Long Hollow

Even in the madness…

May 24, 2020

Every morning Belle and I take a walk on our caliche road. We have a set path of about 1.5 miles. First we head in one direction where the road twists and turns and dips, then we backtrack past our house and up a short hill before turning around and returning home.

Belle sets the pace, mostly at a fast trot which means I'm jogging to keep up with her, but there are a considerable number of stops along the way as she picks up scents and has to investigate. She will also stop and wait for me as I photograph heart rocks and flowers or when I pause to listen to the birds singing to one another.

In particular, there's a mockingbird living at about the halfway mark on the first leg of our adventure. I always stop to enjoy his performance for a few minutes. He is so talented!

I also pray along the way, counting the decades of a Rosary on my fingers in time with my steps and breathing.

In the quiet of the morning, I reflect on all that I have to be grateful for… like heart rocks, flowers, birds, our dirt road…and of course also my family, friends, and clients, asking for the health and safety of each one, along with any other special prayer requests for the day.

Even before COVID-19 introduced extra challenges and new fears, life could be pretty chaotic and challenging, making it easy to get distracted by what-ifs or worry about things I have no control over.

Some mornings I wake up already feeling overwhelmed by all I should accomplish that day, wondering how I'm going to prioritize them or where the strength will come from to stay focused and get everything done.

And that's where the hill comes in.

As I said, it's a small hill. Maybe 1/10th of a mile. It doesn't rise at a steep angle and even levels off in a couple of places.

But I'm 61, and even though I have run up this hill almost every morning for a few years now, it always feels like a huge challenge. Each time I take that first inclined step, I hear a voice telling me I'm just not strong enough for it that morning. It tells me it's okay to just skip it.

I've learned to ignore that voice and tell myself, instead, to just move forward, one step at a time. If I really need to, I can stop, but I remind myself I've done it over and over and over, and somehow I always have the strength to get to the top.

Just focus on taking one step at a time. Keep moving forward.

Some days I'm slower than others. Some days I walk a few steps on the level parts. And some days our neighbor's dog notices us and comes out barking a warning, whereupon out of respect for Frankie (the dog) I give myself permission to cut it short and head back downhill.

But I don't let the fear of Frankie's bark keep me from heading back up the hill the next morning.

I'm not sure when I started applying the lessons of the hill to the rest of my life, but I do now. Whatever challenge lies ahead of me that day, as I'm running up the hill I remind myself that I just need to take it one step at a time, keep moving forward, and that God will give me the direction and strength I need for it, if I just ask.

Beyond the physical benefits of running up that little hill, I also find peace.

Besides my morning walks with Belle, here are a few other sweet!s from the past week…

A bluebonnet still blooming!

Tom making it to his mom's safely

Referrals from friends and past clients

A watercolor of my grandson in his rain boots painted by my daughter-in-law's mom

Fireflies lighting up the woods

Two closings, including this cute condo

Finding someone to install my large sign on a commercial listing

A virtual happy hour with friends

No lines getting into the grocery store

FaceTime with my grandson

Listing a charming bungalow built in 1923

An in-person-with-social-distancing gathering with other friends

Limoncello

Watching a lightning storm at night from our covered back deck

The roadside exploding in wildflowers

Heart rocks in my path

I hope you've found sweet!s throughout your week and I pray you don't let fear keep you from stepping forward to climb the hills in your path.

I pray you find peace.

And even in the madness, there is peace
Drowning out the voices all around me
Through all of this chaos
You are writing a symphony…

– "Symphony" by Switch

(If you haven't heard the song "Symphony", I encourage you to take a listen HERE. It's one of my favorites.)
I couldn’t help myself!

May 16, 2020

Being a mother means that your heart is no longer yours; it wanders wherever your children do.

~Author unknown

In the old days, before masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing became customary, I would get an achy feeling in my heart if it had been more than two weeks since I saw my grandson in person. I had a physical need to snuggle him and kiss his chubby cheek. To just listen to him chatter and watch him play.

(I also enjoyed getting to visit with my son and daughter-in-law, of course.)

Then came the uncertainty of COVID-19. I resisted visiting them because I was still showing property to clients and making trips to the grocery store, and even though it was less often than normal, and I was following safety procedures, I didn't want to take any chances passing anything off to him, his mom, or his dad. I didn't think I would be able to resist picking him up and snuggling him.

That lasted about 6 weeks. Almost daily FaceTimes with him and my son helped to ease that ache a LOT. But as Mother's Day drew near, the thought of going any longer without seeing ALL of my babies in person made that achy feeling grow.

I decided (with their permission, of course) to stop by for a quick visit on Mother's Day Eve, resolving to resist any hugging, kissing, or snuggling.

It turned out to be easier than I thought it would be. Almost-two- year- olds are bundles of energy. They don't stop long enough for hugs, kisses, and snuggles. We played bubbles… he had me push him in his car… he showed me how he mows the grass. We played basketball and he played his guitar for me.

My mask didn't faze him. He recognized me right away. Oh, how my heart sang!

The next morning before attending Mass in person for the first time in weeks (another sweet!), my middle son made me an amazing omelette for breakfast, and later that day my daughter and her husband came over, bearing tubs of fresh Mexican food from Chuy's, which I had been craving since before my birthday. We ate and visited, then took a long walk down our country road and to our pond.

