Sondra Meyer

Hurricane Ike has served to remind me how little control people really have.

Last night, I was able to witness a stunningly beautiful sunset. (This picture was taken last night at the Flying Ace Ranch, which is on Rock Prarie Road East, in College Station, Texas. )

This morning, I awoke to the sound of pelting rain and hurricane force winds.

The Houston area, East Texas, and so many others are dealing with flooding, downed trees, power outages, and potential tornadoes. It is humbling to realize that although we have figured out how to travel in space, we can not stop the weather. We can try to minimize damage, but we can not prevent the damage.

My thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected by the devestation from the hurricane. Ialso pray for the safety of those who are still in Ike's path. Just remember, people are more important than things.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,.....For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

Photographed,

written and posted by

Sondra Meyer CPA/Real Estate Broker

United Country Brazos Valley Realty

1275 Flying Ace Ranch Circle

College Station TX 77845

979-575-2700

Dear Real Estate Diary,

Today is September 11, 2008 - the 7^th anniversary of 9-11. Many of us that live in Texas are watching Hurricane Ike's path. It appears that Ike, which is almost as big as Texas itself, may hit Galveston. I find myself worrying about my friends and fellow bloggers, Deb, Marchel, Liz and my sister.

Marchel, Liz, and my sister live in the Houston area. They are likely to deal with flooding and some wind damage. Deb lives North East of Houston, in an area surrounded by pine trees. With strong winds, those trees tend to fall over and knock out power lines. In addition, Deb's area is likely to be hit by tornadoes. My prayers are with Deb, because her husband wants to stay and ride out the storm.

In the Bryan College Station area, we are expecting rain and winds. For once in my life, I haven't procrastinated.

I've already removed my real estate signs from my seller's houses. I don't want them to become flying projectiles. The truck is full of gas. I have plenty of water, oil lamps, non-perishable food, horse feed and wood shavings. I also have a phone that will still work in the event electricity goes out. I am prepared as I can be.

So, what did I do this evening? I enjoyed a beautiful sunset out at Lake Somerville from Overlook Park.

What about you, how did you spend 9-11-2008?

As I watched the sun set, I realized how quickly things in life come and go.

May you enjoy each and every moment that you have been blessed with.

Photographed,

written and posted by

Sondra Meyer CPA/Real Estate Broker

United Country Brazos Valley Realty

1275 Flying Ace Ranch Circle

College Station TX 77845

979-575-2700

For professional real estate advisory services,

Call or email Sondra Meyer at

sondra77845@yahoo.com

I always try to encourage my children and others to follow their hopes and dreams. In doing so, my son, Sean, chose to attend Notre Dame, a school know for academic excellence AND sports.

I am just now recovering from my 7 day road trip to Notre Dame, Indiana. While I was gone, Gary Woltal decided to me-me me. He inspires me most of the time, but this me-me was a challenge because this trip was REALLY long since

I don't always choose to go the quickest route on a trip. 3 of the 7 days were used for dorm check in and orientations - that included parents. By the way,

I never plan my trips months in advance. On the day we left, I decided to avoid the thunderstorms that were going through Texas, OK, MO and AK. Coming back, I decided to avoid the rain from Tropical Storm Faye that was soaking Louisiana and Mississippi.

I have been awed at many of the sites that I saw along the way.

I think many of us take for granted how blessed we are to live in the United States. In fact,

I sing America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner in my head whenever I find myself reflecting upon all the wonderful things that that I saw as I drove through 9 different states in the 7 days.

I wish that I had had more time to stop and take pictures along the way.

I want spend more time in many of the places that I drove through on the way.

I smell the fresh cut grass in the farm fields of Indiana.

I search for more pictures of Meridian Street in Indianapolis. I think it probably the most beautiful residential street along a main road that I've ever driven down.

I regret I didn't have time to stop and take pictures of the amber waves of grain in the fields of Indiana. I regret that I didn't have time to tour the Churchhill Down's Race Track in Kentucky. I regret that we had to skip touring the caves in Kentucky. I regret that I didn't have time to look up some of the people that I've met on AR that live in the states that I went through.

I hate that I didn't have time to stop and take pictures along the way. Had we done so, we never would have gotten to the Notre Dame campus.

I just admire the fact that Notre Dame's new buildings match their old buildings.

I believe there is a story behind every building.

I read that the Main Building at Notre Dame, with it's golden dome, is the "world's most recognized campus landmark."

I win whenever I take the time to stop and smell the roses.

