Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Saturday, April 25, 2009

More from Texas


Today I will share with you more from our 'interesting' visit to Texas. First, since some of you asked, I will show you some photos of my son's beautiful home in Seabrook, TX. This son (age 39) is in the home-building business ---and with the help of his company, Mark built their new home. They moved in a little over a year ago and the home is truly a dream-come-true for them. Above is a picture of their swimming pool which takes up most of the back yard. See the little round pool in the middle??? That is a hot-tub---which George and I always enjoy!!!! Below are more pictures.




Their home is an 'open' floor plan --with a large living, dining, office and kitchen area downstairs. Upstairs are 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a recreation room. This picture was taken from the kitchen area --looking toward the front door. You can also see a small part of the upstairs and staircase. The staircase and the upstairs is carpeted, and the downstairs is tiled. You can see their doggie, Annie, in this picture.




This picture was taken from upstairs looking down toward the living room and kitchen area.




This is the front of the house.. See that basketball goal near the garage????? WELL---in the bad storm on April 18 (when we were there), the goal fell on their two vehicles (van and truck). It put a dent in their van. The storm was strong enough to break the bungee cords which were attached to the concrete --holding the goal up!!!!! We had some really strong winds (and flooding) that afternoon. George had to move our Prius out of the street --onto the driveway due to street flooding. Scary!!!




Speaking of that storm on April 18th when we were in Texas, WELL----look at their heavy propane grill... The winds were strong enough to turn that heavy grill over. It's so heavy that it takes two people to lift it..... Mercy Me!!!!!



This storm hit their area with NO warnings... If we had have known that there were tornados and heavy winds around, we could have picked up all of the lawn furniture. We stood inside their home---watching the lawn furniture go flying all over the yard. This one chair propelled RIGHT through their wooden fence, putting a hole in the wood. Can you believe it?????




On a gorgeous Sunday (following the storm on Saturday), Mark drove us all around the Galveston Bay area --showing us the damage STILL left from Hurricane Ike (which devastated that area last September). When I saw that pile of rubble, I almost cried---thinking that this was someone's LIFE before Ike hit!




This is the area along Galveston Bay south of Seabrook, TX.. Mark and Lara live 'inland'--so luckily, they didn't have any damage much. But--all of the homes near the bay had total devastation. Only the people with MONEY have rebuilt... Many folks have just walked away and left everything. It's just so sad!




This is a typical house --near Galveston Bay in the community of San Leon. This damage is typical of what most of the homes look like. As I said, many people just left. Others are living on their property in RV's. They seem to be trying to renovate and rebuild as they can. The homes on the water are more expensive homes ---but the homes near, but not on the water are more modest homes. There are many shrimpers in that area. Even the homes built on several levels not only had water damage, but also had lots of wind damage.




Some people just totally cleared their lots---and all we could see was a slab and maybe a driveway or sidewalk. After leaving the San Leon area, we drove down to Galveston. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Galveston is coming back nicely. The strand area (which had 7 or 8 feet of water) is beginning to come back. They have brought in new sand for the beach areas --and the businesses along the seawall are thriving. There's still alot to be done --especially on the back streets where there is so much damage to many of the older homes. But---Galveston WILL come back!!!! That is the good news...




I don't want you to think that Texas is all about storms.. I lived there for 12 years --and we never had storms like these... It's a gorgeous state and area (southeast of Houston) ---and my kids love it down there. Here's one last picture of my son and his sweet little family...

Hugs,

P.S. We drove to Hendersonville yesterday to check on George's Mom and Dad. They still seem to be doing well in their home, despite the fact that both of them have macular degeneration. Mom will be 89 in May and Dad will be 97 in August... Neither of them take ANY prescription drugs. Amazing, isn't it?????

45 comments:

EG CameraGirl said...

Horrendous damage! EW! But I don't understand why people would rebuild there when with Global Warming the forecast is for many more storms like that. The ocean view is not worth it...at least not for me. ;-)

Arkansas Patti said...

Beautiful house your son built. I hope this recession and the building slow down, is not affecting them. I would definately spend too much time in the pool.
Such damage from Ike. The news reporters always cover the storms, but then leave. The clean up an rebuilding can take years but is not news worthy.
Living in Florida most of my life makes me aware what goes on "after."
Glad no one was hurt from your storm

Pigeon said...

Your son's home is so beautiful. I have been house shopping with my 24 year old son lately. He's ready to purchase a starter home. It's sad to see the devastation that hurricanes bring. Lets hope for a calm season.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: You did hit the bad weather on you Texas trip. I'm glad you and your car were safe. That area of Texas doesn't take the water away very well. Thanks for the photos of Galveston, it is still a mess.

Unknown said...

Beautiful home, they should be very proud! We are familiar with hurricane damage in FL...

