Worth Quoting

Some quotes from the writings of Charles Dickens, who was born on February 7, 1812:

• "Please, sir, I want some more."
• "Never close your lips to those you have opened your heart."
• "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
• "It is right to begin with the obligations of home, and while these are overlooked and neglected, no other duties can possibly be substituted for them."
• "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another."
• "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery."
• "Train up a fig tree in the way it should go, and when you are old sit under the shade of it."
• "Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."
• "Subdue your appetites, my dears, and you've conquered human nature."
• "With affection beaming out of one eye, and calculation shining out of the other."
• "We need never be ashamed of our tears."
• "Accidents will occur in the best regulated families."
• "It is a melancholy truth that even great men have their poor relations."
• "The first rule of business is: Do other men for they would do you."
• "Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts."

Sellers: How to Make the Most of Your Home's Period Details

One of the major selling points of vintage homes is the attention to detail and fine craftsmanship only found in older houses. Learn how to make the most of the period details in your house to reap higher sales prices with these effective strategies:

Shine the Spotlight: Prepare your home in anticipation of taking plenty of photos. Pay attention to details and any unique features. If you have lived in your home for a while, ask friends or family to stop by and take a fresh look; it's easy to forget how desirable your home is when you see it every day.

Provide Details: Was your house built with old yellow pine? Chances are it is virtually indestructible to most pests. What about the hardwood floors or gingerbread trim on the outside of the house? Any chance they are handmade? Cabinets, painted tiles and a variety of other common building materials have made a comeback in popularity. Take time to explain the history and benefits associated with each unique item of your home to prospective buyers. Not only does it set your home apart from the rest, but knowing the history helps buyers make that all-important emotional connection.

Appraise Items: If possible, hire an appraiser or perform a search for similar items to help demonstrate the inherent value of the items. For example, an old cast-iron tub in good condition can go for thousands; handmade lighting fixtures may range from a few hundred to thousands and many types of wood are not available at any price because of restrictions on harvesting and imports.

Ideas for Valentine's Gifts That Won't Break the Bank

Your special someone is one of a kind, so it's only natural you want a gift that reflects how special and unique they really are. Here to help are some great tips on finding the perfect Valentine's Day gift without spending a fortune.

Express Yourself: Take time to write down how you really feel, then add a few favorite poems and pictures to create a book they will cherish forever. Visit an inexpensive print-on-demand publisher like Lulu.com to have it bound, printed and delivered straight to your door.

Personalize: Instead of giving an average gift, make something extra special by personalizing their favorite wine, board game (Monopoly is especially fun!) or even golf shirt.

Serenade: It is said that music is the language of love, so if you are musically inclined, borrow a verse from years gone by: compose and sing a song or musical score for the one you love, or hire a musician from the local college to do it for you.

Shine Bright: Adopt a star and name it after your loved one. For less than the cost of dinner for two, you can commemorate their unique place in the universe by naming a star after them.

Get Involved: Show how much you really care by making a donation to their favorite charity on their behalf; instead of the usual flowers and chocolate create a gift basket symbolizing the donation. Be sure to include a gift card letting them know a donation was made on their behalf.

10 Useful Ways to Get the Most out of Facebook

Think Facebook (www.facebook.com) is just for kids? Think again.

1. Mobile Photo: Add the mobile app to take photos with your cell phone and upload them to Facebook automatically.

2. Post Polls: Create your own surveys for personal or business use.

3. Find Friends: Track business associates, friends or family by subscribing to their RSS feed, then watch their every move.

4. Research: Find out how many people are located within a certain demographic area by visiting the Facebook Insight corner.

5. Syndicate Yourself: Use Facebook notes to import the RSS feed from your blog. Once established, it can be distributed to all your Facebook friends.

6. Share: Combine with Google Reader or other applications to share documents.

7. Send Video Messages: Simply connect a webcam and start sending video messages to friends, family members or associates.

8. Clipping Service: Use the Newshound application to bookmark any articles or websites, then comment or share.

9. Watch TV: Internet television is coming of age, so whether you want to take a coffee break or share news with your personal network, tune in to see what is taking place.

10. Connect: Facebook does so many things that it is easy to forget what it does best: connect with others! Meet new friends or just hang out with familiar faces through the modern equivalent of networking; it's Six Degrees of Separation on steroids.

Created Sunday, 18 January 2009 00:00

Family and Home Tidings Newsletter February 2009 Crossword Puzzle

Thanks for reading! If you'd like to tell me what you think about this newsletter, or if you're thinking of buying or selling real estate, please get in touch. This newsletter and any information contained herein is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The publisher takes great efforts to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible for errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, which result from its use. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter. This newsletter is not intended to solicit properties currently for sale. 

Spurs Remain in First, Beat LA

The Spurs continue to hold onto first place in the Southwest Division, but their lead is only one game over New Orleans. The division is still the most competitive in the NBA and will likely remain that way throughout the season. There are only four games separating the first place Spurs from the fourth place Dallas Mavericks. Most importantly for the Spurs, there are no injuries, and the team is playing terrific ball.

