- May 1, 2008
- 1,058
- 121
- 36
- Faith
- Lutheran
- Marital Status
- Single
- Politics
- US-Democrat
Hello Everyone,
My name is April-Marie Driesse and I suppose since I am new here I should introduce myself. I was born and raised in a town called Manchester, NH. I guess I'll tell my story.
I arrived in Florida on June 16th 2007. As I got over the nerves of finally getting to Florida safe and sound, Jason met me at Fort Lauderdale Airport. The next hurdle was to impress his siblings and his mother. I failed miserably. I couldn't cook, I didn't have a job and she thought that I would only be there temporarily. The next few months were the hardest days of my life. Through out the fighting (Jason's mom is an elderly woman that is past menopause and in her 60's, as well as on Lexapro for her mental illness) I owe Jason's mom more than words can express. She drove me to and from Police Explorers every Monday in South Miami (I'll get to police explorers in a bit) She drove Jason and I around like she was our taxi cab, but most of all she showed me how to cook, and how to clean and what that woman went through to give her kids the life she wanted them to have, I am amazed at what she could do. That woman to me is like superwoman. She had four young kids, and worked three jobs and still was able to provide them with the life they wanted.
Police Explorers was one of the things I did with the City of South Miami to get out of the house on Mondays. Jason's mother would drop me off at the police station every week, and pick me up at 10pm. I met the most amazing group of people in my life there, one of which is still a good friend of mine today. His name is Chris Johnson (don't make fun of his last name-Respect please) he had my back through the toughest times I had in Miami. Most of all he understood. His job was the Major of the post, and he was also trying to get a job with City of Miami. In August he went back to school, and he managed school and our post. After I left, he and I stayed friends, and he had to become an Advisor to our post because he turned 21, but I still have the fondest memories of the 4th of July (One word, well actually a few-Celis, Myself and Houit, that was some funny stuff) to the hours of Drills and Ceremonies, to the Police Explorer Academy, and lastly my promotion to Sergeant. These are the days I remember about Miami the most.
Sadly, shortly after my 18th birthday, Jason's mom kicked us out, as she deemed us both adults, and told us that we could make it on our own. We have been doing pretty well so far.
In October, Jason and I moved into a one bedroom apartment in Cocoa, FL called the Village Greene. They were Condos that were converted into apartments. We lived for a month or so, and then his friend Donald moved in with us. Donald helped us out and remained a good friend for the most part, but there were some "privacy" issues. Jason and I never could get "alone time"
The months heading into December-January threw all of us a whip. I got accepted by food stamps, and Donald got SSI. I had gotten a job at 7-Eleven, and Donald had a job at McDonald's. McDonald's didn't last long for him, he ended up taking a job with KFC and quit the second day. Christmas came and went. It happened without any gifts for us, but at least we had the tree (I couldn't wait to get it up-I didn't want to take it down) and at least we had each other. Donald made us a nice Christmas Dinner, and for Christmas, I got Jason Amiago. Amiago is our somewhat retarded black lab. We rescued him from an abusive home. Jason and I wouldn't loose Amiago for nothing.
On New Years, we had a New Year party. We made our New Years Resolutions, watched the ball drop and I got to drink for the first time (Even though I'm not legal) I had a sip of some wine. It tasted like sour grapes, but I liked it. It was a little tart at first. After my first glass-I felt buzzed, and knew no more for me.
The month of February 08 threw us a nickel. We got tails unfortunately.
Jason and I got evicted from out apartment complex (As well as Donald and our dog) on February 8th 2008. We had a car at the time leased through Easy Credit Auto Sales in Cocoa, Florida. We got evicted for things we told the office about and they claim we never did-things like plumbing, the dog, and the extra occupant, who helped us pay bills) but they evicted us, and we planned on moving to Orlando with our tax returns.
We got to Orlando and got deemed homeless, and so we stayed in a hotel for three days, and I got to go to Universal Studios and see Blueman Group. It was fun. It took my mind off things for a bit. Sunday the 11th, we drove from Orlando, Florida straight through to Stroudsburg, PA where Vikki tried to help us, but fate got us back to Florida.
