Monday, October 29, 2007

They've found me!

The holiday season is coming up which means it's time to start shopping or at least deciding what to get everyone for Christmas. I've actually done a lot of my shopping really early or online the past few years. I'm not one for a lot of crowds and fighting over the last Elmo (insert other cool toys here) on the shelf. I guess the retailers have finally figured me out because I'm now getting holiday catalog after holiday catalog in the mail each day. I've moved so many times over the past 10 years, the catalogs finally lost track of me... but they've found me again! This time, not only am I getting home decorating catalogs, odd gifts idea catalogs, but the ones full of toys have also found their way to my house. I'm such a sucker, as all new parents are, for those especially... I want to make sure Jackson's got all the fun learning toys available! The catalogs aren't all bad, I have found some neat decorating tips or cool toys in them, but that's what makes them so dangerous!

Posted at 6:47 AM by Jennifer Haile 0 comments

Friday, October 26, 2007

Pet Peeve Week

OK, I'm actually a couple of weeks late on this one, but I didn't know until this morning that National Pet Peeve week is the 2nd week of October. Anyways, I thought I'd share one of the pet peeves at the top of my pet peeve list. It really bothers me when people park in handicapped parking spots who don't need to be parking there. What's worse is someone who is abusing the spot for something else. For example, I had to run to the grocery store a couple of days ago and noticed a truck, with a handicapped sticker, parked in the first handicapped parking spot. No problem there, but then I saw the huge cardboard sign in their front window saying "kittens for sale". Instead of going to the store to spend money, they were there to make it. Not only were they using a spot that could have been used by someone actually needing to get inside the store, but people were crowded all around the truck to pet the kittens, creating a traffic hazard. You know this is a big pet peeve when there's a website dedicated to 'turning in' people who violate this law. You can visit this site to report a violator. I noticed there was a violation reported in Springdale not too long ago. There are even pictures of the parking space violations. I would love to hear your pet peeves as well... comment below. I'm stepping off my soapbox now. Have a good weekend.

Posted at 3:41 AM by Jennifer Haile 0 comments

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Halloween and Fall Festivals

Who can resist a cute kid or pet in an adorable costume? I for one can not. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and not just because of the yummy candy, well, okay for the yummy candy... but it's also fun to see all of the little goblins, ghosts, Hannah Montana's, Superman's, etc. running around on Halloween night. I remember when I was in elementary school, my school would put on a Fall Festival every year where we all dressed up and bobbed for apples and fished for prizes. The cake walk was a personal favorite. If you're looking for something to do this Halloween (or the days prior to), here are some events happening in Northwest Arkansas.

Sunday, October 28th

9th Annual Fall Family Festival
Jones Center for Families, Springdale
1:30 - 4:30 pm
Inflatables, live music, pumpkin carving, laser tag, dodge ball cage, and much more

Tuesday, October 30th

Halloween Storytime
Fayetteville Public Library
6:30 pm
For preschool age children and their families. Participants are encouraged to come in costume!

Wednesday, October 31st

2007 Goblin Parade
Frisco Park, Rogers
3:30 pm
All little ghosts, goblins and other creatures will march through downtown Rogers for the treat-filled route.

Wild West Fall Fest
Mercy and Grace Cathedral
5185 Apple Rd Springdale, AR 72764
6:00-8:30 pm
There will be games, hayride, trunks or treat, and puppet show.

6th Annual Truck R Treat
First Baptist Church of Lowell
409 Johnson Avenue
6:00pm to 8:00pm
Free open to the public

Trick or Treat
Belle Grove Neighborhood, Fort Smith
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Trick or Treat historic haunted homes
Participating homes will be marked with an American flag and lit porch lights
Mall-o-ween
Northwest Arkansas Mall
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Bring your little ghouls and golins for store to store trick-or-treating and costume contest. The contest is open to ages 0-12 and prizes will be awarded.

