The Old Salt

Thanksgiving 2005_0342
Originally uploaded by Chepner.

This photo was taken in November of this year. He is now a spry 85 - and LIVID that he can't drive (well for the time being - his eye is swollen shut from the shingles)

This past weekend I picked him up and took him over to my mom and dad's (his daughter's) to eat lunch and watch baseball with my husband.

My grandfather, an avid White Sox fan has never been to see a game. No, don't mean he has never seen the new field, I mean he has NEVER been to a White Sox game.

It is my goal to get him there this year.

In case you hadn't heard the Chicago White Sox won the World Series last year, so trying to find tickets for my grandfather, my husband and me (in lower level seating - Grandpa doesn't get around really well) is next to impossible.

So if you know of anyone that has weekend tickets they are looking to sell send them my way!

Is this WWII? No it's Indiana.

It's 9:00am. There is a loud BOOM in the distance. I am starting feel like I am living in an episode of M*A*S*H.

July 1, 2006, Indiana made it not only legal to purchase fireworks in the state, but to blow off your hand...I mean shoot them off.

If you are wondering to what I am referring; Indiana was always able to SELL fireworks, but before your purchase you were asked to sign a waiver stating that you were going to leave the state to shoot them off **wink.** (Illinois it's legal to shoot them off but not possess - hence the millions of firework stands along the Indiana/Illinois border)

Not the case this year.

Saturday night we spent most of our time indoors, so the sound of the M-80 wasn't noticed (actually we were up in the "ghetto" so often I thought they were gunshots.) We did notice on our drive home an unusual amount of neighborhood fireworks being blasted into the air, but thought nothing of it.

Sunday morning there was an article in the paper describing what fireworks give you the most BANG for your buck...which fizzle - which flop; including a note saying that fireworks were now legal in the greate state of Indiana.

Sunday afternoon the fire sirens in the town of Lowell went off 4 times. Papa Chep was driving through town and went by one of the THOUSANDS of firework stands and saw 2 police cars and an ambulance.

Something tells me next year there will be a town ordinance against shooting fireworks off in town. Until then, wake up Indiana to the sound of bottle rockets and firecrackers....IT'S LEGAL!

Like father, Like Son

Rinsing it off
Originally uploaded by Chepner.

See we do pick up good habits from our parents!

Shortly after this shot Mr. Chep soaked me with the hose.

Our neighbors must think we are 12!

I'm Draggin....

Carrie and Kelly
Originally uploaded by Chepner.

I blame these 2 for a fun night out that has left me tired, tired, tired today!

Oddity for today

You know you don't wear skirts enough when you wear a new skirt (with cute shoes) and your boss says...

"WHOA - nice shoes"

I had many compliments on my outfit. Made me feel pretty.

It was a good day!

It's been a week

Grandpa and Mama Chep

Well...this week has been a little more eventful than most at work. This alone has kept me busy, busy, busy!

Anyone looking to run an MA department at a small Iowa school???

I can't complain though, my mother has been working her tail off to help my grandfather (85) get over a case of Shingles. She is more than busy....it's a good thing she has the summers off.



Taking care of a parent can be difficult not only physically, but emotionally as well. Taking care of my grandfather - is a whole different ball game.

Grandpa still lives in the house that he built when he got married many, many years ago. He has encountered more in his 85 years than most people can dream about. He has been on his own since 1996 when we lost grandma. Since then he has learned to cook (not great - but he keeps himself fed), pay the bills and even continue to send Christmas cards (not without some help from mom of course.)

He makes me very proud to have him as a grandfather. One day I will tell his story. Today it's about mom.

Mom is the only of her 3 siblings that has stayed in the immediate area. In fact she lives across town. So when grandpa got sick last week - it was up to her to make sure he got to the doctor. When his only good eye swelled shut, it was up to mom to travel across town 4 times a day to put eye drops in his eye to reduce the swelling. She is doing a wonderful job taking care of him despite his grumpy disposition.

So here's to mom - and her devotion to her dad.

Keep your chin up mom....he doesn't mean to be grumpy. OH and we will be there this weekend...so you have that to look forward to!

WOW...the UK does it up right!

I have a wedding to go to next weekend.

As I was searching online for this couple's bridal registry (at a nationwide store that is) I stumbled across an interesting link.

Yougotbeer.com

Now this link is no longer functional. BUT as I searched for a similar site I did locate this:

http://www.buymeabeer.com/

Talk about fun and easy! Too bad it's a UK exclusive (London to be exact)

Anyone up for making this a US reality? I'd buy the first one....

