"It's an eagle!!"

I'm always on the lookout for eagles, everywhere we go! Jeff is usually driving so I get to watch for cool stuff. Everytime I see a big bird, big enough to be an eagle, I automatically yell out, "It's an eagle!!" Jeff will take a look and say, " no it's not, that's just a hawk, not every bird you see is an eagle!" So, I'll continue to look, knowing what I saw was an eagle (even if it wasn't ;)) and not caring if Jeff agreed with me or not. :)

On my way to work this morning, doing my usual thing, taking my usual boring route, I noticed a BIG bird on top of the lamp post at the top of the freeway entrance. I took off my sunglasses to get a better look and thought to myself, is it an owl??? As I got closer I realized I was looking at a golden eagle!!! Can you believe it? I looked to my left to see what it was staring at and there it was a dead doe- poor mama, right there at Redwood Road and 2-15. The eagle must have been hungry but couldn't get to it because of all of the cars. So anyway, as you can imagine, I was thrilled that I saw an eagle, and so close to home! I called Jeff and said... "guess what I just saw!!"

Our family so far... chapter 1 of 8... Princess Bella

Miss Bella just turned 4 on September 27. I can't believe she's already 4. The first couple of years were kinda challenging. Her mother is a house cat and her father is a feral cat that lives in fields. She always has been more "wild" than domestic. When she was a baby, she would attack anything that moved... yes, that seems absolutely normal for a kitten, but on top of that, if you were eating popcorn, she would growl at you and swat the popcorn out of your hand so that she could eat it, while growling! She also did this with Jolly Ranchers and any kind of fruity sucker. She knew who liked her and who she liked, she peed on Arnie's shoulder and would make evil scary faces at Lindsay. To this day, when Lindsay tries to pet her, Bella will hiss and scratch at her. I don't know why this is and I've tried to tell her to be nice, but she just won't listen! In Bella's older years she has had to adjust to quite a bit of change, moving to and from San Diego, being forced to accept new roommates, Rocky, Rustad AND Kaia! To say the least, she has done an awesome job and I'm so very proud of her. If you notice in the top corner pic, her and Rocky are laying together on the rug! I NEVER thought that this would happen. She still hisses at Kaia, and probably for good reason, but for the most part is learning to accept having to share living quarters with her.

This is the first chapter out of eight more to come. Please check back next week for all about Rocky! What a sweet soul, you won't want to miss it!

I voted today! : )

I woke up bright and early so I would be able to cast my vote for national, state and local candidates. This year I've felt an overwhelming amount of pressure from family, media, friends and emails. On the way to my polling location this morning, I was really feeling the pressure... have I made the right choices on who to vote for? Am I sure I know what I'm voting for? I met my mother at our location at 8:00 am and thankfully she had her voter info pamphlet for a refresher. I was really nervous, I didn't want to cast my vote for something I don't believe in, or reinstate a judge that could possibly sentence an innocent person to prison. This is heavy stuff! I read through the pamphlet once more and felt confident in the choices I had made. After voting, I really started thinking about how important our local votes are for the future of our state. I wish the state or county would have a "voter education course" that all registered voters must attend and maybe it could have a little quiz at the end that they would have to pass. It really scares me that some voters have no idea what they are voting for, much less who is even running! How can that be allowed? To me, it's pure irresponsibility and disrespect to our county, state and country. Good luck in casting your votes today, the line at my polling place wasn't long at all and it took only about 25 minutes. God Bless America! We are so very lucky to have this right as citizens. Please exercise it.

Tag! Jeff's it! hahaha

So Shaelene tagged me, but Jeff has volunteered to let me get his answers for it. This is me typing but Jeff talking starting.... now!

