Showing posts with label arkansas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arkansas. Show all posts

Monday, January 10, 2011

Calling The Hogs

Since we live in Arkansas and there are only 2 snow plows in the entire state (okay, slight exaggeration...I think!) we got some snow/ice so most of the state is closed down!  Don't get me wrong, I am NOT complaining.  We are taking the opportunity to be lazy, kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying some time at home.  Since we have no place to be we rented some movies and while the rest of the family was enjoying a movie, Emily had other plans.  Take a look: 

Wooooooo Pig Soooooooie! Razorbacks!!!

So, is this a future Arkansas State University cheerleader? Maybe so, we're raising her up right! WPS!!

Friday, October 01, 2010

Pink in October

The Breast Cancer SiteOctober is breast cancer awareness month. Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe declared today, Friday October 1, 2010 Go Pink For A Cure day in Arkansas. Shelby, Emily, and I are proudly wearing our Hanes Passionately Pink For a Cure T-Shirts today in honor of our efforts for the Susan G Komen Foundation - Arkansas! If you're so inclined, would you click the graphic and help fund a mammogram for someone in need, then Follow them on Facebook so you can remember to click daily.  They also have some awesome "pink" merchandise to shop as well.  

Photobucket
Two Thumbs up for Hanes Pink Merchandise

Monday, September 20, 2010

Team CrAzY For A Cure Gets Down Downtown

Photobucket
I just want to invite all of my local friends and family to Main Street in Searcy, Arkansas this Friday and Saturday, September 24 & 25th for the 3rd annual Get Down Downtown Celebration. This free, two-day event in downtown historic Searcy will feature musicians, artists, and vendors from throughout the Mid-South. Activities take place from 6p.m.-10p.m. on Friday and 10a.m-10p.m. on Saturday. Concessions and vendors will be set up both days/evenings. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a weekend of free entertainment in the Main Street Searcy District!

I will be there with some of my team members from team CrAzY For A Cure.  We will be selling some pink rubber duckies, bracelets, pink lemonade, cookies and other home baked goods for the cause.  We have set a goal of $500 as a team and I am certain that with the help of the awesome folks in Searcy we can easily surpass this goal! You can still BECOME A MEMBER of the team, but hurry because the deadline for online registration is October 1. If you cannot or do not want to walk in support of this awesome cause, you can CLICK HERE to donate to my personal page or CLICK HERE to donate to the team page. Whatever you do, please CLICK OVER and donate at least $5 to help us reach our goal of $500! Thanks so much for your generous support and I can't wait to see all of my chickas out there pounding the pavement in October!!!

Thanks to Hanes for sponsoring Team CrAzY for A Cure by providing us with Team Shirts.  
Photobucket

Thursday, May 06, 2010

I am published!

Photobucket

If you live in Searcy and you haven't picked up the latest edition of Searcy Living, go now and get one!  My article about the 65 Roses Tour has been published in the May edition.  If you missed the article, and you don't live in Searcy, you can CLICK HERE to read it.


It was such a joy and a pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful fund raising event and I can't wait until next year!  Thanks to my friends at Searcy Living for being so supportive and publishing my article.

Monday, April 05, 2010

Tyler and Shelby appear on Good Morning Arkansas (with me)

This segment was a bit longer than the previous segments that I've done on the show.  This meant that it took FORever to upload.  But, my friends I am willing to go the extra mile so that you can enjoy the experience!  So, without further adieu, here is the debut of two of my children:  Shelby and Tyler on Good Morning Arkansas!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

The 65 Roses Tour in Searcy, Arkansas

Shelby, Emily, & Tyler (my babies!)
As a mother of three healthy children, I count my blessings daily.  For the entire nine months I carried the three of them, I remember the constant worry that there would be something wrong when they were born.  After they arrived, I would wake countless times in the night just to hear their sweet, content breaths and watch their chest rise and fall.  Even now with my three children at the ages of 7, 4, and 1.5 I still do the same thing.  I cannot imagine the pain that a parent faces when finding out that their child is facing a life time of treatments due to an illness or even worse.


Cystic Fibrosis is one of those illnesses.  You may be like I was, you'd heard of Cystic Fibrosis but never really knew exactly what it was. Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. You can read more about Cystic Fibrosis here.

Kelsy Odom and Shelby Black volunteering at the Family Fun Stop!