I saw all of my babies – the perfect Mother's Day gift.

Here are some other sweet!s from the past couple of weeks…

Tom saved a painted turtle I met on a morning walk. The turtle was in the middle of the road, quite a distance from the closest pond. Tom carried him down the road, through the woods to the pond, wearing flip-flops. He's a hero, to both me and the turtle!

A full moon greeting me when stepping outside for Belle's pre-bedtime potty break. I've missed a lot of the full moons and was grateful this one was waiting on me.

Thursday was the Keller Williams Realty's RED Day. It stands for Renew, Energize, and Donate, and on that day, once a year since 2009, each market center chooses a nonprofit in their community to help in some way, usually through multiple physical projects. This year we were planning to help the Austin State Supported Living Center by building a food truck area they requested that would help with fundraising.

Since we weren't able to do that, we took activity packets there for the residents (magazines, nail polish, DVD's), sent cards to a local nursing home we focused on one year (the one my mom lived in), and also held a virtual fundraising for the Central Texas Food Bank, which will continue through May.

(If you would like to contribute, click HERE.)

In Austin, hair salons re-opened just in time for my next pre-scheduled appointment for re-blonding, with lots of safety precautions in place, of course.

I've spotted a few beautiful red-bellied birds with a yellow tails. I still don't know what type it is. It's a cross between a painted bunting and a vermillion flycatcher.

The Thunderbirds flew over Austin last week on their tour of honoring nurses and other caregivers on the front lines.

We've enjoyed several virtual performances by our grandson via FaceTime…

There are no more lines at our local grocery store, and shelves are fully stocked.

I taught a class on making/receiving offers and negotiations via Zoom. I was really nervous about it, but colleagues helped me figure out how to share my screen.

I'm grateful I was able to virtually attend Mass through live videos the past few weeks, but what a glorious feeling to be able to attend in person and receive Communion again. Capacity was limited, we wore masks, and kept our distance. Every other row was blocked off. It was precautious and different, but still joyful.

Chuck-Wills-Widows are back, providing beautiful music to greet each dawn and sunset.

Tom has been making pancakes on the mornings he works from home.

Business has continued to be good. I've had closings (although I can't attend them) and helped both buyers and sellers go under contract. I'm grateful I can still help my clients!

I spotted this heart at the house above…

And I spotted this little heart this morning…

I have a new ride!

My little Elantra has lasted 11 years and 223K+ miles, with only minor issues that are to be expected when driving in new construction sites, on highways, and down our bumpy, dirt road. I've gone through a couple of windshields, had to reattach the rearview mirror, and replace dozens of tires. I've had a mouse try to take up residence in it, using the glovebox as its bedroom and the whole car as its bathroom (I couldn't believe it was only one mouse!)

It has been a tough little car. But it was time. And the deals were too good to pass up.

These two caught my eye while driving back from Bastrop last week after a pre-closing walk through on a property. Unfortunately, I think the Buccee Beaver and I were the only non-employees who were wearing masks.

My sweetheart Tom celebrated a birthday this week. Per his instructions, we celebrated with a meat-heavy pizza from Domino's.

I almost forgot the candle!

Scattered throughout the week were texts and phone calls and emails with friends and family. Despite the forced separations, I'm grateful for the technology that allows us to cross the miles and be there for each other.

A good friend is a connection to life — a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.

~Lois Wyse

I had some sad news today. A friend lost his daughter to COVID-19 yesterday morning and another friend's daughter tested positive for it. Please keep them in your prayers.

Also, while checking on a couple of past clients' condos near the University of Texas yesterday, I drove past a fraternity house where dozens of college students gathered in the front yard. No social distancing and I didn't see any masks.

I know when you're young you feel invincible and enjoy taking risks, but please pray for these young people that they don't risk their futures or those of their friends or families by not being careful right now.

It's possible to live in the moment, but be careful and considerate of others at the same time.

May you all stay healthy and well, and may your eyes be open for the sweet!s in your life!

Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

~Author Unknown
Sweets in the Time of COVID-19

May 2, 2020

Hi, how are you? I hope you are doing well and staying healthy.

What a strange time we're living in, right?

But to be honest…. my life hasn't changed much over the past couple of months, despite the shelter-in-place orders, toilet paper shortages, and face masks.

Realtors are considered "essential workers" because people are still moving to Austin and needing homes, other people are still needing to sell, and I've been as busy as ever helping clients.

For that, I am grateful, because I know many are dealing with job loss, illness, and general confusion and anxiety over what the future holds.

Since my last post in February, a lot has happened besides adjusting my work and life due to a pandemic.

There have continued to be plenty of sweets, if I look for them, and I decided today was a good day to take a break from work and remember them.

I'll start with Easter.

Even though I wasn't able to gather with all of my kids or attend church, we still had Easter, because Easter is more than that.

But I'm grateful that some of our parishioners volunteer to live stream Mass every day.

Also, I'm not alone. One son lives with us and my kids, other family, and friends are just a phone call or text away.

Also, my older son regularly FaceTimes us, so we can talk to our grandson.

Speaking of grandchildren… we are expecting #2 in a few months!

I turned 61 last month.

