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Daisypath Anniversary tickers

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 21

Favorite Picture of Myself of All Time. Why?

I don't have a ton of photos of me that I love and the one I was looking for is no where to be found. So instead, I found some of my favorites of Ken and me. I love this guy. A lot. 


Here is a bonus photo of Gina and me. A terrible picture of me, yes. But I was making fun of Gina and that makes it awesome!

Friday, March 30, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 20

Nicknames:


  • Growing up I was called bug. My Dad still calls me Bug sometimes.
  • Ryan calls me scrub.
  • A few of my siblings, Ken, and some of my friends call me Ded. (Deed)

I love being called Ded, I HATE HATE HATE being called Dee. Do not do it. I can't fake being nice about it. If Dedra is too hard for you (2 syllables can be a mouthful) I don't care if you call me Ded.

  • Ken also calls me Dedra with a hick accent. Although this is not a nickname, it makes me laugh. Everytime. Even if I'm ticked off.
  • A gal at work who doesn't speak with the best of speech calls me zebra. It makes my heart smile every time. I call her giraffe a lot.
  • My aunts and uncles called me Deder or Dederbug when I was little also. I have a couple that still do. I like it.
So I think that's it!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Pack Check!

Occasionally I confiscate all my childrens' backpacks as and coats as they walk through the door to check for contraband. Contraband typically equals toys snuck to school and candy Matthew can't eat because of his braces.

Today I did a pack check. Here is the outcome.

Anna:
Her backpack was 100% empty. It did not have contraband or the folder she's supposed to bring home. Every. Single. Night.

Nicole:
Her backpack was loaded with clothing. Two outfits and a few books from school.

Matthew.  Dear Sweet Matthew:
His backpack had his school things, our GPS (To see how fast he can ride his bike) and...a hubcap. That's right people. A. Hubcap. Inside his backpack. Where all the books should have been.

Results:
Anna, please bring your folder home.
Nicole, take and extra bag for your clothes. Stuffing them in your bag is ruining school papers.
Matthew, please ask before you take the GPS next time.

This message has been approved by Anna, Matthew and Nicole
The End.

Blog Challenge - Day 19

Something I Miss

Another post the requires a list:

People living:
Kate J.
Linda McC
Angie B.
The Drapers
Garen
Gina
The Rasmussens
_________ [enter your name here if I'm supposed to be missing you, but forgot for the moment. It's bound to happen. Choose not to be offended.}

People not living:
My Mom
Shirla
Grandma Price
Lyn
Dennis S.
Mary A.

As for something I miss...you're going to think I'm crazy, but I miss the sound of the tornado sirens in Larned, KS. I loved hearing them every Friday at noon, on New Years Day at midnight and I very much appreciated them the night Greensburg was wiped off the map.  I miss those sirens! There are good times to be had during a tornado warning! The video below is what the sirens sound like. These are not from my little town, but the sound is the same. So is the emotion as I sit here listening to them...for 20 minutes.


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

A metaphor for life

Blog Challenge - Day 18

Favorite Place to Eat

I think I've done this exact post before, but here's the run down...

Fast Food - Subway.
Sit down franchise type place - Red Robin.
Specialty type place - Taste of Thai, downtown Wichita, KS.
Eating with my extended family - Wendi's house.
The place I eat most often - work.
Where's I'd like to eat everyday - my kitchen. It kind of hurts my heart when the kids set the table while I'm there and then remember, when it's time to sit down, they need 5 plates. It's okay though, change is in the air.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 17

Something I'm looking forward to.


My 15th anniversary. Why you ask? Because it's the year of the big metal chicken! You haven't heard that before? Well my friend, please read below. {this story was stolen from Ryan's blog, BTW}



This morning I had a fight with Victor about towels. I can’t tell you the details because it wasn’t interesting enough to document at the time, but it was basically me telling Victor I needed to buy new bath towels, and Victor insisting that I NOT buy towels because I “just bought new towels“. Then I pointed out that the last towels I’d bought were hot pink beach towels, and he was all “EXACTLY” and then I hit my head against the wall for an hour.

