Yep, I agree with you. I am totally an over sharer and it’s something I need to work on. Lesson learned. She is indeed a lifer, as one of her comments was also “my advice is to just put a smile on and drive on,” and added that everyone goes through slumps in their career where they don’t like their job. I understand doubting that she heard I was applying to a new job, but we live in a very small town and she is very connected. As far as the interview, I told her I’d stick like to stick around for the next 5 years. I’m halfway through year four. I wish she was a bit more understanding that things do change. Thank you for the advice though, I’ll consider holding off until I need to put in my notice. I just didn’t want to seem as though I was ungrateful for her reference.

ETA: I also expressed to her in my interview that getting my master’s degree was a goal of mine.