I have described myself as a scientist and world traveler turned ranch manager and jewelry designer. Over the years I added volunteer, multi-media “creative”, seminar co-founder and educator to my self description. In 2016 I also added “breast cancer survivor “.

In July of 2016, as a result of my annual mammogram, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the subsequent year, I had a biopsy, CAT scan, MRI, genetic analysis, and three surgeries. I first had a lumpectomy, then a double mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery. MRI analysis detected cancer not only in my breast, but also a micro metastasis in one of my lymph nodes. While not overly concerning, this finding makes a cautious long-term care regime for me critical. My ongoing treatment includes frequent visits with my exceptional medical team including my cancer surgeon, plastic surgeon, and oncologist as well as daily doses of an anti-cancer drug. Because the cancer cells found in tumors were found to be estrogen receptor positive, which means they are “fed” by estrogen, I will take the drug Arimidex (an aromatase inhibitor), which eliminates estrogen from my body, for at lest 10 years.

Another important part of my cancer care regime is attendance at various activities hosted by the Cancer Support Community of North Texas (CSCNT). In addition to attending wellness symposiums whenever possible, I teach a monthly class on the art of jewelry making to cancer patients and survivors at CSCNT. I view this service as “Art Therapy” a notion reaffirmed by the participants in my classes. 

In order to “be of service” in my life I also create jewelry for Dress For Success, an international organization which empowers women from all walks of life by preparing them for job interviews. And, I co-host a seminar series for women called the “Empowered Women’s Seminar”. The series is designed to allow women to share their personal regimes for optimized physical and emotional health. My personal regime for optimized physical and emotional health includes a healthy diet, daily moderate exercise, optimum sleep, a loving community of friends and family and stress reduction techniques including daily time in nature and time for creative expression.

I am fortunate to have “employment”, which my husband calls “Funemployment” vs. Unemployment which allows me to express my creative urges on a daily basis. I have had a jewelry website on the Etsy platform since 2007 (ofearth.etsy.com). My Etsy site was set up just two years after Etsy’s inception. I originally joined Etsy to raise money to support my gem purchasing “habit”. The site has since become a significant source of income, helping to support our ranch.