People I Know Series: PIKS 006: Stacy

Brian and Stacy at our annual Halloween Party

I met Stacy about five years ago when she was dating our friend Brian.  Stacy was very focused on her high-pressure job as a surgical nurse, and our paths only crossed when we attended the same Halloween, Super Bowl and block parties.

Since that time, I moved to Indianapolis, and Stacy took an early retirement from her nursing job.  We’ve spent a lot more time together in the past couple of years, and I now know Stacy as a strong, confident and outspoken woman.  She values family and friends and has a strong faith in God.  She can converse on any subject from philosophical to frivolous, and she is quick to laugh. And she is very loyal to the people in her life.

Here is my friend Stacy:

1.     When and where were you born?

I was born in Indianapolis, IN on March 8, 1968. A couple of interesting things about my birthday: 1.) I was born on my paternal Grandma Ruth’s 49^th birthday.  2.) I was born at The Coleman Center for Women, which later became part of the new Indiana University Medical Center where

I would work 21 years of my 25 year nursing career! Full Circle don’t

you think?!?

Stacy at 6 months with her mom, Patsy

Stacy at 1 year with her dad, Rocky

Stacy celebrating her 3rd birthday with Grandma Ruth on her 52nd birthday

2.     What is your first, most vivid memory?

I would have to say my first day of 1^st grade/grade school. I went to a private kindergarten (not yet offered in public schools), and I don’t remember much from that year. I was one of the few children who was not crying & wanting to go home with my mommy. I was excited about developing more of my personality & independence. I was also excited about meeting some new kids & making new friends. You will see that independence, strong willed, & ready for life’s challenges, earlier than most, will be themes throughout my life.

3.     What were you like as a child?  What did you do for fun? 

I would describe myself as independent & strong willed. I typically was the leader of most activities……some would say bossy! I also have been referred to as an “old soul” many times & by many different people in my life. I am the oldest of 3 girls, & my parent’s expectations of me were very high. It was difficult at times for me to “have fun”. There are, however; some specific things that I recall.

We lived on 5 acres in Morgan County that was mostly woods. My sisters and I used to love to build forts/houses in the woods. We would frame them with sticks, rake out all the dead leaves, & divide them into rooms. We would spend all day playing in our houses.

I also remember family times at our cottage on Tippecanoe River near Delphi, IN that my dad still owns today. Weekends of swimming, fishing, tubing, boating, dirt bike riding, hiking, & camp fires were so much fun! With no running hot water in the cottage, we got to be filthy dirty all weekend long.  

Lots of fun was had in the basement of our home in Morgan County that my dad still lives in today. (notice a theme here?) We had a pool table, ping pong table, bumper pool table, pin-ball machine, roller skates that clamped on our shoes, a record player, & lots of riding/pedal type cars/toys. We spent long winters and rainy days playing in that basement with all of those really fun toys! We made our own towns complete with grocery store, bank, school, & post office. We rode around town in our pedal cars to “run errands”, etc.

My sisters and I were high energy kids! When my mom was tired of us girls, she would send us “yard apes” to the basement or outside, depending on the season.

 We did play a wide variety of board games & card games as a family, & this tradition continues today at family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

Stacy's family in 1984. Natalie, Patsy, Niki, Rocky and Stacy.

4.     Who is/was the oldest relative you remember (and what do you remember about them?)

I am lucky to remember all 4 of my Grandparents. My Maternal Grandmother, Grandma J, is the only one still alive. She turned 96 on Jan. 7^th.  The oldest, however; is my paternal Grandfather, Robert. He would be 100 years old.  I remember he was a very hard worker, strict, loved a good bargain/sale, was a big eater, used lots of salt & pepper on his food, never wore long sleeved shirts, & his shirts always had 2 pockets on the chest for him to carry all of his stuff!! Both pockets were always full. He also had the biggest key ring with the most keys of anyone I have ever known. My Grandpa was a machinist by trade & he had lots of tools. He could fix or build anything! He wrote personal checks for everything. If your business didn’t take a check, he didn’t do business with you!

