Saying Goodbye

Today we attended the services for our cousin Judi Stevens Webster.

As usual I have pictures in the reverse order that I want - and once again it's too late at night to fuss with changing it. So here we are, the "Clayton Contingent" who came for the service.

Mark, Judi's half-brother, and his wife also came.

After the graveside service at Rose Hills, the ward Relief Society did a little meal at the ward building. This shot is of Judi's family: her son and daughter, their spouses and children, and her husband Bob Webster. It was a nice opportunity to get to know family members we have only known peripherally.

This is Judi's son Greg and her daughter Laura. I look forward to staying in touch and getting to know them better.

Greg's wife had made a display of photos of Judi. I think this shot shows her resemblance to her father, Uncle Harry.

And Mother said she thought that in this one you could see a resemblance to Judi's mother Bernice.

Judi's grave is in a lovely spot overlooking a little lake.

Helen came to the service too.

Mother commented to several people there that, "I really wasn't expecting this." And I think it signals a particular recognition that we are indeed mortal. Those who die aren't always the "elderly." We do indeed need to treasure the moment and live in the present.

From the wind-swept plains of Monrovia

The paper said it would be cool and breezy today. And it was. But now it's very breezy indeed. Breezy like when we get Santa Anna winds.

I'm going to crawl into bed and try not to think about what will get blown all over the yard.

I sometimes go days without stepping into the backyard. So if I haven't worried about it until now, I guess there really isn't much to worry about.

I'm just glad we don't have palm trees in our yard. And that my calla lilies are hardy.

Happy Birthday Frances!

Seems fitting that I should post a photo of Frances as a missionary - this one is from the Hartford CT mission days.

And an old photo is always good to have! Not often that we see Fran with long hair!!

A fave of mine - I've done some camping with her and it's always been fun!

I think I post this every year - another fave photo of Harry Francis with Frances!

Mother/Daughter - a great pair!!

I recall Frances telling me when I first married into the Terrill family that she was excited to now have sisters!! I have certainly enjoyed the loving and positive relationship that we have enjoyed over the years. Hope it's a happy day!! We are excited to see you!

A few days in the life -

Harry and the kids were here tonight while Dawn was teaching a Relief Society Cooking Class at their house. Eve entertained us with her gymnastic moves! (And Dad and Harry F. tried their "hands" at some handstands - Eve did it with more panache though!!)

Harry and Porter enjoyed some Harry Potter instead!

Sunday we had dinner at our house - and enjoyed Miss Isla's charms!!

She is indeed a charmer! (and getting so big!)

We had a fun surprise Sunday afternoon when Denis and Susan Browning - some names from our Centerville past - stopped by on their way back to St. George - where they now live. What fun it was to spend a little time catching up on each other's lives.

The SMCNS Carnival is coming up this weekend - watch for exciting news reports!

Sad News

I got a call on Saturday from Grandma Terrill. My cousin Judy lives in her ward, and she had found out that she was in intensive care at Kaiser in Baldwin Park. I tracked down Judy's son, whom I had met at my Uncle Harry's funeral a few years ago. He and his family live in Duarte.

The story was not an encouraging one - Judy had a massive heart attack a week ago. She was not conscious, and the prognosis was not good. So I was not surprised tonight to receive the news that she had died this evening.

Judy was the daughter of my Uncle Harry and his first wife Bernice. Judy was Joan's age, and she was often at our house. Even though she lived in El Monte, I did not see her often. Mom would call her now and again, but she didn't go out much and didn't really like to see many people. She was plagued with ill health and had some other problems. But when I did see her, she was warm and gracious.

I don't have any pictures to post. I called Mom, and she told me that years ago she had gathered up all the pictures of Judy and her parents and had given them to Judy. Of course Judy was pleased to get them, but that leaves us without any.

I will contact her son in the future and see if I can't get one or two to post. Most of you don't remember her, but a photo or two might jog your memory about the times you did see her.

In the meantime, remember her husband and family in your prayers. She is no doubt in a good place - at peace and well.

Happy birthday Alice!!

I think I post this photo every year on my birthday and Alice's birthday!! But it seems to fit the occasion!!

Alice and I have been friends for a long time - like our whole lives!! We are sisters too, but the friendship is a wonderful part of our sisterhood. This photo reminds me of lots of long ago summer days when we passed the time finding adventures in our yard - or on the streets around our yard! (Alice and I used to share a bike - she'd ride up and down the street while I sat on the curb, then she'd sit on the curb while I rode up and down. At least we could roller-skate together!)

Alice has always been the brunette - was the only one until David was born!

We enjoyed our BYU years together.

Alice has frequently worn my "mother of the bride" dresses at her kids' weddings. We've often discovered that we had the same taste in things - we'd buy the same dress patterns without knowing that the other one had already bought it. We've even chosen the same name for our daughters - and there was no consultation!

And since Karl was here this weekend - and I forgot to take a picture of him - I will wind up with this photo from Karl's graduation party of a few years ago.

We are all excited to see Alice when she comes in June - in the meantime, have a happy day and a wonderful year ahead!!

I've always considered you a blessing in my life - and you deserve the best!

