Nature in Columbia along the River Front Park

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Just some of the nature pictures I took the other evening while we were at the park. :-)

Congaree River Keepers River Rocks Festival

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Saturday when we were out prom photo scouting we saw some pretty flowers. 

 But we also saw the Conagree River Keepers  River Rocks Festival. I felt kind of bad, because I didn't know it was going on, so I didn't have any money to buy tickets to go down in the amphitheater to watch. 

But what we saw and heard was good! 

I think this band was Yo Momma's Big Fat Booty Band, which the kids and I found a rather comical name. :0)

They seemed to have a very good crowd watching and listening.

DJ jamming on the air guitar. :-) Sorry it's sideways, I can't seem to make it turn. 

Why?

What causes someone to hate others so much that they set out to destroy the other person's life?

What causes a person, or a group of people to go out and plant bombs in an effort to kill people that they do not even know?

What makes these people feel that they are so much better than everyone else that they can play God, Judge, Jury on hundreds of other people?

I just do not understand how a person can hate humanity so much that they purposefully plot to murder as many people as they can at one time!

The events in Boston today have left me an emotional wreck. My cousin Glen has run the marathon several times, and my first thought upon hearing about the explosions was thank goodness he didn't run this year! However I do know at least 1 first responder in the area, at least 10 other people who are in Boston for the Marathon, and several others that live in the Boston area. I know several of them are safe, others have not posted yet. So now all I can do is pray.

What gets me is the Boston Marathon is an international event. There are runners from all 50 states, and 90 other countries. When these terrorists committed this act they not only attacked America but people from all over the globe!



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Prom Picture location scouting :-)

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My baby girl is growing up! Natalie will be attending her Junior prom next weekend with her boyfriend Trey. Since we are new to the Columbia area I decided that we needed to go out this weekend and look around at places to take pictures. Plus practice taking pictures to check out the light situation. This is a small look at what we took. 

We went down to River Front Park in the downtown area of Columbia. They were having a rock festival, but that's a different post! 

After this picture Natalie realized that Trey had his hat on. :-) 

 This picture is so the two of them. They both are clowns!~

In front of the water works. 

I am trying to figure out a way to take this picture when they are dressed up. Probably wont happen though since they had to climb a tree! :-) 

Remember to wear PURPLE tomorrow April 15th in honor of the military child!

Just a quick reminder to everyone to wear purple tomorrow April 15th in honor of all of the military children out there!

Show our little ones that we support them and thank them for the sacrifices they give by having a parent in the military!

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Ultimate Blog Party 2013

OK so I am a bit behind the eight ball here as this is the last day to do this blog post for the Ultimate Blog Party, but with Jerry gone life gets a little crazy some times!

This is my post for the Ultimate Blog Party, sponsored by 5 Minutes For Mom
 

For those of you that are new here, I am Patty and this is my blog. The title of my blog just recently changed, as my husband of almost 18 years (July 8th) retired from the Air Force in December after 20 years of service. I didn't want to confuse anyone too much so I just added the retired. :-)

My blog is mostly about our family and our adventures that we have. It started way back when as a way to keep our family and friends from around the world updated with our lives, and has evolved, and even gone through some really slow posting times as life has changed, and Facebook has come about. I have promised myself that I would get back in the habit of posting and sharing on here, as I do have family and friends that don't do Facebook (gasp), who have reminded me of such lately. :0)

There are times when I will do a promoted post, or a political post, but it has to be something that I feel strongly about, or something I really enjoy. If it is a political post you can almost be promised it will have to do with education or the military as those are both near and dear to my heart.

I was born in Iowa, moved to Arizona when I was 9 and have lived a little bit of every where since getting married at 21. As an Air Force family we have lived in Florida (twice), the United Kingdom (for 8 years), Georgia, and now South Carolina. This is the first move that was for my job!

I am a proud Arizona State Sun Devil, where I graduated with  a degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in English as a Second Language. As well as a proud alumni of National Louis University, where I got my masters degree in Instruction and curriculum.

As I said Jerry and I have been married for 18 years, and he just retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service to our country.  He is currently working overseas as a contractor, which makes me a pseudo single mom. There were a lot of discussions, prayers, and head banging before we made the final decision if he was going to take this job, but I figure if I can handle being an Air Force wife for 17 1/2 years I can handle this too!

We have three beautiful children.

Kelsey is almost 20 (April 21st), and working and living in California. She works at Disney, and has had several of my friends visit her, including one that she didn't know would be there, who recognized her and said "Are you Patty's daughter?" and then had to explain who she was and how she recognized her.