8 things I am passionate about:
1- my wife
2- my family
3- my animals
4- my house plants and my fish
5- shooting at the archery course
6- being "green"
7- my friends
8- bow hunting

8 words or phrases I use often:
1- What!?!?
2- Hullo?
3- avoid the presence of all evil
4- measure twice cut once
5- to each his own
6- later..
7- Have a good day
8- Is what it is is

8 things I have learned from the past:
1- dont lie, dont cheat, dont steal
2- what goes around, comes around..here
3- trust your gut
4- good things come to those who wait
5- everything happens for a reason
6- patience is a virtue
7- don't over commit yourself
8- always be honest

8 places I want to go to or see:
1- Amsterdam
2- Oregon
3- Washington
4- British Columbia.. bc
5- Humboldt County
6- New Zealand
7- Paul Bunion's wood pile
8- home

8 things I currently need or want:
1- ride my CR500
2- new socks
3- retire NOW
4- finish remodeling my house
5- open my garage door business
6- Rocky to live forever
7- hmm.. i dont know
8-


I tag... Jodi, Karrie, Jill, Lindsay Lane, Amanda.

Beautiful New Mexico!

After about 12 hours of driving, we arrived in Taos, NM. The scenery is very similar to the Salt Lake Valley. It has really tall mountains surrounding the area.
So, as some of you readers may already know, (if you've read the pevious post) I thought we were going to Angel Fire New Mexico, but actually our hotel is in Taos and Jeff's jobsite is in Angel Fire. This is such a neat area with little shops and chili pepper wreath thingys all over! I wish I had another lady here with me to tour the shops! When we first got to Taos, we went to our hotel, the Quality Inn... the lobby was decent and we were excited! We got to our room and it was so dirty, there were flies and the carpet was nasty, it was a real downer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the kinda gal that can't handle a little dirt! : ) But this was too much, Rocky and Kaia were on edge the whole time, we just didn't get a good vibe. So... we drove through town and looked at another place called the El Pueblo Lodge. That place wasn't too well off itself! ;) It was super old, which I kinda liked... ya know the style, old southwestern style!? but it was the kinda old that hadn't been kept up on. I was losing hope because both of us really didn't want to stay at the QI... augh! As we were headed back to the Quality Inn we mistakenly drove right past it and for some miraculous reason found a way nicer place, nothing too fancy schmancy!! : ) I went inside and the place was normal, not dirty, not smelly, normal! Needless to say, we immediately switched hotels and our whole visit changed, we were able to relax a bit after a very long drive! This place is wonderful though, we really like it here.. really kind people! Last night, coinsidentally, there was a hot air ballon thing going on a few blocks from our hotel, they were lighting up in the dark, it was really cool!



In the above picture you can see that Taos is part of a loop on the map, it's called "The Enchanted Circle". What an amazing drive! We drove the entire loop and got to see some way cool stuff, I spotted a coyote as big as Kaia! It was such a beautiful drive through the canyon which parts drove through Carson National Forest. I was surprised to see how much it looked like Big or Little Cottonwood, but different. I never would have guessed that New Mexico would be so mountainous and full of wildlife. There are rivers and lakes and reservoirs everywhere! I really want to catch some trout before I leave and take it home for my bro to smoke! yum.

We found the LDS church/office suite, and I was once again suprised! I guess I'm just so used to seeing LDS churches in Utah and thought they were all the same. Angel Fire's LDS church is in a little community center with multiple sepearte office suites... the "ward house" is an office suite! Wow! This made me realize for the first time how fortunate LDS members are in Utah, to have a nice big clean ward house to worship in.
Anyway, that's all for today. I'm taking lots of pics, but I don't have the cord thingy to transfer the pics onto my computer.

Love, Elise, Jeff, Rocky and Kaia

Angel Fire, New Mexico

Ever heard of it? I hadn't so I began researching and I am SOOO excited to go there!

Angel Fire is a high-altitude haven in New Mexico's Moreno Valley. At 8,400 feet above sea level the valley is surrounded by towering mountains typically splashed by spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

The Ute Indians gave Angel Fire its name when they saw those glowing skies and called it the "fire of the angels."

Summers are cool and dry. You'll rarely find a day with temperatures hotter than 80 degrees, even in July and August when everywhere else is red hot.

As some of you know, Jeffrey travels on occasion for work. This time, he is going to Angel Fire, New Mexico and asked me if I wanted to go with him! Of course I do! It's so hard for me to sleep without him home, I'm scared of the dark : ) so I checked with work and got it cleared to work remotely from the hotel during the days! I am so excited, we're taking Rocky and Kaia, they are going to love going for daily runs in this new place. I'd like to get two queen beds, one for Jeff & I and one for Rocky and Kaia. : ) I'll post pics and stories while I'm there! Have any of you ever been here?