Over the last five games since the new year started, the Spurs have gone 4-1, while beating the LA Lakers in a 112-111 nail biter. Everyone rushing to declare the Lakers the repeat Western Conference champs again this year, may now have to reconsider. The game was the first time that the two teams played since last years conference finals. If it was a statement game, the statement was that the Spurs aren't going away without a fight.

While Kobe Bryant had 29 points and led a Lakers' comeback from 11 points down in the fourth, Roger Mason was the Spur who ended it. With 10 seconds left, Mason tied the game with a jumper and then hit a free throw to give them the win. Pretty much everyone had a good game for San Antonio.

Ginobili led the team with 27 points, Duncan and Parker each had 20, and Mason scored 18. Duncan also had 10 rebounds and 8 assists. The team shot 50% from behind the arc, and almost 60% from the floor.

The Spurs barely hung on, however, as LA went on a 17-5 run over the last 90 seconds, and would have won, if not for Mason's day-saving heroics. As good as the win itself, was the play of Ginobili. For the first time all year, the Argentine played like his old self--stealing the ball, dunking in transition, shooting the three, and throwing himself all over the court after loose balls. Of all the Spurs, Ginobili is the one who can get hot and almost single-handedly win a game. As he goes, so go the Spurs.

Although San Antonio did beat the team with the best record in the league, the one game that they lost was to the Orlando Magic, owners of the second best record. The loss marks the second loss to the Magic this year. The matchup of the night was between big men, and anyone wanting to know how to play the inside game would have done well to watch this exhibition. Dwight Howard was unstoppable for the Magic, scoring 24 points on 9-12 shooting, while grabbing 14 rebounds. Duncan's night was slightly more modest, scoring 18 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and blocking 3 shots.

The offense for the Spurs came from Tony Parker, who poured in 31 points and dished out 6 assists.

What spelled doom for San Antonio was their cold shooting. The team went 3-13 from behind the arc, for 23%. As bad as they were from behind the arc, the Magic were equally as good, making 14-22 shots for a sizzling 63% pace.

The Spurs next few games come against mediocre teams, as they will face New Jersey, Chicago, Charlotte, and Indiana, but the end of the month will test the team's mettle. In the last week of January, San Antonio faces a murderer's row of a western road trip. San Antonio has to go to the Lakers, Utah, Phoenix, and then come back to face New Orleans.

That is a brutal way to end the month, but it also is a chance for the Spurs to dominate, especially against the Lakers. Another win against LA would really set the tone for the rest of the year and for the race for the West.

ECONOMY STILL BETTER IN TEXAS

COLLEGE STATION (Real Estate Center) – More than two million U.S. jobs were lost from November 2007 to November 2008, representing 1.5 percent of its labor force. The Texas economy fared much better during the period, gaining 222,900 jobs and increasing its labor force by 2.1 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 4.2 percent in November 2007 to 5.7 percent in November 2008. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 4.7 percent to 6.7 percent over the same period.

Despite recent oil price decreases, the state’s mining industry continues to gain jobs. It ranked first in job creation, followed by professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, education and health services, and construction.

All Texas metros experienced positive employment growth rates from November 2007 to November 2008. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission ranked first in job creation followed by Laredo, College Station–Bryan, Longview and El Paso.

The state’s actual unemployment rate in November 2008 was 5.6 percent. Petroplexes Midland and Odessa ranked first and second in lowest unemployment rate followed by Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene and College Station–Bryan.

The original vision for the Trans-Texas Corridor Plan (TTC), called for a corridor of up to 1,200 feet in width that would allow for several modes of transportation in addition to utility transmission facilities. Since the concept was publicly introduced in 2002, communities along the TTC-35 and I-69/TTC study areas have frequently voiced concerns over the corridor width, and viewed the idea as a one-size-fits-all concept, inappropriate for a state as diverse as Texas.

"Texans have spoken, and we've been listening," said Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Executive Director Amadeo Saenz. "Citizens across the state have had good ideas about how Texas roads can better serve Texas communities. I believe this transformed vision for the TTC and other major corridor development goes a long way toward addressing the concerns we've heard over the past several years."

Since its unveiling, Governor Perry’s ambitious plan would have cost 100's of billions of dollars and would have been one of the biggest government land grabs in history. Condemming thousand upon thousand of privately owned acres to become the TTC. The TTC plan would have engulfed hundreds of miles along I-35 from Laredo to Oklahoma and from Houston's IH69.

Although, the ideas of major corridors across Texas are not entirely gone, major corridor projects will now only be comprised of several small segments closer to 600 feet wide and will no longer be called the Trans-Texas Corridor.

For more complete information visit www.txdot.gov

The end of another year brings one of San Antonio’s biggest and most exciting events, the annual Celebrate San Antonio New Year’s party.  The celebration has something for all members of the family, featuring four stages of live music, fireworks, special children’s areas, food, and vendors of all kinds.