Then Laura came to pick me up so we could go to the discount outlet together, and as Victor gave me a kiss goodbye he lovingly whispered, “You are not allowed to bring any more towels in this house or I will strangle you“.   And that was exactly what I was still echoing through my head an hour later, when Laura and I stopped our shopping carts and stared up in confused, silent awe at a display of enormous metal chickens, made from rusted oil drums.
Laura:  I think you need one of those.
me:  You’re joking, but they’re kind of horrifically awesome.
Laura: I’m not joking. We need to buy you one.
me:  The 5-foot tall one was $300, marked down to $100.  That’s like, $200 worth of chicken for free.
Laura:  You’d be crazy not to buy that.  I mean, look at it. IT’S FULL OF WHIMSY.
me:  Victor’d be ticked.
Laura:  Yup.
me:  But on the plus side?  It’s not towels.
Laura:  Yup.
me:  We will name him Henry.  Or Charlie.  Or O’Shannesy.
Laura:  Or Beyoncé.
me:  Or Beyoncé. Yes.  And when our friends are sad we can leave him at their front door to cheer them up.
Laura:  Exactly. It’ll be like, “You thought *yesterday* was bad?  Well, now you have a enormous metal chicken to deal with.  Perspective.  Now you have it.”
Then we flagged down a salesman, and we were all “What can you tell us about these chickens?”, as if we were in an art gallery, and not in a store that specializes in last years’ bathmats.  He didn’t know anything about them, but he said that they’d only only sold one and it was to a really drunk lady, and then Laura and I were all “SOLD.  All this chicken belongs to us now.”
So he loaded it onto a trolley, but Beyoncé was surprisingly unstable, and the giant 5 foot metal chicken crashed over onto the floor.  And Laura and I were all “CHICKEN DOWN!  CLEAN-UP IN AISLE 3 but he didn’t laugh.  Then the manager came to see what was causing all the commotion, and that’s when he found the very-conservative salesman unhappily struggling to right an enthusiastically pointy chicken which was almost as tall as he was.  The salesman was having a hard time, and he told everyone to stand back “because this chicken will cut you“, and at first I thought he meant it as a threat, like “That chicken has a shiv”, but turns out he just meant that all the chickens’ ends were sharp and rusty.  It was awesome, and Laura and I agreed that even if we got tetanus, this chicken had already paid for himself even before we got it in her truck.
Then we got to my house and quietly snuck the chicken up to my front door, rang the doorbell, and hid around the corner.

Victor opened the door and looked at the chicken in stunned silence for about 3 seconds.  Then he sighed, closed the door and walked away.
Laura:That’s it?  That’s the only reaction we get?
me:  That’s it. He’s a hard man to rattle.
Victor was surprisingly angry that I’d “wasted money” on an enormous chicken, because apparently he couldn’t appreciate the hysterical value of a 5 foot chicken ringing the doorbell.  Then I said, “Well, at least it’s not towels” and apparently that was the wrong thing to say because that’s when Victor screamed and stormed off, but I knew he was locked in his office because I could hear him punching things in there.  Then I yelled through his door, “It’s an anniversary gift for you, jerk.  Two whole weeks early.  15 YEARS IS BIG METAL CHICKENS.”
Then he yelled that he wanted it gone, but I couldn’t move it myself, so instead I said okay and went to watch tv.  Then when the UPS guy came I hid, but he was all “Dude.  Nice chicken” and Victor yelled, “IT IS NOT A NICE CHICKEN”.  Which was probably very confusing to the UPS guy, who was just trying to be polite, Victor. Victor seemed more disgruntled than usual, so I finally dragged the chicken into the backyard and wedged it into a clump of trees so that it could scare the snakes away.  Then I came in and Victor angrily pulled me into his office so that I could see that I’d stationed Beyoncé directly in front of his only window.  And I was all “Exactly. YOU’RE WELCOME.”  I told him that he could move Beyoncé if he wanted to, but he totally hasn’t.  Probably because of all of the giant rocks I piled on Beyonce’s feet to dissuade burglars.  Or possibly because Beyoncé is growing on him.  Still, I can’t help but think that we wouldn’t even be having this argument if Beyoncé was towels.  Honestly, this whole chicken is really a lesson in picking your battles more carefully.  Plus, he’s awesome and I can’t stop giggling every time I look at him.  Beyoncé, that is.
Best. 15th anniversary. ever.