Relay for Life - Walk for a Cure

June 16 and 17 was the Linn County (Iowa) Relay for Life.

The Relay for Life it is an overnight walk designed to raise money and awareness about cancer. The walk in Linn County was from 7:00pm - 10:00am and over the past 16 years has raised over 2 million dollars for the American Cancer Society.

As you may or may not know I was part of the entertainment committee - helping to get mascots, prizes, and local police and fire departments on site at the event. I also was a participant in the Relay walking approximately 5-6 hours. Some of those hours I was on "Prize Patrol" but 2.25 hours (2:45AM - 5:00AM) was spent walking non-stop.

This year, our event raised $310,ooo - our best event to date and I have many of you to thank.

My goal was $100. Not a large amount, but as my mother pointed out: I'm not good at raising money.

Well the generosity of my Blogger friends proved this to be untrue.

Not only did I reach that $100 goal.....I exceeded it, by raising a total of $195.00!! *Second highest on my team I might add*

BIG THANKS go out to my supporters...thank you ALL for your donation to the fight against cancer.

WriterMom (the most supportive friend a girl could have)
Jack (son of WriterMom and the coolest kid I know)
Zilla (the hippest chic on the block)
Fine Artist (world traveler and incredible artist)
"K"- Sista Chep (my awesome kid sista)
Mama Chep (the lady who made me the girl I am...thanks mom!)
Miss "A" at Hamilton College ($70 from bottles and cans collected over the course of the year)

The event had bands, clowns, magicians...even a Dude looks like a lady contest! One of our team members entered....and I must say was the prettiest man out there!


Thanks again to EVERYONE for their donations and support for the American Cancer Society!

Top 10 Reasons My Dad Kicks A**

• 10. He looks like William Shatner.
• 9. He gave me his denim blue eyes.
  8. He taught me how to play golf (My ability should not reflect his teaching skills...)
• 7. No one makes a better pancake!
  6. He's a smooth operator
  5. He embraces all types of music (yes even RAP...well at least the song "You Can't Touch This")
  4. He supported his kids in all their ventures
  3. He has the uncanny ability to turn cardboard into a million different objects...such as this dragon!
  2. He can "bust a move" better than most!
  1. He made me who I am!
  
  

2. Thanks for everything dad! I miss and love you!

Happy Father's Day!

Southern Memories

Although a little blurry - this is a photo taken when I spent some time in South Carolina on business a few years ago.

It's a giant Peach (in case you couldn't tell)

I visited with my friend "E" today, he took me out to dinner (where I received a lesson on the difference between Broasted, fried and deep fried chicken.) Little did I know Iowans take such pride in their cooking fat! "E" reminds me often I am so Yankee!

As we sat and enjoyed our broasted chicken we chatted about southern food. I was reminded of the 6 weeks I spend in Duncan, SC. It wasn't until working in the south that I realized the true difference between the northern and southern states. I had visted other states before, but hadn't spent this much time working in another area.

When I moved to Iowa, I noticed a pretty big difference in the work ethic, and the pace that people worked, but other than that, people were similar....just a little nicer than NW Indiana.

South Carolina was a TOTAL change in what I was used to.

While working in Duncan, my main job was to hire employees for a facility we staffed. I was not prepared for the different culture of the area.

People called me maame.
There were people that looked at the table when answering questions (like I was "above" them)
They ate their peanuts BOILED (which I didn't care for)
They ate their pickles fried (which I actually miss)
They had fried pig skin (or fat, can't remember - but it was gross)
They put coleslaw on their BBQ (which I still do to this day)
And the smell of Magnolia still makes me think of those HOT spring days.

Some people have the opportunity to be world travelers. I have been to the Caribbean when I was younger- but I have found that it's a different world just a few states south!

I am a slacker....

It's official.

I am a slacker.

The Relay for Life is next week (June 16 and 17) and although I got 8 different mascots, 2 Police Departments and the Fire Deparment to volunteer their time to this worthy cause; I have only raised $20 (thank you SO much Zilla and Mama Chep!) I am just not good at asking for money.

I have also failed to clean my house for the 2nd weekend in a row.

The shed needs to be painted (although I must admit the rain helped with that)

I DID however do laundry and my friend E did clip the dog.

Maybe next week will be a little more productive....and hopefully a little more profitable for the Relay for Life!

Food for Thought

My friend Lego and I had McD's for lunch today.

While we were enjoying our Big Mc's a group of painters walked in.

Lego asked, "Why do think painter's wear white?"

