Yummy Yogurt

I have been loving this new breakfast treat . . . the yogurt with the granola. Sure, I could add my own granola to yogurt, but why when this comes all ready for me. I've been enjoying the peach and the strawberry.

Slop and Slide

In general, I am a wee bit of a clean freak. I never made mud pies when I was little, I adore fresh laundry, and I hate to camp. One of the many reasons I don't like camping, is that I can't stand not showering every day, and I hate getting dirt under my fingernails. And don't get me started on what happens if I can't brush my teeth every day.

So with that in mind, the Dirty Dash was obviously a perfect fit for me! In my head, it sounded harmless enough: a leisurely run through the lush scenery of Soldier Hollow, sprinkled with a dab of mud at the end when you pose for pictures. Oh no, my friends, the name is dead on. I am not kidding when I tell you that I had mud literally on every part of my body afterward.

The first obstacle should have been a clue to me to turn around and slide back to the starting line, never to look back. We had to scamper up a muddy hill using a rope to continue on our journey. It sounds simple enough, but after slogging through several mud pits to get to the muddy hill, we were like greased pigs, and I could not get my footing. I had better not see this footage in my video in the next life, because it was not pretty. After sliding down on my butt several times, I finally had to step on some guy's back to give me some leverage, and I hoisted myself on top of the hill. I start to run again, and I'm like, "Hey, why is my hand all bloody?" Sure enough, somewhere in the muddy abyss, I sliced my hand open. I thought the mud would make a nice salve to stop the blood, but it didn't work. Luckily, I had thought to wear a bandana that I was planning to use as a mask, and I was able to fashion a rudimentary tourniquet out of that. Seriously, what the crap have I signed up for?

As we neared the end of the race, we got to the giant slip and slide, which should have been a nice relaxing way to clean off before the finish line. If only there had actually been water on the slide. Instead, we got to run, slide for 2 feet, push ourselves up and start again. It is with zero pride that I share this picture of me on that evil slide. It is about as flattering as my driver's license photo. This is what I look like when I'm wondering if a giant slip and slide is sharp enough to impale me and make the mud stop!

Lo and behold, I made it through the rain and crossed that finish line. While most people were doing this:

I gingerly sat down, and slid into the final mud pit. My pride had left an hour ago. Here is what I learned: Mud is real slick, a 40 minute shower was not long enough to remove all of the mud, and I am a delicate flower!

I Heart Conference Weekend

I love Conference Weekend. I have been to the Conference Center before to hear to the Conference Center before to hear the talks in person, but by the time I try to get out of wherever I'm parked and get home, any spirit I had with me is pretty much gone. Instead, I love watching in my own home where I usually have every TV on so wherever I am or whatever I am doing, I can pay attention to what is being said. I read this blog post before Conference which started the inspiration going. So exciting to hear about new temples right at the start. Love hearing from each of the general authorities. Our Grandma Ruth used to keep track of each speaker on a chalkboard she had in her hallway. It was then that I learned that the General Authorities speak every time - it's just a matter of when. I love that our boys go to the Priesthood session together. It's a tradition to meet at my Dad's house where the boys will then head to the session and then to dinner after and the girls get to stay home and hang out. This year included some yummy take out from Cafe Rio, a fun movie together and making delicious oreo cupcakes thanks to Miss Maia. We love supporting our Priesthood this way and so appreciate what strong boys we have. In fact, Jacob can hardly wait until he's 12 so that he can join them. When they come home, we can't wait to hear who the speakers were and their topics so we know who we will or won't hear the next day. The weekend always goes by fast, but it's great. We love the family time together.

Yays and Boos

A big BOO! to the recent cold weather. I swear that we just had snow and after a brief hiatus, the cold is back. I tried to resist turning on my heater, but I just couldn't bear it anymore, and it's on. So, to focus on the positive instead, here are some of my YAY's . . . things that I am loving right now.