65 Roses" is what some children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) call their disease because the words are much easier for them to pronounce. 65 Roses® is a registered trademark of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. You can click here read more on the story of Mary G Weiss and her volunteer efforts.



Sweet little Aven.
This year in my hometown of Searcy, Arkansas through the efforts of some awesome people, the first 65 Roses Bike Tour was established.  When my husband and I heard of this awesome event, we knew that we wanted to be a part of it!  If you have read the story of sweet little Aven, you will feel the same way.  I was fortunate enough to meet her on Saturday and I must say it was such a blessing to see such a beautiful, energetic girl singing and dancing.  What a blessing to know that this was organized to help to find a cure for this debilitating disease that effects this beautiful gift from God.  You see, had I not known Aven was sick with CF, I would have never known that she wasn't a healthy, vibrant girl like all of the other little girls at the park that she played and danced with.  She's beautiful, kind, and not a bad dancer either!

Since I am by no means a cyclist, I knew that my efforts would have to be in the form of volunteering.  Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who was also willing to do his part.  My wonderful sister and I got together with our friend April who has "adopted" us as sisters.  We had a fun night of playing Betty Crocker.  We baked cookies with our children (well, we baked cookies while the children played!) to hand out at the family fun stop (1/2 way point) on the Family Fun Ride.   We baked 13 dozen cookies and most of them made it to the family fun stop.  Of course there were some set aside for samples and the dough had to be tested as well.


 We had the extreme pleasure of handing out cookies and water to the cyclists on the Family Fun Ride and I was so excited to capture a few shots of the riders entering and exiting the stop as well as posing with friends in front of the "We Took The Challenge" sign.  It was great fun and such an amazing experience to know that everyone there was in their own way helping to fight this disease.  The weather threatened to be dreadful for the bicycle tour, but I believe that prayers were answered because the rain held off until the festivities were over.
Some of the volunteers who helped make this possible.


This is SO his color! 

According to the 65 Roses Facebook Page, there were 207 Cyclists in this, it's first year and raised an estimated $6000!  Keep in mind that this was the first weekend of spring break.  I am certain that this hindered attendance a bit.  But, am so happy that Searcy came out to show their support for such a worthy cause!  I cannot wait to help out next year and am positively certain that these numbers will at least double!

Students coming together for a great cause!  

Not only sponsors but riders as well!
To see more photos from the tour, you can click here. You may purchase high resolution digital images of these photos at $5.00 each with the proceeds to benefit the CF Foundation. 

  • To find out how you can help change the CF from meaning Cystic Fibrosis to Cure Found, click here.
  • To do your part by making a donation, click here to find out how.

Amber on the radio.
I would just like to say a special thanks to an old friend, Brittany (Aven's Mommy) for being such a strong person and always keeping a positive attitude.  That is something that I always loved about you.  Your smile was always so beautiful and still remains so after all these years.  Amber (Aven's Auntie), you are such an inspiration!  I am so proud to call you a friend.  Your efforts for this fund raiser were so phenomenal!  Even though you had almost no sleep you were running at full speed for this event.  It was orchestrated like a well oiled machine.  You worked so hard to accomplish such an awe inspiring event and you did it!!!  I am so proud of you.  I know that your brother is proud of you as we are all proud of HIM for completing this bike tour in honor of his beautiful daughter, Aven.  I am also proud to call Searcy my home town.  I did not grow up here, but am proud to say that I am so glad that my children are.  Thank you, Searcy for coming out to support such a worth cause!  To see the rest of my photos from the tour (Family Fun Stop and Spring Park), click here.

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Mommy Invented Products

I have the great honor of appearing on Good Morning Arkansas on Friday Morning, March 5th, 2010 (local channel 7 - ABC Affiliate @ 9am). I am promoting the following Mommy Invented products. I am very excited about my appearance. I hope that if you're visiting this site after watching the show that you will bookmark this site or add us to your reader.

Pig Treasure Chest Pet
Treasure Chest Pets are the first and only organizers that make putting things away fun and a great way for kids to keep their special things safe. Designed to look like cuddly stuffed animals, each TC Pet has a magnetic, detachable, pillowy stuffed animal head and stuffed animal bodies that contain external and internal compartments for organizing and storing treasures. Treasure Chest Pets are a great way for kids to keep their special things safe. There are six different stuffed animal designs to choose from in 3 three different styles - Accessory Chest Dog and Accessory Chest Pig have a hidden drawer and two secret pockets on the outside, along with secret pockets in both ears. Treasure Chest Monkey and Treasure Chest Cow have one gigantic pocket inside that opens like a treasure chest. Media Chest Bear and Media Chest Horse have a secret pocket inside the head and 3 compartments in the body to store CDs, DVDs, speakers/cables, MP3 player and more.

