The week in review

Last Friday I took off work a little early for a hair appointment, well after that Jarrod and I went to Corning to look at a truck. Which was much better looking in the pics on the internet than in real life (isn't that always the case?). So we decided to cruise on over to Pocahontas and go by Dawson's Furniture and see my cousin Josh (his in laws own the store). We had a nice visit and I came home with new (and MUCH needed) tables for the Living room!! I really love them! Nice clean lines and they even have a black accent! Jarrod said he wasn't taking me truck shopping ever again?? Ha! I will take some pics of them in our room, if I ever get a chance to clean my house!!!!!!

We had a nice weekend. Sunday was a busy day for Jarrod! We got up and went to church (early service @ 7:45) as usual. Then we came home and Jarrod grilled some chicken for lunch. We were just about to sit down and eat when Jarrod's work phone rang. He quickly ate lunch and headed for Leachville. He got home about 2pm, just in time to throw on some different clothes and get to softball practice (he is playing on our church league). Then he got home from practice with just enough time to take a shower and then we were gone again headed for HR! We went to church there and had a b-day party for Brandye after church. We ended up staying there until 9:30, so it was a late night for a Sunday night! Whew! So much for a relaxing Sunday for Jarrod!!

Monday Jarrod left to go to work in the Harrison area. He one of the guys he works with were assigned to do inspections there because the guy that usually works that area was gone on another project. The bad part of that was that he was gone for a few days, but the good news is that they got finished early and got to come home on Wednesday.

Monday I took off at lunch to go with mom to the Children's Home in Paragould. She and the ladies in their Ladies Devo group had bought one requested item for each of the 10 cottages (like a toaster oven or humidifier) and also had a church wide pillow drive. So we went Monday afternoon to deliver them. Kim at the community outreach center was very nice and very grateful! Mom asked her to start thinking of another project that her ladies could be working on. And I asked her if she could come up with something small I think that my new "prayer group" would like to participate, too. (Oh, btw about 6 or 7 of us younger gals in my class at church have decided to get together once a month for a time of prayer, fellowship and accountability. I think it's going to be a great encouragement for me personally and I hope that it will be for everyone else that comes!)

After we left the Children's home we ran into Swank. Mom is looking for a sectional and she is being rather picky about what she wants. We found some really great stuff! It's a store that I LOVE, but I am partial to contemporary looking furnishings. I was surprised that she like it as much as she did! I think she is planning on taking Daddy back to check some things out. And for $200 they will come to your house and make suggestions based on the room dimensions, use of the space, items that must stay and things you would like to add. . .then if/when you buy the items at the store the $200 is an automatic credit on your account, so it's like free personal decorator!  I Think that is so cool!

We also went by and saw Kayce & baby Cooper. They are both doing so great! He is getting so big, even though he still weighs less than 8 lbs! We couldn't stay too long because I had to be back home by 5pm, Isabella and Alexandra were coming to my house for dinner while Brian and Christina went to Fitness Bootcamp! We had a nice dinner on the back patio and then we played with sidewalk chalk and played with Isabella's T-ball set. It was so nice outside! I wish we had more days like that! Taki layed down on the sidewalk on area that was covered with chalk and she was purple and pink all over! There is still some pink spots that I can't wash off!

Tuesday and Thursday nights Andrea came over and we worked on assembling her wedding invitations, we didn't get finished, so Amber said that she would help Andrea with the rest of them this weekend. It is such hard work and so time consuming!! Now I know why most places charge $10-12 each for them now!! They look really nice and the colors and materials are really beautiful, I know that she is going to get such a positive response from her guests!

I think that Jarrod has (finally) found a truck! I will keep you posted, but if everything goes well we should be back to a two vehicle household by tomorrow! Yay!

Tomorrow I have a baby shower to go to in Fisher, for my friend Tisha Deen and then we going to a surprise b-day party for John (Amber's husband, for those of you who don't know. . .) it's Saturday night at the Whole Hog . . .yummy! I think we might go bowling after that, maybe.

