Just curious...

[piemom]

Being new around here, I'm just curious about you folks and I hope you don't mind my asking...what do most people do--I see lots of comments about having to get back to work, etc. I can see from your posts where you live. Are most married? Kids? Hobbies? Anything you'd like to share would be great! And if it's already posted somewhere on the forum, just point me in the right direction (but I've been pretty good at poking around and haven't exactly seen this kind of stuff).

I am 40, married, 3 kids, a dog. I'm originally from Wisconsin and I have an undergraduate from Boston University and a master's in social work that I got from UC Berkeley. I am not currently working, though I would like to be. I'm doing a lot for the kids' schools and support my husband. He has been in the Navy for 19 years, so we move every 2-3 years. He is just about to take over as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Recruiting District Denver (about 450,000 square miles and about 400 sailors he'll be responsible for). Good thing the internet is constant wherever you go!

My true loves are decorating, painting, cooking, baking and reading. I recently lost 45 lbs and suspect that more will come off in the coming months with this new lifestyle--which is ok, because I could certainly stand to lose a few more!

BTW--made that bread I found the other day--it's delicious!! Will post the recipe on the proper forum.

Thanks--looking forward to getting to know you all!

Wendy
Perhaps this is the "true" me...

[kate_ce1995]

Well, I'm 34, getting married in June, have 2 step kids that my finace has joint custody of so they are with us half the time, 3 cats, and I'm a civil engineer specializing in soils engineering. For hobbies I like to garden, quilt and I play the french horn and am in a community summer band.

Katy

[Alice]

Hi Wendy,

I think we used to have a personal profiles section, not sure if we still do.
I'm 60, married, no children although I adore them, am a church musician (organist) and music teacher (piano and organ). Also have 2 basset hounds. Born and raised in Mn., degrees from U of Mn. and San Jose State. I'm a CASA (court-appointed special advocate) for abused and neglected children. Hobbies are reading, anything to do with nature and outdoors (except camping).

Glad to know about you! I once thought I wanted to be a social worker. What's your area of interest?
I did try it- not for me. Although the CASA work is just that, and I like it.
But it's part-time and I can chose the cases.

Alice

[artteacher]

Hi there,

I'm 52, divorced & remarried, 3 kids 23-30 and 5 grandkids, live in AZ and WA state, ex artteacher lately working in a bead store. Pursuing beading recently, used to do drawing and pottery. Have always done lots of gardening.

Talk to you soon! Marsha

[Peggy]

Married, 44 years-old, Canadian, no children (except for the cat and the bird), working full-time as an adminstrative secretary for a teachers' union, currently on Asacol, dx'd with collagenous colitis, very limited dietary restrictions (anything that makes me gassy I avoid), love to travel. Oh, and on that last note, my GI has written me a letter that gets me feee bulkhead seating on planes (to be near to the bathroom and for rapid access off the plane).
That's me in a nutshell.

Peg

[piemom]

Alice, I was a pediatric medical social worker at UCSF Medical Center (ages ago). I covered nephrology, general surgery, bone marrow transplant, cardiac, neurology, orthopedics...it was very interesting and hard work. I loved the medical aspect to it. I was very young at the time and would be much better at it now, but I really don't want to go back to that. I'd like to go back to school for interior decorating, but with the kids, the dog, moving so often...it may be a while!

Katy, congratulations on your upcoming wedding--where will you be getting married?

[Mars]

I am 46 with 2 daughters - ages 26 and 27 with 2 grandchildren ages 4 and 6 (girl and boy respectively). My youngest daughter recently got married to an Army guy who currently returned from Iraq. I've posted pictures in the picture section of the board. He is stationed at Fort Hood, TX and will soon be stationed in the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbel! He's a doll, BTW. My husband and I have been married for 29 years in May!

I work full time as a Fiscal Director/Office Manager/right-hand assistant to the Director of a non-profit, housing development agency. WHEW - it's a lot to deal with most of the time! My husband works nights and I work days so I spend a lot of time on the computer but enjoy my yard/flowers and reading (Stephen King/John Saul, etc.) and embroidering.

We currently have one dog - Sadie Mae who is a red bloodhound! (She doesn't have the black sadle like the more popular breed) We recently lost her littermate sister (Belle) to cancer

It's great to have a thread like this every once in a while to remind us of who we are and where we're from! Ohio BTW!

Love,
Mars

[Dee]

Let's see!!!!!!
I'm 54, married to Jack for 34 years. We have a daughter 31, who lives in Iowa and a son who is 27 and lives in the area. I have two adorable grandchildren, Taylor who is 8 and Caleb who is 2.
Since my passion has always been cooking and baking, I have always worked in food service. I retired from a school district 4 years ago where I held the position of head cafeteria manager and cook. I prepared many a breakfast and lunch for the children...
I love to design flower gardens and to be outside. I love to read. I love to do crafts. Just love being busy!
I can be ornery as all get out and I'm sure you'll eventually pick up on that!!

Love
Dee~~~~

[CAMary]

Hi Wendy!

