Thought it might be interesting to find out what we all do for a living AND if you really like you work .

I have been a hairdresser for 40 years . I really enjoyed my work until about 2 years ago .Decided I was very tired of dealing so close with the public and didn't want to be their waitress any more . So I am taking measures ,within a year to change that part of my life .

O.K. Who's next ?

Good thread anna
I am a Greeting Card Sales Rep. I have quite a large territory (Ontario) but I have worked it out so that I am able to be home in time for the boys when they get home from School. I am also a mother to 8 year old twin boys (the most important job I have).

Busy lady , Leah .

Neat idea, Anna!!! Hope that your career change works out for you!!!

I'm the VP of our computer consulting firm. We've been in business since 1988, and we work with mainly county govts in the state. After Maegan was born, I went to part-time, so I could work from home and be here for her when she gets home from school.

Leah, you have to be one of the busiest Moms I know!!!

Well, in FL, I *was* selling handmade beaded jewelry, but since we moved I haven't been able to sell any, although there is a consignment store that one of these days I'm going to try....just haven't gotten up the gumption to find it yet. *L*

Busy seems to be my middle name these days The boys are playing Rep hockey this year which means they are on the ice about 4 times a week. I am the manager of the team so I am constantly dealing with setting up tournaments, planning events, dealing with the parents and trying to make sure the boys all have the best experience they can. Austin and Andrew also signed up for the school's cross country running team so that is something we are trying to fit in as well. I am lucky....because they are really good boys and I love to be able to watch them do what they love.

This is a good question! I am a registered nurse. I work for an agency that takes care of developmentally disabled adults. I recently got a promotion as the RN Trainer/Auditor. I must say that I have been a nurse since 1997 and have been working with this population for 6 1/2 years and I can honestly say I LOVE my job and have loved it since day one. I feel blessed to have a job that I can say that about!!
Laura

Hey Becky ,I hope it changes too...............from working to retirement . If I can retire in about 8 months or so I can get more Vince concerts under my belt That's a lot more fun than doing hair.

That is so great Laura.Thank God for people who do your work .You are angels in my book.

Leah, Your Mom job and all the rest who are busy Moms and homemakers are the backbone of this world.

I think Becky and Bruce's work would be so interesting but my brain is technology challenged.

It must be fun to do that Valerie. I used to do a lot of hand work. Knitting etc. Had to give a lot up when the nerve disorder hit me.

Thank you Anna. I feel lucky to be able to do what I do and to love what I do makes my job the best. I am soooo grateful for hairdressers, especially when you find someone that you totally "click" with. My hairdresser is the best she isn't happy unless I am happy! I am the person that says do what you think will look good...it will grow back. I have short hair and always looking to change it up a bit, whether with just a little different cut or color. I totally agree that the MOST important job ever is being a mom!!!! I wouldn't be able to do Becky and Bruce's job as I am soooooo computer challenged and technology challenged in general. Sad part (really a good thing thought) is that Rick does computer work for a living, otherwise I probably never would have met all of my wonderful friends here. I love doing arts/crafts type of things but at this point in my life I don't have much time for that, but sure do wish that I did!
Laura

Well...I have to say that I wished I was staying up with all the current computer technology, but I haven't been doing that as well as I would like to.

I think that it's great that you love your job, Laura...not alot of people really love what they do and get paid for it!!! I was lucky when I went to college and studied computers...I wasn't sure I would like it as much as I did !!!

I think most of you know, But...

My husband and I Production Movie Accountants here in Montreal...

I love my job....Very happy in what I do...The perks and benefits are fabulous!!!!!! The art sales, The wardrobe sales, meeting all types of people and of course the actors and or movie stars..(and you don't have to feel like a stalker...lol).....Not to mention putting my kids in the movies as extras...(great for their savings)...

I am also a mom and step mom for 6 beautiful children/young adults....

Very fullfilling.....

As of three years ago I retired. I was in retail for 30 years for the same company. It is a company that is mainly in Michigan and is Meijer. I was a sales clerk but for the last few years was in management. Now I help with granddaughter Anna as she is here every Thursday and Friday.

Lona ,I was wondering who had the other grand daughter named Anna. Mine will be 22 Christmas Eve. Her Mom loved your stores. She shopped there ll the time. You are doing what I am striving to do. Hope to soon.

Anna!!!, that was agood question, Gee you all sound so busy, and I have just been a house wife and raised my daughtersAnd when my husband got sick i really was a nurse that was a full time job but, since he passed away alnost 5 yrs, i have been doing a lot of things like taking bus trips now i'm 80 so the Lord keeps on blessing me, and being able to use this computer so i can write to all of myvgfs, and got to go to see 3 of vinces concerts, , i help with church work, So my life goes on
love ya, SHIRL.
Lady Gill.

