Funeral

Hello all, I will be taking a break from blogging for a bit. Grandpa passed away on my birthday, April 28th, early in the morning. Heather, Josh & I will be driving to Kansas for a week or so for the funeral. Thank you for all the love and support during this very hard time.

- Kat

April: Sexual Assault Awareness/Prevention Month

Ok friends, tough subject time: Many of you may know that the entire month of April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. I know that I don't bring this subject up often, and that I usually steer clear of bringing up extremely personal things in my blog - - but I feel like admitting that this cause hits close to home personally will express just how important this post, and your support, is to me.

With this in mind, I would like to dedicate this post to raising awareness and showing my continued support for RAINN. "The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE and the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline at rainn.org, and publicizes the hotlines' free, confidential services; educates the public about sexual violence; and leads national efforts to prevent sexual violence, improve services to victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice" (RAINN's mission statement taken from rainn.org).

April also happens to be my birthday month :) I would like to ask again this year that if you were thinking about getting me a gift, to instead make a donation to RAINN in honor of awareness month. It's pretty easy to do! Just go to http://www.rainn.org/ and follow the directions. Their goal this year is $50,000 and as of today they are only $9,707 away from it with a current total of $40,293.

You can also donate/show support by purchasing the RAINN Hope Necklace, new to the campaign this year. 80% of the profits will be donated back to the non-profit organization. I haven't purchased it yet as it is a little out of my price range, so I don't know what it looks like in person - but judging by the online pictures I think it is pretty cute! Plus, it is one more way to show your support!

Any donations are appreciated; but if you cannot afford to donate right now that is ok too. There are many ways to show support for the cause, the organization, and for the survivors :)

Love and as always creatively yours,

Kat

Quick Update 4/25/11

Hello all - - there haven't been many updates lately but hopefully soon. There seems to be a lot going on in life lately and I just haven't had the time to dedicate to a full post on Blogger. I have been catching up on 302 days of journal writing and brainstorming ideas for a project my sister, Josh and I plan to work on this summer. I have also been working on a more personal piece the last several weeks. A lot is changing with my grandparents - my grandfather especially - and I'm so far away I can't really help and feel kind of helpless in the matter. So one night when I couldn't sleep I found it helpful to start writing about him. Before I knew it I was filling page after page with stories about my 96-year old grandfather. I liked it so much I decided to continue it and see where it lead.

Work is still going good, the twins are getting taller - - meaning they are able to get into more mischief and keeping me on my toes. They are 1 and a half this month :)

Summer is just about here, which we are all ready for - - minus the over 90 degree weather. It will be a busy one this year. May will be fun with a 4-day vacation for Josh and I with my sister and roommate. Our destination is Disney and we get to eat in the Disney Castle (which we had to reserve over 4 months in advance). June will be busy with work and end with a trip to Dallas, Texas the last week or so to visit Josh's parents before he flies out to Prague where he will be for most of July (I've never been to Texas, so I'm pretty excited)! Then I will fly back and that same week (the beginning of July) my little brother will be flying into Tallahassee to stay with me for a few weeks. I can't wait to see him, I miss him a lot :)

So like I said, a busy, busy summer! I am also in the process of figuring out what I want to do school and career wise. A few things are changing right now (but for the better) so I am ironing out the fine details before I announce anything. I'm pretty excited though. I feel like the last year things have just started falling into place. A few bumps here and there, but nothing that I can't handle!

I hope everyone is doing good :) Until next time...

Creatively yours,

Kat