Friday April 30th-May 2

There's always something to do in Galveston.
Tonight: GHF Homes Tour First Impressions Tour. Two bar openings. Sheryl Rozier meet and greet. and the Preview Party for the Unitarian Universalist "Attic Treasures Sale". Call me if you need details on any of it!
Tomorrow the Galveston Historical Foundation Historic Homes Tour. 10 fabulous houses. Tickets available: http://galvestonhistory.org/.
Wonder why I have so little time?

Wow! Working off line sort of works ok!

Now I'm really trying to use my laptop's software to write a blog entry while away from the internet. We'll see what happens.
Today is a stunningly beautiful day. Both in Houston and in Galveston. I'm surprised at how few people are out on the bike path across from the house I'm holding open right now.
This morning, I went out about 9 AM and started using the weed-eater to try and clean the yard's perimeter, around the trees and shrubs, and in those areas that the lawnmower really can't accomplish much. About and hour and a half was spent swinging the weedeater, trailing the very long extension cords behind me. I know it's made a difference, and I actually look forward to getting home and getting out the lawnmower to cut the large areas. Having two full city lots means more mowing than I've had to do since I was a child, and we mowed all the way down the street to the end of the property along the road, then along the fence, then inside the fence. Dad even had self propelled mowers in those days. I think he even bought a riding mower at one point. I hated mowing. I still pretty much loathe it, too. I don't know how I missed the mowing and gardening genes my folks had. But, then, maybe they weren't fond of the work, either. A neat yard and a productive garden seem to be worth the struggle. I know I am really that way about cleaning and laundry! It doesn't matter that I don't much care for it. I mean, I don't hate laundry....but I always have tons of stuff to do, and always seem to be doing stuff around the house. I never seem to get everything done and take time to sit down and so something else. There's always chores about the house. I may even sit down this evening in front of trash television and replace missing buttons on shirts and shorts. Those buttons have been needing replacement for months and months. Just one more thing that needs to be done.
Do you find your life like that? Always something needing to be done?

What an amazing world we're in!

Who knew that $5.00 would improve my life dramatically? Last week, while Tim was working in the living room, as the barcalounger is more comfortable and easier to get in to and out of while on crutches than his office chair, Martini jumped across the keyboard. Dog toenails can remove keys from laptop keyboards, did you know? With just a little search, I found a source for replacement keys- and today the new "e" arrived. Whoopee! I can write without special care to make sure there are actually "e"s in the words I've tried to write! Remember- the most commonly used letter in English is the "e". $5.00! Salvation!
 Another thing I noted today: refrigerator magnets are becoming less useful. I was offered a magnet from a stack at the Galveston Association of Realtors advertising out State meeting coming in September- and I realized magnets won't stick to stainless steel. So, in the long run, as a side effect of Ike and subsequently upgrading appliances, I no longer can use a magnet on the fridge. I am not alone.
Ah well. I suggest to my clients that when selling a house, the magnets should go into a drawer along with the party invitations, bills, and other personal things. Of course, the magnets make a kitchen look messier, even when organized. The bills and such are just too personal to be exhibited to strangers. I want them to see the house, not learn about my clients. Most people are curious. Sometimes blatantly snoopy. Go figure.
Now, to the real matter at hand: What's available on the market in Galveston?
The answer today? LOTS.
Today's search was for 3 bedroom houses with apartments in town. Today there are 22 on the GAR MLS. The range is from $149,000 to $699,900. Eighteen are under $350,000.In fact, you can get some real style in a historic property for under $250,000 with a separate apartment for the help, the mother-in-law, or like we do: the Houseguests.
That's waaay under $100 a sq ft. Such a deal. Call me and we'll look at some!
The alternate search I ran was for 4 bedroom and larger houses You can do very well here. Out of the many available, and I mean MANY, there were 18 appealing and ready to move in houses....and I stopped looking at $425,000. You've got the gamut from late Victorian through the 1930's for historic properties, and then 1950 to 1970's modern.
There's even a really stately house with  a "ballroom" across the front ( you could even live in the house as it is) for only $175,000. Four bedrooms, two baths and that rara avis: a two car garage! Nows the time to buy if you've got a sense of adventure and some cash. Nearly 4,000 sq foot of living space! Big yard. Great trees.
I'd buy it. Just for the facade and space.
So, now off to look at tax appraisals. I think there will be many contested valuations this year. It's hard to claim a house went up 20% in 20101 when there haven't been any sales of comparable properties in two years.