I completed my 61 by 61 list with an Austin mural tour, taking advantage of empty roads and parking lots to visit several of the iconic murals around Austin. which you see scattered throughout this post, plus a few here..

I topped it off with a small celebration at home with my son, husband, and Belle.

I still enjoy daily morning walks and prayers with Belle.

Wildflowers are blooming, including bluebonnets I planted from seeds a client gave me, and heart rocks dot our caliche road.

I'm grateful this is where I get to be quarantined.

In a pandemic-free world, I would have been flying to Paris with friends on May 30.

Of course, that trip, which we had been planning since our Italy trip in 2017, was canceled.

We have enjoyed gathering via Zoom, though.

My friend/teammate Amanda was supposed to get married at the end of March.

They decided COVID-19 wouldn't stop them, and shared their vows in a beautiful lake front wedding which we all still witnessed, thanks to a live-stream on You Tube.

Before COVID-19 stopped us from gathering, I helped a friend celebrate her retirement, and several friends celebrate birthdays, including one who celebrated in style by having Shake Russell, Michael Hearne, and Mike Roberts play in their home.

The Keller Williams Family Reunion was in Dallas this year.

It was my first real taste of Dallas, even though I've driven through it numerous times on my way to somewhere else.

While most of our time was spent at the convention center attending sessions and meeting agents from all over the world, I was able to visit a few restaurants, enjoy the city all lit up, and, before leaving on the last day, walked to the site of President John F. Kennedy's assassination.

(These people almost got hit trying to get their photos of the spot. Crazy!)

Oh, I also witnessed a marriage proposal! That has to go on a sweet list.

(It also went on my 61 by 61 list!)

We couldn't drive home from Dallas without stopping in Waco at the Silos and enjoying lunch at the Magnolia Table.

I also took a road trip to Abilene with my daughter to attend an awards dinner for my son-in-law. It was so much fun having that time with her in the car, just talking and listening to music.

He ended up with three of the top awards. I took lots of photos, but if you've been reading my blog for long, you know that TG is very private, so you'll never see them here.

I can share this photo from the trip, though. My cousin lives near Abilene and, despite very little notice from me, stopped by for a too-quick visit at my hotel.

I was so happy to see her and grateful she made time to see me!

Back to awards, though… I was truly surprised that my team, the Shallue Property Group ended up the #3 Team in our market center in our first year!

I can share these photos, too.

There were also challenging times over the past couple of months.

I am really, really missing seeing and hugging my daughter and son and their families.

The Paris trip had shown like a beacon over the past year of long hours and seven-day-work-weeks. It was hard to accept that we had to cancel it.

But keeping track of these sweet moments in my life reminds me that they outnumber the disappointments by far. They help me remember to be joyful and hopeful as we move forward into this new world of face masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizer. As always, I recommend that you keep track, too, if you aren't already.

Blessings to each and every one of you. May you and your families be healthy and well.

"Do not abandon yourself to despair. We are Easter people and Alleluia is our song." — St. John Paul ll
On Hearts

February 8, 2020

Man has made many machines, complex and cunning, but which of them indeed rivals the workings of his heart?

~Pablo Casals

I had just stepped into the last house on a property tour when it happened: my heart seemed to turn a somersault, I nearly passed out, and the pounding started …as in, my heart started pounding in my chest like I had somehow trapped a hard rock drummer inside of it.

It had happened once before, almost 10 years ago (Heart Beats, Heart POUNDS) but follow up tests revealed nothing wrong with my heart, and I hadn't had another episode since that first one, which hit in the middle of the night. It only lasted about 30 minutes and stopped as quickly as it started, so of course, that's what I expected this time. So I gave my feedback on the property to the host agent, got in my car, and drove home, expecting the pounding to stop before I could walk in my front door.

Well, it didn't. So an hour and a half later, I was strapped on a stretcher in the back of an ambulance in my doctor's office's parking lot with my heart still racing and pounding, about to be transported to the hospital. At one point they clocked it at 177 beats/minute. My neck, back, and shoulders ached from the pressure.

The paramedics had given me an empty syringe which I had been blowing into every few minutes for the past 20 minutes or so – like trying to blow up a stubborn balloon. Just as they were taking one last set of readings before pulling out of the parking lot, I blew into it and immediately felt relief. The paramedic said he saw my heart rate drop down to 90 beats per minute.

After waiting a few minutes to be sure my heart was going to behave itself, I was relieved that I was able to climb out of the ambulance and go home. A trip to the hospital as a patient in an ambulance isn't something I want to add to my 61 x 61 list (61 new experiences by my 61st birthday), if I can help it!

I've since seen the cardiologist, who diagnosed the pounding as SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) based on the EKG my doctor took in the middle of the episode. It's an electrical malfunction, where the nerve signal gets stuck in a smaller, easier loop in the cartilage where the four heart chambers connect. For some reason I don't completely understand, the strain of blowing into a tough syringe, or a balloon, or even making yourself cough hard can reset it back onto the correct pathway and normal heartbeats. If that doesn't work, and the episodes are frequent, there is medication and a procedure called an ablation that can be done.

