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

[Suzie W.]

Thanks to all of you that have shared your story.

I have lived in Missouri all my life. I lived 10 miles from where I grew up. I worked as a nursing assistant for 10 yrs. Then a few years in a card and gift shop where I ended up as a manager. My husband & I have been married for 27 years and have 4 children. I have been a stay-at-home mom since the beginning and wouldn't trade a minute of it. We have a son who is a college graduate, 2 daughters in college and a Junior in high school. My husband has traveled ''most" of every week since we have been married. It has kept me busy taking care of the place inside and out, gardening, the kids, taking them to schools, volunteering in several roles over the years.

A friend got me interested in quilting back in 1996. So now as I am nearing the empty nest stage and my husband is still traveling a lot, I intend to pursue LA quilting with my Millie into a small business. I have enjoyed reading all your stories and appreciate all your help, encouragement, and laughs this forum gives on a daily basis.

[Kueser]

I've been sewing since I was a kid in 4-H and quilting for 36 years. I started machine quilting with a midarm (no bells or whistles) and bought my Millie when I retired from working 32 years for Uncle Sam. I worked for the IRS (yes, those people) as an analyst and got to travel quite a bit the last five years. I've been maried for 38 years to my high school sweetheart and we have two grown kids and five grandkids. Between quilts, I babysit my two youngest grandkids, ages 4 and 5 months and run taxi service for the other three boys. The baby is learning to quilt through observation as I hold him in one arm and move the long arm. Great workout for the biceps.

[MtnBarb]

Originally posted by 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:

After reading your info, I was stunned to see that you spent 27 years in the Navy plus all the other things you've done! Are you using a fake avatar picture?? You look like you're about 25 years old! Sure wish I still looked that young!!

[witha'K'quilting]

Barb...I already asked Connie about this myself. She said that the photographer did a great job taking her picture! Yes, I guess!! Connie looks gorgeous, huh?

[LinneaMarie]

Uh, Kristina, you look pretty darn good yourself!!!

I grew up on a farm. Although, my dad was a engineer by day and a farmer by night. I remember him out plowing fields at midnight!!

I started sewing when I was about 5 and wanted more clothes for my dolls. My mom was too bust with cows and chickens! hahaha By the time I was 13 I was winning local and state awards thanks to 4H.

Went to college and got a teaching degree in English. Taught one year and said "FORGET IT!" It was the 70's, what can I say?? Went from that to making draperies and doing alterations, and some bookkeeping jobs to fill in. Talk about a leap!

Met my husband while working in a restaurant/bar with his ex-wife. We will be married 29 years in November, IF I let him live that long! oh funny funny:P

Went to work as a full charge bookkeeper for a steel company, stayed 10 years; and quit when my son (only child) was about 5. Then I went to work for the school as a proctor (hall monitor, cafeteria, etc) so I could be home when he was home. My son is now 26 and lives about 2 1/2 hours away; and has his dream/career job with OCLC. They are a world wide, non-profit organization and service 79,000 libraries world wide!!

Also started re-upholstering furniture about the same time. Had back surgery and the doctors said upholstery was a big no-no.

Retired from the school, got a job with a LARGE, very high end landscaper in the office, got laid off over a year ago. Boohoo, I have to sew!

The upside is I am 62 now and can quilt FULL TIME!! And play, and travel, and do what ever I please. As long as hubby says OK. (He made me give up my boyfriends, imagine!)

I started quilting 25 years ago. Hand quilting took forever, so I pushed them through my Bernina; that got old quick. From that I went to a Hinterberg frame and Voyager machine. HATED that! Too heavy, could not get it level, and virtually NO customer support.

Went back to the Bernina, then bought a Juki on a Grace frame. That lasted about 2 months; no room to quilt. Bought my Big Boy (Millie) in February and have been enjoying it immensely ever since:P One of the better decisions in my life!!

Sewing and quilting is my SOUL! I HAVE to do it everyday or I get cranky!:P

LOVED reading everyone's posts!! What fun this is!!!

[ramona-quilter]

We all come from so many places and walks of life. I love to see what others did before the quilting bug bit them.

I started working as an A & W root beer car hop in 1963 - had to be 16. I worked there thru high school. Then mostly clerk and sales work; Macy's, KMart, Roos-Atkins.

In 1968 I joined the U.S. Navy and served for 21 years. I was a Data Processing Technician cradle to grave. I retired in 1990 as a Master Chief and went to work as a contractor.