Back in the saddle...

I see I haven't said a word since my starting to tell about Stingaree Restaurant on Bolivar Penninsula. Nursing duties at home have sort of precluded my writing any, and you wouldn't even want to see my whining. I'm not even going to review what I said then.
Flotsam and Jetsam and I made it across Bolivar Roads on the Ferry after a fairly short wait . The drive through Crystal Beach was still rather shocking. All the trees which had obscured the views were gone, along with so many of the houses. However, all along the way were many many signs advertising builders. Just not very many building starts. I guess the buyout of beachfront houses will start soon, and then maybe building will increase. Or maybe it's going to be quite a while before the Redneck Riviera gets repopulated with vacation homes.
I was thrilled to see the Oyster Jubilee was still available, even at the first of April, but I refrained from the 42 oysters in so many ways. I opted for a half dozen raw and then a plate of the first quality French Grilled Oysters. My companions had French Gilled and also the Catfish Lunch Special. SO much food! Such quality! Such a reasonable price! I love going there. I think it's by far the best Seafood available in the County if not the region. The challenge is getting there, and that might add to it's savor. Maybe not. I know if I could just run over there for lunch, my dining out expenses would be far higher than they are on a regular basis.
Three weeks ago today began Tim's Hip Replacement Adventure, and I may never be the same. I now know Memorial Hermann  Medical Center pretty well. And where to park. And what to order at the cafeteria. The gift shop isn't much, sadly. I usually find cool things at hospital gift shops...this one not. Or maybe I've gotten past the shopping instinct. I have way too much stuff, even post Ike.
Arghh. Work is calling. Last night late I searched and searched for option for lease properties. Everyone seems to want something that isn't available. So my job has become yet more challenging as I focus more on leasing. If you can't buy a house, you still need a place to live!

Oh My Goodness!

I see I've been amazingly silent since the 22nd. I apologise. It has been an enormously complicated and unpleasnant time in many ways. My partner went in a week ago yesterday for a hip resurfacing. So it was a very long week, starting with running to Houston- a five hour surgery- and returning to Houston to visit him while he was in excruciating pain. I confess. I skipped Thursday, the day after the surgery. I am so glad that I did. That's when he discovered his epidural wasn't working. So as he screamed, they discovered that they couldn't get him up to start walking as planned. So instead of his being sent home, ambulatory and with pain under control, they had to keep him until late Sunday. So I commuted Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And, of course, worked every day as well. He's now doing much better, but I'm failing as cook, housekeeper, nurse, and maybe even Realtor. It's hard to keep it all juggled.
I did spend a glorious afternoon, with my lovely clients, who shall be referred to as "Flotsam and Jetsam". Flotsam chided me today that she'd prefer her Secret Spy name used. The three of us headed to Bolivar to have a late-ish lunch at Stingaree, which I think is the best Seafood restaurant in Galveston County. It is such a labor to get to it that it is a rare event. Sitting in the line for the ferry for half an hour was really kind of nice- we chatted and enjoyed the breezes. The ride across was just fine- I took them up on the upper deck to see the view and enjoy the breeze. The drive across the barren Ike washed penninsula was even now, disconcerting. The tree and buildings which had previously been there, were for the most part gone. Everything looks so different.
- continued in the morning- it's after 11 and I'm failing fast.