Almost Speechless Sunday - If I Go Missing The Good Lord forbid but if I ever go missing from Katy TX. the below picture with statement would fit my circumstances very well. LOL. ::))) My friends and family will relate to a wine bottle but a milk carton with my picture not so much!  I hope everyone is having an excellent Sunday and getting in the Christmas or Holiday spirit. Still raining here!   Almost Speechless Sunday - If I Go Missing  12/04/2016

Raining Across Katy/Houston Area Today It has been raining across the whole Katy/Houston area which started sometime last night. The forecast for today called for a 100% chance of rain. That forecast is seldom made. I have been in my car driving in a torrential storm and the weather people here were saying 50 % chance of rain. Go figure. I have been getting coastal flood alerts for the last 3 days on my I-Phone. The rain has not yet been of that kind of nature as of now.  I telling everyone about the weather as yesterday I posted about the Old Fashioned Christmas in Old or Historic Katy which is supposed to be held today with Santa and snow arriving at noon and Christmas Tree Lighting this evening. I am not sure what will  happen as this event is held outside. I will try to see if some ... 12/03/2016

Katy Old Fashioned Christmas Festival 2016  On Saturday December 3 , 2016 an Old Fashioned Christmas Festival is being sponsored by Katy Market Days in partnership with the City of Katy. The Festival will be held from 11:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Avenue B in Old Town or Historic Katy as Avenue B is essentially where a many of the participating merchants stores are located or are located close by in Old Katy Texas. Above picture taken by me at this event a few years ago.   The pageant will feature Santa Claus and 50,000 lbs. Of real snow arriving at probably around noon time. I have attended this festival in past years and the real snow was there for all to enjoy. Pictures with Santa are available for a fee. In addition this festival features lots of delicious food available for purchas... 12/02/2016

Almost Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Decorations in San Antonio TX We spent two days last weekend in San Antonio TX as we visited Yolanda’s Mom’s  grave which we decorated for the Holiday. Below are just a few pictures. San Antonio is a favorite place for us to visit any time of the year and is very cool during the holidays.If you have been to San Antonio I recommend a visit especially when it is not summer time.   GO SPURS.. Spurs cannot seem to win at home this year??   Almost Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Decorations in San Antonio TX  11/30/2016

Pay It Forward Challenge - Katy Realtor November 2016 Belinda Spillman  Broker/Owner of Aspen Lane Real Estate in Aurora CO created the Third Annual ActiveRain Pay it Forward Challenge for the month of November 2016. I have previously entered this Challenge by donating funds to various charities. This year I wanted to physically participate in my Pay it Forward activities.  As many of you who follow my Posts know we added a new family member last March when our little sweet dog Miss Duchess suddenly arrived in our lives. I just composed a post about how I am Grateful/ Thankful for having such a wonderful and loving little dog in our lives.  She was saved by my youngest Stepson Alex who truly is a dog whisper. Someone just dumped this tiny, abused, skinny and scared little dog for no app... 11/29/2016

Day 10 - Grateful for in Katy TX - Blessings HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND HOLIDAY GREETINGS TO ALL MY FAMILY, FRIENDS,  ACTIVE RAIN FRIENDS, CLIENTS, REALTOR COLLEAGUES/ FRIENDS, OTHER COLLEAGUES, SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN , VETERANS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS,  SENIOR CITIZENS AND ALL WHO ARE READING MY BLOG...   LET ALL OF US TAKE SOME TIME TO SAY THANKS TO THE LORD GOD (OF YOUR CHOICE) FOR ALL HE HAS GIVEN EACH OF US  plus ALL OF HIS LOVE. I AM GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL TO THE GOOD LORD FOR ALL THAT WE HAVE AND THE BEAUTIFUL FAMILY I AM BLESSED TO BE PART OF IN KATY TX.  LET US ALL REMEMBER TO PRAY IN OUR OWN UNIQUE FASHION FOR ALL THE BRAVE SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE ON DUTY SERVING AND DEFENDING THIS GREAT NATION AWAY FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS GREA... 11/24/2016