Wow - I see a few similarities. I am also 40 and married w/3 kids. My husband is from MN originally, but I am a 3rd generation Californian! He was in the Air Force before we met - now he is an electrical engineer. I live spitting distance from Berkeley (I didn't go there - but my mom and older brother did!) I chose the beach and attended UC San Diego, then San Jose State for my teaching credential. Right now I work very part-time tutoring, but plan to go back in the classroom when my daughter is older. I do a lot of volunteering @ school, with scouts and little league - it is *busy* being "unemployed", LOL!! I was born @ UCSF - my cousin works there- she teaches in their nursing program.

As far as hobbies? I enjoy reading and really love my tutoring work! If we were independently wealthy I would tutor kids and work for the adult literacy program @ the library as a full-time volunteer!

Good to learn more about you - you seem to fit in nicely with this group - you won't find a better group of people anywhere on the 'net!

Take care,

Mary

[JJ]

Hi....I am 54 and single (would like to meet a nice guy)...born and raised in WA State....earned a BA and MFA from WA State Univ. and have been teaching at a private school for the past 23 years. My job was cut back to 60% this year and maybe cut more next year, so am job hunting. I have CC and take Entocort. I have a wonderful black kitty and many dear friends. I like to ski, cook, read....art of course, and also like to garden. I could easily live my life as an artist/beach/ski bum ....if I could.

JJ (Jill)

[barbaranoela]

Hi Wendy--

I am 72---married to Lou 53 years--comes this November--
Louie worked as a mechanic for Otis Elevator,in Manhattan, and retired @ the age of 60---Also was in the Navy--4 years--during the forgotten war--Korea--and was stationed on the MIDWAY--
We have 3 kids----Deb---soon to be 50 and works as a conference manager---single---looking for Mr.Perfect(also donates her time @ the animal shelter) Lynn--48--divorced from Willard the rat- --but graced us with 2 granddaughters Kaitlyn 19 and Kristyn 17--and son Douglas--45--married--living in AZ---no children---3 dogs and 2 cats--are my grandkids there-
I didnt attend any college---upset my dad due to that--cus education was very important to him----hey--what can I say--
Worked as a secretary in Equitable Life Insur. Co.
I was born in Brooklyn----yeaaaaaa--then we resided in Lower east side of NYC--then moved to Staten Island----and for the past 40+ years we are in Rockland County(bout 30 miles from the big Noo YAWK)-
I am not creative- --I did the pottery stuff---I luved my league bowling--oh---luved to play Canasta---luve *music*--and my real enjoyment is cruising---have to add my Yoga---and Tai-Chi--luv crossword puzzles

Was in a chat room back in 95--made great friends---that we keep in touch with---
Had joined the Senior Citizen Club(@ home) but that didnt last too long--
Lou is the positive on the see-saw---I am the negative--
And I luve to talk---

My mom--dad and brother have passed and Lou--has no siblings---which is odd for an Italian family--his parents have passed too--
I guess thats enuf for now---
My pleasure meeting U Wendy--
~~Barbara




[/b]

[annie oakley]

Hi Oma here....57 yrs old married, 5 grown kids, 12 grandkids, 2 dogs. worked heavy construction for 15 yrs, am now a customer serv rep for a major credit card, live in the mddle of 90 acres in west Texas. Husband is an electrician. I enjoy cooking (since I was 8) and love to crochet and sew. Have been off meds and in remission for a year now. Love Oma

[starfire]

I just turned 64, will be married 47 years next month to Bill.
We have 2 children (daughter & son), Pam (Pamela) will soon be 46 with 2 children and Mike (Michael)will be 44 in July with 1 stepdaughter and 1 son.

Born & raised in Georgia (Buford). Moved north with Bill when we married. We've lived in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio...... and currently we have the house we built in Pa and a manufactured home in a 55+ community in Florida. Bill goes back & forth but I am mainly here in Florida due to my Mom.

I worked at various times over the years. Last was for General Electric in Binghamton for 14 years. I was a Production Specialist when I quit. I left to join Bill in Ohio. Just never made it back to work after that. Bill is retired now also.

We both love living in the country. I don't consider Florida my permanant home, although I seem to be able to adjust to living most anywhere.

I found this group in 2004. I'm so very glad I did.

Oh, by the way, my son Mike is career Navy. He enlisted out of high school. He is a Master Chief now. Over 20 years in. He has about 2 courses to go for his master's degree. He has worked very hard for that, juggling family, work & deployments here and there - sometimes for long periods and going to college evenings & weekends when he could. Frankly I never thought he'd go that far but looks like he's going to make it.

Well, sorry, didn't meant to write a book for pete's sake.

Love, Shirley

[piemom]

Well, you certainly are an interesting group of people...thanks for all your responses--it's great to know a bit about everyone. I also love that people are from all over the place. Isn't it amazing how the internet can connect us all? What did we ever do bc (before computers?). I suppose I should put typing on my list of "hobbies". Heaven knows I don't know a thing about how computers work, but I sure do spend a lot of time typing! LOL!

Thanks again for sharing.

Cheers,

Wendy