Who Am I?

I’m going to be perfectly honest: I don’t know exactly what this Substack or page or whatever this is will become. I’m just a “regular” girl - yes, I may be knocking on 50s door, but I’m still just a girl - in a small town in NW Wisconsin. I grew up on a farm in SW Minnesota and learned the value of working hard. I attended college in Sioux Falls, SD and I’ve been married for….oh, jeez, let me do the math….almost 23 years. My husband is a family physician. I’ve been a science teacher since 1998. I’ve taught middle school earth science, high school physical science, biology, and chemistry. Chemistry is definitely where it’s at! I love my job and wouldn’t want to do anything else! Yes, education has its challenges. Too many to count. But I love what goes on in my classroom! I am a mom to two wonderful kids - my daughter is a sophomore at UW-Madison studying dietetics and my son is a sophomore in high school and is on his way to earning his Eagle Scout. I am so very proud of both of them!

I think, mostly, I’ll use this to kind of document my internal monologue. These days are trying times. I’m concerned about the future of this country and what it means for my kids and our retirement. And especially what it means for all the people who are less fortunate than I am. On a personal level, I’m concerned for myself. Will I be around in 4 years to see what becomes of the USA and my family? I certainly hope so.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. I was almost ready to hit that good ‘ole 5 year mark when I found a lump last July. Cancer was back. But this time it was a different kind of breast cancer.

So, it’s been a bit rocky. I’m hopeful. But this wasn’t supposed to happen.

Anyway….I suspect this will be where I vent and grieve and celebrate the little achievements. I’m sure I’ll document my entire cancer journey as it’s therapeutic for me to get it all out. I’ll probably offer some book recs….and basically just document the highlights of my little old life :)

Whether anyone reads this or not….my goal is not to build an audience. I just want to have an outlet for whatever I need it for; and if someone reads my words and learns something or teaches me something….all the better.

Also, I want to give a very special shoutout to Felicia, my wig! Isn’t she a beauty????