Natalie is almost 17 (April 17th), and a junior in high school. We are in the middle of getting ready for her to take the graduation test for South Carolina, as her exemptions that she had in Georgia* don't apply here, as well as getting ready for PROM. She is in the process of looking for a job, so if you know of any good ones for a teenager in Columbia, let me know! :-)

Declan, DJ, is 8 and a third grader. He is full of energy and runs a full tilt most of the time. When he is sitting still you can almost guarantee that he is not feeling well. He has a slight learning disability, that took quite a lot of prayer and tears, threats, and emails to get finally acknowledged by the school district in Georgia (and I worked there!) He is thriving in his class and has been since we were able to get his IEP, to get him the help and accommodations that he needed and deserved. He missed honor roll this quarter by one grade, which is pretty darn good considering everything we have been through!

I currently teach English as a Second Language here in Columbia, at the DDESS schools on Fort Jackson. I love my job and I love my students. For once in our married life, this move was about my job, and not Jerry's. It was a hard decision to make, as we had been in Georgia for almost 5 years and Natalie was that close to graduating, but for the good of our family we took the leap of faith. DoDEA is where I have my most years towards retirement, and it made the most sense for me to get back into the system now.

I take pictures as a hobby, and had a small side business in Georgia, doing prom, senior pictures and a few small weddings. I haven't decided if I am going to start back up here or not. The market is pretty saturated here I think with the University, but I do love getting to meet new people and getting to help them remember their special moments in life. So we will see if I decide to pick it back up, or not. My next project is Natalie's prom pictures next week.


*If you ever need to know about moving your high schooler in the middle of a year, or even the middle of high school, just ask! I think between moving to Georgia Kelsey's freshman year, and moving to South Carolina the middle of Natalie's junior year, we have come across almost any problem you can face!*



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Month of the Military Child

April is a month of the military child. Military bases around the globe will be celebrating with different activities throughout the month. As I am sure you can guess, this month and celebration is pretty near and dear to my heart. Not only am I a parent to three military children (even if J has retired), but I am a teacher to about 700 military children on FJ.

On April 15th people from around the world will honor our military dependents by wearing the color purple to show their support. I am inviting all of my friends to do the same. (There are several communities that are wearing purple on another day as well.)

If you are a military family, look around this month, there are many things to do at and around the various military installations!

I invite everyone to visit the Military Child Education Coalition Web Page for ideas of things to do to celebrate this month!

I encourage everyone that if you see a military family out and about in your area to thank not on the military member, but their spouse and children. If you know a military family, why not do something special for them this month? It can be as simple as a trip to the local park, taking over a meal for them to share, or inviting them into your home for a meal.

And remember to wear purple on Monday! :-)


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Friends of the Twiggs County Sheriff's Office Mother's Day Banquet Dinner May 23rd.

The Friends of the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office will be having a Mother’s Day Banquet Dinner on May 23rd at 7pm at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church located on Hwy 358 in Danville Georgia.

Tickets are $20 each.



Table Sponsors are $60 and includes your name or company name on the table and program. Also a sponsor comes with one free Ticket to the event.


Outback Steak House will be catering the banquet and there will be door prizes and a silent auction.

Funds will be used to help support educational programs sponsored by the Sheriff’s Office and to purchase needed equipment. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket please see Mrs. Carolyn Lucas Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm at the Sheriff’s Office Annex Building beside the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office Jail.

Thanks, Major James R. McDaniel






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Spring Staycation Part Two Things to do in and around Columbia on the cheap!

As I promised here is part two of our staycation from Spring Break! We really did manage to have a good spring break on the cheap, while getting to know our new area a little bit better!

Wednesday back to Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens, since K was visiting, she wanted to go to the zoo again (she went with us twice back in December when she helped us move.) Since we have our membership there was no cost to us, except once again the $4 to feed the giraffes. :-) 

 I think the giraffes might get to know my kids before the summer is over!

 I was so happy on Easter when we saw Mike and Chuka for the first time. In all of our previous vists to the zoo the gorillas were always in hiding. :-) On our visit on Wednesday we made sure to be in the exhibit for the feeding time. This cute guy is the dominant male Chuka. 

 To help keep the cost of our day at zero the kids and I packed a picnic lunch and went to the picnic grounds just outside the entrance to the zoo to eat. 

 After lunch we went up into the gardens. The kids took the tram, while I walked up past the old Saluda Mill. 

Thursday: The only day of rain... 

Fort Jackson Basic Combat Training Museum

and 

For Jackson Adjutant General Corps Museum

Cost $0

 Due to the rain on Thursday we had to find things to do inside. So we took off and went on Fort Jackson to look at the museums. The first museum we went to was the AG museum. I didn't take any pictures there, not sure how that happened! LOL The AG museum is just inside the main gate on Fort Jackson and has a very interesting historical telling of the AG Corps. I'll admit it, before going to the museum, I didn't really know what they do! 