Day 9 - What I am Grateful for in Katy TX - Police/FirefightersDebbie Reynolds created a 10 day ActiveRain challenge concerning writing posts about what we are Grateful/Thankful for in our lives. This is my sixth post in this challenge series and I have many things to be extremely grateful for in my life. My posts will not be in any type of order. Some posts will be much longer than others. My last post will be tomorrow on Thanksgiving Day. I am very grateful and thankful for Police Officers and Firefighters. I know in some people's opinion supporting one both of these groups is a problem. If you have a problem with me supporting them then don’t read my posts and stopping looking at my stuff on social media. I am definitely Old School as well as a law and order type of person and I comp... 11/23/2016

Day 8 - What I am Grateful for in Katy TX - My Good Health Debbie Reynolds created a 10 day ActiveRain challenge concerning writing posts about what we are Grateful/Thankful for in our lives. This is my fifth post in this challenge and I have many things to be extremely grateful for in my life. My posts will not be in any type of order. Some posts will be much longer than others. I think my Day count started by using an incorrect date on the first post and please ignore the days.  I am very Grateful and Thankful for my good health. If I look back into time when my health was a real concern this would come to a head during 2012. During December 2010, I had hip replacement surgery and I did not do any real therapy. I was totally embarrassed at my one and only therapy session by a therapis... 11/22/2016

Day 6 - What I am Grateful for in Katy TX - Service Men and Women Debbie Reynolds created a 10 day ActiveRain challenge concerning writing posts about what we are Grateful/Thankful for in our lives. This is my fourth post in this challenge and I have many things to be extremely grateful for in my life. My posts will not be in any type of order. Some posts will be much longer than others. I am very Grateful and Thankful for all the military men and women who are serving this great nation right now and also for all the Veterans living, or passed away or who made the ultimate sacrifice. I feel grateful for all the associated families of these service people who made it possible for these folks to serve our country. All of us owe these folks respect, honor, gratitude and thanks for they hav... 11/21/2016

Day 5 - What I am Grateful for in Katy TX - Our Home/NeighborhoodDebbie Reynolds created a 10 day challenge concerning writing posts about what we are Grateful/Thankful for in our lives. This is my third post in this challenge and I have many things to be extremely grateful for in my life. My posts will not be in any type of order. Some posts will be much longer than others.  We have lived in our home in Grand Lakes Katy TX for about 17 years. We were one of the first homes occupied back in 1999. We have seen numerous changes over our time of living here most of which are very positive. Grand Lakes has numerous amenities for residents to enjoy including but limited to several pools, children playgrounds, putting green, walking/running trails, several man made lakes, and several more. Fo... 11/20/2016

Day 4 - What I am Grateful for in Katy TX - My Wife Yolanda Debbie Reynolds created a 10 day challenge concerning writing posts about what we are Grateful/Thankful for in our lives. This is my second post in this challenge and I have many things to be extremely grateful for in my life. My posts will not be in any type of order. Some posts will be much longer than others. I could write several chapters about my Wife but I will keep this short so folks will read it.  I am extremely grateful for and thankful for my beautiful, inside and outside, wife Yolanda. We have been married for 18 plus years  and these years have passed by like  high speed train. Many years ago when we first got married we ran into a large number of naysayers and or critics who thought we would never last much past a... 11/19/2016

Grateful Post Day 7 - Our Pup Miss Duchess..  Debbie Reynolds  created a 10 day ActiveRain challenge concerning writing posts about what we are Grateful/Thankful for in our lives. This is my first post in this challenge and I have many things to be extremely grateful for in my life. My posts will not be in any type of order. Some posts will be much longer than others.  I am very grateful and happy that our Pup Miss Duchess all of sudden showed up in our lives. She is a true blessing and such a lovable small dog. I will give a short version of how we came to have her as part of our family. Early March 2015 my youngest step-son Alex was driving along a busy street in Pearland TX as he was living in a home owned by his roommate's parents in Pearland. It was a cold, rainy and dreary night b... 11/18/2016

Signs in the Forest - You Never what You Will Find! During early September 2016 we were very lucky to travel from Katy TX to both Germantown NY and New York City. One morning we all took a hike in the woods that surround our friends two homes. After all this election mumbo jumbo that went on for months on end plus the election aftermath of protests I thought a little less serious stuff should be in order today.   I have always said let sleeping Bears lie.. Reality is Bears are very light sleepers and can tell immediately when someone or something is near them..   It is always a good thing to know how far you are from Austin, TX!    Signs in the Forest - You Never what You Will Find!      11/16/2016

