Kara's Blog

THere are so many good writers out there in the rain - Brian asks a good question below!  Take a look at  his post :)  

I've taken a look at some of the other's favs (see the comments on Brians post) and have already added a some of them to my list!

Enjoy

I just wanted to take a minute to wish all of you a very Happy Easter.   Sometimes we get so busy with our lives that we don't take the time to stop and breathe, let alone catch up with our friends...    I'm blessed to have you all in my life - and I appreciate each and every one of you :)       Happy Easter to you and yours!

With Love,

Kara

...just won't cut it here.  The Masters Golf Tourney is here!!   and when I say 'here'.....I mean RIGHT HERE!  

Yes, y'all!!   For those of you who didn't know -  Augusta GA is right across the river (The Savannah River) from Aiken County, SC!   (about 17 miles between Augusta and Downtown Aiken)

Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta, Georgia.      

Did you know that The Masters is the ONLY MAJOR tournament played at the SAME course EVERY year?!   Yup :)   How 'bout that for a little bit of sports trivia!

Here are some pics of Augusta National:

It certainly is a beautiful time of year here in the Central Savannah River Area :)   The Dogwoods, Azaleas, Jasmine, Wisteria....and so many of the other flowering trees and shrubs are in bloom.   The flowery scents are carried in the breeze :) 

Check out these pics from around town:  (sorry - having some techinical difficulties...could only get the one pic to load --- I'll try to figure it out, lol)

Masters week is always alot of fun in Aiken :) Golfers on the courses....Pro's spotted at the local gyms...  Lots of visitors wandering throughout downtown - finding treasures in our local shoppes - enjoying the local cuisine.......  

FOR THOSE OF YOU IN TOWN FOR THE MASTERS --- HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO DO!!

Enjoy the tournament :)    Good luck to all the players -  I'd like to see Tiger or Mickelson get another Green Jacket- but I don't think it's gonna happen this year!     We'll see :)

Happy Easter everyone!

I know that sounds a little confusing -- but the Columbia Kennel Club (a member of the American Kennel Club) is hosting a show right here in Aiken!   New Location -  Indoor Show!! :)

Here's the scoop:

What:   Dog Show   (purebreds)

When:  April 18 & 19, 2009

Where:  Aiken Fairgrounds -  1566 Columbia Highway North - Aiken, SC

More Info:   http://www.columbiakennelclub.org/index.htm

Have fun at the show!

It's been a slow week next door - not much to report.    

The plumbers arrived and put their piping in place.  (sewer / water  and vent piping)

Yohe Plumbing is doing the job.   (Stan - JD and Jason)

Jason (or was it JD?) tells me that they won't be back now until the framing is complete -- then they will come back and extend the piping all the way up!

Paul and his crew are still working, too.  Right now they are compacting the dirt around the piping - then they will add about 4 inches of stone -- and then...... on to the Next step!!  Pouring the slab- Finally!!!

Don't forget - here is what they are building:

Give me a call for the details on these great downtown residential units!  Perfectly located :)

Talk to you soon !

In my opinion anyway!    I just love it - and it is the perfect size, too :)   And the price is right!

Right here in downtown Aiken (on Laurens Street, near the corner of Richland) is the Sweet Cow Creamery ---  better known for their ice cream --- but believe me, they make a fantastic bag lunch!  

Just take a look at the bag :

YES -  THAT SAYS $2.89! (add .50 for your drink!)  

I have tried them all - they are all great!!   Although, the pimento cheese sandwiches are my favorite, mmmm mmm mmm.   Soooo good :)

The weather is perfect for eating al fresco --   grab a table out front!

And when you are done with your bag lunch -  you can have some ice cream for dessert!!!

This is my favorite place for lunch!  It's quick - it's filling - and it's priced right! :)

Stop in and be sure to tell Lucy and Don that you read about them in my blog!

You may just see me there.      

