What's Your Excuse?

I feel awful that I haven't posted much lately.  I feel like I have a sense of obligation to post more but to be completely honest, the last few weeks have been uber rough.  Between life, the demands of my shop and my mom being in the hospital for Kidney failure, I've been uber distracted.  If it didn't involve my paying job, my shop or my mom, it just hasn't been a priority.  Sponsor obligations have even been lower on the scale than normal.

I really wish I could do the "This week in Recap" in pictures. But all you'd see is pictures of my shop items strewn across my living room floor, a box of used tissues on my table and my computer on my lap.  

I am trying though and I plan to get back to it. I love the blogging world and I love being involved, I just haven't had it in me.  I know you understand because we have all been in that place before. Life happens and we just don't have what it takes to keep up with everything.

I'd love to say that its just my blogging that has suffered but many personal areas of my life has been suffering, including my faith and my walk with Jesus.  I just haven't been motivated or excited to do much of anything lately.  Its nothing that is new to any believer, i promise but it still feels pretty crappy when you are in the middle of it.  I'd love to hear what you do when you feel life has run you over. If you are a believer, what are some things that you do to reconnect with the Lord. If you aren't, what are some things you do to feel encouraged or motivated?  I'd love to hear from you! Seriously.  I need some accountability and some encouragement so I'd love to hear what you do when you feel down!  Also, what do you do regarding your blog or your work?  Do you have some advise on keeping up with things that take more energy than you have?  

I know that this is just a phase or a blip in the journey. I know that soon things will be better. I have no doubt that I will come through all of this stronger and more connected but for now I could use the extra help!

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{Post Sponsored by This Lovely}

Hurricane Sandy Update & Relief Efforts

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

James 2:14-17

What a mentally chaotic week its been.  I still find it hard to believe a week ago we woke up to the truth of what Sandy brought to our region.  Its still hard to wrap my mind around what happened. I live in an area that was virtually untouched but the crazy part is only 8 miles away there were entire communities punched and knocked out by Hurricane Sandy.  It still doesn't seem real.  

The worst hit part of Manhattan was downtown, East Village, Lower East Side and Tribecca.  The East Village has a lot of housing projects and low income families.  The church I attend and work for has a parish down in that area lead by Guy Wasko.  Guy was one of a handful of pastors who initiated one of the largest drop zones in Manhattan.  Over 3 days they served 1000s of people with hot food, groceries, blankets, and more.  Hundreds of people from the community and outside of downtown poured in to help serve those who lost their homes or at best were living without power and heat.

I served at this location for two days, sorting through food and helping people get what they needed.  

Although Manhattan was hit pretty hard, it wasn't the worst hit, by far.  Staten Island and the Jersey Shore had the worst of it.  Entire communities lost their homes, their businesses and even their lives.  The death toll for Sandy is as high as 110 people and is expected to keep climbing.  

I've been proud of my city and the surrounding cities as people have helped those without power and homes get the things they need.  I've loved watching those who were in the middle of it all who came out to volunteer.   

One my favorite acts of love is from the marathoners who came out to Staten Island to help serve this community.  Although many people were disappointed in the cancelation of the marathon, it was necessary and important to this city that resources not be spent on runners but on those who were devastated.  For those marathoners who took the cancelation in stride and helped serve instead, I am proud of you!

The restoration and clean up efforts are still not over.   It will take months and even years to get some communities back to something that resembles order.  If you'd like to help there are many ways.  I am listing just a couple below.

Kristina @ Big Apple Mami is selling Ad space.  100% of the procedes go to hurricane relief

My church has also started a relief fund to help serve those in the communities around us.  These funds will provide food & shelter to thousands.  I vouch 100% for this organization. 

Please keep New York and New Jersey in your prayers as they begin to rebuild their communities!

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
James 2:14-17

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{Post Sponsored by This Lovely}

Help Wanted & A Little Shout Out

So before I start, I wanted to say a quick Happy Birthday to my sweet, amazing Daddy. Yes I am 36 and still call him daddy.  Today is his birthday!

I consider myself extremely blessed to have parents as warm, generous, loving and encouraging as my parents are.  They are two of best friends and I am so thankful for them.  
So today I wanted to just shout that out from here!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

Now on to the "Help Needed" portion of this post.  

I have an Etsy Shop where I sell things like these:

The name of my shop is Kim's Knits & Pics.  I've never been all that fond of the name but it was the best I could come up with.  

Every once in a while I sell things that are not a "Knit" or "Pic".  

Like this:

This pendant was made with one of my photographs so it could fall under the "Pics" name but I felt like it was a stretch and the name doesn't really represent me or my shop.

Lately I have been working on these little guys for a friend and I want to eventually sell them on Etsy.  They definitely don't fall in the "Knits or Pics" classification.

So where do you come in?  Well I want help naming my shop.  I need new ideas.  I need something that represents who I am and what my shop is.  As I was talking to my roomie she mentioned asking you guys!  

GOOD IDEA, RIGHT?

But it doesn't stop there!  
I am going to give away something from my shop to the person with the best idea.  

So how does it work?

Comment below with your suggestion.  

Its that simple!  

When I re-name my shop, I will give a prize to the person who either gave me the name or the idea that lead to the name!

CAUTION
Make sure you are not a NO-REPLY blogger.  If you are, you will not be credited for your idea as I won't be able to contact you.  If you don't know what that means, go here or here.  

You can also leave your email in the comment.

You do not need to be a blogger to enter!

What will you win?  

Your choice of one of the items below

- Infinity Scarf

- Custom made Swifter Cover from my shop

- 8x10 or 8x12 Print

- 1 Set of my Cards

- 1 Month Daily Feature Ad Space

HELP A GIRL OUT! 

GET YOUR NAMING ON!

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{Post Sponsored by This Lovely}