Kara's Blog

Sometimes during the holidays we just need to take some time to sit down and relax.  Why not take in a movie!  
Here is the movie schedule - good thru Thursday January 1, 2009. (subject to change without notice)
                                                                                                                 
Aiken Mall Cinema 8
 
Bedtime Stories (PG) 12:05, 2:20, 4:35, 7:20, 9:50
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (PG-13) 11:50, 3:25, 7:00, 10:30
Marley & Me (PG)  1:30, 4:20, 7:10, 10:00
The Spirit (PG-13)  11:55, 2:25, 4:55, 7:30, 10:05
Valkyrie (PG-13)  12:20, 4:15, 7:25, 10:15
Seven Pounds (PG13) 12:25, 4:10, 7:05, 10:10
The Tale of Despereaux (G)  12:10, 2:30, 4:50, 7:15
Yes Man (PG13) 11:45, 2:15, 4:40, 7:35, 9:55
The Day the Earth Stood Still (PG13)  9:35
 Get there early and get your ticket and some snacks :)
                                  
 
Aiken Mall Cinema8
located at:    300 E. Gate Dr., Aiken, SC, 29802  (off Whiskey Road)
phone:  (803) 641-0000
 
Take a night off from housework / chores / honey-do lists/...and go see a movie!
 
Give me a call when you are ready to buy some Aiken property :)

That's right.  There is still time to see the Christmas Lights Holiday Display at Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch.      Christmas in Hopelands!

Park at the Goodwill parking lot and catch the shuttle.  Shuttles run continuously from 6pm - 8:30pm.

Gardens are open from 6pm - 9pm.

Open Tonight!  Friday, December 26, 2008 - and the final night, tomorrow - Saturday, December 27, 2008.  ADMISSION IS FREE

It is so beautiful on a normal day at Hopelands Gardens, let alone at Christmastime.  The lights are amazing.  10's of thousands of lights.  Stop by the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame Museum and get some hot cider or cocoa, see the Christmas display at The Doll House...... oh so much to see :)

I'll try to bring back some good pictures to show you.

Goodwill parking lot is the lot on Whiskey Road.  Other stores in the center include Roma's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Harvards Wine...      Located between Applebee's and Moe's.    That is where you can park and catch the shuttle.   Meet your friends there and all ride together :)  You still have time!

Say hi if you see me :) 

Have fun and enjoy the lights! 

That's right - it's another meme.   I'm flattered that y'all want to know so much about me, lol.

Well - if you are one of the inquiring minds...keep reading.  If you could care less - then your next page is only a click away, haha.

Here is the "little known facts about me" meme...

First things first -

Rules:

1) Create a blog post with a link to the person who tagged you, play nice! 

2) List all these rules in the post.

3) Share 7 things that others may not know about you.

4) Identify 7 friends, contacts or people you don't want to be friends with anymore (it could happen), and tag them at the end of the post and give a link to their blog.

5) Contact each of the tagged members and let them know that they too have been tagged and must comply!

So, now that we have the rules out of the way -Here we go! ... 7 things you my not know about me or care to know! 

I was tagged by two this time around.   My  gal pals Valerie Osterhoudtway up Connecticut (I can spell her name now without looking at her blog!)  and fellow Jersey girl Laura Giannotta  (I'm Italian too, so I had Laura's name down pat awhile ago, lol)  Both of these ladies had a snowy weekend.

1.  I was a Brownie. I remember there was only one store in town where you could buy the uniforms : )     I sold cookies at the bowling alley and the gas station around the corner.  I had regular customers.  It didn't matter what I was selling, lol.  From a little girl selling cookies - to a high school senior selling booster ads for the yearbook! 

2.  I like to make homemade butter sometimes : )   It isn't hard to do - just whip some cream up into butter!   (or shake it up in a little jar)   You can leave it plain, or salt it a little, or add other herbs and spices.  One of the fun things I did as a Brownie - and I have done it ever since.

