One small step for Ann, one large step for Annkind!

There have been so many times I have been ashamed in my life...some  not so long ago (we will talk about those soon). Today, I am very proud. So proud.

To many getting a job might seem to be a menial, necessary task to live. To me, it is life changing.

No secret that I am an alcoholoic, no secret I have been in jail, a number of times. I am not bum, I look like most "normal" people. I would like to believe that I am above average intelligence...(some may question).

So let me explain, why I am proud. My husband, my wonderful husband...had a great job as an executive in a fortune 500 company in NYC. We were living together at the time, and my kids were getting to middle school years. I told him I HAD to move back to WI. I struggled, because I loved him so very much...I had no idea what he would think. I also KNEW that my children were so much more important, and needed their mom, and dad in the same place.

He never hesitated, he said, "Let's move!" I was so impressed so amazed. Within a few months we sold the house out east, and bought one 6 blocks from the kids' dad. The first year he commuted back to NYC. He would leave early Monday, and return late Thursday. I had my first WI DUI by then. He knew I was a drunk, and so did I. Again more on that stuff later.

After a year of commuting, he really, could not deal with it, emotionally, physically, or mentally. I understood. He was an executive for a great company..how hard could it to be to find a job here? I mean, he did have both Milwaukee, and Chicago to deal with. We knew that the outcom out it could be hard. That all happened..um right before the economy took a dive.

He was out of work for over a year...He did some consulting, which helped...but not enough. FINALLY, He did get a job, a good job. Unfortunately, by that time we were in debt....a whole lot...I was an, on and off drunk..(again which we will address a bit later).

So I had to tell you all of that, so I could tell you this:
I floundered for a while, wondering what I should do. I worked for several years seasonally  at a greenhouse. We were really in some financial straights. I KNEW, the only way out of this was me. So fast forward a few years of the floundering. I KNEW that I needed to work. I KNEW I had to do something that would guarantee me a job.  I KNEW I had to go back to school.

I choose health care, I thought that was a good choice considering the economy. I had been sober for about a year and a half by that point. There was a girl that was a cell mate of mine, that was in Phlebotomy a few years ago. We talked..a lot...what else was there to do? She got out to go to school. Huber.  I learned it was a short program..especially if you had prior college credits. For some reason that stuck with me. So a couple of years later, when I KNEW it was my job, up to me to get us right financially. I chose Phlebotomy. Well, that and the fact that blood, and needles don't freak me out.

I enrolled, I started classes...about a month in I got another DUI..(I will also save that story for later...stay tuned..it is a funny, good one).

I finished my last semester incarcerated. Only a bit more than a month ACTUALLY in jail, the rest under house arrest. I will briefly go into some details...but will save the rest for later...sorry. In fact, I will later totally explain all the drama of trying to go to class at another time. All ya need to really know, I was incarcerated the entire last semester, in one way or another.

OK so finished school, I ended my 175 day sentence. I actually, got an internship...which worried me, because they do background checks.

NOW it is all me. I got stellar grades, I did amazing at my internship..well... except for that whole nervous response that I SO cannot control. Some ppl puke, some sweat, ya well, my nervous response it to shake...not so great when you are coming at someone with a needle.

Good news, within a few days I calmed down, hit my stride, I became very proficient. I was doing very hard blood draws. The patients' would say, "I'm a hard draw." I got them right away. It was so cool.

I will fully admit, I am so VERY sorry for the first few, god bless ya....I was shaking like a leaf. TY!!!

I had one woman that was visiting the area, she had to have her blood drawn every day. Sadly, she was one of my first. BRAVE WOMAN! She was so kind. She saw me shaking. She asked, "Are you nervous?" I said, "Yes, very". She said, "Honey, breath, and relax". It so happened that every day she came, I happened to draw her...for two weeks. After two weeks, I was pretty good. I drew her a few times after. The last day she came, she made it a point to say good-bye. I was busy drawing someone else, but she waited for me to be done. She said, "YOU will be just fine, you always had great love, and concern, your technique is good, ya need to just get over your nerves, and you have."

So now time to find a job. UG! Every morning I would wake up, and go on EVERY greater Milwaukee Area health care website and look for jobs. "Are there any new listings since yesterday?"

I would apply, and apply, and apply. The thing is in this day and age...they just reject ya on line...via e-mail. I felt like I had a double whammy....just finished school...NO EXPERIENCE, and every time I filled out an application, I had to admit my arrests. Every time, it made me cry. I kept my chin up for awhile.  OK, so here is why I feel selfish. I finished my internship at the end of August.  I NEED A JOB NOW!!!. I know that is stupid, there have been ppl looking for jobs in their field for years..um like my hubby?

I had friends of mine saying, "All in God's time".  I have never been good at working on anyone elses' time frame than my own. Well, don't ya knew we addicts need IMMEDIATE gratification. The good part of that is we ask why we were not chosen.

Wholly moly this is a long post...eh it's worth it. Why," because I said so". I borrowed that one from mom. Anyhow, I had gotten a rejection from a different location within the same company that, I had already interview with. On an aside, it was my first face-to-face interview that I had....after countless e-mail rejections. I actually called the HR person I spoke with initially. I sucked up my tears and asked..well because I need to know, "Why am I no longer considered for this job"? I had to leave a message.  The HR person called me back so fast..like within 10 mins. She said, "Don't worry, you ARE still in the running, that was a different site." WHEW!!!

I was so worried about having to tell the truth about my past.  I was honest from the onset. I was honest from the phone interview. Worried, but honest.

Why am I so proud, you ask? I am proud, for persevering, for not letting my faults impede my success. I am proud of myself for my sobriety, I am proud that I KNEW I was the answer to my family's financial issues, and took action. I am proud that even before I messed up, I corrected, and followed through.

I am a VERY impatient person, I am also very driven. As much as ppl would say to me about finding a job, "All in God's time". Ug I was frustrated. I need it now! I need to help my family...NOW.

I think I found a perfect fit. A great hospital, and clinic associated with them. They are non-for profit, they are very Christ based; they never turn anyone away.

What was amazing to me is that they are fairly large in Southern WI. They have 5 MAJOR hospitals, and countless clinics.  When I was in orientation today...there were only 2 Phlebotomists hired. Myself, right out of school, and another that has 15 years experience...and he had been working for them through a temp service for 4 months.

YEP that was so a God thing.

I think that is all I have to say about that.