"Thank heaven for little girls!!"

What kind of difference does 12 years make?

As you can see from the Terrill Family Christmas party past and present, it can make a big difference!

Do they still believe in Santa? Do they still dress up in red for Christmas?

Maybe not - but they still warm our hearts with their smiles!!

Have a great year Falyn!

Happy Birthday!

The changing landscape of Monrovia

Coming out of the Krikorian the other day, I snapped these shots of the new Monrovia Library.

The tree you see in this shot is on the south side of Library Park - what was then behind the old library. (Just so you can get your bearings - the new front faces East.)

And this tree - the one that was in front of the old library - or the North side - really looks different all by itself so to speak. (That's the Community Center behind it.)

A more close-up shot of the tree from the first photo.

There was an open house to see the new library inside on April 4th, but it conflicted with General Conference, so we didn't go. It opens to the public on May 16th - I am getting excited - this may become my new hangout - what with all the space they will have.

It's too bad that 50+ years ago they didn't save the original Carnegie Library that was there. And I liked the one that had to be torn down - lots of good memories there - but it was pretty inadequate.

We'll keep you posted, but I'm sure you'll all want to put it on your list of places to visit in Monrovia!

An Afternoon Matinee!

Well, Dad and I played being old-timers who go to the show before 6 p.m. on weekdays!

We saw The Soloist. Kenneth Turan had panned it in the Times. But The New Yorker was effusive in its praise.

I have to agree with The New Yorker. I thought it was well-done. Even the tie-dye light show that they thought was a bit much.

Put it on your list.

Maybe Kenneth Turan just can't have a buddy on staff outshine him!

Happy Birthday Frances!!

This is a photo from long ago - Phoebe was married in 1998, so maybe this is 1999? It is Phoebe and David's first home, and it's BYU Women's Conference, so it's May of 1999.

Such powers of deduction. I remember the event - a good time!

How young we all look! But just think, we've had 10 years of good times to look back on!

Have a great day Frances - hope that looking back on the good times in life brings you a lot of joy today!

A must-see film!!

A big THANK YOU to Hannah for recommending this really great film!

I ordered it on NetFlix - muchos gracias David and Phoebe - and we watched it for FHE tonight.

I read a few reviews - most were positive. But when I detailed some of the negative reviews, Dad said, "Well, some people just don't want to be entertained."

You will be entertained.

(It is in French, and it does have English subtitles - and the music is divine!!)

Happy Day to Maddy!

Maddy shares a birthday with her mother!! And Maddy is a delightful young woman. Unfortunately, we don't get to see her often - but that doesn't make our times together any less enjoyable.

Group Photo at the Mall!

The Terrill Front Yard. Maddy's in the turtle pool.

Zuma Beach. Find Maddy - and Andrew! And Karl and Peter and Axel and Phoebe!!

There were several summers when the Kerksieks came for a visit and stayed for long stretches - they are some of fondest summer memories.

And Maddy is part of those memories!!

Have a great day!!

Happy Birthday Alice!

I think I post these every year on Alice's birthday - but then these are the only old photos we have, so there isn't much else we can do! I like this one because I look taller than Alice! For those not in the know, the others in the photo are Mary, Richard and Charlie. Note the very cool Davy Crockett shirt!

This is obviously an older photo, since Richard is a babe in arms.

This was my 22nd birthday - Noah will be 22 this year - just for some perspective. Alice and I have often gone in for matching attire! We often find that we have independently purchased the same pattern to make a dress for ourselves.

Here we are with Joan - in our new bathing suits that we'd bought at Ruby's Department Store on Chatsworth in GH. We were headed for the Radioplane Company party at Pop's Willow Lake - a very big deal to us!!

Here we are with my mother - don't you just love old photos - since they are the only memories I have of my very young years, I find them comforting.

And here we are last summer in La Paz - playing Phase 10 with dice - H. and I are loving this game these days - it's our FHE staple - although Harry keeps beating me. Probably because he strategizes. Alice beats me too - probably because she has more practice!! (It's a good thing I enjoy playing games for fun!!)

