My Happy List!

I already dished a lot of happies in this blog post, but lately I'm a happy gal...so here are a few more!

This has been a lifesaver. I don't stick it in the fridge/freezer, but this puppy has me sleeping like a pro lately. Also a happy--I found it for $9.99, instead of the $14.99 advertised :)

This week is the Central Texas Women's Book Club Meeting!  (picture of some of us from last months gathering). I'll admit I haven't finished the reading assignment (holy 991 pages Batman!), but I can't wait to see the girls! Quite a few more members have joined, and although I'll miss seeing Kelly, it's bound to be an awesome night :)

Shawn and Bailey make me so happy! I'm constantly smiling to both their antics, including the reusable grocery  bag trick!

A "thank you for registering your product" from Brighton was waiting for me in the mail :)

Stop by Mamarazzi's page to see other happy lists! Her blog has helped me meet some new friends!

10 things I love about my new job

I've been the awesomest newest Relationship Support Specialist for 4 full days now. While my fellow coworkers might not be totally sure about me, I know how I feel about this new job. Here are just a handful of things I L-O-V-E about my new job!

1. Awesome hours! I work Mon-Fri from 7:30am-4:30pm (no more Saturday's YAY!) Commuting is much better than I expected too. My morning commute averages 17-20 minutes, and my evening commute is between 25-30. Not too bad for working RIGHT down town.

2. I have my very own access control card (one of those cards that you wave in front of the pad to get secure access). For some reason it makes me feel all tingly inside and gives me an excuse to buy this lanyard. Or maybe this one instead. I'm rather partial to this design too. But 1, 2, 3 and 4 are super cute too! So many fun choices!

3. I have an awesome view (pictures to come!). We office on the 5th floor and you can see Zilker Park and the green rolling hills. We have a private balcony on our end of the building that'd be a perfect place to eat my lunch.

4. No. More. SALES! I don't have quotas or ever-increasing expectations.

5.I have a very friendly, laid back group of people I work with. They've been so friendly and patient while I'm going through these learning curves. And they're so laid back. I'm used to a very set 8 hour schedule but it's very free here--you get your work done early, there's no problem with you leaving at 4 instead of 4:30. You're running late in the morning--no big deal!

6. Everything is shiny and new. It's pretty nice to not worry about leaking ceiling tiles and crickets/cockroaches.

7. The kitchen/break room is pretty awesome. This is a first for me to have vending machines, multiple microwaves/refrigerators, and an ice maker. I've really enjoyed bringing my lunch and a book from home and taking it easy in there. We also have a balcony along the back of the building, and over behind my department. There are tables and chairs set out there and I'm looking forward to eating out there during nice weather.

8. Look at my sweet desk set up! Lots of filing room, a non-ancient computer and a lumbar support chair Oo

9. Thermos of super powers. This puppy will keep your drink hot from 7:30 am to lunch time!

10. Wealth Management is a very well respected department, and it's so exciting to be a part of it now. I feel like I'm home for the first time in years :)

Last day at the branch

My last day my branch was Monday. I have loved working with all my coworkers, and have met a lot of really awesome customers. I'm ready to move forward though, and I'm super excited about the new opportunities my new role provides.

I spent most of the day trying to finalize business and CLEAN! Not that I'm a messy person--quite the opposite. I'm rather obsessive when it comes to organization. Whoever replaces me had better be appreciative I left it in such good order!

My old office *sniff* I'll miss having privacy, but I won't miss feeling like I'm in a fishbowl (windows on 3 1/2 sides!)

See that tiny monitor?? Pray my new monitor is bigger because I swear my eyesight has worsened in the last few years

!

2 years and 1 month fit in one grocery bag and one laundry basket *sniff*

My sweet coworker friends Samantha and Rhonda gave me this lovely Willow Tree "Friendship" along with a touching card (yes I cried!)

Windchime from my coworker Julie. She's been a wonderful friend over the years.

A few of my customers dropped off cards, cupcakes, and chocolate (totally didn't plan on that alliteration). I shed a few tears on the way home knowing how much I'd miss everyone, and kinda nervous for all the change.

Terrific Tuesday!

I've had a lot of change the last few days, and plenty of pictures/stories to blog about--just no time to do it!

I'll keep it short and sweet for now...

Love

My 

New

JOB!

Should I have waited until Valentines Day??

Hmm I don't think so. I'm a self-admited early opener. Every year my mom cautions me to not open my Christmas/Bday gifts early and every year I open them leave them unopened like a good girl :)

I was paired up for Melanie for this fun swap. I loved the idea of a box of goodies NOT involving unhealthy treats, and look how great Melanie did! I hope she gets her package on Monday and enjoys what I picked out for her :)

The whole Loot 'n Caboodle!

Did a little birdie tell you I need more pens for work? These are super cute and write really well :)

I was JUST thinking about breakfast/snack options that would work with my new commute to work. This would totally take care of that! I present Applesauce on the go! I need to bribe Melanie to share where she found this at so I can buy more when I run out.