I worked as a computer geek for 2 different companies 1990 until 2 weeks ago still working with the Navy or Marine Corps.

Now I am retired and am doing my dream job, quilting.

[witha'K'quilting]

You are so sweet Linnea.

This is the most fun getting to learn more about each other. I am enjoying all of the stories.

We all come from different walks of life...yet quilting is our passion. How cool is that?! Quilting makes the world seem so much smaller...doesn't it!

[PamelaA]

This is a very interesting topic. I will try to make my entry short.

To start I am the younger of a set of identical twins. We did a lot of things together and have similar interests. In college we started as math majors. She went on to biology then botany and I went to architecture then enigneering. I got a BS in civil engineering then went into envionmental engineering. My first real job was working for ASCE in NYC. I then went back to school and worked for the hydrulics lab before deciding that I didn't want to continue for the advanced degree. I then worked for the state of Florida before taking a two year contract in the Marshall Islands. Then it was back to Ohio to work at a federal installation in southern Ohio. I transistioned from envionmental to quality assurance which I ultimately disliked. When I was to be laid off I said OK I am retiring. About 15 years ago I found the LQS and was hooked. When they bought a LA and demoed it I knew I "needed one". Shortly after I retired my father passed away leaving me some money. I decided to make my dream come true and bought JJ, my Milli. I only quilt for myself and occassionaly for my sister, also a quilter. Most of my time is spent on my computer, quilting, and sewing, mostly quilts. Retirement has allowed me to spend more time with my sister and travel in addition to the quilting.

Pamela

[Gator]

Ok you all, I'm blushing. The photographer was great, that's all I can claim. Trust me the photo is much better then my real looks. I think the wind in my face helps with the wrinkles. My eyes were a little swollen which helped with the wrinkles, I had the eyeliner tatooed on a day or two before the pic. You can cover a lot of stuff up with leather. Anyway, you all are beautiful. I joined the Navy at 28 so I had to stay fit to keep up with the teens, not to mention that if you were overweight 3 times in 18 months the Navy would discharge you. Lord, wish I had that over my head now!!! You are all beautiful inside and out, the photos are drop dead georgeous!!!! Thank you all for the comments.

[Linda G. Craig]

My goodness, I am sooo enjoying reading about you all!

I'm retired from Dept of Justice, where I was employed as a Court Clerk (similar to court reporter), as well as Judge's Assistant, etc. I loved working there, it was always exciting and something new happening every day.

I retired in 2005 and came to work with my dad and one of my brothers at the family business. My father has always been an entrepeneur owning successful businesses all his life. Tragically I lost my brother Jim in 2006 and I was thrust into running our family business. My DH retired from IBM at that time and works with my dad and I each day.

Growing up with three brothers, I was a real outdoor girl. My passion at that time was horses -- the faster the better. Won many ribbons and awards barrel racing, pole bending, western showmanship. It was a fun-filled childhood.

I started sewing when I was about 8, won my first sewing contest at 12 and became Singer Jr. Miss Sewing Queen of Canada 1967. I had made a fully lined wool dress and coat. I was hooked! I cross-stitch, embroider, crotchet, knit, rug hook, sew garments and last, but not least, quilt! I started with a Pfaff Grandquilter and Grace Frame and ran out of room the first day! I was soooo disappointed. So I sold that set up and bought my Millie in June. We have been renovating our home and building a machine shed on our ten acres at the same time, so it's taken us until this week to complete my new studio. I am just about finished organizing myself. I am attending a quilt show this weekend in Fargo, ND with my DD, and will set up my Millie next week.

I am married to my wonderful DH for 35 years, son 31, daughter 27, grandson 5 months. I am sooo blessed.

[Bekah]

Wow, spent the last hour reading about all my sisters. I can say that I am proud to belong to such a family!

I will be 63 in December (where did the years go) I have been many things in my life, dental assistant in high school, cartographer for BLM, day care provider, bank operations manager, cocktail waitress, bar tender, grocery cashier and for the past 22 years a paralegal. Been married more than one time and so envy those of you who have long years together. Been married to my DH now for almost 10 years and hope we have many more. I have 5 children, 6 step-children and 19 grandchildren. I am also an ordained minister and am training to become a Stephen Minister.

My passion has always been sewing, started like many of you making doll clothes at my grandmother's knee. started quilting 9 years ago and been LAing for 3 years. I love it, it keeps me young and alive. Now I have the honor or being an APQS sales rep and hope next year to be able to do more in that regard.

my other passions are my flowers and garden and reading, although they seem to be taking a backseat to Alice these days.