Small City Scenes said...

Your son's and family home is--WOW!! I bet you are proud of them.
And the storm damage from Ike is something I guess the media has forgotten. It is very sad for the homeowners.

I am glad the Elders are doing fine. My Mother at 93 says she is ready to move closer to me but loves living on the island, so it will be hard for her. MB

Carol Murdock said...

Betsy....your son's home is beautiful it reminds me of "the girl's". Her husband is a commercial contracter and his crew built their's too! That Ike was something.We had family from New Orleans here because it was first thought to be headed for New Orleans!

Mandy said...

Your son has a beautiful home!

Amazing pictures of the storm damage - the wind can be so powerful.

Glad your husband's parents are doing well. We go to Hendersonville pretty often!

Mandy

Cedar ... said...

So fortunate that in this downturn in economic times that your son can have such a wonderful home. And that he had a company to help him with it. So many are sadly being foreclosed and losing much smaller homes. I hope he and lovely family continue in prosperity! I would never own property in a hurricane area. After Ivan in Alabama and Katrina along AL/MS and LA,... and seeing your pics of this hurricane damage I would have a motor home or 5th wheel and haul ass outa there when a warning was given!

SmilingSally said...

Your son has a gorgeous home.

Wherever we live, there's a potential for bad weather.

I'm glad George's parents are doing well and that you guys visit them. I'm sure you make them feel loved.

Mary said...

Their house is beautfiul and that hottub would feel mighty good! The storm damage is heart breaking. How do you start over after something like that?

T said...

The home your son built is just beautiful and so is his family - you are a lucky grandma!

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a beautiful home and family that your son has. You must be very proud of them.
Sad to see the mess down there still from the hurricane...yikes.

Glad Georges parents are doing well, I bet they love your visits.

jlshall said...

Betsy, your son's home is lovely. I can see why it's a "dream come true." But those photos of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike are pretty scary. That part of Texas is always getting hit. One of the things I've always regretted about my home state is that some of the most attractive places to live can have the worst weather!

Rose said...

Your son's home is really beautiful!

That storm would have been one I didn't want to witness!

I Am Woody said...

Your son's home is beautiful. I believe I could park myself by that pool for the rest of my days!!

All the hurricane damage is heart-breaking. My cousin lives in Biloxi and suffered a total loss from Katrina. He lived in a camper on his property until last August when his home repair was finally completed.

It is just so sad. So many thought they were covered by their insurance because they purchased an expensive hurricane rider. And then the insurance companies said they weren't going to cover damage caused by the storm surge because it was flood damage. So sad!

dot said...

Nice post Betsy. I really enjoyed all those pictures. Your son's home is really beautiful. A mansion in my opinion!

Deborah Godin said...

Wow, you weren't kidding! that is incredible damage. Glad you are all safe! It's a gorgeous house, love the colors!

Femin Susan said...

i say your son has a very beautiful home. His family is lovable lucky Grandma..you are.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Fascinating, and saddening, photos of the Galveston area, Betsy. Those of us who don't live "on the water" need to be reminded that the location comes with a price.

I know you are happy for your son and his family to have such a lovely home. They were fortunate to weather the storm with only a broken fence board and a dent in the car. Mother Nature can be so destructive.

Aleta said...

What a beautiful home your son has, Betsy!
Those winds must have been really scarey! I'm glad you or your family weren't hurt.
It is sad to see the destruction in Galveston. I feel bad for the people who lived there in those demolished homes. It is amazing what weather can do!

Loran said...

Wow, your son is an excellent builder. That home is beautiful. And they are lucky it is still intact. My cousin who lives in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area got hit with a tornado a year ago. They had to level the house and start over. They had good insurance. It's sad to think people just had to walk away from their homes and start over.

Tootie said...

Betsy your family looks so nice. I can tell by looking at the girls, that they must be good athletes; and they're so pretty too! Their home is beautiful and I love that pool! Happy to hear George's parents are doing well. They're amazing.

Karin said...

So glad your folk are fine! It is amazing that they are without any medication!

Your photos are like a journal! The damage by the storms is heartbreaking.

Love your son's house!! Gorgeous indeed!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Your son and family have a beautiful home !
Looks like you had a wonderful time, despite the bad weather.
That's still an awful lot of damage at Galveston Bay, it will take years to reconstruct.
Great photos Betsy, what a lovely family!

Michele said...

Gosh, it's really so sad to see such devastation produced by nature, isn't it? It takes a long time to fix it up and even then, the emotional scars take even a longer time...

Your son has such a beautiful home... to me it is a mansion compared to my 600 square foot living space.

I am glad that George's parents are well and I admire the fact that they are living life to the fullest without any need for prescriptions! That is really awesome!

Hugs♥

Diane said...

