Friday, February 1, 2008

By the seat of my pants...

I've always been a free spirit...a hippy...somewhat funky... I am not a fan of meat, I recycle, I cut up my 6-pack-plastic-holder-thingies so they don't strangle sea turtles, I adopt a turkey on Thanksgiving and I find it hard to be completely serious for too long. Last night, my daughter and I had one of my top five favorite mother-daughter moments and it was evident to me that she, too, is from the same mold. My husband took the boys out for a while and my daughter was doing some research on the computer in the living room. I was cleaning up the kitchen from dinner and it was just entirely too quiet! I looked over and saw her intently fact-gathering so I grabbed my iPod and cranked my tunes! I scrubbed dried spaghetti out of a collander to SWITCH by Will Smith, I wiped counters to SWEET ESCAPE by Gwen Stefani, and I lost all control to THE QUESTION by Familiar 48...one of my ALL TIME favorite songs. Have you ever heard someone sing with headphones on? Scary. You become completely tone deaf when you cannot hear yourself singing. There is a reason rock stars have their voice fed into their skull through headphones during a concert. Here's the thing -I couldn't have paid for therapy that felt this good- it was so freeing to just let loose and sing at the top of my lungs and not be concerned with who heard me or what I sounded like. I sang until I was out of breath and had to skip parts of the song. I danced and spun around until I tripped - didn't matter - no one was watching. I sang into everything I picked up to put away as I danced around the kitchen. Scissors. Spatulas. Remote controls. It was like my own private rock concert. I was a star. I looked up a few times to see my daughter glancing up, smiling and shaking her head as she researched Wisconsin. She didn't seem annoyed or bothered so I continued with my therapy. I must have replayed that song (the Familiar 48 one) 25 times. Ample time for my little student to grab the camera and start taking videos. She's a sneaky one. We laughed until we almost wet ourselves later as we watched Mommy making a fool of herself on the big screen. American Idol, you have not seen anything yet. Simon, Paula and Randy would have a field day with this one. I can actually sing. I used to sing the National Anthem at school functions, I had duets in school concerts, I was ranked in our county for county and district chorus...but last night, none of that mattered. I was a HUGE GOOF, I let off a lot of steam and my only girl and I had a blast at my expense and I didn't care. Our faces hurt from laughing so hard! Isn't that what being a Mom is all about? Letting go. Being real. Embracing fun. ******************************************************************** Pay a visit to Confessions of a CF Husband and say a prayer.

14 comments:

Tracy Rambles On And On said...

You know, I was looking for one of the videos to be included in this post. Where is it??????
I do the same thing. I thank God for the person who invented the ipod!
I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves!

Julie said...

Um, so where's the video?!?! I am NOT a proficient singer, which was once confirmed by my Bug when she was about 3 - I was singing my heart out in the car (where all of my BEST concerts are held) and she said, "Stop singing Mama, you're hurting my ears!"
At least Puckey and The Jib still like my singing. They're too young to know better yet...

Love the drawing, SO cute!

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

First, I've got to have my meat. I like veggies but I have to have at least some meat portion. I could never be a vegetarian. :)

I love to sing like that. Must be a mom thing. I have a secret desire to audition for American Idol and I would do it in a heartbeat, but for two reasons: 1) I'm not standing in that line and 2) I don't meet the age requirement (too young) But unlike you, I sing ok, but I won't be winning any awards soon. Sometimes singing bad is fun!

If you have time, please visit my blog today for my post "Inquiring Minds want to Know". I'd love your input.

Rose Daughter said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I do that on long trips when the kids are watching a movie, i'll stick my Ipod on and sing. My daughter just laughs at me. Such fun.

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

*ahem* I'd also like to know where the video is. LOL

mj said...

You don't know me personally but, I read your blog and Dawn's everyday. Dawn posted a really, really cute video of her youngest child. You on the other hand.... just described a really cute video. Hmmmmmm.....please redeem yourself and post the video!
All in good fun...

Mary~

Grandmother Goddess of the Garden said...

I too have often "cleaned" the house like this, although not with the ipod, just the stereo turned up full blast...also, we wear tiara's...and yes, where is the video?

Michelle Kemper Brownlow said...

OH Dear...you are gonna make me post it aren't you?

Am I gonna be guilted into this?

Coffespaz said...

Um...yes!! Its good for everyone to let loose once in a while. I think if you post the video I think the following will happen:

1. You will show the world that you, too, can look silly and have fun. (No harm in that)

2. You will have something to laugh about when you see all those neighbors and friends in the grocery store and at church. (No harm there either)

3. You will graciously provide people who read your blog with a laugh, maybe even a good belly laugh. (What a gift!)

4. You might inspire others to relax and have some fun of their own. (What a blessing!)

5. Maybe, just maybe, if its as "bad" as you say...I'll send you a little treat for being such a brave girl. (I promise!!)

So...post it already!!! :-)

I am Heather...creator of all things crafty! said...

Oh no, I feel a creative "rock star" pendant moment coming on.....better watch out!

Luke plays "guitar" with his plastic IKEA spoon (or fork) whichever is handy at the time.

I think it's perfectly fine letting loose, shows that we're free spirits. Creativity comes in many forms.

I like to cuss in the car when Luke's not with me. It just gets out all of my frustrations. I know, not too Godly, but sometimes ya just gotta let off a little steam.

Beats eating a double scoop of Ben and Jerry's well...maybe not!

Heather

Anonymous said...

Hey Michelle! I don't eat meat and I too cut the plastic ring holders up (in fact, I was just explaining to my husband the other day why it's important to do so!) You know about crunching the Yoplait cups too, right? Animals get their heads stuck in them trying to get the remnants of yogurt out and then get stuck.

And hey - I live in Wisconsin! Life-long resident of 41 years. So maybe we can bargain a little bit - I'll tell your daughter whatever she wants to know about Wisconsin from my own personal experience and you post a little video clip! =)

Have a happy Sunday!
Kim

SimplyAmusingDesigns.com said...

Sometimes you've gotta let your hair down and be someone other than "mom"...it's great you were able to share it with your daughter and that she didn't think you were too wierd. :) My daughter is much the same way.

Frazzled Farm Wife said...

I love mother daughter moments like that....my daughter and I do things like that too!

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