I could write a book about all the times I've shared with Alice - we are kindred spirits - you might not have known it when we were growing up - we did have conflicts at times - but we got over those, and the years since have been very rewarding - there is nothing quite like a sister to love!!

Have a great day Alice!!

Notice:

Donna has some fun new blog posts coming up - and one there now - I gave her some instruction and we had a good time at the Granada School 80th b-day party today.

So she has some good material and some fun pics!

Happy Birthday Grandma Stevens

My Grandma Steven's birthday was the day before Alice's. If you said to her, which I did every year I think, that it was too bad Alice had missed her birthday by a day, she'd say, "Might as well have missed it by a mile, she still missed it!"

That was kind of how she was!! But I loved her - she always brought out our birthday gifts - for Alice and me - on the same day. And they were usually identical except for the color - so once Alice opened hers, I knew what mine was - except for the color. The ones I remember were some lovely dresses - mine was blue and Alice's was pink. Umbrellas and lunch boxes that were red and green - I think I got red - but maybe I got green - maybe Alice remembers.

A salute today to Mima Lillian Wamsley Stevens - a grandma I loved.

I owe it all to SMCNS

Just wanted to thank G. Babs for the great find at the
Nursery School Carnival.
I think the dress suits little Ags, don't you?

More visits and meals and goodies - this could get habit forming!

Norma brought dinner last night - and stayed and ate with us!! Lots of fun to have some good conversation to go with a great meal!

And Traci Gholar came just before Norma - with a fruit torte from Pavilions - yum! Dad said, "What poor timing. I had just decided to swear off dessert until I got below 170. Guess I'll postpone that a couple of days!!"

I'm banking on all the great fruit negating the effects of the custard and the sugar crust!!

I'm doing physical therapy - and not sleeping well - I wouldn't call it pain - discomfort is a better word. Harry F. said I'm not doing enough to get tired!!

And we watched The Boy in the Striped Pajamas last night. I thought it was a great film - well made - a fable, sort of like The Little Prince - but so sad!

Thanks to David and Phoebe for the Gift Certificate to NetFlix - Dad is off to the temple this weekend - and he's dropping me off in GH on the way - will pick me up on his way back on Sat. night - and I'm going to trek with Donna and Mary to the Granada Elementary 80 year reunion!!

That's where it all stands right now!

Happy Anniversary!!

Tom and Leslie were married 4 days after Eliza was born - Eliza who was 13 days late!! So I always remember how long they've been married. (And when they got married.)

There's a not so funny story about the paucity of pics of the original occasion - but we won't go into that!!

Here's a happy shot from the day Joey and Mercy got married.

Happy Day Tom and Les!

"Can Barbara play?"

I have some great creative friends!! Kathleen M. and Celia R. came over this afternoon with snacks, conversation and a game to play - Speed Scrabble - lots of fun, and a lot like Syzygy.

Celia won - and it was a great little "pick-me-up" for my day!!

Thanks ladies!!

Note: I had my sutures removed and had a bit of physical therapy - note my "striped" legs - the tape and wrappings certainly left a mark or two!

I'm looking forward to saying goodbye to sponge baths and hello to a shower!!

Belated greetings to Dee!

When I met Dee and asked when his birthday was, and he replied, "April 19th," I was certain that I would never forget - since that is Eliza's b-day too.

But somehow, unless I check my birthday calendar religiously, I seem to forget!!

Hope it was a happy day Dee!! The tardiness of our greetings has nothing to do with our love and admiration for you!

Happy Birthdy Uncle Steve!

In addition to being Earth Day - and Mar Del's birthday - it is also my Uncle Steve's birthday. He was my mom's brother. He was married to my Aunt Dorothy (does everyone have an Aunt Dorothy - I think so!) This is a shot from their home in Inglewood - before it was the Hood!

He was Uncle Steve, but his name was Charles Edward Stevens. That's my Grandma Stevens in the middle. I'm not sure when it was taken - but doesn't Grandma S. remind you of Grandma C. these days??

Something about family likenesses I guess.

April - such a month for birthdays and anniversaries.

