Who am I?
Rewind - the early years - A bit about me.
I grew up in Loretto, Minnesota, a small town just west of Minneapolis. I lived on Albert Street; I lived a stone’s throw away from the Soo Line railroad tracks; lived in front of the greatest sliding hill EVER; and a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from the woods where my tree fort still stands today. I am the middle daughter of three girls. My folks were both business owners, and worked very hard to build their businesses and provide a good home for me and my two sisters. Living in a small town, everyone knew everyone. In our neighborhood of 16 homes- there were over 60 kids! Most of us all went to the same church, the same local, private grade school, attended the same events such as our annual Corn on the Curb church festival, where my dad did all the announcements over the loud speaker (I thought that was sooo cool!), Yankee/Rebel Days, and weekly baseball games at the ball-field drinking Orange Crush and picking up trash with a pokey stick. It was a very simple time in my life, and a time I will always cherish.
In 1982, I graduated from Delano High School and thought I would try my hand at Cosmetology school. I always loved to “do hair” so I figured that’s where I should be. After a few months of that, I hit a brick wall and decided the “hair thing” wasn’t for me. I had been having lunch almost daily with the Navy recruiters across the street from where I went to school. Joining the military had always been in the back of my mind, but it never got any closer than that. I decided to take the plunge and join anyway. I truly didn’t know what I was getting myself into, so in February 1983 I was off to Orlando, Florida for boot-camp.
My life changed forever.
I spent five years of active duty in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman in Groton, CT at the submarine base hospital, with a previous stint in Newport, RI as a gate guard. The job sucked, but Newport is one of the prettiest little cities I’ve ever seen. I had a great time, and learned many things while serving our country. It was also one of the most difficult times in my life. Being away from family was the toughest, but I got through it and came away from that experience a new person, with new ideas, and a new outlook on life. I wasn’t a failure!
Hey, I guess I AM a smart cookie!
Unfortunately, it took the military for me to realize that I wasn’t as inferior as I thought I was, and that I could get things done, and take charge. I soon learned I wasn’t a “book student”, but a “hands on student” - show me what to do and consider it done. OJT (on-the-job-training) was my new way of learning and I thrived. I was promoted to Senior Corpsman within my first year after Corps school. I was also nominated Sailor of the Quarter. The question I was asked during the interview process had something to do with women in combat. I really had no opinion in that area. I don’t remember what I said, but it wasn’t pretty. I guess I wouldn’t have voted for me either. Lessons learned. Hey, at least I was nominated. That made my day!
Honorably Discharged - January 1988
I came home for good, December 1987. I had four weeks Leave (vacation), saved up so I was able to be home for Christmas. I had been home for a few days, when the phone rang. My mom answered it. After a few minutes of happily chatting with whomever it was on the other end, she handed the phone to me and said, “It’s for you.” Little did I know that on the other end, was my future husband and future father of my three children. After talking on the phone for four hours (we hadn’t seen each other since we dated six years earlier), going on a few dates together, and taking a vacation to California where he lived, the love of my life proposed on Thanksgiving weekend 1988 at about 1:00 in the morning! That’s a whole other story!! We were married the following August and have since had three children who are now all teenagers.
Is being a stay-at-home mom really a “profession”?
I asked myself that question many times as I plodded through diaper changes, mixing formula, and taking endless photographs and home movies of my kids’ firsts. First roll over, first crawl, first step, first haircut, the list goes on.
Am I really doing my kids a service by staying home?
I knew I was, but when everyone else was buying or building a home, going on vacations to warm places during our cold Minnesota winters, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was sacrificing my sanity for good, solid, well behaved kids that I wasn’t guaranteed to get. I missed working and bringing home a paycheck. It was difficult for my husband to financially support our family, and a bit scary too. If something happened to him and he ended up in the hospital, we were screwed. But, we both believed in the stay-at-home-mom approach and continue on that path today.
I tried working the corporate grind for about a year when my two oldest were toddlers. When I found out we were expecting our third child, we both decided that the corporate world had to be left behind and I once again was a stay-at-home mom. I tried working different at-home party plans so I could bring in some extra money, but nothing really stuck. I knew I had knowledge in “computers” and helped others with their computer issues. Things like that just came so easy for me, so in 1997 I decided to work at home for small business owners who needed admin support but didn’t need a full-time or an in-office assistant. Little did I know that I was starting in an industry that would literally boom 10 years later- Virtual Assistance. I knew that I was ready, willing and able to make some dough – while still being lucky enough to be with my kids. It started off pretty slow at first. Being a mom is a full time job, so I didn’t have steady hours or a steady income. I also home-schooled all three kids for a few years, so time was a hot commodity in my household!! But, I was keeping up with my computer skills, and learning new things along the way.
I have worked for many small business throughout the years - including professional business coaches, motivational speakers, insurance & investment brokers, ecommerce business services, just to name a few.
If you are looking for a VA, or just curious about what we do, contact me. Thanks for stopping by!
For those of you that like pics, here's just a few.
Prom 1982 Delano High School
This was my my husband's fourth prom. I'm not sure if I knew that, that day....but you learn a few things when you've been married as long as we have. I guess the fourth girl is the "charm", right? I got'em...ha ha!
| Tieing the knot, 7 years later
This after five years of active duty in the Navy and my husband finishing out his stint in the military just before I enlisted in 1983. Both of us going our separate ways and finding each other again several years later. I'm thinking God had something to do with it. You can't plan a reunion like that.
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1987 Just before discharge
Whoa! Here I am in all my glory! I loved the Navy and wouldn't trade that experience for anything. I am who I am because of it. Go Navy!!
| Sept. 2010
Our most recent family photo, taken at my parent's church. They renewed their wedding vows that day on their 50th anniversary.
Our son, Christian is in the front - daughter, Laura on the left - son, Michael behind Laura and my birth-son, Paul is in the back behind my husband Joe. |
