Friday, October 30, 2009

These boots are made for walking.....Join the party

These boots are made for walking...

and that's just what they will do.....





In our family...we love boots....work boots...
dress boots...lace up boots...rain boots....sexy boots...
hiking boots....


This is the prize package....can't wait to see who wins...



These are the ladies that are joing in the party today...don't forget I will be giving away a prize package .....drawing name from everyone that joins in...you get a second chance if someone mentions your name on my comment.....will draw names on Sunday and announce winner on Monday...so have your friends stop by and mention your name.....

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

What's up Wednesday...

I have had a lot of inquires about what I eat to loose weight..
well this is my breakfast...
and I always save this much for my two schnauzers...
they can't wait to get their oatmeal in the morning...

for lunch yesterday I had turkey chili and a salad




V-8 juice for afternoon snack....really filling...and good for you too....
sound like a commercial don't I (LOL)

I found this cute little wool....lined skirt yesterday..
for 1/2 of 2.99




got this little sweater for 1/2 of 3.99...
will go great with my BOOTS....
hmmmm isn't there something coming up soon....
about BOOTS....

do you ever by a pair of shoes.....just because they are cute...
and you don't even have anything to go with them....




well these are mine...and they aren't even comfortable...
they are what we call "sittin shoes"....
you wear them when you will be doing more "sittin" than walking...



just made me think of Halloween...
saw it in NY a couple of years ago...
was wonderful...

playing around with this...going to use if for
center piece for Thanksgiving.... will post
a photo when I get it all worked out....


you gotta have peppers and garlic...
the bananna peppers came from Mom's garden....



apples...love me some apples...
got a great little snack.... I peel and apple...
cut it up in chunks....add a packet of splenda...
top with cinnamon...pop in the microwave about 1- 1/2 minutes...
just like eating apple pie...well almost...



Now....for a big surprise.....
decided to add a little giveaway at my blogparty
on Friday......



This is the first item....
Advice from a Garden by Ilan Shamir....
everyone that joins in gets a chance to win.....
I will be adding a few more items on Friday....
surprise items...so dig out your BOOTS...
if you send someone to the party have them
mention your name and you will get a second chance...
will draw names on Friday....will post the winner on Monday....













Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Random October photos...

I know I have complained about the rain
all month long...but we did have a few nice days...

award winner at the state fair....

little cowboys and cowgirls rodeo....
aren't they adorable...


Dallas skyline from the air....




morning glories blooming....




web worms...looks like a butterfly wing to me....





rain......






spider lillies....







rain....






pretty blooms....




a ride on the river...on a sunny day...


the creek.....



we really did see the sun....a few times....



the waiter thought I was crazy when I took this photo...
didn't understand a blogger takes photos of everything...




an iced cold Margarita....




in front of a warm fire place....



The bee's were busy buzzing on Saturday....
(click on photo to enlarge)

I liked the way the sun shone through.....
I picked random photos from October to share...
weather wise it has been crazy here in Texas...
we've had a lot of rain...a little sunshine...
and the temps have been from 49-99...
ain't Texas grand.....
I have started a new blog...I know crazy...
but it is a creative writing blog....I enjoy writing...
and enjoy telling stories....so if you get a chance pop over
for a visit....you can click on the button on my sidebar...
Happy Tuesday.....the sun may shine today....









Monday, October 26, 2009

Monday News.....

It is another rainy day here in Texas.....

had a really nice weekend...Friday nite hubby and I

went to Lonestar Park to "feed the ponies" which is exactly

what we did....ran into old friends that were celebrating

their 41st weddding anniversary....wow....we enjoyed

visiting with them and catching up.....

Saturday was a beautiful day...beautiful blue skies...

hubby and I ran all our errands on the motorcycle...