Your son's home is very beautiful. I bet you enjoyed it. The pictures from the storm are ghastly! How do people recover from this stuff?

Anonymous said...

You really did have some storms there, Betsy. I love your son's new home. Sorry the wind knocked the basketball thing onto two vehicles. I have been to El Campo, Texas, as my mom used to live there before she passed away. El Campo downtown was like what I imagined an early western town must have looked like.

Many years before that, about 1952, I sold pots and pans from door to door in Houston and there was only one long main street into town from the edge of town to downtown. And only a few stores downtown then. Nothing big at all.

Janie said...

Your son has a beautiful home and a beautiful family.
glad the storms while you were there didn't cause any serious damage.
Such a shame about Galveston and the people who lost their homes.
Still busy with projects around here. I guess that's what spring is for, bringing that beautification enthusiasm.

Shelley said...

Betsy - sad to see all that storm damage! Poor people! Thank you for sharing those photos - really makes me heart go out to them.
Your son's home is beautiful! I love open floors plans! I find it more family friendly! :)
And George's parents are AMAZING as well as an inspiration!
hugs!
Shelley

Jane said...

That's a beautiful home! Glad you guys had a good time, despite the horrendous storms. I'm glad that George's parents are in such good health. Taking a lot of Rx is not the key to wellness as a general rule!

Jane

Joy said...

Hi Betsy, I'm stopping by for the first time. I saw you mention Texas in a comment on someone elses blog. We live just north of Houston, so not too far from your son and his beautiful family. I have two girls too. Their home is lovely. That was some scary weather we had that day, but it looks like it was worse where you were than for us. I haven't been to Galveston since Ike. Your pictures make me sad to see the devastation.

Joy

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Thanks for the lovely tour of your son's home.It is indeed very beautiful,and they look like a happy family.The destruction on Galvaston is so sad.
Blessings,Ruth

Diane AZ said...

Hi, your son's home is gorgeous. Having carpet upstairs and tile downstairs sounds like a great idea. The picture of damage in Galveston with the green tree standing up in the middle of it all is really something!

Kim said...

I am glad to see your inlaws are doing well. It is absolutely amazing they are still not on any prescriptions and still in fairly good health.

I love the open floor plan your son has!

Joyce said...

Your sons home is gorgeous and that hot tub sounds like fun. The BBQ blown over by the winds and the chair were scary. The hurricane damage is terrible and so sad for all involved. I am sure in today's economy it is not easy for people to go back and rebuild now. Now parents not taking any prescription drugs just may be the key to long life. God bless them!
Joyce

Betty said...

Hi Betsy,

Your son has a beautiful home. I'm just glad there was no more damage done than there was. They were blessed.

The picture of their living room looking into the kitchen reminds me of my stepdaughter's living room and kitchen. Lovely.

Rosa said...

Those storms are so scary! Wow. (The house is beautiful!) Aw, so nice to hear George's parents are doing well. That is so rare these days. God bless 'em.

Rebecca said...

Beautiful home he built!! Those storms can be so scary. Thanks for sharing!

Hugs and Blessings,
Rebecca

Anonymous said...

Having internet problems today and I am late to comment on yours. Your son's home is lovely and such a beautiful back yard area. It's sad to see lives torn apart by the storms, isn't it? I hope you and George have a wonderful Sunday.

Cicero Sings said...

A very lovely home and nice looking family! Amazing to see the damage. So hard for the people who have lost their nest egg.

Anonymous said...

You son's home is absolutely gorgeous & I love the pool & the open floor plan! We're the same age, too. I just turned 39!
Those winds were really strong - it's amazing too, because my mom & I were just talking the other day about how the winds here in SE Mo have gotten stronger this past year. We've never had winds like we've been having.
I can't imagine what those people have had to go through after hurricane Ike and to just have to walk away? Dear GOD in Heaven - I actually have wind damage to my fence & mailbox from a tree that blew down when hurricane Ike blew all the way up here! No lie either, of course, it wasn't a hurricane this far inland, but we had 60-70 mile an hour winds. Neither of my parents or grandparents could remember a time in the past when a hurricane blew this far inland. The weather is really getting out of hand.

Great family photo & I'm so glad you guys got to go down & see them!

Anonymous said...

I meant to type YOUR son's home - in the comment above. Typo mistake!

RA said...

Very beautiful home! I love the design. I can see from your photos that the storm must have been terrifying. I'm glad to know that you and your family are alright.

Those are very heartbreaking photos after the Ike hurricane. So many life have been shattered. I hope these people can find a place to start brand new.

Have a great week, Betsy. Hugs from Indonesia :)

Connie said...

Storms are so scary and can cause so much damage. Some of those pictures are just so heartbreaking.

Enjoyed the tour of your son's beautiful home! :)