Winter has arrived

Skimming the surface, originally uploaded by Chepner.

Yesterday Mr. Chep and I went down to the roller damn to ring in the official arrival of winter.

When the rivers and lakes up north freeze over, hundreds of eagles move "south" to feed and play in the unfrozen waters of Iowa. More specifically - the roller damn in Cedar Rapids.

OK...so most of the Iowa waters aren't unfrozen....in fact it's been below zero for most of the week. This makes it easy to find the majestic birds.

It's a sight to see....all these beautiful birds of prey diving into the water for food. We have been before as have most people in the area I am sure, but every trip to the river during these winter months is a reminder that despite the cold, nature has a way of working through the tough times.

Hopefully people work the same way.

Five things you don't know about me....

I took this from WriterMom in order to get back into the swing of things.

I have many things on my mind....it's just a matter of getting it out on paper. So let's start with this one.....

Five things I can do because I am not a size 2: *Same disclaimer as WM....no offense to the size 2's - but I was never a size 2 (I think I skipped that size)

Change out a toilet without assistance:
When I worked for the parks department we had 3 rental properties that we also managed. In the 6 years that I worked for LCPRD I changed out 3 toilets. Yes - I can move a toilet by myself. Scared?

Empty a FULL 55 gallon garbage can in a dumpster that stood over 5 feet tall (I'm 5'3")
Nothing like lifting a trash can and thinking "What the hell is in this thing?" Empty half - set it back on the ground, look inside and find a pig head staring back at me. Didn't even freak out.

I married a man who is 6'5" and 220+ he's the first man to make me feel 'petite'.
Boys in high school were afraid I would kick their ass. I probably would have. I probably would have been able to kick my husband's ass in high school. It's rough being tough. Right WM?

I can change my own tire.
I have been able to change tires since I was about 20. Removing the lug nuts with a tire iron and then throwing the tire in the back of a 1-ton pick up truck was a daily task for me back when I worked for the park. This reminds me that my sister still tells her friends about the time I had to fix my truck. Bought the book, did the troubleshooting and fixed it on my own. NO man - NO help. All me (and the book). She was impressed. I believe all it proves is I can read and follow directions!

I have dropped, cut to size, split and stacked at least 10 trees (I have cut and split more than I have dropped)
Cords and cords of wood. Man did I hate wood. Now...it sounds like a nice break from my job. What I wouldn't give for a little quite time out behind the maintenance barn with my chaps and a chainsaw....ahhhhh....

So there it is.

Five things you don't know about me............

Sarah's Baby Shower!!

6 weeks to 37 weeks gestation, originally uploaded by sarahsflickr.

You're invited to a Baby Shower!!!

For: Sarah (see beautiful Mommy above)
On: Saturday, February 3rd, 2007
At: 12:30 pm., Tucson, Arizona time.

To attend, please:
1) Create a gmail account if you don’t already have one.
2) Send your gmail address to Ron at: ron@stamant.org
3) On Saturday, log on to gmail chat and Ron will invite you to our new blog pals chat room. If you have any questions on how this works, email Ron.

Don’t know what time it is in Arizona? Try this link: Time Zone Converter and look for America/Phoenix.

Sarah and Baby are registered HERE:

Couldn't be more true....

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Venerable Lady Colleen the Talkative of Giggleswich Lanken Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

I'm Back!

K & D and the new blanket!
Originally uploaded by Chepner.

HOLA!!!

The holidays are over. The cookies and candy have been made and handed out, the cards are still in the package (thank goodness I got Happy Holiday cards!) but we all survived!!

I must admit. I fibbed. BUT for good reason.

The picture above is of my sister and her husband. The blanket that my sister is wrapped up in is what I had been working on for the past month (well that and cookies and candy). I couldn't very well blog about it - in the off chance my sister actually reads my blog. :-)

I hope everyone is well.

Don't expect something everyday - but I am going to work on getting better!

Happy Holidays!

I've Been Hibernating

Hello!

I've been hibernating.

Not sure why, no real reason...just been trying to limit the computer time at home so I can reduce the headaches. It seems to have worked!

So in my time away I have learned a few things....

I learned that if you tell people that you are collecting boxtops for education for a poor school - no matter where it is - people want to help! If you want to help you can mail them directly to Mama Chep's school!

Here's the address:

Linda Hogan - Lake Ridge Middle School - 3601 W. 41st Avenue - Gary, IN - 46408

I also learned that I CAN do Thanksgiving! My in-laws came to Iowa and we celebrated here. It was nice having them here to visit!

I also learned that you don't try new recipes ON Thanksgiving. It's easier to BUY bread than make it! :-)

I'm sorry I haven't been online....I am working on getting back. I promise...sometime soon.

Until then - happy shopping!

Food for thought

I got placed on a new medication last week to help with headaches.

Doctor told me I had 2 options.

1. Drug that would cut the headaches but weight gain is a side effect.
2. Drug that could cause you to lose weight but can make you stupid (yes his exact words)

"Stupid I ask?"