3.  I collect matchbook covers/matchbooks. Old ones (not used, lol).  An old friend was a collector - and after she showed me her collection I was hooked.  Great pieces of history.  Check out this one

Check out the phone numbers!  This was way before my time, lol.

4.  I am 1 of 43 grandchildren!  (my mom's mom)    My daughter is one of 73 great-grandchildren :)  Yup, that's a ton of cousins!  I love it : )      Wanna know how many great-great's......?

5.  We had an aluminum (tinsel) Christmas Tree when I was growing up, and I loved it!  It is my dream to have one again sometime soon.  (I already have the color wheel....now all I need is the tree)

6.  I am in the Active Rain - Fantasy Football League!  Our season ended last night.  It was a lot of fun.  I held the lead for several weeks - and made it all the way to the Finals!  It has been a fun season.   (I was up against Rich for the Championship ----and he totally kicked my butt.   Congrats  to Rich on his win :)    I'm looking forward to next year.

Besides me - the league members are:

Rich Dansereau        Danny Thornton        Jim Ludes        Ryan Martin                Desiree Daniels                     

 Renee Burrows         Ron Tarvin            Tom Burland                Al Sodaro                      Rick Beal   

Linda Taylor   (we have a few Linda Taylor's here in the rain...not sure which one is the right one.  Sorry)

Tony Sena     and           Rick Frissell  

7.  I am a member of the Aiken Board of Realtors Education Committee for the past two years and am looking forward to serving in 2009 as well.   I have to thank Jane Page, Gene and Melissa for allowing me the flexibility in my schedules so I am able serve on these committees.   (I have been asked to serve on the Grievance Committee for 2009 - I'm very excited and honored to be asked to serve)

As my Christmas present to each and every one of you - I will not be tagging anyone.......unless of course you want to be tagged!  If so ----- have at it, lol.

Merry Christmas y'all.

When you are ready to move south for the winter - give us  a call.

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

It was alot of fun.  Mixing and mingling with all the agents in our great Board.     

The Education Committee spent the afternoon decorating for the party.

The party this year was at Woodside Plantation Country Club.    Their Christmas tree was absolutely stunning.

and beautiful poinsettias lined the stairs

Our new board members being sworn into office:

A fun time was had by all.  Meeting - greeting - dancing  - eating.

Wishing a very Merry Christmas to everyone :)

I swear - we have the cutest Christmas tree this year at the office :)

Our first time to host an artificial tree - but it is absolutely adorable.

 This little Alpine tree was purchased locally at Hobby Lobby on Whiskey Road, Southside Aiken - next to Lowe's.   Prior to Christmas, Hobby Lobby had marked down all of their Christmas items to 50% off.......I hear that after the first of the year they cut prices again.  I may just have to go and see if I can get one of these cute trees for my penthouse!

              Merry Christmas!

I hope so -    sorry I didn't get a chance to give you the heads up on this great Downtown Aiken event.  A yearly thing, so if you missed it you can catch it next year!

A night of a thousand lights.     Downtown Aiken was aglow last night with luminaries lining the streets.   Shoppes were open late for holiday shoppers.       Even though it was 70+ degrees yesterday, there was still a feeling of Christmas in Downtown Aiken.

It was just like the song "Silver Bells"

..... City sidewalks, busy sidewalks.
Dressed in holiday style
In the air
There's a feeling
of Christmas
Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on ev'ry street corner you'll hear ......    

The only thing Aiken was missing was snow - but that is quite alright with us!

Merry Christmas :)

Thank you ALL for your thoughts, prayers, well wishes.....etc.  

For my friends who didn't know (I'm sorry I didn't personally tell you---- there was just so much going on) - but hopefully you got a chance to see one of these:     one          two

Give me a few days, and I'll be dancing in the rain with you again :)    

And now, back to bed for me!

