April Craft Time

My best friend is coming into town (after being gone almost 2 YEARS) soon!  That being said, this month's craft (found on Pinterest) is for her to celebrate her engagement/marriage to a WONDERFUL guy!  They like to relax with a glass of wine every now and then so I made some painted wine glass for them.  As always, this is quick, easy, and cheap!

Hand Painted "Dot" Glasses

What You'll Need:
-Some glasses (you can do tumblers, champagne flutes, shot glasses, etc. and how every many you want!)
-Assorted acrylic paints
-Q-tips OR small paint brushes
-Newspaper OR a plastic grocery bag
-Plates OR paint palette
-An oven
-Clear nail polish (optional)

Step-by-Step:
1. Wipe down glasses with a paper towel.  If you wet it, make sure the glasses are nice and dry before painting.
2. Set up work space.  Since you're dealing with paints make sure to wear not-so-nice clothes or a smock to cover up in case of spills.  Spread out your plastic bag or newspaper over your work space.

3. Select paints and place smallish amounts on plates/palette.  Make sure there is enough space between them.

4. Dip Q-tips/paint brush ends in paint.  Stipple onto glasses in whatever pattern you want.  Notice below that I placed my hand inside the glass.  This helped me turn them for easier (and smear free) application as well as prevented getting any paint that was on my hands onto the glasses.

5.  Once decorated, place glasses in the oven WITHOUT TURNING IT ON.
6.  Once securely in the oven, turn on to 325 degrees.  Let them "bake" for 30 minutes.  After 30 minutes, turn oven off with glasses still in the oven to cool.  I'd say let them stay cooling for at least 1 hour.

(Please excuse my oven...it's on my Spring Cleaning list next weekend...)

7. OPTIONAL: Because these will be hand washable and are a gift, I also applied a clear coat of nail polish to my dots as an extra safety precaution to further assist in keeping the paint on the glass.
8. If you're making these for yourself, pop a bottle of your favorite beverage and drink out of your awesome glasses!  If they're a gift, wrap them up and be prepared to see a smiling face when opened.

(My finished products, pre gift wrapped)

I am VERY happy with how they turned out!  I'm sure I'll be making more of these in the future =]

Happy crafting!

Friendship Christmas!

On Wednesday Der and I hoped in the car after work with a car full of presents to head to the Blackwoods for our annual Christmas get together! I was so excited-it had been 4 months since I'd seen Kelly and Tonya (which is WAY too long for us) and even longer since I had seen Wes and the boys! 

It was so nice being able to catch up with everyone and play with my growing nephews.  I can't believe Andrew is turning 4 and Dylan 2 in the next 2 months! Time flys so fast with those two!  We ate, laughed (a lot!) and exchanged gifts.  I got a wonderful bracelet and pair of earrings from the Blackwoods and a cute coffee mug, some homemade cookies and a set of Santa salt and pepper shakers from Tonya!  AHH! It was perfect =]  Der got some Reese's (tradition) from Tonya and a GameStop gift card from the Blackwoods.

We had such a great time that we almost forgot to take pictures!  These are from the end of the night when Dylan was in bed and we were getting ready to head out.

Me and Der

Me and my PRECIOUS nephew Andrew!

Momma Kelly and her 1st born Andrew

The three girls! Me, Kelly, Tonya-we didn't mean to match but we did! Too funny.

Close up of these 3 friends

My lovely 1st nephew Andrew cuddling up with his Dad Wes.

Tonya and her beau Ben

Our FABULOUS hosts-Wes and Kelly!

I can't to see everyone again in 2 weeks for Andrew's 4th birthday party!

We can all help

This summer, I took an entire class completely devoted to topics on violence within the family. It is sad that there have been so many victims and so much hurt that courses and seminars are being taught regarding it! What was once normal practice, and then a taboo topic has finally made its way into the limelight of the criminal justice system and into mainstream societal issues.


So today, for previous victims and for those who want to help prevent further victims, I am dedicating this blog to facts about violence against women in the family setting, information on where/how to seek help, and asking for your help in making a change.

**NOTE: This won't be a happy/cheery blog but it doesn't need to be; there is nothing happy or cheery about this type of abuse. But this is not about male bashing or making you think all partners are out to hurt you-it's about taking a stand, making those around aware of the prevalence and issues we face, and letting those who may be in these circumstances know that they are not alone.**

Some Facts

* Approximately 4.8 million intimate partner rapes and physical assaults are perpetrated against U.S. women annually, and approximately 2.9 million intimate partner physical assaults are committed against U.S. men annually. These findings suggest that intimate partner violence is a serious criminal justice and public health concern. (NVAW Survey 2000).

