New Job, GNO,Valentine's Day and Food-OH MY

It' s been a super busy week. I started my new job on Wednesday. The people at my new job couldn't be nicer and more excited to have me on board. Especially the 3 gals who are my support staff in the Personal Lines Department...Jacki, Nicole and Linda. Fabulous women who are filled with TEAM SPIRIT---GO TEAM!!! The alarm went off at 6:30. I left the house at 7:30 and arrived at work at 8am. It's only 11 miles, but the traffic that time is not so pretty. I of course wore 3 inch heels and the balls of my feet were SCREAMING and BURNING by lunch time. My poor 'ol feet need some time to adjust to this again. My friend Lori also said to purchase a pair or two of cushion inserts for the heels...they really do help she says!

Danny was surprised that I was game for going out for GNO. Damn straight I was....I had a good day and was full of team spirit and enthusiasm. How could I waste all that energy being at home?! :-) We went to a place that opened in Nov in Alamo Heights called Merchants Grand Cafe. I arrived first at 7pm. I sat at the bar and ordered wine. Shortly after, a couple came in and sat next to me at the bar. They looked familar to me. I started talking to them about college basketball. Duke was on the TV playing Maryland...I was cheering for Duke. This was good b/c the man gradiated from Duke. I told him I was a KU grad and off our conversation went. Introductions came and I said, "yes, I know you both!" Alison and Derrick Fox. Alison is the VP of Community Relations for the SPURS and the Exec Dir for the Spurs Foundation. Derrick is the CEO of the Valero Alamo Bowl. They both do phenominial at their jobs which rally help our community! It was their anniversary and their 2 boys..ages 12 and 11...were at a boy scout meeting so they were slamming down wine and eating some pizzza. (their words exactly)
Then all the girls started arriving and we eventually sat down for dinner and laughs! Tina, Michelle, Judy, Maile, Courtney, Adrienne and myself were all in attendance. GREAT food and awesome fellowship. A really FUN time indeed!

I also ran into Kate Crosby who I had worked with at Frost Bank. She is still there and this restaurant is owned by her sister and brother in law. They were there celebrating a birthday. Small world!! Well truth be told...SA is a small town..with 1.4 million people...but I am always running into people I know. Maybe it's b/c I am in sales, been involved in numerous charitable events and will talk to anyone or anything. Shoot, I could probably make friends with a post or bar stool! Does anyone agree with that statement about me?! Then a pit stop at HEB (at 11pm) and then on home to get some sleep.

I need to come back to this post and write about Sweetheart's Day and today. It's 8:30 and I need to rest and have a chocolate covered strawberry!

I'll continue starting with Valentine's Day. Got to work and had all kind of sweets on my desk. Danny called and wanted to have lunch with me. He picked me up and we went to Tai Pei for a nice lunch and conversation. Met Danny and Paul at home around 5 and off we went to Trilogy to have a yummy dinner. Our friend from church had given us a $50 gift card and we were using it that night. Paul LOVES their pizza! I had wine, we had an appetizer and nice meals. Paul was funny and behaved very nicely. We didn't take our time b/c I was so tired and only wanted to get home and relax. For the past 10 years Danny has gotten me chocolate covered strawberries from Central Market. I love them and they are dressed up in cute little tuxedos! I usually eat all but one -- that one is for my sweet brown boy...Danny!

Friday was a good day. Studied for my license exam and continued to meet great people at work. A group of us went to Chester's for a bday lunch. Since I am Catholic and it was Friday--no burger for me. I had a grilled cheese and fries! Jacki drove her suburban. Three of us in the WAY back...3 in the middle, and 2 up front. It was almost like riding on a roller coaster on the way there....let me explain. Connie, Nicole and myself were in the WAY back...third seat. And see..it wasn't locked and when Jacki did something....our seat went up and back and we all thought we were headed out the rear end of the vehicle. I think we all screamed. Thanks Jacki..my third day on the job and she already wants to be rid of me! :-)

Finally, around 4pm, my friend Lori invited me to go with her to Carrabba's. She was seeing an old friend of ours from Frost. He now works for Plains Capital Bank and will be a great referral source for us. I was so tired...but I went. And voila...he wants me to call him Tuesday and he will give me his Traveler's policy numbers and I can take them over with a simple signature on what we call a Change of Agent form. It will be a nice acccount and he will be able to refer me some good prospects. I got home around 7 and was pooped. I was glad I went..and Lori paid for my drink!

Today was chores and a trip to Fatso's Sports Bar to watch KU beat up on Colorado. We won by something like 30 points!!! Danny is out with his cousin Roddy and I am headed to watch some tv. Tomorrow we are going to the KLRN champagne brunch at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort...sitting at the SWBC table. And then tomorrow night, we ahve our monthly Teams of Our Lady meeting over at Vicki and George's home. Whew...thank goodness Monday is a holiday!