Localism: South Carolina

Loss of Best Friend

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:41:23 -0500

Looking back on the memory of the dance we shared, beneath the stars above. For a moment all the world was right, how was I to know that you'd ever say goodbye?And now I'm glad I didn't know the way it all would end, the way it all would go. Our lives are better left to chance, I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance.
The Dance - (Garth Brooks)

Max your Dad and I would never miss the dance. Today is a week ago that you were called home. You see Max was our first fur baby. Even though if you ask my husband that was his baby boy and the heir to his thrown! Max filled our lives with joy, happiness and the love he returned was unconditional. He was such a handsome little man; and he was always a happy boy. He loved to play and watch tv. There is not a place in our home that we can't see Max waiting for us. I have been reminiscing all day about his memory. We have 4 fur babies and we love 'em all but there will always be a special place in our hearts for our first fur baby. We love you Buddy and we will never forget you... No words can describe the loss and grief that your Dad and I are experiencing since you left.

Max, If I could have you back for just one day. Through the yard we'd play.. I promise I'd give it my very best, I promise buddy, we wouldn't rest
We'd play constantly, having fun, We'd enjoy the warmth of the sun, I'd give you my everything, my love would never fade, I promise, Max, things would be OK,
So long for now, my best friend. I promise you Max, my heart will never mend.
We Love you "Alexander Maxwell Elder" until we meet again. Until then, All our love, We send... Mom & Dad

LEMONS and SUGAR , A Lexington SC Tale

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:33:56 -0500

LEMONS and SUGAR

This should probably be taped to your bathroom mirror
where one could read it every day.
You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

1. There are at least two people in this world
that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world
love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you
is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone,
even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you
before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever,
something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you
take another look.

11. Always remember the compliments you received.
Forget about the rude remarks.

Labor Day Traffic Report 4 Time and Money Saving Tips Traveling to Atlanta GA

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:20:40 -0500

Labor Day typically marks the end of Summer and many people use the long weekend as a vacation before school gets into full swing. As a result, Atlanta is a hot spot for small getaway weekends for those of us living in the 3-5 hour drive radius. However, traveling to one of those "hot-spots" over a holiday weekend has it's downside, and one of those is TRAFFIC.

For those traveling to Atlanta GA to attend the Clemson vs. Alabama game, visit the Georgia Aquarium, shop Atlanta Underground, or just get out of town over Labor Day weekend, you may find the following traffic tips might save you time, stress and money.

First thing you should know about this weekend in Atlanta is the the GA DOT is expecting heavy traffic (about 533,000 through the downtown area/normal is about 430,000) with long delays, so you might want to pack some patience as well as your walking shoes, but following some simple steps can help alleviate some of the stress and give you some valuable time to enjoy your weekend.

Tip #1 : Utilize MARTA!

Marta stations have secure parking decks with security patrolling them, so you can park away from your target location and take MARTA in. The fares are reasonable, and if you've never experienced Atlanta from MARTA, it is a really nice way to see the city without the hassle of worrying about the traffic. With Georgia DOT expecting traffic back-ups of up to two hours or more in some areas MARTA could mean the difference between seeing the whole game or arriving just past the half time show!

Tip#2 : If traveling from SC from I-85 GA DOT is urging motorists to take I-285 east to I-20 West to access GA Dome and downtown Hotels. Motorists coming into Atlanta on I-20 from any direction should stay on that course into town. If traveling from Alabama on I-85 follow signs to downtown area.

Tip#3 : Georgia DOT is conducting construction in and around Atlanta in several high traffic areas. So don't rely solely on your map. Check ahead for road closings and construction. Watch for road signs indicating that your route of travel may have to change suddenly! You can visit www.511ga.org for additional information or call 511 for updates.

Tip#4 : Safety-DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! This will be a heavy weekend for law enforcement in Atlanta. If you have never been in Atlanta over a major holiday weekend you will be shocked how many officers you will see along the interstate running radar, which brings up the next safety tip DON'T SPEED! In Atlanta it may be hard to know where the line is drawn because you certainly want to flow with traffic, and most times traffic on the interstates in and around Atlanta move at much higher rates of speed than posted. So use your good judgment here. Go with the flow not ahead or behind!

There are two events in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend that are expecting to draw in over 50,000 attendees each! This will ultimately lead to traffic congestion and thin patience but if you exercise good judgment and opt to use some of the services available to you I have no doubt that you will have a wonderful Labor Day weekend in this great Southern City!

Aiken Atlas Team

Christy

To See Where Mortgage Rates May Go This Week, Keep An Eye On The Weather Channel

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:23:07 -0500

Three years to the week after Hurricane Katrina caused $81.2 million in damages, Tropical Storm Gustav is charting a similar Gulf of Mexico path.

Memories of Katrina are making oil traders nervous. The 2005 storm shut down 30 platforms and 9 refineries. And, this week, oil prices are up nearly 4 percent on fears that the market, once again, may be disrupted by storm.

Mortgage rates are edging higher on the news.

The link between oil prices and mortgage rates is not a direct one, but it's worth paying attention to.

Rising oil prices strain business and consumer budgets, creating inflationary pressures on the economy. And at no time was this relationship more evident than in May and June of this year. As oil prices reached new, all-time highs almost daily, Americans felt the impact each time they opened their wallets -- the Cost of Living inflation gauge reached a 17-year high in July 2008.

Inflation is the enemy of mortgage rates so as inflation rises, mortgage rates tend to rise, too.

And this is one reason why mortgage rates are ticking higher this morning -- there is an overriding fear that Gustav will strengthen into a full-fledged Hurricane before making landfall, causing damage to oil refineries and shipping ports around the Gulf of Mexico.

Damage reduces oil supplies and that causes oil prices to rise. It's basic supply and demand.

Gustav is expected to make landfall Monday or Tuesday. If the storm continues on its path, we may see mortgage rates continue to trend higher. If the storm dissipates, rates should reverse.

Has Housing Already Touched Bottom?

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:20:57 -0500

According to the June 2008 Case-Shiller Home Price Index, home prices in 15 of the 20 largest U.S. real estate markets either improved, or showed growth from the month prior.

This is the fourth straight month in which that happened which means that a national housing recovery may already be underway.

Now, it's worth stating that all real estate is local and that there's no such thing as a "national real estate market", but for home buyers looking to to maximize their negotiation power to get the best possible "deal", spotting trends like this before the media does is a good thing.

So far, only Bloomberg and a few others have chosen to highlight the positives from the otherwise-negative Case-Shiller report. By contrast, most publishers are focusing on annual home price figures which show a hefty drop of 15.9 percent.

We shouldn't dismiss annual trends because they're helpful in the theoretical sense, but for real, live home buyers trying to identify trends and market bottoms, it's the month-to-month data that matters most.

After looking at 4 consecutive months of Case-Shiller data, the month-to-month data appears to show that home prices have stabilized in most major markets. And, in some, they've already started to recover from their lows.

Source
U.S. House-Price Slide Eases, S&P/Case-Shiller Shows
Courtney Schlisserman
Bloomberg.com, August 26, 2008