First Day of School

Today was the first day of school - and there was no one but me here going off to school! So I took a picture of me in my classroom. The day went well, and I don't have any obvious problem students. And one of my problem students from last year seemed rather mellow today.

I'm sure there are lots of "first day of school" pictures of the Terrill kids - although I didn't always remember to take them - but this was the only one I could find - it was 1979 - the year we moved to Monrovia.

Last week we went and stayed in B and B's house while they were all in Hawaii. So I got a shot of Dad and me on the beach. That was pretty much the extent of our vacationing this summer. So I guess we'll have to do some vacationing this fall to make up for it!!

So I'm off to Weight Watchers for my monthly weigh-in. I've stayed at goal weight for a year now - as Mr. Rogers would say, "I'm proud of me too!"

The latest blogger cartoon:

It didn't take long for blogger to hit the comics. There have been several, but this is pretty funny - especially if you like Brewster Rocket - which I do!

Arcadia Stake Changes

Today our stake was reorganized, and a new stake presidency was installed. Elder Jeffrey Holland of the Twelve was the visiting authority - along with Elder Tenney of the Seventy.

The meetings last night and this morning were wonderful - we had to meet in the Foothill Building, since the a/c in the Stake Center is still not working, so that created seating and parking problems.

We went very early to both meetings and so had good seats. I suspect the meetings would have been just as good in "poor" seats, but at least it was more comfortable. Harry the son was sitting on the stand in the role of "Security." So he had a great seat!

Elder Tenney is a CPA and has been a Seminary teacher, so his talks were interesting and well-delivered. I was caught up in the talks and really didn't take notes - too bad, I could probably use them!!

I did remember some of the things Elder Holland said - I love it when we have visiting authorities from the Twelve or First Presidency - in February we had President Monson. They are more "off the cuff" and add lots of colorful details to their talks.

For example, Elder Holland told a story about his father - a smoking, coffee drinking less-active prospective elder. One night the Bishop, Elder's Quorum President and the Sunday School Superintendant (that's what they used to call the Sunday School President) came to call and said, "We're here to call you to be a Sunday School teacher." Frank Holland said, "But I smoke." And the Bishop said, "Well, that's your problem Frank, not ours!"

Of course he said yes and got active and took the family to the temple, and as Paul Harvey would say, "That's the rest of the story." But before he said that, Elder Holland, who, as a 10 year old boy, was standing in the doorway witnessing the entire exchange, said, "My dad always had a pack of Camels in his pocket. I thought Van Husen shirts came with a pack of Camels in the front pocket." Anyway, his dad took the pack and threw it in the fireplace ("Of course there was no fire in the fireplace. It was June in St. George after all!")

It was a great story - and we didn't know it was about his dad until the end of the story. Much of what he said on both nights was very personal like that.

He ended on Sunday by talking about proclaiming the gospel, redeeming the dead and perfecting the saints. He said that we have full time missionaries to help us with the first mission of the church, and full time temple workers to help us with the second. Then he said, "If you have trouble wrapping your arms around the 3rd mission of the church, try practicing the first two." I liked that way of looking at it.

I checked his brief bio on lds.org - he graduated from college as an English major - should have known!!

Summertime!

Pam and Denny brought us a TON of tomatoes from their garden. It looks like Calvin is a fan!

The Timeless Beauty of Little Women

The Terrill women have a connection to Louisa May Alcott's beloved story many times over. Bonny has the collection of Madame Alexander doll's from the story. When Annika was born, Ara said to me, "Now we are our own Little Women!" Harry and I went to Orchard House the last time we went to Boston and it was wonderful and evocative. We have multiple copies of the book floating around our house and family. We have all the different movie versions and love to watch them.

So when I read a review of the musical recently, on an impulse, I searched online and got tickets for August 8th. Ostensibly Harry, Hannah and I were going to go. Then Hannah had a job interview and had to go back to Provo early. And Henry was at our house for me to fly home with him the next day. Dawn was pretty sick with a cold. And Eve broke her leg. It was a crazy day that Tuesday - and I was wondering why I had been so impulsive!

I had spent enough for the tickets, that I didn't want to just not go. I toyed with the idea of giving them away - some people I talked to had even heard of the stars (Maureen McGovern as Marmee and Kate Fisher as Jo) So we went and took our good friend Rene. It was hectic, we just squeaked in under the bell - and ended up being very glad we came!

The production was wonderful - if it comes your way, try to see it! And hanging out at the Pantages Theater was pure heaven - theaters the way I remember them! (We used to go to Hollywood to see first run movies all the time - that's what you did in the 50's and 60's. Got all dressed up and went out on the town!) Afterwards Harry said, "Good call Barb!"