May is almost here and I am going to be a buzzing!! With showers every weekend until June and then the Weddings, things are bound to get a little crazy!! If I am MIA for awhile, you'll know why!

Catching up. . . .

The past couple of weeks have been pretty busy around the ol' Staggs household! I have been busy working on shower invitations for three showers, some note card projects and guess what . . .another wedding! That's right I'm up to FOUR weddings in June! The good news is that word is getting around and my little side business is really picking up speed! I'm staying busy, but it's fun.

Mom's b-day party with the Wilson's went really well. The weather was so nice and we ended up sitting outside on the back patio! We had burgers and all the fixins' and ice cream cake. . .

After everyone left around 8:30 Mom and I decided to run to the mall, as one of her favorite stores was running a one day only 40% off sale. We barely made it in the door of the mall before they started closing most of the stores. We were speed walking down the mall trying not to knock the people, who were exiting, over! We got to the store and didn't really look around much, we were grabbing all sorts of stuff off the racks and giving it to the lady to fold and ring up.  She ended up getting a TON of stuff! I think we did quite a bit of damage in about 15-20 minutes of shopping! The ladies in the store were very nice about us coming in so late.  Then we went to Kohls and did some more shopping, since they stay open later than the mall does! I think we got back to my house about 9:45. I think Daddy & Jarrod were both asleep when we came in! Whew, it was a long day!

The next day our Friends Forever group met after church (Sunday night) and we had bbq at Ben & Hedi's house. We had a really fun time. The guys sat in the living room and watched football and the girls sat in the kitchen! haha! Good fellowship, huh! The guys were also all drooling over Ben's new boat. . . don't ask me what it is 'cause I don't know, all I know is it's big and blue and shiny!

Mom and I both had Doctor appointments on Monday April 7th at Dr. White's (the dermatologist in Searcy) office. He burned and scraped another spot off my back. . .those previous years in the tanning bed are catching up with me. But, let me tell you,  I've learned my lesson! No more tanning beds and now I slather on the sunscreen!  [ I got the results back yesterday, luckily it was only a damaged sun spot. ]

After we saw the Dr. we did a little shopping before heading back to Hickory Ridge.  When we got back, I helped Mom and Daddy prime the walls in Nanny's bedroom. They were painting over the paneling to make it lighter and brighter.  I also got to see my Papa's new puppies! His two Jack Russell's have had their first litter. They are really sweet, but aren't all puppies! He was trying to get me to pick one out, and  I tried to convince him that we don't have a fence and are never home. We don't have the time for a dog. I'd love to have a dog (not a Jack Russell, though) but not until we get a fence and aren't so busy!

Jarrod (finally) sold his little red truck last week, which is a good thing, however, now we are down to one vehicle, which is a bad thing! It's not so bad during the week, but on Fridays and the weekends it's a bit of a hassle! I hope he finds something he likes soon!

This past  Saturday we went to Searcy. Jennifer, Margie and I worked on assembling wedding invitations for awhile. Then we went out to eat for Jennifer's b-day (which is April 19th) dinner. We went to Michael's in Heber, it's an Italian/Steak restaurant. I had steak and my side dish was fettuccini alfredo (I kid you not!) Then we drove around the dam site and the camping areas to look at the high water. I think we heard Jarrod & Terry say "that's a lot of water" and "there's a gallon or two of water in there" about a hundred times! Funny. Guys are so easily amused! We got back to Searcy and let Jennifer open her gifts and had some cheesecake!

Sunday we went to church and did the usual Sunday stuff. Jarrod had softball practice and I took a much needed nap!

Monday night Mom & Dad were in town so Jarrod and I had dinner with them and I ran some errands with them. Daddy also accompanied me to Office Depot where I purchased a new computer!!!! Yay!

