Hello. Hi.

Could you state your name and tell me a little bit about yourself?

Cynthia Armstrong. I'm retired. I'm 67 years old. I live in a senior building, and I have two daughters, a host of grandkids and great grandkids. That's about it.

What did you do career wise?

I had a couple of careers, but my main career was I had a childcare center for about 1213 years. I took care of the babies, and before that I worked with MP's. I did build and service, helper, food service, and then I was an eight. In the classroom with the kids. Yeah.

Are you from Milwaukee?

Yes, I am. Born and bred.

What part of town are you from?

Northside.

Okay, and you raised your children on the north side as well?

Yes.

How was that like, just.

That was years ago. Cause my oldest is 46. Okay. No, she's almost 50. She's 48. I'm sorry. And the youngest is 41. Okay.

So how was coming up in Milwaukee?

Like, it's beautiful back then. Back then, Milwaukee was the perfect place to raise children. It's not like it is today. You know, I hate to say that, but it's the truth. Back then, the kids could play outside. Didn't have to worry about gunshots or drug deals or none of that. Everything was nice. Yes.

How do you typically spend a day.

If I'm not doing something for one of my grandkids or I one of my kids, I'm at home watching tv or reading or sewing because I like to sew.

Oh, nice.

Yeah.

Are there any routines or hobbies that are particularly important to you?

Yes. Sewing and reading.

Looking back, going back to your past, what are some life experiences you think have shaped you the most?

The daycare.

Yeah.

Yeah. Because dealing with children, you get to kind of shape them and you get to see them and kind of put a little of yourself, you know, into them and give them perspective on life and, you know, just kind of shape and mold them. So I'm really proud of my daycare that I had for years because some of the kids that I had in the daycare, they come back to me now and they still visit and they say, Miss Armstrong, I remember when we were in your daycare and, you know, that kind of thing. So, yeah, that's sweet.

Let's talk a little bit about health and well being.

Okay.

How do you manage your health and wellness as you age?

Well, I'm very spiritual. I pray a lot, and I go to. I have a good doctor, and he keeps me up on, you know, the things I have a bad habit, though. I smoke and I've quit before, and I'm. Matter of fact, I'm going to quit. Called the quit line today. I don't want to smoke anymore. It's really affected my health, so I'm really trying to quit.

Yeah. How is it affecting your health?

My breathing.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Do you already have, like, breathing issues or.

Yes.

Okay.

Yes.

Okay.

Mild copd.

Gotcha.

Mm hmm.

Gotcha. Okay. I can assume that is not helping.

No, not at all. But, you know, I find that I smoke a lot when I'm not busy, when I get bored, when I'm at home and with nothing to do, you know, and that's when I smoke the most. So if I keep myself active and busy, I don't smoke as much, so.

Gotcha. That makes sense. Are there specific routines or activities you find beneficial?