Thanks again - I love you all :)

What is it lately with these 'meme's'??  This is worse than a virus!  It's another one! 

This time Rich Dansereau tagged me.   Thanks dude :)  This one is a piece of cake,  I love Christmas!

The guidelines for this MeMe as I understand them are:

You have to tell what you wish for Christmas, and it has to be materialistic - something you can actually touch,  not anything like World Peace or Curing World Hunger  (nevermind that those are admirable wishes).

Well, Rich - you asked for it....here you go!  My Christmas Wish MeMe:

Dear Santa,

I hope you are well,  As you know, I've been a really good girl this year :)   I could use some relaxing, with family and friends.  For Christmas this year how about a trip to Las Vegas for me, Jane Page, Mark, Melissa and Tracy, Heather, my mom and my sis. We could Stay at Bellagio - in the penthouse suite again, but for two weeks this time.  So we could enjoy......

Spa treatments and massages for everyone, everyday!!

                 Take in a few shows!!    

And Visit the craps table, and my friend Stuart!   

Thanks Santa!   

If for some reason, that is not 'materialistic' enough for this meme .....

then:.........  my Christmas wish is for some fancy yarn and a crochet hook :)

Merry Christmas Everyone!    The rules said that I was to tag three or four friends - but I just can't do it, lol.  There are so many of these going around, I'm sure everyone has been tagged enough!    

Give us a call when you are ready to start your Aiken area property search :)     (be sure to let me know you saw my blog!)

  16 days till Christmas!!

Sometimes during the holidays we just need to take some time to sit down and relax.  Why not take in a movie!  

Here is the movie schedule - good thru Sunday, 12/7/08.

Aiken Mall Cinema 8

Pumisher: War Zone (R),   Noon, 2:35pm, 5pm , 7:40pm, 10:05pm

Australia (PG13) 12:10pm, 3:50pm, 7:10pm, 10:30pm

Four Christmases (PG13) 12:15pm, 2:15pm, 4:15pm, 7:35pm, 9:45pm

Transporter 3 (PG13)  11:50am, 2:10pm, 4:35pm, 7:20pm, 10pm

Bolt (PG)  12:05pm, 2:25pm, 4:45pm, 7:15pm, 9:50pm

Twilight (PG13)  12:35pm, 4:10pm, 7:25pm, 10:10pm

Quantum of Solace (PG13)  11:45am, 2:20pm, 4:55pm, 7:30pm, 9:40pm

Aiken Mall Cinema8

located at:    300 E. Gate Dr., Aiken, SC, 29802  (off Whiskey Road)

phone:  (803) 641-0000

Take a night off from housework / chores / honey-do lists/...and go see a movie!

Give me a call when you are ready to buy some Aiken property :)

Well, I've been tagged again for this useless things meme, lol -  thanks Danny Thornton.    He says that the only reason he tagged me is cuz I am kicking his butt in fantasy football! Oh yeah!!  He neglected to say that I am in FIRST PLACE BABY!!  Sooooo,  I did one of these a few days ago - but I think I can dig up some more useless things  - just for Danny (and anyone else that dares to tag me again!

You may have seen this going around - here is the jist.  Just list 6 things about yourself that are useless pieces of information!  It just might be harder than you think.

Here goes:

1- I can sing Jingle Bells in Spanish. (I learned in High School Spanish class - and still remember the words!)   If you really  really want to hear it - give me a call :)

2- I don't wear a watch.  (very useless when you want to know what time it is, lol) 

3- I still do cartwheels!  (legs straight...and point those toes!!)

4- I have a few useless gray hairs! 

5- I have seen every episode of I Love Lucy (my all-time favorite sitcom!)

6- my gallbladder.  (yes, I used this in my last useless things meme ---but it is soooo useless that it deserves to be mentioned twice, lol)

I tagged EVERYONE the last time - this time I'll pass on that part, lol.

Thanks Danny - have a good day :)