Maternal grandparents Woody and Doris

Paternal grandparents Robert and Ruth with dad Rocky and aunt Sharon

5.     Describe your parents.  What were they like? Where did they meet?

My dad is, Rocky. He graduated from Ben Davis HS. He worked in commercial construction, mostly electrical work, during his career. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves. My dad is a hard worker & holds him, and others, to a high standard of performance & character. Because of this he is highly regarded among his professional peers. Companies & people like to work with him & for him. He has a great sense of humor & knows how to have fun. He is also a very social person. As a consequence, my dad is very well liked and has lots of friends. My dad also is an outdoors man: hunting & fishing in particular. He also is athletic & enjoys a variety of sports and weight lifting to stay healthy and fit.

 My mom is Patsy. She graduated from Howe High School. She worked in various industries as an office manager. She was a room mother in my grade school & served on the PTO. She was a Girl Scout leader for several years. She worked full time until I was born in 1968 & stayed home to raise 3 girls. She went back to work full-time when I was 14 or 15 years old.  My mom is now a very involved grandmother to my 2 nephews & a care-giver for her mother. My mom likes to travel, read, & spend time with her family & friends. She is an active member of Greenwood Christian Church & Thursday night Ladies Bible Study.

My parents met in the summer of 1962 in Monticello, Indiana at Indiana Beach. Both were with friends for the weekend, met, & attended a dance on Saturday evening. The rest, as they say, is history!

6.     What was the best gift you remember as a child?

My Grandpa Robert used to give each of us girls a gift every Christmas Morning that we started referring to as our “surprise boxes”. We each loved our “surprise box”, and I still very much miss that gift/tradition to this day! As I told you above my Grandpa loved a good bargain or sale. He loved to order from those old (what I call) “junk catalogues”. He ordered pencils with our names on them, rubber bands, note pads, erasers, just all kinds of stuff. One year I got a hammock in my surprise box! He would get some of the items the same for each of us, and them some of the things would be different or special for each of us girls individually. Grandpa put all of our goodies in a big box & would wrap each one special & very Christmas-y, for each of us 3 girls! We always saved our “surprise boxes” for last & opened them together on Christmas morning with Grandpa right there to enjoy it with us!

7.     What did you want to be when you grew up?

About a year ago, my Dad brought me a construction paper booklet that I made/drew in 1^st grade. On the page where we had to draw what we wanted to be when we grew up, I drew a nurse! That is exactly what I ended up doing for my career.

1st grade drawing of a nurse

8.     Describe your first job.  What did you do with your first paycheck?

I started babysitting when I was very young….first for my sisters then for the children of my parents’ friends. I only made $1/hour!!!  My first job that I received a check & paid taxes I was 14 years old & was a lifeguard for my swim coach at my high school pool.  I was on the swim team from 6^th-12^th grade. We opened our pool from Jan. – March to make some money in order to help keep our pool open & swim teams competing. Since I was able to retire from nursing at 46 years old, you can probably guess that I opened my very first savings account & deposited that check into it!

9.     What have you liked best about your life so far?  What is your happiest or proudest moment?

I absolutely love early retirement!! My time belongs to me, & I get to spend it as I please. It is fun hanging out with family, friends, & neighbors. It is also wonderful just enjoying life & what our world has to offer.

My proudest moment has been graduating from college with a Bachelor of Nursing Degree in December 1990.  Scholastic learning does not come easy to me & nursing school is one of the biggest challenges I have undertaken in my life!

Graduation from I.U. School of Nursing in December 1990

My happiest moment has been the marriage to my second husband, Brian  on September 22, 2012. I am now a wife, a step-mother to 3 great adult children & a wonderful son-in-law, & a mam maw to 2 grandsons.

Brian and Stacy's engagement in 2010

10. What has been the most frustrating thing or biggest challenge in your life

The failure of my first marriage & inevitable divorce that followed has been the biggest challenge in my life. I was very frustrated that I could not repair the relationship & have a successful marriage the first time around.

11. What job did you do most of your life?  What did you like most about it?  Least?

I was an Operating Room Nurse for 25 years. I held many positions over the years, & my favorite things about being an OR Nurse are: 1. comforting, taking care of, educating, & advocating for patients & their families; 2. collaborating with surgeons & anesthesiologist to provide the very best patient care possible; 3. the medical center atmosphere: education of all types of staff & the challenge of cases no other surgeons or hospitals will take on. My RN license is still active in the state of Indiana. And even though I retired in July 2014, I am involved with health care in many ways still today.