It's an HP Pavilion, and I absolutely LOVE it!  CS2 was running so slow on my laptop that I could barely use it, so it was time to get something new! I decided a desktop would better suit my needs. It has loads of features and the screen is so crisp and sharp and SO BIG! So far so good, PS is running like a charm!

I am so glad that tomorrow is Friday! I have an appointment to get my hair cut tomorrow afternoon, so I am taking off work early (it's nice to have a flexible job!) and then Jarrod and I are going to look for a new truck! Keep your fingers crossed, I know I will be!!

TGIF!!!

Whew! We survived another severe weather outbreak last night. Fortunately for us, the majority of the most volatile storm  activity was in central Arkansas, around Little Rock. Unfortunately for those people there is lots of damage and lots of flooding.  I am pretty sleepy this morning, we didn't go to bed until after 1 am, since Jarrod's family live in Searcy ,  we were watching the weather closely. His family and friends seem to have dodged the worst. Margie called last night before the storms broke out to tell us that she, Jennifer and Jennifer's wedding dress were headed to Mema's storm shelter! Hey, when there's a tornado heading towards you, you got to get your priorities straight!!

I know it's been awhile since my last post, this has been a busy couple of weeks for me. I've been working on more than 7 different projects (including three weddings) outside of my actual 8-5 job. That combined with the rain and stormy weather, trying to fend off a cold and allergies, trying to keep a relatively  clean house,  doing laundry and making an effort to keep the hubby happy with a good dinner and  has really wore me out. . . . so, how in the world  do you do all this with kids?? That is what I am wondering??? Is it possible?? I know it is, but I just don't see how sometimes!!!

We are having the Wilson's over for a cookout tomorrow night for my mom's birthday. So, tonight we will be busy shopping and cooking for tomorrow! It should be fun to have everyone together at our house, we love entertaining even if we don't get around to doing it much.  And the weather is supposed to be great. One can only hope!

Have a great weekend!!!!!!

Super Tuesday. . .

Ha ha! Hey, it is a super day for me because we got our hot water heater fixed yesterday!!! I got to take a LONG, HOT shower this morning!

I heard something interesting on the radio as I was coming to work this morning.  Did you know that Tuesdays are the most productive day of the week?!? I didn't!

Well, make the most of it ! Have a great Tuesday!

Easter Weekend

Friday . . . .

I left work early so that we could get to Searcy in time to pick up our rental car (daddy bumped into the back of my car a couple of weeks ago and we are having it repaired in Searcy) and drop our car off  to get fixed.

We ran by Jarrod's parents house to change clothes and then we had dinner with them at the Rib Crib before going to Spring Sing.

Spring Sing was just not up to par this year. I won't go into the details, but it could have been better. . . . a lot better. [Note for Kristen. . . there were NO SPARKLES in the Ju Go Ju show?!?! What's up with that?!?!]

Saturday. . . .

I got to sleep late! Yay! Jarrod helped me clean house and then we had errands to run, shopping to do and groceries to buy.  I cooked my dishes for Sunday.

Sunday . . . .

Our plan was to get up, get ready and go to church in Hickory Ridge before having lunch at my grandpa & grandma's house. Well, we got up as usual and I went to get in the shower, except I couldn't get any hot water! After tinkering with the hot water heater and a call to my dad we decided it was hopeless! We threw our stuff together and left our house headed for Hickory Ridge at 9:15! We got to my mom and dad's rushed to get ready and made it to church by 10:30!! I am not kidding! We might have been a few minutes late, but not by much! The only things we forgot were my hairspray and Jarrod's belt! I thought that was pretty good for as fast as we got our stuff together! I usually get a picture of Jarrod and I on Easter, but not this year! ha!

We had lunch with my family and had a nice afternoon. I didn't venture outside much, it was COLD!! We stayed in Hickory Ridge all day! We went to evening services and then ate dinner at my mom & dad's and watched a movie with them. I decided to take a bath before we left in the case that our hot water heater was still out.  We got back home about 11pm. Whew!

. . . . and yes the hot water heater was still out! Which lead to an unbearably cold hair washing this morning!!! Talk about brain freeze!!