Shirl, it sounds like you are still very busy to me!!! Raising kids and keeping house is an awesome responsibility and alot of work!!! My Mother took care of my Father while he was sick and until he died and I know how emotionally and physically taxing that can be on someone. So you should be proud of all that you have accomplished and what you continue to do!!!

Thanks Becky, You and your mom understands, taking taking care of some one is very stressful but , But God is good and he knows when we have enough, Is you Mom still with you. I hope she is in good health and God Bless her.
love ya, SHIRL.
Lady Gill. --Loves Vince Gill.

[u][b] ANNA I'll bet you were a great hair dresser.
I have gone to the same hair dresser since 1987, and i really trust her with my hair I think i'll change but i always go back afraid some one will mess my hair up ., LOL. it was really nice to hear what all of you have done in your lives, God Bless.
love ya, SHIRL.
Lady Gill---loves Vince Gill.

Yes, Shirl..thank goodness, my Mother is still with us. She turned 75yo on August 27th..and we took her to see Amy in concert in Atlanta the day before her birthday. She had never seen Amy in concert before and she loved it!!! Mother's in wonderful health..she quilts once a week at a local civic center and like you, she is very active in her church. We're very blessed to have her...she absolutely dotes on Maegan!!!

Shirl,There is NO such thing as JUST a house wife,Mother etc. Most important job in the world

Well Shirl,I'm not so sure how great a hairdresser I am but the business,as hard as it is,has been good to me and I have supported myself since my hubby died in 1984. I have bought 1 mobile home and 2 1/2 years ago I bought a house. Talk about thinking positive ,I had my 67 th. birthday in June and my house has a 30 year mortgage I went to beauty school in Indiana when my youngest started kindergarten and graduated when the middle one was 8.She is now 48 . So you can see why I am ready to retire. Just have to hang in a few more months and hopfully I'll get it done by Spring. Then I have to decide where I want to live.

I work in a medical office for 10 doctors. I do all kinds of jobs. Mainly make appointments, fill in at the switchboard, registration, & running. I worked medical records for years and sometimes I help the new people get caught up. I don't know from day to day what I will be doing. If someone calls in sick, I am there. I don't get bored!

[size=2][font=Comic Sans Ms]t’s interesting to see all the different occupations. I’ve worked as a legal secretary for 30 years for the same firm in southern Illinois. I work for a trial attorney who does civil litigation defense work. No two cases are the same so it’s very interesting work and certainly never boring. I’m also the court reporter for the county coroner and have done that for a little over 20 years. When there is a death in the county resulting from something other than natural causes, the coroner conducts an inquest before a jury, and I do the court reporting for those inquests. That’s just a part time job but also a very interesting one. I also decorate cakes and cookies in my spare time. Sounds like we’re all busy but we still have time for Vince!

Janice

Janice we are almost neighbors. We live in the far western corner of Kentucky. My daughter went to SIU at Carbondale, Il. It is about 2 hours from here.
Sounds like you stay busy!

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE ALL VERY BUSY THESE DAYS.
I AM JUST A MOTHER OF A 14 YR OLD AND A 11 YR. OLD ALMOST 12 AND A HOUSE WIFE.BOTH BOYS.
I AM ALWAYS BUSY WITH MY 11 YR. OLD
BECAUSE HE IS DISABLED HE HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE BIRTH. HE DOES KNOW HOW TO CRAWL, SIT AND CLIMB ON THE FURNITURE AND HIS BED. HE HAS A WHEELCHAIR BUT HE USES THAT TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL HE RIDES A SCHOOL BUS. AND WHEN WE TAKE HIM PLACES.

BUT HE DOES NOT WALK, HE WALKS WITH A EXTENTION WALKER ABOUT 50 FT. ALMOST EVERY DAY.

