Catsparella has been on hiatus for the past few weeks while I've been settling into my new life in St. Louis. As I mentioned in my last update, I moved here at the beginning of December for a job opportunity -- which as some of you correctly guessed is at Nestlé Purina PetCare!
I started this blog from my bedroom in 2010 as a creative outlet, and as a way to escape an unfulfilling job in human resources. I am extremely grateful and humbled that I was able to channel my passion for cats into a blog, and eventually a career. It was difficult for me to leave everything I've ever known back in New Jersey, but I'm also very excited to start this new chapter in my life.
Purina is home to iconic cat brands such as Cat Chow, Tidy Cats, Friskies, and Fancy Feast, and as part of my role as Community Manager, I will be leading the Pro Plan Cat community. We are gearing up to launch a brand new page on Facebook and Twitter in the coming months, and I hope you will join me there!
As I look back over the past 3 and a half years, more than anything, I am so thankful for all of the wonderful individuals (human and feline) that I have met. It's been an honor telling your stories, and sharing all of my favorite cat finds with you week after week. That being said, this isn't a goodbye. While I continue to figure out my new life here, I will still pop in with news and updates (and Caturday posts!), and hope you will stop by to say hello and see what's new.
Thank you again to everyone who has gone down this road with me, and taken the time to read, comment, and share one of my posts. Catsparella has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life, and I am forever changed because of it.
Wishing everyone and their kitties a very happy new year filled with cats, cupcakes, and love!
-Stephanie
Congratulations on finding your dream job. Not many ever fine their way to it...you clearly have. Pawsome! Have a great New Year
ReplyDeleteThank you, Savannah! I know how fortunate I am, and feel extremely grateful for the opportunity. I hope you have a great New Year too. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Stephanie and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteYou KNOW how HAPPY we are for you and how PROUD we are too! Somehow I missed the post that said you had actually moved (and I apologize!) I was going to email you but the days got away from me. You have always exhibited an enormous focus, passion and dedication and you possess a most admirable way of shutting out the "noise" around you and working diligently towards your goal. I greatly admire your passion, intellect and work ethic and many other fabulous traits that you possess. Wishing you ALL the success and HAPPINESS in the World! You are with a fine company as you already know! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! xxoxoxo
ReplyDelete@MyCatBoys Thank you, Christine! I'm so glad I got to meet you and your sister through blogging! Happy New Year to you too!
ReplyDeleteCaren: You know how much I love you and appreciate all of your support now and always!! You were one of the first people to read my blog and I will never forget it! Your kindness, wit, and friendship have meant so much to me, and I can't wait until we find ourselves together at another event so I can get another one of your great hugs! Thank you again for your amazingly sweet words. I wish YOU all of the success and happiness in the world, and a purrfectly wonderful 2014 to you Lenny, Cody, and Dakota! ♥
ReplyDeleteWow! Congratulations! What an inspiration you are to those of us who love what we do and aspire to actually get paid for it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in your new job. Wishing you the very best!
--Susan and the gang from Life with Dogs and Cats.
Congratulations on a job well done. Exciting times, for you, I know you will do a fab job, because that's what you do. <3
ReplyDeleteM&K
Awesome! Congratulations on your new opportunity with Purina (Tidy Cats is the best)! It's a blessing to be able to channel your passion and hobbies into a career you're paid for and enjoy. I know you'll do great in your position and I hope it opens even more doors for you. I'm glad Catsparella isn't going anywhere because it's one of my favorite cat blogs and one of the first ones I discovered when I became a first time cat parent two years ago. So, thank you and best wishes!��
ReplyDeleteSusan: Thank you for your well wishes! I hope that my story inspires others to follow their passion, and not give up on their dreams!
ReplyDeleteKokoro: My dear, sweet friends! You were also there from the start of my blogging career, one of my first online feline pals! :) Thank you for always being there, and for your kind words! I will try to live up to them!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, and congratulations again on your new job and move. Following your passion is what it's all about. I know you'll be successful in anything you do - all my best to you on this exciting journey. I'm going to enjoy watching your achievements!
ReplyDeleteKristina! I love reading your comments and chatting with you on Twitter. It's funny how something as simple as a love of cats is able to bring people together. :) Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and best wishes to you and your kitty in the New Year! xo
ReplyDeleteCongrats. How wonderful to find something you love doing. Have a great 2014.
ReplyDeleteSue B
Ingrid: You are truly an inspiration to me, and I've enjoyed watching your achievements as well! It's amazing too see where this little thing called "cat blogging" has taken us. :) Thank you, and Happy New Year!!
ReplyDeletekatrus: Thank you, Sue!! I feel very blessed. I hope you have a great 2014 too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to start the New Year! I know you will be great in your new career. Wishing you the best and look forward to hearing about your experiences.
ReplyDeletePaws up, Stephanie! What a great opportunity that came up - this pretty much guarantees you will have an awesome 2014! My human and I have really enjoyed working with the Purina crew and I'm glad you are now one of them!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Stephanie...you've earned this great new role. One burning question: how are Priscilla and Charlie adapting to their new environment? I have a million funny stories about moving cats...I'm sure you have some too!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Stephanie. But I will truly miss you.
ReplyDeleteDear Stephanie, I think the match of you and Purina is totally purrfect and we are so very happy for you!!!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, we are so happy for you, and proud of you! Congratulatuions, and wishes for the happiest of New Years. We bet your new job helps a lot with that! :)
ReplyDeleteStephanie, that's fabulous about your new job! Congrats! The cats and I wish you all the best for 2014...but it sounds like it's already getting off to a great start for you!
ReplyDeleteThe mom Sue
Concatulations on your new job and adventure!!! We wish you a very happy new year, with all the success and purrs than you deserve!
ReplyDeleteMany purrs!
We are so happy for you Miss Catsparella and give you our biggest Congratulations and best wishes on settling in to your new home, city and dream job! Wishing you, Priscilla and Charlie a very Happy New Year and a 2014 filled with health, joy, love, prosperity, peace and possibility!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Cloon
Congratulations on landing your dream job...I'm very happy for you and wish you all the best in 2014 and beyond!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, and best of luck to you—I hope you love your new career and your new home!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are somewhat settled and how exciting to be working for Purina! We love our Friskies stinky goodness and Minchie loves his Fancy Feast crunchies. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Wishing you the best in your new job! Glad that you will still be posting :) I usually don't comment, but I always read your posts! I especially love the Caturday cat posts.
ReplyDeleteStephanie! This is just pawsome! You are and will always be one of my favorite cat ladies no matter where you go and what you are doing...and it sounds like you are doing something simply PAWSOME! Hope you and the fur kids are getting all settled in and please stay in touch! xo
ReplyDeleteMany congrats! Thank you for all the years of helping cats and letting us, the cat adore'ers, rejoice over cats news and giving us a place to gather! Good luck on the new career, like a cat, I know you land on your feet!
ReplyDeleteConcatulations Stephanie! How wonderful to be able to follow your heart, dreams, and passion. When I met you many years ago, I knew you were special and would go far.... I can't wait to hear about how it all goes in the days and years to come. Purrs from the Zee and Zoey Gang!
ReplyDeleteI miss catsparella. How are you?
ReplyDeletetatzenrundschau: I miss you too! I am doing good! I've been busy with work, but I am going to try to start posting again soon! Thanks for stopping by! ♥ :)
ReplyDeleteYay, that's great. I'm curious <3 Wish you a nice weekend.
ReplyDelete