It seems silly, but can buying a home be compared to shopping for shoes? My reliable sandals have served me well this summer. Showing houses day after day requires comfortable shoes. Shoes that can handle the brutal heat of a Mississippi summer, and be comfortable enough for walking construction sites and climbing stairs. Being a lady "of a certain age", I also require a lower heel. Combine these prerequisites and you will find me relishing the flats of summer.But Summer of 2015 has come to an end, and the sandals must be retired. Today I went in search of appropriate shoes to carry me into fall and winter.Did you know there are a LOT of ugly shoes out there? If I saw a cute shoe, I knew the heel would not function. In the store, the four inch stilettos were at eye-level, but the "comfy... 09/28/2015

This post was inspired by Belinda Spillman's post, Advice for Sellers - They are looking Behind Every Door. Belinda's article advises sellers to de-clutter and organize when putting ones' house on the market, because buyers open cabinets and pantry doors to see how much space is available. Her advice is spot on and highly recommended reading.One of Belinda's comments inspired me to take the post in a different direction. You may not recognize yourself as someone who needs to de-clutter. But if you plan to put your home on the market and hope to gain top dollar, I hope you enjoy this tongue-in-cheek comparison to Jeff Foxworthy's "You Might Be a Redneck..." YOU MIGHT BE A PACK RAT IF: You cannot park in the garage. Whether it's furniture, or boxes of household goods, or a myriad of other... 09/07/2015

CARA's 8th Annual Dog Days of Summer ~ Pelahatchie Shore Park Our local CARA (Community Animal Rescue and Adoption, Inc.) will host the 8th Annual Dog Days of Summer Saturday, August 29th, from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Pelahatchie Shore Park at the Reservoir!  This is CARA's largest event of the year. There will be live music, a silent auction, children's carnival ($5.00) with a Petting Zoo and much more.Arts and Crafts lovers, there will be something for you, too!Hamburgers, chicken and hot dogs will be available from Outback Steakhouse, and a couple of radio stations will be broadcasting live from Pelahatchie Park.      Bring an extra $20 and take home your very own Tie-Dye T-Shirt!  CARA is a true no-kill shelter located in Jackson. Please come out and support them in supporting unwanted... 08/21/2015

Movie Night is Tuesday, July 14th, at Flowood's Winners Circle Park The City of Flowood, in conjunction with the Flowood Chamber of Commerce and C-Spire, is hosting Movies-N-Moonlight Tuesday, July 14th at Winners Circle Park. C-Spire is providing snacks and drinks. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy this FREE event. The gates open at 6:30 and The LEGO Movie starts at dusk.  07/09/2015

Half Shell Oyster House is expanding to Flowood MS. The specialty seafood restaurant has locations in Biloxi, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Mobile, and one in Florida. The restaurant features a New Orleans French Quarter inspired decor, complete with copper top bars, wrought iron details, ornate chandeliers, stained glass, and reclaimed windows, doors, and shutters.In addition to oysters and seafood, Half Shell will offer a variety of menu items, including chicken, steak, burgers, and po-boys.Half Shell Oyster House will be located at 115 Laurel Cove, near Dogwood Mall in the building that houses the Flowood Chamber of Commerce.The restaurant's opening is planned for late August, 2015.  07/04/2015

Several Halloween Events and Festivals Abound in Brandon and other nearby MS cities, offering a variety of Halloween fun for the entire family. Flowood's Kids' Night Out will be held this year at Liberty Park, behind the Flowood YMCA. Kids' Night Out is an annual fun-filled event that includes space jumps, kids karaoke,and a petting zoo. This FREE event is set for Saturday, October 30, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Boo at the Zoo will be held this Friday and Saturday, October 22-23, 2010 from 5-8 p.m. at The Jackson Zoo. General admission applies. Visit The Jackson Zoo website for more info. The Dark Zone Haunted House is held weekends from now to October 30, 2010. Sponsored by the Crossgates Exchange Club, the Dark Zone is held in the soccer fields behind Rogers Chevrolet in Brandon MS. The H... 10/22/2010