I was a medical missionary from 1999 - 2012. I went on 13 trips to India performing hand & upper extremity surgeries on the “out-caste population”. This was a period of great spiritual, personal, & professional growth for me. I could share stories & thoughts about India for hours!!

O.R. nurses in India.  With best friend Patty on left.

My least favorite parts of nursing are all of the changes in health care over the last 5 or so years. The changes have made a very rewarding & fulfilling career, challenging & difficult for all health care personnel.  And the hours are grueling!

In those 25 years, I also worked as a country & western dance instructor. I also was the President & Co-owner of an orthopaedic implant company that my first husband & I owned & operated for 10 years. I have owned & operated my current Mary Kay Cosmetics business since Feb. 1996.

12. If we asked a relative or good friend about your best and worst qualities, what would they say?

I think that people would say that my best qualities are: hard worker, honest, loyal, compassionate, organized, detail oriented, leader, reliable, & trustworthy. I think people would say my worst qualities are that I can be bossy, perfectionist, controlling, judgmental, & not very patient.

13. What do you do for fun now?  Hobbies? Special Interests?

Brian & I love to travel. We also love to spend time at our Indiana State Parks hiking & picnicking. I like to read, listen to music, spend time with family, friends, & neighbors. I have lunch every Tuesday with my Grandma J, mom, husband, & sister, Niki when she can join us.

My Mary Kay business is a great hobby for me. It really speaks to the creative/artistic side of my personality. I also have met many great women that I would have never met or crossed paths with if I were not a MK consultant.

I volunteer at my church facilitating ladies bible study, working with world evangelism, & offering my expertise as a registered nurse to our congregation & ministers.

I love the Food Network, & I am starting to really enjoy cooking! This is a new interest for me since my marriage to Brian & retirement.

14. What one item in your life would you never give up?  Why?

Books!! You don’t need batteries or power. They can entertain, teach, & help us grow.

15. What frightens you? Why?

I am not a fearful person by nature.  When I was younger, my biggest fear was failure. I didn’t want to do anything wrong, quit, or fail at anything I ever tried. I never wanted to do anything to disappoint my parents, teachers, coaches, professors, doctors, bosses, or myself. Perfectionist….

16. What is the best advice your parents gave you?

It wasn’t so much what my parents said, it is how they live their lives, worked at their careers, & treat/interact with others that was the example. Actions speak much more loudly than words. From their lives these are the traits I witnessed & have put into my own life: work hard, be honest, own your mistakes & take personal responsibility, be a person of your word, & help others. Good manners, a smile, & please & thank-you will take you far in life.

17. What’s your best advice for living a good life?

Faith in God is crucial for living a good life. If we love others as God has first loved us, we will have a wonderful life. Again, serve/help others, good manners, a smile, & liberal use of please & thank-you to ALL of the people in our lives brings much peace & happiness to our lives & the lives of others. Do not let worry, fear, or negative thinking steal your joy. Enjoy & experience all our world has to offer. Keep an open mind & heart. Choose to be happy……..everyday!

To read other PIKS articles:  PIKS 005: Andrew; PIKS 004: Ruth; PIKS 003: Brian; PIKS 002: Mike; PIKS 001: Diane

People I Know Series: PIKS 005: Andrew

Andrew and Diane enjoying a family cruise to Alaska

I met Andrew about 10 years ago when he was attending Butler University and dating my niece Diane.  After college, he and Diane married and moved to Wisconsin where Andrew was a drug sales representative for Eli Lilly and Company, and Diane got her masters degree. They now have two beautiful and energetic daughters, and we are very happy that they live only ten miles from our home.

Andrew is a happy, crazy, fun-loving and creative person.  He writes poetry, performs slam poetry and can break dance with the best of them.  He is also sensitive and a great observer of people, and this is evident in his writing.  He is also responsible for initiating the “group hug” which we now do at family gatherings.

Here is my friend Andrew:

1.    When and where were you born?

In a top secret government base in what was formerly referred to Sector 13 Tango.  Or maybe I was born in Anderson, IN in 1984.

 

Cuteness overload...or not

2.    What is your first, most vivid memory?

I was probably in 3^rd grade or so.  I remember playing basketball with my Grandpa Bob.  This sticks out, because he had never played basketball with me before.  He was always dressed up wearing a nice shirt and suspenders.  I remember him running around; his combed over hair flopping around as he ran and jumped.  When he shot the ball he used both hands like he was throwing a chest pass at the rim.  I remember thinking it was hilarious, but also being impressed that he was kind of quick for an old guy.           