I'm praying mine is just a random thing, possibly brought on by a few weeks of steady allergy and cold medicine (thank you, Cedar Fever!) combined by I'm-not-sure-how-many cups of coffee a day I had been drinking. Now I'm paying attention to how much coffee I'm drinking each day, and I'm also making sure I work out regularly and get enough sleep, since stress can play a part in it (although I didn't feel unusually stressed out either time it has happened.)

Getting older is a blessing, but it can also be tricky and full of surprises!

[A]ccept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields….

~Khalil Gibran, The Prophet, 1923

I counted a number of 'sweets' that day. I didn't pass out, wreck, and hurt anyone…my doctor's office was very responsive and helpful…the paramedics were so knowledgeable…I didn't have to be transported… my husband and kids were on standby ready to help and meet me wherever I ended up.

But there have been many others this past month, including…

Lots of playdates with my grandson, supplemented by Facetime in between our visits

He calls me BiBi now!

I formed a corporation for my business (Shallue Property Group, Inc. – sounds so official!)

Sharing some beautiful sunrises on my daily walks with Belle (she turned 10 this month!)

My old Hyundai Elantra is going strong, even though she is also now 10, and has over 220,000 miles on her.

Steady business, closings, referrals from friends and past clients, and listings with multiple offers

Taking breaks to tap dance and play my drums (when no one is home!)

Still finding heart rocks along my path and friends sharing photos of the hearts they find with me

My kids bathing Belle for me when she rolled in poop on our morning walk

The rose bush planted in my mom's honor at her nursing home is still alive, growing and blooming

A motivating book and set of question cards from our leadership at the Associate Leadership Council retreat, and a belated Christmas gift from my daughter… one of my favorite movies

Wine in the mail (a gift from clients)

Feeling snow on my face and finding a dusting of it still on everything the next morning (unfortunately there wasn't enough for a snowman)

I also lost a classmate this month, and two friends lost their brothers. I'm getting more intentional about connecting with my friends and family, even if it's just a quick phone call or text, so they know they are important to me. Time goes by so fast, and when we are busy, it's easy to put off the things that matter the most. Don't wait!

I hope, no matter what is going on in your life, you keep a lookout for the 'sweets' in every situation. Believe me, you'll find them if you look for them, expecting to find them.

Happy Valentine's Month! I'm grateful for you!

Heart & me—
Fragile
and strong
Broken
and whole
Loving,
and loving.
~Terri Guillemets
On Peace, and a decade of surprises

January 2, 2020

"There will be peace in the valley…"

Almost every morning I run up a small hill near our home to take in this view of the Texas Hill Country. The last couple of days of 2019, I was greeted with this image of golden light, crisp blue skies, and mist forming over Lake Travis. In my mind I could hear Elvis singing "There will be peace in the valley…"

That's not surprising, since over the past few weeks the word Peace has been catching my attention more and more. I'm not sure if it's because of our country's current political rhetoric or because the last few months – no, the whole past year – has just been more hectic and demanding than I could ever have imagined, but it's clear Peace is going to be my word for 2020.

I will aim for the inner peace that comes with knowing I am doing my absolute best each day, even if I don't accomplish everything I hoped to accomplish or if others don't appreciate or understand all that I'm doing.

I will strive to be a peacemaker, to help others… friends, clients, colleagues… find resolution, perspective, and common ground in conflict. I won't run away from conflict (how could I be at peace with myself if I did that?) but will look for constructive ways to handle it.

I will pray for peace in our world, for more wisdom and education and tolerance and LOVE, and less pride, ego, selfishness, and greed.

I hope you will join me.

We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.

~William Ewart Gladstone

Speaking of 2020, doesn't that number just seem surreal? How did it get here so fast? I realized on this past Christmas Day that I had no memory of last Christmas Day, except for the Facebook memory that popped up. That's another reason I feel Peace is a good focus word for me this year, to help me be still, process, and (hopefully) remember more of these precious moments.

That being said, last year was an awesome year for my business. I helped more families than ever with their real estate needs, even doubling the number of listings I sold. We paid off our credit card debt (I won't tell you how much, but if you knew, your jaw would drop and you'd be impressed), plus we have money saved for expenses we know are coming. For example, both my computer and my car recently celebrated their 10th birthdays. I have emotional ties with each which I really need to sever and move on from. Wish me luck!

In 2010, my focus was on being a writer. We had two kids in college and one recently graduated. We were empty-nesters, enjoying the freedom that brings. Every weekend we were celebrating someone's 50th birthday, going dancing, listening to music.

It was a lot of fun, but it actually makes me tired thinking about it.

We lost my father-in-law in 2012. Shortly afterward, my own parent's health began declining rapidly. I was constantly driving back and forth from Austin to Houston for my parents' doctor's appointments.

2013 was truly a year of highest highs and lowest lows. My oldest got married in April of that year. Shortly after that, I realized that neither writing or photography would provide the extra income we needed at the time, so I finally took my sister-in-law's advice and started completely over at the age of 54 with a career in real estate.

Just as I began my classes, my parents' lives changed: Daddy had a stroke, Mama fell, and they both ended up in the hospital, then a nursing home, where Daddy died a couple of months later.

Just before we said goodbye to 2013, I moved my mom to a nursing home near me. Weekly trips to Houston to check on her were replaced with daily visits. Just part of my normal routine until she passed in 2016.

