“I Want a Divorce”
Say what now? 😳
My whole world just fell apart with those 4 little words and they came out of my mouth!
I don’t think I’d ever been more scared and hurt in my life. I physically felt it in my body.
What does this mean?
How could I let this happen?
Why was I not good enough?
My husband and I had been together for years. We met at work when I was just 18 and now pushing 36, our time together was a decent chunk of my life. We have 2 gorgeous girls Katelynn (14) and Lauren (5) and own/operate 4 franchised fast food stores together. So how could I let those 4 words come out of my mouth!
Despite seeming to have it all together, I wasn’t happy. And clearly he wasn’t either. I’d love to say I was the perfect wife and the perfect mother but I definitely was not. I used to drag my eldest Katelynn to work with me for hours on end shoving a DS in her face hoping she’d stay quiet enough for me to get through the day. Our lives revolved around the businesses. We loved what we did and we’re very passionate about it, but in hindsight certainly not about each other. Together we built up run down, poorly managed stores and turned them into profitable award winning stores, doubling sales at a minimum for all 7 stores we had owned over the last decade.
Enter the other woman.
The other woman whom also was our employee.
I’d like to say I blame her, the homewrecker, the slut, after all it was her M.O. I had later discovered. But in all honesty I left the door open for her in our relationship. Him too, he is an incredible man and wonderful father we just never worked on each other. A hard lesson learned.
Never again.
“I’m pregnant”
Well… 15 years ago that is. I was 20 and studying a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting at QUT when I got the news. I’d always intended on going back, but 15 years later never did. Never had a reason to. Although incomplete, what I’d learnt at uni helped me immensely in climbing the ladder within the franchise. I don’t come from a wealthy family. My mum raised my 3 sisters and I as a single mum on Centrelink. So when my franchisor offered to sponsor me into owning my first store in Melbourne, whilst scared out of my mind, I jumped at the opportunity.
I loved the franchise (sounds so mysterious not naming names lol) but after 20 years am walking away to start again. I’d actually been so lost this last year, I’ve been able to spend so much more quality time with my girls and I’ll never compromise on that ever again, however, I hadn’t been able to shake that lost feeling.
Time to start over
I’m so excited for what I now plan for my future. How did it not occur to me earlier! As recent as last Tuesday I decided I would start my own Accounting business… “Crap! Has uni already started?!” I rang the university office only to discover QTAC applications were due midnight that day. I’m going to go with, it was meant to be.
Application in. Accepted on Thursday. 😳
I’d actually initially applied for this unit to be credited due to my past experiences at QUT and work. However, after reading Martin’s Week 1 study guide on how we truely learn, it made me think this unit could be of real value. My primary role in my business (apart from admin) was to train our team members and alot of what Martin touches on makes sense to me based on how I’ve seen people learn in the past.
I’m looking forward to learning what this unit has to offer and connecting with other students like yourself in the process.
Xx
Jen
Hi Jennifer
Great post and great to have you in our unit. Should be a lot for us to learn about accounting as well as about learning itself.
Regards, Martin
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Hi Jennifer,
beautifully written post, look forward to learning with you.
Dan
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Hi
Love the post and look forward to studying with you
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Hi,
Lovely Blog, best of luck with your studies
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Hey Jennifer,
Your blog “between the spreadsheets” rounds out my top 3 favourite blogs. Once again the presentation of the home page is unique and different to all the others I have seen but maintains that characteristic of having everything right there where you need it. Your headings to your blog posts can be a little misleading at times and took me a second or two to realise the relevance of the heading but on the flip side your headings like “50 Shades of Grey” and “Those 4 Little Words” roped me in to take a closer look into the post itself. I did find your openness to your personal life a little confronting at first but once I realised you just wanted to share your story, I couldn’t stop reading. Jennifer, you go into so much depth and although I will never meet you face-to-face, I feel as though I know you on another level and that is something unique.
`
Cheers,
Lachie
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Thank you so much for your thoughts Lachie, I really appreciate it 😊 and thank you for picking me as one of your 3 😱🙊😍
I did wonder to myself after the fact perhaps I got to personal but I know I can’t do it any other way, it’s just part of me.
I look forward to checking out your blog 😉🙂
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very insightful!
Look forward to further blogs from you 🙂
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thank you tegan 😊
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Wow Jennifer,
You are an inspiration to us all to get back up again, thank you for sharing. I thought at first you were simply telling a story, life’s lessons are what mould us into the people we are. I look forward to reading some more.
