I Made the News

First, read the article in the Houston Chronicle:

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4480655

My husband, Jeffrey, is quoted earlier in the piece and I'm quoted later the the piece. We're part of a small neighborhood group fighting the TIRZ 17 to keep them from widening our little road. Currently just 2 lanes and only about 1/2 mile long, Bunker Hill (north of I-10) dead ends at Long Point. I just can't see any rational purpose in widening the road to 44 feet (they say it will be 2 lanes + a turn lane, but they're making it wide enough for 4 lanes). Since I live on the corner and they are planning to widen the cross street for a light, the road is coming closer to my house on 2 sides. I'm angry that a group of greedy developers -- who have our City Council Member, Toni Lawrence as their puppet AND have friends and family on the City Planning Commission -- can just come in and put a road outside my window.

It's not just my home . . . others who live on Bunker Hill and have driveways will be at risk when they leave their homes (including my 90 year old neighbor). The children at the elementary school will be in danger as they walk to and from school. More pollution. Cars driving faster on the wider lanes. Makes my blood pressure soar.

Well, read the article. There's so much more on the subject and, believe me, you'll hear more about it soon.

little house on the prairie

Paris and I have been reading Little House on the Prairie. Last night, Laura and Mary were afraid that Christmas wasn’t going to come because the creek had flooded and Santa wouldn’t be able to make it to their house according to Ma & Pa.

But, Mr. Edwards saves the day! He has to take off his clothes and in freezing weather -- this is December in Kansas -- wade across the chest-high creek to get to their house. He carries his clothes on his head and puts the dry garments on after crossing. He “met Santa” and brought the girls’ gifts: a candy cane, a tiny cake with white (!) sugar, THEIR VERY OWN TIN DRINKING CUP (previously they had shared one wooden cup) and, A PENNY each. The girls were awestruck! How could there ever be a better Christmas???

Wow! Makes you think... My kids got a 6' air hockey table and a BUNCH of other stuff last Christmas. Can’t even remember what else - probably lost, broken or forgotten by now anyway. We’re scaling back this year.

Our story will be Medium-Sized Old House on Bunker Hill. Santa will likely be blocked by the never-ending, very frustrating tangle of road construction in the area. But, Christmas will still come. After all, even in 2007, the very best present is the love we have for each other!

Old Dog, New Tricks!

After being away for many years, I’m back to MAC. And, man, is it great to be back! I don’t care if I never touch another PC again. The TV commercials are so right -- PC is a pudgy middle-aged guy; Mac is a young, hip dude. Everything is so easy. It works. So, I’ve made this huge commitment to publish a family website. I plan to put the web address at the bottom of our Christmas cards. So . . . if you’re here, then I guess I accomplished my goal!