Jay, who has lived in the Waukesha area for nearly 20 years, is an active volunteer who serves on numerous local boards and committees. He’s married to Colleen with three kids having gone through the Waukesha schools. He is the VP of a local distribution company and currently serves on several area Boards.
“Personalize it…Make it your own…write about anything…There’s an audience for (almost) everything…Remember – it goes out live!”
These were the core instructions from our recent Journal/Sentinel orientation class for Community Bloggers. Many questions from these budding bloggers were raised and then concise answers received from “Master-Blog Mark”: How long should it be? (Whatever you think). What should we write about? (Whatever interests you). Can it be controversial? (Sure, but expect feedback and threats). Will our blogs be edited? (No, check your own speling, commas,,, and grammar). Can we write about our families? (Sure, but remember these blogs can be read world-wide. They also have the shelf-life of a Twinkie-20 years. So, write nice things).
Given the preceding, crisp directive, let’s segue on to my family.
Colleen carries the torch as my wife of 23 years, and she works as an old-fashioned, caring R.N. at a local hospital. Her responsibilities to our ever-aging brood of (3) kids keeps her challenged as she slowly transitions from Discipline Mom (the early years) to Friendly Mom (kid’s college years). Colleen is an incredibly driven volunteer who desires anonymity when thanks and accolades are rolled out. Landscaping, reading, decorating, party planning, and driving (read: shopping) Bluemound Road keeps her grounded.
Our youngest has carried the moniker of “Shrimp” most of her life. While not an endearing nickname to her, “Shrimp” is the absolute opposite of her occasionally out-sized personality. A senior who really works for good grades at Waukesha North, “Shrimp” is deeply involved in Interact (Rotary volunteerism for high schoolers), school boards, marching band (flute), and has many great friends. She loves water-sports, has an enduring crush on a (much older)resort entertainer met in Mexico over Easter break, and believes she is closer to 25 then her real age of 17. Her summer job as a secretary receptionist is described as “working for a tyrant (me) in a sweatshop”.
Our son, “Vinnie” (not his real name) is 19, and a sophomore finance-accounting student at UW- LaCrosse. Failing to have thus far reached his goal of wealth without work, he “toils” at a local golf course taking reservations in air-conditioned comfort. Percs include golf and nachos. His golf game (averages in low to mid 70’s) competes for time with poker, watersports, vacations, and anything else that keeps him from being home. “Vinnie” has an absolute sweetheart of a girlfriend who is starting to detest golf, poker, watersports…
The oldest, “Princess”, will be completing her senior year at UW-LaCrosse with a degree in Marketing and Public Relations. Always trying to squeeze 26 hours out of every day, she has summer internships in Waukesha at the Boy Scouts of America and, starting next week, the United Way. Her expenses are covered by selling power tools at Sears (think “Tool Time”). Whenever possible, “Princess” indulges her love affair with water-skiing. And she devotes herself, in the remaining 26 minutes of her weekly free-time, to her very patient boyfriend from Monroe; “Hoser”.
That’s it! A wife, 3 kids, a dog (“Cujo”), and a house in the suburbs. While that appears fairly typical demographically, my life continues to be unique and special. The kids are home for summer, and the house becomes more of a home. Every day has more meaning. If nothing else, Colleen and I are exposed to very new, and very different, music samplings and styles. As parents, we are starting to see the fruits of our labors blossom. And in reflection, much is owed to our Waukesha area for providing the cultural, educational, and social opportunities for my family's development.
(I encourage comments and your Waukesha items, places, people, and events of interest)