3.    What were you like as a child?  What did you do for fun?

I was the high energy kid who asked millions and millions of questions.  I wanted to know everything.  I was also quite the performer.  They tell me that I used to jump on bar stools and sing Bon Jovi’s “Shot through the Heart.”  I don’t sing Bon Jovi anymore, but I’m still a performer and it’s pretty cool to see that come out in my own girls.

 

"Because bustin' makes me feel good!'

4.    Who is/was the oldest relative you remember (and what do you remember about them?)

The oldest relative I remember having was my Great Grandpa Johnny Pyle.  He was the kind of guy who never knew a stranger.  My Great Grandma would say that he drove into town twice a day just to say hello and see if he could make people smile.

He was a jolly guy with a great sense of humor and the only one who could get away with calling my mom Janey.  My mom’s name is Jane Ann, and Jane or Janey wouldn’t fly from anybody else. 

5.    Describe your parents.  What were they like? Where did they meet?

My parents are Bo and Jane Ann and they met in high school.  They worked together which eventually led to them dating on and off and eventually getting married.  The story goes that my dad kept bringing dates to Pizza King to make my mom jealous.  My mom thought my dad was an idiot for doing this.  Luckily for him he realized he was being dumb and that those games wouldn’t work.  I guess the rest is history.

My dad is the outgoing one, and growing up I swear that everyone in town knew who he was.  I grew up with stories of him doing all kinds of crazy stuff like dressing up in a stuffed bear outfit and directing traffic downtown until the police got onto hi.  No joke.  He also has a great sense of humor, an affinity for making corny jokes, and a love for action/kung fu movies.  He was the cool dad growing up.  I loved hanging out with him and having my friends around him.  Now he’s the cool Papa, letting the girls get away with stuff that I never would have dreamed of ;)

My mom is more introverted.  She’s a bit more of a homebody.  She’s also the strongest and most bad ass woman I know.  When everything else is going to shit, my mom is the rock that keeps everyone together.  She’s direct.  She’s real.  She’s cares enough about you to be honest even if it’s going to not be what you wanted to hear.  She has high standards and if you can meet them she expects you to meet them.  Friends would often tell me that they wanted to make sure that my dad liked them, but what they didn’t understand is that my mom is the one to win over.  Once you’ve proven yourself to her, she’s loyal to a fault.

 

Me, my mom, my dad and my brother.  It was the 90's so permed mullet-like haircuts were the norm.

6.    What was the best gift you remember as a child?

Yo-yos.  There is something about a toy that is so simple, yet is capable of doing such complex things.  I have a collection of over 50 yo-yos.  Some of them are actually worth a little bit of money.  I have everything from old school Duncans to ones with precision ball bearing systems.  Yo-yoing is something that my dad got me into and something I’ve been doing ever since.  I’m not as good as I used to be, but I still some have skills.  Most people don’t know, but when I was younger I actually won a contest at a local festival.

7.    What did you want to be when you grew up?

Like a lot of other little kids, when I was really young I wanted to grow up and be a professional athlete.  I thought I’d play in the NBA or the NFL.  However, I stopped growing around 5’11” and I never had the speed, coordination, or strength to advance my athletic career beyond high school.  I guess I didn’t eat enough broccoli as a kid.

As I got older I went through a few different phases.  For a while I wanted to be a lawyer, because I thought it would be cool to go to school and learn all that stuff.  Then, I thought I would be a math teacher, because I loved calculus and loved helping my classmates with homework and things (that deafening siren you are hearing is my nerd alert).  I also had a period of time where I thought I wanted to be a psychologist, because I loved understanding what made people tick.

When I entered college I wanted to go into business and thought I would graduate and help my parents run the grocery store they owned.  While in college I got a degree in marketing and that led me to a career with Lilly. 

8.    Describe your first job.  What did you do with your first paycheck?

My parents owned a local grocery store and my first job was a stock boy.  I helped put up the trucks, milk, bag groceries, etc.  I loved working at the store because of the family atmosphere and all of the regular customers we had.  My first paycheck probably went to buying gas for my car, Bonnie a 1984 Z28 Camaro.