So after much discussion - I decided to ask. These were the answers they gave:

• "We are actually part-time doctors"
• "Not sure, so we can tell what color we are painting?"
• "Because that's how it's always been"

Because that's how it's always been? What's up with that? I did some research and found a few answers. But I'm curious.....

What's your theory?

Chepner Returns!

This will be a brief post...I am still doing laundry and unpacking from the trip.

It was a wonderful visit - 6 days of peace, quiet and great fishing.

I will write more a little later when I have more time.

One thing before I go - Mr. Chep wanted me to inform you that the glove is for the protection of the fish.

Off to Canada

Well, Mr. Chep and I head for Canada this afternoon around 1:00pm.

The first leg of our 635 mile trip will take us to Cloquet, MN which is just outside of Duluth (that is after a short stop in Owatonna, MN to visit Cabela's.

It should be a much needed vacation for both of us.

I just hope my dream I had last night about forgetting all my clothes but my PJ's doesn't come true!

See you in a week or so!

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Ah yes. The 10 million dollar question of this morning.

I went to the doctor yesterday because I have had a sore throat for about 4 days (not sore...Irritating - sore like...Please God don't make me thirsty because the fluid HURTS LIKE HELL going down!) I thought it was a severe ear infection (yes Mr. Chep and I have had them that bad) but it turns out it is either Strep throat or Mono. HMM....can you say...lesser of 2 evils?

Remember I am leaving for vacation in 3 days....

So this morning I awoke with a burning throat (as if 8 hours of antibiotics will kill what ails me) and I lay there pondering - do I go? Do I stay?

I fondly remember the day before (after my doctor's visit) my friends at work making their index finger crosses in my direction (with the exception of Lego that wanted me to kiss her if I had mono - apparently she lost 14 lbs last time she had it.) This memory was enough to convince me to call my boss and let him know that I was not going to make it in. OH yeah and I also did extensive research on the internet about the ailments - you know trying to diagnose myself before the doctor does...you've been there. Don't lie.

Well the stay at home proved to be in my favor.

You all know that I am leaving for beautiful Nestor Falls, Ontario (that's Canada for the geographically challenged) on Friday. We stay at a resort owned by the Uncle and Aunt of my dear friend "E".

ANYWAY....as I am nearly asleep on the couch watching pompous and Blonde - LIVE the phone rings. Arrowhead Resort? I am suddenly sick to my stomach.

"What if they accidentally overbooked and they are telling us since we haven't been coming up as long as the other guy that booked it we don't get the cabin."

Strangely - not too far from the truth of the call. Only - we still have A cabin. Just not the cabin we thought.

The cabin we had reserved is the smallest in the camp. It sleeps 2, it's a studio and frankly there isn't a lot to it. No bells, no whistles, just a place to sleep while we cruise the lake fishing. OH yeah and did I mention - it's the cheapest one.

So Clyde tells me that another guy had this cabin reserved awhile back and then decided to cancel. Well...now he has changed his mind and wants to stay for 3 weeks. He wants to know if he can move us to another cabin.

If any of you know me at all, I am a "pleaser" (some people call us pushovers...but whatever.) So I tell Clyde...sure, but we really aren't prepared to pay for the other cabin (which by the way is a 3 bedroom right on the lake, 2 doors down from the beach.) So he agrees that he will let us stay in the larger cabin - at the same cost! Clyde then proceeds to tell me that the fish are bitin' and the weather is great - so it should be a good trip. I feel like it's Christmas!

So now we have this big ole cabin, on the lake, for the same cost of the studio with a "view" of the lake. Not a bad deal.

Mr. Chep has already said he make fork over a little more for the bigger cabin - just because the owners are good people.

Good thing I chose to stay home.

Sweet Dreams - Hard to come by....

The last few nights I have been suffering from insomnia. I know, there are probably many of you that have been affected by the inability of sleep (yes I have noticed posting times on some on your blogs) but, this is a little different for me.

If you suffer from chronic insomnia please stop reading now or you may begin to seriously dislike me:

I am one of those people that is asleep when their head hits the pillow.

I am from a long line of "sleepers" (as Mr. Chep puts it - he is not a "sleeper" and often lies awake cursing me and my damn snoring...but anyway)

Growing up it wasn't uncommon to come into the family room to find my father asleep with the remote in his hand watching some SciFi program. Often my sister and I would take the remote when my father would awake and proclaim, "HEY - I was watching that" (yeah sure you were.) In his defense my father was diagnosed with sleep apnea a few years back and the sleeping isn't as often - but he does still "nap" on the couch with the remote in his hand!

