Come Home to the Hill Country!

  Take time to T.H.I.N.K.

I recently read a daily devotional that I receive by email and it really made me stop and think...not just because it focused on the theme of think, which in this case was an acronym.  The point of the message was that we are so quick to judge, criticize, and gossip and in reality we need to stop and T.H.I.N.K.

What does T.H.I.N.K. stand for???

I think you will like this...I did!

Before you speak ask yourself these questions...

T - Is it True?

H - Is it Helpful?

I - Is it Inspiring?

N - Is it Necessary?

K - Is it Kind?

If the words you are about to utter do not pass the T.H.I.N.K. test...don't say them!

Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men's souls, and a beautiful image it is.
Blaise Pascal

SPEECHLESS SUNDAY...VANCOUVER SUNSET

In honor of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, I am sharing this photo I took at sunset just outside of Vancouver.  We truly enjoyed our Canadian vacation, the people, sites, food and events were delightful and we cannot wait to return!  It has been a magical two weeks watching the best of the best compete in the winter games and what a beautiful location.  Thanks Canada!

Photography By Jeani Thomas Richie

Copyright 2006

Speechless Sunday...Sunrise on the Island

My family and I rented a condo on Padre Island off the Texas Coast as we do every Thanksgiving.  It was wonderful to get away, enjoy the surf, birds, hot tub, and family time.  I was privileged to wake up before sunset one morning and hit the beach with my camera.  I took dozens of photos and I was blessed to have the chance to meet God and spend time in the presence of His marvelous creation.

Photography By:  Jeani Thomas Richie

www.JeaniRichie.com

Wordless Wednesday...The cockpit.

Recently my son and I attended the Annual Air Show at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.  My son wants to be a pilot, so he was having an amazing time getting to climb all over so many planes.  This is us sitting in the cockpit of a cargo plane.  It was really cool and all I can say is..."Look at all those gauges, levers and knobs!!!"  We got to meet the pilots, co-pilots and navigators for each plane, too awesome!

Speechless Sunday...Random on Whidbey Island

Photography By:  Jeani Thomas Richie, Broker

EXIT Hill Country Realty

My Photography Website:  www.JeaniRichie.com

I was on a vacation in the Pacific Northwest a couple of summers ago and while sitting on a log on the beach on Whidbey Island, looked to my left and saw these randomly scattered stones on the log...the way the sun was shining on them and the stones all around the log captured my eye and I snapped this shot.  I love photograpy and have an exhibit in Texas next weekend!

  Do you always have to be number one at everything???

Once again today I am leaning new things about myself through a parenting experience.  Almost 13 years ago I brought this precious baby boy home from the hospital with no users manual!!!  Everyday since has been a learning experience and all the things I worried about struggling with as a parent have been a breeze...it's all the unexpected stuff that has me in a lurch some days.

I have a 7th grade boy who is an amazing person...

I bet that everyone one out there with a kid or kids can relate to this phrase.  But when I say this, it isn't to boast.  I am blessed.  I am a single mom, my ex-husband is within 30 minutes of us, but has little involvement in Jordan's life (his choice.)  In spite of that, my son has a heart of gold, loves people, would do anything for anyone and excels in what he does.  He happens to be the top trombone player in the seventh grade in the Honors Band at his middle school, he is well on his way to earning his Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts and loves basketball.

So what's the problem???

Every morning this week I have had my son at school at 6:30am for basketball tryouts.  All last weekend he was in a basketball clinic.  I have spent five years in the bleachers in a gym watching him play in the Spurs Youth basketball league and I have shot hoops in the driveway with him since he was old enough to pick up a ball.  Today was the announcements for team placement on tryouts.  My kid is not Michael Jordan (even though he shares the name) but I felt confident that he would make the "B" team.  They have "A" team which is the best of the best and plays in tournaments and all games.  Then they have "B" team which plays all games but not tournaments.  They had so many kids trying out this year for basketball that they opted to form a "C" team who will play two other schools who are forming "C" teams and then play against the other in school teams. 

Jordan texted me to tell me he was put on "C" Team...

At first I was crushed.  I haven't talked to him about it yet, but I imagine he is okay with it, because he will just be happy to get to wear the uniform and play.  I was almost crying this morning and my mom who always puts things into perspective, reminded me that my son is the top trombone player in the 7th grade...et al...

