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TEARYEYED

Sunday, November 23, 2008 A while back, my niece Janette said in an e-mail that she and her family were going to be in town from Roseville, California this week. I don’t remember if I mentioned it to Christina, another niece, or not but anyway, she sent an e-mail saying that we; all of Clair and Lila Jepson’s descendants should get together. My Niki took over and before I could take a deep breath it was in the organizing stage. It all culminated this afternoon and evening at our house in Saratoga Springs, Utah with everyone bringing something and Judy and I providing the meat, the deserts etc. Our four children came early and did the preparations of the food, setting up tables and chairs and all the other necessities. If Judy and I had, had to do it all by ourselves we would have been a coma by this hour. There were at least three nine-year olds and three seven-year olds; I think four, and in no time the place was a mad house with kids screaming and running up and down the stairs. My brother Brent was especially good, playing tag with the kids and whatever else they were doing. It was a wonderful success and I got teary-eyed when I knew it was about to end and everyone was getting ready to go home. Several people said that we need to do this on at least an annual basis. I agree though I’m glad there is plenty of help putting it on. In attendance were: Fred & Judy Jepson, Chris and Sierra Jepson, Jim, Diane, Austin & Molly Jepson, Corey, Stacey, Jayden & Bailey Jepson, Niki, Alexa & Gavin Chazen, Brent & Linda Jepson, Christiana & Kyra Schmutz, Janette, John, Erik, Nina, Adam & Kate Johnson and Mike, Nikki, Ryan & Mathew Jepson –twenty nine in total if I counted correctly. Hope I didn’t leave anyone out. Following is a slideshow if I can figure out how to do it. Thanks again everyone—I love you all!

SO MUCH FUN

Friday, November 21, 2008 Among other things I did today, I babysat Alexa at Chazen’s while the ladies went to see Twilight, the movie based on the vampire book written by Stephanie Meyers, an LDS lady who lives in Mesa, Arizona. Alexa and I had a good time including a nap which lasted over an hour and a half. Later this evening Niki sent me the following instant message: “Just had to tell you how much fun A[lexa] had today. She keeps talking about it and just told Greg on the phone, ‘I played with Grandpa Fred today it was SO MUCH FUN’ in the most excited high pitched voice. Funny” Niki saw the film at midnight last night so this was twice in less than fourteen hours. Judy, Jim, Austin and I saw it last night at 12:10 am at the Gateway. Diane and Molly saw it at the same time at a different theater.

"Grandpa, I'm going with you"

Thursday, November 20, 2008 Last night Corey and his family came over for dinner. Jim was here too. Corey made the Gorgonzola and Mushroom-stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Merlot Sauce that everyone else loves but I hate. He wasn’t far into the process when it was realized we had the wrong kind of cheese and I was asked if I would go to Smith’s and get some Gorgonzola. I grabbed my keys and headed out the front door towards the circle where my car was parked. I barely got around to the garage when something inside said, “Jayden” my nine year old grandson, “is coming with you.” Almost immediately the front door opened and I heard, “Grandpa, wait. I’m coming with you,” and another voice, my son Corey yelling, “Wait Dad, Jayden is going with you.” Jayden is not only quite the extrovert talking to everyone; we saw some ward members, but he is at a stage where reading is really meaningful and he is reading everything in sight. Corey called while we were in the store and asked us to get some butcher’s twine so we went to the butcher counter where Jayden read the sign that said “ring for service” and reached for the call button. Unfortunately I had to stop him since I had already pushed it. Jayden made a point to have me follow him to the candy isle were he grabbed a bag of miniature Snicker candy bars. As we were walking to the car he suddenly exclaimed something to the effect of, “Oh no, I hope I didn’t get the dark chocolate!”

