GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

HEY EVERYONE! DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR MY GIVEAWAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A ONE-OF-A-KIND PIECE OF JEWELRY! Win it for yourself or re-gift for a friend-remember the holidays are coming up!

PLEASE enter guys-I need to know if doing giveaways via my blog are worth it or if the following for my blog at all is lacking!

The deadline is THURSDAY so hop on it if you're interested!

XOXOX
J

House update-on hold

Well well, it's been quite some time since I've shown some updated home pics here at the Depot!  Though it's on my goals for August, I think I will just show you one update we've had.  I am waiting for our new couch (!!!) and then will thoroughly update the blog for new pics of the (almost) finished Raley home!

The update I want to show you is a one-of-a-kind painting (actually 3-called a triptych) made by the wonderfully talented Jessica Siemens! Her artwork is both unique and gorgeous-bringing truth and beauty to her canvas'.

I had asked Jessica to do a triptych of poppies: 1-because I love the flower, 2-because they'd match my kitchen/dining nook and 3-her art is breathtaking.  She graciously agreed and has worked hard in having these fun and flirty flowers come to life on her canvas' and now in our home!

The three-all hung and pretty in the dining nook.  Every time I see them I can't help but smile.  When I unwrapped them from their packaging I squealed like child and clapped, haha! Der promptly helped me hang them up and make sure they were even.

Canvas #1 I love the details-different shades of poppies and sizes.

Canvas #2-The green(s) background does wonderful justice to our green painted living room.  These canvas' make a perfect transition piece from open living room to our open dining nook.

Canvas #3-The mood is so fresh and inviting! I know cooler seasons are approaching but I can't help but thinking these will still contribute to the fall/winter season with their clever coloring and their happiness.

Can you see the textures?! This is my FAVORITE part about her work-she uses chunky paints and wild textures that give depth and liveliness to her art!

So yes, you must wait to see the new developments within the Raley household once the couch has arrived but I couldn't WAIT to unveil our new one-of-a-kind art.  It holds so much beauty and meaning, knowing it was made by someone as gifted and genuine as Jessica.

THANK YOU JESSICA!

The White Trash Baby Bash for Katie, Coby and Harper!

This past Sunday I made the trip to a skive of a bar in Chattanooga to celebrate a baby shower for my lifelong friend Katie...this was NOT your typical baby shower.  It was a themed white trash baby bash!

Now note: some thought this was trashy (no pun intended) but please realize it was in fun and both the parents and Harper got some wonderfully personal and fantastic gifts to help ease her into our world.  Not trying to sound preachy but it was listed to "keep the dress trashy and the gifts trashy".  The 2 party planners (pictured below) are Katie's best friends and would do nothing to spoil the actual point of the shower.

Are you ready to get a glimpse into the "glamorous" side of the trailer park?! Think tattoos, a lot of boobs, hooker eye shadow and camo...are you ready?!

(My family) From Left: "Ni-co" (like Nicole), "Jessie" and "Misty" are ready for the party! Misty likes to dress up for these type of affairs and she wasn't happy when Ni-co suggested she wear her cut offs and her NASCAR shirt instead.

The cake! Notice the spelling? LOL! A trailer, two babies already, Shell-tayla Barbie is having a hard time now that Travis left (and left her with a black eye!)

The Ferris wheel of snacks.

'The drink "keg" and the diaper truck.  No need for an extension to lift this truck up! It'll be muddin' in plenty of time once Harper gets here!

The mommy to be and baby Harper!

The food-chicken fries, veggies, and fruit.

Another shot of this awesome cake

Some of the "classiest" guests. Did I forget to mention that this was held in a BAR?! We had a side of it blocked off as to complete the whole "white trash" theme, haha!

Advice for the mom to be-some were funny, some heartfelt, and some just plain crazy!

The start of the great gifts they all got! Some were wrapped all sweet while others were wrapped in Just Busted and duck tape and others were put in beer cases and Walmart bags!

The "gift bags"-a 6 pack container which held a fake tattoo, string cheese and crackers, a pack of candy cigarettes, a knock off brand soda, a pack of cards, a NASCAR coozie, a shot glass, some vodka, a bag of sweet tea, and it was all held together with a bungee cord. CLASSY.

From left: Lynde (also a mom-to-be!), Ashlee, Lisa and Katie.  Lynde and Ashlee were the party throwers.

 

"Misty" with the guests of honor! Katie and I have been friends since we were 8 years old! Though we don't get to see one another much I still consider her a friend and a great lady!

All of the female guests-we were ready to "get our camera on", LOL.

Katie laughing at her "Hicks site #1" sign.  She was about to open her wonderful gifts! I didn't include too many gift pictures because they would have gone on FOREVER! It's good to know that both Katie and her husband have so many thoughtful and supporting friends in this new journey of their lives-very blessed.

Katie opening the gift from me and Der-we got baby Harper a little pink bathrobe, pink bath slippers and some pink bath towels-all so tiny and cute! Yay baby Harper!

Lisa got them this wonderful personalized diaper bag-it had so many pockets and compartments and she filled them with gifts too!  Very sweet.

All in all the trashiest but most fun affair I've been to in quite some time.  It was great seeing so many friends I haven't seen or been in the best of contact with and it was FANTASTIC to see Katie, her husband, and rub on little Harper!

She'll be making her appearance at the beginning of November.

CONGRATS KATIE AND COBY! AND WE'RE READY TO WELCOME YOU TO THE WORLD SWEET HARPER!

