SUPER LADY

Wednesday, September 08, 2010; 9:40 p.m. Right now Judy is downstairs helping Ethelynn Higbee, a very bright neighbor lady, on a project and that made me think of something once said about Hugh Nibley. Hugh Nibley was one of the LDS Church’s top super brains. It was said once by a Catholic Jesuit historian, if I remember correctly that Hugh Nibley, when he is working on a topic, becomes more knowledgeable about the peripheral subjects than the experts in those fields. (He complained in a tongue in a cheek disgusted way, that it just isn’t right or fair or however he worded it.) I’m not saying Judy is another Hugh Nibley or Einstein or whatever, but she is very bright and does much the same thing. She is “indispensable” at work and it seems there is always someone there or at home, in the ward (church) or elsewhere asking for her knowledge, advice, help on something or whatever and she soon delves into the subject and becomes “expert”. She, of course, is a very talented pianist and harpist. Her only downfall, if there is one (she admits) is that she can’t memorize music; she has to read it. I wonder if it is just that she has never put that much effort into doing so. To her credit, she is always so busy on other things that she seldom has time to sit down and play her instruments.

NO DIGGING AND GOUGING TODAY

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 This morning I was supposed to have an appointment with Dr. Sanderson to do some more “digging” at the site on my leg where I had melanoma discovered as well as some other suspicious “spots” on my body. Last night I had the impression that the doctor was sick and would call and cancel the appointment. Sure enough as I was driving in this morning his receptionist called with that information. We rescheduled for Wednesday, October 6 at 9:30 a.m.

- D.I. -

Friday, September 03, 2010 At eight this morning I was at the DI for four hours of sorting clothing. I was not feeling well. Fortunately from 9:30 to 10:00 was devotional. It was really nice. There was a sister who probably never gave a talk before, talk about her road to recovery from alcohol, drugs etc if I remember correctly. She started out by telling about one of the younger men who is just starting to hear (I hope I have all this correctly.) ask her if she was angry with him. She said, “No;” to which he asked if she was a couple of weeks ago; again, “No.” Because of his inability to hear his ability to pick up vibes was acute and he had done so with her and thought it was directed at him. She said that she had been angry about how her life had been going including not being about to get a “regular” job. This talking to him made her realize she had a problem and she changed her attitude. The prayer was given by another sister who had never given a “public” prayer before. They each did an outstanding job. I snuck out at 11:30 and had lunch with Corey via Mr. Mack where he looked at suits. Jim invited Julia and her three over for dinner and sleepover, I think. Her Jake chose not to come. I went to Austin’s and Molly’s new home to pick them up. I assume they are here for the weekend. Austin drove. Again, he did a good job. He hasn’t done much driving after dark. No problem. Tomorrow Jayden has a football game and Bailey, a soccer game. Stacey has to work so I am going to Bailey’s game and afterwards take her to Jayden’s game.

LONG DAY - MANY MILES

SATURDAY, August 28, 2010 I admit this is a disjointed entry! Jim has Austin and Molly this weekend and had a couple of fun things planned to do with them. The first was tubing down the Provo River; Austin opted out of this one. The other was go-cart riding up north; Kaysville or Layton or that area somewhere. First thing this morning I went to Jayden’s first football game and Bailey’s first soccer game. Jayden’s game was against American Fork’s fifth graders. The West Lake Thunder; Jayden’s team won thirteen to six. Bailey played some other local team. Bailey’s team lost five to one. Grandpa Wayne, Stacey’s father was at the games. He was also at Jayden’s scrimmage last Saturday. As I was riding home from the games, Jim called and asked if I would drive up Provo Canyon so they could drop one car off down stream and I take him and Molly up to the drop off point to float downstream. I said OK. About that time Corey called and said they were hungry. We all ended up going to DP Cheesecake in American Fork for Philly sandwiches. From there we went home so Jim and Molly could get ready for rafting. Austin rode with me on the way from home to dropping Jim and Molly off. He did the driving from our house to the sandwich place with Jim and Molly. As we were going to the canyon, I queried Austin on his driving ability, how much, what kind of roads etc. I came to the conclusion that at least he was confident in his abilities so when we dropped them off, I let Austin take over the driving. He has his “permit”. I had him drive the Alpine loop which is about forty-six miles of somewhat steep up—then down narrow windy mountain road. I for the most part kept my mouth shut as far his driving goes and let him do his thing. He did very well. After coming out of the canyon there were miles of stop and go traffic and he did well with that. From there he drove on I-15; again, no problem. He parked at Costco and later backed out of the parking spot and drove home. In all, he drove sixty-five to seventy miles of all sorts of conditions. That doesn’t count the seven somewhat miles driving with Jim and Molly. He mentioned and I agree that he does better when no one is freaking out and telling him what to do. All I did was tell him where/when to turn and that sort of necessary stuff. I did matter-of-factly point out that on the canyon road he did sometimes go over the center line (unpainted) when there was no way of knowing if there were cars coming from the other direction. Alexa had her first soccer game at eight this morning. We haven’t been able to get hold of Niki to see how that went. Nike told me earlier that since it is four year olds, not to bother to come. It would have been a stretch to get in all the games. As it is I only got in the last couple of minutes of Bailey’s game.

