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I worked after graduation for Metropolitan Life Insurance for a few years, then worked at Giesche Shoes and Answering DuPage for a few years, then The Baby's Room before and all through college. I had numerous jobs while in college like delivering pizza, selling shoes, and working for several years on the stage crew at ISU, where I met lots of stars (Bill Cosby, Prince, Tom Chapin, Genesis, etc). I didn't go to college until January 1978...put myself through 8 1/2 years of college and got a BS in Home Ec - Child and Family Service from Illinois State University ('81) and a Diploma in Nursing from Mennonite Hospital School of Nursing ('85).
I worked for a few years as a nurse in the suburbs, then moved to Las Vegas in 1987 (my big sister and my mom lived there). I met my husband-to-be and got married in 1992 (Margaret Timmons Boler was my matron of honor!). My son was born in 1993, and we moved back to Chicago in 1994. We lived in Schamburg, then Wood Dale, then bought our first house in Villa Park. My daughter was born in 1995. In 2000, we moved into a house we built in North Aurora, and this time of my life was the happiest I have ever been...happily married, 2 fantastic children, a job I loved, a great income, etc.
I thought I had married the love of my life, but after 12 years of marriage, we had a very painful divorce in May 2004. He emotionally and physically abused all three of us, and I eventually discovered that he sexually abused our daughter as well. He destroyed us financially on the way out the door...took great pleasure in making things as difficult as possible for us. We had to declare bankruptcy and lost our home to foreclosure. I have sole custody of my kids, which is a blessing! However, though he has lived in Florida since September 2004, he continues to do all he can to haunt and terrorize our family.
In December 2004, I was in a car accident that has slowly disabled me. We moved to Oswego in 2007. I had to retire from nursing in 2009, suffered a 60% paycut to go from a nursing paycheck to disability, and am still waiting on the award from my accident, almost 9 years later! We struggle constantly to pay our bills, and my kids have pretty much grown up without the life I worked so hard to provide for them.
My son went to North Central College in Naperville in 2011 on nearly a full scholarship, but he struggled with living away from home and did not do well in his classes, so he lost his financial aid and had to quit school for now. He is struggling to find a job so he can go back to school, but is not having much luck. He wants very much to work in the tech side of theatre, but will do anything for now! Anybody know of something?
My daughter is currently a senior at Oswego East High School, and is trying to decide whether to go to Waubonsee first, or right to a university. Don't we all remember those pre-college days of major decision-making re: the next stage of our lives?
We moved to our current place in April 2013. My health is not good, and I am sad for all my children have had to experience and do without. They are really great kids regardless, and we fight every day to hold on to our Christian faith. They say "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger", and that was true for a while, but it also, eventually, just beats you down! Unfortunately, that's where we are now!
I am looking for ways to dig myself out of my depression. I haven't had much of a social life since my disability, so I am looking very forward to getting out and seeing my high school and some of my old friends again. Hopefully, this can be the start of some new experiences for me! Hope to see you all soon!
P.S. Aren't you glad you asked? LOL
