I’m a baby boomer.
I’m the youngest of 8 children produced by a proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame (class of 1931) and a mother who never quite finished high school.
I grew up in an Irish, Catholic working class neighborhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in the 1960s and 1970s where the Desmonds, McGuires, McGoffs and Cagneys all rooted for the green and white “Fighting Irish” of St. Augustine grade school and Msgrs. Hackett and O’Brien High Schools.
Like so many other boomers, I’ve been a witness to history: man on the moon, race riots, hippies, Viet Nam, civil unrest, and an assassination of a U.S. president. And that was just in the 1960s…
I’m a happily married mother of two college-educated daughters. I was incredibly blessed as a stay-at-home mom to be with them daily as I both guided them and watched them grow into the beautiful, successful, young women they are today.
I have a BA degree in Journalism from the University of Detroit-Mercy (Detroit, MI), and an AAS in Graphic Arts Technology from the College of DuPage, (Glen Ellyn, Illinois).
I’m an empty nester (sort of…)
I’m a substitute teacher in the local public schools for grades K-8. (Don’t tell anyone, but 4th and 5th graders are my favorites—they pay attention, follow the rules, are still respectful and enjoy my jokes.)
I’m a writer whose journalistic pursuits have included writing and editing for magazines; doing public and community relations for both profits and non-profits; and producing a weekly column (before there were blogs!) for my local community newspaper.
I’m a volunteer who has served on both the Parent Board of Butler University (Indianapolis, IN) and the Parent Advisory Committee of the Children’s Theatre of Western Springs (Western Springs, IL).
I’m a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program driving patients who need rides to their cancer treatments. (And no, it’s not depressing. My companions and I laugh a lot during those rides!)
My latest endeavors though, have been personal ones related to my family’s history, and that’s why I’ve started this genealogy blog: To share what I’ve discovered—or just how I feel about what I’ve discovered—with family, friends and fellow genealogists.
So, I welcome you.
I hope you’ll drop by from time to time to join me on my GeneaJourneys in the days ahead. And if my past discoveries are any indication of the potential that lies ahead, we’re in for quite an adventure!
Patricia (Pat) Desmond Biallas
Your resume is very impressive. You have been a very busy woman.
Karty
Thanks, Katy. I guess that’s what happens when our kids grow up and don’t need us quite as much–we actually have time for other pursuits. (Though in my case, those pursuits are still family related!)
Pat, let me know if you want to talk about getting a stone for your veteran ancestor.
Thank you, Debi. I definitely will!
Pat, I am looking forward to meeting you in Fort Wayne. It should be fun. See you then.
Thanks, Brenda. Me too! Tomorrow is nose to the grindstone in getting prepared for our get together. Should be really fun to meet fellow bloggers in person! C U Friday!