BANTER

Thursday, August 26, 2010 Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:57:58 -0600 My cousin Sherilyn sent me a link showing a video of two boys doing some amazing antics, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, from walls to building sides and scampering up to the roof grabbing onto bricks and ornamental features at amazing speed; a whole bunch of that sort of thing. She followed it with the following comment which ended up going back and forth between the two of us. Sherilyn (speaking) I'm amazed! I think they're great, but none of my kids ever better try such a thing! Fred I was somewhat that way as a kid but on a much more limited bases. I had/have a fear of heights which put a damper on things a bit though I always tended to attack my fears rather than shy away from them. There were times though that I simply panicked and could go no farther. I did jump off the peak of our house onto the lawn and other times into the trees that were next to the house. (Montie did much of it too feeling he had to I suppose.) Maybe I landed on my head once which would explain other problems I have. He he I did tend to push the limits. I rode my bicycle standing on the cross bar or seat or handle bar. I did that all the time. (On the few occasions I fell, I just landed in my feet running then jumped back on.) Sherilyn Fred! How could you?! That's terrible! I'm so grateful you lived to grow up! What in the world would I ever do without you?! You hadn't better be doing anything like this anymore! Climbing buildings and jumping off roofs and riding bikes on the handlebars! Now I'm frightened all over again! Fred Yea, I was forever climbing up on the roof of our house by just scaling the wall, window sills etc. Sherilyn Did you join the track team in high school? You shouldda! You would have been the star and won state and just everything! And that would have added even more glory to the Jepson name, more than you've already brought, which is a LOT!!! Fred The one time I ran the track in gym class I was only 2nd best. Some wiz kid passed me maybe 100 yards from the finish. If I couldn't be first...well you know. You have got to remember I gained six inches over the summer between my sophomore and junior years and another six inches the next summer. I was such a little runt the coaches weren't interested in me. Besides, remember I am the quiet shy one in the family. I used to jump over picnic tables at Fairmont Park to impress Uncle Alex's daughter. What was her name...Sandra? Sherilyn You'll always be first with me, no matter how you did in gym class! Always! And that's true. You've always been quiet and shy, even more so than I am, and I'm real bad! You were impressing Sandra?! I'm so hurt! I thought you were jumping over them for me! I'm not interested in your story about Sandra! I'm just green with jealousy!!! So there!

ALEXA and GAVIN

Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Niki needed two of our round folding tables and ten of our folding chairs for a party for some of Alexa’s friends today. It was her first day back to preschool. Niki said that when she dropped her off she ran to her class. There are four schools in their group and of all four schools; this year Alexa has the teacher who is rated far and above all the rest. Even the other teachers say so. Niki printed off a coupon for buy one, get one free breakfast at Mimi’s Cafe. I met her and Gavin there and then I delivered the tables and chairs while Niki picked Alexa up from school and did some running around. Mimi’s has a lot of ceramic rooster vases and lamp bases and what not. Gavin wanted to get down so while we were waiting for breakfast to come he and I walked around looking at roosters. Every time he came to one he said “Rooster!” Finally we came to a hen on the wall. He looked at it and said “Chicken.” I thought that was interesting from a two year old. The boys, Greg, Jim, Corey and Michael had an eight a.m. breakfast office meeting a Mimi’s. Niki, Gavin and I got there before they left. They warned us not to get the breakfast burrito.

SONGBIRD

Monday, August 23, 2010 - Today was my day to be with Jayden and Bailey. I hesitate to use the term “babysit” or even “sit” as big and responsible as they are. They could spend the whole workday alone but they would be bored never mind what would happen if there was an unforeseen problem. School starts this Wednesday so from now on I will be there when they get home from school or I will pick them up after school on the days Stacey works. Judy forgot her cell phone when she went to work this morning so I met Stacey and the kids at Kinko’s; now FEDEX-KINKOS and from there we drove downtown to Judy’s work and gave her, her phone. Jayden called when we were on West Temple and she came downstairs and met us curbside. From there we drove to the Gateway. We went into Dick’s Sporting Goods and looked around for a little while. Mostly the kids ran up the down escalator for five minutes or so and got sore/tired legs. From there we went to the plaza where you can play in the water that pops up out of the ground. At first Jayden was showing how he can run through it without getting wet. Then he did it walking. By this time Bailey was following him. Finally they got silly and started pushing and pulling each other into the water jets. Bailey was smart and took here shoes and socks off. Jayden didn’t until it was too late. They got wet obviously; Jayden so much so that he was shivering from the cold. When we drove away, Bailey and I had to suffer not having the air conditioner on in the car. Corey had an 11:00 appointment near 33rd S. and Main. When it was over we met at La Puente for lunch. It was spicy but tasty. The kids and I spent the rest of the day at their house. After work, Corey called and said to meet him at Wal-Mart. He had a little grocery shopping to do. As Bailey and Jayden and I were drive to Wal-Mart, Bailey started singing. I told her how good she was doing. She asked “Really?” I answered a sincere “Yes!” She said, “Turn on the radio.” After some searching, she found a Country station and tried to sing along. She didn’t know the songs and had a hard time hearing and understanding the words. But, when the second song came on and the guy sang, over and over, “Are you gonna kiss me? Are you gonna kiss me?” Bailey turned beet red and got all flustered. DON’T TEASE HER