Question of the Earth Day

39 years ago Earth Day was first celebrated in the US, though the image above had been adopted a year earlier for the first UN Earth Day celebration. There were lots of activities at the time, including artwork, aimed at raising environmental awareness. One such artistic work adapted a national icon, tweaking his image slightly in order to tweak the noses of those who cynically or ignorantly would disrespect the earth.

Earn Earth Day bonus points by:

1. Naming the creator of the work
2. Naming the title of the work
3. Naming the icon
4. Quoting the magical iconic utterance used to ward off environmental evil-doers.

Happy Earth Day!

Note

You may have given up checking Alice's Bolivia blog - since her last post was in November I think!! But check it now - it's fun - you'll like it!

Speaking of "Duck Dates."

Visiting Teaching message

My friend posted this on her blog and I thought you all might get a chuckle out of it.

Happy Birthday Robyn!!

Today is also Robyn's birthday - also in that Bruce and Chenoa have their birthdays today too!

Robyn and Phoebe have been friends for a long time - in fact, they were in nursery school together - SMCNS. They were roommates in college.

And I'm Robyn's friend too - and I was her Beehive advisor. My favorite Robyn story is when she babysat for us one night - I think tending the little ones while we went to the Sing Along Messiah with the big kids - and then slept over. In the a.m. I made a lunch for her, and she said, "Oh Sister Terrill, you are such a mom!"

Love that girl!! Have a great day Robbie!

(The photo is from a Youth Conference - 1997 or 8 - Robyn and Phoebe were not "youth" they were "young adult helpers!")

Happy Birthday Bruce!!

Today is Bruce's birthday - and I don't even know which one. I'm impressed that I'm doing it ahead of time - since I'm not sure what kind of shape I will be in next Tuesday!

What I do know is that he's been part of our family for over 20 years now - and it's been a great 20 years. He's a wonderful husband, excellent dad, great bishop, fine architect, superb son-in-law - and you can have a great conversation with him!

How well I remember having a long telephone conversation with him - before I'd even met him - because I wanted to keep him on the line until Bonny got home!! I was a little non-plussed that he'd call, I'd give her the message, but she didn't seem to be calling him back!! I knew he was a winner - I'm not sure how, but I knew!

This photo represents "the way it was" when Bruce joined the family - it's pretty different now - but the fond memories are there.

Hope it's a great day Bruce!!

Letter from Nauvoo, June 2, 1842

Yesterday I came across copies of letters I have that were written by my 3rd great-grandmother, Ellen Briggs Douglas, to her parents living in England. The letters were transcribed, probably on his personal typewriter, in 1939 by my great-grandfather James Douglas, for whom the late, great James Douglas Terrill was named. There are some typos and creative spellings as well as some interesting usage that are left as I found them in Grandfather Douglas' version. Some may be Ellen's; some may be his. Since they are kind of long and there are six of them you will find them, one at a time, over here. He describes them as "priceless" and I agree.

Happy Birthday Eliza!

Today is Eliza's 26th birthday!! When I was 26, we were in Salt Lake City - and I had one child, Bonny. So much for comparisons. But when Hester, Donna and Mom were here the other day, Hester commented that the next picture down - which is one of Eliza at age 8 months - reminded her of Ida - except that Ida's head is rounder, more like Matt and Theo.

So, when I thought about posting it, I wondered how much Eliza might look like me - since I have mostly thought that she looked like the Terrill side of the family. And she looked less like the other girls - although people have always commented on how they always mixed up Hannah and Eliza - which I could never figure out.

So you, dear reader, can decide for yourself if Eliza looks anything like me - or if Ida looks like Eliza. But it won't matter - Eliza is her own beautiful self - and so is Ida. Me, I'm just getting older - and looking more like my Dad! (Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's just an observation - I seem to have more Clayton in me that Stevens.)

Back to the birthday girl - when she was 9 - in 1992. With some of her friends - and Hannah too!

And here she is with her dad in 1991 - when she got baptized.

And I'm not sure of the occasion or location of this photo, but it has always charmed me!!