'You might find yourself - searching for words'

So...fat and smart or skinny and stupid.

What do you think I ....um.....

What's that word???

The Witches of HC

Halloween Fun at HC
Originally uploaded by Chepner.

It's been awhile....I know.

I am feeling a wee bit disconnected for some reason - it's that time of year for open enrollment and this was the first time that I realized the seriousness of my condition.

You see - I have a pituitary tumor. Found two years ago. The doctor made it seem minor. "Take this drug it will curb the headaches and the additional side effects."

It did.

It appears that companies are going with a most consumer-based insurance option. For many people - including myself - this could very well save money. Unless you take a drug that is used to treat an unusual condition. I have to take this drug. There is no alternative.

It isn't covered as a chronic drug to get assistance through insurance. When I called to find out how much it costs - they hadn't heard of it. I had to spell it, explain it, talk about my condition.

It was their response that made me realize that this is a little more serious than I ever considered. Guess I hadn't thought about it. To be honest it made me angry that I don't have any other options.

So I guess that's where I have been. Pissed off.

Halloween was a nice change - got all gussied up and gave blood. Helped someone else that is worse off than I am.

I hope to get out of this 'funk' soon.

I promise to be back soon.

We wonder why dogs bite

Check me OUT!
Originally uploaded by Chepner.

My sister bought this outfit for Pepper a few years ago.

Each year I try to put it on her. Each year the screenplay is the same.

**On the floor playing with the dog trying to divert her attention from the outfit on the table.***

Eventually I corner the dog and get the hat on her head.

Chep: Come here pepper!

(Pepper: Um...no)

Chep: Pepper come here and show daddy how cute you are!

(Pepper: if you think I am going ANYWHERE in this rediculous outfit you're as crazy as you look)

Chep: OK - I will come and take your picture in the hallway then

(Pepper: Whatever dude - just take the damn photo and get this sh** off me!)

Mr Chep: Poor Pepper - come here I will take that off your head

Chep: NO! I want to take her picture! She can take it off in a minute!

Mr Chep: Whatever

(Pepper: Male Master! I thought you were on my side you snot bag.)

Chep: OK - you can take it off now

(Pepper: Thank goodness!) ***proceeds to swipe at her head until the witch hat falls off***

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

A New Awakening

Mother/Daughter Portrait by Chep
Originally uploaded by Life in the Pumpkin Shell.

I have been bad. I know this.

The first weekend in October I spent some time with my dear friends in Indianapolis.

This trip brought back an old addiction. One I have not been able to shake. I have found myself tweaking without it.

Coffee.

I thought I had kicked that habit a few months ago - but after our visit and as soon as that cooler weather hit I was a mad woman.

I suppose I come by it naturally - both my parents and my grandparents LOVE the 'joe'.

So thank you Angie and Tom for awakening my tastebuds to an old friend!

And thanks for a wonderful visit - it was MUCH too short! I miss you all!

The 4 Letter "S" word

That's right folks. You read it here first.

SNOW in Iowa. OK - it wasn't snow...it was a flurry.

But it's cold.

Know what that means don't you???

Time to make the brownies and cookies

**out of the box of course**

Boxtop for Education contest has started at Mama Chep's needy school. If you would like to read about the original post click here. Last time we pooled together to collect boxtops we gathered over 100 and Mama Chep's class got a hot breakfast!

So if you would like to participate please drop your boxtops in the mail and address them to:

Chepner's Boxtop Challenge
PO Box 9792
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Thanks for all you do!!!

Dog Days of Fall

Mr. Chep went up north with a friend to Campbella's so I decided I would spend the day with my friend E.

"E" breeds, boards and grooms dogs on the side. He grooms and boards mine for free. OK - not free; since I am what he calls "handy" he puts me to work doing odd jobs around the house.

Today - it was helping with grooming.

It was a busy day at Happy Tails Grooming (I came up with the corny name - so :-P) He had 2 shelties (which boy are they hairy) a schanuzer....and 3 cats. Yes, I said cats.

The person that coined the phrase "It's like herding cats" Has never bathed one. Or shaved one for that matter. For your information - cats do not like to be shaved. There was A LOT of mewing, some clawing (and a few teeth) today. Happy Tails is a popular place for cats because many groomers sedate cats when grooming. I understand why. If you don't know what you are doing (and E does - trust me he's good) it can be extremely dangerous.

So what did I learn today?

1. Don't ever shave a cat alone.
2. Shelties are cute but HAIRY. I never want one.
3. Don't agree to help the groomer when he has cats coming for a groom.

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Wonderful Flashback

I was working on getting booklets ready for this evening's faculty orientation and jamming to tunes on my I-pod.

There was one song that made me get up and put together a quick blog....Writermom? Any suggestions?

Could it be....Prince's "Let's go Crazy?"

I am now going to giggle through my morning with images of ripped pantyhose, condoms and rotten bananas!