In a way it was a time of mourning, watching her steadily decline no matter how hard I fussed and fought, but I am so grateful for that time I had with her.

When both of your parents are gone, it is such a lost, scary feeling. You realize you are an orphan, no matter how old you are. You aren't someone's child, you're just a grown up, the matriarch or patriarch of a family. Your own mortality stares you in the face and, if you're lucky, you come to terms with it and decide to make the best of the time you have left, which brings me to the highlights of the past 10 years. These are just skimming the surface…

As I've mentioned, my oldest got married. (see The Most Beautiful Wedding Ever)

My real estate business skyrocketed after Mama passed. I know she had something to do with it. Thanks, Mama.

My two youngest graduated from college and both got jobs right away…in Austin. Still close to me!

I spent a week in Italy with dear friends I've known since high school. And we're planning a trip together to Paris this year.

I became a grandmother… or BiBi, as I now prefer to be called.

My daughter met and married the love of her life.

In 2010 I never imagined how challenging my life would get within a few short years, calling on every ounce of faith in my heart. I wouldn't have believed you if you told me I would be running my own real estate business in 2020, and I honestly don't think I would be as successful as I am now if I hadn't been faced with those earlier challenges.

It's never too late to learn and grow, to start over and change, when necessary.

"Never give up, never surrender."

~ Galaxy Quest

As we move forward into 2020… into the inevitable highs and lows… the peaks and the valleys… I wish all of you joy and gratitude in the peaks, and peace and faith in the valleys. Happy New Year!

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

~ John 14:27
The Home of the Brave

November 11, 2019

I was lucky to be a child of the late '70's, which means none of my contemporaries had to serve during time of war or in a war zone. While many of them volunteered, and there is never any guarantee that a war won't break out on any given day, their service was focused on preserving peace. On protecting us.

My oldest brother volunteered for Viet Nam twice, but I was too young to understand the danger or the effect it had on him.

I'm older now, and while still experiencing it mostly second-hand, I understand a little better about the sacrifice and the effects of deployment in war zones through my son-in-law's service in the Air Force, as well as clients of mine who have served. It makes me marvel even more at the apparent ease of that many war-time veterans experienced when stepping back into civilian life after witnessing death and destruction.

In gratitude to all of you who have served, or who continue to serve, here's my annual tribute about my own favorite veterans. All too often we take your service and sacrifices for granted. Thanks for serving anyway.

"Lord, if your people need me, I will not refuse the work. Your will be done."

~St. Martin of Tours

.

My dad was in high school when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He joined the Navy soon after high school graduation because his country was at war and "it was the thing to do."

In the next twenty-two months he traveled a long way from Texas aboard the U.S.S. Geneva…to places like the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, China, Burma, Japan.

Before he turned twenty, he had seen cities that had been destroyed by war and piles of dead bodies waiting to be buried.

A few years later, his little brother Bobby followed his lead and joined the Navy, and many years later, so did my brother Donnie and two nephews.

Pop, my wonderful father-in-law, missed out on World War II, but joined the Air Force in time for the Korean War. He worked base supply in Okinawa, supporting bombers flying missions to Korea…about 100 aircraft every day.

He re-enlisted, got married, and hopped around the globe…living in England, Germany, and over a year in Pakistan, separated from his family (the other heroes – Mom had 8 teenage and younger boys to deal with by herself!)…visiting a dozen other countries…eventually staying put for awhile in Maryland, working with NSA (and a second job at the bowling alley to make ends meet), until his retirement.

A lifetime of service and sacrifice for this country.

My husband Tom was raised in that military family. For him it was normal to move every few years to someplace completely different…by the time he was eight or nine years old, he had lived in three countries!

He grew up on a tight budget … hand-me-downs, powdered milk and only two cookies a day…period! And yet as soon as he could, he joined the service…the Coast Guard. Among other things, he helped rescue fisherman off the coast of Alaska.

Four of his brothers also joined the service (three career Air Force, just like their dad, and another Coast Guard) and the youngest joined the Army Reserves. Now the next generation is following in their footsteps: two Air Force and one Coast Guard, plus numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews who serve.

My big brother Buster was headed to Viet Nam, saying his goodbyes, when I stood beside him in this photograph and smiled. I had no idea what was ahead of him. This was probably taken before his first tour of duty and so he had only a vague idea himself what to expect.

When he volunteered for his second tour, however, he knew full well what he was stepping into…but he did it anyway…

…like so many before him did, and many after him continue to do… like my son-in-law. He followed in the footsteps of his parents, who were both in the military. I know it's tough, living with so many unknowns, but it's a calling.

To him and all of the Veterans – and their families - I give thanks… for their determination, their sacrifice, and their bravery.

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

~Elmer Davis
The Sweetest Year of the Sweetest Firsts

July 6, 2019

Every child begins the world again…. ~Henry David Thoreau

As some of you know, just over a year ago, I experienced the sweetest of 'firsts' – I became a grandma. I've already mentioned it a few times, but as you're well aware, grandmas love to talk about being a grandma!

It was a complete transformation that I felt deep in my heart with just the sound of that first tiny cry echoing out of the birthing room. It was sealed and stamped minutes later with the sight of my firstborn cradling his own firstborn in his arms.