Went to breakfast sunday morning on the motorcycle...

not a sunny day...but it was fun.....we did our cooking

for the week...we have started trying to cook one day a week

for the rest of the week...hubby made a turkey chili...and

I made chicken soup....cut up all the veggies for salad fixings..

so we are all set....we will probably make some pasta and rice

to add in to change things up....daughter loves this....she just

pops into the microwave...and she is on the go again...


I'm really excited about my 1st blog party this friday....

'THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING"

if you would like to join in just leave me a comment...

I will post my post thursday night with links to your blog....

so everyone can join in....Thanks to BJ over at Sweet Nothings
go by and say Hi and pick it up if you would like to put it on your
side bar....Looking forward to seeing you all on Friday....
got my dancing shoes....I mean boots on already.....



Friday, October 23, 2009

"These boots are made for walking"


After my post yesterday I decided to have a party myself...."These boots are made for walking"
You are all invited..... invite all your friends......let's make it a blow out.......

Friday October 30th....leave me a comment if you would like to join in and I will post it for everyone to see....Show us your favorite fall boots...working...dress...rain...snow...doesn't matter then tell us a little about them....the one thing I do like about fall and winter....is boots.....be sure and put a link to my blog so everyone can see who's joining in....


I don't know how to do the mr linky thing....or do make a button...so I'm doing it the old fashion way.....let's go boots........

Thursday, October 22, 2009

"The Little Black Dress"

Today I'm joining in on "The Little Black Dress"
click on the above link to go see more stories....
I bought this little black dress recently at a thrift store for $3.00


Since I've been loosing weight I have found such cute clothes..
it's amazing the difference of a size 18 and a size 6....
so much more fun to shop....


the bottom is kinda looks like wool but its not...



you can add a few pearls too it...





you can add a jacket when it's cooler...




my favorite accessory is these black boots...
and guess what they were free....passed to me by my Mom...
they say every little black dress has a story...mine isn't
too exciting...just fun...cute dress...cheap price...
I would love to see your little black dress...and hear your story....







Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Halloween traditions...

Growing up we lived just outside of town...so on Halloween we

always went to my grandparents to trick or treat....they lived in

a neighborhood with lots of families....we would usually have sandwiches

for dinner...sometimes when it was cold...a beef stew.....several years in

a row....my mother would dress up as a witch....I was terrified of her....

they would close in the front porch...play scarey music...hook up a black light
I would makeher take off all her makeup and costume before I would ride home with her....

I wish I could find the pictures of her to show you....she was very realistic...

the neighbors just next door would turn their garage into Frankensteins Lab...

with a man coved in blood....with a chainsaw....you would get to feel eyeballs...

and brains...some years they put coffins in there front yard....you never knew

when someone would pop out....or if they were fake.....one neighbor always

made popcorn balls.....one carmeled apples....of course my Mom always

inspected the candy before we could eat it....and we were only allowed to

eat the home made goods from the families we knew....Halloween always

scared me a bit when I was a kid....but I had an active imagination....sometimes

a wild imagination...but I loved dressing up
.....we rarely ever got store bought costumes.....usually they

were homemade....I wore my brothers boy scott uniform...he wore my girl scott

uniform....we would be hobos...clowns....even ghosts made from old sheets...
what were your traditions for Halloween????

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Think Pink...


saw this car at the Fair....had to share the pink....

For all my Texas pals....

Received this e-mail thought would share with you.....

Dear Friends:

The Texas Legislature has proposed eleven constitutional amendments for your review. Below is a Constitutional Amendment Voter’s Guide to help explain the issues.

The propositions you will be voting on will help bring our state more high paying jobs, bring innovative research to Texas by creating more Tier One Universities and protect our Texas military bases by ensuring they have the space and resources needed to function. Your vote will also help our Veterans returning home from service, speed up and ensure the fairness of property tax appraisals and take a giant step in protecting Texans property rights.

There have been several misrepresentations regarding amendments #2, # 3 and #5 . I want to clarify that none of these proposals would allow or create a state property tax. I do not support a state property tax and the Texas Constitution still prohibits one.

