Why My Mom Is The Best

I follow a super fun, funny, and inspiring blog called Tales from the Motherhood.  Wendy Hagen is a former child actress who is now a mother of three hilariously awesome kids, and they got that way because she is hilariously awesome as well.  She's currently hosting a Mother's Day contest with tons of prizes and coolness, so I'm going to answer some questions about my moms in order to give her prizes and coolness on her day.  Check out Wendy's blog to answer the questions and try to win for YOUR moms too!

1. What is your best childhood memory with your mom?
My favorite childhood memories of my mom all involve her being the hostess.  No one can plan and execute a party quite like Carol.  There are themes and door prizes and scavenger hunts and elaborate decorations.  Our birthday parties were always so much fun, with just the right amount of planned game activities and free-for-all time, complete with chaotic present opening and delicious, meticulously frosted cakes in every shape, size, and character imaginable (and all homemade, thank you very much!).  Her creativity knows no bounds, and it's been really fun to see her continue that tradition with the new generation of kids tumbling through their house.  The best and most embarrassing game she created?  She got me a life size cardboard cutout of the New Kids On The Block, glued velcro lips on them, and we had to throw a velcro-covered plastic ball in order to Kiss Our Favorite New Kid.  I think that cutout is still at my parents' house, velcro lips and all.

2. Was she consistent in her discipline?
Wendy hinted that we should answer NO to this question... but truthfully, I don't think I can.  She was very consistent, especially for punishments for my brother and me.  Her mantra was "The Punishment Should Fit The Crime," so we didn't get your run-of-the-mill groundings like my friends got.  If we failed a test, we had to study that subject extra every night under her watch.  If we lied, we weren't allowed phone time with our friends.  If we didn't do what she asked, she would think of something off the wall to make us do.  In general, don't cross Mrs. B.


3. Did you ever make your mom cry because you were so unruly or disobedient?

I'm sure that I did, but she wouldn't do that in front of us.  I've been told that my brother and I were mostly good kids, and we didn't do anything SO unruly and disobedient because... well, did you read my answer for #2?  We didn't want to know what her creative mind would think of next.  My mother plays her emotions very close to the vest, though, so if she did, she wouldn't let us see it.  Occasionally, we would make her so angry that she would order us away for 10 minutes so she could calm herself enough to deal with us rationally.  Probably because we talked too much...

4. Do you remember any of the special things your mom did for you?

The parties, of course, were very special.  However, the best thing in recent times that my mom has done was come take care of me and my dog when I was so sick I couldn't function.  This was the worst I remember feeling ever, and I was home alone with the dog who didn't understand why all I could do was lay on the couch and cry.  At the ripe old age of 29, I called my mom in tears and begged her to come help me.  She was there as soon as she could get there.  It's comforting to know that you're never too old to call mommy.
5. Did she teach you anything really significant?

My mother continues to teach me significant things every day just by being herself.  I know she's my mom and I'm biased and everything, but seriously, she is the strongest and most selfless person on the planet.  She never puts herself first.  She has been there for her friends and family through the hardest times they could imagine, and she will do whatever they need without blinking.  She's everyone's mother, taking care of children young and old, providing them with the best desserts, the best hugs, and the best conversations.  I know that I will be an excellent mother one day because I have had the most excellent guide to follow.  That is the most significant thing I can think of.

SO... happy early mother's day to all those mothers out there, or soon-to-be mothers, or maybe-one-day-will-be mothers, or even pet-and-rescue mothers (like me!).  And, THANKS MOMMA for being amazing!  And, you know, for having me.  That was super cool of you.

Day 30- Your Favorite Song At This Time Last Year

Like I said on Day 1, I don't have an "official" favorite song, and I also don't really keep track of what my favorite songs are/have been.  I even looked back at my iTunes, my track lists, my Pandora, my old blog posts, all kinds of crap to see if I could find anything.  Turns out... nope.  Can't remember.

HOWEVER...