 Katy YMCA Holds Annual Turkey Dash 2016 The Katy TX Family YMCA in partnership with Reliant an NRG Company will host its 14TH annual Turkey Dash on its traditional Thanksgiving day morning being November 24, 2016.  A few years ago a 10K event was added and received significant positive feedback. This year there will be a 5K and 10K course as separating the events improves participants experience. In addition, there is also a family event named Kids one mile run plus family oriented 1 mile walk or run or both. The proceeds from this Turkey dash as part of the YMCA’s continuing commitment to the local community will be used to fund various program scholarships  and subsidies for Katy area families in need. It is expected this year over 6,000 people will participate in this Turkey Dash an... 11/15/2016

2016 Katy Community Thanksgiving Dinner This Community Thanksgiving Dinner is another in a long line of local community traditions in Katy Texas being held for the benefit of the less fortunate individuals living in the community. This year’s dinner is being held on Thursday November 24, 2016 or Thanksgiving Day at the First Baptist Church which is located at 600 Pin Oak Road in Katy. The dinner will start at 11AM and last until 1 PM. I am posting this information as a surprising number of folks who might want to donate time and or money plus folks who need a good meal never hear about this great local event.  Last year's dinner served over 1,200 hungry folks and it is expected that number will grow once again this year as it has each year in the past. Attendees will  also receive donat... 11/14/2016

Flu Shot Today for Me in Katy TX I got my annual flu shot today at Costco in Katy. I writing this post as getting the shot had slipped my mind for several weeks. My Doctor who is Internal Medicine specialist tells me at my age I need to make sure I get the annual flu shot. This guy is an excellent Doctor and I do whatever he tells me to do. He is a Doctor who does not just write prescriptions.  I know there are several folks who last year told me about how they never get a shot. I totally get it and understand. I had the flu several times in my lifetime and while shot is not absolute protection getting one in my case is a good thing to do.  I am writing this post to remind folks it is flu season and if you get annual shots and have done so as of yet you might want to put on your to do l... 11/12/2016

It was in the early fall of 1969.  Two high school sweethearts from a rural west Texas town had just graduated in 1968 and were married in August of that same year.  It was a different time then, President Johnson was on his way out of the White House, and President Nixon was on his way in.  Gasoline was priced at thirty-five cents per gallon and Neil Armstrong was the first man to ever land on the moon that year.  But that wasn’t all that happened in 1969.  With barely a year of marriage behind them and not having seen the age of twenty yet, the young bride said good-bye to her groom when he answered the call of enlistment into the U.S. Army after receiving his draft notice.  On September 3rd, Bobby Fellers shipped out to Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas to complete his basic training and l... 11/11/2016

Thank You Veterans for Your Service - Katy TX My Family and I want to say a huge Thank You to all Veterans on this Veterans Day 2016 for your service and dedication to this Great Country. All of us in this country whether they want to agree or not owe our Veterans a huge Thank You and we should honor these folks all year long and not just on Veterans Day or just remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day.    Yolanda and I have made it our modus operandi to say Thank You for your Service whenever we see a Veteran in our daily lives. I can tell you the reception you will receive from any Veteran when you walk up to them shake their hand or pat them on pat and tell them Thank You is something very special to experience. The Veterans get a huge smile on their face and yo... 11/11/2016

 Thank you to all the Veterans in this country. God Bless you all and all your families for the great sacrifices you make to preserve our way of life we never ever forget. This country would not be who it is if it were not for you, do not ever forget it for a moment. Thank you to all of the Veterans in Active Rain I thank you for your service. I want to thank my father a Purple Heart Recipient in the Korean War thank you for your service, but most of all for being my dad.   I love you with all my heart.         11/10/2016

November 2016 Photo Challenge - Home in Grand Lakes Below is a picture I took today of the side of a home in Grand Lakes Katy TX. The side shot shows part of the beautiful backyard of this home, the lake which is on both the side of the home and on the back plus a blue heron enjoying the lake. The front and backyard of this gorgeous homes are in immaculate condition and if the owners wanted to sell this home would require absolutely no additional changes or work for the grounds/landscaping. I decided to use this picture as an entry into the Real Estate  grounds and landscaping Photo Challenge which was put together by Dick Greenberg.   I have also included pictures of just some of the beautiful flowers found in the backyard of this home. I really appreciate the hard work the owners cons... 11/10/2016