HE DOES NOT TALK.BUT ,HE MAKES NOISES. HE KNOWS A LOT OF STUFF BUT CANNOT COMMUNICATE. HE KNOWS WHAT BYE-BYE MEANS AND BATH. AND SOME OTHER STUFF.
HE IS G-TUBE FED 5 TIMES A DAY (BOLUS GRAVITY FEEDS). HE DOES NOT TAKE ANYTHING BY MOUTH. HE HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE BIRTH.
WHEN HE WAS 6 MONTHS OLD HE HAD TO HAVE A TRACH AND HAD IT IN THERE FOR A YEAR. IT IS OUT NOW. BEFORE HE HAD IT TAKEN OUT HE GOT PSEUDOMONOUS STAFF INFECTION IN HIS TRACHEA AND I ALMOST LOST HIM CAUSE HIS LUNGS WERE CAVING IN HE TURNED BLUE AND HE WAS GASPING FOR AIR.
HIS MOUTH STAYS OPEN ALL THE TIME BECAUSE WHEN HE WAS BORN THEY SAID HE HAD A SMALL AIRWAY AND WHEN HE LAY ON HIS BACK HIS TONGUE WOULD GO BACK AND CUT HIS AIRWAY OFF. AND HE WAS SHIPPED TO CHILDRENS HOSPITAL IN COLUMBUS,OH THE DAY AFTER HE WAS BORN.
I HAD RESPITE CARE AND NURSES COME IN TO MY HOME TO TAKE CARE OF HIM SO THAT I COULD GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. THAT IS WHEN HE HAD HIS TRACH. WHICH WAS BACK IN 1995.
I HAD NURSES UP TIL 2004 THAT IS WHEN HIS WAIVER ENDED. SO I LOST ALL OF MY NURSES CAUSE I WASN'T GETTING ANY TO COME TO MY HOME ANYMORE SO THEY DROPPED IT CAUSE THE WAIVER WAS PAYING FOR THE NURSES TO COME OUT TO TAKE CARE OF HIM. TILL THIS DAY I TAKE CARE OF HIM AND MY HUSBAND.
NOW I GET UP FEED HIM BY G-TUBE CHANGE HIS DIAPER GET HIM READY FOR SCHOOL HE GETS IN HIS WHEELCHAIR AND I TAKE HIM OUT TO HIS BUS. THEN HE IS AT SCHOOL ALL DAY HE GETS HOME ABOUT 2:45 PM AND I GOT TO MAKE SURE I AM HERE TO GET HIM OFF THE BUS THEN I HAVE TO FEED HIM AGAIN THEN I HAVE TO START FIXING SUPPER AND THEN AFTER WE EAT I HAVE TO FEED HIM AGAIN DO MY DISHES GIVE HIME A BATH AND GET HIM READY FOR BED. SO WHILE HE IS AT SCHOOL I CLEAN MY HOUSE AND PAY BILLS AND DO THE GROCERY SHOPPING AND DO THE LAUNDRY. WELL I THINK THAT IS ABOUT IT. I THINK I HAVE SAID ENOUGH SO I WILL SHUT UP FOR NOW AND LET SOME ONE ELSE TALK.

Joyce, don't ever think of yourself as "just" a mother and housewife. You are the BEST of mothers!! It takes a very special person to do all that you do. Sounds like your family - especially your 11-year-old - is very lucky to have someone like you!! And rest assured, you have one of the most important jobs in the world. God Bless.

Sandy

Joyce i have to repeat what Sandy said, YOU ARE A SPECIAL person
to do what you do your family is well blessed to have you. If i was close to you i would be your help mate.God blesses you and your family every day, TAKE CARE'
love ya SHIRLEY.
Lady Gill-- loves Vince Gill. ps, play lots of vince Gill songs they are very comfronting.

I work at a food plant as a line worker. We package hot wheat cereal, grits and oat bran. We have many different lines that package different things. Hot cocoa, oatmeal, pancake cake mix, and many different flavored drink mixes like ice tea and the Kool Aide type drinks. All are in the powder form. Some days are hard because I stand all day and it starts to really get to your legs. But I work with a great bunch of people...that makes all the difference in the world.
Roger works as a forktruck driver there and we ride in together. We both like that.
I didn't work until my kids were all in school and this is the only job I ever had. I have been at this company for 27 years. (Yep...can't wait for retirement!)

Lois/Oma

THANK YOU SO MUCH SANDY AND SHIRL YOU GUYS ARE SPECIAL PEOPLE TOO. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS YOU MADE.
I DO LISTEN TO A LOT OF VINCE'S MUSIC IT HELPS ME OUT A LOT.
WHEN I AM STRESSED OUT.
I HATE TO SAY THIS TO YOU TWO BUT YOU MADE ME HAVE TEARS IN MY EYES WHEN I READ YOUR COMMENTS. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST YOU ARE JUST LIKE MY SISTERS.

Special lady Joyce. God Bless you and your family.

Lois, So you are the one with grit ? You've been there a long time. Hardly hear of anyone ,anymore being at one job that long. It ain't like it used to be.

Joyce, you are indeed a special lady. I've always felt that children such as your son are God's special kids. And it takes an extraordinarily special person to take care of them. You must be one of those people...God bless you and your family.