Please mark your calendar to vote in the upcoming Constitutional Amendment Election on Tuesday, November 3rd. Early voting begins Monday, October 19 and ends on Friday, October 30th.

Voting locations for Tarrant County, Denton County and Dallas County can be found at these links.

As always, if you need additional information on any matter, or would like a further explanation of any of these constitutional amendments, please contact my office.

Sincerely Yours,




Constitutional Amendment Voter’s Guide



Proposition 1: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the financing, including through tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation."

What this actually means: The Military bases in Texas are vital economic engines for the state. This amendment takes care of a growing need in Texas by providing cities and counties clear authorization to use bonds or notes to buy land for creating buffer areas around military installations. If this amendment passes, it will ensure the economic security and growth of many local communities and the state.

Proposition 2: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property's value as a residence homestead."

What this actually means: Appraisal districts across the state have adopted the " highest and best" use methodology to value a persons residence at a higher rate upon the assumption that it would be worth more if converted to commercial property. If this amendment passes - appraisal districts would have to value your residence as a residence and not what the highest and best use would be. This would only apply to a residential homestead and not to a second home or investment property.

Proposition 3: "The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes."

What this actually means: Today - appraisal practices and procedures vary from county to county in Texas. This amendment would require that property is appraised by uniform standards across the state regardless of where the property is located in the state.

Proposition 4: "The constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund."

What this actually means: Tier One universities create a highly developed, highly educated workforce which is responsible for driving the economic engine behind Texas' success. It is extremely important especially for the DFW area that we get behind this initiative to create more Tier One universities in Texas. These institutions higher paying jobs, innovative research development, and a diverse array of business opportunities.

Proposition 5: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations."

What this actually means: This amendment will simply allow the voluntary consolidation of appraisal review board functions between adjourning counties. The appraisal review process would benefit from the consolidation of appraisal review boards in rural counties that currently have a small amount of qualified board members and would lead to more efficiency in the process.

Proposition 6: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans' Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized."

What this actually means: This will give the Veteran's Land Board the bonding authority needed to continue the functions of the Veteran's Housing Assistance Program and the Veteran's Land Program which help Veteran's acquire land and get mortgage loans.

Proposition 7: "The constitutional amendment to allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices."

What this actually means: This would allow a member of the Texas State Guard and other Texas military forces to be able to hold civil offices such as Justice of the Peace or a similar office.

Proposition 8: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the state to contribute money, property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veteran's hospitals in this state."

What this actually means: This amendment will clarify that the state can contribute money, time and property for the creation of a new veteran's hospital in Texas. Specifically this measure is in response to House Bill 2217 which required the Texas Veteran's Commission and the Department of State Health Services to collaborate with the US Department of Veteran's Affairs to establish a new Veteran's Hospital in the Rio Grande Valley as the veteran's in that region currently have to travel to San Antonio for treatment.

Proposition 9: "The constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico."

What this actually means: This will strengthen the constitutional protection that Texas beaches belong to Texans. This amendment will provide that Texas beaches are accessible to the public for generations to come regardless of whether or not erosion or storms change the landscape of our beaches.

Proposition 10: "The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed four years."

What this actually means: This proposal would lengthen the term from 2 -4 years which will allow emergency services district board members sufficient time to gain the necessary experience for this job.

Proposition 11: "The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature's authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity."

What this actually means: This is an important amendment for Texans this year. This amendment strengthens private property rights in Texas. This proposal would establish clear distinctions on when private property may be taken for "public use". While some entities may still be able to condemn land, this language would clarify that "public use" does not include a taking which the main goal would be economic development project or increasing tax revenues.


I supported these amendments in the Texas Senate and I would encourage you to learn about these amendments in greater detail at the Texas Legislative Council and vote on November 3.




