Julie Carmer grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Atlanta, GA, and then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where she’s been for the last 38 years. She has BA degrees in Philosophy and Psychology, minored in Spanish, and went to grad school in Psychiatric Social Work.  She was a counselor for about 10 years and also worked for a few years in the pharmaceutical testing industry.  Later, as a single mom of 2 kids, she started her own business investing in real estate and managing remodeling projects. Her business partner, and now husband, is a fine craftsman who originally immigrated to the States from communist Poland. Before becoming a Buddhist about 6 years ago Julie enjoyed spiritual community with a Unitarian group.