This forum and all of you have kept me laughing, crying and praying and it is what I look forward to first thing every morning with my 5:30 a.m. coffee.

Thank you for the peek into your lives. May all live well and prosper and quilt until we are very old women and men.

[carmen]

Great thread!

I am married, 69 years old, 5 feet tall my husband is 6’ 3”tall, get the picture?

Mother to 4 grown children. Grandparents to 7 beautiful kids.

Great grand parents to 2 gorgeous girls. I retired early do to illness. Have a Food Science Degree. We, my DH and I moved here from the San Francisco Peninsula in 1997 after our last child got married. I am an American by choice.

Came to the US with my Parents at age 14, I had 4 brothers, one died in Vietnam. Came to longarm quilting by chance, could not find someone closed to me, who did longarm quilting. I teach quilting (piecing) classes at 2 local stores. I belong to a guild. I have made so many friends. I Thank God every day for my life for the opportunities I have had and continue to have. For my family, friends and You.

Carmen

[roberta]

I don't have the time to read all the posts but am looking forward to it. This is fun and interesting

Right now and for the last few years I have been a caregiver to my parents, and before my inlaws.

My main profession has been an Adult Adapted P.E. teacher at a Community College.

Before that I was a group actuarial assistant for an insurance company and before that I was an installer for Western Electric.

In between jobs I was a technical support tech. for a computer company, a secretary, and worked in retail.

[On Pins and Needles]

I'm a newbie here, have gotten a lot of assistance from you helpful folks...thank you very much. My name is Cindy, lived all my life in the pacific northwest behind a sewing machine. I started out in school to learn pattern making and design, worked in several different areas from pattern making, sample making for manufacturers, custom work, but really for the last almost 40 years most of my time has been spent doing alterations. I worked for a local department store that was bought out by Macy's, and after almost 25 years with Bon Marche/Macy's I was layed off last July....which is what brings me here....I've decided to be a longarm quilter. I have all those many years behind a sewing machine, but I have to say, I am humbled by this machine. I have SO much respect for all the beautiful work I see posted on these forums...you guys are amazing...and I hope to be one of you soon!

[Northern Girl]

Wow, We are Woman. Let us ROAR!!

Started as a corner store clerk in high school, married young in 1970 to grade school crush (both red heads) Was secretary/manager in family construction office with 40 employees. Started my own construction company of all women running water and sewer lines, and all services to new sub divisions. Drove back hoe, loader, gravel truck, grader, you name it. During this time our 2 sons where born, and went to work with me in car seats on the equipment. Hubby worked his own company building schools and bridges, and was gone 9-10 months out of the year. Quit that madness in 1985, started working for various oil and gas companies, doing accounting, production accounting, well site audits. Have worked for 2 chemical companies, a hazardous materials re-cycling company, and for the last 4 years been executive assistant to the president and ceo of a land surveying company. Did not own a sewing machine until Feb, 2007 and had not sewn since high school. Got bit BIG TIME by the quilt bug, bought a used Liberty in August of 08, and have completed 15 of my own (and family) quilts. I have been a competitve trap shooter for the past 15 years with my DH, and travel many weekends. Now I have trouble deciding if I should shoot it, quilt it, or write it down. :D . I am a director of our local gun club, and work on a volunteer basis for out local Oilman's society.

Throw into the mix a dear grand daughter and grandson, and my youngest getting married in Aug 2010, my life is very full. And as I can't seem to pass a fabric shop with out buying something, most likely will be 100 years old before by plastic (Visa) cools down. We celebrated our 39th anniversay on the 5th of Sept. Once things settle down a bit, I may start quilting for others, right now I am having too much fun doing it for myself. I luv this forum.!!!

[rrteach]

I am a Lawn Guylander (say it quickly) born and bred. I am from Patchogue (rhymes with catch hog). My husband and I recently celebrated our 3-dozenth anniversary. I am mom to 2 grown daughters. My youngest lives in Port Tobacco, MD and my oldest is married and living in Springfield, VA. I am expecting my first grandchild (girl) Dec. 25th. My younger daughter became engaged a few weeks ago.

I work as a special education teacher and have for the past 20 years. I hope to retire within the next 5-6 years and move near my children.

[Tinie]

Today was after 27 years my last working day for a Shell company. I have done there several finance jobs. Since 2004 I was working for Shell Exploration and Production Europe. First in the compliance department what became later part of the Governance Risk and Assurance department.

