Brenda Shelstad:
CLASS OF 1972
Rootstown High SchoolClass of 1972
Rootstown, OH
Brenda's Story
As is my nature, I couldn't decide whether or not I wanted to take a membership, so I ended up with two listings on the site. (Smooth Move!) And of course only one has "My story" included on it. Just in case you don't want to go back and check out the other one, I thought I'd post something on this one, too. I guess I could copy and paste, but for some reason, I just don't want to do that. So, different day-slightly different facts. Living in the thriving metropolis of Marion Center, PA; lots of farmers , rednecks, and Amish! Since the first story, I am no longer working for the same company- over 180 hard working folks lost their jobs to people in the Philipines!
Western Pennsylvania is dying! No new jobs coming in- the young people in our area still either move out west or down south or sweat for a living on the gas rigs or in the coal mines. (Non-union of course!) The economy here is terrible. If I was about 20 years younger, I'd probably consider relocating, but at this line in time, it really isn't an option.
The up side of this is, I make enough on Unemployment to be okay for now; and as a dislocated worker, I can choose to be re-trained or study for another profession. (Oh, great, cramming for tests again!) Also, this time off gives me a lot of time to spend with the grandkids! Sunnie is 5, Jacob is 2, and Rain is 12 weeks old. I suppose right about now would be a good place to interject the fact that I am raising Sunnie and Rain. (Let's just say that their mom, my youngest daughter Lane, seems to have a hard time getting her act together and insists on making extremely poor choices in life!)
This isn't quite what I imagined life would be like at this age, but that's okay! Life is always full of surprises. Sunnie attends K4 this year and twirls baton with the Creekside Sparks and Flames Drill Team-oh, so cute! She is opinionated, stubborn, funny, and thinks that I know everything! Rain is starting to laugh out loud and she "talks" to me- what a precious little one she is! (The colic has almost ended and we're only getting up once during the night now!)
A couple of years ago, someone I dated in High School (who shall remain nameless) ran into my Uncle and talked Uncle Ed into giving him my phone number. Long story short- he wanted me to marry him and move back to Ohio. (First let me say...Expand for more
this- the thought of marrying him didn't appeal to me 30 years ago and that hadn't changed!) But, the truly offensive part of the proposal included a line something to this effect, "I realize you are "saddled with Sunnie", and that's not the ideal situation at our age, I've thought about it and have decided that I can deal with it!" Whoa- back up here one minute! I AM NOT "SADDLED" WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER! Let's just say we parted company on a rather unpleasant note!
I may not have planned to be raising little ones again, but this is obviously what was meant to happen. So, I CHOOSE to be thankful for the opportunity to raise two more little ones! I like the smell of Johnson's baby lotion, and I like shopping for cute little dresses, and I like watching NOGGIN. (I'm particularly fond of Miss Spider and Little Bear and I know all of Laurie Berkner's songs!) I truly believe that attitude and acceptance of circumstances determines the degree of happiness we experience. I can honestly say this, "Life is good!"
Jacob is my oldest daughter's little boy. Sunnie and Rain are blue-eyed blonds; Jacob has dark hair and big brown eyes. He's a real cutie! Bunny is a really great mom. She also helps take care of Sunnie and Rain. She is my oldest daughter- a really sweet, caring, creative individual My son, Chip, works on a gas drilling rig. He likes it- or at least, he likes the money. He's unmarried and doesn't seem to have much intention of changing that. My daughter, Laurie, is the extremely focused, goal-oriented one! She earned her Master's Degree when she was 23 and works with children who have behavioral problems and learning disabilities. She also is single.
I was married for 20 years; have been divorced for 12 or 13 years. That was one of the smartest moves I ever made. (The divorce, not the marriage!) Currently, I'm not involved with anyone. I really don't know when I'd find the time! On second thought, maybe I could squeeze someone in between 11:00 pm and 1:00 am! (I might be someone's ideal woman- no demands, no commitment, no hassle!)
I guess that just about covers the day-to-day circumstances. If you'd like to send a message, I'll answer. If not, thanks for taking the time to read all this. And, I hope that life is treating you well and that you are happy and healthy and blessed in all you do.
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