I kept thinking about that after we got home at midnight and I had to start packing! Sometimes it's a good thing I do things on impulse - if I thought too long I might not do it!!

And I still dearly love Little Women and all the wonderful memories I have connected to it - and now I have a new one to connect to it!!

What's been going on around these parts . . .

It's been a busy two weeks for me - nothing terribly exciting, but I've been kept busy and out of trouble!

On the 9th, Henry and I flew to Sacramento. On the way back, we visited the Sacramento Temple site - very lovely. We also went to a farewell lunch for David - they really like the guy and will miss him. I don't blame them - he's a great guy and probably a wonderful man to have working for you.

Then I spent a few days at Phoebe's - packing, watching the boys - I posted my adventures there already - and enjoying all the friends who came to say goodbye.

I flew home on the morning of the 14th and drove to Mom's that night - so we could get up at 3 to get to the Flyaway at 4 to get to the airport at 5 to get our flight at 7 - and we did all that!

When we got into SLC, we rented a car, visited Steve, Dad's cousins Bill and Margaret, Aunt Audrey, Erika, Hester, Axel, Maddy, Karolina and Amalia, Hannah in Provo - where we stopped and paid homage to The House of Do Chung - our very first home after we got married! We also enjoyed burgers and fresh limes at Ripple's - Grandma Clayton is now a fan!

We went to Provo for my old roommate's daughter's reception in the old BY Academy - now the Provo City Libray - and Mom enjoyed visiting with Joy's mom - they are old friends from "way back!"

I visited my old friend and roommate Moyne and we had lunch at the Pinon Cafe - on 13the East and 21st South - I recommend it - kind of like The Peach Cafe of the East Bench! (for those not familiar with the delights of Monrovia, The Peach Cafe is the place to breakfast - or lunch - or even dine on Friday nights only.)

I enjoyed staying with Matt's parents - what great hosts they are - best accomodations I've had in quite awhile!

Mom stayed at Richard's and I've aleady posted the Friday Night Fun we all enjoyed.

Of course, the main reason for the trip was Curtis and Ashley's very lovely wedding. We enjoyed seeing Bobby and June and David was up there too. I also enjoyed seeing all the Andertons from Centerville days - took me back!! We look forward to getting to know Ashley and her little boys better.

We didn't do all of the above on one day - it all took several days!

I'm assuming you will recognize which photos are which!

When we got back, I drove home and made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for Colleen's reception - M.J. had asked me to. We went to that happening event - Perry deejayed and In 'n Outh truck was there for all to partake - that is a good idea for a summer reception - file that idea in your Good Idea File!! I had my camera with me, but forgot to take pictures!! In spite of no photos, it DID happen!

On Sunday after church, we drove out to Bonny's and enjoyed their lovely abode for a couple of days - it really was nice - Bruce has often said, "People drive and pay money to enjoy what we maybe take for granted!"

We enjoyed watching the stars at night, watching the sun rise - and set. We went to dinner with my old high school buddy Carol - Malibu Seafood - patio dining at its finest! Then we went walking on the beach and enjoyed the sunset.

School starts next week for me - I am NOT excited. I should spend this week getting my classroom ready - but maybe I won't. Maybe I will live dangerously this year and just show up on the first day!!

That won't happen - we have to go on Monday and Tuesday before school opens on Wednesday - so if I have to be there, I will probably at least start to get organized!

Last June, when school ended, we all said, "Wow, the year really flew by. Before we know it, it will be time for school to start again."

Too bad it's true!! Hopefully the year will again fly by!!

21, 21, 21!!

It is August 21st, one day AFTER Hannah's 21st birthday! I have been having issues with Blogger, so that's my excuse. And this is Mom, posting as Bonny Brae, because her computer does not appear to be having issues with Blogger. And we are here at her house enjoying a little vacation while they are in Hawaii enjoying a big vacation!

Hope it was a happy day Hannah!! This was the first picture with you in it that I found in Bonny's Pictures - that's how it is when your birthday is in August - everyone's somewhere else!!

Love, Mom

Virtual Tour

Well we're here in DC still getting settled--not doing much other than temping and looking for permanent work.

To share in the excitement, here are a few pics of where we're living now. We'll probably only be here a few months since it's a studio, which is why we haven't unpacked a lot of our stuff--no sense unpacking it all if we're just going to pick up and move again.



It's a cute downtown apartment in a nice complex, but we'll probably move farther out from the city where we can get something bigger for a similar price (spoken like true suburbanites). Our ward is great, though, and it's nice to be half a block from the metro and within walking distance of lots of shops and other fun city stuff.



Pay no attention to the stray boxes . . . or the rocking chair that totally doesn't go with the decor, but you know, no bedroom to put it in. There is a bed-corner, however.



