It started as a Valentines day gift - to me you see. I am one of the luckiest REALTORS alive, as I not only get to live in the fabulous city of Austin Texas, but, I get to sell real estate in and around the fabulous area known as Central Texas as well. While we did see a bit of a downturn this year in volume, we are doing a heck of a lot better than a lot of places when it comes to "the recovery". With all the hustle and bustle that comes with the busy life of a successful REALTOR, my partner thoughtfully gave me a massage for Valentines day with Jodi at Touch of Life Family Wellness Center. While it obviously took me just a bit to get around to my treat, it was not only worth it, it was the start of a love affair of sorts (a big thanks to my partner!).
After experiencing a long overdue deep tissue massage with Jodi, I had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Tim Stranahan, who has owned and operated Touch of Life for the past fifteen years. Dr. Tim, along with his wonderful assistants Cathy and Molly convinced me that feeling better could be fun and convenient, and affordable too. Imagine that - The attraction was growing!
True to their word, Dr Tim came up with a plan to put my body back into a more natural positioning, while Cathy turned me into mush on the traction table, and Molly made it all make sense (they take lots of insurance). All that in a serene and peaceful, lavender scented atmosphere, that unwinds you in a matter of minutes. Two weeks in, not only do my back, hips, and neck feel much better, but my allergies are greatly improved as well. Yahoo!! Wonder what they can do for you?
Touch Of Life Family Wellness Center is not your typical chiropractic clinic, and Dr. Tim and the ladies are not typical either, they are outstanding! Offering a variety of services aimed at alleviating your issues and improving your overall health, these fine folks have the perfect combination of skill, professionalism, and service, with just the right amount of Austin awesome. I'm guessing I won't be going that long letting the daily grind of being a busy REALTOR get to my body ever again.
You don't have to take my word for it though, to celebrate 15 years in the Austin community Dr. Tim and the Touch of Life staff are offering their chiropractic services free of charge, to the community that has supported them, their family, friends, co-workers, and the like. That includes you! The dates are Monday March 2nd - Thursday March 5th, 9:30am - 12:30 and 3:00 - 6:00pm, the address is 4214 Medical Parkway (43rd & Burnet), and you can reach them at 512-458-9200 for appointments. Yes you heard me - Free of charge! Go every day if you like! What's not to love about that? I must warn you though, you may find yourself addicted to this great place, as feeling good never felt so good! Give them a try, and tell them Stevie sent you! Your body will Love you for it!
Note: This is an article I wrote for the front page of my news letter this month - prior to Mr. Obamas announcing his train ride. It is a bit longer than most posts, but a worthy post I believe, and I include it here today as a tribute to President Elect Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., and to all of us really. May this be just the beginning of a really great ride into a new day!
When looking back over the year 2008, a giant whooshing, clattering sound, akin to a runaway train, fills my ears, waters my eyes, and rattles my brain. While it is temporarily painful, and some of the residuals are certain to linger a bit longer, I know that the "train" will eventually move on, the dust will once again settle, the whooshing and rattling will become distant, and my eyes will again be clear. I will hear the whistle blow in the distance, and again take comfort in the sound, instead of feeling run over by the train, or like there is simply no light at the end of its tunnel.
I know this, and trust it to be true, because this is how it has always happened. The ebb and flow of the business cycle may seem more prominent this round, and indeed the numbers bare witness to the fact that it is indeed a unique time in this history of ours. However, unique as it may be, one can still hear the clickety clack of the train on its track, as it makes yet another round and we know that the train will pass this way again. Will it slow down, let us get on, let us get off, take us on a pleasure trip through a scenic area, will it stay on a runaway course for a bit longer, and most importantly perhaps, will it somehow manage to stay on its tracks?
Those are all good questions that deserve good answers. While I am not certain all the answers will come as quickly as we would like, I am certain that answers are coming. We have been down these tracks before, and we will go down them again. May be going in a bit different direction, in a newer model train, but the tracks are familiar all the same.
What has probably become obvious to most folks by now is that we are entering a new era, an era that will be marked by the change that it brings, and the change that it inspires. As we embark upon this new era, it would behoove us all to take a moment to pause and reflect upon the momentousness of it all.
While it is easy to focus on the economic crisis in its multiple forms of course, as financing obviously feeds so many needs, however, there are many other factors as well. The problems that have plagued our past, held us back, and nearly tied us down to the proverbial tracks are still with us of course. Health care, job growth, education issues, justice system issues, energy policy, foreign policy, and of course a war on two fronts, makes the job in front of the new Commander in Chief seem almost insurmountable. You can bet he can hear the train!
None the less, our new leader to be has shown grace and composure as he prepares to take the wheel of this runaway train, and ease it down the tracks towards a more reasonable future path, so that all of us may find the ride a bit more pleasant than the one we have been on of late.
Bravo I say! I for one admire anyone who would take on the task of driving this massive train of ours - any day! Particularly if they have a keen eye on the future, with respect to the past, as it would seem that our incoming President does.
