Just because Jason is a highly successful Real Estate broker in Austin, TX, one of the top-notch bloggers
on Active Rain with a huge following, (I know he managed to post 10 blogs on AR during the party...but I can't prove it, yet!) plus it also happened to be the day before his 38thbirthday, but that does not give him the right to rob me (Liz Carter, Real Estate broker in Katy, TX, (and not one of the top bloggers on Active Rain) of a month of my precious time. I inflicted severe mental anguish on myself during this time also. I mean who does Jason think he is? Jason is a big hearted bear of a man, with a quick & remarkable sense of humor, an avid reader and blogger of quality post, kind, good natured, willing to help everyone, faithful servant, honest, caring and so much more. Jason is a good man, a loving son, husband, father (of soon to be four great kids) and my friend. So I forgive myself for going so NUTS on this "Slide Show"...you deserved better though...oops I forgot, I forgive myself.
However I felt I had to bring to your attention the "dark side of Jason", he gets to know people, really know them so you are at his mercy. He cares and gives so much that you want to return the favor. We met on Active Rain, and we got to know one another, so he knows my strengths and weaknesses
and can use me with his clever ways. So I have spent the last month, and untold hours trying to make a presentable slide show of the Active Rain gathering/Birthday Party he so graciously arranged, hosted and paid for in August at the County Line restaurant in Austin TX. It was a big hit, TX Bloggers, friends,some special clients & his family were on hand. See Jason knows I'm compulsive, obsessive, over the top, out of control, type AAA personality, and I HAD to make a GREAT slide show of our Austin get together for him.
After putting together at least two dozen slide shows in different programs I have managed to turn out a less than"GREAT" slide show. It is passable at best and might be the worst one I've ever done, although some of the captions. are pretty funny. table all by himself :) AT LAST, my mediocre attempt at creating something very special for, My Special Friend Jason Crouch.
I hope you enjoyed it, and please NO COMMENTS on the misspelled words in the captions...I know they are there, OK! Laugh & Enjoy. It has been brutal for me, but I'll spare you the gory details...unless you really want to hear some funny, dumb things I did during this "slide show fiasco". The picture of lady on road is kinda how I felt after attempting 10-12 Maybe I'll do a post on it later...much latter :-)
PS...A FEW OTHER FACTORS (besides my inept computer skills, and obsessive need to have it perfect), FOR THE DELAY OF THIS POST; Hurricane Ike decided to pay us on the Gulf Coast at Galveston a little visit, Houston, Katy, & Spring all get the brunt of storms in our area. We had over TWO MILLION+ PEOPLE WITHOUT POWER for weeks, and some still have none! Then some very nasty little devil bacteria bugs decided to make my lungs there permanent residence. They moved in 3 ½ weeks ago, and for the last week have been here at the hospital with me. They must really like me, the doctors at St. Luke's in the Medical Center of Houston (one of the finest in the world), have been hitting them with everything short of a nuke bomb (I nixed that idea). I'm hoping to get sprung tomorrow or the next day, and they are not coming back to my home with me! There is just not enough room in there for me and all of them, they are nasty roommates plus they have NOT PAID ANY RENT...so they're outta here by gosh. UPDATE; i JUST GOT SPRUNG...at home, yes it feels great! I've really missed Active Rain, and my friends here.
Jason, my friend you are the best and congratulations to you and Pam on the upcoming birth of your 4th child, Liz
Another glitch posting....I get not ever get the spacing on my embedded code sized to put the slide show where I wanted it (PAR FOR THE COURSE ON THIS PROJECT :), so HERE IT IS AT LAST!
Cinco Ranch Ladies Club introduces its 2008-2009 board
2008/09 CRLC Board Members
Missing From Photo... Melvin Townsend; Advertising, Hilary Sellars; Activities and Linda Johnson, VP of Programs,
Left to Right, Susie Stamm; Secretary, Carol Ann Hamm; Parliamentarian, Cheryl Castagno; Publications, Sarah Rothbauer; Treasurer, Robin Garcia; VP of Socials, Yudith Videos; Membership, Pam Rapp; President
These wonderful ladies work very hard all you to make sure YOU have fun and feel welcomed with open arms

The Cinco Ranch Ladies Club Hold Annual RUSH Night on August 26, 2008 at the Golf Club at Cinco Ranch
Highlights from Rush Night which is held each August to kick off the year
The ladies all enjoyed Ice Cream Social & Cupcakes , Baskin Robbins on Mason Rd & Cupcakes provided by Cupcake Central. They especially enjoyed the "Pink Limo" that was a blast to get in and take pictures, this is a locally owned limo by two ladies who live right here in Katy. You can contact them for rental information at http://prettypinklimos.com/home.html, this was a hoot for everyone! The ladies all enjoyed visiting all the club tables that were available for them to visit and join for the upcoming year. They were able to sign-up for the Movie Club, Bible Study, Creative Kitchen, Wine Club, Parents Club, Quilting Club and many more. We also had on had the Make a Wish Foundation to talk with the ladies about the upcoming golf outing that will be held at the Golf Club at Cinco Ranch on October 3, 2008, they are looking for players and sponsorships to help support the Make a Wish Foundation.