Take care.
Chez
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thank you for your comment chez 😍 yours and others like it are really humbling me in this experience
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Hi Jennifer are you able to go onto moodle and fill in a sheet for me on my Assignment? Thanks.
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do you mean a feedback sheet
yeah no worries 😉
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Yes
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Hi Cheryl, I sent through to you this morning through the Facebook page, I tagged you on the post. Couldn’t find your word document on your blog anywhere.
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Ok thanks I have put it on Moodle but for some reason some people can’t see it.
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Hi Jennifer, love your blog, your honesty and your writing creativity, i too am choosing your blog as one of my top three, love the lay out, love the headings and love the writing. Your great at involving the reader into your story and merging the accounting concepts with real life. I look forward to following your blog throughout this journey.
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Thank you so much for your thoughts April. ❤️ Reading yours and other comments have really taken me back. Its a nice feeling to read you say you love my blog and are choosing it as one of your 3. I appreciate it Xx
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Hi Jennifer,
I really like your blog and its one of my top 3, the layout is great, your headings make me want to read more – very creative. Can’t wait to see more.
Thanks Kristy
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WOW Jen, you are a bit of a hidden gem aren’t you! I cannot wait to stalk your blog and learn more about you and your journey through this unit. You sound like one hell of a lady who I will learn a lot from.
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Aww Thanks Sarah I appreciate it 🙂
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Hi Jen, when I read this post it really affected me. Owning your own business involves personal sacrifices that cannot be understood by anyone who hasn’t done it. It takes you to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. To say you left the door open for the other woman and your husband saddened me. I see a beautiful wife, mother, and business owner doing her best for her family under extraordinary pressure, being betrayed by the very man who should have been standing right beside her and only her. Jen, congratulations on being such a courageous and inspirational young woman. I hope you achieve the success and happiness you deserve. John
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How did I miss this comment Ringo?
You just made me tear up lol
Thank you, I really appreciate your thoughts Xx
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Well you made me tear up Jen. I could feel your hurt and I think you are so strong for sharing. John, Paul, George and I never had such courage. You take care Jen Jen!
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Hi Jen, you may be interested in reading this post:
https://numcrunophobia.com/2017/03/30/the-man-with-two-names/?iframe=true&theme_preview=true
You can still call me Ringo though.
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lol ill definitely check it out, 😉 just getting ready to head into rocky for the lecture right now
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I love your writing. You are such a strong woman and truly a inspiration!
Thank you!
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Thank you Hannah, I definitely don’t always feel that way though
I appreciate it though 🙂
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Hi Jennifer, All I can say is Wow! you must be one strong woman. High five to you for not letting the world swallow you up.
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Hi Jen,
You have honestly moved me in such a way. I may be young but have already had my very own ups and downs. Reading this has made me realise that no matter what if I keep moving forward I will be okay. This is the reason that on my blog I have the wonderful words of Dory/Ellen from Finding Nemo. Just keep swimming. I can’t wait to hear more of your stories as they are very interesting to read and I would love to continue reading.
Warmest Regards,
Chloe
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I like that “just keep swimming” lol thank you for your thoughts chloe I really appreciate it ☺️
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You are extremely courageous and brave and this shines through your writing. It is experiences and struggles like this that all contribute to getting us where we are meant to be in life. Keep shining, don’t let anyone or anything kill that light.
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Thank you Zoey! I appreciate you taking the time to write that to me, its really nice to hear ☺️ I like that “don’t let anyone or anything kill that light”
Xx
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hey jennifer your blog is my second favourite blog in this unit 🙂
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Incredible post and incredible blog. You truly have a knack for storytelling! great work!
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Hi! I have included you, like many others have already, in my top 3 blogs. Your “about me” section grabbed me first, and all that you have been through already. You seem very ambitious and I applaud you for that. Your blogs are interesting and easy to read. Well done!
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Hi Jen, I have included you in my top three blogs. You are number 1! Here’s what I had to say about your blog: https://numcrunophobia.com/2017/03/26/top-three-blogs/
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JEN! this blog is the best thing I’ve read, i love the hilarious pop culture references and the insight into your personal life, thank you for blessing me with this.
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Thank you for this. I can totally relate. Totally. Lots of love x
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This is amazing, incredible blog you have! 🙂
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