I remembered my prayer for Jordan about the basketball tryouts..."Lord, please place Jordan where YOU want him to be."  God always has a plan and often times we let our egos get in the way of what he is trying to do through us.  My son has been put into a place where he can use his leadership skills and have an opportunity to improve his skills at the same time.  He has a chance to be an example and to learn from the best.  Who am I to interfere with his destiny because of some misplaced ego trip to have a kid who is number one at everything.

It makes me wonder...

How many cool experiences and relationships have I missed out on because I was pushing too hard to make things perfect in my little world and failed to see the bigger picture and allow myself to be a part of something bigger than myself?  Tonight when I get home, I will hug my son and celebrate his accomplishment and start looking at how this can be a positive experience for him.  I was once told that Michael Jordan was cut from his middle school basketball team...hmmmm...perchance to dream???

  There is a REALTOR in a real estate resource center...

There is a real estate resource center in a community...   

  There is a community in a beautiful region...

There is a beautiful region in an great state... 

  There is a great state in a FREE nation...

There is a FREE nation that has a grateful REALTOR...   

I would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to ALL Veterans today, this 2009 Veteran's Day.  For those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice...Thank You!  To those who have selflessly served and to their families who stood by them...Thank You!  To Those who are serving around the world today...Thank You!  It is an honor to be able to enjoy the very freedom that you have provided...God Bless America and each and every Veteran today and always!

Speechless Sunday...in tune...

Photography by:  Jeani Thomas Richie, copyright 2008

Visit my photography website.

My friend Steve warming up for a set at Art on the Loop in New Braunfels, Texas.  This was also my first photography exhibit which was held about a year ago.  Steve is amazingly talented and is working on his degree in the ministry, his wife Renee was my son's fifth grade teacher at NB Christian Academy and they are also clients of mine...today we start their dream home search!

Results of the Election on 11 Texas Propositions.

Texas voters went to the polls in early voting over the past week and yesterday to make decisions about new amendments to the Texas State Constitution.  Texas REALTORS were strongly in support of Props 2, 3, 5 and 11 which directly affected private property rights in Texas, which TAR works tirelessly to protect and perpetuate.  REALTOR action on getting the word out on these props was huge and very much needed in light of a huge misinformation campaign that was launched weeks before the election.  But the REALTORS and the props prevailed and all 11 props were overwhelmingly approved by voters.

Below are the results from yesterday’s Constitutional Amendment Election. As you probably know, REALTOR®-endorsed Props 2, 3, 5 and 11 passed with flying colors. Thank you all for the tremendous amount of work you all put into making sure that the message was spread and misinformation was cleared up on these important measures. Our supported props won, but the true winners last night were property owners in the state of Texas. Thanks again.

Office of the Secretary of State 2009 Constitutional Amendment Election Election Night Returns Unoffcial Elections Results As Of: 11/4/2009 9:36:11 AM EARLY VOTES PERCENT TOTAL VOTES PERCENT

Prop 1 Finance buffer areas adjacent to military installations IN FAVOR 182,568 57.20% 577,384 55.21% AGAINST 136,573 42.79% 468,390 44.78% ----------- ----------- Race Total 319,141 1,045,774 Early Provisional Ballots Reported 769 Total Provisional Ballots Reported 1,458 Precincts Reported 7,452 of 7,468 Precincts 99.79% Statewide Turnout 8.07% 12,952,562 Registered Voters ----------------------------------------

Prop 2 Regulate how homestead ad valorem taxes are calculated IN FAVOR 209,781 64.81% 719,135 68.23% AGAINST 113,899 35.18% 334,706 31.76% ----------- ----------- Race Total 323,680 1,053,841 Early Provisional Ballots Reported 769 Total Provisional Ballots Reported 1,458 Precincts Reported 7,452 of 7,468 Precincts 99.79% Statewide Turnout 8.13% 12,952,562 Registered Voters ----------------------------------------