The entryway boasts a walk-in closet leading to the bathroom on the right, and a coat closet on the left.



Some of our boxes fit in the coat closet . . .



. . . and some (okay, most) don't!



It's actually a dining area, but I prefer to call it a box nook, especially since we haven't bought a dining set yet anyway.



The kitchen's a decent size for a studio.



View of the opposite wall--mostly stray furniture and more storage. I started hanging up pictures but got tired of it and opted for propping them against the wall instead.



. . . and view from our window.



And that, my friends, is a peek into the Fabulous Life of Matt and Eliza (spoken in a Robin Leach voice, if you please).

I kinda like the smallness, actually. It makes it less obvious that we own hardly any furniture, and it's very easy to clean.

We miss you.

Happy Times in Herriman!

A family gathering
Originally uploaded by grannybabs.

Mom and I trekked up to Utah for Curtis and Ashley's wedding last week. Unfortunately I can't get Blogger to let me post - even on a different computer. I keep contacting their support team, but nothing is changing. So I am forced to blog with flickr.

Friday night, those of us who were around gathered at Richard's for pizza and root beer floats. Hannah came with Joey - she and I and Joey are the only ones in this pix who don't have Clayton for a last name!!

The rest of the group includes Richard and Julie and 3 of their kids and 2 of their grandkids, and Charlie and Jeanette and Spencer. It was nice to chat and catch up.

Problem Solved!

I have had fits trying to get blogger to work - all to no avail. So then I thought, I will just type in "blogspot.com" instead of "blogger.com" and lo and behold it worked!

I love solving my own problems - especially after carrying on about them!!

I got lost more than once in Utah - but somehow found my way home each time - and had a little adventure to boot - wait and see as I upload my pictures and begin posting again!!

Feliz Cumpleanos a dos!!

David and Lyn Birthday
Originally uploaded by grannybabs.

Happy Shared Birthday to Lyn (1943) and David (1962) on August 19th. I think this was after Lyn got home from his mission in 1964 - since David doesn't look like a baby - and he was a tiny baby when Lyn left!

It was great to see many of the fam while Mom and I were in Utah. I am having many serious issues with Blogger and can't seem to get it to post - so have patience - I have my tech team at work!

And I will post away!!

8 Years

A very merry anniversary to Phoebers and Davers. And good luck with the move!

Happy Anniversary!!

PhoebeDavidaug141998
Originally uploaded by grannybabs.

Spent the weekend with the happy bride and groom - helping them pack up and getting ready for Portland.

They did celebrate with a little getaway over the weekend - I'm not sure what's more work, packing up a household or decorating for a reception!

Congrats to both of you - and many happy years to come!!

Cousin Camp - the end is near

These are pix from our final day of cousin camp.

We had bid a fond farewell to Eve the night before, wishing her a speedy recovery.


The next morning we went to the beach with our old friends the Brysons.



Esme' was happy to dig with Gwen (her best friend whose parents heartlessly moved to Utah, taking Gwen with them)







Ella caught ginormous sandcrabs with Kate.



Annika walked around knocking down everyone's sand castles.



Henry and Ara excelled at rock climbing.













Henry was worn out by the time Grandpa came to pick him up - and we all had a blast.

See you all next summer!

No good deed goes unpunished!

I set out early Wednesday a.m. with Henry in tow - coming off his Cousin Camp adventure - to go to Phoebe's to help them move - and to babysit so they could have a little 8th anniversary get away.

All seemed to go well. I assembled boxes, moved boxes, filled boxes and stacked boxes. I could probably be a spokeswoman for Bekins or UHaul - I'm that good!

So they left Friday afternoon while Calvin was in the midst of a 4 hour nap and Henry was at a playdate. I figured, how tough can this be? When Calvin woke up and Henry was back, we headed to Baskin Robbins to use up some gift certificates. Then we went and bought some groceries and rented a Scooby Do movie with a Blockbuster gift card Phoebe had found while cleaning out the hutch.

We came home and the boys watched Scooby Do and then were hungry enough for dinner. (I admit that I never would have taken my own kids out for BR at 5 p.m. on a Friday, but that's why I'm a grandma now!) Calvin went down easily - I was a bit worried by the marathon nap - and after a chapter of C.S. Lewis, Henry went to bed too.

I'd bought a couple of magazines - my reading of choice when I'm basically alone and without adult companionship - so I read a bit, checked the blogs, instant messaged with an old roommate and Alice - and then figured I ought to go to bed myself. I knew that both boys were usually early risers, and so sleeping in would not be an option.