Guess what I'm buying Ken for our 15th anniversary!

If you like this post, share it with your friends!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 16

Dream House


My dream house has 5 bedrooms, two living spaces and a decent size kitchen equipped with a dishwasher and garbage disposal. {Not the children/dog variety} One of those rooms will be for my sewing. One will be a guest room. One for Matthew, one for the girls and one for Ken and me. As the kids move out, we will have the space for all of them to return to visit with their own families. If it could be in a cul de sac, that would be awesome.

ps, I'm mostly living in my dream house now. I just need a room for my sewing.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 15

Bible Verse

What does it say about me that I didn't have one verse from the Bible immediately pop to my head when I read this topic? I'm pretty sure I'm going to hell.

After thinking about it, here is the one I have come up with...
It's the introduction on Ephesians, Chapter 1.
The Saints are foreordained to receive the gospel -- The gospel is to be restored in the latter days -- The Saints are sealed by the Holy Ghost of Promise -- They know God and Christ by revelation. [King James Version]

I am a Mormon. I believe and worship Jesus Christ. I know I am a daughter of God. I live my life in such a way that I have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Zebra Cake

I saw a 'zebra cake' on pinterest and decided I wanted to make it. Here's how to do it...

Make a white cake mix as directed and a chocolate cake mix as directed.
Spoon 2 cups of each flavor into a ziplock bag. (Each mix makes 4 cups of batter.)
Cut a hole in the corner of each bag and squeeze out about 2 TBSP of white batter into the center of your pan. I used a spring form. The squeeze chocolate on top of the white batter, alternating back and forth, 2 TBSP at a time.

After you have emptied both bags of batter, hold onto the sides of the pan and tap it against the counter, to smooth the batter evenly. DO NOT spread the batter with a spatula!
Bake following the directions on the cake mix.
Eat it and enjoy!

Blog Challenge - Day 14

A picture of me from last year. Have I changed?


nope. I look just the same.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 13

Goals



Short Term (from today until 6 months from now):

  • Get Anna's adoption finalized. (We are currently waiting for our guardian ad litem to be assigned!!)
  • Have Anna sealed to us in the Seattle Temple. We are aiming for July 17!
  • Throw away all the crap in my house that doesn't have a place. 
  • Learn the left hand portion of the duet Qui Vive. (At a snail's pace) I'm getting better. The best part of the song is the right hand, which my sister Wendi already knows.
  • I'm planning a girls' night which includes a fondue dinner. Stay tuned. It's going to be full of awesomeness.
Kind of Long Term (With in the next 12 - 18 months):
  • Get my CNA and phlebotomy certification.
  • Start the process with LDS Social Services to start a new adoption process, with a birth mom this time. We already have a couple of adoption agency/ministries we are interested in. It will require that I continue working to pay for another adoption, but this family needs to grow somehow!
  • Visit Pennsylvania and stalk to Amish with my bff, Kate.
Long Term:
  • Get Matthew and Nicole to go on missions, graduate from college and moved out. haha  Anna is already making plans for her bedroom when she doesn't have to share.
ok, we do have long term plans, I'm just not going to share them on the world wide web. :)

So, what are your plans...for today?

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 12

Something I don't leave the house without.

Besides the obvious - cellphone, keys, chapstick and a notebook w/ pencil or pen, I never leave the house with out...

clothing. That's right. I even keep spares in my car.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 11

Favorite TV Shows

We don't have TV, so the shows I list will be available to you to watch on Netflix.

Parenthood is my favorite show. It's definitely not for children to watch but I love it. I've seen the first two seasons on Netflix. I've not seen any of season three. I'm waiting for it to be available instantly.



Ken and I are watching White Collar.