They also had on had members from Carries Heart there to speak about the upcoming Halloween event that will take place on October 31st at La Cantera the Cinco Ranch Ladies Club will partner to offer a "Fun House". They also had on hand from Special Pals to talk about the event that will take place at the LaCenterra that the Ladies Club will partner with to offer a Mardi Gras party this year to benefit the animals. They also had members from the Susan G. Komen organization to speak about the spring walk/run that the Cinco Ranch Ladies Club will we working on with them for April 09'.
The Cinco Ranch Ladies Club is also planning a "Rock the Runway" to benefit Brain Cancer Luncheon for Saturday, November 6, 2008 at Pine Forest Country Club to help benefit one of Katy's very own families
the "Baker Family" the fashions will be provided by J. Barton & Joseph A. Banks. They are also working on many fun activities for their regular monthly meetings at the Golf Club at Cinco Ranch that meets on the last Tuesday, of the month at 7:00 p.m. for socializing and 7:30 p.m. for their meeting. They have planned for this month September 30than indulgence night for the ladies.
If you would like more information on joining the Cinco Ranch Ladies Club please contact Membership Director 'Yudith Videos' at yrvides@comcast.net or for Sponsorship or Advertising Information: Contact: President, Pamela Rapp at pam@ido-weddings.com
Planned for our General Meeting September 29th - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! Join us for an exciting, fun filled event as we celebrate INDULGENCE NIGHT! We have on tap indulgence stations, something for everyone! A spa station, personal trainer, Bath Junkie, a chocolate vendor, airbrush makeup artist, chocolate fountain vendor and many more surprises.
Planed for October 27th - Back by popular demand...............The Firemen! Of course, this is all for a good cause the calendars will be on sale to benefit the burned and crippled children. In addition we will be having a self-defense demonstration for all the ladies. We should all know how to protect and defend ourselves, this is a valuable tool, let's all learn together! We can't wait for the rest of the year and we are so excited to see so many new faces!
As a charter member of CRLC I would also be happy to assist you with information about this great, active ladies club...don't let the ladies part turn you off since we are a very relaxed, close, fun, spirited group. One of the reasons we have been so successful. You can come to the meetings in anything from jeans to a business suit if you are coming straight from work. I was also the historian for 10+ years, served on the board many times, and am a past president of the Cinco Ranch Ladies Club. You can contact me, Liz Carter, via my web site www.lizcarter.com, or my cell is 713-824-9044. Of course you can also reach me via my blog site, www.activerain.com/blogs/carterhomes.
As a local Realtor in this area since 1978 and living in Cinco Ranch since it was first started in 1990, the
CRLC has been a strong selling feature to many of my clients buying a home in Cinco Ranch. You can meet people of any age group at the club and form an instant support group and friends. Moving from within the Katy area or from around the world, CRLC is the perfect spot to make you feel right at home.
Look forward to hearing from anyone interested in the Cinco Ranch Ladies Club and to meeting you, Liz Carter

"Your Real Estate Resource For Life"
1-800-7834041 or 281-391-SOLD (7653)
Trust your Cinco Ranch home buying or home selling to the most experienced Realtor in Katy, TX! 32 years selling real estate in the greater Houston-Katy TX areas. We listen, we care,we're friendly, we are family, and we know the market and can give you the best advice in the industry!
The Texas Real Estate group proudly announces the Active Rain WINNERS of our recent contest, "Beat
the Heat"! This was our contest for August when the temperatures in Texas are blistering red-hot. Combined with the humidity the 100+ temperatures are oppressive and all you seek is a place to BEST THE HEAT AND COOL OFF.