What:         Aiken Spring Classic     

When:     April 15 - 26, 2009

                (April 15-19.  ASC Masters "AA")

               (April 22-26.  ASC Finale "AA")

Where:      Highfields Event Center      147 Warehouse Road, Aiken, SC 29801

More Info:       803.649.3505 phone.      803.649.3577 fax

                          on the web:  www.AikenSpringClassic.com       or email:   psjshows@aol.com

The Aiken Spring Classic is a great horse show to attend.  Come on down and check it out.  You can even become a sponsor :)  Several different sponsorship levels are available. 

See you there.   If you have pictures of any local events that you would like to share, please send them to me.  I'm happy to share the information on localism.com .

Have fun! 

I had a nice surprise in my 'inbox' the other morning!  A message from my buddy Danny in Tenn.  :)   Then I saw the dreaded 'me me' in the subject line..oh noooo!!!!!   Not another one - aaaaaagggghhhhhhh!!!!!    I figured that I better at least take a look at it - and well, I was pleasantly surprised :)

 This is different than any MeMe that I had ever seen so I thought that it would be neat to try. The rules are simple.

 
1) Type out all the Questions below and answer them with a picture.  (or you can copy & paste the entire thing and change out the pics as you go down the list!)

2) Tag 5 people and spread the love out. That is it.

Here goes! :)

1) Age at my next birthday:
            
 

2) Favorite Movie or TV Character:
                      

3) Place I want to travel:

 (sorry, I couldn't make up my mind)

4) Favorite Food:

5) Favorite Place:
                         

6) Nickname:

7) Favorite color:

8) Favorite Sports Team:

9) My favorite hobby:

10) Bad Habit--

At first I was going to be a rule-breaker and not tag anyone - but then I thought it over. I am going to tag 5 people.  
 
Tag---- you're it!

This first person came to mind right away - he has some amazing photographs, I can't wait to see his post!:   

1. Robert A Swetz 

And the rest are the 4 latest subscribers to my blog :) 

2.  Kathleen Ann Pacheco-Corbett  
3.  Vicki Lloyd 

4. Jim Albano   
5. Sharon Lee 

I hope everyone can play along :)

Not much to report -  except that the support walls have been poured  (and I can't believe I missed it --but I am told that the driver/operator of the concrete pumper truck was a woman!!)  Girl Power!!

So- now they have removed the forms...and are filling in with some dirt - then they will compact it...fill some more - compact some more.....fill..compact...fill...compact...  and the final layer will be crushed stone.     That's alot of shoveling, lol.

After that is done -  then the slab will be poured.

Here is a pic of the support walls..... the long rebar will be repositioned to a horizontal position and will become part of the slab.     The smaller bolts that are sticking out of the top of the wall is what the framing will attach to.

Oh yeah - and the plumbers are here scoping out what they need to get started on! 

Here is what's coming our way!!

Give me a call for more info on these great downtown condo units.

Pre-construction prices won't last!!

2 Bedroom/2 Bath:  $429,000

3 Bedroom/2 Bath:  $489,000

You couldn't ask for a better location than this!  Perfectly Downtown :)        If you are thinking about a 'Southern get-away' ----  this would be ideal!     A place to get away to --   a place for family and friends to get-away to.....     You could even make a few bucks and rent it out for Master's week (next year... (if you weren't coming down for the tourny)

Give  a call!      Be sure to let me know you saw my blog :)       Jane Page and I are looking forward to helping you.

Every year 'National Geographic Traveler' puts out a list of 'where to stay'   This years list is '129 Hotels We Love' !!   And guess what? --    Aiken's own Carriage House Inn made the list!   Yaaayy!!

Here is the list:      129 Hotels We Love

Here is a link to the Carriage House Inn site if you wanted to take a closer look :)

The Carriage House Inn was originally built in 1872 and has undergone many transformations since then. Most recently this property was leased in '97 to Disney, for the remake of 'That Darn Cat',  and converted into Carriage House Inn in '99.  Family owned and operated by Bill and Anne Thomasson.

If you are looking for a place to stay when you come to town - I highly recommend Carriage House Inn.    Or, if you are planning a special night for your honey -  why not book a room at the Inn to top it off!

Located at:  139 Laurens Street NW, Downtown Aiken

More Info:  803.644.5888

I wasn't born here but Aiken sure feels like home.   Come see for yourself!  What are you waiting for?