The last 2 years I did the system support related to SoX controls. In the period I worked in Compliance/GRA I have been traveling trough Europe. I have been several time in Aberdeen Scotland, and also in Krakow Poland, Kopenhagen Denmark, Stavanger and Kristiansund in Norway.

As a consequence of a reorganisation (not economic crises related, but outsoursing activities to Krakow, Manilla and Chenai) why had to apply for the jobs in the organisation. Even my job was unchanged and my teamleads wanted to have me the selectionpanels selected my cousin, even she did not apply for what was my job. The result is that I'm from October 1st on redundand.

In the coming period I will stay on Shell payroll, I will get help from an outplacementagency trying to find a new job for 2 or 3 days a week as assistent controller or accountant, bookkeeper or administrator.

The other days I want to start up a new business in longarmquilting, machine embroidery of gifts and quiltlabels. The coming period I can also use to practice on the Millenium. Yesterday I got the info that is was now on transport to me. Hopefully it will not arrive coming week as we are then away for a short vacation on one of the Waddenislands.

Today was for me a real sad day. Saying goodbey to a lot of colleges with whom I have worked many years. On the othere hand it is the starting point of a new live.

Coming Friday is the opening of the annual exhibition of the Dutch Quiltersguild where for the first time on of my quilts was selected to be shown.

From this quilt they made also a postcard.

Regards

Tinie

[Susanne.Hughes]

It is so grat to red about all my friends here........... we need to get Matt's and Liam's stories as well. How did they get involved in quilting?

I had many parttime jobs during my youth, mainly in admistration/office type scenarios and lots of babysitting. This kept me in pocket money, as emigrants, there was never any spare at home. (I was born and bred in then West Germany until my parents decided to move to Australia in 1969). I went to University and joined the Army Reserve to earn enough for tuition, books and the occasional meal!! This is where I met Geoff, who was the regular Army Adjutant. We didn't work closely together but when he realised that my engagement was on really rocky grounds, he made his move. Our first date was in September 1981 and we were married November 14th that same year. I gained my Commission and finished my degree, a double major n Politics and German Language and Literature, just after we were married. We had a one year posting to Singleton and I was pregnant with Martin when the Army moved us to Oromocto,Canada. (Try and look it up, most Canadians wouldn't know here that is either.)

Had two lovely years there and had the opportunity to train with the Canadian Army Reserves. Came back to Townsville (1985), where, like Rita, I lost him for big chuncks of time. This is where we had Andrew (so obviously he was home a little;):cool:) Here I was also involved with the Army Reserves. They were a great bunch there and I would have liked to stay.

From there we went to Fort Queenscliff at Point Lonsdale in Victoria for one year and once again, left pregnant on our move to Canberra. This is where I le the Army reserve slide, as I lost Geoff again to a vast office complex. Funny how they can manouvre through dense jungle with only a compass and the sun or the stars, without loosing their way, but they cannot find the front door of an office building to leave at 5.00pm. (His promise was that if I had this third child he would be there to help me because he had a desk job "Honey, it will be 9 - 5" ........... Yeah, sure ------ he still gets to hear about this blatant "untruth" .... he never was there!!) To bring holiday money in, I did babyitting at home. It would have been too expensive to get care for my three for me to work outside the home. Gee, things haven't changed for new mum nowadays, have they? They too face huge costs for childcare. I did lots of different volunteer work at the schools and in the community.

We had various "postings" within Canberra until we were offered the US. As Veronica, at age 5 put it... "Finally.... don't you realise I haven't left the country at all yet???" Her two brother had all these flights on Hercules aircraft and she had had none... very unfair to a 5 year old!

We had two wonderful years at Freedom Fortress, Fort Manroe(1995-96). This was a "representational" posting...... in otherwords, we had to attend a lot of functions and I cooked a lot of meals for others. Lucky I love entertaining!!

From there it was to Sydney, where my other working life began. I became an Office Administrator for a small company and then joined St George Bank, I worked as a Teller and then became invloved in Lending. When I left my title was Lending Manger. In 2000 Geoff retired from the regular Army and we moved to Brisbane. I was able to transfer with the bank, so worked until early this year, when I (well, the whole department) was made redundant.

At the moment I am at home and I am supposed to build my quilting business. I suspect I will get part time work in the New Year, to earn our travel money and money for the unncessary but nice to have things, like new car or TV etc.

