oops......

Having a store and working in it daily I encounter so many people each and everyday. One of my favorite aspects of my job is that I get to meet and talk to so many people. In most cases if you are in my store I love striking up conversations with individuals while helping them with their purchases or greeting them with a warm and friendly Hello. The only problem is that my friendliness and desire to make conversation has gotten me in trouble. I have made so many uh-oh's. Here are some of the terrible things I have said. If I said these to any of you it was never my intentions to be ugly or hurt your feelings. It is usually me not taking notices before I speak. We have really big counters and it is so dark in our store and its hard to see people's faces when they come in ( one time when Rebecca came to work through the front I said "Hey How are you? Can I help you find anything?" Rebecca said "Umm its me.")
Anyways so here are the top 5 uh oh's.

1. As I was helping a lady pick out clothes and a monogram for her twins I asked " So when are your twins due?" She said " They were born last week". I know pretty bad.

2. Two older ladies were in the baby sections both had grey hair, glasses, same size and shape. I said " Are yall sister's?" One lady responded "Are you serious. We are 20 years apart. She is my niece." Let's just say the other lady never responded ( they really looked alike, I really almost asked if they were twins. At least sister could be 20 years apart right?? )

3. I welcome this girl I know to the store with a big bubbly "Hey Carrie!" "She said its Claire". Opps. Then as she was leaving I said "Bye Carrie" "She said it's Claire". Opps again. I have also forgotten a million peoples names when they are in the store ( in my defense I have tons of conversations a day with new people so I always am forgetting names and faces). I am so sorry I have a really bad memory. It is really horrible.

4. This man was trying getting this necklace for his wife and I was trying it on for him to see to length and what it looked like on. I had a jacket on over my shirt so I pulled it opened and put it on then when I looked down at the necklace I noticed shirt was sooo low and my Bra was showing by about 2 inches. All I knew to say was "excuse me" and pull it up. PS - the man went to my church. ( if you know me I am the most modest person you will meet this was very embarassing for me I turned bright red).

5. I also said to this girl I know "I heard you were Pregnant". She said "No I am not pregnant" and of course I dug myself into the biggest hole. She had been in the baby section and when we were having this conversation she really was behind the counter and I really thought I had heard that ( apparently I got some wrong info and from now on I never never ask ).


Stay tuned I sure there will be tons more because my husband reminds me daily I have no filter.

A year ago....

A year ago Jay and I were headed to Gulfport for a medical convention that Jay had with Astrazeneca. We had just check in and my parents called and they had just gotten a call from the doctors saying that the lump in my mom's breast was cancer. My parents were so unprepared and shocked by the news (they didn't even ask any questions regarding size, stage, treatments, etc ). I can not even describe the emotions I had especially those first few weeks. I knew very little at the time about Breast Cancer. I now have learned so much and most importantly learned how far they have come in the success with treatments and research. In the weeks to follow we learned they had caught it early but that she would have to undergo Chemo and radiation. As I reflect on the past year God is so good and took care of us. He has answered so many prayers and has really taught me the power of prayer. Mom is a fighter. She was so brave and strong. She didn't let cancer put her life on hold. She attended State Football games ( which if you know anything about my family, we don't miss games), she was able to come to Smitten when we opened, attend wedding and events, work, meet Deanna Farve ( a breast cancer survivor ), and walk as a Breast Cancer Survivor in the Race for the Cure ( Team Christie!) Thursday I wore pink in honor of my precious mom. I am sooo proud of her. I love you MOM and look forward to some many wonderful years to come.

Team Christie! Race for the Cure. Mom in pink hat & sporting her new beautiful wig!

Family picture 3 days before mom started chemo.

Mom and Deanna Farve ( mom in her cute wig )

No More Chemo/ Birthday Party for mom!

Our deck and screened in porch is completed and we have loved using it this holiday weekend. We had a few friends over last night to test it out. Here are a few pictures of our new addition.



under construction.

The screened in porch.

Our cute new bench. I found it at an antique store. The bench was made from a 1930's baby crib. My sweet sister-in-law is making us cushions so we can enjoy it on the porch.

My handy husband made this table for our porch. My friend jennings gave me the idea to use the window pane I had in the garage as a table! Thanks Jennings!

Kris Allen Wins Idol!!

Kris Allen wins Idol!!!!!!!! Jay and I have been watching all season and I have loved Kris since the beginning ( and then when I heard on K-Love he was a Christian it started a tiny obsession). I am so excited that he won. I voted about 40 times tuesday night ( I know I am a HUGE loser). Jay was out of town so I just kept dialing like a 13 year old. It paid off though!!!I hope and pray that he will continue to be a role model to Americans, his faith will shine, and his marriage will remain strong .

5 things going on with the Hassell's

Sooo It has been weeks since I posted and some of my friends have been calling me out ( I really didn't know anyone read my blog). Here are 5 things that have been going on with the Hassells.



1. Jay has been traveling a ton but has been home this week. It has been great having him here and having him work/study from the house. When he has been gone I have tried to stay very busy hanging out with new/old friends, spending time with my young life girls, attending all functions, shopping ( jay's not here, si I want get in trouble ), helping my friends and jenny out with their kids, and even exercising. Jay will be leaving again on sunday and will be gone for several weeks but is planning to be home on the weekends at least.



2. Smitten got into Mistletoe!!! We are so excited but have alot of work ahead of us. We feel so honored to be accepted on our first attempt. Thank you to everyone in the Junior League for this great opportunity. Mark the dates on your calendar it kicks off Nov. 4 ( my 3 year anniversary!!!! happy anniversary Jay you will be working the Smitten booth at the preview party!).



3. My sister, Lori, graduated from Miss State at the beginning of May ( I still feel like she should be in 9th grade ). She graduated with high honors ( unlike her sister). She has been accepted into the speech pathology program in memphis (the 12th best program in the country ). She has received a scholorship and a GA position. ( like I said obviously way smarter ). I am sooo proud of her. I feel that this is her calling and it is the perfect career path for her.



4. I got a new phone on Monday which has made jay, my parents, lauren and rebecca's day. My old phone that I have had for 2 years had a battery life of about 12 minutes and then it would start beeping and it drove them crazy ( it did it every hour of the day so I was used to it but then the screen broke so it was time). I really hate getting new phones b/c it takes me about 2 years to learn how to work them. So if I don't text you back its not because I am being rude its b/c I don't know how to use my new phone. I only get the free phones that are offered and I thought this one was similiar to my old one. Well its not. ( supposedly this one is really cute according to Lauren but I miss the one that beeped every second of the day ).



5. This past weekend we had a deck builted off our patio and this weekend we our getting our back porch screened in. We are excited about fixing up our backyard and expanding our outdoor entertaining area. I will post pictures when it is completed this weekend.