My background was all in retail management. I got so tired of having people steal from you, then have the nerve to ask for a refund! I was running a clothing store and just got really burnt out on it. I've managed pet stores, clothing stores, costume jewlery stores, was an assistant manager for Kmart. I up and quit my job and took a much need rest for 6 months.

Ran into the lady that babysat my girls whenn they were little and she was working here. Thought is sounded kind of interesting. Started out doing removals, which is transporting from the place of death and working services. They asked me to come on full time and within a year I took my boards for pre-need (advance funeral planning) Insurance Licensing. A year later I took my state boards for Funeral Directors. The funeral homes are family owned, not corporate, but I'm not part of the family. I just wish I had all their money!

Morti - cool job! I thought about becoming a morticians assistant, but still think I'd rather do homicide investigation. I just think working with the dead ones is much easier than the live ones

Ok everyone, I just got back from lunch at a mongolian place and the slip of paper in my fortune cookie says 'A thrilling time is in your immediate future.' So I went and bought a lottery ticket using the numbers on the back. The jackpot's up to $200 million. I think that would be a thrilling time, don't you?

Keep your fingers and toes crossed!

Morti that is really interesting. Glad you found something you like and seem to find it fulfilling.

Me on the other hand was going to go to art school when I graduated HS. I got accepted at a really good art school in Boston but I guess I chickened out and didn't go. I have regretted it ever since. I got into computers kind of the long way around....worked for a doctor for 12 years and got involved with the system in the office. When I left there there was this medical software company that was looking for support people and they thought with my medical background I would be a good fit. I advanced up to doing installations about 5 years ago. At one point I was re-doing the support manuals which required some graphics work so I got to do a little artsy stuff. I wish I had the energy to go back to school and finish what I never started.

Star: Sure of all the people in all the world YOU are the one who gets a fortune cookie saying "'A thrilling time is in your immediate future" You don't need the help! You always have a thrilling time!

Good luck on the ticket! Fingers crossed.

Oooh, Star! Will you be throwing a big Atkins forum party if you win?? Maybe we could make it to Vegas afterall.

Morti: I have a fear of dead bodies. I really do. I could not do what you do, so I really, really respect you!

How fun would that be? I could even hire us all a special team of chefs to keep us on plan.

Oh! Let's plan what we would do with Stars money if she wins

I for one would like to take the short cut route and have some liposuction.

Goodnight all.....I won't be around tomorrow. Going to the Cape for the weekend. Will see you all again on Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Nighty-night, Jane! Have a good weekend! (some of us still have to come in to work on Fridays )

Have fun Jane!

Star: I got your money spent... talk to me baby.

Well, my day got MUCH better in a hurry. I'm taking on a new Advanced Biology class next year... currently I have one that runs one semester... we changed it to a full year. Which... had me freaking out because I have a $700 budget for all year. YOu cannot do dissections and a decent advanced Biology class PLUS a decent Intro to bio class on 700 bucks. YOu just can't. Dissections run me about 600 a year alone. So......... I went to my boss tonight and told him I needed a bigger budget. BAM he said.. "how's $1500"? I about fell off the chair. Then I said I needed to get some new equipment and he said "draw me up a list and I'll get it ordered" and THEN I wanted this scope cam I've had on loan alllllll year (the guy from the Scope Shoppe has been a dear about the whole thing) and he said "give me an invoice and I"ll send a check tomorrow". I walked out of there in a daze. Seriously. WOW. I guess the new biology teacher they hired this year being such a serious HAG has worked greatly in my favor. My boss liked me before... now he LOVES me... he's been constantly telling me how easy going I am. Yay me!

Soooo, I stayed late at work and drew everything up and even sucked up a bit by getting some paperwork done that we were supposed to have done by the end of the year. He also warned me that they are doing depositions tomorrow (remember the HORRIBLE TERRIBLE lawyer???) but that they will be off site. He just asked that I keep an eye out for Doug (the chem teacher) and make sure he's ok after it all. I just hope the lawyer behaves himself this time!

Damn, Rhonda! You should have asked for a raise while you were at it!

MORTI!!! I don't know if you have cable TV but on A&E they have a new show called Family Business and it follows around a family that runs a funeral home, have you seen it?? I was wondering if that is really what it is like??

Family Plots......Heard of it but I haven't seen it. From what my employees tell me, it's pretty right on, but they said there have been a few times they were disrespectful to the deceased. One of them recorded them, but the VCR bit the dust this morning just I was trying to out in my new video "The Firm Butts, Thighs, & Hips". Is this a sign? I'm not suppose to worry about those areas? Is it possible? Hmmmm..... I don't think so.

I don't think I'd want cameras in here even though I do give seminars to college level for the Death & Dying classes at the College and for Hospice Training. Some things are just to private. Morticians for the most part have very a morbid sense of humor, mainly as a coping mechanisim, but it's not for the general public. I think it's natural because of what we do on a daily basis.

I personally think the deceased are great, they do anything you ask as long as you help them, they don't talk back and they keep all your secrets!

Wow this is one busy thread!!!!! I need to get up earlier in the morning!!

So I'll just say "Hi" to everyone, because Id be here all night otherwise.

I posted my kitchen pictures late last night, so they are on yesterdays thread.

Im out, have a great evening .....time to get my comfies on and get ready for "Friends"

Great looking kitchen, Robin!! I saw them yesterday, but forgot to post anything about it... sorry. What all did you have to do to it? I think I remember painting was involved...