Christmas in July

You may have noticed the lack of posts for the last couple of months. Well, I've been really busy "cooking" up an extra special (OK, a COUPLE extra special) Christmas in July surprises.  They have pretty much occupied all of my energy the last few months and I'd like to share them with you now.    Only, after all this work, they STILL aren't ready!     So here is a sneak peak....

Stay tuned for updates and a full reveal in 6 months (give or take)!

Another baby blanket!

Here's the latest blanket I made for my newest nephew who will be coming in a few weeks!

This is a pretty horrible picture.  I was in a hurry to get it shipped off and didn't take the time to make sure the lighting was good, or better yet take it outside.   I was excited when I saw this quilt pattern because its so hard to find cute boy quilts!   I decided not to put any batting in it to make it more like a blanket.   But I line the back with super soft minky fabric so it will still be super comfy!

I miss the Pearl!

So this little lady called me today and left me a happy birthday message, complete with song and a BIG I love you!   I mean, seriously, how does that not make your day!

I only wish I could scoop her up right now and give her a big squeeze!

We miss you Sadie Pearl!

Early Birthday Present

So giddy about this one!  I have been asking and asking and begging and pleading for this for a LONG time!  Ever since I heard about it i HAD to have one!  I know its completely not a necessity, but I am so stinking excited that Adam finally broke down and got it for me!!!!

A Good Position

I'm not really a superstitious person.  I don't get all tied up in astrology or fortune telling.   But I will admit that I do enjoy a good fortune cookie and reading the fortunes is pretty fun. I have a coworker who frequents Panda Express and as he doesn't care for fortune cookies, I partake of one probably at least twice a month.  Most are ridiculous and cannot really even be called fortunes.   

A few months ago I even got a mean one!  Seriously, it said something to the affect that I needed to improve my exercise routine.  Really?   I screamed at the fortune - YOU DON'T KNOW ME!   I showed my co-workers and we all couldn't believe it actually said that.   OK, so what if it were true.  That's not the point!

However, the one I got a few weeks later made up for it, it was so good in fact I saved it an pinned it to my wall at work:

Now mind, you I had just recently posted for, interviewed and then been turned down for a position at work.  But one must always have hope!  

Somewhere around that same time our VP of our Department announced a whole bunch of new band 35 positions.  Currently I am a band 30, my title being Financial Analyst 1.   I have basically had the same job since I have been at American Express.   Moving to a band 35 would be an AWESOME move.  So of course I applied!  There were actually 3 different types of positions opened and multiple positions within 2 of those.  I applied for 2 of the 3; all are manager level positions, but only 1 is an actual people leader manager (I didn't apply for this one).   The competition was pretty stiff, there were 6 positions that eventually got filled and 27 applicants!  Most just within our department!   

It was pretty nerve racking, especially when I received a second interview, and seemingly no one else did (only 3 did).  What did that mean?  Were they on the fence about me?  

Well finally the day arrived and we started to get notified - and Woohoo!  The fortune came true (every part of it!)     My new title is Manager - Rating Utility... or something like that... I really don't know the official title, but essentially I am in a similar function, but instead of analyzing a credit and determining a line size, I will be analyzing for a Risk Rating.

I am super excited, the team I will be working with is great and full of very bright people.    Some of you often ask why I don't blog about my job, and well that's because nothing has really changed in the last 3 years.  Its pretty much been the same.  So now here is your official update!