👋 Allow Me to Introduce Myself...
It might seem a bit odd for my second blog post to be my introduction—especially after diving right in with my thoughts on Fifty Shades of Grey!—but I figured there’s no better time than now to tell you who I am and what I hope this blog will become.
🏡 Meet Cece (aka Tracy)
Hi there! My name is Cece, also known as Tracy, and I’m thrilled to have you join me on this exciting journey! I’m 48 years young, living in beautiful Northeast Ohio, happily married with a wonderful 23-year-old daughter. Our house is a busy, loving zoo thanks to a beautiful chocolate lab/pitbull mix and three fun and fearless feline companions.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Kent State University. However, I’ve spent much of my adult life doing something that ended up being far more valuable than any single degree: jumping from career to career. As a result, I’ve gained a diverse and robust set of skills in both the public and private sectors, all of which led me to this moment.
🎢 My Career Rollercoaster: The Jobs That Shaped Me
I've learned more about life, people, and business from my work history than I ever imagined. These positions, though varied, have made me the highly organized, business-savvy, and insightful person I am today:
Educator/Teacher/Home Instruction Tutor: My first "big girl" job taught me the importance of extreme organization and efficient planning. I taught multiple subjects to students in grades 7–12 who couldn’t attend regular school, which meant juggling countless individualized course loads and grade levels all at once!
Debt/Bill Collector (Account Manager): This was grueling, but incredibly educational. I became an expert on debt collection, learning about the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and, crucially, Consumer Rights. It taught me what companies can and cannot legally do, and how things like the statute of limitations affect debt.
Administrative/Executive Assistant: Though short-lived, I learned how to run a business from the ground up. I handled everything from typing contracts to responding to vital correspondence, learning firsthand that an executive is only as good as their assistant!
Insurance Agent/Claims Adjuster: This was my longest and, for a time, most loved career. I spent 11 years in the auto insurance industry, eventually moving up to a licensed agent and Claims Adjuster. I could recite insurance laws for 28 different states! It solidified my knowledge of complex regulations and honed my ability to help people through difficult situations.
Answering Service Phone Operator/Quality Control: While it started as a receptionist role, I ultimately created a new position for myself. I developed a Quality Control system, auditing calls, grading operators, and developing a tracking system to maintain performance standards. It was proof that you can always find a way to make a job your own.
💡 Finding A New Purpose: The Blog
My working career came to a halt following a significant health crisis. In 2021, I had open-heart surgery. Complications led to a five-week medically-induced coma, and my recovery has been rough. I’ve struggled with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other serious medical issues—a journey I will certainly delve into on this blog.
Losing my ability to work full-time led to my approval for Disability. Now, I spend my days trying to figure out a new purpose for my life.
And that’s where you come in. The World Through CeCe’s Eyes is my new purpose.
This will be a lifestyle blog—a glimpse into my world as I try to navigate my new "normal," my life as a "disabled" American. I hope to provide a unique perspective and connect with people on their own journeys.
📚 What Else to Expect
Life has taken me on quite the adventure! My interests span even further than my career history. I love diving into politics and exploring spirituality, and I can't wait to share my thoughts and experiences on these topics.
My first post on Fifty Shades of Grey was just a taste of what’s to come! I absolutely adore reading and have set a personal goal of devouring 75 books this year (I’m currently at 56—almost there!). Be prepared for many more book reviews and recommendations along the way!
Outside of reading, I indulge in a variety of hobbies: crafting, researching genealogy, diving into history, enjoying movies and music, following sports, spending time with animals, writing, and photography. Each post will be a slice of my life and my unique perspective on the world around me.
I hope you’re as excited as I am to embark on this adventure! I invite you to follow along for the ride. Welcome to my blog, and let’s have some fun together!
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