Jim & Paula
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Jim & Paula met while working for Abercrombie & Fitch in Columbus, Ohio. Paula was a Technical Designer and Jim was working in their HR Department. It turned out that Paula was just as crazy about traveling as Jim was. Soon after meeting and falling in love they took their first trip together and left for London to celebrate the 'Millennium' - it was a match made in heaven and they have been traveling partners ever since.

Soon after returning from the U.K. they moved to San Diego where Jim has family, including his identical twin brother, Jeff - and some of their nieces and nephews: Jonah, Sunshine and August. A trip to Ireland made it 'official' when Paula tearfully accepted Jim's proposal for marriage and they were wed the following year. It was also time to get serious (if not for just a short while) about life and career, and within a few years of coming back to California Paula had switched careers and had become an RN, while Jim went back to school to obtain his graduate degree in HR.

Paula was named Post Partum Nurse of The Year at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego before moving to Charlotte, NC late 2008 to be close to her sister's family and niece, Gigi. While in Charlotte Paula took the opportunity to work as a Psychiatric Nurse helping young and adolescent children. Since then she has found her life's calling and is now practicing as a Hospice Nurse.

For years now they have been looking to settle down permanently – exploring Italy, Ireland, California, Virginia, North Carolina and Maine in search of a lifestyle that would give them a sense of community in the truest sense while providing a comfortable and sustainable home. While they were in Portland exploring the possibility of buying a piece of property to start a homestead they met a community member who introduced them to the Belfast Cohousing & Ecovillage and suggested they “come up to see what it was all about”. Some things are just meant to happen…

Most recently, they have moved from Charlotte, NC to Boston, MA to be closer to Belfast and a few other members (Lindsey and Allison). Paula has accepted a FT role as a Hospice Home Care Nurse and Jim will continue to work from home. It’s not Maine, but it is 900 miles closer!

When Jim and Paula aren't working in their backyard garden (San Diego) or traveling they are probably cooking. Italian seems to be on their menu most often even though neither of them having an Italian heritage. And since renting affords little space to garden you can often times find them at their local Farmer's Market, a local CSA, or just out and about looking to meet other 'like minded souls' through Slow Food events and community events.

Now, let’s ask them a few questions…

Q: What did you cook for dinner last night?
A: Acorn squash risotto and brussel sprouts cooked with pancetta, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and garlic

Q: Where did you go on your last vacation?
A: Ireland (Dublin and Galway) and Northern Italy.

Q: Where are you going next?
A: Bolivia – to see Paula’s family!

Q: What are you looking forward to most about living at Belfast Cohousing & Ecovillage?
A: Knowing that we’re giving back more to the planet than we’re taking – and that we’ve become part of something bigger than ourselves.

Q: What books/magazines can you find lying around your home today?
A: Saveur magazine, Back Home magazine, The Omnivore’s Dilemma and a few Outlander novels (by Diana Gabaldon)

Q: Do you have any children?
A: No. But our nine (almost 10) nieces and nephews keep us pretty busy.

Q: Do you have any pets?
A: Yes – 2 cats: Mojo and Freska