Creation of WhibFest

Kelscraggly and her fiance "Whit" have been hosting weekend smoking events ever since Kelscraggly's dad gave Mr. Whit a smoker for Christmas (it's the gift that keeps on giving - and gives to all of us! We love it Mr. S!)

Any way - during one of the smoking practice sessions we came up with an idea to celebrate the smoker.

It would be called WhibFest. It would have t-shirts, a logo, the works. BYOM of course (bring your own meat)

Last week I was "hired" (will work for free smoked pork is my motto) to create the logo and website. I have had a lot of practice in Photoshop lately - and I'm getting a little better I might add!

I have created a "small" monster.

You can see it here

Yes, I did the logo and the blog. I am also the official photographer.

The date for WhibFest 2007 has not yet been set - but I look forward to EVERY practice session!

Happy Mother's Day!

Click to play Make your own Smilebox

Pleasantly Suprised

I have to admit.

I haven't blogged in awhile because I switched to the new "blogger" and frankly - didn't like it.

I decided to read a few today (Kelscraggly had some cute photos to share from last night so I commented) and I noticed some new features on some pages. So....I took a tour. I was happy with what I found and decided to throw a few words down to let you know I am still alive. (Those that still check on me that is - you know who you are *wink)

It's been a crazy few months....but we are still around and doing OK.

Hope everyone else is well!

Stolen from WriterMother

1. Can you cook? Yes. But I hate to clean up. OH and I like to bake too.

2. What was your dream growing up? To have large breasts. Be careful what you dream/wish for.

3. What talent do you wish you had? Sewing.

4. Favorite place? Nestor Falls, ON Canada.

5. Favorite vegetable? Iowa Sweet corn (sorry Ange - I have been converted.)

6. What was the last book you read? Let's Go to New York City (On a budget)

7. What zodiac sign are you? Gemini.

8. Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Ears pierced - tattoos...no. Dad told me I would go to hell if I defaced my body. Now I'm just freaked out by germs and needles.

9. Worst Habit? I have to agree - I talk while I pee - but if you ask Mr. Chep my worst habit he would say leaving my shoes out. Drives him NUTS!

10. Do you personally know anybody on Blog? Writermother, Kelscraggly and Mile High Hoosier. I have met some way cool people though along the way...although I don't get around the country like Ange to visit them! :-)

11. What is your favorite sport? To watch: college basketball (March Madness baby!) To play: Beer Pong.

12. Negative or Optimistic attitude? Optimistic. For the most part.

13. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator lift with someone of the opposite sex? If it was anyone other that my husband probaby freak out. I hate elevators.

14. Worst thing to ever happen to you? It can't be as bad as half the people in the world have it - so not worth mentioning.

15. Tell me one weird fact about you: I have a folded earlobe.

16. Do you have any pets? One dog. She's spoiled rotten. Ask anyone.

17. Do you know how to do the macarena? Yes - and it was banned at our wedding reception because we both hate it.

18. Is the sun shining where you are now? Indeed it is.

19. Do you think clowns are cute or scary? Clowns freak me out.

20. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be? I would reduce the amount of hair on my arms (no shaving or waxing is NOT an option)

21. Would you be my good angel or bad angel? I am too chunky to sit on people's shoulders.

22. What color eyes do you have?Blue.

23. Ever been arrested? No I left B-ton during the 500 to avoid jail.

24. Bottle or Draft? FREE. That's how I prefer to drink it.

25. If you won £10,000 today, what would you do with it? First I would convert into US dollars to make $3000 and then put a down payment on a house.

26. What kind of bubble gum do you prefer to chew? Whatever is handy and keeps flavor for more than 3 minutes.

27. What's your favorite bar to hang at? Yeah - I concur with WM - no bars. Unless you count hanging towels.

28. Do you believe in ghosts? Yes. They lived in the basement of both houses in Hobart. None of my dogs would go in the basements.

29. Favorite thing to do in your spare time? Spare time? Clean I suppose. I guess I wouldn't call that spare eh?

30. Do you swear a lot? Yes - and I work hard to keep it under control at work. Caca is a favorite.

31. Biggest pet peeve? Spotted mirrors.

32. In one word, how would you describe yourself? Fun.

March Madness and Trips out East

Well....it has begun.

March Madness. If I wasn't already working non-stop 8am-6pm I might be wrapped up at work.

Good thing it's been a fun project. I have been able to play with my artistic ability - and I created a video to submit for our quarterly Inspired teaching contest. I think I wowed them with my skills. I have to admit. It was fun.

We found out a week ago that Mr. Chep is being sent to NYC for training...and he's taking me with! WOW! I am thrilled! I have been trying to figure out our itinerary since we will only have one DAY in Manhattan - so we need to decide what we can only see during the day. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Hope you are all well!

Ice Storm 2007

icy branch, originally uploaded by Chepner.

51 Degrees.

Sounds warm no? How about inside your home?

Eastern Iowa was hit was a NASTY ice storm that knocked out power at our home for 23 hrs. When we were pretty sure that we were going to lose power we decided to crank up the heat in the house to 75 degrees. 23 hrs later we were down to 51 degrees.

BRRRR.

Hope everyone else is warm and toasty!

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!