Carl & Ceil Winters Texas Hill Country Home Inspector

9-12-2009

I've been watching some television today as I was curious to see the Tea Party and March to Washington D.C.

9-13-09 I didn't post yesterday's blog so I'm adding to it with this paragraph.

This past year has been difficult for all of us. We have seen unemployment rise, and as I type this continue to rise at an alarming rate, home values go down and the stock market in disarray. Americans voicing their opinion over the deficit and costly healthcare proposals. Congress arguing amongst themselves. This is just an example of some of the things we see and hear on a daily basis. If I were a drinking person it would drive me to drink.

What are we going to do?

These are my personal thoughts as I watched some of the Tea Party Express and also flipped to President Obama's speech at the Target Center. Also some of the speeches earlier in the week. Our day of Remembrance on 9/11.

The Tea Party Express: From what I could gather and see was mother's, father's, grandmother's, grandfather's, children, pets, neighbors, families, aunts and uncles and a sea of Red, White and Blue flags and signs. From what I could gather they came from all over the United States to make a statement. They went to make a stand for America at its best. They went to voice their opinion and concerns. Thank goodness in America we are allowed to do this.

We have heard speeches, debates, attended town hall gatherings, written letters and emails. We have watch videos, read and re-read some proposals (not quite understanding everything but enough to know that we need some change). We have believed some things we have heard and days later changed our mind. We hear speeches that sound good but in reality know that it is impossible. We have seen fraud and corruption. We have witnessed families that are left with nothing, nada, zero and no hope to secure a job. We have seen families that have lost their home and not hopeful to ever own another home. We have seen businesses struggle to keep the doors open, only to find they have closed when we pulled into the parking lot. We see food banks that are growing low. We hear of more and more homeless people living off the street and sleeping under bridges.

Then on the other hand we see wealth, big bonuses and extravagant life style. We say The Rich and Famous at our house. That's good if they earned it honestly. We have always been a country with a vision and that is why we are the greatest country in the world. My prayer is for this to continue so that our children and future generations can continue to enjoy the freedom that we enjoy.

We have reached a crossroad in this country. Which way is the right way?

In this country everyone's opinion counts. Right or Wrong it counts.

We are a country with good people, hard working people that attempt every day of their life to do the right thing. We were so busy working and earning a living that we forgot to watch some people that we put in charge of running our country. For years we left, what was our responsibility to oversee, to others; others that we trusted would do the right thing. Well folks, we thought wrong. Our country is coming apart at the seams and I don't know if it will ever be the country as we knew it. We can no longer sit idle; we definitely need to stand for our principles.

We all know we have a system that is broken but in this United States we can fix anything if we desire to do so. We all have the right to be heard. These are the concerns we hear most and I believe with all my heart it can be fixed.

1 .Stop Spending (things we truly don't need, get our deficit under control, it's not too late)

2. No New Taxes

3. Please Stop the Greed and Corruption (this is what got us in trouble in the first place)

4. Write a healthcare bill with 100 pages and take out all the other garbage. We don't need 1000 plus pages.

5. Be Truthful (this is all we ask)

I believe if we could accomplish just these FIVE THINGS we would be better off and maybe get back on track. If only folks could agree we could be well on our way by the end of the year.

Is this possible? Yes

Is it probable that it will happen? No...unless folks that are in a leadership position will listen.

It will only happen if people would work together. That is possible if only people humble themselves and go to work at getting this country back on the right track.

We are at a very serious crossroads in this country and I pray that we can get back on track.

Thank You to my loving family. God Bless and Always keep you in his care. And God Bless America!

Ceil Winters

It is important to preserve our memories of 9/11. We must never forget this painful day. We must preserve this day of rememberrance so that future generations will be able to understand the significance of this day.

Is this the right time for another program?

Where have I been?

I keep seeing this on the web but haven't paid much attention until today when I clicked on several advertisement.OK encouraging folks to return to school; that is good. But......why should we the tax payer pay for this? They say the country is almost bankrupt.

In my opinion I don't think this is the time to start another program.

President Obama will give you $2,500 a year to go to school

The Obama administration's stimulus bill is designed to get the economy moving again. However, you may not know that most of the bill's $70 billion for education will go to low- to middle-income individuals.

A major part of the bill is a $13.8 billion tuition tax credit boost called the American Opportunity Tax Credit. This tax credit reimburses 100 percent of the first $2,000 of educational expenses for lower income students. For the next $2,000, students will receive a 25 percent reimbursement. In short, lower income students will receive $2,500 in education reimbursements per year.

The bill also features other benefits for low-income students. Families that do not earn enough to pay income taxes can receive a $1,000 education refund.

What are your thoughts?

New Braunfels Fire Dept. to hold ceremony September 10, 2009

The public is invited to join the New Braunfels Fire Department in recognizing a year of achievements at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Civic Center. Come support your N.B.F.D.

They are always there for us seven days a week... twenty-four hours a day... three hundred sixty five days a year. They protect our property and serve our community in many ways.

Thank You to our New Braunfels Fire Department

Singing in the Rain at Active Rain!

Less then a month ago this picture was taken; we received less then 1/2 inch.

This morning we woke to thunder, lightening and much needed rain. So far we have received almost three inches of rain. Thank You Lord for this wonderful moisture. Let it rain to fill the streams and lakes, water the thirsty trees, shrubs, lawns and let our wildlife have a long awaited drink.

You never realize how precious water is until you have none. Many folks have lost water because the well has gone dry. We have seen haulers hauling water to subdivisions. Many folks have lost expensive landscapes.

They say we may have some rain the rest of the week. Maybe the drought is over. I hope San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country is also getting these wonderful little drops coming from the sky called Rain. Yes its raining today at Active Rain Real Estate Network.

This Is A Great Day!