Glade Melvin Terry

I want to wish my dad a Happy Birthday today!My dad in 1971

My dad is pretty amazing. Back in the 70's the TV shows were saturated with cops and detectives. Remember Baretta, Starsky and Hutch, MacMillan and Wife, The Rockford Files, and Kojak? I actually HAD a detective dad. He almost always had his "undercover car" parked in the street...but sometimes he had to bring home a "cruiser" (cop car). Yeah...us little kids thought we were sooo cool! Sometimes dad had to run an errand in the cop car and I'd get to ride shotgun. You bet I was sitting as tall as I could!!

Only a few years ago did my dad reveal how poor he was when he was small. My Grandpa Terry died when dad was 6 years old. I think that because my dad had so few possessions as a kid, he made sure that his own children were not deprived of anything with wheels!My dad in 1977

Dad has a knack for fixing anything broken. He made the best kinds of bikes for us. Even now, he has a small collection of kid-sized cars called Power Wheels for his adoring grandchildren.

Speaking of cars, my dad has the finest 1927 Model T. He restored it. That car is still in dad's garage, probably reminiscing about the days it was a parade car, a tour car and a prop for a few wedding receptions.

This photo makes me laugh for many reasons.


My dad is the youngest of seven children. His brothers and sisters are the kindest people you will ever meet.

That's me and dad at the church's Daddy-Daughter Dinner Date.
I'm very happy to have such a handsome date!

Penmanship has always been important to my dad. I don't know if his desire for the people of the world to print clearly and distinctly came from his fingerprinting expertise-- or he just wanted his children to not be judged for poor writing skills. Either way, dad bought the cutest little desk for me as a kindergartener. It was vintage...thats all I know. It didn't matter because it had a hinged top and I could store all my writing and coloring treasures inside. It also had a spot for an inkwell...but I digress. My dad expected me to practice my printing. Although I practiced on countless reams of paper, I didn't master the skill. My sister, once again, trumped me on that talent. My dad has always praised my sister for her beautiful penmanship.

Happy Sweet 16!

Happy Birthday to our sweetheart, Monica!

Being the oldest of 4 sisters is not an easy task, but Monica is generally the calm in the storm.


As a youngster, Monica was tinier than most her age, but had the mannerisms of older children. Her indifferent gaze was mistaken as maturity. What a conversation piece she was for her first-time parents!

Amanda, just 2 years behind Monica, was a perfect friend....and still is. When these little girls would play at our neighborhood playground, Amanda seemed to fit in easier with the crowds of kids. Monica kept her distance and waited until Amanda had befriended someone. Monica would swoop in and take the friend for herself....the hard work already done for her!


Nowadays, you will find Monica attached to her iPod, at her friend Anna's home, in Anna's pool, and scanning her FaceBook for new admirers. Don't worry...her dad is a friend who checks in on Monica's admirers as well.

Here's to our Cinco de Mayo baby...(oh, and she doesn't appreciate Mexican Food like the rest of us...)

Try the Korean BBQ!

Maroo Korean BBQ and Sushi

These photos are not taken at Maroo's, but they give you an idea of the style!


Have you ever been to a restaurant and wanted to blog about it? It would be weird if you did. However, I just have to tell you about a new place to try. If you happen to be in Northridge, California then you are especially in luck!

Our coolest-friends-ever, Audrey and Kevin, took us on quite an adventure last night at Maroo's Korean BBQ. Thankfully, both Audrey and Kevin were accomplished patrons of this tricky form of eating. It wasn't really tricky--but what do you do when you are seated at a table with it's own barbeque pit in the middle of the table?

I like fun food! This kind of dining was very fun, very social, as well as delicious! We were all happy with our entree choices of the Marinated Beef, Sliced Sirloin, Shrimps and Mushrooms and the Spicy Pork. For you veggie lovers, you would have been happy with the little salads that arrived first. If you cleaned out your Barbie-sized portion of salad, the waiter would refill.

It was a definite perk that Audrey and Kevin were neighbor-friends of the owners. The little Korean mother-in-law assembled a gorgeous plate of what we guessed was California rolls, topped with baby shrimp and drizzled with a sweet marinade. Yummy!

I'm an aide...

For those who don't know where I'm at between the hours of 11:30 - 2:35 each day, I'm at school. At an elementary school in a Special Day Class for autistic kids K-2. I've been with this job since Nov. 07.

I admit, I didn't seek a job with special needs kids because I love working with them. I needed a job to supplement income since the sticker shock of 2 sets of braces last summer in our home.

Since I started with these little ones, I now have to say, "Why didn't anyone tell me sooner that I have been missing out on a job with a perfect fit for me?"