Oma. mybe we eat some of your cereal you package how about that ??
boy!!!! that is a long time to be at one job I think too its about time to retire
Its been fun reading about all of you gal's that has all kinds of jobs,
thanks ANNA for posting that topic.
love ya, SHIRL;
Lady Gill---loves Vince Gill.

You all are very welcome. Sometimes it's hard to come up with some interesting stuff. I'm happy y'all enjoyed it.

Anna, this was an excellent idea. It gives us newbies a chance to get to know everyone. Everyone is so busy with work and daily activities but we always make time to chat and see what's up with Vince. I could really use you right now. My hair is about now about 1 1/2-2" back in from the chemo and I can't do a thing with it.

I am the business manager for a medical equipment company that specializes in rehab equipment such as the wheelchair Christopher Reeves was in. Our clients range from 1 yr to........ We do special molded systems for kids that can't sit up on their own. It can be heartbreaking when we lose a kid we have watched grow up but it's very rewarding when you see the look on one's face when they are able to look at the world instead of a ceiling all the time. I've worked with my boss since 1987. We started on our own in 1991 with 3 of us and barely making it thru the year. We are the only company in East Tennessee that does rehab equipment and now gross over 4 million annually.

Weekends, my husband and I ride our Harleys (if it's nice). I have a 2003 Sportster 883, he has a 2006 Road Glide. I hit my second childhood and bought mine when I got the "all clear" on the lymphoma. He got his shortly after. IT'S A BLAST!

Kathy, You and your company do a great service to help these people that ,as you said, can see the world instead of the ceiling. That is a wonderful thing. Also your all clear on the cancer. That's great news. The Harley's ,"not for me" but I know many people who love to ride.
I have a friend who's hubby used to pick her up from having her hair done (She loved to ride). One day she ask me if a certain person had called me for an appointment . I said ,no,why? She said people are always asking me who does my hair. I told her ,yeah, they didn't want me to do their's so that's why they ask (she always wore a helmet )

We have several people who come to our salon for wigs. We have 2 specialists who take care of that part of the business.
Is your hair a lot of different lengths .If so one of the best things you can do for it is have the longest part of it trimmed so it will be fairly even . Did you loose all you hair ? If it came out over a period of time there will be different lengths as it grows back. It's probably very soft like baby hair. Try to even it up and use some light weight gel or mousse and just spike it out. It'll be real cute.

I can relate to the "helmet head". If we stop somewhere and plan to be there a while to eat or something, I'll go to the bathroom and dampen my hair and fluff it some. It started coming out a couple of days before my second treatment. They were 21 days apart. I went the next day and had it buzzed. I lost eyelashes, eyebrows and all. I told the girls at work I looked like the guy in the movie Powder. I've had it trimmed a couple of times. It was real thick before, it's coming back in thinner but the texture doesn't seem to have changed. It is very thin on the top sides like a receding hair line. Thanks for the tips. I'll try them.

lol
Kathy

P.S. Tell your chemo clients to get several different wigs and have fun. Make the best of it!

lol! Thats funny, Anna! Yep...I got Grit!
I figured I'm too old to go anywhere else...Ha!

Lois/Oma

Kathy,My former brother-in-law's wife lost her hair and she just got her a Harley scarf and wore it pirate style as she rode her bike around the neighborhood. . Looked cool.

Speaking of her. The good news is she is a breast cancer survivor ,the bad news is they found a metastasized tumor in her pancreas. She is under going treatment .Some new drug and chemo again. The tumor has shrunk but my b-i-l (he is a retired Dr.) said that survival rate for 1 year with treatment for this kind on cancer is only 20 % .

Just say prayers for her. They are wanting to go on an Alaskan cruise and she said if she continues to feel the way she did about 3 weeks ago they will go. She does have a good attitude and lots of support from her family and friends. She also said she never thought she would ever beg for chemo(because of the shrinkage).They told her it had nothing to do with the breast cancer. I don't know . I just say a prayer for all (as a whole ).

Anna, I'Tm so sorry to hear about your friend. They are coming up with new drugs and combinations every day. I thought chemo was just chemo until I had to have it. I didn't realize there were so many different chemo drugs. I had 3-bags during my treatments and one of the guys that had treatments about the same time had 6-bags. I had phenergan and zolfran for nausea. But I was lucky enough not to have to take much of it. One of my nurses (a breast cancer survivor also) went to Alaska this spring. She had her pictures when I went in to have my port flushed. She will love it. Tell your friend we are all saying prayers for her.

Kathy you are a special lady, You and Anna's friend have my prayers,
Well so you are a Harley Gal, well thats not for me but i'm glad you enjoy it. take care, and God Bless.
love ya, SHIRL.
Lady Gill----loves Vince Gill.ps i have a friend that had cancer 14yrs ago and she has been fine, she didn't lose her hair.that would be hard to handle. GOd Bless.

