Meet My Mother.

It's Friday!

So get ready for another fascinating interview with one of my favorite people...

This week I'm interviewing my mother.

And before we start, I want to tell my mom and my dad how much I admire their courage and their strength. Especially today. I love you guys and I'm praying for you both. Here's to everything being all clear.

So here's our interview:
Me: Hi Mom. Thanks for letting me interview you. You are a celebrity and live a super exciting life- I don't really know where to start... How about the time you were a beauty queen and rode on a float that spun you around while you waved to everyone in your swimsuit. I have seen the footage- you were smokin'. How did you keep from getting dizzy?

Mom: Oh, you are hilarious. If you post a picture of that I will kill you.

Me: I don't know if too many people know this, but you used to model- how did you like that?

Mom: It was great- except when I wore really high heels and they were new. But we would put tape on the bottom so we wouldn't slip.

Mom: We would also do table modeling, but that was a little uncomfortable because I was REALLY close to people.

Me: Just to clarify for the readers, that was table MODELING and not table dancing- Did you work for any famous clients?

Mom: I once did a shoot for Chums- you might have heard of them.

Me: Wow. I remember going with you to a shoot in Zion's National Park. There was a lot of scarf action going on. I was in awe of you because you were so beautiful. You still are- like today when someone asked me if you were my sister, and I said, "I get that ALL THE TIME."

Mom: I have always thought of my daughters as my sisters. We are all daughters of God. Throughout my life when I would get frustrated or irritated I tried to remember that. So I take that compliment to heart.

Me: That is something I need to remember with my girls... Any other advice for me as a mother?

Mom: I think you're amazing. I told your daughter when I put her to bed what a great mother you are. (this same daughter, by the way, told me the next day, "You used to be a nice mom. Now you're a MEAN mom!) I'm sincere when I say that. My advice for you is don't be so hard on yourself. You don't give yourself enough credit.

Me: What's it like being married to someone who is famous?

Mom: I always think it's funny when people call him famous or a celebrity. He's just Dave- a great husband and father.

Me: Remember the time he fought the guy who robbed his house and stole the keys to your car and then stole your car too. Dad knew he was the robber when he saw him wearing his clothes. He was wearing Dad's corduroy bell bottoms that he had to cut off because they were too long.

Mom: And the guy was wearing the leather jacket I had given to your dad for his birthday. But when the guy pulled a knife, Dad told him to keep the clothes, but to give him the jacket.

Me: That is so romantic and dramatic.

Mom: We had the entire Rebelette drill team watching outside the Gym- some guy came running into practice yelling, "Dave's in a fight!" and we all ran out.

Me: Did dad get his jacket back?

Mom: Yes, but the guy had smoked so it smelled and there were crushed cigarettes in the pocket. We still have that jacket.

Me: So you have a lot of responsibilities that come along with dad's job. What do you enjoy the most about that?

Mom: Working with the Children with Cancer and the different things we do to help with the fight against cancer. Lobbying in Washington DC was amazing. I don't love speaking, but these events are very rewarding.

Me: Have you made peace with Referees?

Mom: There are a few things I will not miss in the Mt. West. I'm looking forward to meeting the referees of the WCC.

Me: And I'm sure the look forward to meeting you. Seriously though those games are so stressful. I don't think people understand until they are in your situation. There is a lot of pressure to win games. How do you handle the pressure?

Mom: The last two years have been a lot easier. Perspective is a great thing. What I've come to realized is that basketball does not define our lives.

Me: Perspective is helpful, and so is Jimmer. Dad said that you make cookies for the guys when they win. How did that start?

Mom: Dad's first year, they had lost a few road games. Bribery has always worked with my children, so I told the guys if they won I would make them chocolate chip cookies. And then when we played UNLV at home when they were ranked, I bribed them with snicker doodles. Now it's tradition- Chocolate Chip for home wins and Snicker doodles for away wins.

Me: You have had a tough year, losing your mom and your sister. What has helped you get through the rough times?

Mom: My family and friends and the knowledge that my mom and sister are happy and that I'll get to see them again.

Me: What is your favorite memory of your mother?

Mom: When I was six, it was just the two of us after my dad died. We used to go and visit my sister who lived on the other side of Vegas. When we drove home late at night, I would lay my head on her lap and that was the safest I ever felt. I also remember all the things she did for me that I never appreciated at the time. She hand quilted a king size quilt for my wedding gift. And once she baked hundreds of cookies for something I had going on at the college. I just think of all the things she did for us and the sacrifices she made. I don't know if I truly appreciated this until she was gone.

Me: What's it like raising a sixteen year old girl now as opposed to 13 years ago when I was sixteen?

Mom: Nothing- it's all the same. There's drama and hormones and eye rolling. But it's the best thing ever. And I've seen that sixteen year olds can turn into great moms if you hang in there long enough.

Me: You are a great party thrower- Hostess with the Most-ess if you know what I'm sayin'. What are a few of your best party tips?

Mom: Start with a clean house- especially bathrooms. Know the phone number of a good caterer. Buy some flowers from Costco and put on some music. You've got yourself a party. And if you really want to go crazy, throw in some kareoke. And have fun! Any party can be fun if you don't stress out. A stressed out hostess is a party pooper.

Me: Now on to the favorites:

Favorite Food: Outback, Victoria's Filet, 6 oz, medium rare

Favorite Song/Artist: Sting "When We Dance"

Favorite City: New York

Favorite Dessert: Creme Brulee

Favorite Perfume: Angel

Favoriet Season: Fall, I love the colors and fashion- I have good childhood memories of deer hunting

Favorite Designer: Candace Olsen

Favoriet Movie: Out of Africa

Favorite Vacation: Rome

Favorite Shoes: My black patent leather, pointy toe, half boots from Cole Haan. If anyone from Cole Haan reads this blog, please bring back this shoe. Mine are wearing out. Thanks.

Favorite Guy: Dave

Me: Thank you so much for answering all my questions. I think you are amazing and so cool.

Mom: You are welcome. I think you are the best blogger ever.

***

And don't forget to wish my Mom a Happy Birthday on the 10th. Good luck trying to get her a present, she has it all- except those Cole Haan half boots that our out of production...

Happy Birthday Mom!

I love you!