Random thoughts

accompanied by random photos!! This was A9 Pin Day - something I bet none of you have ever even heard of.

For starters, LA Unified used to start and end school years in January and June - If you started kindergarten in February, you graduated 12 years later in January. Conversely, if you started in September, you graduated in June.

I don't know how many years ago they did away with it, but at the time, Mom and Dad had to decide whether to put a kid up or put them back.

It had definite benefits to my way of thinking. For one thing, no one in your grade level was more than 6 months older or younger than you. And the class that ended in January was always smaller - some parents seemed to prefer the June graduation - so my graduating class had 90 students - and I knew most of them well -which I consider a plus.

When I graduated in January of 1963, I had many months to work before starting at BYU in September - which was another plus for me.

Also, since you were separate classes, the first part of the year was B - as in B10 or B5 - and then the second semester - regardless of whether is was spring or fall - was called A - as in A10 and A5. I enjoyed changing all my classes every semester - I often wondered how my kids could stand the same teachers for an entire year. And as a teacher, I often wish we were doing the same thing - changing every semester!!

Junior high was 7th, 8th and 9th grade - and A9 was the big year - at the beginning of A9 we got pins that we wore each day that designated us as big Kahunas. And the day we got them was called, fittingly enough, A9 Pin Day.

My dress was brown and my mom and I made it - and I thought it was pretty stylin'!!

LA Unified was growing rapidly in the 50's and our school was brand new - as you can tell by the construction - we were in portables for all the time I was there. LA Unified gets a bad rap these days - but my school experience was outstanding - I felt that my first year of college was easier than my last year of high school. And my mom says many of her neighbors are happy with the schools they have. I mostly think the district is just too large and unwieldy.

Like I said, random thoughts - and a random photo.

"Going once, going twice (going chicken soup with rice!!")

So, on February 28th at 11:59 p.m. I am going to officially close my "Homemade Item" offer. So far I have 3 takers: Diane, Robbie's mom, Chanel Taylor, Noah's former Sunday School teacher, and our own cousin Heather! If you want to sign on, now is the time.

It will look like the aprons above - but the fabric will be a surprise - kind of like not finding out what you are having when you are pregnant! (Well, not quite so significant I'm sure!!)

If you think I can't guess your right size, you can email me - but I only do Small, Medium and Large. And they will proudly bear the "Pinnies From Heaven" label.

So I'm just saying, now's your chance.

(Remember: Restrictions apply - see previous post!!)

I thought it was a fun idea - and I'm actually projecting finishing them before April ends - how is that for commitment??

Made with love

Homemade fun:

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! But you probably will . . .I'm just saying.
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. That gives me a good 10 1/2 months to get it done!
4. It will be a surprise.

The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so, and leave a comment telling me they did, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

(I promise I'm not going to make anyone a bologne sandwich - just always like to post a picture when I blog!)

A Day of Love

This is usually my standard Valentine Post Photo of Choice!! For those who are new to Terrill postings, you may not have seen it. I went to one of those photo booths at a dime store in Provo in 1968 - our first Valentine's Day as a married couple - and made this for Harry.
I thought I was pretty clever at the time. And somehow, we still have this very Valentine in our box of mementos.

And Eliza posted about wearing pink or red on the day of love, so when I saw this photo, I thought, well, everyone is wearing pink or red anyway!

But what impressed me about this year is the fact that I seem to have neglected to do just about everything I usually do to celebrate this day!!

I did not make sugar cookies - which I don't always do - sometimes I opt for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies just because they are easier. But I didn't make them either. I did buy some heart shaped candles to give to special people - but they are still sitting wrapped in my office!

Years ago I gave Valentine gifts to the children - they'd be at their place at the breakfast table - but I actually haven't done that for many, many years.

I have two Valentine tee-shirts and 3 pair of Valentine earrings - but I only remembered to wear one pair of the earrings yesterday.

I usually play Valentine Bingo with my students - using pink and red M and M's for markers - but I didn't do that (and that would have been yesterday the 13th, but yesterday the 13th was Valentine's Day at Clifton Middle School!) I did feel bad about it and went to edHelper.com and printed off a packet of Valentine Analogies (X:kiss::O:____) for extra credit, but that didn't really capture everyone's fancy - although some enjoyed it!

Harry and I have given up gifts for most special occasions except birthdays - and it hasn't spoiled our relationship at all! In fact, I find that we are more random about gift-giving - and it even seems to be more meaningful that way. (But he is out getting the new dishwasher today - holidays help us get things for the house!!)

I neglected to send Valentine socks to my daughters and daughter-in-law. I'm pretty sure that's because with my aching knees I've turned all the shopping over to Harry - and he certainly wasn't on the lookout for socks!

But I did send Valentines to the grandkids.

And I did get myself a bouquet a tulips and they are lovely!

And I'm wearing the one pair of Valentine socks I do have!

What teachers do - sometimes!!

Marcie and I are fond of organizing potlucks at school. I used to talk about doing it all the time, but it never seemed to happen. One time Marcie and I were discussing it and she just grabbed a sheet of paper and made a sign up sheet - and it happened!

Now they are pretty regular and are looked forward to and enjoyed. Today was perfect, because our theme was "comfort food" and we had meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, chocolate chip cookies, lasagne, enchiladas - fortunately I brought some orange slices and grapes or it would have been pretty starchy!! But good!

One teacher commented, "I feel like my mother just fed me!" (That's the idea of "comfort food" actually!) And the hallway smelled wonderful - the kids couldn't figure it out!

Marcie and I bring tablecloths - she did centerpieces by going around campus and snipping off roses - and I wear an apron - it sort of makes it official, if you follow my drift!

These folks are easily impressed - but we enjoy it - it builds a sense of community - and you just can't beat "breaking bread together." (I was going to wow them and have fresh bread baking in the oven - but the weary bones just couldn't swing it! Maybe next time!!)

Kyle suggested I snap him rubbing his full tummy!!

Some late night thoughts

Here I am with my good friend Pam!

This week marks the one year anniversary of the death of her son Jack. It seems like only yesterday that I got the sad news. And yet so much has transpired since then - in fact, Pam and Jerry are now on a mission in Salt Lake City.

Hannah and Robbie have gotten married, Harry went to Boston without me, we went to Oregon for Hood to Coast, I've acquired a lovely new granddaughter, all the kids have been here for Christmas, I finally got a decent classroom - which I love!!, and we just completed a wonderful women's conference.

Last year, we had just completed one when Jack died. And last year, starting with the death of my good friend Janice, about a dozen people whose lives have intersected with mine in meaningful ways died.

It was hard because it seemed so unrelenting. There has been a pause - a significant one. And I am grateful. I am reminded of my friend Carolyn, whose oldest daughter died in childbirth a few years ago. Then her granddaughter was accidentally run over by a truck driven by her husband. She was the Relief Society President, and her counselor's husband died - as did her secretary's husband. And a dear friend of hers moved into our ward - newly - and happily remarried - and she was diagnosed with cancer and died within weeks.

She told me that one day she prayed and said, "Heavenly Father, STOP, ENOUGH!"

And she said, "It stopped. I couldn't deal with anymore. The Lord does answer prayers."

Mine experience was not so dramatic, but it has caused me much thought and reflection this past year.

And I miss seeing Pam.