Next up was the Basic Combat Training Museum, which was very interesting, as it took you through what a soldier goes through as they attend BCMT. 

 The Museum is open to the general public, however, visitors must show I.D, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. 

Friday: Sesquicentennial State Park

Cost $12 ($2 per adult in the vehicle, and $8 for the paddle boat for an hour)

Sesquicentennial State Park is about 8 miles from our house, but this was only our second visit. 

There are several nice trails throughout the park, that are good for walking, or a longer one for mountain biking. 

 Of course once DJ saw that the paddle boats were in the water, it was over, he wanted to go. We didn't last the entire hour out on the water before our legs were ready to fall off though!

Saturday was another travel day. We took K back to Georgia. But before we left Columbia, DJ saw these guys out flying. 

Sunday: Congaree National Park and Cottle Strawberry Farm

$11 (one gallon of PYO strawberries)

After church on Sunday, DJ and I headed out to Congaree National Park, which is about 30 miles from the house.  

We like going to Congaree for the walking trails and the different things that you can do there. 

This trip we did the Bluff trail, which is about 1.9 miles long, and goes through two of the campgrounds.

 DJ also became a Jr. ranger on this visit.

On our way home we stopped at Cottle Strawberry Farms on Trotters Road, which is off of Garners Ferry.

This is our second trip out to visit them. I like that we are supporting local farmers, and that I know the strawberries are fresh, since we picked them! 

Well that's it, our spring staycation on the cheap. I know we spent more in gas than anything else, but it was worth it! 

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Spring Staycation in Columbia part one

I know it has been a while since I have posted, but a lot has gone on! The least of which is Jerry leaving for a contracting job for a year overseas. The plan is for him to come home at least once during that year, but we will see how it goes. Needless to say, I've been just a little busy! :-)

So spring break has come and gone here in Columbia, and the kids and I hung out around here and got to know our new area a little bit better. The best part? We did it all at little to no cost! Now that's my type of staycation!

Here is a quick look at what we did and how we did it on the cheap!

Day one: South Carolina Rail Road Museum Winnsboro, SC

 The museum had a small ad in the Fort Jackson Leader the week before break about their Easter outings that they had going on, so the kids and I jumped in the car and headed out to Winnsboro for a train ride. The ticket price included being able to explore all of the exhibits at the museum, and about a 20 minute one way train ride (Natalie was bummed that due to her crutches we had to sit inside one of the cars instead of the open air car though!) at the end of the out going ride, there was face painting, the Easter Bunny, food, a model train, fire engine, and balloon animals.  I believe it was $11 a person for the day.

Day two: Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens We attended the Easter Brunch at the Zoo. Price wise for the brunch was about what we would have paid to go to brunch elsewhere on Easter, and any that it was over was for a good cause, education and research programs at the zoo. We have a membership to the zoo, so for us our only cost was the brunch, and of course $4 to feed the giraffes. 

 Trust me when I say that we have gotten our money's worth out of our membership! We have been to the zoo at least once a month since the family moved up here, and we have been three times in the last month, with the nice weather. We also spent a day there before Jerry left as a family fun day. :-)

If you live in South Carolina, or within 100 miles of Columbia even, I would say that a membership is a good deal. 

Day Two Continued: Let's Go Fly A Kite. Clemson Sandhills Research Education Center

DJ wanted a kite for Easter, so we got one and after brunch and time at the zoo he and I went to the "park" and flew his kite. 

 Clemson Sandhills is only about 4 miles from the house and has a lot to offer, least of which is the open fields perfect for kite flying! They also have a children's garden, two lakes, a lake house, and special events all year long. The next big event is the Sparkleberry Fair towards the end of the month. There is no admission charge into the area.
Cost: $12 for DJ's kite.

Day three: was a travel day for us, our neighbor from GA wanted to come up and spend spring break with us, so we met her mom in Wrens, GA and brought her back here with us. :-) 

Day Four: River Front Park

Our original plan for Tuesday was to take K to the zoo, but we got a late start, and when we got to the zoo exit the line was about a mile long to get into the parking lot. We made the decision to go downtown to the River Front Park and Canal and explore. Cost: $0

 DJ's favorite sign, even though in all of the times I have been down there I haven't seen any signs of gators. :-)
The park is very nice, good walking paths that are very well lit up at night, if you happen to be down there at that time. When I first moved up here and was staying in Cayce I would go walking at the park after work as it was on the way home.

You can walk from Gervais Street to Broad River Road (I think that is correct at least, it's been a while since I've done the top part of the trail.) The kids and I started at the main parking lot by the old waterworks and walked down to Gervais and got lunch, then walked back up to the one mile marker. When it was all said and done we had done about 4 miles. The park is host to a number of events throughout the year. 

More to come from our staycation!

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