Wendy Davis - WOW

Sure is a lot going on in the news the last couple of days. Lots of changes being made by the Supreme Court - if you follow that sort of thing.

The Voting Act of 1965 has had parts struck down by the Supreme Court (not sure if that is a good thing) and DOMA no more. I believe that love is love.... and I have friends who do also. Hooray for them!

But how about that Wendy Davis! I didn't even know who she was until yesterday. Then I too hopped on the Wendy Davis bus. She inspired a Twitter campaign for women to "stand with Wendy".

I will "stand" with anyone who  will stand for 11 hours to filibuster a bill that puts limits on a woman's right concerning her own body while wearing pink running shoes. I am a fan of hers because she took on the Texas Senate, made of mostly Republican males and Governor Rick Perry and won. All the while standing on her own two feet. Literally.

I stand with her because she was a single mother who worked her ass off to support herself and her kids while putting herself through college. She graduated at the age of 33 with honors from Harvard Law. You go girl!

I think we should all learn a little more about Ms. Davis. She put her butt on the line for women who don't have a voice. Women who have very little money. Minority women. The undereducated. And all against a group of  Senators who shouted at her and mocked her and tried to undermine her.
How kick ass that she prevailed....and inspired a ginormous following.

How fun that would have been to have been there. All those Senators shouting at each other. All the people in the gallery screaming and shouting and cheering and clapping. Senate security trying to quiet the crowd and maintain order. Didn't their mommas teach them that "hell hath no fury...

It is great to see a woman politician get national coverage for helping others who can't speak for themselves, instead of spouting uneducated nonsense -  (a la Sarah Palin) or for some sort of sex scandal. Even though, even I like a good juicy sex scandal now and then.

And while I don't really like to write about politics - it inspires too many nasty comments and ugly temper tantrums- I do like to write about a strong woman. Really that is all I am doing here. So please don't send me any crazy hateful comments about Republicans, abortion or just being a hater. I have no time for that and I won't publish them.

Let's just give the lady some kudos for having the balls to stand up for what she believes in.

Until next time,
Deborah E

5 Ways to Stay Sane While on Hold

Hi there,

I know it has been awhile, but I have been very busy......watching my life minutes tick away while on hold listening to elevator music that really NO ONE likes, but they play it anyway.  I believe it is a government plot to drive us all insane, therefore there will be no one left to keep an eye on what they are up to.

No really. As you know, I have been dealing with the child support enforcement system here in Illinois. Well they are not big on taking phone calls. They are great for putting you on hold for 20 or 30 minutes only to disconnect you after all that time.  If you are really lucky and persevere you might actually get through.

So I have been coming up with ways to maximize my wait time, after all, I can never get those minutes back. Here are some things that you too can do to keep yourself from going insane while pushing the #1 or #2 button and listening to mind numbing music:

1. Paint your nails. (You should have time for your toes too). After all, it takes a good 20 minutes for two coats of nail polish to dry and if you are trying to get through to an Illinois gov agency, or ComEd, you have about that long before you are even directed to start pushing buttons. Therefore, your nails get  done and you get your electric bill paid on time.

2. Keep in shape. We all say how we never have time to work out. Well, set aside some time to call your cell phone provider or Illinois Department of Employment and you are guaranteed at least 20-25 minutes of quality sit-up or squat time. Just click your phone to speaker, (so you can hear when the automated voice comes on and if you are real lucky a LIVE person) and you get the added benefit of music. So you can use their own music against them...hehehe.

3. It's summer time, so get some sangria recipes! If you are like me, you are probably on the computer while on hold, so make the most of that time. I'll tell you what, Giada has some great ones. I actually found one using peaches- can't wait to try it out.

4. Make and drink your sangria recipe. If you have a bottle of white wine around the house, you are on your way.  A quick way to blend  the flavors of a citrus sangria without the wait, is to cut your sparkling soda in half with a bottle of Mike's Hard Lemonade, or if you are on hold with AT&T, I say screw it and add the whole bottle of Mike's-your gonna need it anyway! And after a glass of that sangria, the person on the phone might actually sound intelligent. (Really, it works for as lemon lime sangria and tastes great! Just make sure you add the sugar)

5. And finally, my last and favorite way to stay sane while on hold is to use all of the phones in my house to dial the same office and put them on speaker. Then when they answer, I let them all talk to each other. It is quite hysterical to listen to them each asking each other for their names and passwords and account numbers and then putting each other on hold. Now they know what we feel like!

Anyway...if you have a good idea, I would love to hear it.

Until next time,
Deborah E

South African Side Dish...are they kidding.

Tomorrow is my wine clubs' monthly meeting. We are drinking South African wines. I was given the task of preparing a South African side dish.

While I like to brag that I am a good cook. I love Mediterranean food. And I love Giada. She makes a great cookbook - easy to read and follow.  Great inspiration. Also, she eats and drinks (alcohol) and can still stay a size 4. SO, I tell myself if she can do it so can I!

But back to the South African thing. I have been looking at recipes. Some seem easy,some complicated. I can make something with a lot of beans, but then I'm thinkin that instead of wine, I should be bringing Tums or Alka-Seltzer. No fun. Don't want to do beans.

