Evans, GA

Everyone who knows me knows that I LOVE nature - the trees, the animals, the wildflowers, and the WONDERFUL photo opportunities that abound there. I would probably be a nature photographer if it would pay my bills. Seriously.

Well imagine my surprise when I walked to my back door today, glanced out at the pond behind my house, and saw a strange looking duck diving into the water. He would dive under and dissappear for 10-15 seconds and then appear about 15 feet away. I RAN to my car to grab my camera, praying that he would still be there when I got back.

He was. And so was his mate. I quickly snapped a few shots as they were swimming away. Of COURSE I couldn't find my bird book. I frantically called my husband (who has something different in mind when I say "shoot the duck") and he calmly suggested that I Google for diving duck photos. So I did.

To my surprise, they turned out to be Hooded Mergansers. I was SO excited to have identified them. I rarely see ducks in the pond - occasionally a Mallard or a Canadian Goose or 2. This was a rare treat for this nature lover!!

Don't forget to visit me at www.MoveToAugusta.com!

No matter which city you go to, you can always count on big name chain restaurants being there. But did you really just travel to another city to eat what you can get at home? No!

My favorite piece of local flavor in Augusta is Rhinehart's Oyster Bar. There are 2 locations - one in Evans and one in Augusta. It's truly a hometown favorite. Your choice of seating: picnik tables inside or picnik tables outside, all with a big roll of paper towels. They have awesome shrimp, the best french fries in town, oysters, burgers on homemade buns, and (my favorite) crab leg specials on Tuesday and Saturday nights.

Don't forget to bring your sharpie when you come - you'll want to leave your autograph ;)

Don't forget to visit me at www.MoveToAugusta.com!

Once again Evans, Ga has been cast into the national spotlight thanks to the research of Family Circle Magazine. Pick up an August edition so you can read about what long time residents have known for years. Evans is among the country's best places to live and raise a family. Evans was ranked among almost 800 communities with an average income of $75,000.00 annually.

Columbia County's News-Times attributes this to our local schools and sheriff's department and I must agree that they do an outstanding job at keeping our county at the top of the list. Pick up a Family Circle Magazine and find out for yourself what makes our town one of the best places for families.

Previous accolades - 32nd best place to live in 2005; 76th in 2007; 19th best place for job growth and 9th best place for affordable homes in 2008.

Congratulations to Evans and Columbia County officials and residents for making this a great place to raise my family.

Can someone please inform me about what is going on with Chinese drywall. I found out yesterday from someone who recently moved from Florida that drywall in Florida was corroding copper pipes and wiring in houses. So I decided to Google Chinese drywall and an unbelieveable amount of newspaper articles came up about the issue. Is this a real concern or is it something that was caused by all of the hurricanes the past couple of years? Is this the new black mold?

I am really interested in finding out more about this issue. How do you go back and find out if your builder purchased his drywall from a state that imported the material? Is it only in Florida and other coastal areas where it issues are popping up? If anyone can break it down for me I would like to hear your opinion on the issue.

I imagine this will be a hot topic for some time to come between the insuarance companies, builders, suppliers, Realtors, homeowners, and the government.

To be continued...................................

Now I know in this type of market everyone is trying to get as much square footage for their dollar as possible. But if I have a choice of where and what type of home to buy ( and I do ) because we still live in the greatest country on the blue planet. I would have to choose being able to sit on my covered porch in the shade and watch my kids play in the yard with the smell of charcoal coming from my grill, instead of the neighbor three doors down. I know you can't beat $50.00 a square foot for new construction,but what you give up is having the room to move on the exterior of your home. I personally feel that there is nothing like watching T.V on my back porch and listening to the summer rain or enjoying the seasons as they come and go.

It is hard to get that out of a Box on Box plan. No screen porches or covered porches. Your house taking up the entire lot. I am sure there are lots of people that love to spend all there time indoors. I am not trying to say there is anything wrong with that. I just love having the outdoor living space.

How about you!

Lets have a survey...............Box on Box vs. Outdoor Living Space

Where do you stand?