Social Media Pros and Cons

Had lunch with my friends the other day.  Its incredible how hard it is to get everyone together these days!  About 5 of the 8 of us showed up.  We are trying out a set day each month.  I don't know how the ladies lunches started but it was probably a birthday thing.  There was a sweet spot when our kids were all school age.  But now at least half are working full-time and there are so many kid things!  A few of us have oldest kids who are married.   College age down to grade school.  Its just a little more challenging to schedule.  These used to be my workout and running buddies back in the day. 

But it is always fun to catch up.  We started talking about kids.  And that led to how come everyone isn't more transparent with their struggles with their kids.  And I think it is because we want to be mindful of others privacy.  There are things we can be transparent about.  Our own struggles, etc.  But certain things are hard to put out there without affecting another persons wishes as well.  So maybe we just remind ourselves on a regular basis that social media is just a highlight reel.  Its not REAL.   I think we all share more in person in our small circles than what we put out on technology with a much wider audience.  Personally I don't expect it to be real and am fairly suspicious of the too perfect influencer people.  I know its just their job.  Sometimes it does bother me.  When I'm tired of seeing influencers houses and workout routines, I just unfollow for awhile, or forever.  And same goes for political stuff.  Sometimes it interests me, and sometimes its too negative and I don't want to go there.  But usually I appreciate them doing the legwork so I can copy, or even just daydream of copying.  Haha.

Anyway there are lots of things I do love about social media.  I feel like when I see my friends in real life, I have more talking points because I've got a little background on what's been happening with them.  I love seeing their grandkids, the young moms with their babies.  And you know what is weird that I really love?  Watching their toddlers mealtime.  Its the cutest thing now that I don't have to clean any of it up.  It reminds me of when my kids were little.  I've seen people use social media to update on serious illnesses.  Which is so helpful, but also I imagine so tough!  I love reading about the missionaries and how they are faring.  I wish instagram would go back to how it was before it suggested all the things for me to look at.  

I personally use it as a way to remember the milestones and write a little love letter to my kids in a way.  But I do miss the days when those milestones were funnier and more humorous.  I think it changes as kids age and I tend to post what I think they will feel proud of.  And certain kids don't like me to post much about them at all and then I stress about that.  haha.  I feel like my feed is different now that they are older.  

Because now my suggested feed is full of Italy, the dolomites, food, therapy nuggets, health stuff, and it does reel me in!  I definitely have to delete the app occasionally.  I did appreciate the article in the latest Ensign about using social media for good.  I mostly enjoy it.   But being consumed by it displaces the good things in life if you let it.  I rarely watch TV and never really have been much of a TV watcher.  But the phone is my source of information and entertainment.  I gotta read more! 

Anyway, my thoughts yesterday was how this is going to affect our kids.  Are our expectations for life being completely inflated by social media?  How is that going to affect the young couples out there?  The teens, etc.  I let my older kids get instagram so young.  But Soren is going to have to wait awhile.  We know better now.

Lake Blanche and Birthday Boating!

It was Elise's 23rd birthday!  

My hiking friends planned to hike to Lake Blanche that day.  So we set out at 8 am and it was so long and hard!  7 miles and 2500 feet elevation gain.  We didn't get home until almost 3.  Had to stop and hydrate afterwards. 

But look how beautiful?  We used to do a lot of hard hikes but we've gotten a little soft in recent years.  Lol.  This one was a good reminder.  My calves are so sore today!

We got home, and I had about 20 minutes to pick up Soren for school and change and head to Jordanelle to go boating!  It was perfect weather!  Water wasn't even very cold.  We surfed in the evening for the first time at the lake and the water was so good.  Ethan's family joined us and it was so fun to see them again!  His dad is in town for a few weeks.  He really looks forward to his visits home to see his family.  But in August he got COVID and had to delay his trip.  I'm sure that is so tough!  He's managing the building of the temple in India.  Its a big sacrifice to be away for this four year job.  We are happy he was able to get back now.

23 looks good on her!  Birthday surfing in late September is pretty lucky!

I got to visit Elise yesterday, bring her her birthday presents and fix her garbage disposal.  Mom things!  Anyway it was so good to see her and spend a little time together.  I love her artwork she painted for her apartment.  She is loving her classes in school.  And she is on a roll with her running.  Monet made her a training plan for the half marathon at the end of October.  