Sassy blue socks-my favorite color!

Look at this super cute tumbler! With all the cold weather we've been having in Texas lately, I've been enjoying a lot of my herbal tea (My favorite--peppermint!)

Mmmm Vanilla is my favorite! I'm going to put this to good use :)

What could be better than eating Vanilla, Cookies & Cream, or Cinnamon Vanilla Icecream? Well I don't know (sorry that's the cravings coming through). But I know what's healthier--having all those three combined in one delicious smelling candle! It's burning right now :)

Thanks Janna and Kenz for hosting this great swap!

Pinktastic Swaptastic!

Fan-TASTIC is exactly what my awesome package from Becky was. I'll tell ya the one thing that will brighten a bad mood caused by gloomy weather. A big ole' box of gifts! Everything was packaged so well and purchased with a lot of thought! I can't wait until Mamarazzi's next swap! Here's the awesome loot I got from my great swap partner...

Look at my awesome package of pinkness! Becky wrote me a sweet card and printed out a description for every gift!

You were right about the stained glass effect! Look how this beauty shone for the picture. I LOVE the smell too!

My Walgreens is all sold out. :( These are super yummy, Shawn and I both loved them!

This is my first time trying this yummy gum, and it really is like a mini (healthy) desert. Is it bad the pack is halfway gone already?

It sounds like Becky and I have plenty in common. She guessed I misplace my nail files and I DO! Love the pink polish, it's a perfect color for sassy toes :)

D'awwwww romantic couple music listening. I can think of a few songs to listen to with Shawn :)

How did you know i just bought a sassy pink shirt for my new job! These will match perfectly :)

Even though I don't have any kiddos to clean up after, I always need kleenex

I'm a chapstick-a-holic, and I've never tried this kind before. I love how good it feels, and it looks really pretty on. I'm a convert now!

I have never seen a Coffee Cozy before!! So excited to use this!

I love this so much! I'm a note taker, and this is the perfect size to fit in my purse. Pink pen or not, I love the colors lue and purple so it's a win win!

It's kinda funny we're both in need of new Loofahs, and we bought one for each other...great minds think alike much?!

I still have time to put up my cute Valentines Day Decoration, thanks girl!

I wish I'd gotten more opening shots, Becky did such a cute job of wrapping everything up. She numbered all the gifts and wrote a little blurb about each one. I wish I'd done that for her package--lesson for next time!

Thanks to Mamarazzi for hosting an awesome swap. As a newbie to the program I had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the new people I've met.

Friday Confessional

-I confess that I got my Pinktastic Swap Package a few days ago, took pictures, and haven't blogged about it yet. I've even USED some of my awesome pinkness. Sorry Becky and Mamarazzi, it's my goal for tomorrow!
-I confess that I love sushi waaay too much.
-I confess that I had a WONDERFUL evening with Kelly and her fun family members tonight. I could see that girl every day and not get tired of her!
-I confess that I wasn't in the mood to work today, and didn't mind leaving at 3:15pm for a doctors appointment.
-I confess I am only two chapters into the 178,281,100 page book for my bookclub.
-I confess I've been slacking on my resolutions, but hope this next week of change will provide the change I need!

 I love reading all the fun confessions on Mamarazzi's blog. It's rather suspicious that I constantly have something to confess...I must be evil!

5 things that I'm excited about!

1. It's my last full week at the office before I start my new position! I have a LOT to clear out before I leave so I can make a clean break.

2. I should be getting my swap package from Becky and she should be getting one from me this week! I hope she has fun with her gifts, I know I'll love what she gave me. 

3. Speaking of swaps...I get to start shopping for my swap partner Melanie. There are so many cute Valentine-y things, and I love getting to know her through her blog! 

4. Most of Shawn's toys are sold, with a few more postings this weekend. Grand total on ebay is doing really well. I have organized some of my own things as well--let the posting begin!

5. Friday can't come soon enough... Sushi/Happy Hour with three of my favorite gals Janna, Kelly, and Carol!!

The week got away from me!!

Last week was such a blast I didn't have any spare time to blog about it!

On Thursday I went with Janna and a few of her friends for a painting class at Painting with a Twist here in Austin. This was a first for me (well at least since elementary school) at painting and I was doubtful that a teacher could instruct me how to paint something in only 2 hours!

Our instructor paints at the easel in front of the class. Notice how the canvas isn't paint by number OR traced?

My name is Amy and this is where I sit

What...is...that? It's a shame I couldn't take more progress pictures because they were laughable!

My palette leaves much to be desired. Somehow black kept getting all over every other color :(

The finished product! If you're super far away from it you don't notice the flaws as much. The studio offers an S.O.S. class where you can go touch up/finish old projects. I'm excited for the next class!

My package for Becky all packed with TLC for Mamarazzi's Swap!

It snowed in Austin!!! Bailey's footprints stopped rather suddenly when he figured out something was amiss.

I didn't take this picture, but isn't it a lovely view of Austin after the snow storm??