From My Heart (or my blithering brain!)

My name is Sharon Starks and I'm pretty new here at Active Rain.  I'm a native Texan.  In fact, my Texas ancestry goes back 4 generations, to just after the Texas Revolution.  I was born and raised in Dallas and have thoroughly fallen in love with the northeastern section of the metroplex.  I jus...

Several years ago, I walked into the office of a fellow realtor and noticed a small desk plaque that changed my outlook on life.  It said:  "The self-proclaimed, urgent, or needless, things scream at us for immediate attention, while the truly important things lie quietly waiting to be done." (An...

These hot summer days are not actually for the dogs at all, especially here in North Texas.  Imagine a steamy tropical beach; the rays beating down, the heat rising from scorched sand.  Now imagine you enjoying it all in a fur coat that you can't take off!  Yikes!  Even though it looks like a cut...

 I just read an article by Liz Pulliam Weston about saving money and how to trick yourself to do it! I have to admit, it is the worst feeling in the world to get an unexpected windfall (whether big or small) and find it  has just seeped away slowly without making a sound or an impact.  I just HAT...

Royse City is just northeast of Rockwall on the edge of Rockwall countyBeautiful Southfork community welcomes you to this 3 bedroom/study/2 bath home with a gorgeous open floor plan & tile floors  and backsplash in kitchen and lots of upgrades. You will enjoy entertaining and the quiet nights tha...

Just across Lake Ray Hubbard, in Rowlett, you can find a spacious, immaculate 4 bedroom/2.5 bath home with a versatile floor plan. A growing family will love this home, with its huge kitchen and center island. The tiled kitchen opens into family room and includes a butler's pantry too! There are ...

Just north of Rockwall, on the banks of Lake Lavon, you can enjoy the lavish relaxation and peace of a small town in Texas, but near enough to the excitement of the metroplex to make daily trips if desired!  Located in Nevada, (pronounced with a long a in the middle when it's here in Texas!) the ...

Just east of Rockwall, in Royse City, this is a perfect home for a connection between the conveniences of the big city and the serenity of the country.  This 3 bedroom/3 bath home is filled with intriguing details, right down to the lead glass Texas star on the front door!  This 3,608 sq. ft. hom...

Located just across Lake Ray Hubbard, in Rowlett, this charming 3 bedroom/2 bath has a light and open floorplan - perfect for entertaining.  The large backyard begs for a child's swing set, or sculptured flower beds (your own personal haven!)  The location gives you the perfect blend of big city ...

After a cold, clammy winter and a dreary, soggy spring, it's easy to wonder what could possibly be a "con" of sunshine.  We yearn for it, feel liberated by it, and our bodies actually crave it to activate the production of vitamin D.  That's right, our bone builders need those rays of gold to get...