My sister is also a "sleeper." I can't begin to count the number of times I have called my sister at 7:00 or 8:00pm to have her sleeping. I can't account for her day - as I am sure it is very mentally taxing - but come on. 7PM? Oye. I quit feeling bad about waking her up years ago.

It is also common knowledge that any family function will have at least one family member asleep before it's over. Nope - not just when we have turkey...it could be any number of food items - but mark my words at least one holiday has at least one of Chep's family passed out on a couch (yep - my mom and brother-in-law too!)

Now I have heard of this "insomnia"...in fact Mr. Chep suffers from it regularly. I however do not. So on Wednesday night I awoke at 2:15am staring at the ceiling I was dumbfounded. I didn't know what to do or think. SO I laid there. After awhile I checked the clock. 2:30am. DAMN. This went on for the next 2.5 hours. When I finally did fall back asleep, it was time for Mr. Chep to get up for work.

URGH!

This went on for 2 days, until Friday night when I had to take the medication for my pituitary tumor (knocks me out) and last night when I took 3 Tylenol PM for my head (damn allergies)

I do hope this phenomenon quits soon - Next week will be really long if I can't sleep and I am getting up at 5:00 am to fish!

Wish me luck!

OH yeah - and 4 more working days until I am on vacation!

WOO HOO!

KY Fried Crap

I have an confession.

I am an odd chicken, duck, whatever.

Why you ask? Well I am a firm believer that the food on your plate should not touch. My grandfather's Thanksgiving plate kinda wigs me out.

This is why the nationwide Fried Crap chain has just released the most disturbing menu item. It's all of your necessary food groups, covered in gravy and served in a bowl. Can I just say ICK?

Here's the recipe:

Layer 1: Mashed Potatoes (which I don't particularly like...reminds me of already chewed food)
Layer 2: Sweet corn
Layer 3: Bite sized chicken pieces (Fried of course)
Layer 4: OK not really a layer - more like a drench in brown gravy
Layer 5: Three cheese blend (OK I have to admit I like many a thing covered in cheese...)

Yeah. This is a nightmare for people like me. There are more of us out there than you know....

Don't judge....it's one of my quirks. Just don't eat one in front of me and we're good.

A Tribute to My Mother....

June Cleaver, Carol Brady, Marion Cunningham and Mama Chep. What one thing do all these ladies have in common?

At least one kid, at one time – wished they had one of these ladies for a mother.

Growing up, our house was where all the kids wanted to come. Pool, big backyard, pizza and an endless supply of pop! Yes, all the kids I knew thought that my mom was TOPS.

I’ll be honest. When I was a teenager, there were times that my mother embarrassed me. Heck, who wasn’t embarrassed by their mother at some point during their childhood?

As I look back, those things that embarrassed me, were the exact things that I lovingly remember today: Mom yelling at the ballpark, at my volleyball games, cheering on my sister while she ran her heart out (mom did a lot of cheering!)

Sure, mom embarrassed me; but she did some really cool stuff too. I bet June Cleaver never let Beaver dissect a frog (much less do it in the kitchen and provide all the tools to do so!) I can bet that Carol Brady never let her kids raise chinchillas or albino rats, and I’m pretty sure that Marion Cunningham never went Mexico and brought back her kids shot glasses and a 1/5 of tequila.

Unfortunately, we live 4 hours from my parents and my sister lives 2 hours away so we were not able to spend Mother’s Day with Mama Chep…so we sent flowers. There was an issue with the arrangement sent to my mother. I chatted with the young man at 1800weeds.com and he asked permission to call my mother at 8:45 PM to see if she received her flowers (even though I assured him had she gotten them she would have called us VERY excited.)

He was gone no more than 5 minutes. When he came back the first thing he said was “I must say, that your mother is a very nice lady.” I strongly agreed – she’s a lot of fun too.

So here’s to my mother…Mama Chep we love and miss you! Wish we could be there to celebrate your special day!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mumps, Iowa and The Chepner's

Two days ago, the state put out a message urging Iowans between the ages of 18 and 46 to recieve a second (or a first) mumps vaccination

This includes me. :(

I don't like needles and Grandpa Chep said he had a horrible reaction to the vaccination.

I think I will go when we come back from Canada.

I'm just not excite about this. But since I work at a school and Mr. Chep works at a large manufacturing facility - I guess we better.

Let's hope we can keep in the clear.

Look Who's 30!!

Happy Birthday Kelscraggly!!!

Just a few photos from Kelscraggly's pre-birthday party (pictures from Saturday - her real birthday is today!)


Kelscraggly holding her card from Lego.












Ah - my little Princess and her Prince!