I'm interested in Downton Abby but I haven't gotten into it. I saw the first 20 minutes of episode 1, at 4 in the morning one night, but I fell asleep.

The Office is superior. As is the Cosby Show and News Radio.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 10

Something I'm afraid of.


  • Snakes.
  • Paper cuts to the jugular.
  • Bridges.
  • Being run over by a train. It could happen.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 9

A favorite picture of your best friend.

The 'superhero' on the far left is my bff Kate [along with her sisters.] I love her mucho. She's coming out again in July and I'm planning a trip to see her too in a few months. I'll wait for her to respond to this blog before I offer an explanation. I'm sure she'll be able to give us some insite.


Here is another picture I love [of both of us].

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 8

A place I've traveled.

When I was 17 years old I went to Montana, on the way to Idaho.  It was the middle of the night and my first time driving out of the state of Washington.  Mom and Dad were both tired so they let me drive after we got gas.  It went fine at first. While they were sleeping I enjoyed driving 90 miles per hour for the first time in my life. I also saw something that I'd only seen in Eastern Washington. Bugs.

Have you ever been driving in a rural part of the country and seen the bugs come flying at you constantly? It's almost like snow, except they make your windshield nasty.  This is how it was in Montana. Only these bugs were magical.  Although they were coming towards me at an alarming rate, they did not dirty my windshield. After about an hour of this [going too fast for safety] I comment to my Dad that I've never seen so many bugs. I told him it was worse the Basin City. He sits up, looks out the window and tells me to pull over. right now.

It was snow.

Dad drove the rest of the way to Rexburg and my family has been making fun of me ever since...about bugs.

So that's my trip to Montana.

ps, I've also driven route 66.  :)

Saturday, March 17, 2012

A bonus post...Encore presentation on a few photos.

Quote of the day:
Dad: Hey did yout post about me?
Me: No.
Dad: Well do it. I want to see me.
Me: Go look in the mirror. [Bless his heart]

My Dad's alter egos.
He leads a small mafia. 
He's a member of the clown gang. Still a rookie.
Sometimes he doesn't quite 'get it.'
Picture taker extraordinaire.
He's pretty.  Never too early for flapjacks!
Grandpa.

Blog Challenge - Day 7

Favorite Movies

The bad thing about this blog challenge is that I've already posted about some of the topics already.

My #1 most favorite movie of all time is Groundhog Day. The End.

Here's a review of some of the movies I've seen lately. Remember, this is my blog with my opinions. You can agree or disagree. You can comment on them if you want to. It's not going to change my opinions. So be nice.

I watched Jack and Jill with Adam Sandler the other night. (He starred in the movie, he didn't come over and chill.) The movie is hilarious. Not because it's a good story line. It's not. It's because everything that comes out of Jill's mouth is funny. Line for line the movie delivers. I really liked it. Twice in 24 hours, from redbox.

The Lorax. BOO. Don't waste your money. I wouldn't even spend the dollar from the redbox.

Megamind. I. Love. This. Movie.

Courageous. Ken and my kids love this movie. I actually bought it for Ken for Valentine's Day. I have mixed emotions about it. I won't give you the story line in case you want to see it, but the gist of it is to encourage fathers to step up and be fathers. That part is great. The speech the guy gives at the end of the movie is great. The part I don't like it about it, is the 'why me' attitude after the family endures a tragedy. I hated the part of the movie where the wife/mother is complaining and is in her 'why did this happen to me pitty party.'  The 'speach' she gave made me want to turn the movie off and not see how it ended. What happened is sad and very hard for them but I don't see any good that comes from an attitude like that. If you have seen it, I'd love to hear your opinion. If you haven't, it's worth the rent.

Now that my little movie review is over, get off the computer and go watch Groundhog Day. And eat some flapjacks too.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 6

A picture that makes me happy.

I couldn't just narrow it down to one. You'll see why as you scroll down.  Besides, who doesn't love a blog post with a lot of photos?

 Nicole, between Kindergarten and 1st grade.
 Matthew, 4 years old. My guys mowing the lawn.
 Anna, 4 years old. She likes pie.
The Cheneys, October 2011
The rest of my guys. This picture makes me happy beyond belief.

