YAY, Today Is Tough Muther Tuesday

I was one of those kids who dreaded the creak of footsteps on the stairs; as I lay in bed. The abuse continued until we moved from Philly to N. Wildwood. My Mom was told when I felt safe to do so and she didn’t handle it well, continuing to allow him in our home ( my cousin).

This became perfect rocket fuel for my drinking and acting out. Wound up pregnant and married a month after high school graduation. Three days into the marriage suffered a miscarriage in a motel bathroom.

Over the next few years drugs and alcohol played a huge role in my life. My daughter was born a year into my marriage, and my husband was drafted. My addiction kicked in full force up until I valiantly tried to stop, but after a few weeks I picked up again. I passed out in my dinner at my kitchen table. Woke up with mashed potatoes and gravy in my ear. That was the last time I ever used, January 9th 1975.

I left my husband and moved in with a guy I wound up with for 14 years . We decided at one point to sell everything, pack a trailer, and move to Florida. Long story short we wound up back in Jersey 2 weeks later jobless and homeless with 2 daughters. We knocked on a neighbors door and he kindly allowed up to sleep on mattress’s in his attic. I called my old boss and begged for a job, luckily he loved me and told me to come back and work as a pantry person in the kitchen. This was summertime in Wildwood, so one night the one cook doesn’t show so I get asked to watch the broiler. A few weeks later the other cook has a fight with a server and walks out, and I’ve been cooking ever since ( about 40 years lol).

I worked a few big restaurants in Cape May County, as a cook and eventually becoming the Chef at a big restaurant in Avalon called the Whitebriar, until it closed. Within 2 years I decided to try Atlantic City for year round work and benefits. In 2001 I was offered my current job as Executive Chef at the Sheraton in ACY; becoming the first Female Executive Chef in ACY and the only one for quite some time.

I’ve raise a bunch of kids , 2 my birth kids 3 my 2 nephews and niece after their Mom was killed by a drunk driver, and a stepdaughter.

I’m still working full time, enjoying my kids and grandkids, active in my community, and looking forward to the next big adventure.

And that my sisters is why I am ONE TOUGH MUTHER!!!

Tough Muther Pam

Lisa Orban Gail Ward Seth Neiman