I have been writing now for Active Rain and Localism for over a year. Many things have changed since I began.
My changes include but are not limited to:
huntsvillecurves@sbcglobal.net
•1. I put on 10 lbs.
•2. My blogging chair is looking worn.
•3. My fingers have become nimble and quick.
•4. I'm getting terrific Google Juice.
•5. I've made many friends.
•6. I've lost a great deal of sleep.
•7. I've learned a lot.
•8. My camera has become more important to me.
•9. I have a new respect for blogging.
•10. I saw Dark Knight and I may never be the same...
Today, I made a big step. I should own stock in our local CURVES FOR WOMEN. Or, at least that's what my husband tells me. When I first joined CURVES in 2001 I was happy with my weight but I wanted to convert to more muscle. I worked for quite a few years and then...well, as fate may have it my workouts waned.
The introduction to Active Rain and Localism "firmed up" (sorry for the pun) my fate. I was to grow weaker, flabbier and less healthy. Ugh. I swore that would never happen!
My husband threatened me with the cancellation of my membership if I didn't take advantage of it. NO, NO, NO, there went my only lifeline to health and staying young! I use to speed walk. Try that in 105 degrees.
So, please let me introduce you to my friend and CURVES FOR WOMEN, HUNTSVILLE, TX. Owner and coach. Tish Humphrey.
Now, as you can see, Tish has been working her business. Therefore, when she talks I recommend that we listen.
You can tell by her CURVES that she is doing well!
Pun intended. LOL.
Tish was showing me what size my waste is suppose to be...okay, the ideal size at 27 inches. I'm just a tich over that! She measured me but didn't tell me how much. Not to worry, I'll get there. Here's a peek at my ideal weight. Don't worry, I'll get there! Oh, I said that...I'll keep convincing myself!

Above says 130 lbs. I really do want 132 but I like to overshoot.
Now, here are more pics of this wonderful space. My space. For me, by me. and it says 130 lbs. I'm 5' 9" tall with long legs and lots of energy. So, this heat can't keep me down! And, neither can you, Active Rain.
Texas summers have a way of causing cabin fever just like the winter does in the north.
I am pleased to have such a professionally run and "effective" club to enjoy at all times of the year. 
Tish and her staff keep us busy with the rules of the circuit. We travel from one machine to another with timed intervals working from one machine to another. Between the machines are pads to continue to move to keep the heart rate up without overdoing it.
This is a combination of cardio and resistance training and is set up so that any age and any physical condition will benefit.
These are Mindy (left) and Nicki my circuit coaches. They are both laughing at my new measurements compared to what I was!
Shut up girls! You're both beautiful and have only begun your life! I don't want to hear it!
They were both just black whip and boots "mean" when it came to my work out!
Whew...they look so nice.
Don't be fooled.
They're dangerous!
If you live in the Walker County, Huntsville Texas area or are visiting and are a member of CURVES, please visit...
OWNER - RUSSELL AND TISH HUMPHREY
1524G 11TH STREET
HUNTSVILLE TEXAS 77320
936-295-3900 Later in the rain~Deb
Okay, I don't really know what these things are but I do have a slight understanding. I believe that Kharma is the bad stuff and Dharma is the good stuff. Stuff meaning luck or a power of attraction. So if you go putting out bad vibes to the world, the world sends you back bad stuff called Kharma. If you send out the good vibes then the world sends you Dharma.
(I'm not talking about Dharma and Greg although I just figured out why that was her name)
So, I have a property that has been on the market for nine months now. I couldn't give it away.
I showed it no less than an average of four times a week for the nine month period. It was a beauty but it had an unusual floor plan and it would take the right buyer. It looked over big beautiful Lake Livingston Texas and was in an elite neighborhood.
Nobody wanted it. The house had been listed with yet another agency before they listed with me so it had languished on the open market for well over a year.
I guess it was kharma. Someone made the quote that:" there is never an original idea on this earth, if you're thinking about it then someone else is too!"
Who said that? I don't know! Look it up! (I learned that one from Archie Bunker)
Day one. Monday. Just like any other day. But...
1. Out of the blue an offer came in on my Lakehouse! YEA! I was so excited I about jumped out of my skin! It was for "the" house. The offer came over the Internet which I found strange but just didn't care. I immediately put the paperwork together and sent it to the buyer to be signed. He would send it to me the next day so I could present to my Sellers.
Day two. Tuesday. A call comes in from a man that wants to see the house. "the" house.
2. He was from California and was a trucker and had to see it right away. Of course, I showed it.
He fell in love with it right away and told me he would like to make an offer! Wow, I'm thinking this is too good to be true! His wife was involved but agreed with him by phone to go ahead and place a bid. I told them I had another coming. They placed a strong bid.
Day three. Wednesday. I was waiting till I got all the paperwork for both offers together and signed before I alerted the Sellers. I just wanted everything in writing.
3. By the time I received both signed offers it was late in the day on Wednesday. I contacted the Sellers to schedule an appointment to go over the paperwork. They were so excited! We scheduled a "sit down" for the next morning at 10:00 am.
Day four. Thursday. It was one hour till my meeting time with my Sellers. Our Office Manager walked in and said, "there is a couple wanting to see you and they want to see "the" house.
"the" house? huh. okay. I had yet to present the other two offers...
4. I showed "the" house. They, as everyone else did that week, wanted "the" house. They knew there were two other offers on the table so...they gave me a full priced cash offer.
They won!
So, this has happened to me several times with several properties.
Nobody wants it then everybody wants it.
From Kharma to Dharma. I vote for Dharma.
Later in the rain~Deb

and Proud of it!
What do you get when you combine a quaint little town amongst hills, tall trees, tailored streets and an Active square? Then you mix in a little...okay, a lot of History, President Sam Houston of the Republic of Texas, a few prisons, massive expanse of State Owned land with grazing horses, cattle, crops and black and white striped workers herded by Prison Guards on horses? Then add up to 17,000 youth at any given time walking Sam Houston State Universities beautiful campus, winning football games, featuring Arts and Academics and is one of the fasted growing schools in Texas?
You get the one and only...

