The Search Continues

I believe I have found a honest-to-goodness legitimate home-based business opportunity. This 20 year old company promotes health and wellness with over 300 organic, all-natural, non-toxic comsumable products. Even if I wasn't interested in the business opportunity, the benefits of being a customer a well worth the benefits for our household.

Home based business warning

I want to warn as many people as possible who may get sucked into a home based business opportunity called Typing4Dollars.com. For weeks I received emails from them after opening one sent to me by a friend trying to assist me in my efforts to find work I could do from home.

For $47 the site states that " 7 minutes after reading this, you could be earning $143.50 to as much as $924.73 a day doing easy data entry for companies who desperately need your help." I thought this sounded like something I could sink my teeth into. They even have examples of the work you would be doing. It was straightforward enough.

Yesterday, I took the plunge. I received two emails. The first thanking me for my order. The second, sending me information to get started. As I read the second email and started to follow the instructions; I soon realized I was the victim of the old switcheroo. The business you are directed to is how to start your own blog and make money doing it. Hello! Already have one. Not what I was looking for.

I have since made three phone calls to GMB Direct, 305 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 11214 (800)413-1628. The first two calls were pertaining to my belief that they simply had not sent the information I was looking for. It was not until the third phone call that I was asked if I wanted a refund because the blogging business is what the offer is now. The young lady I spoke with was not interested in answering my questions. Mainly, why the site advertises one thing then sends you another. That's crap!

I am waiting on a confirmation email regarding my refund. I was also informed that it would be 10 to 14 business days for me to receive my refund. Funny, it didn't take them that long to take it. My PSA for potential victims. Be careful. Write down everything. Save emails.

Back on the market

I have decided to make myself available to single young men once again. My last serious relationship was almost 10 years ago. Needless to say, it ended badly. My parents died a year apart. I moved to Arizona, only to return home a year later. I made a decision to take a time-out from relationships. Who knew it would be so long. It was for the best.

The idea of meeting someone new, going out to dinner, taking walks and talking on the phone no longer seems to be a daunting task or chore. It is something I look forward to experiencing once again. It's true what they say, you can't be happy with someone else until you're happy with yourself.

A nice p.o.?

Now that I have completed house arrest, I will be on probation for the next two years. I must admit that I was less than excited to meet with my probation officer.

During the course of any criminal case, the presiding judge orders what's called a pre-sentencing report. Well, the person who completed mine was less that objective. Keep in mind prior to the accident, I had no prior criminal history. I had been on my job for five years and I had several people writing letters on my behalf. In spite of that, she recommended that I received the maximum sentence--8 years! Fortunately, the judge completely disagreed. What I did receive was 5 years. Three suspended, serve two. In Indiana we have a 2 for 1 program, so in essence as long as I behaved myself I would only serve 12 months.

Well, I served 9 of the 12 months in prison and the last 3 were completed on house arrest. My probation officer was surprised that I received any time at all, given my lack of criminal history. She is not the first person to make that statement. Long story, short; she was very personable and encouraged me to pursue correcting a blatant wrong. More on that later.

I was so floored that the experience went as well as it did, I'm still not sure it happened. It was a pleasant twist in a humbling experience.

A good father is hard to find

Although I didn't speak to my oldest child's father for almost two months after returning home from prison; I have to give credit where credit is due.

He's a great father. When I called him after my accident, he came. While I went back and forth to court, he supported me. Once I was sentenced, he freaked out. We all did.

During my incarceration my children were separated from each other. My oldest went to live in Chicago with her father. My boys remained in South Bend with my best friend of 20 plus years and his lovely wife. It was not my ideal scenario, but in the end it turned out alright.

Being a parent is a learn as you go experience. I believe we are both better parents and better friends as a result of this whole experience. I couldn't have picked a better father for my daughter. He's not perfect, who is? But when it comes to his "cutie pie" there's nothing he won't do.

I was very angry with him for a long time, but I've come to realize that his heart was in the right place and he was just as traumatized by my sentence as I was.

I'm sure you're wondering about my son's. I'll say this. Lightning did not strike twice in the father department. The father of my boy's lives in the same city, but is so absent some days I have to remind myself of his name.

The 2007-08 school year begins

This summer has just flown by! In just a couple of days a new school year begins. I must say I have accomplished quite a bit since returning home and I'm proud of myself for doing so. I had the hardwood floors refinished, purchased two new major appliances, repaired another major appliance and managed to improve the landscaping around our home. Irma Bombeck Who?!

My oldest child started taking driver's ed last week and I believe I've sprouted a few new grey hairs. Why didn't my mother leave a notebook for me. I'm sure she is enjoying watching me go through the paces with her grandchildren.

My mother passed away soon to be eight years ago in December 1999. This was an earth shattering and life changing event. No one is ever ready to loose a parent. I lost my mother and father twelve months apart.
My father passed away December 1998. Yeah, it sucked.

After losing my father, I relocated to Arizona to attend paralegal school and to begin a new life. I returned home missing one assignment to complete my coursework. Although I intended to submit that final project, after the death of my mother it was no longer a priority. Over the last eight years, I have blossomed into a pretty effective parent. I have not always made good choices, but I believe I have learned from the mistakes I have made.

Well, here it goes...

I mentioned, in my original post, being in trouble up to my eyeballs. That was somewhat of an understatement.

On May 29, 2006 I returned home from prison. I had been sentenced to serve a two year sentence for OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) resulting in death. The accident and the resulting consequences were life altering for the family of the victim and for my family as well.

I can hear the gasps and the questions. Someone died?! Why did she get so little time?! Yes, someone died. I will have to forever live with the knowledge that I caused another human being to lose their life. I accept responsibility for my decision to drink and drive. Although it was not my intention that fateful day to become involved in a three car accident, I was. I believe the reason behind my "light" sentence was due to my lack of any prior criminal history. My involvement in the accident was not directly with the victim who died. I was struck by a 2nd vehicle after pulling back into traffic from a parking lot. That vehicle then lost control and crossed the center line striking a third vehicle head on. The driver of the third vehicle died from her injuries a few days later. But for my actions, a family would still have their mother, grandmother and friend.

The most important lesson I want to impart to anyone who may read this is no matter how much you've had to drink, even if it's just "a few"; never get behind the wheel or get into a car with anyone who has been drinking.

Long time, no blog...

Since, my last (and only) entry, I have decided to give this blogging thing a chance. I have some valuable information to share and a few interesting stories too. This will be difficult, but necessary. I pray that it will help someone along the way.