She is DYING to get a dog.  Haha.  Its not allowed at her apartment and she is exploring all kinds of options for other places to live but its just way more expensive with pets.  

Someday soon, it WILL happen!  I don't know anyone who has been more obsessed with dogs.  Simone comes close actually.  But I have no doubt at some point there will be many pets in her home.

I'll Take my Steak Well Done

Yesterday we were all getting ready to host our friend Jon for Sunday dinner.  When Jared started yelling for me to bring him a plate.

I went out to the back deck and the whole grill was on fire!  But he wasn't going to let the fire ruin our steak dinner!  Jon grabbed the cast iron griddle off the stove while Jared braved the fired and grabbed the steaks with the long tongs.  Miles handed Jared the metal pizza peel for the last one cause the flames were huge and the fire was hot.  Jared wasn't giving up until every last one was saved.  Miles ran to get the fire extinguisher.  And I grabbed my phone so I could record the whole thing.  Sadly, I'd just posted my Be Real (which is always pretty boring.) haha. 

Miles told me not to post anything because he didn't want anyone to think he's the one that started the fire.   After the incident where the fire chief stopped by and informed us that our son had drilled a hole in a fire extinguisher and built a flame thrower, we figured it was best to be clear.  Miles saved the day this time.

Thanks to their heroic efforts, our dinner was saved.  And it was actually not even burned and was perfectly finished on the stove top.  I think the only casualty was the Traeger.

When we were technically foster parents, we had to take some courses and pass a home inspection!  We bought the fire extinguisher to pass.  Really came in handy today!  Get your fire extinguishers if you don't have one already.

Defensive Running

A lot of women I know are posting about running and Eliza Fletcher and how sad it is that she was killed after going on an early morning run.  And in response they are encouraging women to run in the dark as a protest?  

"Everyone deserves to run at any time of the day." I agree with this statement. 

YES.  So emphatically YES.  I agree with this.  I want this.  When I was attacked in the street at 13, it changed my world.  My life view was completely altered.  I felt a lot of ANGER after being attacked because how dare someone do that to me?  It's not right or fair. 

I used to love walking at night and was pretty naive about safety concerns.  I dislike it now because I'm always scouting the bushes, walking in the middle of the road to avoid corners and other hiding places.  I carry pepper spray sometimes and worry about having my headphones in and not being able to hear. 

 I shouldn't have to worry about these things.  If someone is attacked it is not their fault!  I definitely had some residual feelings about that, and logically I knew it wasn't my fault but still questioned my decisions and naivety.

Because of what happened to me, I've raised my girls to avoid being out at night.  I would never tell them to run at night in protest and I really don't get that at all.  Similarly to defensive driving, you can't rely on other people to keep yourself safe.  There will always be drunk drivers, there will always be people making mistakes, making poor decisions etc. 

You have to be proactive and practicing good safety measures to mitigate risks.  Walk with another person, carry bear spray or pepper spray, bring your dog, avoid being alone in a place where there aren't a lot of others, etc.

Sadly there are a lot of messed up people out there.  I think the guy who attacked me was under the influence of something cause he had crazy eyes.  

Sure I can and should be able to walk at night but I rarely do because it IS riskier that way.  

So while I love the idea of women running in a large group to finish Eliza's run in support and remembrance, I don't think the encouragement to keep running alone in protest is going to benefit anyone. And I don't really understand this.

Homecoming for Miles and Simone

 These two both had so much fun with their dates at Homecoming this year!

Miles asked Bailee and I didn't even get to see how he did it really.  His friends came in and I think they did an "Up" theme with the poster and balloons with a little help from Monet.  Bailee is our neighbor and we just think he's a really lucky guy to go with her!  Their daydate was a haunted house and they went to Tucanos for dinner.

I got to take pictures of the group which always stresses me out just a bit!  I want them to like the pictures.  I scouted out the backdrop and used Jared's parents neighborhood which was next to their dinner reservation and had some good lighting.

They got matching shoes which was so cute!  Miles didn't really care that they didn't match his outfit.  He really wanted to wear a suit coat he got in Italy. 