On the 14th, we drove back through the states (PA, I got to see Philadelphia Naval Yard and the poorest locations, and got to see the headquarters of Kraft, NJ, we drove right over the border and then hit VA, where we ended up detouring to Quantico Bay, VA and saw the Military Base there, which hosted the Air Force One which is the presidents aircraft. From there we went through Maryland, Delaware and in Delaware we got to see the presidents capital lit up at night, it was amazing to see the white house and the monument, and then we went through North Carolina and went through Fayetteville which is outside of Fort Bragg-I recognized the area, and then South Carolina, and then Georgia and then Florida. We got to Florida on the 19th of March and Jason's dad in Fort Myers, Florida gave us the travel trailer which is where we now live)
We moved into our trailer park in North Fort Myers, Florida on March 20th 2008. We live in a decent travel trailer which has all utilities included (Water, Electric and Sewage and Basic Analog Cable) and it has all furnishings. We pay $325.00 a month for lot rent, and its on Water Front Property. We pay $60.00 for the phone per month (it varies per month depending on the usage) and we pay $45.00 per month for internet through Embark. We pay for Digital Cable (Comcast has started converting from analog to digital) and we pay $65.00 a month for Digital Cable with all the movie channels and HDTV/DVR (Recording things, sort of like a VCR but digital)
So all in all, adding up all the utilities with our rent it totals what we were paying at Village Green ($550 a month) and Jason just has to worry about the loan on the trailer (his dad is helping him out with his credit, and boosting his credit score) and I almost forgot one thing, we pay $35.00 a month for ADT Security System, because someone broke into our trailer, and this guy told me that he knew where I lived and he wanted me to show him my breasts for $40.00 (which I didn't do)
Jason and I have been through alot together emotionally these past few months. I have suffered three miscarriages (October 2007, December 2007 and March 2008) and Donald left us unexpectedly, but through it all we have become alot stronger. Life has its ups and downs, but we stay strong. No Wedding until we are financially stable. We are waiting, which is smart.
Well if your still reading this then thats great. Recently, I have found god through a church locally called "Gods Pocket Christian Center. Gods Pocket is a non-denominational Christian based faith in Fort Myers, FL and I go to church on Sundays at 11am (then we go with Grace to the filipino-american church until 6pm) and again on Thursdays at 7pm. Jason has decided he wants to become a reverend (we call them pastors) and pastor is going to coach him in the process.
Currently, Jason and I have began to go through another struggle together. We both are unemployed, and with our nerves-thats not good. We have rent on the 20th of June due, so I'm hoping with the prayer and worship of God, that we keep praying that one of us gets a job.
Even after everything, I thank god for everything we have been through, and it certainly has taught me lessons. I am glad to say that I am born again after all these years, and I wouldnt leave Gods Pocket for anything in my life. Gods pocket has shown me that even though we are going through rough times right now, Gods pocket is there for us to walk us through them, and so is the one person who always listens. God!
My name is April-Marie Driesse and I suppose since I am new here I should introduce myself. I was born and raised in a town called Manchester, NH. I guess I'll tell my story.
I arrived in Florida on June 16th 2007. As I got over the nerves of finally getting to Florida safe and sound, Jason met me at Fort Lauderdale Airport. The next hurdle was to impress his siblings and his mother. I failed miserably. I couldn't cook, I didn't have a job and she thought that I would only be there temporarily. The next few months were the hardest days of my life. Through out the fighting (Jason's mom is an elderly woman that is past menopause and in her 60's, as well as on Lexapro for her mental illness) I owe Jason's mom more than words can express. She drove me to and from Police Explorers every Monday in South Miami (I'll get to police explorers in a bit) She drove Jason and I around like she was our taxi cab, but most of all she showed me how to cook, and how to clean and what that woman went through to give her kids the life she wanted them to have, I am amazed at what she could do. That woman to me is like superwoman. She had four young kids, and worked three jobs and still was able to provide them with the life they wanted.
Police Explorers was one of the things I did with the City of South Miami to get out of the house on Mondays. Jason's mother would drop me off at the police station every week, and pick me up at 10pm. I met the most amazing group of people in my life there, one of which is still a good friend of mine today. His name is Chris Johnson (don't make fun of his last name-Respect please) he had my back through the toughest times I had in Miami. Most of all he understood. His job was the Major of the post, and he was also trying to get a job with City of Miami. In August he went back to school, and he managed school and our post. After I left, he and I stayed friends, and he had to become an Advisor to our post because he turned 21, but I still have the fondest memories of the 4th of July (One word, well actually a few-Celis, Myself and Houit, that was some funny stuff) to the hours of Drills and Ceremonies, to the Police Explorer Academy, and lastly my promotion to Sergeant. These are the days I remember about Miami the most.
Sadly, shortly after my 18th birthday, Jason's mom kicked us out, as she deemed us both adults, and told us that we could make it on our own. We have been doing pretty well so far.