 

See those high socks? I would wear outfits like this to school. Either I'm that cool or I'm that horrible with fashion.

9.    What have you liked best about your life so far?  What is your happiest or proudest moment?

The best part of my life is my marriage to Diane and being a dad to Alice (3.5) and Violet (almost 2).  Being a dad is by far the coolest adventure I’ve ever been on.  There is something magical about the way kids see the world and it’s amazing how you can love someone so much.  I could go on for days, but they say a picture is worth a thousand words so I’ll share a few pics.

 

Here we come to save the day!

 

As my co-worker would say, "I out kicked my coverage (married up)" with Diane.

 

"Just a Batmobile in the driveway.  No biggie."

10. What has been the most frustrating thing or biggest challenge in your life?

The most frustrating things in my life have been watching bad things happen to good people.  I’ve watched multiple grandparents die from cancer in the same year.  I’ve watched illness and bad luck take everything away from parts of my family.  It all makes you wonder how things like that could happen.

11. What job did you do most of your life?  What did you like most about it?  Least?

I started working at the grocery store when I was 14 or 15 and worked at the store through college, so that is the job I did for most of my life.  I loved the small town feel and all of the repeat customers.

I didn’t like the hours and the undependable schedule.  You never knew when you were going to be called in because someone called off of work.  In my current job I’m at the office Monday through Fridays and any additional work I do is on my terms.

12. If we asked a relative or good friend about your best and worst qualities, what would they say?

People who know my dad and his outgoing personality think that I’m exactly like him, but they’re wrong.  I’m a blend of both of my parents.  The older I get the more I realize that I’m more like my mom.  I’m probably 60% mom and 40% dad.

Best- my beard, sense of humor, creativity, warmth, caring for people.

Worst- I can be really sarcastic, and people who don’t get sarcasm can think that I’m mean.  Also, I tend to be a pretty straight forward and direct communicator.  I don’t like to sugar coat things.  This can come across the wrong way when talking about sensitive subjects.  Finally, I have high standards and if I think you can achieve them I expect you to.  I will push you in the best way possible and this works for some people but not others.

13. What do you do for fun now?  Hobbies? Special Interests?

I mainly try to spend as much time with my family as I can.  We like to go to the zoo, the children’s museum, and on any other little adventure.  When we aren’t doing those things, I’m probably with them building forts, pretending to be a superhero, or busting out some sweet dance moves.

When I’m not involving my family I write and perform slam poetry.  Here’s a link if you want to check it out from me performing during a national competition a few years ago, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa81tj_andrew-embry-nps-2009-west-palm-bea_creation.  Most of the competitions are held late at night, so now that I have a family I don’t make it them very often.  However, I still write and perform poetry.  I’m actually really proud and excited, because I’ve been able to take this hobby of mine and bring it to work.  This past year alone I have performed slam poetry at a TEDx event, an African American Forum, and for our CEO.

 

Performing "Let's Build" at Lilly TEDx

14. What one item in your life would you never give up?  Why?

My iPad, provided I was connected to the internet.  I love surfing the web and finding cools articles to read and videos to watch.  My favorite app is Zite (and not Flipbook) which is an app that finds articles that fits your interests. I probably spend 30 minutes or so every night using those apps to learn new stuff.

       15. What frightens you? Why?

·      The fact that Mike is retired and might accidentally invent a robot or system that takes over the world.

·      Cyber-attacks/terrorism.  Computer hackers used to be myths and bad guys on movies.  Now this is a real threat.  It’s wild to believe that a few keystrokes from the right people could do such horrendous things.

16. What is the best advice your parents gave you?

My parents said a lot of the things that a lot of other people do.  “Always give 110%.  Hard work is important.  Measure twice and cut once.  Give it your best or don’t do it.”  All of these sayings are great advice, but that’s not what made my parents special.  I learned more from my parents by observing how they lived life.

They always put family first.  They came to all of our games and anything else my brother and I had going on.  My parents have been and will always continue to be there for us.  They work hard, do what’s right, and find a way to get through tough times when everything is falling apart.  I don’t care about their words as much as their actions.  Their actions are the things I strive to emulate.

17. What’s your best advice for living a good life?

Figure out early who and what are really important to you and spend as much of your time as you can with those people and doing those things.


If you enjoyed this PIKS, here is a link to other PIKS articles.