Hi everyone - I'm Paula and live in the foothills of Northern California on 3 acres. Been married 24 yrs...2  great boys. My husband and I have a home biz. plus I'm an artist and work at home. ( So we're constantly together, which can get a little "hairy" at times!)  When I'm not doing art I enjoy hiking,travel, all forms of art (plays,music) reading , nature (bugs,lizards,creepy crawly stuff)and good red wine ! Looking forward to some interesting chats...!

Hi Jenn - What kind of business do you guyz have??  Tell me all about it. We publish a do-it-yourself will kit. We've been doing it ever since my youngest son was born -20 yrs!....We're in 2 major catalogs. My husband handles most of it but I occasionally help with labeling,etc.(the "grunt" work,but I don't mind) .. Luckily he's downstairs and I'm upstairs...so there is breathing space!.

Thanks,Jen. The whole forum experience is new to me.---looks like tons of fun ! It'll be nice to share and learn from others, should be a verrry interesting experience!!!

Hi Ally in NYC - I'm curious( very nosey by nature!)  -- why do you want to get out of social work??? At one time I was really interested in social work, but the idea was squelched by my counselor. Who knows where I would be now?? I've learned to trust my own feelings and decisions since then. .... BTW must be very exciting to live in the "Big Apple". !!

We own an automotive, truck, motorcycle repair & inspection shop. We have 1 full time guy, and 2 part time (seasonal) guys - DH and the guys do all of the work-work, while I do all of the paperwork, accounting, marketing - pretty much everything that does not involve actually getting dirty!  We have been supporting our family solely with the business for about 5 years now - so it can get very stressful!

We also have 2 boys, ages 8 and 14, who are both involved in a lot of sports, and keep us very busy! 

Hi JennR - Good for you to have your biz. for 5 years - they say  once you've done 5 you're pretty much home free business wise.... I know all about 2 boys -  ours are off doing their own thing . One wants to be an actor, the other has an Ebay biz. going (pretty exciting!)..We involved the boys slightly with our home business, but it was nothing they ever really took to...So, do you ever become involved in Parts and Labor? My son was let off after being in Parts for Subaru, along with his friend that worked there the next week -shows how bad the economy is!

Totally off the subject, but how'd you get involved in your job Heather? I am looking to change fields, and research seems interesting to me (ie. social work related research stuff though).

Hi Heather - Thanks for the belated welcome. Working in research sounds interesting,tell me more. What area of So. Cal. do you live? My son goes to UCLong Beach -determined to become an actor!...Working on a "bra art" project, need to get it done today... so back to the drawing board... hope to have more chats later.