During the first week of March 2010, you might remember that I took a trip to Vegas with The Hubs and some other buddies.  That was just a little over a year ago from now, and I remember what my favorite song was during that trip.  Why?  Because I made a big deal of voting for it at the Hard Rock Cafe.

The Hard Rock on the strip has touchscreens in every booth where the guests can vote on the song they want to hear next.  I saw "Sick Muse" by Metric on the list, and I really, REALLY wanted to hear it.  So... I went to every empty booth and voted for it.  Every one.  Did I mention we were probably the only people in the place at the time?  No?  Well, we were, and I made sure to vote a bunch.  Then, when my song FINALLY came on, I danced around like a girl who was happy to hear her favorite song.

I miss Vegas.  I could go for some Metric, some In-And-Out Burger, and a triple cherry cola.


AND that's 30.  I really loved doing this.  I just may do it again sometime.

Day 29- A Song From Your Childhood

I cannot believe I'm almost done.  This has been way too much fun.

As soon as I saw today's challenge, I immediately knew the song I would pick.  I was lucky enough to grow up with two great parents that introduced myself and my brother to lots of great music, great movies, and great pop culture.  The Muppets were a definite staple, and this was one of my favorites.  Whenever I hear it, I always think of home, think of my parents, think of the wonderful circumstances I had around me.  What a lovely song.

Day 28- A Song That Makes You Feel Guilty

I am such a procrastinator.  I am often my own worst enemy.  I stand in my own way so much, though I'm not sure if it's intentional or just laziness.  So many things I want to do, so many roads I want to take, and yet... I don't.  There's always an excuse, there's always a distraction, and it's so frustrating that I am so aware of it and yet I do nothing to change it. 

Every time I hear this song and think about the words, I think to myself, "SO TRUE.  Let's do this!"  And then... nothing. 

So, hear this Self: There's only us.  There's only this.  Forget regret or life is yours to miss.  No other road.  No other way.  No day but today.

Day 27- A Song You Wish You Could Play

Well, holy crap, another hard one.  That's what she said?  Oh goodness.

ANYWAY, I wish I could play a thousand instruments, but mostly, I wish I was really, really good at both the piano and the guitar.  Like, really good.  I'd been going back and forth between two different songs in this category, one for piano and (you guessed it) one for guitar.  Both are impressive.  Both are songs I wish I could play.  However, I'm such a fan of this song (and this LIVE performance) that I had to go with Mr. Buckingham.

Man, I hope I rock like this when I'm his age.  For REALZ.


(for those curious, this is the runner-up.  but just the piano part.)

Day 26- A Song That You Can Play On An Instrument

I know that 90% of the people I was in marching band with in high school can play this song on something- either the piano or the marimba or something.  I swear I heard this song EVERY MORNING for at least a solid YEAR.  I don't think I will ever, ever, EVER forget how to play this.

I mean, not like it's super complicated or something.  But still... EVERY MORNING.
(Side note: this homemade video is kinda hilarious)

Day 25- A Song That Makes You Laugh

I have missed many days due to crazy busy-ness of life and such, so I'm going to pick up my last six days.  Rather than inundate you with lots of entries, let's just take this one day at a time, shall we?

I had to go Weird Al with this.  Long, long time Weird Al fan, almost life-long.  I know it's silly and cheesy and punny, but his songs make me honestly laugh out loud.  He puts on a durn fine show too.

My favorite is possibly his most ridiculous song ever, an original called "Albuquerque."  It's 11 minutes long.  Hubs hates it with the fire of a thousand suns.  He only lets me listen through to my favorite part, which is near the beginning when Al croons a lovely, "wakka-wakka-doodoo-YEAH."  So... that's at least one example of how ridiculously great this song is.

Fun fact: once, in NYC, while leaving a They Might Be Giants show, I heard a fellow concert-goer & stranger say, "Nah, we're out of bear claws!"  I laughed LOUDLY.  Stranger turned to me, and we slapped a vigorous high five.  Moral of that story?  Nerds love Weird Al and They Might Be Giants.