Shelby & Emily - pig accessorizing.
We received the TC Pig and Shelby, my 7 year old daughter was so excited when she saw it.  She immediately took it to her room to find out what she could stuff in and wrap around it.  The piggie's head makes a cute little pillow and believe me, she easily found things that fit perfectly in and on it.  Headbands, wallet, jewelry, and the likes.  She really loves it. 

If you're interested in purchasing this item, it retails for $19.99 plus shipping and handling.  You can order this TC Pig Pet or any of the other five animal styles by clicking HERE. 

____________________________________________________________

My Plate Mate
My Plate-Mate is a unique, mom-invented product for toddlers geared to make meal times easier for families. My Plate-Mate is a spill-guard that attaches to the rim of any standard plate. Great for promoting independent self feeding while minimizing messy spills and clean up for parents whether you're at home or on the go out at restaurants or grandma's house. As a spill guard, it creates a bumper to prevent food from falling off the plate while a child eats. Also, My Plate-Mate's innovative design provides a curved wall that helps children scoop food onto their utensil with ease, giving them independence and confidence in self-feeding. Made in the USA, using only FDA-approved plastic (no lead, phthalates, bisphenol-a, polycarbonates or PVC). Dishwasher-safe and conveniently portable so that children and families can enjoy their meals anywhere.

Tyler & his Plate Mate
Since I have a 5 year old and an 18 month old, I knew this would be something that we could use.  When I saw this product, I had one of those Why didn't I think of that moments!  It is an awesome product.  The fact that it was mommy invented (by Michele Wong and Paige Akabane) came as no surprise to me. Tyler was happy to demonstrate for a picture as he enjoyed some peaches. He had a hard time not sticking his thumb up there to catch the food. Then he'd realized he didn't have to! Genius, this product is simply a MUST have for any person with small children, or caring for the elderly!  They fit easily in the diaper bag if you're taking your children out to eat.

The plate mate comes in three colors:  white, pink, and blue.  They retail for $7.99 each or $20 for a set of three.  For purchasing information, click HERE.

____________________________________________________________


BabyBriefcase
BabyBriefcase is a document organizer designed specifically for parents and their babies and toddlers, particularly useful and important for health-related documents. Stylish and charming, the mom-invented BabyBriefcase stores all the documents and information relating to a new baby in a way that makes everything easily accessible whether at a hospital, doctor's office, on vacation or anywhere else. Every document that deals with the new baby has a special place for it in the BabyBriefcase so that if an emergency arises, parents don't have to sort through to find what they need.

When you bring a new baby home from the hospital, I think that all of the paperwork that comes along with it weighs more than the actual baby itself.  The BabyBriefcase can help any mom get organized...not just a new mom!  I have three children and I must admit that sometimes I have a hard time remembering where I put the shot record for one or the birth certificate for another.  This is an easy way to keep it all together.  It fits into most standard sized file cabinets and can accommodate many standard letter-size file folders. It comes with 15 durable letter-size frosted plastic folders in yummy periwinkle, mint green, and peach, 20+ pre-printed and customizable folder categories, a thank you note tracker, 2 baby wallet info cards, framed photo pocket and a convenient pen slot (pen not included).

The BabyBriefcase retails for $29.95.  You can click HERE to purchase.  

____________________________________________________________

BumpyName
The BumpyName is a line of cute, mom-invented, elastic rubber orbit labels. BumpyName labels are personalized, non-adhesive, reusable and come in a variety of colors. BumpyName's stretchy, elastic design allows it to snugly fit around or "orbit" a container, but can simply be taken off when not wanted BumpyName works great on everything from baby bottles to sippy cups to snack containers. Each label has a child's standard written name as well as the name in Braille. BumpyName labels are heavy duty and can withstand the rigors of repeated dishwashing, microwaving, boiling and sterilizing all while maintaining a clear personalization of a child's name as they progress from baby bottles, to sippy cups, to regular drink bottles.

These are a great idea for anyone who has children in daycare or if you're around other children a lot because, if you're like me and live in a small town, there aren't very many places to shop for things like bottles or sippy cups resulting in children having the same items. If you have three children, this helps as well for the children to be able to find their own cups.

