Valerie Raedel:
CLASS OF 1973
Santa Ana High SchoolClass of 1973
Santa ana, CA
Trident Junior High SchoolClass of 1970
Anaheim, CA
Key Elementary SchoolClass of 1967
Anaheim, CA
Andrew Jackson Elementary SchoolClass of 1967
Santa ana, CA
Valerie's Story
Married my high school sweetheart, Paul, while still in school. Had our daughter, Bethany, in 72...my junior year. Our second daughter, Belinda, was born in 74. I was a stay-at-home mom, but took classes weekly to better myself as a parent. As a family, we enjoyed trips to the river, the mtns, and taking turns hosting get-togethers on the weekends...socializing for many years with other high school couples in our same position...most all of us are still friends now.
During high school & prior to getting married, we all frequented Black Star/Holy Jim's Canyons on the weekends to party. My husband & his friends were in a group/club called Hot n'Nasty. We had a 59 Chevy Biscayne and a Triumph 650. We got rid of the motorcycle after an accident my husband and with eldest daughter as a rider. Later, had a Dodge van that we customized together. It had an exterioir Al Martinez paint job in blue that said "The Wizard".
We divorced after 7 years together...I have been single ever since. I raised my daughters by myself. I climbed the corporate ladder by advancing my education, culminating my career with 17 years in the entertainment business working for a singer-songwriter-producer-studio owner; working concurrently at U.C. Irvine in the Dean's Office of the School of Humanities as a Buyer and Financial Assistant. I left these two positions the early part of 1995, seeking a better life for my grandson and semi-retired...relocating to a home I bought in the mtns with inheritance left to me by an old family friend.
Life was great the first few years until my fiance suffered an injury on the job which left him 88% disabled. After years of medical treatment, he finally came to terms with his limitations...but not before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I underwent surgery, radiation and chemo... lost all my hair and looked like Beetlejuice. My fiance was by side the entire time and after 5 years of meds, I can now say "I'm a cancer survivor".
As a couple, we now live just for each other and our families, t...Expand for more
rying to enjoy our 11 grandchildren (another due 11/08) and getting out on our Harley as much as possible. Life is good right now!
Answers To Story Wizard Questions:
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is Diana Springer, because she taught what I needed most to survive on my own!
If I could improve my home, I'd remodel our deck, removing a 4' wide tree butted up against the house, and complete the master bedroom that sits partially started. My dream home would be perfect then and have everything we want.
As a young adult/young mother, I didn't have all the answers and knowledge to do the job right. My youngest missed out because of my shortcomings. I didn't learn this until helping to raise my grandson that was born when I was 35. In 2008, he graduated high school an excellent athlete (first string football player 4 yrs) with a high GPA and started Cal State Fullerton to earn his Masters & a teaching credential.
If I won $100 million, I'd give 10 percent of it to Calvary Costa Mesa...major impact on my life through them. Then I would spend the rest on a new home, helping family & friends and investments.
My best friend of 39+ years would tell you I'm a perfectionist & that I wouldn't advise you or give you info without it being entirely correct, but people who don't know me very well would probably describe me as a naggy b-tch that just wants my own way.
I share my home with my fiance, Paul, our Australian Shepard (Tango), and 3 cats (Baby Girl, Taffy & Fat Cat) which I find peaceful and comforting. Oh, forgot to mention...an occasional raccoon family and regular visits from the local bears.
In 10 years, I hope to be traveling the US with my then hubby and we're going to get there by riding on our Harleys. We have a Roadking Classic, and we're looking to purchase another one or a Dyna Wideglide for me.
My first job was at Zody's, where I got paid $1.65 per hour to be a cashier. What I remember most about it was missing our families Christmas Eve gathering as I had to work until midnight.
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