Just as we have come together as a nation, exercised our rights, and chosen a leader of a different kind for the first time, so has he brought his staff together, chosen wisely, and placed before us those that will help drive our train into this new era. But the journey is a long one, and there are many station stops to be made along the way. All hands will be needed on this journey, yours and mine included. While generally we are very giving peoples, our "buziness" has taken some of us away from helping others, and that should change. We are in this together, and we need to get out of it together, or as they say, divided we fall. Let's hope it's not on the tracks, I hear there's a huge train headed this way!
If we are to enjoy the ride and the scenery again, and truly have a chance for everyone to have a turn at the wheel, as well as a turn at the sleeper car, we must participate. We must find our faith, believe in hope, vote our conscious, participate in the process, and put forth our best efforts towards every good cause that we can, smartly, and with all good measure. We must get on the train!
Sure, I know, it's scary, we are all busy, and we are not too sure where the train is going.That's life! It's a journey! Without the journey, you just have journeys end, and I don't know about you, but I am not ready for my journey to end yet!
So here's to 2009 and beyond! I have resolved to do all that I can, to help in any way that I can, and that includes helping you. It also includes helping others wherever I find a cause and can find a way. It is, after all, one of the biggest reasons we are here. Aside from that, it makes me feel pretty darned good to make somebody else's day even a little bit better.
Speaking of better, if you live in Austin, Texas you are living in one of the best places in the country! Sure I am somewhat biased, but I am actually talking about by the numbers. We are lucky enough to have some of the lowest unemployment in the country, as well as plenty of good paying jobs coming into the area. New housing starts are down, but appreciation is still up, and sales numbers for re-sale homes have started to trend upwards recently as well. Austin continues to show up on a lot of "Top" list in business and living surveys, and it's hard to shake a stick at 70+ degrees in January!
All of this said, I am reaching out to all of you now, as we move forward, into this new era, together, tickets in hand! Even if the ride gets a bit bumpy, we can find a way to enjoy it and make the most of it. Better yet, we can put forth the effort worthy of us and this momentous occasion with great pride and enthusiasm - Together! Hear that whistle? It's going to be a great day!
The time has come and the stakes may have never been higher. By all accounts thus far, turnout may never have been higher either. Don’t let that fool you, and Do Not use that as an excuse to not honor the privilege & duty you have to make your voice heard, and register your choices in your local, national, and of course presidential elections. Vote!
On a national level, and here locally, more than half the registered voters have already heeded the call, and performed their civic duty in advance of the expected wave of last minute voters. Need to know where and how? Here’s a little help for those of you in the counties closest to home:
We are quite spoiled here in the capital city of Texas. Certainly we have attained near superstar status for our multiple music and media festivals, and we have a ton of cultural happenings of all flavors at our beautiful new Long Center. Add to that the literally dozens of Live Theaters, and the multitude of things indoors and out, that happen every day of the week, and one's head is soon spinning with choices to make.
Take this weekend for example. We started off Friday, Halloween, with the longstanding parade of revelers on 6th street. This fun fest has morphed a bit over the years, but still draws thousands of costumed partiers from all around, in attire that at times truly amuses and amazes, to strut their stuff for all to see, rain or shine! A new addition to this year's Halloween traditions is a local retailer's celebration of Dia de Los Muertos, complete with fireworks in October!
Moving on to Saturday, while we anxiously anticipated the big UT vs. Texas Tech game, we again had multiple options to keep us occupied. As usual, the choices were too many to list, however, my two favorites are oldie but goodies. First up, an event big enough it needs two days to say it all. The Texas Book Festival celebrated its 14th year this year, taking place again on the lovely spread of land that is our state capital grounds. Started by our current first lady Laura Bush, this festival brings together a host of authors, local, national, and international, to show off their latest goods, and give anyone around the opportunity to ask questions about whatever is on their minds. With the year we have been having, you can bet it was an interesting event.
Saving the best for last, at least on my list, The 17th Annual Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival. I am happy to say I have attended most of them, and am moved in some way every time I go. The grand entry itself is enough to transport you to another place and time, and the story telling and flute playing are not just a beautiful thing to behold, but also an important link in continuing the proud traditions of these original Americans.
Sunday was about work, but when you live in the greatest city in America, even work is a good time! Whether it's having brunch with clients who have become friends or vice versa, preparing relocation information for new friends, referred by other client friends, or previewing commercial properties on a beautiful day for clients from out of state who need warehouse space to expand to, even a Sunday's worth of work can be enjoyable. The family dog can go along for the ride, as mine usually does
And despite that loss to Tech, our first of the season, and the fact that once again, there was far too much to do, it was indeed another awesome weekend in Austin, Texas!
The time is upon us for perhaps one of the most important and significant elections of our lifetimes. The issues are many, and most are of such a serious nature that ranking their priority is at best difficult. Voter turnout is expected to be quite heavy, and early turnout is showing this to be true thus far. Hence, in an effort to encourage everyone to get out, voice their opinion, help turn the tide, and VOTE - I have included links to the early voting information for Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties. Feel free to forward to friends, families, foes and whomever, just do it! No excuses - say it loud, say it proud, And VOTE! Together WE CAN, WE MUST, make a difference! As always, thanks for your time, and thanks for reading At Home in Austin, TX!
Travis County Early Voting Sites
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