George W. B. and I have a lot in common. Besides our shared interest in mountain biking, love for Texas and appreciation for Austin Tex-Mex, neither of us has been a part owner of a World Series-winning baseball team nor earned an “A” average at an Ivy League school. How about that!

Seriously, consider some other similarities (or sim-u-larities). Heck, we might be following each other:

1.    He lived in West Texas (Midland); I lived in West Texas (San Angelo).
2.    He has a ranch in Crawford; I used to live in a Waco and rode my bike out to Crawford.
3.    I went to UT; his daughter, Jenna, went to UT. I even was in attendance for the graduation ceremony in which she would have received her diploma (she opted to not attend the liberal arts ceremony).
4.    He’s moving to Dallas (Preston Hollow); I’m moving to Dallas (White Rock).

Just predicting the future on this last one, but considering he’s going to have some spare time …

5.    I work for neighborsgo; he’s going to be a prolific contributor to neighborsgo, writing about his transition back into Dallas, posting updates on his presidential library, following the live blogging about this season’s American Idol, uploading pictures of Barney and Miss Beazley, winning 2009’s “Hit Us with Your Best Shot” State Fair photo contest …

My open invitation: No pressure, Mr. President. I realize your return to Dallas is about a month away. No doubt you’ll probably have some boxes to pack and unpack first. That’s cool. I totally understand. Just cruise around the site a little, familiarize yourself with neighborsgo.com. When you’re ready to get started with neighborsgo, just give me a call (972-436-5551, ext. 2016), e-mail me, or just stop by the Lewisville office. I will be more than happy to walk you through the steps. I'll even make you a cool page topper for your blog!



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Full disclosure: I smoked for about 8 years, and I loved every puff (especially at bars with a beer and when it was chilly outside).

But I've been a non-smoker for about 6 years (great years, thank you very much). And I gotta say I am so pleased with the new smoking ordinances that came into effect throughout the area, and especially the changes at the Medical Center in Lewisville and throughout the town of Flower Mound. I am now more inclined to go to places like the Point After North. I hope Lewisville follows suit and bans smoking at clubs and restaurants, too. I like spots like Fox and Hound and Hat Trick's, but I would frequent them more often if they weren't so smoky.

What are your thoughts on the bans? Anyone out there kicking "butts" to the curb in the new year? Good for you, and good for your health.

Speaking of health, it's is a big part of what we're doing at neighborsgo this first month of 2009. In fact, we will have weekly Focus on Fitness features throughout January's editions and on the Web site. First up ...

HELPLESS HOUSEWIFE: Make it, keep it: Tips for healthy resolutions
WORKING WORKOUT: Tracy Knight's tips for the Helpless Housewife

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