Than I found something called Boom Chakalaka. No really. I don't think I can make, much less eat something that sounds like a drunk  man's cheer. So no chakalaka here.

I am still searching for that perfect side dish. Any suggestions would be great.

I do have aline on some sort of salad with cucumbers and zucchinis, and a lot of white vinegar. Not so sure, but it looks manageable....

If all else fails though, I figure I can bring extra wine to make up the difference. I don't think I will have any complaints.

Stay tuned and I will let you all know how it turned out.

I'll have a glass for you,

Deborah E

Child Support NIGHTMARE!

Hi Everyone,

Trying to relax. Having a glass of wine and writing about my day instead of trashing my house, screaming at strangers or driving down to Kentucky to rent a bulldozer to run over my ex!

As I tweeted earlier, I decided to take a filed trip today to find the Child Support Enforcement Offices in Du Page county. !!NEWS FLASH!! Not in Wheaton anymore. They have a small nondescript office in Lombard that is under reconstruction since they moved in 2009.

If I wasn't on a mission, I might never have even gone in. That's how unfinished this place looks. But I did go in. When I was asked about my business by the receptionist and she looked up my case, as we all know, she told me it was closed. In order to get more info, I had to wait for a case manager to return from her lunch.
In all fairness, my son and I had just finished eating Buona Beef ourselves. It was after all 12:25.

When the lady returned and we went in the back to discuss my case, I got the SHOCK of my life!

Apparently in Illinois, any one pretending to be the custodial parent can call and request a case be closed. So in the fall of 2011, when I was at the end of my chemotherapy for breast cancer and starting my radiation treatments, someone was calling up CSE and pretending to be me. How about that.

Apparently the FAKE me requested my case be closed. A form was mailed and "I" (the fake me of course) was given thirty days to reply or the case would automatically be closed.

And while I make these accusations without proof, it would appear my ex had his latest squeeze call Illinois Child Support Enforcement, say she was me and close my case. Therefore absolving him of his financial responsibility and letting him start a business free and clear. I know, I know...I shouldn't point fingers, but really, let's use some common sense here people - WHO ELSE HAD ANYTHING TO GAIN.  Hmmmmm. That closing wiped out his obligation to my sons and I.

While I am blown away by this, the great lady at the Lombard office said she would do some research as to how this happened, because the codes are not correct and the case closer and paper sender did not record their names.  Highly suspicious.  Nor did they get their supposed paper to close my case back either....More suspicious.

Wow. Still reeling. While I take great satisfaction in the great young men I have raised. I get to bask in their  love and adoration, I was just riffed from my job and that bastard has the money to pay me the $75,000.00 or so he owes me.

I have always worked and done the right thing by my kids. You can tell by the honest and hard-working young men they have become, but just maybe if I had lied, sneaked, stole and conned, I might have some money in my pocket right now.

Okay. I am pissed. I admit it. But I really don't regret a minute of my life. Yes things are hard right now, but we will get through it together. We always do.

On a final note- what a scumbag POS. Right?!

Say a prayer and I will keep you posted.

Thanks for listening,
Deborah E.

PS. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them. Also, if you have an in with a Chicago politician or reporter - FEEL FREE TO SHARE.

Let The Games Begin...

And so it begins.....

Hi everyone. Thanks for hanging in there. I took a break from writing to spend time with visiting family, see my son graduate high school, celebrate his journey and find my voice.  I would like to thank all of you who shared these things with me.

I also found out that my ex, the man who owes me over $80,000.00 in child support is not only working, but owns his own company. How about that.

So, while I was struggling with bills...he was working.

While I was in treatment for breast  cancer in 2011 and struggling to pay the bills...he had money.

While trying to figure out a way to send my children to college...he had an income.

All of this the great state of Illinois, seemed to have missed!

So, while trying to figure out what I could blog about that would be interesting, and might help someone out, this great piece of information just sort of fell in my lap. And while I know it would be easier to catch a Texas wild boar while hopping on a pogo stick and being chased by a pack of hyenas, (think Lion King), I am still going to attempt to get the Illinois Child Support Enforcement Agency to do their job and enforce my support orders.

I also thought,  what fun it would be to take all of you along with me. After all, don't all politicians and government agencies crave FREE PUBLICITY.

I say, LET'S GIVE THEM SOME!

I have already started my journey, by calling not one, but 64 phone numbers listed on Google for the  Human Family Services Department in Illinois to ask them where to start. No answer or many disconnections.  What! I thought they were supposed to be there to help.  Not so much. In all fairness, I did finally get an answer from the office in Cairo, Illinois. Go CAIRO! They suggested I call the Illinois DIvision of Child Support Enforcement in Springfield.

Which kept me on hold for 29.37 minutes, until their offices closed.

I also wrote to Governor  Pat Quinn's office asking them for help and a place to start. We are eagerly awaiting his response?.

You can follow my progress, not only here, but on my Twitter feed also. I will be shouting out to all of Illinois politicians and government agencies who are on my path.
Twitter name is DeborahEm3.

I am also interested in any suggestions, (legal only please), tips or stories you might have to share about the Illinois Child Support System. Their IS an election coming up, and we are voters, so let's make some noise and (hopefully) get some money.

(Thanks to MJ for stating me on the path :)

Until next time,

Deborah E