About 4 a.m. I was awakened by Henry's calls for his mom and dad. Fortunately he was assuaged by the option of sleeping the rest of the night in their bed - with Daisy the dog as a companion. Calvin slept through that but awakened for the day at about 6:30. So I figured I could handle this - even the very messy diaper that had apparently awakened Calvin. This necessitated stripping the crib and washing sheets and pajamas and blankets too, but hey, I'm the laundry queen.

But I should have stopped while I was ahead. The plan was to push Calvin in the stroller while Henry rode his bike - and we would hit the Farmer's Market in downtown Davis. First problem - I could not for the life of me get the stroller open and in using position. When I asked Henry how his mom did it, he said, "Well, she just uses one hand." Ask me if I felt incompetent!!

After some one handed tries, I called Phoebe, who wasn't taking calls. Then I called Bonny, who has owned a number of strollers in her career as a mother - I thought she just might know. And actually one of her suggestions turned out to do the trick. (A lever on the handle released the mechanism that was holding it all together.)

We started out, but Henry kept saying things like, "It used to be easy. I can't get the right angle. You need to help me get started." I figured a trek from 8th to 3rd and J Street to B Street would not be an easy one. So we headed home - especially since Calvin was acting very sleepy. (We couldn't leave until the load of wash was ready for the dryer, since I knew that when we got home, Calvin would be read to go to sleep - and the other sheets were already packed away who knows where! Hence it was 10 before we set out.)

When we got back, it turned out that the garage door opener was not working - I could control the door from the button on the wall though. However, that necessitated backing out the car, going back in the garage to close the door, then going around through the backyard to get back to the car! This did not bode well.

Calvin went down again, and Henry wanted to watch his Scooby Do video - which he had watched that morning while we were waiting for the wash to finish. Alas, techno difficulties reared their ugly heads once more. I could not for the life of me get the DVD to play again. I'm sure it's going to turn out to be some simple error - perhaps Calvin pushed something - or I'm just techno deficient - but after about 20 minutes of trying - and calling everyone I knew who could maybe troubleshoot over the phone for us - Henry said, "All this frustration is making me hungry." So we broke for lunch!

I suggested that maybe a neighbor could come and help us, but Henry said, "We don't know anybody who's come in our house before, so they would just probably come in and look around." I asked if he knew who is home teacher was, but he didn't know - I was ready to call!

So Henry and I colored - his activity of choice. And I will say that coloring and staying in the lines is a good way to vent frustrations - you can at least control something!

Calvin woke up and we were headed to the Art Center to pick up Henry's ceramics which had been glazed and fired. And then Daisy the dog had a seizure! Fortunately Phoebe had mentioned that she was subject to occasional seizures, so I wasn't completely freaked out. And her previous owner just happened to call for Phoebe while it was going on and she was reassuring! Thank heavens for small favors!!

We were going to walk to the Art Center - I keep trying to work in some exercise - but it was hot, so we drove - and the garage door opener was closing the door - but then it would go up and down, up and down - finally stopped. (A harbinger of bad news to come.)

Phoebe had said that the Art Center was open "all the time." Well, it's closed on Saturdays - fortunately there were people there setting up for a party, so they let us in to retrieve Henry's art work - which was lovely, by the way!

Henry then told me that he loved the park next to the Art Center, but that his mother never let him go there - probably an exaggeration - but we hung out there for awhile. It is a lovely park - the play equipment is in the SHADE - what a novel idea!! And we had sno-cones from one of those push carts - and our lips and hands were blue for part of the afternoon!

When we got home, the garage door totally died - or something like that - had a seizure really - would not stop going up and down, up and down. Fortunately, Eliza had called and Matt instructed me how to disengage it - but now I have to do things manually. So I parked the car in the driveway!

I was a little afraid to do much else - I'm thinking I should do another load of laundry, since Calvin has had a few more diaper issues, but I'm afraid of some laundry room disaster rearing its ugly head!

I think I will just go to bed and, like Scarlett O'Hara, think about it tomorrow!

Cousin Camp - the middle

After making ice cream - we hopped into bathing suits and ran through the sprinklers and jumped on the trampoline.
everyone had fun




but it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye, or breaks a leg.

I'm still not sure how she broke it. She didn't fall and no one jumped on her. She was jumping and just crumpled, crying that her leg hurt. I'm glad i was watching, or i would not have believed it.




So we spent the rest of the day, chilling out. We colored, had a snack, and watched cinderella.
Then grandma came to pick up eve, but decided to take lots of pictures instead.

Because we all know, that if it isn't documented, it hasn't happened.

we also bid a fond farewell to hannah - who had to leave paradise to go back to the happy valley

we also had a few tough guy moments. It's a good thing spidey was there to keep the peace.