I LOVE my day/night job, it is....

His last name is Wunder. :) You probably don't know him. He is 75 now and has children, Sherry, Barbara, and another daughter.

The one thing I truly miss living in Kentucky is the ocean. And even when I lived in MA, we had lakes to go to and swim in...here there is one private lake near us! That part stinks.

:) K

Misty-
What part of the Berks are you from? I am originally from Sandisfield. southwest corner of the state, south of great barrington and Stockbridge.

Hey Wormboy, Born in Pittsfield...lived in Pittsfield and Hinsdale, DH from Becket. Graduated from WRHS in Dalton :)

Very familiar with your area :)

Bump! Just in case our newest members want to add to this thread.

I think you tilted it.

Some lost souls on that thread.

I'm a middle school social studies teacher in a private school in Bridgeport and also a freelance writer for a children's publication. I like working with that age group but am getting very wary of all the in-service workshops and meetings about nothing we always seem to have.

Hi, all. I'll play. I'm a clinical systems analyst at a cancer hospital. So what I actually DO is install, customize and maintain the clinical computer software for the hospital. Used to be a programmer, but nobody writes their own software anymore. You buy it and then try to make it work. I've been at the same place 24 years. It's pretty rewarding and I think I'm good at what I do. It's also loaded with stress. As the hospital is more and more dependent on computers to function, it is essential that everything works and works right. In a 24/7 environment, that means NOW. I wouldn't work anywhere else, but retirement looks better to me all the time.

Al, if you're going to poke your head in, you have to contribute.

Hey, I thought I posted days ago. Must not have sent.

jjpm (john?) My agency works with middle and high school students, and I have a great respect for anyone who enjoys working with middle school students! It takes a special person.

I also wanted to tell you that we are having a mandatory workshop on coping with in-service training and othher meetings.

Gram, I believe Al is a proffessional landscaper (kinda cheatin', isn't it?).

Well, I believe Al believes he is a professional landscaper LOL. anyway, if he's not, somebody's sure paying him to hang around plants a lot.

Landscaper or maybe just plant paparazzi? We already know those aren't all his plants!

I think someone pays me to shop for plants ;)

Actually I only deal with grass and trees. I am pretty much in charge of myself and the work I do. I fertilize lawns,treat weeds, and spray trees/shrubs for insects and disease. A lot of it is commercial which is easier(less Grams to complain). I could make more money and work more hours and have less fun at other places, but I enjoy my time off.
I also get to plow snow and have those great hours, such as working from 10-1 last night salting.

Well Gram, We got him to reply.

Dave47--That's too funny. LOL

all I know is Al's got the best looking lawn I've ever seen (unless it's a pic of someone else's LOL) and the tallest flowers in the neighborhood)

Thanks Gram, my lawn is pretty small and I killed it all off and reseeded it a few years ago. My neighbor's lawns look like - well neighbor's lawns. You would look at mine and think that I am constantly applying pesticides to my lawn, but it is almost none.

Wormboy not posting any more??????

Judy

since when do you get to grade your own work? looks very pretty to me, but you bring it back when it's a 10, young man (aren't you lucky there's only this one GRAM to complain here?)

That's real nice AL - you are giving me ideas for my yard!

I'm an Electronics technician that's working in the production department of a German-American Electronics company. I build Control units and safety systems for Cranes, Boom Lifts and other heavy equipment. The Job's pretty good, and pays well, but I'd like to be working in Repair or Engineering.... The problem is that despite the fact that I kept a $6,000,000 Radar system functioning for 6 years when I was in the US Navy, my Navy training doesn't count as an actual college degree, and most Repair Tech/Electronic Engineer jobs require at least a 2-year degree. I've been going to Penn State at night to try getting enough classes (on top of credits that are given for my Naval Training) to get an Electrical Engineering Technology degree. Unfortunately, that results in very little time for much else.

Thankfully, I have the summer off from school, so I can work with my plants then.

I know what you mean Hikaro. My DH was a crew chief on a 'Lead the Fleet' B-52 during Viet Nam, but when he got out, the best he could do at a commercial airport was refueling. The government provides good training to servicemen but the 'real world' just doesn't recognize it's worth.