Unlike parenting, there's no real training for being a grandparent. You're just guided by that gut feeling of love, awed again by the miracle of life, but strictly controlled by the rules set forth by the parents. You're an assistant, eager to help and afraid of making a mistake.

And that's okay. What a joy it has been to watch my son and daughter-in-law evolve and grow as much as my grandson has over the past year. It has reawakened memories of my own first year as a mother, of us becoming a family, no longer just a couple.

I admit a lot of my remembering is due to the journal I started shortly before my eldest was born. I continued journaling up until… well, about the time I started this blog. Somehow I kept up with four journals – one for me, and one for each of my three kids. I didn't write in them every single day. Just once a week or once a month – whenever I had time, just hitting the highlights. (A lot like my blogging now!)

Reading back through my journals I'm amazed at how much I have forgotten, or just remembered WRONG. I encourage every parent to start journaling about their kids, right this moment, if you aren't already, whether they are newborns or teenagers.

I wish I had taken my own advice and started journaling about little C the moment he was born.

At the time of his birth, it had been years since I held an actual newborn, much less changed a diaper. I was rusty at first, but soon my hands were changing diapers as if they had never stopped. Mixing formula and feeding little C his bottle was a totally new thing for me, though. I had never fed a baby a bottle until one of my dear friends became a grandmother, and then it was just once. I was really, really nervous.

But soon I treasured that time with him. As I held him in those early days, gazed into his deep blue eyes, marveled at the perfection of each tiny feature, time would peel away. Snippets of songs and lullabies would come back to me… songs from those long ago days when my babies were truly babies.

In those moments I could sense my mother's presence, assuring me I would be a good grandma. I think if I just follow the examples she and my mother-in-law set, I can't go wrong. They perfected the delicate dance of gliding in and out from the sideline as needed.

We are blessed to live near enough to see him fairly often, at least twice a month. His parents are so good about snapping photos and videos and sharing them with us, in between. I'm extremely grateful for that, and for the digital world we live in today.

These past months have flown by and now he's already a one-year-old, recognizing me and reaching for me to pick him up, which makes my heart soar even more. We walk and he points and asks 'Whatsis?" at everything. It's a new world, magical and full of wonder, and he's re-opened our eyes to it.

Although for me, he's the most magical thing in it, for sure.

Life is a flame that is always burning itself out, but it catches fire again every time a child is born.

~George Bernard Shaw

My last true "sweet" post was in January. I've continued keeping track of them daily in a journal, but don't worry… I'm not going to list them all, although I'll soon post about turning 60 in April, and completing my "60 by 60" challenge, which, with my son's help, I completed just in time! Now I'm into my "61 by 61" challenge.

One 'sweet' I've truly missed is blogging, both the writing of my own and the reading of my friends' posts, so stay tuned!
What is Love?

February 14, 2019

Love talked about can be easily turned aside, but love demonstrated is irresistible.~

W. Stanley Mooneyham
American minister and speaker, 20th century

One of my favorite Valentines from Tom one year … our little pond shaped into a heart

Years ago, a friend posted a challenge on her blog to answer the question, "What is love?"

It made me really think back over the years Tom and I had shared. I've had plenty of red roses and chocolates, but true love, and the demonstration of it, is so much more than that. I'm grateful Jill motivated me to write this, so I never forget the many other ways we've shown our love for one another.

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'm reposting it (again!) with a few additions…

…Love is the sound of drums coming from my house…fulfilling a wish I had tossed aside, believing it couldn't come true because there wasn't a spot for them in our new house. Tom surprised me with a set (thank you, Craig's List) on our anniversary a few years ago. It proved to me he pays attention. At least sometimes.

…Love is throwing him not one, but two surprise birthday parties…plus a huge family reunion/50th birthday party that lasted two weeks and involved having people sleeping on every square inch of the house

…Love is coming in the house from a long weekend, relieved to discover your coffee grounds from four days before have (thank the Lord!) been dumped and all the pieces are clean and dry, ready to go…despite the fact that your spouse doesn't drink coffee. (If he hadn't cleaned it for me…ooh, gross!)

…Love is picking up empty Dr. Pepper cans from all over the house…and outside…and biting my tongue.

…Love is finding the coupon section of the Sunday newspaper separated for me, without asking.

…Love is gathering up the Sunday newspaper, at times from different rooms in the house, and putting it in the wicker basket where it goes.

…Love is not minding that I plant myself in front of the computer every evening after dinner to write…and biting his tongue when he sees I'm on Facebook instead.

…Love is not minding that some nights he just crawls in bed and flips channels, instead of working on whatever project is in progress at the time, because he's physically and mentally worn out.

…Love is not being jealous about phone calls from old boyfriends, or emails from old boyfriends, or birthday lunches with old boyfriends.

…Love is not being jealous about his women friends and co-workers.

…Love is always dancing the Cotton-Eyed Joe and the Schottische even though his hips and ankles still hurt from that accident in 1998.

…Love is sitting by his side in the hospital for a week, afraid to leave him…holding the urinal in place for an hour because he thinks he can "go" on his own…feeding him ice chips, sleeping on a fold-out chair, grateful for the sound of his snoring because it means he's alive.

…Love is piecing together sections of workshop floor matting for me to lie on when I do sit-ups, so my tailbone doesn't get bruised anymore.