I could have made a lot of money being an aide for such a long time. Or maybe have some awesome health benefits that we seem to lack as James is considered a small-business owner.

Now I won't go on and on here about my daily happenings at school. I actually have visions of a very fun blog-read if I collaborated all of my other aides' and the teachers' experiences. You would have to laugh at what we deal with! I have flash-backs to the days I used to watch Cops late at night. The video camera was VERY telling! (...what if a video camera person were to follow me and the other aides around the campus?)

Besides, I signed a confidentiality contract. Bummer.

I never knew Autism had an awareness month til now. I just thought I'd do my part. If you want to know more from a mother's point of view, go here. Our little Marshall is a wonderful ambassador for his ASD friends. Thanks for telling it like it is, Aprilyn!
Lastly, one of the first things I remember learning about autism is Dustin Hoffman's character in Rainman. I thought then, as I do now, that these 'kids' are just Super Heroes. They appear a little 'different' from the outside....but watch out, because suddenly the kindergarten child will spell humongous words--correctly. Or the 2nd grader will recite all the 50 states in alphabetical order. Or the 1st grader will give you all 12 months of the year...in French and then Spanish. The list goes on...

Its the real deal, I'm telling you!!

I don't blame some of you for not believing those prior photos of my sister and her loves, Johnny and Orlando. I should have warned you beforehand.

I didn't believe them myself and actually threw the word Photoshopped at her.

That truly is the adorable Orlando. He made a wonderful elf in Lord of the Rings.

It was her fault for not telling me she was hanging out in the Bahamas-- at the same hotel, at the same time, --as the cast of Pirates of the Caribbean (II and III) during filming. Her hubby was having some sort of "business retreat", and my sister had a chance encounter with those cuties. I assure you, only after speaking with my brother-in-law who never lies, I became a believer!

That's Johnny Depp. He wears more make-up than my sister. I don't mind that.

These are the actual photos my sister originally sent me--ever so nonchalantly, I must say! Why she didn't take out a full page add in the Daily Herald (my hometown paper) to announce her photo-op, I'll never know.

Johnny and My Brother-In-Law-Who-Never-Lies sharing a Home-boy handshake.
They must be best friends, I guess.

How was the luncheon?

I went to the CUW Luncheon yesterday. I learned a lot of things. None of which had anything to do with pearl vending.


I was to meet a young lady whom Wendy sent from Utah who had brought a lot of product. Wow! Raimana delivered! By the way, Raimana is just so beautiful. I don't need to mention among some of her former professions that she was a Bridal Gown Model. But I just did. Suits her nicely! Tahitian girls.... I want to be Tahitian in my next life.

The CUW ladies were wonderful. I mean that not a one of them was Hoity-Toity. In all fairness, it should be stated, by me, that the $50 plate of food was actually a fundraiser. All proceeds are donated to Ettie Lee Youth and Family Services. It doesn't get nicer than that.

The funniest thing about the beautiful California Utah Women is that our good friend, Mama Jo was there with two other of the nicest ladies I know! I think she accepted my apology for my previous blog.

Lastly, I learned that I don't want to be one of the vendors at the next Luncheon; I want to browse the Boutique. The Boutique was so much fun! It was as if my own sister had contacted all the vendors herself. My sister lets me tag along with her to shop Salt Lake City and Utah Valley! My sister has the best taste.This is my sister and her boyfriend, Johnny.
I started liking my sister a lot more when I saw this photo.

....and this photo.....

If you haven't heard of the CUW Luncheon, you may just want to buy your Fall tickets and join the many California Utah Women to see what all the Hub-Bub is about.

My Saturday show

I have always been a people-watcher. I honestly use my ADD skills to their fullest when I am able to just sit in a very busy airport or mall or PTA meeting with nothing to do but observe others.



Tomorrow, I will get to do a bit of that. Ideally, I will be super-duper busy selling Wendy's Pearls and stuff, but hopefully I can people-watch. I'm especially interested in this grouping of people because the event is a luncheon. A $50 a plate luncheon. I don't think I've ever put $50 of food on my plate, so I want to see what those people are like. I'll bet they dress better than me, walk more elegantly than me, and...the best part is that they will probably have "surgical enhancements" that will make me go, "Hmmmmm." I'm showing how shallow I am, aren't I?


I'm kind of joking, because after all, these are California Utah Women. They are California women celebrating their Utah heritage. That's me!! These are MY people!!

Oh wait. I just told James the name of the organization. He said I don't qualify as a California woman. He said I have never embraced California as my home. ((bites lip)) Oh well. I hope these lovely ladies aren't too hoity-toity to pass up charitable pearls.

Even if I am too busy selling, I will be at the Happiest Place on Earth. Next door. At the hotel.