I forget that Texas A&M is not the only university that LOVES their band.

I feel very blessed that my son chose Notre Dame, a private Catholic university.

I hear that every dorm at Notre Dame has a chapel in it.

I'm happy about Sean being at a school that is NOT known for partying.

I'm scared of something bad happening to one of my children or family members. However, the Christian/Catholic spirit that was so pervasive on the Notre Dame campus makes me feel like my son is as safe as can be.

I listen to the sounds of the birds and the leaves dancing in the wind.

I dance with joy when I think about the fact that Notre Dame students enjoy living on campus so much, that 80% of the purportedly live in the dorms all four years. At the same time, as a Realtor, I'm glad that Texas A&M isn't like that.

I lose my sense of direction sometimes.

I missed having my son serving as the navigator on the way back. He did a great job of getting us there. On the way back, I did miss my turn on several occasions. However,

I can usually be found with a smile on my face.

I can laugh at my mistakes. And,

I am not too proud to stop and ask for directions.

I fear that I won't be willing to drive that distance again - thus cheating myself on the sights.

I care about other people's feelings, hopes and desires.

I write my best when I feel passionate about the subject.

I love the adventure called life, my children, my family, my friends, and of course my Lord.

In case you haven't already figured out, this is my attempt to respond to Gary Woltal's me-me. Gary is an inspiration to so many of us. http://activerain.com/blogs/woltal

I'm tagging Liz Carter, Raylene Lewis, Karen Anne Stone, and Beth Ann Long.

What do Austin City Limits, Fiesta, the Houston Live Stock Show & Rodeo, Bryan's Texas Reds Festival, and Chili Fest in Snook have in common?

They are all super fun, annual events that people look forward to. They also all have an economic impact on the cities they are located in. It could be argued that they are all signature events for those cities.

The exciting news is that yesterday at the City of College Station's City Council Workshop, David Gwin, the Director of Economic and Community Development, was authorized to put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a signature event in College Station.

He told council members that a signature event would be in line with the city's strategic plan to make College Station a fun place to be - a destination place. The economic impact could also be substantial. Signature events can have themes related to:

Music

Art

Sports

Nature,

Cultural type of interests

Imagine the possibilities. This is a really exciting idea for the City of College Station to pursue.

For more information on submitting an RFP, contact

David Gwin
Director, Economic & Community Development
(979) 764-3753
dgwin@cstx.gov

.

What goes through your mind when you pull into the parking lot of the restaurant that you picked out, only to see that the line of people waiting on tables has gone out the door? Are you willing to wait?

In College Station it is not uncommon to have long waits in the evenings and on weekends. This morning, it occurred to me that it would take less time to drive to Snook for a mouth watering steak, than it would to wait in line for a table at a popular College Station restaurant.

Have you discovered Snook yet?

Snook is a friendly farming community located 12 miles west of College Station on Highway 60.

Although residents are very proud of their high school football and basketball teams, they know that Snook is home to some of the best kolaches, steaks, sausage and chicken fried bacon around. Whether you are coming from Bryan, College Station, Lake Sommerville or Caldwell, the Czech-Tex Steak House and Bakery, Sodolak's Original Country Inn and Slovacek's are all well worth the 15 minute drive. (If you can't make the drive, Slovacek Sausage can be found in grocery stores across Texas.)

Just a little hint....Snook may not be the best town to visit if you are serious about sticking to your diet.

Snook is also home to what has been described as "the Brazos Valley area's most anticipated event," Chilifest. It is held every April at the Snook Rodeo Arena grounds. The charitable fundraiser has donated over $700,000 to a numerous charities since 2000.

Basically, Chilifest is a HUGE party in a pasture that benefits a number of great causes.

It features two days of musical entertainment and a chili cook-off. Headliners have included Willie Nelson, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Sammy Kershaw, Mark Chestnut, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Tracy Lawrence, Robert Earl Keen, and many others.

This is a picture of cotton that is about ready to be harvested from a pasture in Snook,

http://www.slovacek.com/

http://www.czech-tex.com/index.php

http://www.chilifest.org

In the You Tube video below, The Texas Country Reporter visits Sodolak's and tell everyone about Chicken Fried Bacon - the food that gives meaning to the term of "personal responsibility."

Photographed,

written and posted by

Sondra Meyer CPA/Real Estate Broker

United Country Brazos Valley Realty

1275 Flying Ace Ranch Circle

College Station TX 77845

979-575-2700