I’m trying to get some motivation into my day today, so I decided to post an update on my volunteering at the LDRC.

Yesterday I spent a few hours in the afternoon as I do every Sunday (unless I’m not feeling well) working in the reading area. It was one of the better and more eventful days I’ve spent there so far.

Almost immediately after I opened the area, a man started a conversation with me that pretty much lasted the entire time. We discussed education, historical figures, football, his life, and how crazy Phoenix is.

It was a wonderful afternoon. I was able to help a few others with some books and some gave me some great suggestions of books to add to the collection that they would like to read, and that is what I love to hear. It’s so great to see people coming in and sitting for an afternoon and reading and actually enjoying it enough to suggest other books they would like to read. Someone even showed me an autographed copy of an old western novel they had!

I am so fortunate to be able to share my time and energy there and thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given. I am always looking forward to next Sunday!

One of the goals I wanted to accomplish after I moved was to find a place to volunteer my time and skills to helping others and help balance out my life. I had originally been looking for organizations that focus on women and children or animals. One of my friends suggested a place called the Lodestar Day Resource Center (LDRC) as a place in the area I might want to look into. The LDRC gives people the resources they need to get back to that place they want to be in life as well as give them the positive encouragement they not only need, but that they deserve. The center is so amazing and I just fell in love with it the instant I visited and knew this is where I wanted to spend my skills.

There are a couple projects I will be working on there, mainly on the weekends. One will involve helping with literacy. If anyone reading this is in the area, it is a great place to become involved and to use your talents to make a difference. I would highly encourage looking into giving your time.

This weekend has been great. Friday, I left work to come home and make some great chili for a chili party my neighbors and I were having. I ended up making a quick turkey and bean chili and while it wasn’t the typical all day crock pot affair I normally do, I got quite a few compliments. I made some spaghetti at home to have with the leftovers and it’s been fantastic! It’s so nice to have great neighbors to hang out with, three more people I know in AZ Bob and Jessy came to the chili party as well and hung out for a little while afterwards, but we were all a little tired.

Yesterday I had a very fortunate day. I accomplished some things I have been meaning to get done for awhile, and while no, I did not do any more unpacking, I did feel satisfied at the end.

I started off having the furniture cleaners come over promptly at 9 to clean my furniture. It was nice to have it not take up my entire day. However, it looks like it didn’t go very well as they are dry this morning and still have stains. I am not quite sure what I am going to do.

I then headed over to a branch of my Credit Union to get a debit/atm card. I was supposed to receive one in the mail as the branch in my office building doesn’t give them out on site, but it has been three weeks. They informed me other branches hand them out immediately. On the way, I found a great car wash, which I have been trying to find for awhile. So, not only did I find the branch close to my house and get my debit/ATM card, but I found a great car wash and was able to get all the crud from my car’s transport to Phoenix off. They dry the car both hand and with air guns and the car wash is completely touch free and can be watched from inside. Of course, as coincidence would have it, the card that was sent to me was at my house when I returned from my trip.

I also went to the store and got a few little supplies (including more water). The tape water in Tempe is not the greatest, and I probably won’t even be able to give it to the sugar gliders. Therefore, I decided to invest in something I have wanted for awhile, which is the PUR filtration system for your faucet that includes the flavors as well. We all know I am not a fan of water to begin with. I’m not a fan of soft drinks so much either. I really love juices and kool-aid (thanks mom) which almost just as bad. Hopefully this will help. I had some minor issues attaching it to my faucet last night, but I’ll address those later and definitely let you know how this ends up turning out.

I was also able to finally pay all my bills from the past few months which was a big load off my back (and pile off my counter).

Along with that included scheduling the flight for my sugar gliders to Phoenix. Morrigan and Tequila Rose will be here next Thursday evening and I am so excited. That gives me so much motivation to have everything organized for when they arrive. I cannot begin to tell you how much I have missed them even though I know they are being spoiled by their babysitter (I get pictures constantly to prove it). Don’t plan on seeing me much Thursday or Friday

I was also able to finally register a couple domains I have been meaning to do forever. I am hoping this gives me motivation to get my portfolio up and running (as I have registered my name) and start blogging on my usability blog, Snuggle Taxonomy which I also registered a domain name for.

I meant to blog in regards to all of this last night before I went to bed, but I crashed after being up late Friday. Today I am going to look at a center in Phoenix to volunteer at. Hopefully afterwards I will be able to get some unpacking in before I go to the Pistons/Suns game with Bob, Jessy, and ERIC!! Eric’s flight gets in today so we are celebrating.

I am truly grateful for the amazing adventures I have been having since I arrived in Phoenix. I am progressing well at finding the balance I hoped I would and having the courage to try new things and start a new life here. I probably forgot to blog about World Usability Day in the chaos so maybe I will add that soon.