So, what makes you happy?

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 5

A song to match my mood.

Today is kind of tricky. I've spent way too much time looking at songs to find the perfect one and I know that only about 20% of you are going to watch the video. (Ps, that's one person. Thanks Dad.) Since I know he's the only one who's probably going to listen to it, that automatically means I can't feel like the Copacabana or being irreplaceable. I love songs from Wicked, I could put the song 'Popular' on, but I don't really feel that way right now, and if you call me, you can hear it anyway. It's my ring back. I seriously LOVE Neil Diamond, and although much of what I say, I consider a Beautiful Noise, do you, 5 readers? Do you even admit that you read this blog? Do you comment? No? That is no bueno.

Okay, I seem to get off track a lot on this here thing. I asked Ken what song I should use and he said 'Pink Elephants on Parade' from Dumbo. This is another reason why he is fired. His next suggestion was a song from Shania Twain, this is why I'm leaving for the night...also, I have to work graveyard.

So, without any further whatever, here's my song. It's kind of my theme song as I go around trying to offend people and I do 'wake up every evening with a big smile on my face.' Enjoy. ps, It does have a swear word..one of my favorites in fact, about 100 times. Don't judge, you weren't going to click anyway. It's my blog and I can post if I want to. ps, if you did click, that's why we're friends.



Here's the link if you receive this post as an email.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxUATkpMQ8A&ob=av2e

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 4

My Parents


Oops. not those two... Here are my parents...

Fun facts about mi madre y padre:

Madre:

  1. She could play the piano with the best of them. 
  2. I never heard her sing a whole song with the radio. She'd turn the song up if she liked it, but I don't have a memory of her singing voice.
  3. She loved loved LOVED to dance. We sang the songs. She danced to them.
  4. She wasn't vocal about her testimony of Jesus Christ. But she had one.
  5. Her favorite color was red.
  6. She beat breast cancer once.
  7. She made cookies from a cake mix.
  8. Her favorite food was shrimp and ... shrimp.
  9. She was #1 of 7 kids.
  10. I don't remember her going out for a girls night, even once. I do remember her going with her Mom to St. Louis once while we lived in Meridian, ID with her mom to visit her sister. 
  11. She watched all the tabloid TV shows and LOVED them.
  12. Breast Cancer beat her on February 25, 2010.
Padre:
  1. He's an ordinance worker at the Seattle Temple every Friday night.
  2. He doesn't like to miss a party.  He spends a lot of time in the homes of his children. If two or more are together, he'll be there too.
  3. He's becoming quite the cook. He loves cherry pudding.
  4. He retired from his job in September and now he does contract work for them a few days a month.
  5. He knows a butt load of crap about the gospels. (quote from nacho libre. watch it. memorize it. love it. quote it.)
  6. He's one of my best friends. We talk on the phone everyday. This morning our call was at 12:14 am. We were both awake. Neither of us needed anything.
  7. He's #2 of 5 kids.
  8. He does not like tailgaters
  9. He irons his own shirts. A lot of them.
  10. He knows a little about a lot of stuff. We lovingly refer to him as google.
  11. He sang bass in the ward choir for many years.
  12. He doesn't enjoy Barry Manilow or Beyonce.
Madre y Padre
  1. They met while my mom and her friend were hitchhiking. My Dad picked them up. In Rexburg, ID
  2. They got married in the Idaho Falls Temple.
  3. They were married just under 41 years.
  4. They have 8 children and 25 grandchildren - all sealed to them.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 3

My first love

Besides that fact that the first three boys I had crushes on were named Zach, I don't really have any information for you. So let's get down to the deep dark truth of my first love, which I am still involved in.  Seriously involved.

Cadburry Mini Eggs.

