Unlike Any Other

My mom is unlike any other. I understand that a lot of people feel that way about their parents, but I'm going to tell you why mine is not ordinary. 

She is a giver. She has given to me so much in my lifetime that I can't even remember all the ways. But I have always known that all I have to do is ask & she will do everything she can to make it happen. Once it was my dream ball gown, she searched all over until she found the one I had been seeing in my mind for four years. And another time it was my dream car...so while other people may say "it's just a car", mine holds a lot of sentimental value. Way too often it's money..."oh I saw your bank account was getting low, so I put some money in there." Patio furniture, clothes, decorations, books, jewelry, cards, food, and the list goes on. 

But you see, I'm not the only person that she gives to. She has helped her parents beyond all reason, whether it be with moving, putting up a fence, or washing their dog. She has helped her brother in just as many ways as she has helped her own children! My brother is one of the many that she gives to. These are just examples, the list of people continues to include my dad and many of her close friends. 

The best part about my mom being a giver is that she NEVER expects anything in return (except maybe a little gratitude). And the thing that really bothers me about some people is that they just tend to forget when someone has been there for them, helped raise them, been their friend, and just plain taken care of them. What makes people forget such acts of love? That's why I chose to write on this subject, because I felt like my mom needed to be reminded that not everyone chooses to forget her giving nature. 

With it being so close to Thanksgiving I would like to say that I am more thankful for my mom each day. I am thankful that we talk & text everyday and that we have such a great relationship. God couldn't have blessed our family with a better mom, wife, daughter, or sister. 

If you didn't like it, don't read the next one.

MeganCora

Hollywood: Take Two

The previous blog wasn't the only time my mom took me to LA with her. We went again that same year in December. December is my birth month, so you better believe that my incredible mom took me to Disneyland for my 21st birthday celebration and we had a "magical" time. She rode rides with me & everything :) We saw Jamie Lynn Spears waiting in line for Space Mountain, the day after she had announced her pregnancy, we helped Buzz Lightyear shoot some stuff, we saw an amazing Christmas parade, we got free parking for being so pretty, we went inside Mickey & Minnie's houses, rode the awesome Pirates of the Caribbean ride (Momma's Favorite!) - it even broke down, but we waited & we got to see the fireworks at the end of the Fantasia show. How could it have been anything less than amazing? It is the "Happiest Place on Earth" after all. Momma might not admit to it, but I think it's neat to be able to say we've been to both Disney World & Disneyland - she loved it ;)

I guess what is most important to mention about our trips to LA is that they planted something inside both of us: a love for the West Coast. It's just one more thing that we now have in common because we got to experience it together. I loved it so much that I designed my bedroom in Chattanooga in a Hollywood theme. Every time I see a picture or painting that represents Hollywood or LA in general I just look at it & I take time to remember. I also take a peek at the price tag to see if I can afford it. Hobby Lobby is bad to have a TON of wonderful LA type things & I hate having to say no to them. Every time we see a movie where we recognize beaches or landmarks we just say "awe" and get a sad look (because we want to go back). Our souls love several places in California. And it is only because of my mom that I had the opportunity to fall in love with such a place. I'm glad we were able to travel together as many times as we did, and I appreciate that she invited me & wanted me to accompany her. It means a lot that she wanted to spend that time with me...especially when it would have saved her a lot of money to just go alone. Our special trips created precious memories that will last a lifetime. 

If you didn't like it, don't read the next one.