I have always been doing of craft work, mainly cross stitch, sewing my and my children's clothes etc, I decided to take a course in Basic quilting when in Virginia. Haven't looked back since and have no developed a serious fetish for all things quilting or cloth related. (Maybe more of a compulsive disorder than fetish, really:D:cool:)

In short, I have been married 28 years, am still on my training husband, have 3 really great grown children, no Grandchildren but have 4 Grandpuppies. I have been able to see the world and have made lifelong friends througout the world, spread over many continents. I have my Millie and lots of good quilting friends , so yes, Life is good.

[witha'K'quilting]

This has been so much fun. I do notice that no guys are posting to this though.

Just wait...I have another question coming soon. As soon as I can find something.

Hopefully over the weekend we will have a new 'something' to learn about each other.

[Daisy2018]

Reading alll the posts, I can't help but notice we are all so very different, perhaps it's the differences that make the group work so well together. I notice too, that many are very much "can do" people Hurrah:P:P

[Guest Linda S]

It's great reading about what you all do. How fun.

I started out working as a cashier in a department store (kind of like WalMart) when I was in high school. Went to college, got my degree in Spanish and Music (very useful, yes?) and worked as a translator for migrant farmworkers at a Medical Clinic in Rushville, NY for a short time. Then went to work for a bank as a teller and progressed to assistant branch manager. Moved to Oregon in 1979, got a job as a data entry operator and credit authorizer for Emporium Stores (no longer in business), then worked there part time when I went to work for the University of Oregon. I've had a few jobs at the UO, first as a secretary in the student government office, then staff in the cultural forum office (we did rock concerts, films, lectures, etc.), then four years as a secretary in the President's Office, then as a personnel assistant in the Provost's office (I did alien labor certifications when non-US citizens were hired as professors), and then, 21 years ago next week, I ended up as the department manager for the Economics Department, still at the UO. I do just about anything -- computer purchasing, hook-up, software troubleshooting, webpage management, payroll, space allocation, grant management, accounting, event planning, etc., and have two staff to help me. I had planned on retiring on December 1, but last year's market crash wiped out nearly half of my pension, so I'll be at the day job a little while longer. I got my Liberty in 2004, with the plan that it would take me 5 years to develop enough business to retire and do this for supplemental income. Not all is working out as I planned, but ALMOST!

It's nice to know you all a little better.

Linda

[anita]

Loving this topic...I've always enjoyed learning the path that has taken people to where they are.

My husband of 35 years was dropped into my lap when I was 19. At that age, and being an original flower child, I wouldn't have known what to look for in a spouse. I was blessed!

Since then, I've sought a career path. You see, I always wanted to be a vet...was born with it in my heart and soul. I've never told anyone, not even my husband, how it was derailed...but suffice it to say I've floundered ever since. My father apologized before he passed...and I understand his intentions were good. But...

So...I fell into computers. Started with old card punch machines and today work in telecommunications R&D. I was never interested in management, actually preferred physical work...so my course has been fairly lateral...from hardware tech to networking. So I'm not too disappointed that I work in an R&D electronics lab doing system and network admin. My biggest surprise in the position I am currently in is that I love working with the contractors from India that comprise 98% of the test engineers on my team. These guys are the cream of the crop, well educated, respectful, hard working, polite, respectful of authority, and a throw back to days when not everything said and done is negative or has sexual innuendo. Refreshing. So, though my job is not as secure as I'd like, and the hours have been horrible this year, I feel fortunate to have a job.

Been quilting since the 70s...well, actually patchwork and quilting straight lines on the DSM. My husband acknowledges that it is my sanity and therapy and enables me in my obsession for all things quilting...particularly fabric.

I also dabble in commercial embroidery. This, after thinking I wanted to LA quilt for others only to discover it made me so uptight I wasn't able to enjoy it any more. So now I quilt for myself...when I can and make a little extra on the side with embroidery.

Great topic...did I already say that? What a diverse group of people. There are still quite a few that haven't jumped in yet, though.

