Welcome to Hazel Green Living. Here’s the part where I either tell you how perfect my family is or I glamorize being a hot mess with a chaotic lifestyle. The truth is, we’re somewhere in the middle. I have two little boys, ages 3 and 1, and they’re Janie and Jack on Sunday morning, but Carhartt by Sunday afternoon. Shrimp and scallops for dinner but existing wholly on those Costco protein shakes and peanut butter tortillas the rest of the time. They’re well behaved, but also once got in trouble at preschool for dancing too aggressively (think 3-year-old mosh pit.)

My husband and I run a pond-building business, which is an entirely new level of marriage, and at any given time we have assorted rescue koi in our backyard. We run the business out of our house, and we’re probably the worst neighbors ever — I’m so sorry guys. I have a background in journalism, and I missed it so much that I wanted a new outlet. 

So, here we are. Full-time pond building and landscaping, full-time mom, chaos coordinator, small-business owner, colic-mom survivor (7 months!), boy mom, dog mom and part-time journalist. Oh, and I will use the Oxford comma until I die. 

What I’m Covering

If you’re on the Facebook pages, you know there’s a lot of negative news on there. That’s great. We fully support the fourth estate. Y’all keep those politicians, leaders and businesses in check. Keep an eye on our schools. Spread the word to keep our kids safe on the road, in the schools and anywhere else they go. Monitor community growth. Make sure that guy who complained about the oil stain on his driveway knows the value of a hardworking pizza delivery guy. Find those lost dogs. Share resources. Fight the good fight. 

That’s just not what this page is for. 

I’m focusing on the good news: lifestyle, family activities, and uplifting stories. 

I’m not answering to any advertisers — or anyone really — so I’ll be heavy-handed with the comment delete button if anyone tries to start a fight. I’m not saying I’ll never get advertisers — I’ve seen too many journalists eat that particular brand of crow — but it’s just not for me right now. 

Check Your Bias

In full disclosure, I don’t like HOAs. I like dogs more than cats. I went to Alabama. However, if a cat from Auburn teams up with an HOA to raise money for the homeless, I’ll still cover it. 

Contact me

Send news tips to jessiegharbin@gmail.com