Happy Birthday Maddy - who shares her mom's b-day!!

(So - I'm not sure why Blogger posted this on the 25th, when I very specifically told it to post on the 26th!! And I'm too tired to redo it all.)

So, I think we have to post this photo several times a year - it is something of a classic - and a truly classic shot of Maddy - our Birthday Girl today (along with her mom - guess her mom is the Birthday Woman!!)

I think it says something that I mostly have old photos of Maddy - as in Maddy as a little girl. I guess it says that we haven't seen her much in the last few years!! Because I follow the blogs, I feel like I see plenty of pictures of her - just don't get to see her!!

And we know that she's as cute as ever too!

Have a great day Maddy - and a great year ahead too!

Happy Birthday Grandma Stevens

Today is my Grandma Stevens birthday. I'm not sure which one, but she was born well over a hundred years ago - since my mom, her daughter, is almost 90!!

My grandma was not active in the church for many years - but she got active when I was in college. I have always been grateful for that, since she was in the temple with me when I got married. It is a special memory that I treasure. She had become an ordinance worker in the Los Angeles Temple, so she had a fine time taking me around to meet her friends there!!

Her birthday is one day before Alice's birthday. When I would say that to her, she would always reply, "Might as well have missed it by a month. If you miss it, you miss it!!" (She was not the sentimental type!!)

I loved my Grandma Stevens. She didn't have a Grandma's Treasure Box, but she did have a drawer at the bottom of her linen closet that was all ours when we went there to visit - in my memory it is a veritable treasure chest of things to play with! (and I think it mostly had old decks of cards and poker chips in it, but we were always happy!)

Give your grandma a hug today in her honor!!

Visiting Oregon

We enjoyed celebrating spring break in LO with Phoebe, David and family. I can't believe how few pictures I took - I think I was too busy enjoying being there!!

Phoebe had just finished the Auction and Dinner fundraiser for the co-op nursery school where she is president - I think she was happy to have it over with. They had done these framed photos of the children and sold them - a big hit!! (The event was quite successful btw!!)

After wrapping up a bid and doing our taxes, Dad went to work on getting some overhead lights in the children's bedrooms.

A very sober Miss Agnes - who usually was in a smiley mood. I think she didn't want to leave when we went to pick up Calvin.

We had lunch at Andina with the Burkes - what a fun afternoon - and what good food too!

We went swimming one night at the newly opened rec center - lots of fun in a very large pool with a wave current and big slide - and spa pool too!

Then we had some good times afterwards in the game room.

Some fiercesome fusbol and some ping pong and even a pool game filled the bill nicely.

I can't believe I took so few pics of Phoebe and David - they were there and we spent a lot of time together - you will just have to take my word for it I guess!!

Henry is still the diligent piano student!! He was off at school all day and then to baseball practice and Cub Scouts - so I think we saw less of him than anyone!! But we did love it when he was there - and we even got in a game of "Golf!!"

Calvin is enjoying soccer - and David is the coach.

We were in JoAnn's when Calvin found a "magazine" with a pattern for a small dog - which he dearly wanted - so I did get it made - now I need to make Agnes' pink elephant!

Friday p.m. we headed for the coast to see Nebekers and Heders for a reunion of the Hole Gang!! (For the uninitiated - when Dad and and Ry and Jim Heder lived together in Provo, they called their place "The Hole." Ry had a welcome sign out for us!)

A grand reunion of the "old boys!" I garnered some heretofore unknown to me anyway info just listening to them carry on about their adventures!! It's good to relive the past now and again - helps you appreciate the present for one thing!

We took a trip out to Ry's studio - a lot the worse for wear after weathering a fierce storm a couple of years ago.

Ry is determined to rebuild - but I wasn't up for climbing onto the exposed top!!

We spent Saturday avoiding the rain - it was Oregon after all - and had a great dinner at the Bistro at Edgewater. Sarah does know all the best eateries on the coast I think.

More pool in Nebeker's basement!! Dad is not Minnesota Fats, but he's pretty good!

This is where we stayed in Gearhart - a very charming little place. And of course Sunday dawned bright and clear!! We went to church with Nebekers and then enjoyed a delicious Sunday dinner. Sarah not only knows the good eateries, she's a great chef herself!!

Monday a.m. - Patriot's Day, Eliza's birthday, and the running of the Boston Marathon. This was Dad's level of participation this year!! He registered too late and they were full - that has not happened before - and Dad vows it won't happen again!

Monday morning found us packing up to go home - always a bittersweet time - it's good to get home, but I miss the sharing of the "day to day" with Phoebe and her family. I didn't do much sewing, because the machine went on the fritz - at least I got Henry's Cub Scout patches sewn on before the machine bit the dust! But I did teach Phoebe how to edge a flannel baby blanket with crochet. And we had a lunch at Burgerville, and we explored a few great little fabric stores.

Ah, the palm trees - swaying in the breeze.

And Dawn coming to get us. Soon it seems like you have never even been gone. We came home to a very clean house though - it's good when your cleaning lady comes the day you arrive home!! And Noah had thoughtfully bought milk and put it in the fridge for us.

I'm already looking forward to summer and all the visiting we have in store!!