Glenda Rust McConnell

After reading Lew's update and enjoying learning a little about his current life, thought I'd better update mine.......Still in Ojai and love it. I enjoy traveling to different places but it's always good to come home. In 2012, I traveled 8,000 miles in a 21 ft Minnie Winnie RV. Kinda made a circle of the United States. Up Calif, Oregon (was going to visit Fred Brue but he wasn't home!!!!) slice of Washington, Idaho, then to Sturgis where I had planned to miss "Bike Week" but ended up right in the middle of it. Kenny Akins Class of 1963, was there. His daughter and son-in-law have a business and home part time there. Kenny took me and my dog (Maui) all over the hills to the high points of the area. I'm so blessed to have had that time with Kenny as we lost him this past Feb. to heart failure. Headed on to Indiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma to visit with Altha Akins Edens and family. Always enjoy being with the Akins/Wolfe families. Dropped down to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and home. Had a fabulous time. Maui hated almost every minute of it........must get car sick! She won't even ride to Ventura now.......Since then I've been home bound. Have two beautiful grandsons that are a part of my daily life. Monte is 2 1/2 and attends day care and I have Max 9 months old, M/W/F. My son and daughter-in-law are the proud parents of these handsome boys. My daughter, is living in a Group Home and attending a Day program. My days are filled to the brim. I'm so lucky to be in good health and able to help with these delightful children.

After reading my little bio, I realized that was about 10 yrs ago. I now have 4 grandchildren. Monte is 12, Maxwell 10, Mason 6 and Vivian 3. They now live in Twin Falls, Idaho. I have a fabulous RV Van (size of a passenger Van only with all the goodies, stove, refrig, bathroom) so I travel to see the children as often as I can. Flying in the Winter but driving from April ish to Oct.....My daughter is doing quite well. Has her own studio apt with staff 24/7 and goes to ARC day program 3 days a week. Not doing a lot of vacation type trips. Enjoying my time with family and friends.

If and when I have a spare moment. I love to scrapbook. Have a craft room with more "stuff" then a store! Also, make quilt tops for the family. I send them out to Oklahoma where they are machine quilted. I do the final binding by hand and hopefully, have a keepsake for my children and grandchildren. Monte has enough blankies until College!!!! Max only has ONE. I'm working on evening it up. Just takes time.

Worked at AARP in Ojai. Never dreamed it would be a Worldwide company. Got married in 1965 to Jim McConnell and had 35 years together, two kids and lovely home. Miss him greatly.

Guess what I've written brings us up to date.......Busy now with our 50th Class Reunion. I hope its the biggest turnout of folks and the best one ever! The committee is working hard to make that happen.

Senior Lawn.........brings back lots of great memories.

Because of my daughter being handicapped, I volunteered in Special Olympics for years. State Games (1980's) were held at UCLA. A host of celebrities from Hollywood, day time Soaps, movies and popular Athletes of the day, were on hand to meet and greet our Special Athletes. The Planning Committee for the S.O did a fantastic job of supporting our "kids". Still participated in the Torch Run by Law Enforcement agencies until 2010.

Mmmmmmmm, interesting question. Don't know......

Not having much on my Bucket list, an opportunity came up to travel to China, 9 days everything included, for $1,200........Couldn't pass that up. Myself, Altha Akins Edens with3 others traveled with the Vta Chamber of Commerce for a trip of a Lifetime. I liked it so much, I went back the next year ($1,800 that time) this trip included the Terra Cotta Soldiers. Altha and I also have traveled to Greece, South of France and my most favorite trip to Ireland. Would love to go back to Ireland and stay a month but don't think Maui would let me do that. :)

Altha Akins Edens, Jean Boggs Wolfe, their cousins and have invited my daughter and I to be a part of their family. We go to most of their family reunions. Last one was in Branson, Mo. Coming up will be in Galvaston, Texas. Looking forward to our time together.

Long time ago.....fender bender. Thankfully, never hurt.

Ears! Would love to have a tattoo..........haven't decided on anything that I would want to have for a life time.....haven't ruled it out. LOL