The other thing Jared and I have been stressing about is getting Miles to cut his hair shorter.   When I saw the rest of the group of boys I realized we are in good company.  Mullets, long hair, cornrows.  These boys are expressing themselves.  

Simone was so excited to go to Homecoming with August.  Miles came home one day and said that "that August in the nicest guy at Lone Peak."  According to Simone this is very accurate.  He and Simone have been on the climbing team together for the past year and we've been so impressed with August.  They've had so many fun adventures!  And I really love when they are hanging out at our house cause he's just so fun to talk to.  It was fun for Simone to get all dressed up!  

They went on a hike and to dinner for their daydate and she had so much fun.  

She has been watching her sisters do this over the years and she had a great time experiencing it.  She wanted a red dress and one that would "show off her muscles"  (of course).  We had a couple that the girls had worn, but the one didn't fit Simone's lats.  So it was choking her.  We found this cute dress and I think it was great.

The week of the dance she started getting an allergic reaction to something (REALLY hope it isn't chalk!) and she had to get her makeup done at one of the makeup counters because I do not know how to do makeup and covering up stuff like that is way above my skill level.  

I thought they both looked so great.  I was glad Jared was there to take some photos because I was way down in Provo when she got picked up.

Monets Big Cottonwood Marathon Race Report

Remember when I used to write all my race reports?  That was fun!  Now I am in a different phase.  I saw a shirt that said "0.0 because Somebody has to hold the sign."  And that was kinda funny!  That's where I'm at these days.

Anyway, to say I'm proud of Monet is an understatement.  Its more like awestruck!  She makes it look so easy!  My fastest marathon time was an hour and twenty something minutes slower than she was.  Crazy.  And I felt good about a 9:30 mile pace for 26 miles.

The night before the race, I asked her what her goal was for this race.  She said she would be happy with a 2:55, but would secretly love a 2:52.  

I knew that because she is whittling her time down (that is a really BIG goal!), it might get harder and harder to PR.  But she seemed to understand that and felt confident in her training and her preparation the week of the race as well.  She was drinking electrolytes daily, eating lots of good carbs, etc.  And she had put in the time for her long runs and workouts.  She even kept up with the important runs in Italy!

Anyway, we made some signs, got some spray bottles, and drove up to the mouth of the canyon to watch her run.

I got text updates and I compared those to the ones that were from last year and it looked like she started out a little slower but was looking good.

Four of her friends came to cheer her on and that was so fun!  They had some really cute signs as well and I knew she was way excited to have them there.  Mentally it really makes a difference!  I remember seeing one of my friends sons holding a sign at the Top of Utah Marathon and I was not expecting that at all but just seeing my name was way motivating!

Anyway, we included lots of David Goggins quotes "Stay Hard" and "Don't Listen to your Inner B" cause we knew she'd love that.  I made one that said "Sometimes you PR, and Sometimes you just P"  I got so many cute smiles from that sign AND a feature on the Revel instagram!  I feel so clever!  That was an actual quote from her second half marathon.  haha.

She came out of the canyon the first woman!  We were so excited for her and were super impressed with how much energy she had.  She did the out and back and came up the hill to mile 22 and that is the toughest part and I know she was expecting a slowdown at that point and she did.

We had to get in the cars quickly so we could make it to the finish in time!  26 minutes is about all we had to drive through all the traffic and rerouted roads, park and walk to the finish.  But we made it with about 5 minutes to spare I think.  

I thought I heard someone say she was going to come in at 9:47, which would be right about three hours so I was slightly bummed for her that she wouldn't PR, but also hey, it is what it is, still a GREAT time.  Then I realized they said she was on track for a 2:47 based on the last text update (which always slows a little at the end).  I didn't have time to think because suddenly she was coming!  She came in looking tired but strong!  After the race she was definitely looking a little tipsy for a few seconds!  I was so shocked when I saw her time of 2:49:14!  This was so much faster than even her best case.  She was so happy.

The REVEL races are all pretty incredible.  Great shirts, medals, portapotties, just a smooth process.  She loves this race.  Its a really fast course!  They keep giving her free race entries  for her place award and she is very motivated by that.