Huntsville was also the home of Samuel Walker Houston(1864-1945), a prominent African-American pioneer in the field of education. He was born into slavery on February 12, 1864, to Joshua Houston, a slave owned by Sam Houston. Samuel W. Houston founded the Galilee Community School in 1907, which later became known as the Houstonian Normal and Industrial Institute, in Walker County, Texas.
In 1995, on the grounds of the old Samuel W. Houston Elementary School, the Huntsville Independent School District.
Along with the Huntsville Arts Commission and the high school's Ex-Students Association, commissioned the creation of The Dreamers, a monument to underscore the contributions made by the black community in the growth and development of Huntsville and Walker County.
This is one of the most impressive pieces I have ever seen.
Prison system has always been a seed for jokes...I tell everyone that I grew up on the outside. Ha-ha. I was going to share a story with you that is special to me and not something everyone would get to do! 


YUP, that's right here in the Houston area the rodeo is in full swing. It really is a something to see. The actual rodeo itself last for about three weeks, but the whole thing is over a month long from start to finish. So if you want to make it this year you have about a week left as it ends the 22nd of March. Do not worry though if you do not make it this year. Come on down next year. Here is a link to the official site. 
I will try and walk you through all of the major events in the order they occur. But first a little history, the actual rodeo started back in 1931 and was held downtown. Then about 1957 some people got together and decided to help promote the rodeo they would have trail ride before the rodeo. Now it is the precursor to the rodeo.
Once the tra
il riders are all gathered in town at memorial park a parade is thrown the next day. After the parade we have what we call the cook off, a three day event of smoking different types of meats and partying. Now don't get me wrong there is some serious cooking going on so they can win the prize of World Champion.
Now we start with the livestock show and rodeo, oh by the way the world's largest. You know what they say about Texas everything is bigger and better. Okay, I may have added that last part about being better. Now of course with this we have to have a carnival for kids of all ages including myself. What ever you do, don't forget to bring your wallet because it is going to cost to play at the carnival.
The livestock portion is broken down into two parts the first part is for the professional breeders to show their stock and get some business. Then the second half it the kids turn. Here is where the kids bring their animals for judging. In the end there is an auction for all of the animals which helps raise money for scholarships for the kids. Did I mention that was the main goal of this rodeo, well shame on me for waiting so long to tell you.
While you are in the livestock show you can shop for everything from tractors to leather belts. They also have a art show of drawings and paintings from local high school kids that will simply amaze you at the talent of these kids. Another fact for you now is that this rodeo is put on by 19,000 volunteers!
If that is not enough they have music's top performers putting on a show after the rodeo each night. Oh did I mention we have a rodeo going on also.Now they have taken the astrodome and made it into honky tonk known as the hideout, where they have different performers putting on a show
What I am saying is come early, be prepared to stay late, eat lots of food, and get entertained.
Lake Livingston Real Estate...that's what's HOT!
Have you heard the old saying? 
Each day a man spends fishing is NOT deducted from his life.
It just makes you want to fish every day doesn't it?
Well, here you can! Sitting on the banks of Lake Livingston or boating our waterways you won't be disappointed!

At least once a week I'm asked, "how's the fishing and what kind of fish do you have there?" Yes, there are others but these are the most predominant fish that can be found here at the lake.
Get your fishing poles ready and CATCH.....
The Largemouth Bass -
Fishes Found in Texas Fresh Waters
Black Basses
Black Bass Identification Guide

True Basses
White/Striped Bass Identification Guide
Bluegill - 

Carp and Minnows

Gar

Suckers

Channel and Blue Catfish Identification Guide

Crappie

Lake Records Thank you for the information provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife!
Current Fishing Report
Stocking History
For more Lake Livingston, What's Hot about our SPOT? Articles by Debra A Brooks, Lake Livingston Waterfront Specialist, click here:
Fishing Regulations
Statewide regulations apply to all fishes with the exception of blue and channel catfish. For portions of the lake in Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties, the daily bag and possession limit for blue and channel catfish is 50.
Angling Opportunities
Lake Livingston is a notable white bass fishery. White bass are plentiful and grow to large sizes. Also notable is the catfish fishery, dominated by blue catfish. Largemouth bass, striped bass, and crappie are less abundant but good catches are possible in areas of the reservoir where habitat is available.
Fishing Cover/Structure
Some native emergent vegetation can be found in the upper areas of the reservoir. Very little cover exists in the lower reservoir due to vertical bulkhead.
Tips & Tactics
White bass are most readily caught in early spring in the many creeks that feed into Lake Livingston. Striped bass can be caught around the 190 bridge area by trolling and vertical jigging spoons or live shad. Largemouth bass are most frequently caught in the bays and creeks from the Kickapoo/Penwaugh area northward. Spring and fall are the most successful seasons for largemouths. Channel and blue catfish can be caught most any time of year on a variety of organic and live baits over the main river channel and in off channel tributaries and creeks.
and Proud of it! Deb
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