Anita

[Tracey]

O.K. you women are all so smart and interesting!!! I am a 43 year old mother of 3. Nick is 12, Eric is 11, and Lucy is 7. I have been married to a great guy for 16years. he is a millwright but unfortunately, GM doesn't neeed him anymore. 20 years isn't enough senority to save ya. Anyway, after I graduated highschool, I worked at a few different jobs. Then I went to school for make-up artistry. I worked in a spa where I also trained in esthetics and nails, body waxing etc. I left there and moved back in with my parents and went to hairstyling school. I worked at a waitress at night and school in the day. I met my husband at 27 and we were in our 1st house 7 months later. I stayed home after my first was born and until Lucy was 1 1/2 I did nothing but mom stuff. I was at a group for Moms and tots one Wednesday when our speaker was Karen Menzies. I knew her as a teacher where I went to high school but what I didn't know was that she was about to change my life forever. She came to talk about quilting. She just kept throwing all these beautiful quilts on the floor and talked about each one. I left that day with all my babies and went home. I had some fabric from curtains I had tried to make for my daughters room. Up until then, I had only sewn a few halloween costumes. I cut a triangle out of cardboard and traced the shape onto the fabric and cut it with scissors. Put it all back together to make Lucy's dolly a quilt. I had no clue what binding was so I used a lace ribbon and sewed it on top of the quilt. No walking foot or anything. I still have it. I bought my first Janome right after I made that little quilt and started taking classes. I spent so much time at the quilt shop that the owner asked me to start working there. When Lucy started JK I started at the store. Only when she was in school. The boys were already full time at school so my working didn't affect the kids at all. From day 1 I was more interested in the quilting rather than the piecing. I will NEVER forget the first time I saw a longarm. I walked into a quilt shop one day and they had Gammills set up and I immediately knew where I wanted my personal (apart from kids and hubby) life to go. I got my longarm 11/2 years ago and I honestly think I have truly found what I am meant to be doing. I inner peace and contentment I have when I'm quilting are something I have never experienced in my life. I am very blessed. This is a great thread Kristina.

[phreddie]

Hey, everyone. I have been following the discussions for a while, but haven't joined in . . . until now. This topic interested me, and the stories of everyone have inspired me to share.

My mother started me sewing at a very young age, probably to keep me busy. I sewed a lot all through school, making most of my clothes, including every formal gown I owned until my siblings (all younger) began marrying. I began quilting while in college in the 70's. I had to learn from books and magazines, as I knew noone who quilted. I stumbled along, making just about every quilting mistake that I could until the mid-80's when I discovered there were quilt shops and they had classes for people like me. At that point, what had been an interest/hobby became a passion/obsession. I married my (mostly) DH 11 years ago, and we bought a house that had room for him to build a six-car garage (his obsession). He then converted the attached two-car garage into my studio. It is wonderful, and I spend as much time as possible in it. I had one of the first generation quilting machines, and in 2003 I bought my Millie, named Lucille. I mostly work on my own quilts, or those made by members of the family quilt group and close friends. For the last 4 years, my nephew has been learning to use Lucille, and he now does quilting for others with her. He went with me to Des Moines and Carroll this past summer for classes with Dawn and Amy.

As for the other part of my life, I have been a full-time special education teacher since 1980. I love it, but I am now beginning to look forward to retirement - in about four years. DH has been retired for about 10 years, although he works at home in his garage, and he isn't sure I should retire. I guess I would get in his way! Anyway, I surely enjoy reading about everyone's journey to quilting and the forum, and look forward to learning more as time goes on. And soon I will post some pictures of some of my work.

Phreddie

[jeri]

I'm still reading through this thread as I don't always have the time to check in. So interesting reading what all of you do besides quilting. Some of them you'd never have guessed.

I was a full time quilter from 2003 until 2006 when I ran away from my 2nd marriage of 5 years. DH hid my machine for over a year with no machine .... I needed some income and benefits.

Worked on the stocking team at Kohl's for 2 years (no benefits)-- did most everything in the store except make-up (not my thing) until my current job. Kohl's was awesome as it fit my life at the time as I was living with my Mom who had terminal cancer so it gave me the flexibility to help take care of her and my store managers were great.

Thanks to a connection there I now work for a software company that has programs for the financial industry and also provides staffing to service that software. I am a customer service/processing rep for a mutual fund company. I'm on the phone and computer all day helpng shareholders. Stressful with the economic situation the past year but good in many ways. I'm also quilting part time again and writing a cookbook for people who live alone as I go along (I have over 20 years of restaurant experience).

My past life runs into my current life. I have lived in 14 states several more than once, have had many types of jobs, was married 22 years had 3 girls-he went crazy divorced him (safer for myself and my girls) married again --shouldn't have (he went crazy also) MMM maybe it's me??

I have 9 terrific grandchildren ranging from 2 to 20. Bought a house by myself last Feb and have abt 900 sq feet just for quilting. Loving my life at the moment but there's never enough time to do all I want to do.

How can anyone ever be bored?

There is just way too much to do and learn to ever be bored.