We had a great turn out and all of the post entered helped cool you down just looking at the beautiful pictures OF SOME OF THE MOST PRISTINE, SCENIC & FUN places to go in Texas, anytime of the year! It's also a great list of places to direct you clients, friends and family to. There are some of the most top picturesque places in Texas in these posts. (Idea; Contact your data base with the list & a map of these great Texas places and attractions...they will love you for it, and hopefully a referral too).
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Fist Place Winner (1,000 points) Russell Lewis for, beat the heat: Barton Springs Eternal! -
It is 102 degrees, the middle of August in Austin, Texas and IT IS HOT! I feel the sweat dripping down the small of my back as I step across the concrete to the edge of the pool. Looking back, I see my friend kicking off his sandals and re
alize he...
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Second Place Winner (750 points) Crystal Ledbetter for, beat the heat: Beat the Heat At SplashTown
Spring, Texas - One of our family favorite places to beat the summer heat in Houston is SplashTown USA!Located off I-45 and 2920 it is a summer fun destination since the 1980's. SplashTown offers fun in the sun with lots of water activities. As you approach the palm
tree-lined entrance you escape to...
SPLASH TOWN WATER SLIDE
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Third Place Winner (500 points) Karen Staha for, beat the heat: Golf, Fish, Beach, Shop, Dine - All in One
Texas Place! - Looking for a place to beat the heat on a hot Texas summer day? A true island paradise in Port Aransas, Texas is the perfect place. Located on Mustang Island off the Texas Gulf coast and surrounded by bodies of water, Port Aransas boa
sts over 18 miles of beaches. (Yes, we ...
Very cleaver idea Karen :-)>>>>>>>>
foot prints in the sand
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Honorable Mention (200 points)
Steve Homer for, beat the heat: Where to "Beat The Heat" All Over the Great State of Texas! - OK so I must confess - I have a HORRIBLE sweet tooth that takes over especially in the summer heat here in Texas. So as I read through the other entries I saw: pools, rivers, lakes... Yea
yea yea... OK so everyone likes the water, but where do we go ...
Steve took us for ice cream...how cool is that!
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All Entries (200 points)
Ricki Eichler The beautiful Texas Hill Country offers many wonderful places to "Beat the Heat". Here are
a few pictures of my favorite places along the Frio River
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Lynn911.com : Beat the heat, Lake Cypress Springs TX, located piney woods of East Texas experience any |
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- NOTE;You may enter as many times as you want, which increases your odds of winning, however you only receive the extra 200 points one time. Lynn had four entries, so be sure and check them all out. Lara O'Keefe , beat the heat: McKinney, Beat the Heat, Golden Retriever Misting System
Lorrie Semler, beat the heat: Beat the Heat in Addison Texas - Beat the Heat in Addison, Texas! Sherry Scales, beat the heat: Austin,Beat the Heat,at Barton Springs - Forget about the best swimming spot in Austin. Barton Springs may be the best swimming spot on Earth. Clear and icy and teeming with life, this 1,100 ft long spring-fed pool is one of the largest non-chlorinated swimming pools in the country. Average flow is 27,000,000 per day. Trey Thurmond, beat the heat: Remember Our Wildlife and Pets Get Hot too! Take Care of Them. - As I was pondering what to write about on cooling off and beating the heat in Texas...it dawned on me that wildlife and pets really have it tough! We have had some days at 105 degrees already this summer and with high humidity. Not many animals have the luxury of being able |
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Cheri' Smith, beat the heat: Beat the heat at "ITZ" in Houston - There are many places to beat the heat in Texas. Most of them are water related. There are times however when you are tired of (or it's raining) the water parks , lakes and rivers and just want to have fun indoors. About 10 minutes south of Tomball on 249, conveniently located ... Announcement of upcoming contest from Liz Carter beat the heat: The best place in Texas to "Beat the Heat" contest for August of course :) - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Be sure and watch fr the next contest announcement + please LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR GROUP HAVE A CONTEST ON? Liz ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
Thanks to all of you for entering such excellent post for this contest, with this group it is always very hard to pick the WINNERS, since all are top quality. Let me know what contest you would like to see for the fall? Each time a contest is planned I have a post at the top of our Texas Real Estate group where the all the featured posts are with complete details, so be sure and keep a watch out.
A very special thanks to Bob Stewart for all his help, support, and magic points' wand. He get the points
out to the WINNERS very quickly...Bob you rock and we love you man!
