Debandbee

[:)]This is "Fiona" which in gaelic means white, fair and beautiful.  She found me this weekend and I am madly in love. http://Imagedeposit.com/ad_images/ImageDeposit_dot_com_FREE_Hosting_BIG_UserID_52193_Image_number_A8FA6B26A8.jpg http://Imagedeposit.com/ad_images/ImageDeposit_dot_com_FREE_Hosting_BIG_UserID_52193_Image_number_A8FB3368A8.jpg

I don't know if this has been posted before but its homeexchange.com.  Its very interesting, all you will pay for is airfare if you exchange a home in the area you want.  I looked at some nice places in France I might think of once I tidy up my house.  I am SO excited!

Yes, you are right.  Crash is not the right word.  They pretty much went belly up as they were online retail sites.  I only maintain the illusion of them now so that I can keep my wholesale license.  I still own the domain names (actually I own about 10 of them) because they are cheap and you never know what will happen.  I am not interested in designing websites, it was just something that I did for myself and makes it easier for me to maintain any website of my own.   I want to thank everyone for the feedback.  It has been very interesting.

I thought of an idea of taking richer Europeans on personalized tours of America with shopping for stuff at non-tourist areas.  Do you think this is something that I should explore or forget.  I am thinking that since I have lived near San Francisco for 20 years, I could do great tours of the City, including non-typical tourist type things plus shopping for everything from food to jeans to whatever.  I even have a name thought up for the business (but that one I am keeping to myself).    Deb

Living in California and having "Arnie" as a govenor, I can tell you that American politics are a joke.  I am English but have lived here 20 years.  I did not vote for GWB and I have no idea how on earth he got in a second time.  I can't even believe that we have a flipping actor as a "gubernator."  Are politics anywhere realistic anymore?  It seems to be that what the popular vote is versus what actually  happens is a joke.  Well, at least it is here...

Nope, I live in California but originally an Essex girl.  Have just posted my essay as a new post.  Will see what happens now........

Oh my, I am about to blurt my guts out.  I don't even know where to start, so I guess I will start at the beginning and go from there.  Please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors as I am posting this from my mobile phone. In 1986, I moved from the UK to California with my ex-hubby.  Oh by the way, I am an Essex girl - I may even have my white stilletos and matching handbag somewhere!  Living in California is nice but this past 2 years have been miserable.  I will be 40 next year (sob sob) and think I may be having an early mid-life crisis.  Basically, I want to be nearer my family all of a sudden.  However, the thought of moving to rainy old miserable England is too much for my fiancé and I to bear. He was born and raised in California and is a true "California boy". Since we both love and adore France, we thought it may possibly be a good compromise. I can go home more easily, plus I can live a less stressful life I desire. It's very stressful here in California despite the great weather and great economy!  Here comes the hard part: l was a great legal assistant/paralegal for 15  years and pretty much reached the highest salary level available in that field. I couldn't stand it any more so I left the industry.  I was then offered a job to train as a financial advisor which is what l have been doing since (for the past 3 years). My ex stole all of my savings before my divorce and I doubt I will ever see that $ again. I have been rebuilding from scratch basically. So here's the big question: I have been offered a job making at least $100K a year with a new firm. Great money right?  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love what I do and not to be conceited, but I think I am pretty good at it.  I could take that job and within a couple of years easily be making a quarter million dollars, but I feel I would still be missing something. But all I can think about is living a much less complicated life in a small village and trying to raise a family.  Moving to the UK would pretty much be the end of my fiance and I as he hates the UK and I think he would end up resenting me and we would break up anyway. How do I start over in my career yet again if we decide France is it for us?  I am pretty smart for an Essex girl (ha ha ha) but I don't see how I could be a financial planner in France and there is no way l am going back into the legal field. I know this is a lot to digest and I thank anyone taking the time to read my garbage, but any  place to start figuring out what possible avenues of employment I should look for would be truly truly appreciated. Since I don't have any assets reaccumulated yet, buying a gite or B&B is out of the question, plus I suck at that domestic stuff. I basically have a housekeeper (my fiance) for that but I am good at business and again, not being conceited, I am great with people and customer service.  I have always dreamed of running a luxury tourist type thing where I take Europeans to California and other places touring areas and then taking them shopping as everything is so much cheaper here.  Either that or an online website.  Did I mention I taught myself to design websites and I owned a couple sites that crashed after September the 11th? See, I am not as stupid as I look.  LOL Ok. Now that l have made a complete arse of myself, I think l need a big stiff drink! Thank god I still have a great  sense of humor! Deb xx

I am so glad I found you guys.  I wrote a nice long message only to have my laptop crash!  aaarrrghhhh!  Anyway, will repost tomorrow as I have some questions.  So far, I am impressed with all the help and no spam!  Well done. Hope to chat soon.  Deb x