Five Reasons I love the city I live in!

As I was driving through the city of Highland Village, Texas, I started thinking how much I love the area that I live and work in. It's easy to be thankful for all we have this time of year but when there are so many daily reminders, I started thinking about all the reasons I love where I live!

1. It's hard not to find Santa at every turn, at every event and causing kids to be panicked and frantic just at the mention of his name. We have seen Santa six times and it hasn't gotten any easier for my 16 month old (pictured here). This was a morning with Santa at the local paint-your-own-pottery store, Color Me Mine. Each kid painted a mug or plate complete with story time with Santa.

2. After a few years off, the city fire department started back with their tradition of Santa riding on the fire truck through the streets of Highland Village. Sirens blaring, lights a gazing, and Santa on top of the truck waving and ho-ho-hoing. Such a fun night!

3. On a walk the other day, my daughter was riding her bide with recently removed training wheels on a street with a yet-to-be-completed housing development. I typically take my dog off the leash to run around and explore. I was just about to put her back on the leash when a police officer whipped around the corner. Uh-oh. He had a piece of paper out that I was sure to be a ticket. No, instead, he handed my daughter a coupon for a free kid's meal from Chick-fil-a and thanked her for wearing her helmet. I looked on the city website and found that the police department has actually partnered with local businesses to hand out free coupons to safe bike riders. Wow, what a great idea!

4. Over the past two years or so, I have really tried to shop local and pay more attention to stores, businesses and owners who live in my community. Our outdoor mall opened in November 2007 and this is the first year that I really spent a lot of time there. While I realize that the majority of the stores are nationally-known franchises, there are still owners and managers that live in this area. Plus, tax dollars are always helpful :) There are always great activities at The Shops and this time of year, we have "Our Village Glows". This is the time when the school choirs sing, cookie decorating happens and the enormous Christmas tree is lit for all to see. It's really a wonderful event and so much fun to celebrate the Christmas season and the holiday spirit!

5. For the past eight years, Highland Village has been named the "Safest City in North Texas". Quite an honor

Recycle Your Electronics and More This Weekend!

I just love these recycling events! We stack up more "useless" electronics and being the recycling family that we are, these items just can't be thrown away!

This Saturday, September 25 from 8 am-12 pm at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, TX, you can drop off more than just inoperative TV's and VCR's that you don't want.

Drop off is in front of the auditorium at the curb on the front side of the building. Here is a sample of things you can bring to recycle:

Office Equipment-Fax machines, typewriters, inkjet cartridges, printers, scanners, routers, shredders and copiers.

Multimedia-DVD and VHS movies (who doesn't have these!), CD's and audiobooks

Sporting Goods-Golf clubs and bags, (they can be broken, ha!) helmets, pads, baseball bats and gloves, hockey sticks, roller blades, basketball shoes

Home and Garden-Air purifiers, baby monitors, vacuum cleaners, power tools, sewing machines, medical equipment

ATV's-Dirt bikes, Go-Karts, 4 wheeler's, jet skis

Non-Fiction Books-cookbooks, craft books, textbooks

There's more on the list so feel free to contact me if you are curious if you can recycle something not on the list. These items can be in any condition!

Do your part and clean out your garage too!

Trends With Tricia-Kiddin' Around

Whether you need a sitter for an hour or three on "date night", Kiddin' Around drop in playcare in Highland Village is a great choice. With a great staff and very reasonable rates, you will love Kiddin' Around!

Two girls, a convertible and Taylor Swift

After five years in real estate, I couldn't imagine going back to work for someone else. It's a day like I had yesterday that reminds me of that.

I love Wednesdays because that is the day my son goes to the grandparents and I get a day to myself...until 3 pm. That's when my five year old gets off the kindergarten school bus and we get a little "girl time". It's great to be able to do my work before she gets home and then it's play time!

Side note...my parents just closed on a house close to us and decided to have a car shipped here to get a break on the insurance. We now have the little Lexus convertible for the next three months. We "have to" drive it once a week to keep from draining the battery.

Trinity asked if we could take the convertible. Good idea I thought despite the torrential rain we had earlier in the day and no baby brother. I loaded up her booster seat in the back and with the top down, we were ready to roll.

"Turn up the music Mom!" she requests. This is the same girl who wanted to go faster on the wave runner. If this is any indication into what the teenage years are going to be like, I am in trouble!

After showing two houses, we went to get her a new pair of shoes and then to a movie. After the movie let out, it was a beautiful evening so the top goes down again. She has a friend who loves Taylor Swift and Trinity has been hammering me to turn on "She wears high heels" for months. I don't have on demand in my car nor did I buy the song on iTunes.

So you can imagine my delight when THAT song came on while on our drive home! Singing the song, wind blowing through our hair, arms in the air. In 10 years we won't remember the shoes that were bought or the movie we saw, but I guarantee we will have fond memories of that time we heard Taylor Swift in Ama's convertible.

Trends With Tricia-Gary Charlton Motors

For most people, buying or selling a car is about as fun as getting a root canal. Gary Charlton Motors is your hometown, independent car dealership creating a stress-free, fast and easy buying experience. If you're in the market for a used car, need repairs on your current car or you want a trusted professional to sell your car, give Gary Charlton a call. He's a trusted friend and business associate!

Brilliant Sky Toys and Books

Brilliant Sky Toys and Books is a fun and innovative specialty toy store in Highland Village, TX. The store is filled with bright colors, kid-friendly displays and unique toys. They have events the whole family will enjoy throughout the year. Stop by and pick up some classic toys, things with four wheels, or characters that make your collection!

FM2499 is partially open through Highland Village

It's the day Highland Village residents have dreaded/waited for for years.

I received the following email today from Jo Lynn Tefft, the Castlewood Community Manager.

TXDOT has opened part of FM2499 from Orchard Hill south. The Castlewood back entrance/exit (Castlewood Blvd/Northwood & FM2499) is open. Please be aware that this is a two-way stop; the cross traffic on FM2499 does not stop. At our main entrance (Castlewood Blvd/Highland Shores Blvd & FM2499) there is currently a four-way stop. However, several times today, vehicles did not stop going southbound on FM2499 through the intersection. Please use caution at both intersections.

We have enjoyed many family walks on the deserted bridge but I guess that is coming to an end. Drive safe everyone!