…Love is subscribing to Men's World e-newsletters and forwarding the good ones to him to keep him healthy.

…Love is not nagging each other because the bathroom he/she is in charge of cleaning is a borderline health problem.

…Love is hanging on to and supporting each other through the illness and death of a parent, financial worries, and the never-ending ups and downs of having children.

…Love is saying to hell with everything that needs to be done around here to play ping-pong…or go for long walks along the creek…or travel virtually to Ireland or Istanbul or Italy with Rick Steves.

…Love is listening to each other vent their frustrations about work or friends or family without feeling a need to fix it all

…Love is accepting that he likes to plan and ponder before getting started on a project, while I like to spring into action, and that each method is okay.

…Love is keeping an eye on my tires, knowing they are prone to going flat, and I'm prone to being oblivious to them (I blame rocky roads and new construction sites)

…Love is buying me a special drill that will make holes in hard ground for my For Sale signs… and tagging along to put up those signs for me in really rough terrain

…Love is nagging him about getting his colonoscopy for a year until he finally did it

…Love is supporting each other through dreams of finishing college, running construction businesses, writing books, starting a photography business, building a house, starting a real estate business…

…Love is still joking around, still having fun, still laughing at each other and at ourselves after more than 37 years together…and hoping we can share another 37.

Happy Valentine's Day! What is love to you?

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

~1 Corinthians 13:7
On Joy … plus a smattering of sweet!s

January 16, 2019

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2).

A few months ago, in a process I can't really describe, Joy stepped up to be my word for 2019.

When pulling out my Christmas decorations, seeing it written on so many ornaments, I realized it had been trying to get my attention for a long time, waiting for me to truly understand it.

Now, I'm not talking about joy that is used interchangeably with happiness. The joy I speak of isn't dependent on circumstances or events. It's certainly there in happy times, but also in sorrowful ones, too.

This joy is happiness, all grown up. Wiser. More resilient. It's the friend or spouse who knows all of your quirks and bad points, but loves you anyway. You know they will always be there when you need them, lending their wisdom and strength.

I've heard that JOY is an acronym for "Jesus, Others, You", and that makes sense to me. To feel joy, I think it's necessary to cultivate your spiritual side, to reach out and help others, but also to take care of yourself.

Joy helps us overcome fear and anxiety with the knowledge that everything will be okay. It is a gift that hold hands with faith, and brings peace along with it. Circumstances change… today's happiness will inevitably fade, perhaps even end in tears. But possessing joy is knowing today's blue skies and sunshine may disappear behind storm clouds, but the sunshine is still there, bright as ever, and will return. Stormy days just help us appreciate the sunny ones, and remind us we're not going to melt in the rain.

But joy finds beauty even in gray skies. It's where we find those silver linings.

Today was a gray day. But finishing up my prayers on our back deck after this morning's walk with Belle, I spotted a robin perched on a bare limb about 20 feet away. He remained there quite a while, perfectly still, staring straight ahead, as if lost in thought. Maybe he was finishing up his prayers, too. Then he chirped an 'amen' and flew off.

That was just one sweet! for the morning. Another was the sound of the rushing creek below us. Our ponds are full and overflowing, thanks to all of the rain we've had this year. I'm grateful recent rains have been spread out, not falling all at once and causing floods.

Here are a few others from the first couple of weeks of 2019…

My sister had surgery on a herniated disc this morning and she can already tell a difference in her hands.

Belle's 8th birthday!

Long visits with older clients who don't 'e-sign' documents

A visit with Little C, Josie, and their mama and daddy after two longs weeks since the last visit

Dinner and viewing houses with a friend who is ready to buy her own home again after several years of personal challenges

The Eiffel Tower in our little town, all lit up (I hate to stop and get a photo)

Rain washing much of the cedar pollen away

An inspiring and fun retreat with our priest and members of our church finance and pastoral councils

Beautiful weather for a one-day trip to Houston with colleagues, and perfect timing to witness the day's glorious sunrise and sunset

Remaining semi-calm when my phone completely died overnight and hours of charging didn't seem to revive it

Trying one last time… and seeing a spark of life in my phone!

A great clinic with other Agent Leadership Councils from all over southeast Texas and finally eating at Peters BBQ in Ellinger (the ribs! yum!) on the return home

A season of gorgeous sunsets and sunrises

The bright red of a cardinal on a gray day

Enjoying a fun lunch sponsored by builder DR Horton with my accountability group

Three listings under contract within one week

Toasting the birth of the Shallue Property Group with my teammate, Amanda

The sight of ducks flying through the hollow

Celebrating a friend's 60th birthday at one of my favorite restaurants…Ajo in Round Rock

Pots of Hoppin' John and chili for welcoming 2019 with our nephew, his family, most of our kids

Little C's first visit to our house and our Christmas present from him

May you be able to focus on Joy and cling to it throughout this new year!

I think Joy sleeps in strange places. We're always looking for her in shiny, happy, fun times, assuming that Joy prefers her twin brother, Pleasure, when she often hangs out with her somewhat stoic big sister, Strength. Joy is not always easy to recognize, dirt-smudged and sweating, brambles in her hair. I want to believe she sometimes wears a ski mask.

