A CHICAGO NATIVE, I HAVE DEGREES IN ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING FROM ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.  I HAVE BEEN A LICENSED REALTOR FOR 9 YEARS, AND HAVE ALSO BEEN DABBLING IN REAL ESTATE INVESTING, OR 'FLIPPING', AS PEOPLE LIKE TO CALL IT.  I BUILD THINGS, FIX THINGS, AND HATE TO THROW THINGS AWAY.  TO KEEP IT INTERESTING, MY HUSBAND IS ALSO AN ARCHITECT.  WE DRIVE OUR KIDS NUTS.  I HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF SHIT, AND IT'S TIME TO START WORKING OUT FROM UNDER IT BY SHARING, WRITING, AND EXPLORING.