Where Did You Go?

I'll have to admit, since moving to NY, I haven't been very good at keeping up the blog. I am not counting the Germany posts because those were like a gimme. And even still, took a month to post properly. For everyone's knowledge, no I am not dead, just having a bit of writer's block lately. Mostly this stems from a number of things we are working on that we aren't telling people about. These things include some of the wedding decisions and some of the things we are doing for Christmas gifts. However, these things seem to take up a bunch of our time so that I have no easy topics left to pick from. :P

I suppose I could mention I have a new job. After 4 months of wanting to rip my hair out every day, I have been relocated to work in building 6 in production control. I basically release parts for sub assembly builds and then put them back into stock once they are built until the whole unit is made. In the meantime I track where the parts go, who has them and their status. So far I still like it. It's a lot more engaging than my last assignment. I wouldn't mind doing this work off program. We will see what the future holds.

I have been volunteering a lot lately too. Last Friday I raked leaves and trimmed hedges at the CNYSPCA for a few hours and then today I spent 3 hours after work hanging clothes at the Rescue Mission. This is on top of the extra time I have been putting in at work to coordinate people to volunteer for the Salvation Army events Lockheed Martin is hosting. It takes way longer to answer emails than I ever thought it would. But the good news is, all the events are being covered and we have a good turn out of volunteers.

So I have been keeping busy, but I am looking forward to a break. That's what the holidays are for right? :)

Holiday Good Deed

Today I volunteered to sort food for needy families this Thanksgiving. I really didn't know what this was going to entail, but I wanted to help all the same. I know there are people out there who could use my help in whatever form I am able to give it. Not only did I bring in a bag full of food myself, I brought my time and my two hands.

A group from Lockheed showed up at 11:30 and started in. A lot of the food had been grouped already, but needed to be put into boxes. You loaded the boxes based on what size family they were marked for. 1-2, 3-4, and 5+. The food was sorted out in groups and by tables. You grabbed a shopping cart and got in line. There are three things I have learned from this.

One - The variety of food that people donate that is actually needed. I would have never thought to bring breakfast foods or coffee, but those are needed too.

Two - The amount of families that need help. This year over 1400 families in Cobb County were seeking assistance for their Thanksgiving meal.

Three - People donated a LOT of beans!! When you get them all together and you need to put so many of each in a box it's like trying to play match maker! Beans everywhere! Black beans, kidney bean, baked beans (plus the variety - spiced, dark, original, etc), pinto beans, butter beans, pork and beans, black eyed peas, wax beans, and let's not forget green beans! French cut, kitchen cut, Italian style, no salt added green beans! BEANS EVERYWHERE!!

Overall it was an experience that I would be willing to do again in the following years. It also makes you realize how many people really benefit from these things. Buying extra cans of vegetables, some stuffing and potatoes didn't break my bank and I know it went to someone else that really needed it. It was the best two and a half hours of my day today. Rain and all.