A Night to Shine

Two years ago I came across the Tim Tebow Foundation. It was right before the foundation had their first annual Night to Shine prom for people with special needs. I knew that I had to attend. I made the two and a half hour drive to the closest church that was hosting one of the proms, where I knew not one person. I’ll admit that I was nervous and scared going somewhere by myself, but I also knew this night wasn’t about me. It was about all the prom goers that would soon be arriving on the red carpet. One year later I recruited my sister to tag along with me to a different church. By the second year, the number of churches that had become hosts for the event had doubled the number from the first year. Although we didn’t know anyone at this church other than ourselves, I was still beyond excited to attend!This year was no different. I had been researching potential churches in the area before I moved to Charleston, just to see if there would be something near my new location. I found a church that was actually a quick, less than ten-mile drive from my office. While this church was quite larger than the previous churches I volunteered at, my excitement was the same. February 10 finally came. Prom night. Like the year before, I recruited my sister to also be a volunteer. She made the ten hour drive, arriving in Charleston two hours before we had to arrive at the church, what commitment! After leaving work, we arrived just in time to be split into groups, take our spot on the red carpet, and put on our paparazzi hats. Every volunteer wore multiples hats that evening. Paparazzi, professional dancers and singers, and most importantly- buddies. We lined the red carpet as our prom goers started to arrive. Everyone was dressed to a T in three-piece suits, crowns, jewels and sequins. We even had Elvis in attendance. Since the church I was buddying at also had an event for children 16 and under, even the little ones were dressed in their ties and fancy dresses.  We’d been greeting guests for about twenty minutes when I spotted the cutest man in a red sweater dancing on the carpet. I’m pretty sure he was even moving it like Bern, my ultimate go-to dance move. As he made his way down the carpet, I could see the excitement on his face when he abruptly stopped beside my sister and held out his arm ready to escort her. He had claimed her as his date for the night! My sister went off to the dance leaving me to hang with my fellow paparazzi friends. A little while later it got darker and colder and I started to wonder if I would become a buddy with someone or not, when next thing I knew I was being paired up with someone. This sweet little blonde was by my side in a cute black dress and sparkly silver flats. When we arrived inside I was instructed that we’d also be hanging out with her best friend and her fellow buddy. The four of us headed off to dinner. The girls chowed down on barbeque while we had a surprise visit from some Disney princesses. After dinner, we hit the dance floor. The girls were hilarious! Always high fiving and doing funny dances. Apparently my dance moves weren’t as cool because I was old! (hehe) When One Direction’s "Best Song Ever" came on, I thought they were going to go crazy. They both started squealing and singing as loud as possible. (not saying I wasn’t doing the same!) The girls loved 1D- especially Harry and Zayn. Earlier in the evening we tried to convince them into doing karaoke, but neither were having it. After 1D played, I think we were slyly able to talk them into singing another song in front of people. So the four of us headed off to the karaoke room! We waited in line listening to others sing songs like “I Got You Babe” “Let It Go” and “Sweet Home Alabama”. Finally it was the girls turn to sing their pick- “Drag Me Down” by 1D. In addition to knowing all the words, they also had some dance moves incorporated into their performance, including a DAB at the end of the song. Another move of mine. Before our night ended, we watched some more friends sing karaoke, popped into the photo booth for some candid shots (the girls threw up the peace signs of course), and we even hit up the main dance floor to bust out some moves. By this time my sister had found us and the girls had ran into some of their friends from the church. Our dance squad grew in numbers! I think the girls started to get embarrassed when I started doing the robot (another old people move). By this time the parentals had arrived and it was time to say our goodbyes. We took more selfies together, did some bro-hugs, and as the girls would say it “peaced out”. Like the previous years, I’m always so thankful to attend events like this and help make someone’s evening that more special. Who knows where I’ll be for next year’s Night To Shine! Every year just keeps getting better and better!

Lowcountry Buckeye

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR...

I think we can all agree on that? College football season is pretty much my favorite part of when fall starts to hit. However, my love of buckeye football and buckeye tailgates is going to be slightly different this year- I'm living in SEC country.

I still get an "O-H" or "Go Bucks!" when I'm out and about (#buckeyenation), but it's just not going to be the same. I'm so used to tailgates on campus, trips to my beloved Thirsty Scholar (tear), Little Bar outdoor screening of the game, and even finding tickets on the ground giving me a seat inside the shoe itself. Sigh, low key missing the midwest football scene right now. 

However, buckeyes rule the world! Charleston actually has a great OSU alumni club that hosts Ohio State social hours, events and game watch parties. I guess I'm set!

With that being said, Lowcountry buckeyes- this Saturday is the first game watch @ Sports Book of Charleston (4950 Centre Pointe Drive in North Charleston) at NOON! Come out and cheer on the bucks as they play the Bowling Green Falcons!

O-H!