I've morphed careers a few times. I am stimulated and challenged by what I do. I am the Human Resources Director for a non profit. We place home-bound individuals with disabilties in telecommuting jobs nationwide. We are a progressive workplace, diverse, and give opportunities to those who find it too difficult to leave their homes to work . (Our telecommuting jobs are mostly customer service positions.)
I get to walk through Boston Common and the Public Gardens to and from work! The specimans are amazing!

Judy, I can't remember the last time Worboy posted. Might not have posted since August. I hope he returns soon. His optimism is contagiuos!
Dave

Gram - I don't always have control over the fixin's for those pots or the bows - otherwise it could be better. They are pretty easy to do really.

Ok, you're excused LOL as I said, I like it! you can come decorate my porch anytime :0)

Hi, I'm a self-employed speech-language pathologist now. Work with high school kids with learning issues and autistic adults. Sounds intense, but most of my clients are a relief from people with attitudes. Feels like I've had a million careers; I've been mostly a professional artist, had a housecleaning business, sold make-up and vitamins, worked in a chinese restaurant, was an apple picker, maintained gardens for businesses, was a receptionist for several chiropracters and much more. Getting my masters' degree was an ordeal and I cried alot (lost my art career and marriage at the same time) but I'm having more fun now than most of my jobs and making more money. Best of all, I have a great partner now. I've got 2 grown kids and 2 grandkids and a great garden and 70 orchids. I do miss doing art everyday.

Hi Misty! We haven't spoken in ages, but I always like reading your posts.
I hardly go to Boston these days (too far.lol) but I will take a trek to visit friends in Newport, RI. Love them and Newport. I haven't been to my 2 fav road trip places in a while, but I think about them often (Quebec City and Grand Manan, NB). etc. etc. blah, blah, blah.

Wow boojum! You've done it all.
Who is Misty? Gardener gardner?

You certainly have done it all Boojum. Why can't you do art everyday? Do it at home instead of as a job. What kind of art did you enjoy?

No money. I did everything-commercial, signs, murals, tile murals, greeting cards, book illustrations, large pastels, watercolors, had shows. Sporatic money, lots of hustle, but can't live on it.

I've never said what it is I do....thats because my life is a bit different than most of you here. I have been a P.C.A., worked at a Chinese restaurant, Movie rental place, at a factory sewing shirts(anyone ever heard of "Hathaway" shirts?)all part time and now I am an Administrator for a Trust fund. I have a handi-capped son who is now 26, this has been my full time job, he has never been away from me more than 4days and 3 nights. I am also a mother to 4 other children, all grown up now but i'm still on duty! LOL I have choosen to take care of my son and not place him, this has not been easy and I realize someday I will no longer be able to take care of him the way I do now. I have missed much in the fact that I never pursued my passion, never got to finish college, and have had to limit my time of travel to short trips for fear of what will happen to him when I'm gone. Please understand I am not complaining....it is my choice. This was not what I had envisioned when i was in my 20's but alas, someone had other plans for me. I had hoped to be a nurse or work w/children.... I am a kind of a nurse(know more about seizures and epilsey than most nurse's and some doctors) and I have had my share of working with children. (5 of my own and 2 others that were brought home as "strays") so I didn't totally get gyped! I love my life and my garden has been my refuge, along with DG.

I work with many parents in similar circumstances. I honor you for your choice. It is a very difficult road, but the rewards are great because you learn that the smallest things are our true joys.

boojum ~ Thank you and very well said! He wakes up with a smile every morning....he's my sunshine on gloomy days. As a matter of fact, I sing that song to him, ever since he was a baby.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray"

We have similarities. Unlike each of you, I have worked in the same profession for 30 years. However, I also work in social services (mostly kids), have some strays like Pixie and wouldn't have it any other way.

Pixie, I suspect if your life had taken a different direction or you had made a different choice there is nothing you couldn't have done. Not everyone could do what you do.

Awwe...thanks gram , but I doubt I could ever paint like you! I took a peek at the artist forum.

Pixie, I didn't know I could do it until I tried. and everyone's talent doesn't lie in the same direction.