Landscape Design

I almost forgot to post these pictures. Thanks to my Megan reminding me, here they are! I absolutely love it, and think it made a big difference. I don't even notice the ugly rocks anymore when I walk up to the house - just the beautiful flowers and plants! And the back is a completely different. I didn't even take before pictures, but just imagine a really ugly dirty space with no green.

Another Update

So, there hasn't been a ton of activity for me lately. I had a phone interview with Snapple two weeks ago and it didn't go well (from my perspective or theirs!). I officially only have one job in the works right now. It's a Brand Manager job at The Nutro Company (part of Mars Petcare) in Nashville. I have a phone interview/phone screen with HR tomorrow. I am excited about this one, although the sour experience with Snapple has me a little nervous.

Dave has had a ton of activity lately. He went to Nashville last Thursday night because he had a meeting with a Marketing Director from Mars Petcare at 7:30 am on Friday. It went very well and Dave really liked the guy. Dave got a call that afternoon from HR and he has a phone screen with Mars Petcare on Thursday this week. Dave also had a phone interview with Tractor Supply Company on Friday afternoon. It went very well and they want to bring him down for an onsite interview.

Anyway, that's it for now. Please send good vibes our way - even you Texas people!!! :)

Turning Down the Hostess Offer

Tomorrow I have to get back to Hostess about their offer, and I am 99.9% sure I am turning the offer down. It feels weird to do that, but it also doesn't feel right to accept it. I haven't felt energized by this job the entire time. Dave and I talked about it (again!) today, and he mentioned advice he got from someone he worked with long ago. The guy told him you can have your entire life in order: a great family, a great home, great friends, but it doesn't matter if you hate your job. Hating your job can make you miserable with your family, at home and with your friends. And I really don't want to go from a job I love to a job I am not excited about even if that means moving to Dallas. It's a decent offer - especially the relocation benefits - but it's just not good enough. So now I need to think about how I'm going to turn them down. It hurts my stomach a little bit, but I know I am making the right decision. Man, this is tough!

Roller Coaster

That sums up how this process has gone so far for us... lots of ups and downs!

Here is an update:

• Hostess (Dallas): The interview went very well last week and they gave me an offer! It's actually a pretty strong offer (although no signing bonus, which I will ask for if we decide to take the job), and they'll buy our house after 90 days on the market! That's awesome in this economy. For some reason I can't get really jazzed about this job. I think it will be a decent opportunity, but it's definitely risky since they are owned by private equity right now and have only been out of bankruptcy for 18 months.
• Frito-Lay (Dallas): UGH! They cancelled our interviews on Thursday, eight hours before our flight was scheduled. The reason is they are being asked to fill any open positions with internal people, not external candidates. I was very excited about this opportunity because 1) it's a great CPG company, and 2) Dave had an interview and was excited, too. It's very frustrating, but everything happens for a reason!
• Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group (Dallas): I have applied for three Brand Manager jobs through their website. One was on 6/1 and they restructured so the position was no longer available. Then on 7/14 I applied for BM of their Hispanic beverage brands, even though I don't have experience and I don't speak Spanish. :) This morning I applied for the Snapple BM job - and within an hour and a half they called me to set up a phone interview!! I am very excited about this one! The phone interview is scheduled for Monday at 10:00am. I'll post an update afterwards.
• Mars Petcare (Nashville): I applied for BM of Nutro - Cat today. Ha, ha, CATS! I have been playing phone tag with a Sr. BM from Mars who left P&G 10 weeks ago to work down there. He told me they are hiring so I went online today and officially applied. Hopefully I'll get to chat with him this week to touch base and get a better understanding about the opportunities at Mars Petcare.

That's it for now. Sorry it's been slow but it's been a roller coaster!

BIG BIG Week!

I have two interviews in Dallas this week, and Dave has one! I leave this evening for Dallas and interview tomorrow with Hostess Brands. Then Dave and I both fly back down to Dallas on Thursday night to interview with Frito Lay on Friday. I'm nervous for both interviews! I want the Frito job more than the Hostess job, so I'm glad I interview with Hostess first to get more practice. I'm interviewing for both the Brand Manager of Snack Cakes and Brand Manager of Bread at Hostess. I'm going for a marketing manager (brand management) job at Frito and Dave is interviewing for a consumer insights role. It sounds to me like Frito really likes Dave. Someone from PepsiCo (parent company) called Dave last week and asked him how soon he could start if they gave him an offer. He told them 30-45 days!

I ran into my old mentor while in Columbus this week for work. She is the one who helped me get the Gain job. She left P&G last December and HATES her current job. I told her what I was up to and she sent a long note on her advice looking for a new job. I printed it out and am taking it on the plane with me today. The following is what she advises asking new companies:

• Does the company really believe investment in understanding the consumer and investment in marketing will make a difference? What have they done to prove that?
• Will marketing be the center of decisions? Will it still be the driving function?
• Is there a defined career path?
• What's the company culture?
• Ask myself: Do I like how leadership shows up in the press? And will I be comfortable with lest structure or process?

I have lots to think about this week - and a lot of preparation to do! Unfortunately I won't be able to wear my new pants and new heels for Monday's interview because I still need to wear the boot on my right ankle. I am hoping I'll be able to walk on my own by Friday so I can unveil the new clothes for the Frito interview.

Please send good vibes our way Monday and Friday!

Thanks and I'll keep you all posted.

Isn't this Weird?

Here is a picture of my toes... they are completely brusied! I think that is so weird. Every once in a while I lose feeling in them. :)

Overall I am feeling fine. As an update to most of you, I not only sprained my ankle but I tore two ligaments in my ankle. I am now wearing a boot on my right foot until next Friday. I only had to use one crutch today, and hopefully by Friday I won't need one at all.

The best part of not being able to walk means I don't have to go to the gym, which means I sleep in until 6:45am! That is an additional 1:40 of sleeping for me. I am sure going to miss that!

My poor right ankle

I missed my crutches! So, as most of you know, I severely sprained my right ankle this weekend so I could get my crutches out of storage. Success! Below are pics of my adorable support staff and my beautiful ankle as of today. Love you all!