One at a Time Please

Thursday, November 13, 2008 I did the Jepson from 2:10 ‘til 3:10 pm today. The temperature of the pool was 96 F, too hot for working out hard in plus I am still not feeling well, so I stayed near the shallow end where my chest was in the cool air and jogged, much of the time without pumping my arms. I have been fighting a head and chest cold for three weeks or so. I don’t remember exactly. I was feeling really bad last night, so this morning I went to the Saratoga Springs InstaCare by Café el Lago. When the nurse asked me to step on the scale I jokingly said, “The last time I got on one of these, it said, ‘One at a time please’”. Doctor Abbinanti was sitting nearby and he started giggling, and giggling and giggling. Ten minutes or so later when he walked into the examination room to see me, he was still giggling and said, “One at a time please. I like that.” I told him that as far as I know I had coined the phrase. He asked; jokingly, if I had gotten a copyright on it. When I laughed and said no, he said, “Good, I want to use it.” I gave him permission to do so. After listening to my chest he told me I had bronchitis and thought I may have the beginnings of pneumonia and ordered x-rays. Later he told me he was going to send them to the hospital for the radiologist to check out to make sure. He gave me a three day horse pill size prescription for some Azrithromycin and sent me on my way.

leprosy

Sunday, November 09, 2008 Corey and his family came over this evening for dinner and to watch Kung Fu Panda, a cartoon movie they had rented. They had already seen it but wanted us to watch it too. So we did. It was a fun movie. Just before turning the movie on, nine-year old Jayden asked me what the symptoms of leprosy are then went on to explain them to me. I guess his primary teacher had asked his class that same question. According to Jayden or Corey, I forget which; Jayden raised his hand and told the class. I asked him how he knew and his response was: “Sometimes I have dreams.” I mentioned this to Corey and he dismissed it as an overactive imagination, but when I asked him how he thought Jayden knew the answer he couldn’t come up with an explanation. I would at least like to believe Jayden was saying the truth. I sometimes have “out of the ordinary” dreams.

Der Music Meister

Sunday, November 09, 2008 I just received a phone call from Sister Marilyn Roberts who is over the singing in Primary in our ward (church). She said that they are having trouble getting the children enthusiastic about learning the Christmas songs they need to learn for a Christmas program in sacrament meeting. She says she has a German outfit she would like me to wear including a baton, and would like me to walk in on their practice and jokingly have me act like the strict German Music Meister and say and do whatever is necessary to get them to sing loud and learn their songs. I led the music, including teaching new songs in primary in our Bennion (Utah)ward many years ago. I enjoyed it and think I did it well . It should be fun. I will start next Sunday at a little after noon.

Chris' birthday

Today is my son Chris' birthday. Oh my gosh, I guess he is 40 years old. Born 7 November 1968. Oops, where have the year flown? I'd forgotten I was over 40. Yikes Anyway, happy birthday Christopher Michael Jepson! I love you!

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

Friday, November 07, 2008 I awoke this morning with a song in my brain. My mother used to sing it to me when I was little. You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are grey. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. The other nite, dear, As I lay sleeping I dreamed I held you in my arms. When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken And I hung my head and cried. You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are grey. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. My mother also started singing this to me on occasion when I would visit her in her “dying Years.” Once in a while in those later years, she would also sing/say, “You’re the one I give my good-night kisses to.” I’m not sure where that one came from.

DARK TIMES AHEAD

Tuesday, November 04, 2008 Well, I got up early to take Jim to the airport, he is headed for Houston, then I came home and did my civic duty…in vain I suppose. Since I felt it would make no difference in Utah, I voted my conscience and wrote in Mitt Romney for president of the United States. I voted for Huntsman/Herbert for governor of the State of Utah. Those were the only races I have a strong opinion on. I voted for Jason Chavez for the U.S. House of Representatives though I am not sure if he is the best candidate. He seems to have the most “press” in our area. I also voteed not to retain the current judges etc…I do that every election…one of those things. As for the presidential race, I am afraid, very afraid. I think our nation is in for dark times. I think I will be praying with greater fervency.