What does everyone Do/Did for a Living/Career?

[witha'K'quilting]

Just out of curiousity...what does everyone do for a living/career? Or did?

I will go first. I am a Materials Engineer, own a soils/concrete laboratory with my husband. We perform Contract Management/Quality Control/Quality Assurance (CM/QA/QC)work for independent contractors and numerous gold/copper/silver mines throughout the state of Nevada.

I am also a full time mom to my 7 kids, ages 2-12. Happily married to my first and only husband of nearly 14 years.

Lastly, I quilt for fun and relaxation. It is my 'me' time.

Alright, how about you?!?!

[Melora]

I was a psychiatric socal worker, a sewing teaching for middle school and now a mom (although kids are mostly grown) and a quiter

Melora

[Bonnie]

This could be interersting....

For the past 10 years I have been a professional quilter (retired from this about 4 years ago) with hats in the Welding industry and mom to the oldest Grandaughter now age 15...we have had her full time since she was 11.

Past lives...when I got my LA I was working for Americom Broadcasting in Reno, and was the desktop publisher/private secretary to the CEO and assistant to the General Manager. This job lasted 2 years. Besides the bookkeeper and gopher for my husbands welding business.

Before that I was the Ad-assistant to 4 newspaper salepeople for the Reno Gazette....3 years there.

Before that I was the Traffic Manager for Trahan, Burden & Charles an advertising agency in Reno that did exclusively Harrah's Hotel and Casino advertising. lived here for almost 3 years...and was the only person TBC took when the adsorbed the inhouse agency of Harrah's...lived in the corporate building at Harrah's for 3 years.

Which brings us to living in Montana and I was the Credit Manager for a membership collection agency Montana Assication of Credit Managers...was there almost 8 years...

We have only one child Amy who is married and has three girls...she lives in Carson City, NV with her hubby and two of her children...Siana is the stepchild to her hubby and that's enough said there.

Quilting started out as a me time when I was in advertising and at the radio stations, but then it became my life and haven't looked back since.

And I should add that I was raised on a cattle/sheep ranch in central Montana...married my almost high school beau, and we got married in 1974...seven days after I graduated...and NO it wasn't a shotgun wedding, have been an over the road truck driver (actually an owner operator as we owned our truck), a sheep herder, a cowboy, a jack of all trades around the ranch, can do just about anything you want done, but I can't milk the cow. Never had to learn, don't care to now. I miss the ranch life, but I do not miss the work. Live in what some call Up-state New York on 4 acres, and have a pretty country view and life...just no larger kritters, and chores.

[Hollyrw]

During the day I am a computer programmer/supervisor. I currently work for a large family owned produce company but I have done the same type of thing for a number of companies over the years. County gov. in Idaho, Harrah*s in Reno, and various Silicon Valley firms.

[quiltingnanny]

Well, my life isn't as impressive, but here goes. I was a surgial tech. and 1st assistant in surgery for about 10 years. Got hit by a semi and that ended that. Before I worked for Ma Bell for 18 years. Quite a difference huh ? Glenda

[Gator]

- I was a QA supervisor for the enrober (chocolate covering machine) at Heath Candy Company

- Completed 27 years in the Navy as an Engineer

- I'm now a DOD Emergency Management Specialist responsible for Virginia Beach Bases.

- I have a home quilting and embroidery business that I do for pure relaxation and pride. I love to ride my motorcycles in betweenl

- Also in the meantime I was married 4 times (ouch) and have 2 great sons, 1 super step-son, 2 grand-daughters and 2 grand-sons. I wondered why I was tired all the time:cool:

[Quilting Heidi]

By day I'm a financial manger of a research center that focuses on manufacturing and robotics research at an engineering school in NY. I manage finances for approximately 40 projects, meaning that I have about 25 faculty & 10 staff that think they are my boss! Most of the time I enjoy my job but boy there are days I pray harder to win the lottery! I have 2 grown children and no grandchildren yet. I also have a hubby of 28 years and he still loves me...most days any way! I quilt at night and on the weekends to keep my sanity!

[sewlinzi]

Crumbs! That's a highly qualified and diverse selection so far...

My real job was a primary school teacher before moving to Scotland.

I have had lots of part time jobs - cow milking, fruit picking, motor factor and children's nanny as a student

Cleaning lady to fund my first expensive sewing machine

Now - pig, chicken and children keeper, quilter, bunting and yurt maker, APQS sales rep, on too many quilt and school committees, professional blogger and internet junkie!

[quiltlover03]

When I first came to Canada from West Germany at the tender age of 20, I got my grade 12 education and went to college for a secretarial diploma, then worked as a Secretary. In 1976 I became a mom for the first time and stayed home raising my children until I divorced in 1986. During that time I had a sewing and alterations home business and became interested in quilting. In 1993 I got my CDL and went truck driving with my new man all over the US and Canada. In 2006 after a rollover with our truck caused by black ice, I had enough and retired. I bought a Mega Quilter to do my own Quilts and discovered it was not good enough for what I wanted to do and as most of you know, Quiltlover came on this forum asking for help and advice in buying a new machine.