Handbag winner!!

Jess Knight, of Eagle Mountain, Congrats!

http://www.handbagplanet.com/contest-winners.html?coupon=launch&utm_campaign=Handbag%20Planet%20Reveals%20Winners%2E%2E%2E&utm_content=peechaz82@yahoo.com.com&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_term=Click%20Here%20to%20view%20the%20Winners

Tag.. you're it!

This is so much fun!

Seven Random Facts about me!!

1. I have pumpkin orange countertops in my kitchen (which go wonderfully with my fall decor)
2. I have a passion for animals of all kinds
3. I love to mow the lawn too! Jeff and I got into a little tiff about who was going to mow the lawn when we first got our lawnmower. : )
4. I am a frugal shopper and love to find free stuff on craigslist. We got our dishwasher and sliding glass door for free there
5. I have never broken a major bone, only my big toe
6. My favorite place to be is with my husby
7. Harmon's is my favorite grocery store, actually the only one I shop at!

I tag...... Amanda, Jodi & Jess

"The Big One"

So I'm sure, if you live in Utah and pay any attention at all, you have heard that the Wasatch Front is over due for a major earthquake It is expected to be 7.0 or greater. I read an article published in the Deseret News back in 2006 about the worst case scenario for WHEN, not if, "The Big One" hits. I think it's so important that we take the necessary steps to ensure safety of ourselves and loved ones as best we can before it's too late. Below are some excerpts from the article... remember, this is all just a prediction and in the worst case scenario...

- It is 2 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2008, a freezing, snowy Friday. Most people are still at work or school — which, unfortunately, is the worst-case scenario for what is about to happen.

The next few seconds will release geologic pressure that built over 13 centuries, and — as scientists had predicted back in 2006 — will soon kill more than 6,000 people, injure 90,000 and cause a $40 billion economic hit.

- Utahns now will find they will need to depend on such preparation for far longer than officials in previous decades had once warned — and may need to survive with their "72-hour" emergency kits for five days or longer.

Police, fire and other emergency responders will be too busy to reach most people for days — so individuals and families will have to rely on themselves and their neighbors for help

- The movement soon leaves a new 10-foot-tall ledge or "scarp" — a height that varies at different points along the fault — as scientists had predicted. The scarp is 29 miles long and now divides areas west and east of it like a great wall. Roads that were once level now have a 10-foot drop-off. Power, water and gas lines there snap.

- Shaking is so severe throughout Salt Lake County that virtually no one there is able to stand without falling. Unsecured hot-water heaters in many homes shake loose and break natural gas and water lines. Fires start.

- Next, the severe shaking makes some saturated, sandy soils act like a liquid, or more accurately like quicksand. This "liquefaction" causes some buildings to sink or roll over in unstable soils. Landslides follow in some areas.

- All this damage has happened in under a minute

- Significantly, as people start looking for help, about a quarter of all area police and fire stations have themselves suffered at least moderate damage and a handful are beyond repair. One emergency communications center in Salt Lake City has been knocked out of service.

About 152,000 people are now newly homeless, and it is a freezing winter day.

- "I think people in our valley have expected to call 911 and have help there in three minutes. But in the event of a catastrophic event, it's not going to happen. People are going to be on their own. It will give new meaning to individual and family preparation."

I'm going to desinate a night within the next few weeks where anyone who wants can come to my house and put their kits together. Let me know if you want to join and I'll get you the information and cost for each pack.

If you want to read the article in its entirety...
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,635199749,00.html?pg=1


Here are some links that I've found very helpful...

Be Ready Utah http://www.bereadyutah.gov
U of U seismograph stations(best site for research and information): http://www.seis.utah.edu/
Local Quake Threat: http://www.quake.utah.edu/lqthreat/threat.shtml
Liquefaction potential maps: http://www.quake.utah.edu/lqthreat/liquefaction.shtml