Charlie Boy Designs

My husband congratulated me today. For all the hard work and making Charlie Boy Designs a success. A couple of years ago he gave me this necklace representing the wings I needed to fly and be strong. I'm proud to say he has always been a champion of women's causes. "International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality."

I stood at the back door last night looking at what was once Charlie Boy Designs 24 hours before. Now dismantled, all the shine and glitter gone, I felt such a range of emotions. But the one that reverberated within me most was satisfaction.

Making wreaths in my home 7 years ago, I had low expectations of ever turning it into a business. But into my second year I rented a small, and I mean tiny, storefront for the Holidays, and much to my surprise, like in Field of Dreams, build it and they will come.

Fast forward 6 years and I'm standing looking at an empty 2000sq ft storefront, prime location, and thinking that through all the good times (and there were many) and the bad times (and they were very bad), I had succeeded at building something I never dreamed I could.

That chapter is now finished, but I hope that all the wonderful clients I have, the great customers that came and the friends I made will stick around as I move from retail into private holiday decor. More to come over the next few months about that.

In my dreams though Charlie Boy Designs will always look like the fantasy land of my imagination.

Thank you everyone. And a special shout out to all who helped me the last few weeks and days. Having a business is intense, closing one even more so. So thank you to Rena Kelley, Rice Anator, Amy Rice , her friend Aubry, and Kim Carmichael for stepping up to your necks in alligators and crocodiles for me. What a team!

I probably only get about half those sleeps so it seems those days would get here faster, right!?

Holiday countdowns here 👉 https://bit.ly/3AimHI9

A few weeks ago I created a Charlie Boy Designs "Person of the Week" only because I MAY have been a little jealous of a family friend showing up on FB at Center Court Wimbledon, the only trip left on my HAVE TO GO travel bucket list. In an effort not to appear too despondent I made her our "Person of the Week" CBDs first-ever (made up) unintended pilot episode.

I liked the idea so much I began to think of all the helpful ways I could use it to bring attention to people I consider heroes, superheroes, everyday brave men and women, but especially women who have not only excelled and exceeded expectations, but plowed through barriers, refusing to be ignored. Most often it will be a woman, but men will not be excluded. It could be a political figure, a private citizen, a celebrity, activists, artists, or athlete, a writer, a group with a purpose, a movement, or someone from our own backyard. Or some weeks, no one at all.

I was disappointed that I didn't get to post what I had planned for last week, but life got in the way or should I say, I got in my way. Really It was whoever set those barbed wire pumpkins in the hallway. Probably me (it was me). Nevertheless because it got held up for a week, we got to see... ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPEN. I'll explain as best as I can.

So, raise your hand (like in school) if you DO NOT have anyone in your family who is a teacher. I bet there are only a few. We all know and maybe even love someone who is a teacher, who has been a teacher, has retired after many years of raising and teaching your kids, and now your grandkids.

So you guessed it. Our first
"PERSON'S OF THE WEEK"
are TEACHERS!

Being a teacher is not a job, it's a calling. They give their ALL, their hearts, they give up precious family time, and in some cases pay out of their own pockets for supplies so your kiddos don't get an adequate education, but the best one they can be given. But, over the years like any "calling" a piece of their soul is sacrificed. No hazard pay or workpersons comp for that.

Which brings us to the part about "absolutely nothing happened." On August 8, the Arkansas State Legislature met to discuss what should be done with the largest surplus in our States history. Everyone representing Educators went in with high hopes they would walk away with a raise in teachers pay, at the very least a date in the near future to revisit this topic. Neither happened.

In Arkansas starting teacher pay is 36,000 a year. We now rank below even Mississippi (they increased their starting pay to 41,000.) We rank 48th as the lowest paid teachers anywhere. Don't just READ that! SIT with it a few moments. Let it SINK in...FORTY EIGHTH out of FIFTY States. We're failing our teachers who are leaving Arkansas for states with better pay, and they're leaving in RECORD NUMBERS.

A lot of districts are reporting being understaffed and unable to hire. Your children are being failed, losing out on a sustainable education, and life lessons that certified, substitute, and revolving teachers just can't provide. Kids need stability and consistency, at least one place in their lives if not at home.

This is not, LET ME REPEAT, NOT a political statement. But for those who don't realize the full extent of all the problems our teachers face today, and there are many I'm not bringing up here, I will always give background info as to the reason the recipient(s) have been chosen and why.

What I'd like to say most to all teachers, especially those in my own family whom I'm very very proud of, THANK YOU for all you do to see that the young minds and hearts of tomorrow are nurtured and well cared for. They are our future, but YOU are their way there. Along with the poor pay, you're not given the respect and credit you deserve. I'll say what it says on my whiteboard in my workspace 'you have all my respect and admiration. I wouldn't last five minutes doing what you do as your chosen profession. Or, maybe it chose you. (I might have embellished a little.)

I'd like to introduce just some of the teachers in my family, and a few that are helping our next generation begin their journeys.

I've got a cat trying to escape!!

Everyone knows It's hard to stop a rumor, true or not, but this one's too important not to address. Some of it might be true, but don't rush to a conclusion yet! We'll be happy to provide you the details in the near future.

No, I can't tell you everything yet, but I can verify there are changes going on at Charlie Boy Designs, and we're super happy about it!

We're asking for your patience before an announcement can be made, but rest assured Charlie Boy Designs will always have your back with the best service and quality we can offer!

❄️🎄❄️🦃❄️🎄❄️🦃❄️🎄❄️🦃❄️

Even though the storefront remains closed at this time, we are beginning to schedule holiday decor consults, as well as Holiday/Christmas Installs. Installs take planning and preparation to allow time to make sure your dreams come true. So schedule NOW if you can, but don't wait too late!!!

If you want a Fall/Thanksgiving setup that can transition into Christmas, NOW is the time to meet. If you have a second home in Heber and want it ready for the holidays, CALL or TEXT us NOW to get that snowball rolling! (Yeah a little goofy but maybe it'll cool you off just thinking about snow for a moment!)

We're happy to answer any questions and get you on our calendar. We're happy when you're happy, so as a reminder we do not take any unplanned installs after Thanksgiving which is Thursday, Nov, 24.

😹😹😹😹😹

And J, when you catch that cat just pet her real nice, but don't let her meow too much! Maybe a treat is just the trick!)