*Source: http://crisis-support.helium.com/topic/4954-domestic-violence

*Violence against women includes but is not limited to the following: 1) Physical, sexual, and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering; sexual abuse of children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence, and violence related to exploitation. 2) Physical, sexual, and psychological violence occurring within the general community including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation at work and educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women, and forced prostitution. 3) Physical, sexual, and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the State, wherever it occurs.

*1 Woman is killed every 7.4 hours by an intimate partner in the United States. (FBI, 2005)

*Source: http://crisis-support.helium.com/topic/4954-domestic-violence

*Among women aged 15 to 44 years, violence against women accounts for more death and disability than cancer, malaria, traffic injuries, and war put together.

Does this not astound you? It makes me sick to my stomach. The worse part is: we have probably all come into contact with a victim of this type of abuse, whether we knew it or not. So I am here to take a stand against it. I am speaking out, trying to inform the masses about these issues and how they need to stop. There is enough violence in the world without intimate partners getting involved in the mix. If we push the idea of the family being the safe-haven then let us MAKE IT a safe haven!

Know the Red Flags of a Battering Personality*:

1. Quick Involvement

2. Jealousy

3. Controlling Behavior

4. Unrealistic Expectations

5. Isolation

6. Blames Others for Problems

7. Blames Others for Feelings

8. Hypersensitivity

9. Cruelty to Animals and Children

10. Playful use of Force During Sex

11. Verbal Abuse

12. Rigid Sex Roles

13. Sudden Mood Swings

14. Past Battering

15. Threats of Violence

*source: Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the project for victims of Family Violence, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Where to seek help/shelter:

1) Call the 24 hour, 7 days a week National DV hotline: http://www.thehotline.org/

2) Search for shelters and help in your area: http://www.thehotline.org/get-help/help-in-your-area/

3) Share your voice. Remember: you are not alone: http://www.thehotline.org/category/share-your-voice/ 

Would you like to help?

Here are a few ways how:

1) Spread this blog, and other sites you've found information from to as many people as possible. NO-I am not trying to get a huge following. I am trying to EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE! The more people that see this and at least read about it, the better.

2) Volunteer at your local domestic violence/sexual assault shelter. It is great help, a fantastic learning experience and a good deed for all involved. There are many tasks and each city or surrounding area would greatly appreciate it!

3) Donate! I've got a sidebar set up on the right hand side for donations-these will go directly to the domestic violence/sexual assault center right in my town. The funds can be used for buying items on their wish list or can be given directly as cash-YOU decide! If you don't donate to my funds-donate to the local shelter where you're from! Donations of any kind whether in monetary or goods are all helpful and beneficial to those in need.

I hope I raised you up! I hope you realize the prevalence of these issues! I hope you want to HELP! I hope you took notice, understood that this is much more common than most realize, and that there are always ways that you can help!

November is the National Domestic Violence Awareness month so let’s get some donations/volunteering and knowledge under our belts by then!

Remember to share the love,
JR

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!

A Wedding to Remember

Let me set the scene for you:

Colors of rose and faded gold, ivories and creams.  Lights bouncing from every high ceiling, filling the theatre and its gallery with a warm glow.  A long train with lace and beading details.  An anxious groom, whose lines melt into a smile once he sees her.  Homemade vows set with compassion and earnest.  A kiss-the best, of course.

This is the scene set for the wedding of Kelly and Drew!  They were married on Friday at the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga to much joy and splendor of friends and family.  See the pictures for the Phantom/Black Swan affair below.

See this wonderful marquee? Once they had selected their location, a theatrical theme was set in motion, making their wedding day/night both dramatic (in the good sense) and magical.

A glimpse into the intricacies and marvel that the Tivoli holds in its architecture *le sigh*

An auditorium waiting to hold the guests.

The stage is set! The cast will soon take their place!

The program-made up inside and out like a theatrical piece.

The ensemble awaits their leading lady!

The reciting of the vows between Romeo and his Juliet.

The start of the hand-fasting ceremony.

A quick shot of the bride-in her glorious dress.

The grand reception.

Her cake.

His cake.

The fun table game "Wed Libs"-left for both amusement to the couple and also for the guests!

A shot of the wedding party-dressed in classic blacks and whites.

The Newlyweds climbing into a horse-driven carriage around Chattanooga.

While Kelly and Drew took a quick ride around the city to enjoy the new splendid moments of being "Mr. and Mrs.", the guests went inside to get drinks, play "Wed Libs" and enjoy some food!  When the couple arrived, they danced beautifully to Tchaikovsky and wooed the crowd.  We laughed, ate, drank and chatted. I had to leave a bit early but I bid the couple goodbye and much luck on their travels and in their new lives together.  Yay! They're married! 

Man I love a good wedding =]

Me with the couple! From Left: Drew, Kelly and Me

I had SUCH a wonderful time and was so glad to share in this experience with them!

CONGRATULATIONS KELLY AND DREW!