~Edmond Manning, King Perry
Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and a bunch of sweet!s

December 31, 2018

The sky put on a grand finale sunset outside my window as I started reflecting on this past year. However, it doesn't take a lot of reflection to know that 2018 will go down in history as one of my favorite years.

It's the year I became a grandmother!

Watching Little C grow month to month has been an absolute joy.

I gave birth myself in 2018, in a sense. I formed a real estate team! The Shallue Property Group. It's still in its infancy right now… just me and one other agent, Amanda, who is very sharp. Stepping out into this unknown territory was less scary knowing she would be by my side.

In 2018 I also experienced my first trip to California, met and helped many new clients, and had some great visits and memories made with friends and family. I began my "60 by 60" list and made a lot of progress on it, although I need to become really intentional to hit #60 by my 60th birthday in April.

Just more to look forward to in this new year!

Before I get too far ahead of myself, there are some sweet!s since my last post that I want to remember…

My daughter-in-law knows how to celebrate her birthday. She hosts a birthday fiesta every year…

She knows how to throw a great party, while remaining very practical about the realities of parenthood!

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Florida…

So many sweet! moments in one short week. … Little C meeting his great-grandma Shallue for the first time … numerous cribbage battles and games of 3-13 … Little C 's first trip to the beach and to McGuires (where I had my first taste of shepherd's pie!) … finding exactly what I needed while exploring junk and antique shops with my sister-in-law … and lots of down time, just hanging out and playing with the baby.

Speaking of babies… my oldest turned 33 in December…

I was already proud of the man he has grown into, but watching him in his role as father just makes my heart soar.

(But seriously … wasn't this just yesterday?)

Babysitting this precious baby boy is a joy I can't explain …

We read good books and have some great conversations!

The real estate business is still hot in the Austin area and I'm grateful for all of my clients. I had several closings since my last post, including the first unit to close in the new 5th & West hi-rise complex.

Closings always land on the sweet! list…

Mozart's Christmas Light Show has become an Austin tradition and I finally experienced it. Having my son go with me made it extra sweet! (So did the coffee and the hot chocolate! It was a cold night!)

My word for 2019 is Joy, so I need to find a headband like my friend Ellie wore to this fun party…

It finally hit me that my aching back was probably related to my old, worn-out running shoes, so I treated myself to a new pair. I continue to find at least one heart rock almost every day, and I'm so pleased by how many of my friends are spotting hearts everywhere now, too, and sharing them with me …

Little C celebrated Christmas in Colorado with his parents and his other grandmother, but we were lucky to have his sister with us. She's around 12, but thanks to special food and medicine, she is so energetic and puppy-like again. She and Belle had a great time running, hunting, and just being good country guard dogs.

Cold mornings like this one where the mist from Lake Travis pools in the hollows of the hills and the light is golden are my favorites. I was grateful she could run up the hill again so we didn't miss it.

The passing of one of my favorite high school teachers, who had become a lifelong friend, was bittersweet. I'm grateful I stopped by to visit him last April on a visit to Houston.

I couldn't go to the service, but a friend who did shared this with me. I think it's worth remembering and sharing…

Celebrating a friend's 60th birthday included a chance to catch up with these beautiful friends I've known since high school. I find it odd and wonderful that we are so close now, and seem to grow closer every year, when in high school we barely knew each other. I regret that it took us so long!

I've made a couple of quick trips to Houston in the past month to spend the night with my sister. It's been fun just watching movies and reminiscing. Her memory is so much better than mine!

Over the Christmas season I watched "Elf" three times! First while decorating my tree, then on one of the visits with my sister, and again at an Alamo Drafthouse movie party with the rest of our market center's Agent Leadership Council (my first movie party!)

My accountability group got together one Friday night with glue, scissors, poster board, a stack of magazines, and a couple of bottles of wine to create our 2019 Vision Boards. That's the way to do it! It's the first vision board I've ever completed. Have you ever created one?

I just happened to glance out the window one morning in time to spot a flock of Cedar Waxwings fly in formation into the hollow and settle in our willow trees. Belle and I ventured closer and I snapped photos with my Nikon… but alas, they are still in my camera. But it was the experience that was sweetest… stepping out of my morning routine to stand there in the quiet with Belle, admiring God's handiwork.

My hours of driving feel much more productive since I discovered Audible. I loved listening to Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich, and its more modern, funny version, You Are a Badass at Making Money, by Jen Sincero.

December brought me one last reminder of my awesome Italy Trip of 2017 with dear high school friends. I'll miss it in 2019!

The sun has long set as I finish this. Fireworks boom from the hills around our house, making Belle nervous. I'm sure when Little C gets a little older, Tom will once again put on a fireworks show, but tonight we're happy to stay inside, watching television, reminiscing over the past year, and waiting for the ball to drop so we can call it a night… and a year.

I wish for all of you a blessed 2019, full of love, laughter, and joy. Happy New Year!

Lord, as the New Year dawns today,
Help me to put my faults away.
Let me be big in little things;
Grant me the joy which friendship brings;
Keep me from selfishness and spite,
Let me be wise to what is right.
A Happy New Year! grant that I
May cause no tear to any eye.
When this new year in time shall end,
Let it be said: "I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here
And made of it a happy year."

~Edgar Guest (1881–1959), "Prayer for the New Year"

recent posts

about