Family fun at the Promenade
Pinnacle Hills Promenade, Rogers
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Activities in the Food Pavilion include: ghost stories by the fireplace, with snacks for the children, face painting, magic tricks, juggling, and balloon twisting. Don't forget to pick up your FREE Trick-or-Treat bags. So put on your best costume and join us for all of the fun and trick-or-treating!
You can find many more events on our community calendar. Just look for the tab on the left side of the page.



Posted at 5:09 AM by Jennifer Haile 0 comments

Friday, October 19, 2007

Happy Friday!

Since it's Friday, I wanted to make sure you're ending the week with a smile. I'm hoping to post some funny video or funny story every Friday that will have you rolling with laughter out of your office... not that you wouldn't already be happy since it is the end of the week. ;) You don't have to parent to appreciate this video. You might have seen her on Good Morning America a couple of weeks ago.. or if you're a regular YouTube viewer, then you've probably seen her there... but Anita Renfroe is one funny mom! She's taken the funnier side of being a mom and turned it into a comedy routine. Here's some video from one of her shows...

Posted at 8:48 AM by Jennifer Haile 0 comments

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

The Year of Living Biblically

Last night I did something I haven't done in a very long time... I started a new book. Well, actually, I have read quite a few books since becoming a parent a year ago, but they've mostly been cardboard with short rhyming sentences. So, this is my first 'grown-up' book in a while and I'm really excited about it. I used to read all of the time and I've really missed it. So why the motivation to read something new instead of getting in that extra nap? While on vacation last week, I read a book review in People magazine about The Year of Living Biblically. It's about one man's quest to follow the Bible as literally as possible for one year. The review intrigued me so much, I started checking every airport bookstore for a copy.. but I never found one and had to wait until I got home to buy it. Here's a little background on the book.... coming from a relatively non-religious background, the author, A.J. Jacobs, wanted to find out more about the most read and most sold book in the world. His way to do this was to immerse himself in the book and live by its rules as literally as possible. Jacobs says his quest changed his life and I can't wait to find out how. He does everything from herding sheep in Israel, to throwing pebbles at adulterers. Jacobs is a very creative and entertaining writer. I'm only in his first month of his year long project, but I'm already hooked. I'll give a full book review when I'm finished... although who knows how long it will take me to read it since I don't have too much free time. If you've read this book or would like to read along with me, please leave me your thoughts in the comments section. I'd love to hear other people's reviews as well.

Posted at 2:25 AM by Jennifer Haile 6 comments

Friday, October 12, 2007

Natural Halloween decorations

For the past few weeks, we've had a huge spider, we named Herman, build the biggest and most fascinating webs in our front yard. They've been all the way from our house to our maple tree out front, which is quite a distance. It's been the perfect natural decoration for Halloween! I'd take Jackson outside everyday to see how Herman was doing and look at his new web, but I'm a little sad now because Herman is gone. He had built a big new web last Thursday night going from the top of our garage to the bottom, but for me to back out, we had to take down the web. Unfortunately, Herman hasn't come back. I've been taking Jackson for walks every afternoon and I've noticed these same spiders and their neat webs all over the place. Maybe Herman has found a new home in the neighborhood, but at least I can enjoy his or his relatives 'artwork' on my walks. By the way, if anyone knows what kind of spider I'm talking about.. maybe you've seen similar webs or huge spiders in your neighborhood.. let me know. My husband thinks it might be a wood spider, but we're not sure. I've tried to do some research, but I can't find anything that looks like him. I hope to post a picture if he comes back.

Posted at 6:41 AM by Jennifer Haile 0 comments

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

New shows to watch?

I haven't seen any new shows this season yet, except for Private Practice and I wasn't that impressed. I'm going to give Private Practice a couple of more episodes to determine if it should be deleted from my DVR settings, but I was wondering, what new shows are worth watching? Private Practice was probably the most-touted new show, and I was sadly disappointed. I kept wishing characters from Grey's Anatomy would show up and save the show. So what have you watched that maybe didn't get as much pre-season hype that is DVR worthy? I'd love to hear what you think... is Cavemen your thing, or what about Carpoolers? Any good new dramas? Just leave a comment below with your suggestions.

Posted at 4:19 AM by Jennifer Haile 2 comments