Prop 3 Provide uniform standards for appraising property IN FAVOR 205,449 63.65% 688,267 65.56% AGAINST 117,304 36.34% 361,442 34.43% ----------- ----------- Race Total 322,753 1,049,709 Early Provisional Ballots Reported 769 Total Provisional Ballots Reported 1,458 Precincts Reported 7,452 of 7,468 Precincts 99.79% Statewide Turnout 8.10% 12,952,562 Registered Voters ----------------------------------------

Prop 4 University fund to assist emerging research universities IN FAVOR 182,950 57.08% 591,183 56.73% AGAINST 137,565 42.91% 450,819 43.26% ----------- ----------- Race Total 320,515 1,042,002 Early Provisional Ballots Reported 769 Total Provisional Ballots Reported 1,458 Precincts Reported 7,452 of 7,468 Precincts 99.79% Statewide Turnout 8.04% 12,952,562 Registered Voters ----------------------------------------

Prop 5 Single appraisal review board for adjoining entities IN FAVOR 191,859 61.28% 628,623 61.85% AGAINST 121,219 38.71% 387,728 38.14% ----------- ----------- Race Total 313,078 1,016,351 Early Provisional Ballots Reported 769 Total Provisional Ballots Reported 1,458 Precincts Reported 7,452 of 7,468 Precincts 99.79% Statewide Turnout 7.84% 12,952,562 Registered Voters ----------------------------------------

Prop 6 Authorize the Veterans' Land Board to issue bonds IN FAVOR 209,321 66.64% 668,944 65.70% AGAINST 104,742 33.35% 349,093 34.29% ----------- ----------- Race Total 314,063 1,018,037 Early Provisional Ballots Reported 769 Total Provisional Ballots Reported 1,458 Precincts Reported 7,452 of 7,468 Precincts 99.79% Statewide Turnout 7.85% 12,952,562 Registered Voters ----------------------------------------

Prop 7 State Guard officer or member may hold other civil office IN FAVOR 230,439 71.94% 761,280 73.09% AGAINST 89,875 28.05% 280,272 26.90% ----------- ----------- Race Total 320,314 1,041,552 Early Provisional Ballots Reported 769 Total Provisional Ballots Reported 1,458 Precincts Reported 7,452 of 7,468 Precincts 99.79% Statewide Turnout 8.04% 12,952,562 Registered Voters ----------------------------------------

Prop 8 Authorize the state to contribute to veterans hospitals IN FAVOR 245,470 76.04% 785,775 74.83% AGAINST 77,324 23.95% 264,250 25.16% ----------- ----------- Race Total 322,794 1,050,025 Early Provisional Ballots Reported 769 Total Provisional Ballots Reported 1,458 Precincts Reported 7,452 of 7,468 Precincts 99.79% Statewide Turnout 8.10% 12,952,562 Registered Voters ----------------------------------------

Prop 9 Protect the right of the public to access public beaches IN FAVOR 251,116 78.37% 801,408 76.93% AGAINST 69,274 21.62% 240,218 23.06% ----------- ----------- Race Total 320,390 1,041,626 Early Provisional Ballots Reported 769 Total Provisional Ballots Reported 1,458 Precincts Reported 7,452 of 7,468 Precincts 99.79% Statewide Turnout 8.04% 12,952,562 Registered Voters ----------------------------------------

Prop 10 ESD board members' terms may not exceed four years IN FAVOR 238,604 74.77% 755,321 73.09% AGAINST 80,510 25.22% 278,062 26.90% ----------- ----------- Race Total 319,114 1,033,383 Early Provisional Ballots Reported 769 Total Provisional Ballots Reported 1,458 Precincts Reported 7,452 of 7,468 Precincts 99.79% Statewide Turnout 7.97% 12,952,562 Registered Voters ----------------------------------------

Prop 11 Limits on power of eminent domain IN FAVOR 254,975 79.70% 844,444 81.02% AGAINST 64,922 20.29% 197,713 18.97% ----------- ----------- Race Total 319,897 1,042,157 Early Provisional Ballots Reported 769 Total Provisional Ballots Reported 1,458 Precincts Reported 7,452 of 7,468 Precincts 99.79% Statewide Turnout 8.04% 12,952,562 Registered Voters *********************

Mike Barnett Director of Political Affairs Texas Association of REALTORS®

Thank you to our state association TAR for the amazing work they do in the local, state and national government to protect the REALTOR Industry and Private Property Rights of our clients!