Fairhope, AL - Family Vacation!

Last week, Paige, Liz and Gabriel joined me at the "Pier Relief" cottage on Mobile Bay, just outside of Fairhope, AL.  Once we got beyond the travel traumas of cancelled flights, circling New Orleans in Ms. Penny with the doggies, and finally getting to the bay, it was wonderful to have a glass of wine and watch the sunset. 

This is the cute little pavillion at the end of the pier in front of our vacation cottage.  They had baited the crab traps for us and the next night we had what was my first "independent" crab boil.  That means we got the friggin' critters out of the cage and seasoned the water, got the cooker/gas tank going and dumped the catch into the boil.  Once you get the whole mess going, you dump a bag of ice to let it soak to infuse the spices and all into the crabs.  It was soooo delicious to pick crabs, have a cold refreshment and feel the Gulf breeze as we enjoyed the culture and togetherness of family.

Night view of the pavillion and the crabs boiling.  What fun.

The next day we went to Gulf Shores to the beach.  White sands, lots of people, deck chairs, umbrellas and tons of people watching.  Gabey loved the sand.  He thought everyone would just love having cup fulls of sand on their towels and chairs as well.  I think he was the most protected child on the beach.



Gabriel now can call for his "Abuella" or "Miss Margaret" so at least he knows who I am.  He called the crabs, "Craps" until we told him it's "Crabs".  He then announced that "Crab-bas" were there! And, so we just enjoyed the remainder of our visit.   

The Visit to Santa Barbara!

Miss P's Pool Party!

Irene, Ms. Lucky and I left Sunday morning to go to Dallas to have a pool party with the girls and Gabriel!  We got there late Sunday afternoon in time to go to the pool and cool off. 

We visited with Stewart, Lance and Eliot and a good time was had by all.  The hummos dip was a huge hit with the crowd and even Little Gabey loved the "dip-dip".  Yum!  Also, had a lunch visit with Krystal.  She's so adorable.

Before and After - Special Effects!





Once in a while, we get a very special client that comes our way in the world of real estate.  I recently had such a precious couple to work with in finding their first home.  We looked diligently, they were pre-qualified with a mortgage broker and they knew what they wanted.  After a couple of tours, we were on our way to look at a new listing.  And, here it is. What a fabulous drive up appeal and in the great Capital Heights/Mid-Cities location!

 Of course, the baby blue interior paint color in the living room was a bit shocking and the dead animals hanging on the walls were not the best testament to decorating in 2011!  However, the windows and light were great and the wood floors were gleeming.  And, thank goodness, these clients had the vision to see what could be done.

The color in the kitchen was violet.  Not a faint violet, we're talking the purple people eater kind of purple.  And, when we finally met the Seller, he said that he actually picked the color out himself.  First time, I've ever seen a "hunter" pick that color.  Just another case of "I can still be surprised" in this business. 

Of course, the purpose in all this is not the before photos, but the after photos.  These folks Get It!  What a huge transformation.  And, they did a home make over in such a short amount of time. 

The cool grey color throughout the home has totally transformed the feel and the look.  So, a huge "Go GUYS" to Matthew and Beau, my new favorite neighbors!  Welcome to the Mid-Cities and we're so excited to have you here.

Matthew Caragliano and Beau Moss! You are the best!

What's new in the Neighborhood!

Phil Brady and Rosie

As I've said before, I live in a very interesting neighborhood, Ogden Park.  Ogden Parkers are another breed of character.  We like to walk our doggies and visit with our neighbors.  Saturday morning is a very good time to catch up on what's going on.  The first person that I met was Phil Brady and his doggie, Rosie.  My girls, Ms. Lucky and Irene like her and they always give it the sniff, sniff.

Well, yesterday I was out on a cruise on my new bicycle.  I'm so excited to have finally replaced "Miss Tina" who was stolen back in October from my carport.  And "Miss Tina" was bolted to the carport wall and the lock and the heavy wire locking device were totally gone when the theft was discovered.  Anyway, we're on to better and bigger things.  At least in the past week, I've been able to ride over to the LSU Lake and back 5 times, now.  And it feels so good.  Even though I've got to wear the HELMET!  When I was young, the only people that wore helmet's were mentally challenged people.  Today, you cannot read anything about bicycling without everyone telling you that you have to wear a helmet!  So, I really hope that this can work to get my special self into shape before I have to go to see Doedy and Michael for the 4th of July, then to the beach in August with the girls. 

The Ogden Park Crawfish Boil!

This past Friday night we had the annual Ogden Park Crawfish Boil.   Phil Brady and Michael Book were the chef's of the day and their boil was so spicy with potatoes, corns, sausages, oranges, garlic and even the tiny weiners!  All the neighbors brought either salads, side dishes and tasty desserts.  There were all sorts of people and even the macaw bird with our Lindsay. 

On Saturday, we had the Mid-City's Alliance Challenge to re-do the front of Ms. Lee Ann's house on Bedford.  We had help from the First United Methodist work crews and we had that fabulous Karen and Nancy that brought the life saving spray gun and we were able to complete the painting by the time the judges came by to photograph the end result.  It was a huge effort and a huge success.

Live Today Like it's your Last!

We have word that my dear cousin in San Antonio, Robbie Dell Read had a seisure last Wednesday and went into cardiac arrest.  She was revived and has been in intensive care in San Antonio.  The doctors did not give much home for her recovery and then, yesterday, they removed her breating tube and she smiled.  This morning, she has mouthed "i love you" to her daughter and is responding to simple commands.  The Lord does work in mysterious ways and Praise God for her progress.  Keep Betty and Robbie Dell in our prayers for a quick and thorough recovery.

We have the Ogden Park Mid City Challenge going on this week with a culmination on Saturday.  Our Annual Crawfish Boil is scheduled for Friday evening and it'll be a big time in the hood.  The party will be over at Roger James and is always a good time to visit and play with fun and interesting people.  I don't think Irene and Lucky will be able to go there.

Pulled up acres of spent sweet peas yesterday morning and I do believe that their roots go to China.  Making all sorts of progress in the back yard and got the Icicle rose and the Madame Swartz planted next to Don Juan.  Have some heirloom tomatoes and my Better Girls are fruiting.  The citrus trees have ruby red grapefruits, tons of meyer lemons and some blood oranges on them.  It's a slow year for the avocado so we'll see what next year brings.