Have a wonderful day Eliza - the day you joined our family was a happy day indeed!!

Question of the Day

We are planting a garden this year.

A vegetable garden, that is, along with some fruit.
Check out the new lemon and grapefruit trees.

We are also planting tomatoes (several varieties), cukes, zukes, crookneck squash, beans, carrots (red and orange!), lettuce, cantaloupe and strawberries. Also a bunch of spices and one other mystery veggie.
So the question is....

The first day we planted one row in two different seeds. The photo below shows the result of seeds I had found tucked away someplace last month and decided to give them a try. Can you tell what little guys are growing here?

Answer of the Day

By the way, you nailed it, kids! I was driving down the street to Nichols Lumber, noticed the sign and couldn't help myself. In Baldwin Park, of course, just across the freeway from the original In-n-Out drive through.

Sleepy Time....

Everything went just fine this morning. Mom is just about done sleeping it off, and quite capable of giving orders around the house. To my mind that says "recovery satisfactory."

FYI

Mom's surgery went well. She's on the mend.

Hooray!

Q. of the D.

Hello, folks! Where am I?

Happy Birthday Traci!!

I do have other pictures of Traci as a little girl - but it would take some digging - and I'm not much into digging these days. And I know I've used this before to wish her a happy day, but I figure I can do double duty and wish Tom and Leslie a happy anniversary for a week from today too!! (My surgery is tomorrow - and I may be totally up to blogging in a week - but then again, I may not!)

For anyone who missed the multiple times I've posted this photo, the babes in arms are Eliza and Hester - and Eliza was 4 days old!!!

Left to right in a circle around Leslie are Jamie, Traci, Kelli, Betsy, Bonny and Phoebe is in the lavender.

Traci is and always has been a lovely young woman with a lovely family - and she deserves to have a great day - so go ahead, you have my permission!!

Happy Day to You!!

9 years ago - just about this time too!

It was 9 years ago this month that we went to Peru and Bolivia for the dedication of the Cochabamba temple - here we are in this very primitive restaurant - the cab driver - there next to me - recommended it. Guinea pig was on the menu - but I had chicken - at least they said it was chicken!! (It sure tasted like chicken!!) Guinea pig might be very tasty - but the guinea pigs were running about the place and I figured I'd just pass. Also, I thought of Ed.

We went with Tom and Stephanie - they are quite the world travelers, so we had a fine time. The shirt dad is wearing in this pic just hit the toss pile yesterday!! (He ripped it while loading something on to the truck - I had no idea it was that old. He truly lives the motto "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" doesn't he??)

I would like to point out that except for the sweater I am holding in the last shot, I no longer have any of the clothes I am wearing in my possession. Just for the record. And I don't think I used them up or wore them out - but I did donate them to charity!!

And we hiked to Machu Pichu - and it's pretty impressive.

Here we are overlooking Cochabamba. It was a wonderful trip - listening to Elder Scott at General Conference reminded me of our trip - he was in the temple for the dedication and we shook hands and spoke with him.

It seems like we just went there - maybe because we did go to Bolivia last summer. Or maybe because time is racing faster than the clock - or so it seems.

A visit from Hester!!

Since Mom, Donna and Hester were coming out to see me, I decided to fix lunch - and make it nice - used the china and silver. Harry did the grocery shopping! (Donna thought we were going out - but we decided that "dining in" is more our style!)

It was lots of fun, and we enjoyed a nice visit. Hester has a great adventure coming up, as she heads off to Norway - we look forward to hearing about it!

Hester, ever helpful, washed the china and glassware for me. She kept saying things like, "Every time I come to your house, you are using the rooms for different things." She's very observant!

Harry was at work, so Donna took one "group shot,"

and then I took the other one. We talked a lot about books - and the upcoming Clayton Reunion, who's having a baby, who has a new job, who's coming home from a mission, who's going to visit who - you have to talk to Donna now and then just to catch up on vital statistics.

Harry came home just as they were leaving, so at least he got to see Hester.

And then we went to vote - it's a mayoral and city council election today.

And I got a summons for jury duty in the mail!!