I love how Monet moves confidently toward her goals.  She has the belief in herself that she will do what it takes to get where she wants.  She makes a plan and then does it.  That decisiveness, persistence and consistency is really inspiring to me.  She has incredible focus.  I loved hearing about how she was able to tune out some distractions and just stay focused instead of wasting energy on worrying about things that she couldn't control.  She was a little sore on Sunday.  And by Monday was feeling good.  Crazy.  She's enjoying have a few days off of running.  She has a packed school schedule with hard classes and the rest of her 100 hours of her CNA certification to finish in the next couple of weeks.  Its going to be busy for a bit.  She just got a new job as a CNA to work on chipping away at the hours she needs to accrue to apply for PA school.

After the race, we went to breakfast at Cheesecake Factory.  She showered, went to hang out with friends and to the BYU game that night that ended at like 1 am.  I said, "I hope you got a nap!"  nope.  She was just going going the rest of the day after all of this.  I don't know how she does it.

She was very excited about her new shoes that were half price and how well they matched her shorts that she got at NXN.  So funny the things she gets excited about.

Grand Finale: Dolomites

The Dolomites were such a great way to end our trip.  It was beautiful!  Everyone agreed that it was a favorite.  Partly I'm sure because of the weather and the time of year.  We were lucky enough to get upgraded on our rental cars!  Apparently the ones we ordered were blocked in so instead they gave us a BMW and a Maserati for the same price!  Not complaining!

The mountains are really jagged here.  Somewhat like the Tetons.  But there are roads up through all the passes, so it is really fun to be able to drive into the peaks.

It was the opposite of Cinque Terre in that it would be a great vacation for someone who isn't able to walk far because you can drive around to everywhere you want to go.  And the cable cars help even more.  

I loved the Rifugios with all the amazing food!

We loved the animals that were everywhere.  Goats, cows, chickens, etc.  It was clear that the food here was local and it was so delicious!

My hiking friend Rose went on a hiking tour there and told me about her favorite hotel.  We were able to book one night before the kids had to head back home.  It was so, so nice!  The drive from Venice is between 2.5-3 hours, but so stunningly beautiful, I didn't mind at all it was part of the fun, kinda like the Road to Hana.  

We stopped at a little Rifugio along the way to use the restroom mainly and had the best goat cheese.  There were cats, dogs, 40 goats, chickens the cutest fenced garden and my kids were ready to move in.  

Lots of the Rifugios offer lodging, but it is so hard to figure out how to book it!  Everything is in German and most people don't email you back if you speak English or maybe they are just full and they don't care. I don't know.

We LOVED the Lagacio Mountain Residences.  It was in the beautiful city outside of Cortina D'Ampezzo called San Cassiano.  It was raining hard when we arrived so instead of hiking, we hit the spa at the hotel. 

They had this cold plunge barrel, steam room, Finnish sauna, snow cave, and a hot tub.  It was small and  pretty and everything amazing.

On arrival they gave us each a delicious drink made from the local flowers and sparkling water.

We had three rooms, and everyones was amazing.  We ordered pizza in and then went down to the hotel lounge for hot chocolate at night.  It was that thick hot chocolate they make in Europe and we loved it.

Then at breakfast we had the most amazing selection.  Four different kinds of butter!  Beet ginger shots, yogurt bar, omelettes, pastries, everything local and just delicious.  The quality of the food is what made it so good.

I found that my husband especially enjoys the hotels with nice spas and really good breakfasts so this was right up his alley!  I like the views.  Anyway, the price was even good!

Later that day we drove another beautiful mountain pass to hit the Seceda Ridge.  We took the cablecars to save time and only had to hike a mile or two, it was perfect.  There was a great big St Bernard at the rifugio that really made our day.  He just looked like he belonged so perfectly in this mountain setting.

Seceda is just as stunning as the photos!  It was fun to watch all the influencers getting their glamour shots.  And we enjoyed the show.  

Later that day we had to head back toward Venice to get the kids closer to the airport for their morning flight.  Even though they didn't get much time in the Dolomites, it was totally worth the drive.

The next night our Airbnb was a total bust and not what we expected.  But that is okay it was just one night.  Then we dropped the kids off at the airport and they went back home.  It was sad to see our family portion of the trip end, but also super fun to have a few days to celebrate our 25th Anniversary just the two of us!

The coolest sporting goods store connected to our hotel!  Look how satisfying all those colors are!