There was a bit of delay in the judging due to illness and Hurricane Ike, thanks to every one for their patient understanding Texas Real Estate group is a very special group of great bloggers and friends. Since I adopted the group in Feb. 2008...
...we have grown to 423 members and we are IN THE TOP 25 MOST ACTIVE GROUPS ON ACTIVE RAIN...OUT OF 4585 groups we are #22. Please come join us, we would love to have you, Liz.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS

Stay COOL, healthy & happy! Liz
Texas Active Rain members are a very friendly group of bloggers, and must really like each other and getting together...This was our second gathering in just five months!

In May Ricki Eichler hosted our gathering in Bandera TX, which was my first chance to
meet the REAL people behind my computer screen. Recently Jason Crouch hosted our second gathering this year in Austin TX, at the County Line restaurant. Both meeting places just happened to be in the gorgeous Hill Country part of TX, one of the gems of our great state. Jason not only organized the whole affair in Austin, he also paid for everything. It was a combination networking of Jason's Active Rain friends, but also a celebration of his 38th birthday, which was the next day. Jason also invited some of his friends from Church, and his community. His beautiful wife, mom and kids were also there.
The County Line restaurant is right on part of Lake Austin, it was an idyllic setting, with large outdoor decks and a big grassy area going right up to the water. The Country Line is famous for its BBQ, and all of their bragging rights are dead on...it was delicious! Ribs, chicken, cowl slaw, potato salad, homemade bread, yummy soul food. Judi Morgan coordinated having two cakes brought for Jason, one a TX theme, and one a Power Ranger theme (we all know Jason is a big kid at heart), he did restrain himself from jumping up in the air with his new toys. The one Chocolate, one Vanilla cakes were served up with homemade vanilla ice cream made by the Country Line. I happened to catch a few belts being let out...discretely :-).





Active Rain Ambassador Tom Plant flew in again from CA, I guess he likes us; he was at our Bandera gathering also. This time Tom was accompanied by his Sweet heart Laura. She is a delightful lady and we all enjoyed getting to meet her. Their wedding is planned for next year, so this time TX will have to go to CA. Lots of people came who I had not met before, which was another treat, as well as many from our first get together. Texans are truly one of the friendliest states, everyone just makes you feel like an old friend, and many of us are now.
Thank you Jason for a truly wonderful day, Bill and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. So did Mr. Rhett Butler, and I convinced Debra A. Brooks his kisses were sweeter (had a tooth pulled and teeth cleaned just for Deb), otherwise she had threatened "no loving". I would like to thank all my active rain friends for their support, and friendship, you guys mean the world to me. Liz
PS, slide show still working on...but it will be great if I can ever figure out how to work thesilly thing...anybody know about flash slide show maker??? Call me :-)...till then here are a couple more pictures of the great time we had...enjoy, L








The Cinco Ranch Ladies Club recently held it's July meeting with learning to "Zumba" dance. Taught by Judith Vidas our resident dance instructor and Membership Chairperson for the 2008-2009 season. It was a nice turnout since our regular programs do not start until August 26th, which is Rush Night. That begins our official year. Meeting are help the last Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Golf Club at Cinco Ranch located at the corner of Peek & Cinco Ranch Blvd.
The Cinco Ranch Ladies Club is one of the great things about buying a home in Cinco Ranch. If you are from the area or transferring in from around the world, it's the perfect place to make new friends and form instant support groups. There are groups and activities for all age ranges and interest, from Children's Play Groups to Poker. We also host several social activities during the year that include spouses. You can wear whatever you are comfortable in, from shorts to coming straight from work. The dues are only $25 a month, and we have a different speaker, or event for each month of the year. Starting this year you will have the option of receiving your monthly newsletter by e-mail or regular mail. So please consider this your personal invitation to come and join the Cinco Ranch Ladies Club.
I am a charter member and will be happy to answer any questions you might have. Below is the July invitation that has some additional details of what is new this year. You can reach me at www.lizcarter.com, or call my office, Liz Carter & Team Realty at 281-391-SOLD (7653). Look forward to seeing you at one of the meetings. Liz Carter
Photo from one of our meetings, For the love of art and chocolate, click on link below for more pictures from the Cinco Ranch Ladies Club.
Here is a link to other articles I've written about CRLC:
Art, Chocolate, Fine Wines = an irresistible trio! (Information about the Cinco Ranch Ladies Club)
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