I am now a successful online entrepreneur and full time long arm Quilter. I am happy to say I have a nice client base both in Canada and (sorry) the US, with clients in Oregon, Florida and Minnesota, as well as the occasional Quilt from a super lady in Texas. I love what I do, and if I could just curb the expenses from buying fabric and threads I would have a nice chunk of cash.

Did I say that I am lovin it?

[jmcclannan]

I've been teaching 3rd grade in public school for 23 years and hope to retire in the next year or two so I will have more time to quilt and enjoy my 10 grandchildren!

[witha'K'quilting]

I am having more fun getting to know each of you better. Thanks for sharing your lives just a little bit more with the rest of us.

We are certainly a diversified group. I love it!!

[IBQLTN2]

I have worked for the same company for the last 20 years it is a small family owned dredging business. I am the full charge bookkeeper, do payrolls, accts pay, recievables, taxes and just about anything else that comes along from babysitting the boss's grandchildren to, at one point running the fork lift in the shop at our old location when there was no one to unload a delivery:P:P

I love my job and am an adopted part of the family, I am treated very well with lots of perks and I hope to stay here until retirement in about 7 or so years.

quilting is now my hobby but maybe one day I may do some for others for money, right now the only ones I do for others are for charity.

[Neher-in-law5]

I was educated in an executive secretarial program back in my dark ages! Worked at Mayo Clinic as copy person in the medical library for 6 months then transferred to desk attendant at the hand clinic until I married.

Spent the next 10 years raising the first 4 kids and making many of their clothes. When hubby wanted to start his own business since there was no advancement available at his job, I started working as a secretary for a small business with their own newspaper, followed by the local newspaper typesetter (computer), and then school secretary, school library secretary, and 6 years of teaching assistant in special ed department.

Now am self-employed with hubby in his partnership business and have been since 2001. I have also been church clerk for 12 years (earlier) and am now secretary for our church association, and just starting secretary for the denomination women's board.

Sewing, quilting and embroidery are my personal therapy time. I make wedding quilts for all my nieces and nephews (20+, not his because of the same #), made grad quilts for each of my 5 kids, make prayer quilts for our church, and baby quilts that the church ladies hand embroider, and any others that I want to make (if I could only get back to time to finish some!) and have made quilts for my 7 grandchildren with many more to come, I hope.

[jenward]

What a great topic!! I work for a very small CPA firm (my boss and me), it's great, no office politics. I help with bookkeeping and tax returns. I worked for a much larger firm and then when I became pregnant with my DD (who's almost 4) this opportunity came up and I jumped on it. Outside of tax season I only work 12-15 hours a week. So I am blessed that I get to stay home with my little one. My other DD is 16 and no longer needs me. I am still in the PPP stage of quilting, so I only quilt for me, and the dogs who get many dog blankies because of my PPPP'ing.

[JustSewSimple]

My degree was textiles and design. I started teaching at the ripe old age of 20 and retired at 50. I taught Home Economics for 15 years and then was the Special Populations Coordinator for the City Schools for 3 Lamar County for 12 years. I retired in '03. Since then I have taught home bound kids (sick kids) for the county when they need me. I now make T-shirt quilts for pay and customer quilts once in awhile. I don't need to make lots of money to keep up my habit but every little bit helps - toys, fabric, machines, threads. I have only had one marriage and it has lasted 35 years. We still are best buddies and I guess we always will be. We have a daughter 32 and a son 28. Both are college educated, and have wonderful marriages and good jobs. Meredith is my only grandchild and she is three. She likes to sing and dance and is beautiful. So we hope she gets interested in books or marries well.

[sewlinzi]

btw - Fantastic pic of you with sagebrushes, I guess, Kristina!

[peglu]

Love this topic. It is great to get to know a little about everyone. As for me, I have been an emergency room nurse since 1982. I have three grown children and five grandchildren. For about 15 years, I was a single mom (since my youngest was about 5). Was very glad to have my nursing career to support us. I always worked at least two jobs, sometimes three. But, it got us through comfortably. After the kids were on their own, I went back to school and am now a Nurse Practitioner. Still in the ER. Ten years ago, I plunged back into the dating scene (Ughhh). I met my husband in 2000. We have been happily married for seven years. He is a pharmacist and has two grown children (more grandbabies in our future. Yippee!) I am still working 160 hours a month, but hope to cut down to part time, or at least 3/4 time in the next year or two. I quilt for myself and family, but have done a few commisioned quilts start to finish. Life is good.

Peggy

Peggy

[grannyju]

This is a really interesting chat! I feel like I know all of you from reading this forum over the last couple of years. Here's my story. My DH (a mechanical engineer) and I have been married for 40 years and have 2 sons and 5 grand children. We have a nearly 7000 acre cattle ranch which keeps us pretty busy off and on. I do the bookkeeping and help with the cows. We've been here for 16 yrs. Before that we had various jobs and careers. I'm just starting to quilt for the public outside of my little quilting group. Quilting is like therapy and my escape from cows.