Moving Squad

So I did it! I moved all the way from Columbus, Ohio to the heart of Charleston, South Carolina! I've had conversations (ok, one sentence) with a total of two people since I've been here: a guy at the beach who ask me how to work the parking ticket machine and a counter worker at Panera. Making progress, folks!

I've been able to take evening runs down to the Battery the last two nights, which has been awesome. There's so much to see in this town (hence my bucket list in the last post). I have ventured out of just Charleston a bit for exploring, but not much. Yesterday I was able to make my way to find groceries, which I may have found the beach first. ;) Isle of Palms is amazing and super close to where the grocery store was. There actually wasn't a lot of people out, but the jellyfish were EVERYWHERE! I have honestly never seen so many literally just washed up lying on the beach. I almost felt bad for them, almost.  I did find a Walmart- you can take the girl out of Pike County, but you can't take the Pike County out of the girl! Ha. 

Setting up internet in this town/anywhere I do believe has turned into a headache. What I was hoping for would be a quick "here's your account number, set up a password, log in" has turned into a "you can't access your account until you get your modem in like two weeks." Cool.  So I am internetless, reliving the olden days by watching DVD's. Currently rewatching the first season of Gossip Girl, again. Except somehow I lost the second disc, so I basically missed a chunk of good drama. Sigh. 

My Charleston days have just been spent visiting the beach, stopping in at Target, watching Gossip Girl and going on evening runs. Living the high life, but I love it. 

Move time!

Half way set up.

All done!

Isle of Palms beach. My new hangout. 

My Charleston Bucket List

• Jog to, and around, Colonial Lake
• Watch the Citadel’s Friday afternoon parade
• Go to a Charleston Battery game
• Watch the sunrise on Folly Beach
• Take a sunset Harbor Tour
• Take sailing lessons
• Eat at a 5 star restaurant
• Picnic in Marion Square
• See a show at the Windjammer
• Live on King Street
• Eat oysters five ways
• Participate in glow yoga on the beach
• Explore the streets south of Broad
• Go on a haunted jail tour
• Learn how to throw a cast net
• Run the Ravenel Bridge
• Learn how to surf
• Enjoy brunch 
• Enjoy cocktails with a view of Breach Inlet at the Boathouse.
• Reset your inner clock to island time with a round of golf at Wild Dunes. 
• People watch from the porch while you dig into a burger at Poe's.
• Explore the island's military history at Fort Moultrie.
• See where one of the signers of Declaration of Independence lived at the Charles Pinckney House. 
• Kayak or paddleboard down Shem Creek into the Charleston harbor.
• Discover history at Boone Hall Plantation. 
• Climb aboard the USS Yorktown and other historic vessels at Patriots Point. 
• Stroll through the 943 acres of Palmetto Islands County Park. 
• Take a picture of the Morris Island Lighthouse.
• Enjoy the ocean breeze while you dine at Rita's Seaside Grille. 
• Practice your casting skills on the Folly Beach Pier. 
• Watch the tide roll in while you eat at BLU.
• Take a fishing charter for a fun day out on the water. 
• Indulge in some retail therapy on King Street. 
• Sample some local seafood at The Ordinary. 
• Tour the Edmonston-Alston House
• Spend Saturday morning at the farmer's market on Marion Square.
• See Rainbow Row. 
• Take a picture of the iconic pineapple fountain at Waterfront Park. 

• Walk through the Nathaniel Russell House. 
• Cheer for the Charleston Riverdogs at Joe Riley Stadium. 
• Go shopping for local crafts, sweetgrass baskets, and clothing at the City Market. 
• Walk along the Battery. 
• See Charleston from a new perspective on a boat. 
• Read a book in White Point Gardens. 
• Take a tour of the Old City Jail. 
• Give into your sweet tooth with the creative flavors at Glazed Doughnuts.
• Enjoy some locally sourced food at Husk. 
• Learn about antebellum Charleston and the slaves who built the city at the Old Slave Mart Museum. 
• Walk through the Unitarian Church's graveyard, which is purposefully allowed to be overgrown.
• See where one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence lived at the Heyward-Washington House.
• Take a peek into the Aiken-Rhett House, which has been unchanged since the 1850s. 
• Take a boat tour out to Fort Sumter. 
• Learn about the scary side of Charleston with a nighttime ghost tour. 
• Visit Charleston's largest home, the Calhoun Mansion. 
• Get up close and personal with some sharks at the South Carolina Aquarium. 
• Experience theatre in a historic setting at the Dock Street Theatre. (took a little mini private tour here one night!)
• Take a horse and buggy tour of the historic peninsula.
• Peek into the Circular Church, and then walk through the graveyard.
• Visit McLeod Plantation. 
• Catch the latest indie film at the Terrace Theatre. 
• Learn how tea is grown, harvested, and processed at America's only tea plantation. 
• Marvel at the massive 2,000-year-old Angel Oak. 