The festival has gained in size and renown over the years, and as San Antonio has become truly an internationally recognized city, so has it found its way onto many lists of the world’s best places to ring in the new year.  According to the events website, saparksfoundation.org, priceline.com lists San Antonio as #34 on its list of places to spend New Year’s Eve--just between Sydney, Australia and Los Angeles, CA!

Celebrate San Antonio is a free event, open to all who wish to attend, and begins downtown on South Alamo, between Market and Durango at 6 PM.  The party lasts until the fireworks close things down around 12:30 AM in front of the Tower of the Americas.

This year, among some of the acts that will be performing are:

• 21 Black
• Pochimex
• Artie V and Grupo Suave
• Aiming for Glory
• 4 Ft. J
• The Stan Wayne Review
• Red Sauce Rules
• 46
• Judi Deleon and the Latin Connection

On the HEB Family Stage at the Arneson River, The Mira Sol Band and Inner City with Style will be entertaining the crowd.

This year, event planners are expecting in excess of 250,000 people to attend, meaning that the streets of San Antonio should be packed, and good times should abound!  Celebrate San Antonio is billed as the largest free New Year’s Eve celebration in the state of Texas, and will certainly be a night to remember.

For something a bit more intimate, but also well known to San Antonio is the New Year’s Eve concert at Jim Cullen’s Landing at the Hyatt Regency.  The doors open at 8:30 and the world famous Jim Cullen Jazz Band will be ringing in the new year.

Finally, if you are planning a get-together at your house, there are three places that can supply your every need.

• Alamo Fiesta, located at 2025 Main Av., has southwest style decorations, furniture, paper flowers, music instruments, and more.
• Amol’s Specialty at 710 Flores is the stop to pick up noisemakers, hats, beads, balloons, and even pre-packaged party kits for 100 guests.
• Party Mart located at 2863 Thousand Oaks Dr, has great prices on every party decoration and supply that can be imagined.

Remember, wherever you choose to ring in the New Year, please do it responsibly and carefully.  We all know that this is one of the times of the year where there are lots of avoidable accidents and needless harm done.  Please drink responsibly, and don’t drink and drive.  Taking a taxi is a great way to be safe, have a great time, and not worry about having problems.  San Antonio’s most advanced, recommended, and well-known cab service is Yellow Cab, and can be reached at 210-222-2222.

Happy 2009 New Year, from Mission Realty... San Antonio!

A month ago, the Spurs were muddling through a mediocre start to the season, struggling to keep their heads above water.  As 2008 comes to a close, San Antonio looks like a prime contender to make some noise in the playoffs.  The injury problems that held the team back are in the rearview mirror now, with the only players sidelined being Oberto and Mahinmi.  Some of the new faces--like Roger Mason--seem to be adjusting to the team, and are finding and fitting into their roles.

On Christmas day, Mason occupied a role usually reserved for one of the teams Big Three--otherwise known as 'Go-To-Guy'.  Playing Phoenix usually means that something strange will happen, and Mason's three at the buzzer was the latest occurrence in this bitter series.  The Spurs trailed for the majority of the game, but managed to stay within striking distance.  That was all Mason needed.

Memphis is not a good team, but rookie OJ Mayo is a real player, looking to turn the Grizzlies' fortunes around.  In the latest game against the Spurs, they almost did just that.  The game went into double overtime, and the Spurs had to play the second OT period without Duncan, who fouled out.  Luckily for San Antonio, Tony Parker was still in the game, and scored almost all of the team’s points on his way to scoring 32.  Michael Finley added the defense by blocking Memphis’ final shot to seal the victory.

The month of December has been a good one for San Antonio, and the team has gone 11-3 so far, with one game against Milwaukee remaining.  Of course, the Big Three are still as potent as ever.  Parker is leading the team with 22 points per game, while adding over six assists per game.  Ginobili is still under his average of past seasons, averaging just under 15 points per game, but looks to be getting back into better shape after battling his ankle injury.  The acquisition of Roger Mason has certainly paid off, as he is giving the team over 12 points, and shooting 46% from three-point range in 30 minutes of action.  George Hill, the rookie from IUIPUI, is scoring 8 points per game, with almost three assists per game, while filling in as second string PG.

The Spurs run has put them in first place in the division with a half game lead over Houston, and one game lead over New Orleans.  Additionally, San Antonio is in second place in the Western Conference where they trail the Lakers by 4.5 games.  The Southwest Division remains the most competitive in the league with the fourth-place team, Dallas, just two games back of the Spurs.

The month of January pits San Antonio against some of the best teams in the league, with two games versus the Lakers, as well as match-ups against New Orleans, Utah, Orlando, and Miami.  At the beginning of the season, Spurs fans were certainly anxious about what the season would hold.  At the moment, the Spurs are contenders for the West, which means they are likely in contention for something bigger!