This product retails for $12.95 for a single personalized line or $13.95 for a double line personalization and comes in a four colors: sky blue, scrub green, bubble gum pink, and pinkly purple. To purchase, click HERE.

Monday, October 05, 2009

Help A Child by Voting for the Ultimate Gameroom Experience!!!

Microsoft has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network to provide three Children’s Miracle Network pediatric hospitals an Ultimate Gameroom experience. By clicking the graphic you can go to the page to vote for your hospital of choice. Of course, I would love it if you voted for Arkansas! The best part is that YOU could win an Xbox 360 as well! Cast your vote for the Children’s Miracle Network hospital of your choice, each time you vote you will be entered to win an Xbox 360 – the more you vote, the better your chances of winning. Just remember that by voting you're a winner because you're helping a child!!

As of today, Arkansas is ranked #1!!! We're only ahead by $2,700 votes so log on, Arkansas and vote for our home state to win. I would love to see Arkansas Children's Hospital take the grand prize and maybe one of my readers to win the Xbox 360 for themselves!!!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Hog Wild News

A stretch of interstate 430 connecting Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas was shut down early Monday morning due to...wait for it...HOGS!   No, I'm not talking about the two wheeled hogs that leather clad "Chopper" fans ride I'm talking about the stinky, oinking, curly tailed, four legged kind.  The irony of this story is that Arkansas football mascot just so happens to be a hog!  90 hogs @ 800lbs each sounds like breakfast to me, especially in this heat! 

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Camera Critters - Life in Arkansas

I shot this photo two weekends ago in Hector, Arkansas when we were on a four wheeler trip. This beautiful butterfly was going about it's business and I happened to have my Canon in hand and I was able to snap it . I was so thankful that we got to spend the weekend exploring the countryside. I love being outdoors and fortunately we live in a state that makes that possible because Arkansas has beautiful country.  I love enjoying the wonders of nature in Arkansas! I wouldn't have it any other way!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Weather, Teeth, & Wet Keyboards...

We have had beautiful weather all week. Highs in the low 80s and high 70s with a slight breeze and sunshine. Who could ask for more?! The long weekend (Memorial Day) is quickly approaching and guess what? THIS is our forecast:It's a good thing I've got 3 Netflix movies due in today. It looks like we'll be spending a big part of the long weekend indoors. I do hope to catch Night At The Museum - Battle @ The Smithsonian this weekend as the first Night At The Museum is one of Tyler's favorite movies.

In other news, Kris Allen won American Idol last night and I think that all over Arkansas the screams of excitement could be heard and I'm sure that I'm not the only person who shed a few tears of joy to see our hometown boy graciously accept this prestigious honor. Congrats, Kris on your feat and we wish you much continued success in this journey ahead. I will have to say that I enjoyed the finale show. It was the best by far. Adam's performance with KISS was memorable and I am searching for those boots he had on because I just loved them!

Emily Grace is 8.5 months old and she now officially has two bottom teeth. She's been chewing on everything she can get her hands on and some things that she can't. She has also discovered a new love for music and television. She will rock back and forth on her hands and knees when a song comes on television. In fact, she will drop what she is doing to watch American Idol and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Let the hate mail and comments begin on what a bad parent I am for letting my kids watch television. I watch a lot of television, so I can't tell my kids they can't, right?! That would be hypocritical of me. When the warm weather finally settles in, though we'll be spending lots of time in the swimming pool, so our television sets will have some time to rest.
She has also discovered a fascination with my laptop. Yes, it's true that they only know what they are taught. She sees her mommy pecking away at these keys all of the time and she wants to know what all of the fuss is about. She tried them out and they don't taste as good as they look. I think that she'll have her own facebook page in no time and will be blogging all about what she learned from twitter and flickr.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Congrats, Kris!

Congrats, to Conway's own Kris Allen on being in the
Finals on American Idol.

Arkansas is pulling for you, Kris.
We ♥ you.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Thursday Randomness

* I love my best friend! As you're reading this I am spending a couple of days with her on a little mini-girlfriend-getaway. I'll be tagging along with she and her mom. I've been looking forward to it for quite some time now. We'll be going to the Spa City, Hot Springs. We will be bathing in the springs followed by a massage. You just can't beat relaxation like this!

* I bought some bath and body products that I really love last weekend at Branson. Lavender and Vanilla sugar scrub as well as the bubble bath! It's amazing. It's a wonderful aromatherapy sleep aid. The sugar scrub not only exfoliates but it is also a moisturizer. I would highly recommend this product if you haven't tried it.