Giveaway!

Alright-so it's the first giveaway here at "This Train Don't Stop" and I am super excited about it!

The winner of the giveaway prize will receive a LOVELY piece of handmande jewelry from Full Redhead Jewelry!  It is a one-of-a-kind orange amber, black onyx, Swarovski crystal and antique gold platted spacer bracelet with a crown charm-perfect for these up coming fall months! A memory wire is used so it will fit any wrist and doll up any outfit!

Full Redhead Jewelry is both unique and whimsical.  Colors to match any season and any mood, Full Redhead Jewelry supports both the romantic and the quirky. She says that "What my jewelry means to me-it's a release. No matter how wild the day has been I can always lose myself in making a piece of jewelry and feel like I've added something pretty to the world too! It's my escape and my salvation sometimes. Plus, in a world full of crass consumerism, it is nice to give someone something I spent my time on, as time is our most valuable commodity, next to love."

Rules:
1) Subscribe to my blog (duh!).
2) Check out Full Redhead Jewelry on facebook.com and "Like" her page.
3) Tell me (via a comment on this blog) what your favorite piece is from the Full Redhead Jewelry FB page.
4) Those who want to participate must be within the Continential US.
5) The deadline is September 1st (1 week away!) so get to "liking" and commenting!
6) Selection will be random.

And that's it! Simple and sweet and I'm HOPING you (all) will participate!  Spread the word and if this picks up then a giveaway will occur EVERY month! I've got so many ideas in store already so I'm hoping for a good turn around!

Cheers and good luck!

This is my first so if YOU have done any successful giveaways and have tips to offer, I am aptly listening!

XOXO
J

Baby Steps

Admitting to yourself, let alone others, that you may not know something, that you're uncomfortable, scared, uneasy, etc. is never an easy task.  So it's been suggested to take baby steps, a leap-of-faith.

I read a very interesting article where the writer speaks of admitting and admiring "I don't know" as an acceptable term and one in which should push people to grow.  (In his case he speaks of admitting no "knowledge" to a God or to specific political factions, therefore illustrating why he believes what he does-but still interesting none the less). 

I think admitting to not knowing something shows bravery-where others may lie or attempt to "know" and end up in a whirlwind catastrophe. 

I think that admitting to not knowing something shows a bit of humbleness that many think humanity lacks today.  I think admitting to being uncomfortable or scared or apprehensive or just plain paranoid is okay to do.  When our society has pushed so hard for people to not be push overs and to stand ground and be perfect, I think it's a bit refreshing to hear someone in earnest say they don't know with confidence. 

I don't understand lies-they serve no purpose to me. 

I think the attempt of admitting something is such a foreign concept to people, even if it's just to themselves that once done, it's a wonderful weight off the shoulders.

The difference lies in what you do about it-not knowing something is no excuse to play ignorant/naive.  Having the insight to explain that you're human and that you were not born all-knowing/fearless is necessary in rounding one out as a person and a honest soul.

Today: I have come into a situation that makes me a bit apprehensive and uncomfortable.  I still feel it gnawing at the back of my mind but I have come to the conclusion that once I admitted that I was uncomfortable and indeed a bit unsettling (which normally isn't the case), it was that much easier for me to attempt to get over it. I am usually willing to admit that I don't know something and I then chose to make the attempt to know-to understand-to do away with fears-to become more comfortable-to be a more solid me.  Today is one of those days.

It's all about baby steps.

What do you feel helps give you the "push" for a leap-of-faith?

A Lazy Ant

August has been productive.  I've accomplished a lot yet haven't felt overwhelmed (with the 8th as an exception).  Granted, it's only mid-month but things have been going super well.

I've visited friends and family, I've finished both my class and my research, I'm back at work, I've been lackadaisically cleaning and tidying the homestead, I've been reading, thinking, learning, planning....I'm planning a gift for the White Trash Baby Shower this coming Sunday, scouting websites and stores in anticipation of getting my sister a gift for her upcoming birthday, I'm ogling clothes and glasses-BOTH of which I am soon to be getting, relaxing a bit before classes/GA-ing come into full swing and everything else gets madly thrown to the waist side. 

Well done August.  I'm thus far impressed!

Not forsaken!

Dear blogger friends,

     I have not forgotten you!  I can't believe it's been 10 days since I blogged last-odd, very odd.  I've been working, rounding out my class and research, and have been on a mini-trip to the Noog in these 10 days so I've frankly been busy!  But don't fret-I'll most likely REALLY catch up with you this weekend.

But a peak into my weekend with my BFF before she heads to Hawaii:

Delicious friendship, ladies and gents!

Talk to you soon.  Now go have fun the rest of this week!

XOXO

J

August Goals

*Books
-Read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
-Read Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov


*Home
-Select fabric to make pillows for couch
-Post home pics on blog (it's coming along so nicely!)
-Add 1 detail to home per month (i.e. rug one month, lamp the next, etc.): this month being the pillows for the up-and-coming couch

*School
-Finish Summer course
-Make an A in Summer course
-Start Fall 2011 classes
-Start GA hours
-Finish research with Aday

*Crafts
-Make pillows for couch

*Fun
-Say good-bye to Destiny: she'll be shipping off to HAWAII for the next 3 years. I guess it means I need to start saving for a trip!
-Celebrate Katie's baby girl with her White Trash Baby Shower! (Sounds like a lot of fun!)

Pretty simple but will still be busy as hell. Here's to hoping I do as well as I did in July!