The Gift of Encouragement
September 27, 2011 I remember the first time I told my Mom the publisher wanted me to go on a book tour for Cake Wrecks. She responded by telling me about an author she'd seen at a big warehouse store the previous weekend, sitting alone behind a card table and looking desperate.
"I just don't want that for you," she said.
...
Motherly concern aside, you could say my mom has a real gift for encouragement.
Kind of like these people:
;)
"Oh, and happy engagement. I guess."
;)
This is your moment. Enjoy it.
Q: What do you get the birthday girl who's allergic to birthday cake?
;)
A: A birthday cake with an apology. ("More cake for us! Woot!")
As we get older, we look for signs from our loved ones that age is really just a number, it's about staying young at heart, etc, etc.
;)
"Well, sure, NOW I am."
And there's nothing quite so encouraging as ill-concealed shock at your personal accomplishments:
;)
"We had you guys pegged at two years, tops. Wow!"
And finally:
;)
"Note that we haven't expressed any sadness over this fact, or stated whether Kyle is happy regarding his imminent departure. However, the fact that we're having cake would seem to indicate a celebration of Kyle's coming absence."
"Wow, you got all that from four words?!"
"No, I'm reading the card."
Thanks to Edmund H., Rachael G., Kim K., Sarah C., G.D., & Kyle C. for the encouraging words.
Oh, and on a completely unrelated note, come see me on my book tour starting next month!
Reader Comments (69)
I'm cracking up over poor Kyle's departure I sure wish I thought of it when my son left for college this past summer, Any reason is a good reason for cake!
As someone who can't have gluten without doubling over I'd stick cake #3 somewhere where the sun didn't shine. Still made me laugh, though.
Did someone say DIilbert?? Where??
Are you my long lost 'Merican sister? Was your mother kind of happily surprised...but mystified by your success...I get that one alla time...*sigh*
That is hilarious! i love your blog, Jen! Check out my blog: www.fixingfriendships.wordpress.com
Zoomom wins comment of the day!! Hilarious! And the ball and chain cake I will now be ordering for the next wedding anniversary! :D
were those 7 contiguous years or was there time off for good behavior in between? ;D
Must be a really horrible crises seeing as they blocked the rest of it off with chocolate lol. Wow..and Kyle got such a tiny cake. That must mean he gets to eat it all. Lol poor Kyle. Nice wedding anniversary cake as well. Love that ball and chain motiff and really can't believe they put that on the cake lmao then again wreckerators put everything but a kitchen sink on cake so can't be that shocked.
First thing that popped into my head with the Kyle cake was that he was telling his girlfriend it was over. Maybe it was just on my mind after the ball and chain one!
Reading the comments it seems like moms are made of the type of encouragement that daughters (and sons) wish they would keep to themselves. It's why we love them, right?
The bachalor degree one hits a little to close to home. It's taking me 6 years just to finish my degree. :(
Crazy! I never thought this would happen to me, but I see a cake I actually consumed! The ball and chain cake was served at my friends' anniversary party 3 years ago. It was made by Duff Goldman at Charm City Cakes (from "Ace of Cakes"). It was awesome, and totally fit the personalities of the couple!
Um, the space after the N isn't long enough to fit in all six letters of rhymes with Tigger. Those look, not like throwing stars, but like two cookie cutter Stars of David, so I'm gonna guess the word is "noy' ": he's a year older, his pals bought a cake congratulating him on his Little Something on the side, because his ol' lady keeps reminding him he's not so young anymore.
If the censored cake had a person's name starting with "N" censored, it would have to be a really unusual name to warrant that. If it was a name like Neil or Nicole or something like that, lots of people have those names and it wouldn't be identifiable to any particular person.
(false story ahead) I got a cake w/ the same # of years but congratuL8d me on my Associate's degree.
In #4, someone didn't want their name shown.
WOW - I can't believe that my cake made it on to your site!!!! I LOVE you all!!! Anyway, that ball and chain cake was one I got from Charm City Cakes for my husband for our 10th anniversary 3 years ago (we renewed our vows at the party). We're both punk rock kids who met at 16, and have been together for 21 years, married 13. The cake was wonderful, and Duff even made the ball gluten free for me! Bonus!!
Anyway, wasn't meant to be mean or to represent going away to prison - it was just funny (and delicious!!!) Glad you found a great way to use it - Thanks!
@holyshizz - not sure who you are from your name (as I don't have any friends that I'm aware of named "holyshizz", but thanks for your comment!
Dear Kyle: While away,
remember to brush your teeth.
Love, Your Toothpaste Tube.
The missing word on #4 might be n****r.