The Wait is over!

The new ASU mascot & imagery was officially been released today!

Here's an except from today's news release. . . .

March 13, 2008 -- The wait is over. Today at 11 a.m. on the east side of the Student Union, a roll-out ceremony for Arkansas State University’s newly adopted mascot, the Red Wolves, revealed the new face of ASU athletics.

The decision to bid farewell to ASU’s Indians and Indian Family was not an easy one, but it was a collaborative decision at every level. The decision-making process was begun about a year ago in response to NCAA sanctions.

At the urging of administrators, notably ASU Chancellor Dr. Robert L. Potts, a Mascot Selection Steering Committee was appointed and charged with gathering ideas for a mascot change from an extremely broad-based constituency that included current students, alumni, representatives from student athletics, athletic administration representation, and members of the community. Jim Pickens, emeritus trustee, was appointed committee chair to oversee the process and keep it representative of all constituencies.

Pickens remarked, “It was a pleasure playing a small role in the future of our university, and all concerned played a significant part in helping our institution move forward. On behalf of the Mascot Selection Committee, we wish to thank the administration, Board of Trustees, and various constituencies for the trust, confidence, and support we received as we went about this historic process of selecting a new mascot and mark for our university. I commend the Mascot Selection Committee for their dedication, professionalism, and hard work as we attempted to select a new mascot that is in keeping with the highest standards of our great university. Hopefully, the new mascot and imagery will serve to broaden and unify our base as together we strive for continued excellence in all aspects of our students' experience at Arkansas State University. I’m thankful for the opportunity to participate in what I hope is a great new beginning for A-State."

As Chancellor Potts noted at the historic Friday, March 7 ASU Board of Trustees meeting, “on Jan. 30, the Mascot Selection Steering Committee concluded its work by recommending that ASU adopt Wolves or a variation thereof, such as Red Wolves, as the new mascot and nickname for our athletic team.” After ascertaining that the nickname “Red Wolves” was unique among four-year universities, Potts brought it before the trustees, who ratified his selection. Potts remarked, “The Red Wolf is a noble species of wolf that once inhabited Arkansas and still exists in small numbers in other states. They are vicious and very aggressive, and they run in packs. I believe that Red Wolves is the best choice…”

Kim Wheeler, executive director of the Red Wolf Coalition, a nonprofit conservation group based in eastern North Carolina, wrote the following message to Chancellor Potts. Wheeler wrote, “The Red Wolf Coalition, Inc., and the many supporters of red wolf conservation are thrilled and send their “howling” congratulations to ASU on your choice of the red wolf as your mascot.  I have passed along your mascot announcement to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Red Wolf Recovery Program and to the captive management facilities across the United States with great enthusiasm. We consider our red wolf supporters and captive management facilities to be one big family, and we welcome the students, staff, and alumni of Arkansas State University to the family.”

ASU’s athletic teams will begin competing as Red Wolves next fall at the beginning of the academic year.

First pair of spring shoes!

I must admit that as much as my allergies and and fear of tornadoes lend me to not have a favorable outlook on spring, I do LOVE  spring for it's arrival of NEW CLOTHES & SHOES! My wallet always takes a major hit this time of year, but this year I have a valid reason for new clothes . . . . I need a bigger size! ugh.

I just got these in today from Piperlime and they are so sporty and cute!! And while I've only wore them around in the office so far, they are super comfy!! I know they have them at Gearhead, in the mall, but I needed a size 5, and they don't carry that small of a size! If your in the mall, just go by Gearhead and try these on. . . . I promise, you will fall in love!

Also, I am very impressed with the spring looks from Eddie Bauer. I'm not usually a fan, but I guess I am getting more laid back in my clothing choices! There is some really cute stuff on the web site that I plan on acquiring for the spring and summer (shhh! don't tell Jarrod, ha ha) and I might even order a bathing suit, too! I love this look and I do have the shoes now. . . .