90 Degrees on Feb 27th

Yes … it was 90 degrees today in the Alamo City!  Didn’t break a record but did tie it!!!  We hit some golf balls for the first time in a month and I actually broke out into a sweat even though I was wearing shorts.  That hasn’t happened once since we arrived in San Antonio last November.  Hopefully the heat will hold off until April when it is normal to have such warm weather.  By then, we will be back in Arkansas where it should be much cooler!?!

Parenting: Importance of Manners

Some interesting thoughts in this NY Times article …

And that job is to start with a being who has no thought for the feelings of others, no code of behavior beyond its own needs and comforts — and, guided by love and duty, to do your best to transform that being into what your grandmother (or Socrates) might call a mensch. To use a term that has fallen out of favor, your assignment is to “civilize” the object of your affections.

Some words of wisdom from Judy Martin author of Miss Manners’ Guide to Rearing Perfect Children …

“Every infant is born adorable but selfish and the center of the universe,” she replied. It’s a parent’s job to teach that “there are other people, and other people have feelings.”

Lastly, I loved this line …

And of course, one of the long-term consequences of being a rude child is being a rude adult.

The article, which is written by a pediatrician, is a good read for parents.  Enjoy …

Hash Brown Sweet Potatoes

… in just about 5 minutes … if you have a food processor! Check it out …

New Neighbors

Last Monday, we had interesting visitors!  The doorbell rang and there stood a couple who seemed friendly enough.  Thankfully they immediately introduced themselves as our neighbors.  They own the 2 empty lots next to us and plan to build in 2 to 3 years.  They had been in town visiting family for the July 4th holiday.  They finally had a chance to get away as they were headed back to Tulsa to fly home to Sacramento, CA.

I invited them in since it was a little warm outside.  Originally they were sold their lot under the pretense that it was our lot!  Talk about disappointed!!!  You see their lot is the last one with lake access thus requiring dredging and much work to maintain.  Our lake access isn’t much better since we are the 2nd lot to the end.  Every little inch helps though!

We sat and had a wonderful visit.  At some point, the conversation allowed me to explain our predicament with regard to retaining our Texas residency.  The bottom line there is that in a couple of years or so we will be putting this home on the market in order to purchase a bigger home in Texas.  Then we would probably just rent during our summers in Bella Vista.  We do love it here especially since the summer weather is so much cooler than it is in Texas!  Don’t miss that summer heat one bit!!! 

Our new neighbor immediately hands me his business card and asks that we contact them before selling our home!  He says “he doesn’t see any need to build a home when this one is already built!”  That’s right … they might be interested in buying our home in about the same timeframe that we might be interested in selling it!?!  Lord only knows if it will ever come to pass but I proceeded to show them around the house and they loved it … even the smallish galley kitchen!  Just too good to be true!?!  And maybe for them as well!!!

I imagine they will be stopping by regularly on future visits.  I certainly extended the invitation!  If nothing else, it is certain that they will be great neighbors to whomever is occupying this dream home of ours in the future … since it probably won’t be Jake and I!!!

Clean Bathtub Toys!

Vinegar to the rescue again!

Hubbie’s First Day of Retirement

As I am in CT helping my sister recuperate from brain surgery, hubbie has much to do by himself back in TX!!!  He sent the following summary of his first day of retirement …

Well, the first day of retirement was great!  I slept in late and other than a few little things, there was nothing but lounging around and relaxing. I did find time to work on the following items:

1)  SA Condo – talked with Cheri three times; worked on the employment vs. retirement situation; sent faxes of all Feb 08 bank statements and EM retirement benefits; sent EM Savings statements by email. Determined that your signature is not needed until you return to AR.

2) Spoke with Greg Kroenke for an hour about pulling out the EM Savings next week. Set up a phone conference for Tuesday midmorning to actually do it.

3) Confirmed that all is well with EM Benefits regarding the payment of the Med/Dent insurance for April

4) Burned the 1.5 qt. saucepan by boiling water for coffee in it while talking with Kroenke.

5) Washed the dishes from Missy’s visit

6) Visited State Farm and determined there is no need to pay the Apt insurance, since we will be paying for the Condo insurance by the time the grace period for the Apt payment expires.  Overlap is okay because same “goods” are theoretically being insured.  Also determined that SA auto rates will be $180 more in SA than Spring for every six months for 3 cars.  And arranged for Nicky at State Farm to call Diamondhead HOA and get the necessary info to quote us an insurance rate for the Condo.

7) Attempted to replace burned saucepan, but Macys doesn’t carry Farberware and Penneys didn’t have the 1.5 qt size available.

8) Purchased new tennies at Foot Locker.

9) Spoke with several jewelers about the Rolex question.  Donoho’s said they know a resaler, but require a purchase to use his services. Then the Rolex resale thing constitutes a “trade-in”.  Their comparable new Relices sell for $7000, so she very roughly estimated something like $4000 for trade-in.

10) Visited Kinko’s twice to fax mortgage documents.

11) Called Doc Stephens and left message about SA tomoro.  No reply yet.

12) Observed on the online credit card statement that Budget had charged for gas replacement and had to call XNA Budget location to begin the process to get it credited back to our account.

Yes sir, just a routine relaxing day around here.  Tomoro will be another easy day — drive to SA, tour the Condo, stop by the DHOA and see what needs to be done with them, visit with Missy, stop by and say hi to Mickey and drive home.

WHAT A GUY!!!

Baby, It’s Cold Inside!

All is well in Arkansas.  The weather so far this weekend has been mostly overcast but relatively mild … until this afternoon!  After heading out to church in 60 degree weather this morning, we drove home this afternoon past signs showing the temperatures in the high 30s!  Yes … over a 20 degree drop in temperature!!!  We don’t keep the thermostat in the home quite as high as we were accustomed to doing in Texas.  As such … baby, it’s cold inside!!!  When we got home, I immediately made my way to the bureau to look for my thermal underwear and some sweats!  Ah … now that is much more comfie!!!

Update:  I should add that whenever the sun is shining, the sunroom is performing at least as well as expected.  It can get toasty warm in the sunroom regardless of the outside temperature.  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!  We just have to pray for more sunny than cloudy days!!!

Fall Officially Arrives

The highs for Monday, October 22nd were in the 60s which is to say that Fall may finally have arrived in Texas … at least for awhile!  It was rainy, dreary weather but many (other than me) appreciate the arrival of the cooler weather.  For me, it is turtleneck and corduroy time!  Just an aside … the highs were in the 50s at our home in AR … oh happy days!!!

Secret homemade stain removers

Secret homemade stain removers that kick butt. | Wise Bread … good ideas!  There is even one to whiten teeth with paste mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.  Hmmm … don’t know that I would try that … especially with the warning not to get it on your gums or swallow it!!!

Health: Band-Aid’s first aid guide – LH

Health: Band-Aid’s first aid guide for your home – Lifehacker … worthy of a read!  Also, includes link to First Aid guide to keep on your iPod!!!