• Discover a new favorite wine at Irving House Vineyards. 
• Sample locally made Sweet Tea Vodka at Firefly Distillery. 
• Spend the day at Magnolia Plantation
• Take a tour of Drayton Plantation. 
• Stroll the grounds of Middleton Plantation before eating at the onsite restaurant. 
• Learn about Charleston's early history at Charles Towne Landing.

• Be apart of the Break Dance show in Marion Square (was apart of the show twice)

• Eat dinner on Sullivan's Island (on the beach)

Additional NON CHARLESTON things:

• Visit The Vampire Diaries town, Mystic Falls. (it's filmed in GA!)
• Go to a Braves game (bonus if they're playing the Reds!)
• Take place in breaking the record for World's Largest Sweet Tea

Recipe: Ho Ho Punch

Ho Ho Punch is perfect for your Christmas/Holiday get together!!

-1 bottle of chilled pink champagne 
-1 package of frozen strawberries 
-1 2 liter of Ginger Ale

And there ya go! I made this for a holiday party and it was gone an hour into the party. Depending on how big your party is, you may need to double up on your supply! Enjoy!

Molly Goes West

So for work this week we traveled to two ranches in North Dakota and South Dakota. The drive out was pretty long- Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota- the first leg of the drive. 

On our way back we took a different route and went into Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. Five new states for me! Super excited. The trip was awesome!

The beautiful Badlands!

At our first ranch in ND

The Badlands Motel

Bringing the cattle in ...

Chilling by the breeding box

We were lucky enough to visit SD during Sturgis Bike Week ;)

Gorgeous

Baby Jack was cute as a button. He was a little shy all morning, but finally warmed up right before we left. 

Driving the rancher's truck (I was parked when I took this)

When in SD, one must pick a bouquet from the pasture.

Bear Butte

Oh hey, America! 

#USA #USA

The tunnel we had to travel into on Iron Mountain Road!

The buffalo. I was about 50 yards from these guys, not really thinking of the danger that they could at anytime start charging at me! …Yolo?

Gotta take a selfie ;)

My Bucket List

So back in 2010 I decided to start a bucket list. Some of the things are hilarious to me now as I forgot I even listed them!! Right now I have 50, but I'm sure as I get older my goals/dreams will change. :)

(List updated to 51 things in 2015!!) 1. Go para-sailing (2011 in SC)2. Ride a camel (2013 OSF, 2015 Columbus Zoo)3. Go to all Ohio county fairs (still working)4. Become a bartender5. Learn to play guitar (I know a few chords)6. Swim in the Gulf of Mexico (2014 in FL)7. Stay in a house on the beach8. Vacation/ski in Colorado9. Swim with a dolphin10. Go to Paris, France11. Gamble in Las Vegas12. Write a book13. Go to a College Football Bowl game (2015 OSUvsALA Sugar Bowl)14. Go to Times Square for NYE15. Attempt to surf on the Pacific Ocean16. Karaoke in Nashville (if my song would have played!)17. Go hiking in Hawaii18. Have a garage and park at least one car in it19. See all four oceans (Atlantic, Pacific)20. Design my own wedding21. Graduate from The Ohio State University22. Graduate from Oklahoma State University (I had just been accepted to the other OSU when I wrote this)23. Date someone from another state (the neighbor! lol )24. Be an entrepreneur25. Barrel race once26. Sip a mint julep at the Kentucky Derby27. Ride a Harley down an open road (2011 to OBX)28. Visit a vineyard (2012 in TX)29. Camp outside with my husband30. Build a treehouse for my kids31. Ride the ferris wheel at the state fair.32. Meet someone famous (Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, President Clinton, Danny from Jersey Shore, etc)33. Visit Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo34. Watch Saturday Night Live live35. Remodel a house/old building/bus36. Go to a wine tasting- I don't even care much for wine! (2012 in TX and 2015 in TN)37. Visit trade towers memorial (2012)38. Go to Opening Day39. Be in a wedding other than my own (Hayley's 2012, Miranda's 2014, Kristin's 2015, DD's 2015, Kate's 2018)40. Go to every state (half way there!)41. Go on a cruise (2016- Bahamas, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands)42. Run a half marathon (ha!)43. Road trip out west (ND, SD, Nebraska, Kansas)44. Attend a murder mystery dinner (2015, 2016)45. Go to Warrenton Antique Week/Junk-O-Rama Prom46. Attend a crazy bachelorette party (Louisville 2014, Nashville x2 2015)47. Live in the south (South Carolina)48. Watch a team play from each CFB conference (Big10, SEC, USA, Big12, FBS Independent, American Athletic, Mid-American, Sun Belt)49. Visit Washington DC (2014, 2015)50. Learn another language really well51. Get hypnotized (I FINALLY did it! And yes it's real!)