What is running through my mind while watching the Olympics...

Is that guy really wearing overalls? Is that guy really wearing a top that looks like a corset with pink lacing? Does that guy really have feathers on his hands? --The black feather outfit actually looked good and was evidently designed by Vera Wang, but still. How do they spin so fast? Am I a bad person because I kind of didn't want Lindsay Vonn to win? Shaun White sure has a thing about open shirts during interviews, he also wears a lot of rings. How old is Bob Costas and when did he start coloring his hair? How do those moguls effect the knees? I can barely walk down the stairs in the morning. How do they walk after that? Are any athletes besides snow boarders allowed to listen to their ipods while competing? I know that Curling has a long tradition but is it really a "sport"? I would have to argue that pool or shuffle board are the next logical sports along these lines. These althetes are brave-there is no way you could get me on the ski jump or downhill runs or in a speed skating outfit for that matter.

Advice

So Brady's mom loves a quote on the wall at Jimmy Johns: Experience is what happens when you don't get what you want. Ain't it the truth?! So here are so other little pearls of wisdom/advice that I gleened (sp?) mostly from my TV. I know, I need to get out a little more!

**Please don't interpret this as me thinking I know everything or suggesting that these little phrases can replace the scriptures, prophets, parents, etc. as places to look for guidance. Ok?

Try? There is no try only do. Oh Yoda, wise you are. Often the anticipation of doing something is scarier than actually doing it. The hardest part of running for me is the first few steps. Quinton is terrified of going on Splash Mountain at Disneyland. He has gotten himself so worked up about it he is literally frozen with fear. Well, not literally, I guess that phrase is overused but trust me he won't budge. He has dreams about it, he watches videos of actual

riders on YouTube, has us describe it in detail, etc. He is obsessed with being scared of it. If he just did it, Splash Mountain would lose its scary mystique. What is your Splash Mountain?

Just keep swimming. This is literal advice for me these days. "Hey Beth, you want to do a triathlon?" Me: "Sure". Me trying to swim for half a mile: "Panic!". Anyway, I like Dori's advice here. What else can you do? You've got to just keep on keepin' on!

Let it go. Keep moving forward. This is from Meet the Robinson's which is actually a really cute movie. My kids love it because it has little hidden Disneyland references and we LOVE hidden references especially of the Disney sort--also known as "Hidden Mickeys". Am I overusing quotes in this blog post? Trust me, I need to "Let it go". Easier said than done. This phrase is actually what got me thinking about this post.

You can't always get what you want. No no no. No no no. No no no no. It won't even help if you keep on asking. Yo Gabba Gabba anyone? We don't watch YGG much but this is a song from the Jack Black episode which is really really funny. My favorite part is the last sentence. No matter how hard you want something, most of the time you can't force it.

Your sister should be your best friend. Feel free to insert brother, mom, dad, spouse, son, daughter, etc. This is from my Dad and is good advice. He gave it to me when I was a teenager and annoyed that my younger sister wanted to hang out with me and my friends. Your family (in most cases) can be your greatest source of comfort, camaraderie, fun, entertainment, etc. What would I do without my family?!

I made a good choice...in [choosing] my best friend(s). I don't remember Mater's exact words from Cars but it is a sweet sentiment nonetheless!

Well, as you can see my scanner is working! Here are some nostalgic pics of some of my best friends.

Looking our best! Yes, we are a near-sighted bunch.

Wow, a picture with both the Merc and the Omni!

Brady and I in our younger years. He still looks young but not this young!

So anyway....

So anyway--the universal and not so smooth transition phrase. I have a problem posting because I think I need to post something meaningful, entertaining, thought-provoking, etc. I have a hard time posting the day to day stuff. I have a fear of it turning into one of those Christmas letters that I cringe reading (my kids are perfect, we just had the best perfect vacation, my life is perfect etc.). Although my life is not perfect so I guess my blog would not turn into that but I digress.

So anyway, now there is more pressure because one of my six (I kid you not) blog followers is the fabulous Kacy of Everyday I Write the Book blog fame. I still have no idea who Jean-Jean is. Long story short--I am too lame to "follow" many blogs. I have a hard time committing to such personal things. So, instead I follow the blogs that my sister Lysa follows. Well, she started following Kacy's blog because our friend Jaime did. Yes, we Jemison's sure like to follow. Now if I were more blog saavy I would be able to put links to everyone's blog that I am mentioning but I forgot how to do that so maybe Lysa can leave some links in a comment or something. I made a comment on Kacy's blog and she in turn made a comment on mine. Lysa called me freaking out when she saw the comment. So anyway, thank you Kacy for making me a celebrity in my sister's eyes and thank you for the comment and for being one of my "followers". I hope I don't disappoint.

So anyway, it is hard being a mom. Today we are having our first "my best friend doesn't want to be my friend anymore" 3rd grade moment. It breaks my heart. My first instinct is to call the friend's mom and find out what is going on. But then I remembered that we need to let our kids find solutions to their problems. I will not be a helicopter mom although I may try like a hang glider if this rift goes on too long.

So anyway, what's another word for pirate's treasure?