A lot has been going on since last October. At the beginning of November, I left my job of almost 6 years to embark on a new journey at a brand new place. Within those 6 years, I had learned a lot but had started to become bored. I'd grown a team, grown as an individual, grown as a manager, and felt like there was more of a challenge somewhere else. Boy, did I get that right. I only took a week off in between jobs - and if I had my druthers, I would have taken a month. 1 week is just enough time to catch up on errands - not enough time to unwind and appreciate the lack of responsibility. So in mid-November, I started my new job as a Project Manager at Asurion. It has been a wild, a rocky 3 months. I finally feel like I'm getting my sea legs at this place, and that has been very frustrating. I can definitely say that I took for granted the fact that I had built the relationships, process and team that I did at Kroll. Now, I'm meeting brand new people, and learning how to work with a brand new set of people - and there are a lot of them! The company is HUGE, with over 10,000 employees and they're expanding even more. I'm sure you'll see more about it over the next several months - I have to remind myself it's a marathon not a sprint and that eventually I'll get used to the change. Let's just say, be careful what you wish for - I'm definitely challenged now!
In other news, Michael and I celebrated a very quiet Christmas and New Year's but headed to New Orleans the first weekend in January for the BCS Championship Game. Of course, we were ecstatic with the results (the Tide rolled right over LSU), but we also got to eat at some fantastic restaurants (krispy kreme donut pudding was a a highlight), catch up with Michael's Aunt and Uncle and even were able to visit with Michael's 85 year old Grandmother, Chere (who in true NOLA style offered blood mary's with her brunch).
I've been spending a lot of time decorating the house. For Christmas, I got Michael a 70 bottle wine cellar and we're in the middle of converting an old closet into our wine cellar. Since our trip to Oregon last year, Michael's taking quite a liking to Wine Clubs and during the fall we get tons of shipments from our friends we made last summer. Since wineries and wine clubs only ship to the South twice a year due to extreme hot summers and cold winters, we're expecting our next round of shipments in the next month or so. I'm just glad Michael has found something besides sports that he enjoys - and I definitely can't complain since I get to imbibe with him. :)
In addition to the wine cellar, I'm finally almost finished with our sun room area that's between the two bedrooms upstairs. I recovered the chairs, ordered a custom upholstered ottoman from Ballard Designs and found a smaller (77 inch) sofa that fits. The last little thing I need to do is have some throw pillows made for the sofa - in this wonderful cheetah print (because every room needs a little animal print). Next phase of project decor is to concentrate on the guest room. It needs window treatments, throw pillows, a full mirror, etc. All of which I've picked out, but I've been told to pace myself by Mr. Noble. I guess I can get a little ahead of myself. :) But we're hosting a baby shower at the house at the end of March and I would love to have everything done. Who am I kidding? It'll never be completely done - I'll continue to tweak it until we finally decide to renovate or move on to the next house.
Last thing that's consumed a bunch of my time is the 2012 Cause for Paws event which benefits the Nashville Humane Association. This year I'm co-chairing the event, and that, along with my new job, has consumed A LOT of time. Though I have to say, that because of my love for animals, I totally don't mind spending the time on it. Plus, it's a super fun fashion show luncheon held at Belle Meade Country Club and a wonderful way to celebrate spring.
I think that's all for now. Next time I'll post pictures - they make posts so much more exciting. So what's new with you?