Megan Cora

Dancing on the Edge of the Hollywood Sign

There is a song out right now called "Tonight Tonight" and one of the lyrics says  "And we're dancing on the edge of the Hollywood sign." I like the song, I think it's catchy and fun, but it also reminds me of Hollywood and my mom. She took me to LA with her on a business trip in May of 2007. I even changed one of my finals around so I could go with her & I told everyone I knew that I was getting to go to LA. I was so excited and the trip totally exceeded my expectations. My mom had already been, but she went back and did everything again with me that she had already done. Every day while she was working I would plan our day for us...and even though she had worked most of the day she didn't complain about being a total tourist with me! We went to Hollywood, I got to see the Hollywood sign, the Walk of Fame, The Man's Chinese Theater, we watched David Spade's talk show tape. We explored new places, I got to see Malibu, Venice Beach, Hermosa Beach, Long Beach, Santa Monica Pier and more! I think our favorite day was when we went to Burbank and toured the NBC studios. We got to see sets from our favorite show "Days of Our Lives" we even met Alison Sweeney and saw a couple of other Days actors from afar. They showed us the car that Jay Leno drove to work that day and later that afternoon we went and watched the Jay Leno show film! That night Thomas Hayden Church, Ed Asner, and Neo were on the show. We had no idea who Neo was, but we had a blast. 

During those few days we ate some of the most amazing sea food, and I got to eat at Wienerschnitzel for the first time (great corn dogs). We ate at Chart House and had an awesome view of the ocean and ate the best king crab legs EVER. 

This trip is forever imprinted in my mind and on my heart, it was one of the best trips I've ever been on. And it was because of my mom that I got to experience all of those things. It was the first trip I had gone on where I wasn't ready to go back home.

Some of our favorite memories:

During the NBC tour the tour guide had a key word that whenever he said it we were supposed to make the sound of a peacock "chirp chirp chirp". So as Alison Sweeney was walking away the tour guide said the key word and momma was so starstruck she said "peacock, peacock" 

We were in the elevator with two guys one morning on our way down for breakfast (the elevator was glass & you could see the breakfast buffet) one of they guys says "Duuuude, I don't like cantaloupe" and the other one says "you ain't gotta eat it, dog" haha.

This is one I just thought of:  In the heavy traffic of Hollywood Blvd one man stopped his car, got out and  turned around in order to flip us the bird. But of course, being as perfect and pretty as we are I doubt we had done anything wrong. 

Anyway -here's the video for the song that always reminds me of the grand adventure I had in L.A. with my great mom! :) 

If you didn't like it, don't read the next one! 

-Megan Cora-

Cherrio Moments

The title comes from an episode of "Oprah" that my mom once told me about. It was an episode where a mom had cancer, so before she died the family did a lot of big stuff together, like going to Disneyland. But when Oprah asked the little girl what her favorite memory was the little girl said her "Cherrio moments" with her mother. The little girl was referring to when she and her mom would wake up in the middle of the night and eat Cherrios together. 

In my mind I refer to mine and my mom's "Cherrio moments" as Lifetime days.  I love the days that consist of nothing but watching movie after movie about a woman scorned. Everything I have learned in life I have learned from my mom and from Lifetime movies: lock your door as soon as you get home or as soon as you get in the car, never go into a dark parking garage alone, don't take crap from your man, if your man is constantly working late then you should go and make sure he's actually working late, never give anyone the benefit of the doubt, be suspicious. Those are mostly Lifetime lessons, but you get the point. On these Lifetime days we may or may not keep our pj's on all day long...usually it's a may. These are the best on winter days when we know we aren't missing anything outside & we don't feel as guilty about eating or drinking hot chocolate, because well, it's cold outside. The most disappointing thing that can happen on a Lifetime day is when a movie comes on that we've already seen :( The best thing that can happen is when it's one of those themed days like "Sultry Saturday" or "Murder Monday" or "True Movie Thursday". It is probably because of Lifetime movies that my mom and I would both be able to survive being attacked. For one thing we know what kinds of places to avoid at night & for another thing new cars now have a release INSIDE of the trunk that opens it...but if you happen to be stuck inside of one that doesn't have a release then kick the tale light out and wave through the hole, you won't be visible in the side mirrors. Also, don't talk to strangers & NEVER put one in the car with you. Most Lifetime movies could be prevented if these girl's mammas had just taught them some lessons to live by, like mine did :) 

If you didn't like it, don't read the next one.


-Megan Cora-