That song will always bring foward great memories.

Thanks WM!

I miss ya!

If aliens came in bug form...

If aliens came in bug form...
Originally uploaded by Chepner.

As I cleared my garden of dead plants, I came across this guy. His attack pose (OK I don't know that it's an attack pose - but it sure made me think twice about getting much closer) is a perfect photograph of the way I have felt all week - attacked. BUT anyway...

Growing up in NW Indiana I can count on one hand how many of these facinating bugs I encountered (how do I know how many I encountered?? Mama Chep would capture them and bring them inside to watch! I also had a walking stick and a tree frog!) I have 2 in my yard alone. (I tried to take a picture of the other one with not much success.)

The Iowa State University Entemology Department website states that Mantis have just started to move into this area. Perfect example is at the baseball game this summer. A co-worker of mine looked up at about 6 on the net and said "Those things are SO noisy" to which I replied "What?" He pointed to the 6 mantis on the net and said "Those bugs. I hear them every night" To which I replied, "I didn't know Praying Mantis made noise" He said, "I thought those were locust."

I stressed to him NOT to grab one. If you didn't know - they have WICKED NASTY spines on their legs.

Anyway - thank goodness last week is over - I am hoping I don't have to take on this pose again next week!

International Talk Like A Pirate Day!

In honor of Talk Like A Pirate Day here is my name (somewhat appropriate no?)

For more information about this WAY FUN day visit: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html

Your Pirate Name Is...

Arch-Pirate Flirty Fran

What's Your Pirate Name?

Please tell me you'll still love me...

I'm the only one....I think everyone else is RAIN! Please keep me as part of your group.... ;-)

You Are Lightning

Beautiful yet dangerous People will stop and watch you when you appear Even though you're capable of random violence You are best known for: your power Your dominant state: performing

What Type of Weather Are You?

Eastern Iowa Weekend News....

This is not a news spot.

It is a direct quote from the 10pm news.

When asked if it was going to get warmer the meteorologist stated "Someday - it will. But I would suggest that you two (meaning the 2 news anchors at the desk) keep your pants on."

To which the lady newscaster responded "I got them on today!"

Iowa news...definately interesting.

I have a confession....

OK - I have a confession.

Nothing mind blowing - but a small item you may have suspected (if you have been to my flickr page)

I do not know how to shape eyebrows.

There I said it. Whew. Glad to have that off my chest.

Why do I bring this up today? Well....my eyebrows are a wee bit ghastly. Not uni-brow ghastly - but unshapely and just all around...not pretty. Need proof? Here ya go.






My mother and sister on the other hand have well shaped eyebrows.






What happened to me? Who knows! No one taught me how? Maybe they all thought. "Heck you can't see them anyway...they're blonde. No one will notice.

I noticed. I admit it. I need help.

Kelscraggly is out there thinking - "OMG I thought she's never ask!"
Writermom and her roomies tried to get me to wax my face in college.
There have been attempts. I have failed.

So today I went hunting for good information on how to shape your brows. There isn't any. So if you know of any good sites or any hints - please help me. I don't want to grow up and have these eyebrows!

Kermit the Frog Here

Kermit the Frog
You scored 50% Organization, 50% abstract, and 94% extroverted!

This test measured 3 variables.

First, this test measured how organized you are. Some muppets like Cookie Monster make big messes, while others like Bert are quite anal about things being clean.

Second, this test measured if you prefer a concrete or an abstract viewpoint. For the purposes of this test, concrete people are considered to gravitate more to mathematical and logical approaches, whereas abstract people are more the dreamers and artistic type.

Third, this test measured if you are more of an introvert or an extrovert. By definition, an introvert concentrates more on herself and an extrovert focuses more on others. In this test an introvert was somebody that either tends to spend more time alone or thinks more about herself.

You are mostly organized, both concrete and abstract, and more extroverted.

Here is why are you Kermit the Frog.

You are both somewhat organized. You have a good idea where you put things and you probably keep your place reasonably clean. You aren't totally obsessed with neatness though. Kermit is also reasonably tidy. He'll even dress up for interviews.

You both are sometimes concrete and sometimes abstract thinkers. Kermit spends a lot of his time as a reporter collecting facts, but he is also the author of the dreamy song "The Rainbow Connection." You have a good balance in your life. You know when to be logical at times, but you also aren't afraid to explore your dreams and desires... within limits of course.

You are both extroverts. Kermit gets along with everyone. Sure a few folks annoy him, but that's just because they are annoying. Kermit likes to meet new people when he does his job as a street reporter. You definitely enjoy the company of others, and you don't have problems meeting new people... in fact you probably look forward to it. You are willing to take charge when necessary or work as part of a team.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Kermit starred on Sesame Street years before The Muppet Show.

The other possible characters are
Oscar the Grouch
Big Bird
Snuffleupagus
Ernie
Elmo
Cookie Monster
Grover
The Count
Guy Smiley
Bert