I. Love. Them.
They complete me. 
Maybe more than an ice cold Diet Pepsi.

Have you ever had them? Here is why I love them:
  • When you open the bag it smells like hot chocolate.
  • The shell has a vanilla flavor to it.
  • I like the crunching sound when you bit into them
  • The shell disintegrates if you don't chew them up.
  • Cadburry chocolate is superior.
Go buy yourself a bag of cadburry crack and be thankful they are only available at the Easters.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 2

The meaning behind my blog name.

Before I started blogging I read a lot of other people's blogs. Many of the had titles that were alliterations. (Just because I failed English doesn't mean I don't know fancy terms. onomonopia. bzzz, boom! ps, I may be ADD) I digress. When I finally decided to start my own blog, I thought the titles had to be clever so after thinking about words that began with ch and made the same sound as Cheney as opposed to chaperon, I came up with Cheney Chatter. I think it works well because chatter is definitely something I am good at. Besides, if I didn't end up picking the title I have, my blog would probably have ended up being titled Poop. I may give that a try in the future anyway.

On a side note, the pronunciation of Cheney does not have an 'a' sound. My last name rhymes with queenie and meanie.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Blog Challenge - Day 1

Introduce, recent picture of myself and 15 interesting facts about Moi.

Hola, I'm Dedra. and I'm a Mormon. I've been married for almost 15 years to mi esposo, Ken. I'm a mom of 3 awesome kids, I work full time as a care giver for developmentally delayed adults, and I really like it. I'm the mom who enjoys being out of the house working and for the most part, I don't feel guilty about it. It makes me a better mom.

Recent Picture of myself: not the highest quality shot ever taken but I like it. It was taken 1-29-2012.

15 interesting facts about me! [You probably already know most of these]

  1. I hate cats.
  2. I'm number 4 of 8 siblings, 1 of 4 girls, and my Dad's favorite.
  3. I love brushing my teeth. Spicy toothpaste is the best. I also love mouthwash that burns my gums.
  4. People who chew their gum (and/or food) loudly make me physically nauseated and I gag and/or throw up.
  5. I work swing and graveyard shift at work. (That is why I am up at 4am writing this blog. I don't sleep at night.)
  6. I am a seamstress.
  7. I was just put in the Primary presidency in my ward. 3rd time in 8 years. I'm bound to get it right soon.
  8. I'm a blog stalker. Even if we aren't friends. Even if we were once friends and aren't anymore.
  9. I'm not a psycho.
  10. I have anxiety and OCD. Everyday is party.
  11. I take many things personally, get over them quickly, and never think about it again.
  12. My memory is short. This is why I'm so good at keeping secrets. I forget them.
  13. I'm the ward organist. Not the best one but certainly not the worst. I never make prelude sounds like it's coming from the circus. {But I know someone who does!}
  14. Red has been my favorite color for years but I think it's being replaced by purple and cornflower blue.
  15. In High School I failed English 3 times. Don't judge my grammar. gracias.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

30 Day blog challenge - Day 0

In an effort to get back on my blogging bandwagon, I am stealing the 30 day blog challenge idea from my brother, Garen. Here's how it goes...


I'm going to post everyday for 30 days and below are the topics I'll post about.  


Day 0: The 30 Day Challenge Explanation and Description
Day 1: Introduce, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts
Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3: Your first love
Day 4: Your parents
Day 5: A song to match your mood
Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7: Favorite movies
Day 8: A place you’ve traveled to
Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend
Day 10: Something you’re afraid of
Day 11: Favorite tv shows
Day 12: Something you don’t leave the house without
Day 13: Goals
Day 14: A picture of you last year – how have you changed?
Day 15: Bible verse
Day 16: Dream house
Day 17: Something you’re looking forward to
Day 18: Favorite Place to Eat
Day 19: Something you miss
Day 20: Nicknames
Day 21: Favorite Picture of yourself ALL TIME Why?
Day 22: What’s in your purse?
Day 23: Favorite Movie
Day 24: Something you’ve learned
Day 25: Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26: Your Dream Wedding
Day 27: Original Photo of the city you live in
Day 28: Something that stresses you out
Day 29: 3 Wishes
Day 30: a picture of yourself this day and 5 good things that happened since you started the challenge



Stay Tuned for Awesomeness.
MMB

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