JULIE

[Primitive1]

Wow this is a diversified bunch! And very interesting reading! I am currently a full time LA'r, for the last 1 1/2 years, my wonderful husband of 33 years decided that it was time for me to do what I wanted to do rather than just work at a job...And I might add, I am loving it! I was previously a bookkeeper for a private school, bank teller (a robbery ended that career), and a financial secry at a church, misc other part time jobs as my DH had a career in the military and I was the stay a home parent while he went to sea. We have three grown dtrs, last one just graduated from Dental Hygiene school and one absolutely delightful 2 yr old grandaugher. Yes, life is good!

[IQuiltToo]

What fun! I met my husband in college, in 1963. Married in Feb. of 65. That equals 44+ years!

I worked in San Francisco for Wells Fargo Bank. After getting married I moved to Palm Springs, CA, where my husband was a high school teacher. I went to work for the school district, first in public relations, purchasing, receptionist etc. Stayed home for 5 years after the kids were born. Returned to work in a middle school/6 hrs a day as the registrar and counselors secretary. After a few years I moved to a new school as the Asst. in the library/media center. Then, I became the secretary to the principal. I had many principals over the years. Transferred to another new middle school with my then current principal. 30 years - and I loved my job. I retired 4 years ago and dh and I are having a ball. We travel quite a bit (we had a great summer). I love to quilt and bought my Millie at the end of 07. I am really enjoying it. So far, quilting is just for myself and family. They are keeping me busy. I am also an avid reader. We are the proud grandparents of Tyler (12) and Kaitlin (4). They live in the San Diego area, about 2 hours from us.

Marilyn

[Stagecl]

After reading all of these, I think I might be boring:o I have a degree in Clothing, Textiles and design, worked as a Supervisor in a Fabric store, worked at an Insurance Co as a Supervisor, moved, add two great girls and stayed home until my youngest went to kindergarten, worked part time as a Nurses Assist. at their elementary school for 5 years, moved again, worked part time, moved again, worked as a Merchandiser, moved again, worked at the YMCA as a receptionist as well as teaching water aerobics, step aerobics and once in a while kick-boxing. Then I moved to Virginia, bought a long-arm, had a business for 5 years and now retired to do my own quilts. I learned to quilt about 21 years ago and haven't stopped. I also learned how to spin wool, so I knit too, love to bake (took cake decorating lessons) and also have dabbled in woodworking.

I know I missed some of my moves. I have lived Buffalo, N of SF, San Diego, Des Moines (moved away then back), Minneapolis, Omaha, Celina (OH), Wapakoneta (OH) and Richmond, VA. I will be moving next month to Wausua, WI. I am looking forward to moving.

[mrsbishwit]

Well I started out by going to school for fashion design but after spending that time in Chicago going to school I soon realized that the city was not for me (I love the suburbs and unfortunately not a good place to be a designer). Anyways I ended up working for an Insurance company for a few years then got a job as a manager in a retail store then left that to go back to the insurance company when I got married because it had better hours. Became a stay at home mom after my 2nd child was born due to an Illinois "Little Loto" win (yes people do actually win the lottery). Anyways it didn't make us rich but was enough to make us comfortable enough to have me stay home with the kids and allow my DH to make a career change from banking to computers which lead us to AZ. Now we have 5 kids and will be married 20 years in a few weeks. When my youngest(twin girls) started kindergarten I got into the longarm business after catching the quilting bug and wanting a long arm...DH not thinking I was serious told me that I could have a long arm if I went into business... so I did, lol! That was in 2005 and my business is doing really good with customers from all over the country and even a few from Canada (got to love those Snow Birds). I can see myself doing quilting for others for awhile(at least until all of my kids are grown and out of the house) after that who knows...maybe I will trade my liberty in for a computerized Millie and just quilt for myself.

[Hawaii]

Twenty years of Accounting/Tax Preparation and with this economic downturn - am now helping my husband with his landscaping business (for love and the fact I get to "sleep with the boss )!

Full-time GRAMMY (she has us all wrapped) and squeeze in some quilting starting at 5 a.m till I go into work.

Oh what a life!!!

Good to get to know all of you - what a diverse bunch!

[hollyc]

this is fun

I am an RN with 35 years in ICU, CCU, ER, and most recently ENdocrine, Neurology and Rheumatology clinic. I work full time. Two grown kids, Grandma to almost 3 little girls (new baby in Jan)

Married 35 years, husband currently unemployed since March because of all the national financial crises.

I quilt mostly for myself, do some for others.

[WendyJ]

What a lovely topic! Well, I started my working career as a radiotherapy technician and ended up at a comprehensive cancer center working as a intervention research consultant. Started a new study, quit working to be a fulltime mother (of twins of almost three years) and a parttime student. Graduated this summer as a master in science of epidemiology, but I have no intention to get a job in that direction.

I've gone quilting instead! Right now I've just had my second paying customer! So from now on my new carier is: fulltime mother, voluntary jobs and parttime long arm quilter. How I love my live!