* I am having some serious issues with my eye lids. They are super dry and itchy. I use baby soap to remove my make up and baby lotion to moisturize. Any tips as to what it might be and why it won't go away?!

* Emily ate her first food Tuesday night. She had squash. She seemed to enjoy it and did really well with the spoon, not gagging at all! My baby girl is growing so fast.

* Speaking of growing fast, she weighed in at a whopping 14.5 pounds Monday at her check up. Her pediatrician said she was "perfect" just like her brother and sister. I really love that guy. He knows how to make a momma proud.

* Thank goodness for empty dream catchers! 

* It's a new year, have you resolved anything?  Are you taking a Spawn supplement, on a cabbage soup diet, or are you working out and eating healthy? Have you resolved to become closer to being debt free in '09? I'd love to do both. We'll see.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Finger Lickin' Five For Friday


While you're enjoying your left over turkey sandwiches today, head over to the All Arkie Army and see who is featured in the Five for Friday post this week. I'll give you a hint, she's an obscene 3 month old!

I had peanut butter pie with my coffee this morning for breakfast.
It just doesn't get any better than this, folks!

I hope that your Thanksgiving was finger lickin' good...as evident in the photo, ours was! This is my nephew Jerimy. He had a wonderful time enjoying our Thanksgiving Feast!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Please Pray For Us!

The weekend was very tradgic for our great state. Arkansas was plagued with two terrible events over this past weekend. We lost a dear news anchor, Anne Pressley and two college students were shot at UCA College.

Anne Pressley, a 26 year old news anchor for KATV, Channel 7 was found by her mother brutally beaten after not answering her Monday morning wake up call last week. Her purse and other belongings were missing from her home. Doctors were reporting Friday that the swelling in her brain was better and that they were guardedly optomistic about her recovery. We were all shocked and saddened to hear on the Saturday evening newscast that Ms Pressley had passed away. Anne lived in The Heights in Little Rock. This is an upscale neighborhood. For something like this to happen here, it is a very scary thing and just goes to show that we are not safe anywhere anymore! There is a $30,000 reward fund set up by the television station for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the monster or monsters involved in this heinus crime. If you live in the area and know anything, PLEASE call the authorities. My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Ms Pressley. She was a beautiful young lady and is no longer in pain and for that, I rejoice. For more information about this story, you can check out the news station's website located here, and about the reward fund, here.

There was a confirmed shooting on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway Saturday night as well. Ryan Henderson, 18, was found dead on the scene. Chavarez Block, 19, later died at Conway Regional Health. The third victim was Martrevis Norman who was not a student was treated and later released. Authorities believe this is an isolated incident and that the college is still safe for the other students. Let's hope this is a true assessment! Please keep the family and other students affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers!

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Is This Arkansas?!?!

Unfortunately I live in the blue shaded area!!!

In the great state of Arkansas, normally this time of year our temperatures are in the 60s. Tuesday we had record snowfall for our state. Thankfully it had been in the 70s on Sunday so the roads and ground were warm and it didn't get too bad where I live. Other parts of the state weren't so lucky. But, now here we are bracing for possibly another winter storm. The worst part about it is that Tyler came home from school this afternoon running a fever and holding his ear. I think that he has an ear infection. If we get sleet/ice mixed with snow tonight and then snow tomorrow I'm sure the driving conditions aren't going to be so great for taking him to the doctor. It's going to be a long weekend if we're stuck here iced in...IN MARCH!!! I might be online looking for some good vacation deals before all is said and done! Could someone tell me when Spring is going to get here because right now it ain't looking so good from here!

Friday, November 23, 2007

How 'bout them Hogs!?!?!?!

Whoo Pig Sooie!!!
Hogs beat #1 ranked LSU in triple overtime.

Final Score: 50 - 48

The kitty cat cheered the hogs!!!

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Duck Hunting

Arkansas is known as "The duck hunting capital of the world." More than 70,000 duck stamps are sold in Arkansas every year, and more mallards are harvested in the state than in the rest of the Mississippi flyway. THANK GOODNESS hubby doesn't duck hunt. I just can't see the point in standing in water in the middle of winter or even worse...boating when the temperatures are below freezing. These guys are mad, I tell ya! It's bad enough to get out there in wind and frost sitting in a tree, but in water?! Sheesh!