This was an exciting year for me and my daughter. I had my very own place and it was perfect for just the two of us. I was working, making good money and living on my own. Of course knowing my luck, something was bound to go wrong. I received bad news that my uncle had passed away and we would have to go up north for his funeral.  My family and I took a trip to New Jersey  & Pennsylvania to visit our family. Growing up we always took family trips. So many times being in Florida we would drive up to see our family. My sister and I would figure out a way to be comfortable in the car one way but not the other way. Go figure. This trip was the first time that we all flew together. My parents, my sister, my beautiful daughter and of course me. We flew into Pennsylvania New Jersey  and drove up to my Aunt Fern’s house.

We went up in February and the first night that we were there it was getting cold and I could not believe that we woke up to see a blanket of snow on the ground. YES!!!!! My daughter is only 9 months old but this was her first time on a plane, meeting our family up north and playing in snow. For though she would not remember this , I have the memories of her , my sister and I playing in the snow. We even built a snow man. Man, it has been years since we did that. Then again we are a bunch of 20 years old acting like 5 years old. It was nice.

I love visiting my Aunt Fern for she is a blast. It was really nice to see all my family members for I haven’t seen them in many many years. Then we drove down to Whitehouse Station, NJ to visit with my uncle & my grandmother.

When I see my grandmother she gets so excited to see us. Her faces lights up and she has the biggest smile I have ever seen on someone (I miss her so much).

I think the best highlight of my trip is when my other sister Cathy “Cat” came to visit me. I could not tell you how long it has been since the last time I saw her. Now, her baby sister all grown up and with a daughter. I was so happy to see her and spend some time with her. I really enjoyed it. Then we saw my brother  Kevin and his family, and saw my other sister Tara as well.

We hung out there for a few days then took off to head back home. But not until we drove by where we used to play, grew up, worked at our family pizza business and went to school.

How could ever go back home until we went to Joey’s for some pizza. He used to work with us growing up. Then when we moved down to Florida he open up his own pizza place and it was great to have a slice of real pizza again. It was nice and I enjoyed it. Then off to the airport we go.

Even though this was a trip for a funeral it turned out to be a fun exciting family trip that I wont ever forget.

Thanks Mom and Dad for everything on this trip. You did not have to pay for Kariann & I to to go, but you did. You are the best parents. EVER…. I love you…

Spending time with my family was a wonderful experience, but now it is time to get back to work and make money. I was doing alright and managing being on my own. Being a single mom I had very little time to party and hang out with my friends. I made time if I could, but it was not easy.

I get a phone call from my ex-boyfriend’s mother wanting to know how Kariann & I are doing. I call her back to only find out that Kelly had moved back home to Ohio and it was the first I've heard of it. Even though Kelly my ex-boyfriend and I still kept in touch here in there. It was very hard to talk to him after our breakup. Then again I do have his daughter right in front of me day in and day out. He asked me if he could stay with me for a few days and go to court with me. Stupid me being in love and not knowing any better I said sure. After our court date we spent a few days together took him to the airport and off he went. It was hard but it had to happen.

Time went on and I am still working my butt off, paying my bills and being a mother. I will never ever forget this awful day that I had experience. One of my co-workers was having a get together out at a club and she invited a bunch of us to go out. June of 1998 I dropped my daughter off at my parents house and even then my father begged me not to go out. For he had a really bad feeling and once again as I walked out the door he said “Kimbereley do you really need to go? I don’t feel right I think you should stay home tonight” I wished I had listened to him. We all went out to a club and I only had one drink. I was the driver so I am not going to be drinking and driving, risk loosing my daughter, my life or any one else's. All my life I have had more guy friends then girl friends. A bunch of us went out and I had to take some friends from International Drive all the way to Ocoee and this is around 2:30 am knowing we all had to be at work at 7:30 in the morning. Instead of taking my friend all the way from Ocoee to the Conway area by 436 I suggested he come back and crash on my couch for I lived in Minneola. It was getting late and I did not want to drive all the way over there then back home. I was tired and he was okay with it as well. I made it very very clear from day one that I was not interested in him at all and we were just friends. Well I got home put my long shirt and pant set PJ’s on with my slippers. Gave him a pillow, blankets and set the couch up for him to sleep on. Made a phone call to Kelly, but no answer. I told my friend good night started to turn off the lights and he attacked me sexually. I fought and fought, screamed and screamed of course no one heard me. Out of shock I did not know what to do but call the police for he walked out after he was done with me. He was arrested. I worked with him but at different location so I know I did not have to face him. The law made a decision and they basically said I was asking for it and he got off. Sighs…. I just try to put that day behind me. I know it will take some time for me to be more comfortable around men again.

This brought Kelly and I closer after he heard what happened to me he immediately came down to Florida and was staying with me. I was hiding this from my parents for they did not like him at all. I will never forget that day my father say Kelly sitting on the couch and he walked away from me and would not speak or look at me for the longest time. It took a long time to get my father to open up and see that for once I was happy and Kelly had really changed. I told Kelly if he was going to live with me and be apart of our life there are going to be some rules. No smoking, no going out and partying, we would be going to church and he had to have a job. I am not going to go through what I went through with him for the past 3 years.

Months went by and I was so happy. For once I knew what it felt like to be a real family. Working, paying bills, going to church, being sober, having wonderful friends and family. I was so proud of Kelly for changing his was and making me happy.

Like they say all good things must come to an end. In September I was forced to either quit my job or work with the man who attacked me. Hell no, so I quit my job and found a better one. I really should have let them fire me, but I quit instead.

The rest of the year was just wonderful. I had a great Halloween with Kariann, Kelly and a few of our friends.

My birthday was wonderful for my family did a nice dinner, cake and presents. I had a good time with some friends and went out for drinks and dinner.

Thanksgiving was a little rough for my father was just not comfortable with Kelly being around. He was coming around slowly but he was trying.

The only thing that was a disappointment was Christmas I never got a present from Kelly and it hurt. Sitting around with my family and I am giving him a handful of presents he didn’t get me one. He has a hard time giving me presents or a card on a holiday. Maybe I am just being selfish but I was so heart broken. I know this new year is going to be bigger and better things.