God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr
"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But, if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything."
---Muhammad Ali

"We are driven to create at this deep wordless level of the soul because we are all fashioned in the image of a God who is an Artist." - Michael Card, Scribbling in the Sand.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Since there has been some things going on I thought I’d let you all know a little more about me.

I will start way back, so get a glass of tea or other favorite non-alcohol beverage and be prepared to be bored LOL!

I’m an only child who was raised with my father being a Chief in the Navy. I’ve traveled all over the world and lived in many strange and unusual places. So I have a healthy love and respect for other cultures and people. My parents were older when they had me; I lost my dad 4 years ago and my mom is not in the best of health. Because I am a singleton I try to take care of my mom and her house along with my own home and family.

I have a nice 3 bedroom home in Ohio it’s not fancy but it’s comfortable the only thing I can think of that I don’t like about it is the fact I only have one bathroom. I have a huge kitchen with as my daughter will tell you miles of floor space; or it feels like miles when you are down on your hands and knees scrubbing it.

I have raised three kids without any help from my ex-husband. People have asked how I could be poor well there is your answer; I raised my kids.

My oldest son was in the Army for 8 years he made his living jumping out of aircraft; 4 years ago he had to leave the Army because his knees were so bad. Instead of taking the easy way out and asking for disability; he has been finishing up his degree in education and working 30 to 40 hours a week to support himself. And now he’s engaged to the most wonderful young lady in the whole world. She is a daughter to me in all ways; she is just such a joy to be around.

My daughter is married to a wonderful man who is a C.P.A.; she is expecting her first child a daughter any day. She is 26 and has managed to complete a double Bachelor degree in Spanish and International Relations; a Master’s in International Development and her Juris Doctorate (Lawyer) from Ohio State and passed her Bar Exam first try.

My youngest son is living in Massachusetts and married and has a daughter.

I have worked my entire adult life, at one point I worked 3 jobs to support my children. I never depended on any type of state or federal help I did it on my own. It’s just been in the last 13 years that I have had a job that paid a decent amount and I could catch up and live a little easier life.

Now about my education and job; I am one class away from having an associate degree. I had to stop my education to work the 3 jobs I spoke of earlier so that I could keep food on the table and a roof over my kids head. I could probably get my degree if I would take the classes I’ve attended at my school and had them applied.

I work at a very large Midwestern University, we have approximately 30,000 students. At the present time my job consists of me managing 3 federal programs that amount to about 20 million dollars in aid to our students. I also still help with the management of about another 5 million dollars in state aid. Last year my duties were reassigned from working with state and federal programs to just the federal because of 2 new programs that started up.

In addition to awarding, disbursing and reconciling the 3 federal programs; I also help with the verification of taxes compared to what is reported on the FAFSA. So I have to be able to completely do a person’s taxes from start to finish. If a family has a death or divorce I have to be able to split out the taxes and completely rework their tax returns. In addition everyone in our office provides customer service on the telephone and also at our front counter area.

On top of working full time and helping my mother and children in any way I can. I work for a Scrapbook site as a Design Team person; and teach Scrapbooking classes on the side along with trying to spend a lot of time with family and friends. And the one thing that doesn’t define me but is a big part of my life is Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia, I received the diagnosis’9 years ago but we believe I had it long before that. It requires me to take a shot once a week and medicine every day. With out the medicine I would not be able to function but with it I live a fairly normal life.

Now that you have read all of this I’m sure you are totally bored. But, I hope it’s given you a little insight into who I am. I’m an every day person with an every day life. I live my life the best I can, and try to treat people the way I want to be treated. Do I fail sometimes of course I do, but on the whole I think I do pretty good.

Sorry about the book!

Take care and God Bless,

Jane

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

i love you for what ever you history and who ever you are!! you take those arms and take in the ones who need extra love

LadySnow said...

Thanks for sharing with us....I know you struggled raising your children....(financially sometimes) and I am sure it didn't help having majority of the football team, myself, and other friends over all the time. :)

Jane H said...

Mel that was the best part of having all you kids around. I loved all of you! It made my house a home ;)

Linda said...

Thanks for sharing more about yourself Jane. You are blessed.

Michelle said...

And we are very blessed to have you in our lives! Raising 3 children alone takes more strength, courage and love than most people have in their pinkie fingers. Even with the financial struggle you still managed to provide nicely for your family including regular trips to Disney World, computers, photography equipment.... But most importantly you were THERE for your children and always emotionally supporting their interests like football, getting a college education, joining the army, pin collecting, photography, foreign languages, traveling.... And as a friend you have always made me feel like family. Love you lots!!!

Jane H said...

Ok Michelle now you have me in tears! I hope you know I love you and your family as family! I don't know what I would do without you and Jim! And Madelyn is my baby! I love her so much! Some times it hurts that I can't be with your family!

Alli said...

Jane...thanks for sharing!!!! You and your wonderful attitude on life is a blessing to your family and your friends!!! HUGS!

Jill said...

Jane you are an amazing woman. I enjoyed reading your story so much. It reminds of when I was a child and my worked 3 and 4 jobs to make sure the bills were paid and we had everything we needed. I feel so blessed to have met you and look forward to many more years of chatting!

Unknown said...

Jane. I was not bored at all reading your blog tonight. I love to hear how single women triumphantly raise their families by themselves. IT is the hardest job in the entire world!! I have much respect and love for you. You are an angel.

Rebecca said...

Oh Jane I loved reading your story!!!! You are a great person and we love you!!!!!