Great-Grate-GR8-ful

My mom and dad have the perfect house for family parties. Four or five years ago they added an addition on to their house and now we have a large enough area to have 30-40 people over for holidays. Thanksgiving this year was delicious as always and fun to talk to everyone and watch the Cowboys get spanked by the Saints.

My Gpa Hansen passed away a few months ago and I sure missed him tonight. I would always sit next to him and he and I would chat the night away. I know he is in a better place with no pain. I love him and miss him.

My sister and her family are up in Idaho with Krehl's parents. They hunt for a Christmas tree and play in the snow and swim at Green Canyon. They have fun traditions. Amy said they had so much snow this year the level was up to their windows. Crazy!!!

Attempted break in

I have lived in Sandy for the past four years and have always felt safe and secure. Last week I went to dinner with some friends and went to my friend's house to visit until 11:30pm. When I tried to get into my condo the lock would not accept the key. At first I thought it was too cold and the lock was frozen. I got my phone out to get some light and get a closer look. When I looked at the lock up close I realized the door knob had been tampered with. The knob had been shifted off it's original position and right there and then I started freaking out. It didn't help that I had to use the restroom either. I called and called and called my parents. No one picked up. I drove to a market to use the restroom and meanwhile I continued to call my parents. They were asleep and nothing was going to wake them, I thought. I called a friend and she reassured me that I shouldn't go back to my place. I didn't. I called my parents again and my mom answered. I slept over at my parents' place and went to work the next day. My dad went over to my place to check things out. Indeed someone attempted to break in. The dead bolt must have saved me. My neighbor's door knob was also scratched and dislodged. My dad changed the knob and told me, "You've got to keep living. Don't worry." I wish I didn't have to worry. I have been watching CHUCK Seasons 1-3 recently. Chuck has a computer intersect in his head and can do Tae Kwon Do, numbchuck skills, etc. I need those skills. I hope I never have to come face to face with someone breaking in. I hope they were just trying an easy break in but had no success. The truth is...I do not have anything in my condo worth much. My tv, stereo, jewlery, etc. isn't worth even pawning.

Here's to my Chuck skills to help me if ever needed!!!

MOAB

Before the snow storm hit a few friends and I went to Moab to bike the Porcupine Rim trail. We camped and survived a micro-abrasion night of sleep. There was sand everywhere! The ride was excellent but felt as though I was the Green Witch biking in the sky around the tornado.

There were sections of this ride where we had to ride technical and tricky ledges, steps, and down hill areas. I need to work on my uphill endurance and uphill technical riding but I was proud of the downhill sections I rode. Good times! It is always a party riding in Moab.

Sara Bareilles LIVE

Her concert at The Venue took my breath away! I love love her voice, passion, lyrics, and stage presence!!!

America Recycle Day - Nov. 15

Recycling is one of the easiest ways you can help slow climate change and global warming. By recycling at home, you help significantly lower carbon emissions associated with extracting virgin materials, manufacturing products and waste disposal.

Last year the amount of energy saved from recycling aluminum and steel cans, plastic PET and glass containers, newsprint and corrugated packaging was equivalent to:

• The amount of electricity consumed by 17.8 million Americans in one year.
• 29% of nuclear electricity generation in the U.S. in one year.
• 7.9% of electricity generation from fossil fuels in the U.S. in one year.
• 11% of the energy produced by coal- fired power plants in the U.S.
• The energy supplied from 2.7% of imported barrels of crude oil into the U.S.
• The amount of gasoline used in almost 11 million passenger
automobiles in one year.

Dynamite with a Cuttable Wick

"I like paper rock scissors 2/3. Rock is fine. Rock can break through paper at any point."

Sara Unplugged

I have tickets for Sara's concert next week. I feel like a little girl waiting for Christmas morning. I love Sara Bareilles' tone and raw truth in her lyrics!