Shirl, I'm going to have to come and find you and shake you up a bit. LOL I'll do it gently. Being a housewife is hard, but being a mother and raising your children is the best job, and one of the most rewarding. Looking back, you probably wouldn't change a thing. I stayed home with both of my children, and am just now starting to work part time. I loved the opportunity to be able to enjoy them every day.

Joyce, God choses very special people for children who are faced with disabilities, and I'm sure you are a very special person, and a wonderful Mom.

I admire both of you.

This is a good thread -its great fun to see what all our varied interests are - probably run the gamut of different occupations. For the early days we were married (54 years now) I worked while my hubby was in the service and finishing college (2 times) before and after the army he changed his major and what he wanted to be/do. From premed student - his dad is a physician to engineering/math/computers. Then once he was established in a job here in Seattle/Boeing I was a stay-at-home mom to our 3 kids then when last one was in jr. high I went back to work at Boeing as an executive secretary. I put in my 20 years and retired when I was 60 - 12 years ago. I garden, make quilts and love to travel but our grandkids are all grown up-three of them. My youngest daughter and I just returned from a week in Hawaii and soon as we got back my husband had back surgery and he is doing great - got out of hospital last Thursday. Hope to see you all in Vegas Dec. 8, 9.

Great going Freida. So happy your husband's surgery went well,however,I am extremely green out here about the Hawaii trip. I love Hawaii .Seems you have a great life and family. Happy to see you in Vegas. I will be at the Dec. 9th. concert. Very anxious but I do have one in Mesa ,Az. next month.

Joyce, I've worked with special needs children for 20 years now. You definately are a SPECIAL MOM. It's amazing how many special needs kids are raised by grandparents or foster parents. I do have to say that regardless of their situation, special needs children are special indeed. They learn to communicate in ways you never would think of. They attach themselves to your heart and pull those strings every time they see you. We've watched several of our kids become teenagers and young adults and go out into the workplace with Cerebral Palsy, muscular dystrophy and a whole host of other disabilities. We have one teenager that cannot sit upright without a molded system. Her school buddies picked her up one night, strapped her between two of them in the back seat and went running the streets. They got caught out after curfew. You can imagine the look on the judge's face when she is called and goes rolling up in her wheelchair. We could all learn a few things from them. YOU GO GIRL!

Thanks Shirl. Losing the hair wasn't too bad. I could at least wear a wig. Now it's the pits because I can't do anything with the hair that's come back. I took Anna's advice, went and had it trimmed up yesterday and loaded it with gel. It does look better.

lol

This is an interesting thread. Seems like lots of us work with children or children's issues.

I work for the State Child Support Enforcement Agency as a Client Relations Manager and Outreach Coordinator. The short version is the Complaint Department, and I am responsible for several counties, not the whole state.

I've been with this agency for 17 years and haven't been bored yet.
I've had several different positions and just recently went from working with the customer payment disbursement issues to the Client Relations and Outreach area.

I found the cutest pillow at a yard sale last week. It says"
"I love my job, it pays for my fun." That's so true, as it pays for my Vince trips. I'm really looking forward to the one next month.

This thread has become a lot more than I thought it would when I started it. So many of you are working so hard to help people. I find it just amazing. I know there are lots of people who do what y'all do but I just want to thank you for your responses and comments. It has been very inspiring for me.

Yoyce, you are truly one of God's angels on earth. God bless.
Freida

Kathy, you guys need to ride in very protected environments! I know - our son and his wife were nearly killed in 1993 when they were riding double with a group of 40 bikes on a sunny Sunday afternoon and 2 of their friends were killed. They were in hospital for a very long time and then after they got out they came to live with us and their 2 teenage kids for their rehab because they had to be taken to so many appointments with rehab people and doctors. It was a very "dark" time in our family Our son lost a leg and his wife has seizures now and is on medication. They are both on disability. But what scares me is that they both still ride Harleys - they had to have them altered to be "trikes".

Freda, I'm so sorry about your son and his wife. Sounds like it was a bad time for all of you. We have several patients that have been injured in motorcycle crashes. It is scarry these days with all the traffic and distractions drivers have. I haven't ridden in a big group yet. I don't think I would like it. We like to ride on country roads and in the mountains. I don't ride very fast, but I've already hit a guard rail this year. Banged up my knee and did some damage to my bike but everything is OK now. I was only doing about 25 mph and hit a rough place in the road around a curve. It could have been a lot worse. God was watching that day.