Please feel free to contact my office:

In Arlington at, 2001 East Lamar Blvd., Suite 150. Arlington, TX 76006 (817) 461-9109

In Lewisville at, 522 South Edmonds., Suite 220, Lewisville, TX 75067, (972) 436-1001

In Austin at, P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Bldg Room 3s.5 Austin, TX 78711 (512) 463-0109

Monday, October 19, 2009

Hotwater cornbread

(photo by Jennifer Colan)

I've had a few inquiries about hotwater cornbread..thought I would share the recipe...



Ingredients:

boiling water

yellow cornmeal (plain not with flour etc)



Boil a saucepan full of water. Pour cornmeal in bowl. Preheat cast iron skillet with oil.

Pour hot water in bowl a little at a time until the cornmeal is saturated, not runny. Make

patties out of the mix...thinner patties make it crispier...Fry in cast iron skillet until golden brown...place on paper towels to drain. We sometimes use chicken or beef broth instead of water for added flavor. Great with beans....soups...stews...chili...



Hot water cornbread was used on wagon train journeys because it was easy to make....

you didn't need eggs...or milk....



To warm up for future meals...use toaster oven....or toaster to retain crunchiness....



If you try it....let me know what you think...

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Nana's Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies....

Diana at http://dfseason.blogspot.com/ is having a contest...please go by and visit...
If you tell her I sent you....I get an extra entry....she's got good recipes posted....

I am posting one of my favorite recipes...... It was my Nana's she made them every
Christmas for her great grandchildren...

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

1 stick butter
1/2 c milk
2 c sugar
3 tbsp. cocoa

Mix and boil 2 minutes

Add:
3 c oatmeal
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c peanut butter

Drop spoonfuls on waxed paper quickly. Shape with hand while warm. Let cool and enjoy!!!

Bill of Rights....


1. Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition
2.Right to keep and bear arms
3.Conditions for quarters of soldiers
4.Right of search and seizure regulated
5.Provisons concerning prosecution
6.Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc.
7.Right to a trial by jury
8.Excessive bail, cruel punishment
9.Rule of construction of Constitution
10.Rights of the States under Constitution

Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


Right to keep and bear arms A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.


Conditions for quarters of soldiers No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.


Right of search and seizure regulated The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.


Provisons concerning prosecution No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.


Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.


Right to a trial by jury In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.


Excessive bail, cruel punishment Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.


Rule of construction of Constitution The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.


Rights of the States under Constitution The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.


I think we all need to be reminded....maybe the people in Washington should be reminded
also....I'm afraid they are forgetting what America is all about....and who they work for...
us...the people....not special interest groups....

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

"one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me"


"One of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me", I have had so many nice

things done for me in my life...I am fortunate to have a loving family...and nice

friends...trying to pick just one is not easy....I guess one that comes to mind is something

the whole family ended up enjoying...six years ago...unbeknown to me my husband and then

14 year old daughter were plotting my Christmas gift...I have always wanted a house dog...but

my husband never did...only out side dogs...mostly hunting dogs...big fun...messy dogs...well

with a little coaching from my daughter they decided to get me a little dog...after all my kids

were 14 and 19 and I needed something to mother...so they researched...and came up with

a miniature schnauzer....they don't shed...don't get too big...and are loyal....one day right before

thanksgiving...I was out running errands and my husband called....I need you to get back to

the office quickly...so I hurried there...I walked in the door...and out from behind the counter

come a little fuzz ball...I almost cried...they almost cried....it was Nolan....my little schnauzer..

well I knew I had to name him Nolan after my grandfather.....Nolan was so cute...loved to

sit in my lap....and ride on my shoulder in the truck....the whole family loved him....then he

got to be a little mess...demanding alot of attention...loved to be the focus of our world...good

or bad....so my husband and daughter plotted again for the next Christmas....another schnauzer... so they found Jake....Nolan loved him...and picked on him instead of us....I always

tell everyone Jake wasn't really my present but Jakes....needless to say 6 years later...they

are our babies and bring all of us so much joy....(aggravation some times too...but that is what a family is about)...they even have their own blog...shared with Bliss and JD