In October, Jason and I moved into a one bedroom apartment in Cocoa, FL called the Village Greene. They were Condos that were converted into apartments. We lived for a month or so, and then his friend Donald moved in with us. Donald helped us out and remained a good friend for the most part, but there were some "privacy" issues. Jason and I never could get "alone time"
The months heading into December-January threw all of us a whip. I got accepted by food stamps, and Donald got SSI. I had gotten a job at 7-Eleven, and Donald had a job at McDonald's. McDonald's didn't last long for him, he ended up taking a job with KFC and quit the second day. Christmas came and went. It happened without any gifts for us, but at least we had the tree (I couldn't wait to get it up-I didn't want to take it down) and at least we had each other. Donald made us a nice Christmas Dinner, and for Christmas, I got Jason Amiago. Amiago is our somewhat retarded black lab. We rescued him from an abusive home. Jason and I wouldn't loose Amiago for nothing.
On New Years, we had a New Year party. We made our New Years Resolutions, watched the ball drop and I got to drink for the first time (Even though I'm not legal) I had a sip of some wine. It tasted like sour grapes, but I liked it. It was a little tart at first. After my first glass-I felt buzzed, and knew no more for me.
The month of February 08 threw us a nickel. We got tails unfortunately.
Jason and I got evicted from out apartment complex (As well as Donald and our dog) on February 8th 2008. We had a car at the time leased through Easy Credit Auto Sales in Cocoa, Florida. We got evicted for things we told the office about and they claim we never did-things like plumbing, the dog, and the extra occupant, who helped us pay bills) but they evicted us, and we planned on moving to Orlando with our tax returns.
We got to Orlando and got deemed homeless, and so we stayed in a hotel for three days, and I got to go to Universal Studios and see Blueman Group. It was fun. It took my mind off things for a bit. Sunday the 11th, we drove from Orlando, Florida straight through to Stroudsburg, PA where Vikki tried to help us, but fate got us back to Florida.
On the 14th, we drove back through the states (PA, I got to see Philadelphia Naval Yard and the poorest locations, and got to see the headquarters of Kraft, NJ, we drove right over the border and then hit VA, where we ended up detouring to Quantico Bay, VA and saw the Military Base there, which hosted the Air Force One which is the presidents aircraft. From there we went through Maryland, Delaware and in Delaware we got to see the presidents capital lit up at night, it was amazing to see the white house and the monument, and then we went through North Carolina and went through Fayetteville which is outside of Fort Bragg-I recognized the area, and then South Carolina, and then Georgia and then Florida. We got to Florida on the 19th of March and Jason's dad in Fort Myers, Florida gave us the travel trailer which is where we now live)
We moved into our trailer park in North Fort Myers, Florida on March 20th 2008. We live in a decent travel trailer which has all utilities included (Water, Electric and Sewage and Basic Analog Cable) and it has all furnishings. We pay $325.00 a month for lot rent, and its on Water Front Property. We pay $60.00 for the phone per month (it varies per month depending on the usage) and we pay $45.00 per month for internet through Embark. We pay for Digital Cable (Comcast has started converting from analog to digital) and we pay $65.00 a month for Digital Cable with all the movie channels and HDTV/DVR (Recording things, sort of like a VCR but digital)
So all in all, adding up all the utilities with our rent it totals what we were paying at Village Green ($550 a month) and Jason just has to worry about the loan on the trailer (his dad is helping him out with his credit, and boosting his credit score) and I almost forgot one thing, we pay $35.00 a month for ADT Security System, because someone broke into our trailer, and this guy told me that he knew where I lived and he wanted me to show him my breasts for $40.00 (which I didn't do)
Jason and I have been through alot together emotionally these past few months. I have suffered three miscarriages (October 2007, December 2007 and March 2008) and Donald left us unexpectedly, but through it all we have become alot stronger. Life has its ups and downs, but we stay strong. No Wedding until we are financially stable. We are waiting, which is smart.
Well if your still reading this then thats great. Recently, I have found god through a church locally called "Gods Pocket Christian Center. Gods Pocket is a non-denominational Christian based faith in Fort Myers, FL and I go to church on Sundays at 11am (then we go with Grace to the filipino-american church until 6pm) and again on Thursdays at 7pm. Jason has decided he wants to become a reverend (we call them pastors) and pastor is going to coach him in the process.
Currently, Jason and I have began to go through another struggle together. We both are unemployed, and with our nerves-thats not good. We have rent on the 20th of June due, so I'm hoping with the prayer and worship of God, that we keep praying that one of us gets a job.
Even after everything, I thank god for everything we have been through, and it certainly has taught me lessons. I am glad to say that I am born again after all these years, and I wouldnt leave Gods Pocket for anything in my life. Gods pocket has shown me that even though we are going through rough times right now, Gods pocket is there for us to walk us through them, and so is the one person who always listens. God!
Since you are new in Christ, a place that I would recommend for you to start here at CF is the 
