INTERESTS: Family, volunteer work, collecting cookbooks, cooking, going to church and trying to be the best friend I can be.
I love being a part of my daughter Amy and my granddaughter Callie's life. When we aren't busy doing stuff together as a family, we are together working as a family for "SI Yellow Ribbon".
Music
MUSIC: "Here Without You" - Three Doors Down, "Before He Cheats" -Carrie Underwood, "One More Day" - Diamond Rio, "Over You" - Daughtry. I also love Aaron Tippin and his songs, got to see him in person and he puts on a great show! My taste in music is mostly country, some rock and some inspirational.
Movies
MOVIES:
The Notebook and Pretty Woman are my all time favorite movies! I enjoy chic flicks and comedies, no horror films!
Television
TELEVISION: Extreme Makeover, Extreme Home Makeover, Ex-Wives Club, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Wife Swap, Rachael Ray and Montel. Had to admit it but also sometimes get caught up in my granddaughters favorite shows - Hannah Montana and the Suite Life of Zach and Cody. :)
Books
BOOKS: Not much on reading - my favorite thing is magazines. But I totally enjoyed reading "The Notebook" before I ever saw the movie.
I am a huge collector of cookbooks and have over 600 in my collection. Myself and my daughter have even published our very own cookbook!
Heroes
HEROES: My daughter and granddaughter who keep me going and teach me something new everyday. My deceased mother who was my hero and taught me strength and charity and my father who still seems the closest to a saint on earth.
As far as those I do not know personally I still feel like the men and women serving proudly in conflicts all over the world are true heroes
Harrisburg High School
Harrisburg,Illinois
Graduated: 1973
Student status: Alumni
Degree: High School Diploma
1969 to 1973
Kathy Jamal...today is your day...yesterday was Amy's as you washed the car, cleaned out the breezeway and washed dishes and did laundry before going to bed. Want to view more
ABOUT ME: Right now I'm just a homemaker and a co-coordinator of a voluntary non-profit organization my daughter Amy and I organized over four years ago, SI Yellow Ribbon, dedicated to sending care packages to deployed military.
Several years ago my family and I operated a deli near the high school, Treats & Meats and later a Tea Room/Restaurant - "The Magnolia House Tea Room". Through the years I have worked also in paid positions as a reporter and secretary for area newspapers and storytime teacher and youth coordinator in a local library. I developed and served as director for 4 years of the "Kids 'n Stuff" program through the Harrisburg Park District for ages 3-9 years. I have also been known as a "professional volunteer" serving as a room mother for 6 years, President of the Eldorado PTO for 2 years, started the first school newspaper at Eldorado Elementary School, was a Brownie leader, Kindergarten aide and 4-H leader for 9 years. I have also been active in Womens Club, Directors of a couple of towns Chamber of Commerce, officer of the Heart Association and several other health organizations. I was the original organizer in 1983 and served as President for years of the Southern Illinois Christian Singles Organization and was chairperson of Eldorado's 3 day celebration Town and Country Days for three years.
Awards Won: Was finalist for the Jefferson Award for 2 years and a Tri-State winner that won a trip to Washington DC to Nationals, one of ten outstanding women of Southeastern Illinois, Woman of the Year for 3 years, Volunteer of the Year from SIU in Carbondale, Quality Service Award winner from Home Health Care and Unsung Hero several times on WSIL TV. There have also been numerous awards won by our Tea Room and especially many wonderful honors for our "SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign".
19 years ago I was involved in a series of bizarre and tragic accidents. First, I was bitten by a poisonous brown recluse spider and lay critical for several weeks. After having my gall bladder and appendix removed, in a later deemed unnecessary surgery, I was taken into a hospital operating room to have a trache put in and the bed was caught on fire and exploded from acetone. Needless to say I spent several months in burn units, intensive care units, and in rehab and therapy units. Extremely critical for many months and in a coma I finally came home though badly scared and paralyzed from the chest down. Through lots of prayers, determination and a stubbornness to overcome the obstacles I am still around to talk about it. Who else do you know locally that made the National Enquirer and Weekly World News tabloids? I was the story of the woman "bursting into flames" between the story of a man who cut his head off while shaving and a man who married a head of lettuce. See the article in my photo album on here!
I would love to ask for the support of individuals, churches, businesses, clubs, schools, etc. to help us with our operations at "SI Yellow Ribbon". Find out what you can do to help by clicking the logo below.
Let's all remember these brave men and women in our prayers!!
I'D LIKE TO MEET: I would like to meet my best friend who I've grown to love over the past few years through letters, calls and emails. I hope it possible that someday we meet in person.
Of course I also hope to meet my mother, my grandparents and my Heavenly Father when my time on earth is over.
I'm extremely proud of who my daughter has had the opportunity to meet! She was a guest on the Montel Show, being chosen as 5 outstanding women for their volunteer work. We were both flown to New York City for a wonderful trip. Also, earlier this year she received an invitation and spent an afternoon in the White House, having a round table discussion with President Bush!
updating everyone...I am having to undergo open heart surgery the date isn't set yet but it will be done asap. I love you all and miss you all dearly. I hope nothing goes wrong but if it does remember that i cared for you all.
Please join us for Jamie and Brandon's Birthday Parties... we will be celebrating them together @ Foster's Family Fun Center. Bring the kids, bring yourself and come Celebrate with us.
Just wanting to wish a Happy Birthday to one of the most beautiful people I know. You and Amy both mean so much to me and I hope your birthday is the best. Love Ya...to my "biatches" mom...LOL
I love being a part of my daughter Amy and my granddaughter Callie's life. When we aren't busy doing stuff together as a family, we are together working as a family for "SI Yellow Ribbon". 
