Self Talk

Today Gabby and I went for a bike ride (part of my post-election 'get off my arse' program!). When the slope of the road turned slightly uphill, Gabby started to struggle. My confident daughter started saying out loud to herself, "Gabby you can do it, Gabby you can do it!" Over and over she repeated the phrase and she made it up the road.



At first I chuckled and thought I have to write that one down because it was just too entertaining listening to her coach herself up the hill, but the more I pondered the experience the more profound her positive self talk became. This might be too "deep thoughts" for a Monday, but I wonder when do we start telling ourselves we can't do something. When do we give up on dreams because we tell ourselves we can't achieve them. Working in the LDS church's Young Women's program and seeing first hand some of the negative images and negative self talk they engage in, I have come to believe that the best gift I can give them as a leader is the example of confidence--the type of confidence that comes from making good choices.

I think I tend to live a lot my life wandering around in my brain and I needed a good Monday morning reminder to tell myself I can do it--whatever the "it" might be.

**In the interest of full disclosure, Gabby had a complete and utter meltdown on that same bike ride about 15 minutes later...leaving the "Gabby you can do it" attitude nowhere to be found. Such is life!

And the Winner Is...

Yes, I went with my gut and the majority of voters and chose the green velvet jacket despite the heavy lobbying from my darling fashion forward daughter. For those wondering, Oprah was very cool and totally undiva-like and NO we were not on "My Favorite Things." Our topic was for mature audiences only--SEX 101. It airs Jan 9th and we ended up being pretty much front and center--3rd row, so we may get our shot at 5 seconds of fame.

The Ya Ya trip to Chicago was wonderful--a total recharge for my spirit. Let me tell you, my gal pals and I packed it in to 3 1/2 days. I had never visited Chicago and I LOVED it and not just because it is Obama mecca. We hit Blues Chicago to listen to some great live music, enjoyed true Chicago deep dish pizza, acted like ladies who lunch as we listened to a lovely harp performance during tea time at the Drake, bought plenty of Garrett's famous MIX popcorn, shopped and shopped and shopped, devoured every last morsel at the Frontera Grill, and talked and talked and talked until we silly. We even got last minute tickets to WICKED. Many thanks to our team of wonderful husbands who let us be spoiled brats for 3 days.

Everyone could tell we were "Oprah girls" from a mile away--from our bellhop to the Starbucks cashier. It became kind of the running joke. Thanks girls, it was the time of my life--until next year.

Holy Oprah!

So the day has arrived. The ya ya's leave for Oprah Land, a.k.a. Chicago, tomorrow. Our taping is Thursday and of course I am fretting about what to wear. The audience always looks like they just stepped out of O Magazine and I don't know if I'm up to the task.

(Photo courtesy of Flicker and Saturday Night Live

**Notice the late great Chris Farley in this circa 1987 Oprah audience.)

I am going to need your help in selecting an outfit that is worthy of HARPO production. We don't know what the topic will be, but the outfit I choose needs to be versatile. I will need look good whether I am jumping up and down in utter joy because we will be getting free stuff or I will need to look somber and empathetic if we have a guest who has experienced tragedy.

Below is a short home video on the possibilities that I filmed with my FLIP. Please vote with your comments by 7am PST Wednesday 11/12.

Of course if I choose your outfit and happen to get on "Oprah's Favorite Things" episode, I will share some of the booty with you.

Victory Is Sweet

I was going to attempt to write something eloquent about the election results, but Gabby captures my feelings perfectly.

By the way, I am giving a shout out to my good friend Marc for giving me the Flip. It is the most user friendly (a.k.a. idiot proof for folks like me) gadgets around.