Nelson's Neighborhood

This Saturday, celebrities are coming together to help fight childhood obesity with the Slim Down the South Celebrity Softball Challenge for Louie's Kids. It all started off as a dream for Louis Yuhasz of Louie's Kids, he said one night to his partner, Fred, what if we have a softball game and invite celebrities from around the nation to show kids that they're standing behind the kids to lose the weight and get healthy. And that dream turned into a reality. With big names Bill Murray and Darius Rucker saying yes to being captains of the team, to all the other wonderful celebrities that are participating too, it's amazing to think that the event is almost here.  The  Slim Down the South Celebrity Softball Challenge  is an amazing 'Field of Dreams' day at the ballpark and a softball  game between celebrity teams to raise awareness and  monies for  Louie's Kids  and  Run Buddies  to combat childhood  obesity in the areas hardest hi...

It's been a while since I blogged due to the craziness happening in my life. I know you're not supposed to let personal events affect your business, but when it's your mom, all the rules change. I'm slowly getting back on track and thank everyone who has been there for all of us.  Please take a moment to read my story in the Post and Courier's Moxie section about my mom's recovery from a heart attack.  http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/sep/16/close-call-taken-to-heart/

On July 13, I thought the next day - July 14 - would be just an ordinary day. I would get up, drink my espresso, read the Post and Courier and head into my office for a day of work. Boy was I wrong! On July 14, Darren and I awoke to a phone call telling me that my mother, Lana, was having a heart attack and would be taken to the ER at a local hospital. As we drove there, my mind raced, "Could it be a mild one? How could this happen?" etc. and a thousand more questions swirled in my head. When we arrived, my mom was being taken into the Cath Lab where they needed to put a stent in her heart. The physician, Dr. Yarborough, looked at me and said, "Your mom is very sick. We hope she can make it" and BOOM....  my life changed in an instant.  Now one month and 9 days later, I still am feeling the affects from mom's heart attack. After a very scary time in a medical induced coma where she lived off an ECMO machine for weeks, she came out of the coma with her senses...

Just in time for a final celebration of summer, Firefly Distillery is proud to introduce their newly designed Sea Island South Carolina Rums. These unique, all-natural rums are handcrafted at Firefly Distillery on Wadmalaw Island, one of the 12 Sea Islands in Charleston County.   Sea Island Rums are sold exclusively in South Carolina and include three delicious flavors: Gold Rum, Java Rum and Spice Rum.   Using sugar cane from South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana, then aging the rum in bourbon barrels creates a unique flavor. Utilizing a Lowcountry twist is key for Firefly Distillery, which is why they use sugar cane from famed Johns Island resident and Rosebank Farms owner,  Sidi Limehouse. Each rum has its own distinct flavor and can be served over ice or mixed in your favorite cocktail.  Not only are the Sea Island Rums made in the heart of the Lowcountry, they stand behind a mission to be involved with their community and communities around the world, ...