Dad and I had a great outing tonight. We started with $5 subs at Subway . . . I love this $5 special when I can try any sandwich. And, Dad has trained me well to get the most bang for the buck, so it's my time to test out the more expensive sandwiches that I wouldn't normally get.

Then we headed to see the movie, Moneyball, which I loved! I am pretty picky about movies - but give me a nice romantic comedy, or in this case, an inspirational true story, and I'm hooked. And, since I don't know much about sports, I was on pins and needles with this one wondering how the movie ended. It was great!

I'm notorious for getting a little too comfy and sleeping on my couch . . . and then waking up when I need to be on my way to work. I've discovered Tresemme's Dry Shampoo which has been a dream for me. With a little of this project, I can re-dry and work my hair without having to start all over.

Recently in Costco, I was giddy that the Christmas items are out. Now, I don't like Christmas music to monopolize the radio early, but I do love when I can start shopping early. The ribbon, the reversible wrapping paper . . . I love it! And, since I am a sucker for nativities and like to collect them, I found this little gem and of course, had to have it. I can't wait to put it out.

And a big YAY to one of my favorite shopping sites, Amazon. I love that I don't have to search stores or fight crowds for things that I want. If my order is at least $25, they will send my items free to my doorstep. Which feeds another one of my loves, fun mail!

TV Comfort Food

The new TV season is upon us, and I have been DVR-ing several shows - but not watching them. I am waiting to see how they do first - do people like them, are they going to be cancelled...I'm playing it safe.

One show I did not wait to start watching, though, was Hart of Dixie. I knew exactly what I was getting with this show, and it has delivered: TV Comfort Food.

You already know the plotline: out-of-towner comes back to small town, is greeted with skepticism, struggles to fit in, but eventually all is well. Small towns! Where everyone knows each others' business, and the men wear a lot of plaid shirts over white tank tops. Also, romantic entanglements ensue.

In fact, Hart of Dixie reminds me of another show I spent two seasons with: October Road.

Swap the female lead with a male lead and the show's prettymuch the same. They even have practically the same poster! Neither show is particularly flashy, or even particularly good, but they're kind of like putting on a favorite sweater for the first time in the winter: it's familiar, comfortable, and you forgot how much you liked it.

What's your TV comfort food?

Lovely Laurels

Look at these cute Laurels . . . I still call them "mine". We usually gather together after church to share what's been going on with school, their friends, and their lives. They were ready for a little get together, so those who could came over last week for dinner and lots of fun conversation. Love these girls!

#27 - See the Bingham Copper Mine - DONE!

When I took my rowing class, we would drive by these mounds of dirt on the way to the Great Salt Lake, and they would always be hosing the dirt down. We wondered what on earth was going on? Are they harvesting salt? Why are they spraying it? Well, folks, thanks to a visit to the Bingham Copper Mine, I have the answer.

All the copper ore they take from the Bingham Copper mine has to be refined because there's a very low percentage of actual copper in it. They put the ore in chutes that take it all the way from the mine to the Great Salt Lake - by gravity! - and they smelt it right there by the Great Salt Lake. The spraying is to minimize the dust and particles that go into the air from the rocks in the chute. Apparently it's one of the cleanest smelting plant in the world. Isn't that nuts?

Anyway, I'd never been to the Bingham Copper Mine before and I was pleasantly surprised. I was pleasantly surprised that there were more people there than just me (including the requisite Japanese tourists). Second, their visitors' center is quite nice, and third, I actually learned me some stuff! Did you know that this is the largest open-pit mine in the world? I didn't. That it's one of the only man-made objects to be visible from space?

Look how big their trucks are hauling up the ore. As big as houses, people! Here's a little comparison. Check out the semi on the right-hand side compared to their big truck. Dwarfs it. The tires alone are 12 feet 6 inches high.

Also, it made me a little sad to see that the mine used to be a mountain and how they've cut away so much of it. As they say in their propaganda/historical video, "mining by its very nature disrupts the land." Still, it ain't pretty. Have you been? What did you think?