling in Canyon Lake Texas, you should consider checking out our new mega website www.CanyonLakeHouse.com  where you can find Canyon Lake Houses, Canyon Lake Properties and search for real estate all over the Texas Hill country. Our new site offers great local community information and related links for your enjoyment. You can enjoy links for the following: Canyon Lake Subdivisions Canyon Lake Lakefront Homes Canyon Lake School Information Canyon Lake Tx Maps Canyon Lake Tx Attractions  Canyon Lake Lots, Land and Homesites  Canyon Lake TX History  Blue Water Real Estate is a leading seller of homes in Canyon Lake, Texas. We specialize in Fine H... 11/26/2008

                                     Looking for Homes in Canyon Lake Texas ?                                      If you are thinking about relocating to  Canyon Lake, Texas, Blue Water Real Estate specializes in selling highly desirable waterfront homes and properties. Whether you're after a lakefront property, a lake view lot or home or something that offers the peace and beauty of the Texas Hill Country, you've come to the right place.                                       Ready to Search Canyon Lake Texas Homes?Canyon Lake is a great place to call home, whether you're considering a permanent residence or a second home. Call or email us today for additional information.Canyon Lake, Texas, has much to offer as part of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Close to large cities such as Sa... 11/21/2008

                                              Looking for Canyon Lake Homes? Specializing in Fine Homes, Luxury Properties, Lakefront, Lakeview, Vacation Homes, Hill Country Homesites, Riverfront properties, Commercial and Investment Real Estate.     Canyon Lake, Texas has much to offer as part of the Beautiful Texas Hill Country. Close to large cities such as San Antonio and Austin, yet still far enough away to enjoy country living at its best. Canyon Lake has eight Corps of Engineer Public Parks, 26 boat ramps, two marinas, campgrounds, golf course, country club, and yacht club. The Guadalupe River, along with our mild climate, provides the opportunity to enjoy many outdoor pursuits such as fishing, boating, skiing, scuba diving, hunting, and wildlife. Centrally located for easy acces... 11/21/2008

        This is Important - Also there is a place, information is provided below where Xerox is offering Free cards. It will only take a moment to say Thank You. This is a difficult time of the year for our troops, put yourself in their shoes and you would understand. Follow all of the instructi ons and send a card. FIRST OF ALL, PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT.....   Walter Reed Army Hospital will NOT accept letters/cards addressed to "A Recovering American Soldier", as stated in an email currently being circulated.    READ MORE AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE .....and read guidelines on how and where you CAN send cards to our wounded service members at hospitals around the country and overseas.   Now .....please scroll down and get information on where you can send cards to our troops in Iraq.   LET  TH... 11/19/2008

Before I get carried away here is a good link: http://www.energy.gov/energysavingtips.htm Saving money on energy bills can keep a little money in your pocket. U.S. Department of Energy link. Here in Texas we are fortunate that we have few days of really cold weather. Already in other parts of the country they are already having cold and in a news report I heard this morning blizzard conditions in some parts of the country.                     Here are a few TIPS to remind you of things you can do to help save on your energy bill.                                              This may be helpful to First Time Home Owners Check your entire house for simple ways to help save.  During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades on your south facing windows open during the day to allow ... 11/07/2008

Everything Texas about Herb Gardening, Drip Systems and Wildflowers. Get out an enjoy this beautiful Texas weather. http://www.PlantAnswers.com    You can use herbs from your herb garden in cooking and even in making some of your own gifts. Here is something Ceil makes for gifts and says it easy to do. Uses Rosemary, Garlic, Red Hot Pepper (for color) little salt and oil. Let set for two weeks. Great on salads and green beans. Then they have the nice bottle to o themself after they use up the seasoned oil dressing.  I received my monthly newsletter from Plant Answers. Here is some good information that I received in my November Newsletter with some excellent links. I just tilled up the garden and thinking about putting in an drip irrigation system,,,work up front but should save on time... 11/01/2008

     UNPLUG WHEN NOT USING                  Take a look around and maybe....just maybe you can save yourself some money We all know we use more energy then ever in our homes. We have gone from the norm, stove, refrigerator, air-conditon/heating and one TV. Today we have so many electronics that are our biggest energy users, newer TV, VCR's, DVD Players, Computers, Printers, just go into each room and look around.  Now take a look outside and in your workshop.  Everything plugs into a wall socket....that means your using electricity. Here are few things that can help you save a little on your energy bill: Unplug items you don't use on a regular basis. Example: Hand-held items that are in a charger (drill-hand held vacuum - power drill. Automatic coffee makers VCR Extra TV's in guest room... 10/21/2008

Welcome to the real world is what Ceil said to me: Ceil was going to run or should I say drive to the grocery so I thought, ummmm it is a beautiful day I'll be a good hubby and go along. WOW! What an experience. Grocery shopping l0l in the 21st Century. Now tell me. I know I'm old but have things really changed in the last ten years? YES -  Are the cans getting smaller or is it my eyesight? Years ago you could by a can of Pork & Beans and it was a l-lb. You could by green beans and it was l-lb. You could by a can of corn and it was a l-lb. What in the world have they done? Some say 8-oz. and some even say six oz. on the can. So now you have to buy two cans. This is insane, no wonder Ceil says the grocery bill keeps going up. So the good husband I am I came home and went through the pant... 10/18/2008