Great news for shoppers in the Dogwood Festival Market and Promenade! TJ Maxx will celebrate its Grand Opening on Sunday, August 15, 2010 as one of the anchor stores in the popular Flowood marketplace. TJ Maxx joins a host of other department stores and specialty shops, including Belk, JC Penney, Stein Mart, Michael's, Old Navy, Target, Kohl's, and Kroger Supermarket. Numerous restaurants offer a variety of culinary cuisine and beverages to quench the appetite of visitors. See my previous post on the Corner Bakery Deli,  Here's a list of all stores in the Dogwood Festival Market and Promenade. Happy shopping!   08/11/2010

Flowood Corner Bakery Deli will open for business Monday, April 20. A reader requested a list of stores that has leased space at Market Street, so I put on my sleuth's cap and headed for the mall. Among the stores already open for business are J.C. Penney's, DSW Shoes, Bed Bath and Beyond, MiGis, and Dick's Sporting Goods. But the yummiest store slated to open is sure to be the Corner Bakery Deli. When I stopped by today, the staff was in training. They graciously offered a menu so I could see what delicious foods would be served. Although I was NOT able to procure a pre-opening snack, I was successful in scoring the opening date. Corner Bakery Deli will be open 6:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. They serve paninis, salads, and breakfast items. Flowood Market Street is growing. Michael's is hiring a... 04/19/2009

Attention, JCP shoppers! Penney's is now open at Flowood's Market Street location. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the new shopping center situated at the intersection of Lakeland Drive and Old Fannin Road in Flowood. You can see my original post here.  But the good news is J. C. Penney's and Bed, Bath, and Beyond opened their doors on March 1, and business has been brisk. I was able to visit the store this evening and take advantage of the $10 off coupon JCP mailed me last week. The check-out areas were appropriately manned to accommodate the drove of shoppers. Penney's had a good selection of merchandise. Most of the apparel was geared to the latest fashions for spring, a welcome relief for those of us weary of winter weather. Penney's and Bed, Bath, and Beyond are the first of numerou... 03/03/2009

Flowood, MS is growing, a fact easily recognized by driving along the retail district on Lakeland Drive (Highway 25 North). The final quadrant of Flowood's shopping mecca, Market Street, is slated to open in March of this year. Store anchors will include J.C. Penney's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and Michaels. Numerous smaller stores will fill the remainder of the facility. Market Street will have more than 300,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.   Cheddar's Restaurant opened recently at the intersection of Old Fannin Road and Lakeland Drive. Food there is highly recommended and the portion size is generous.   The other three corners of Old Fannin and Lakeland are home to Dogwood Festival Market and Promenade. Anchors along the north side of Lakeland Drive ... 01/26/2009

Travel down Old Fannin Road in Flowood at least once during the Christmas season to see the awesome display at Winner Circle Park. The park's Grand Lighting ceremony took place Thursday, December 11, and special activities are planned for this coming Friday and Saturday night, December 19th & 20th, as well as Monday the 22nd and Tuesday the 23rd. There's plenty of seating to enjoy hot chocolate!   Santa will make his appearance evenings from December 18-23. While train rides are available for $1.00, all other events are free. Stroll through the park and visit Santa, view the nativity scene, and be in awe of the thousands of lights and decorations at Winner Circle Park. Trees pictured above were supplied by local businesses. Winner Circle Park is located north of Dogwood Mall. Turn north... 12/15/2008

Regardless of where you live, you've likely heard the benefits of walking. Many people walk to lose weight, but there are many advantages to walking; it lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, improves your stamina, and elevates your mood. That's a good reason in and of itself. But for each hour spent walking, you add two hours to your life. Now that is an incentive! The Let's Go Walkin' Mississippi campaign is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, and First Lady Marsha Barbour, wife of Gov. Haley Barbour, is the spokeswoman. Most Mississippians have seen the public service announcements encouraging walking to get people out from in front of their television sets and outdoors.  There are numerous parks, lakes, and walking trails throughout our state where people can get out... 10/21/2008