No. Stop. Don’t. Those are the words I hear sometimes and ignore.

You know why?

Because I can’t think of something that makes me happier than hearing the authentic laughter of a kid. In this case, mine, Elle.

This morning she woke up and came into my bed like she usually does. We started a tickle fight. And by we, I mean Elle. As a ten year old she loves to test me. “Mom, does it tickle when I do this?” as she lightly scratches the palm of my hand or reaches for under my neck.

And of course, I’m totally grateful to be stronger. Because I hate to be tickled. But even the few tickles she got in were totally worth it. I mean, hearing that guttural laugh reminds me of being a kid. Totally carefree and happy.

Elle even managed to get a picture of my mouth smile during our tickle fest. Well she got two shots but the first one was of my boob (“covered” by a nightie) and that sure as hell isn’t getting posted.

So here’s to today. I’m going to act like a kid and laugh authentically…hard and from the gut.

I do it all the time. It just makes life better. For you perverts, I’m talking about laughing when I say “it”!

For a day when you just need to empty your mind and laugh a little, check out these sites. Plan to spend waste some time here though.

texts from last night
fml (<~ fuck my life)
fail blog

And sure, I realize many of you probably already read these. But I only discovered them within the last year. I just don’t want anyone else to be as far behind as I am.

Love. Laugh. Live. Oh, and share. What other websites do you check out to laugh a little lot?

I’m here in Del Mar. One of my dearest friends, Suz, met us here. We went to college together. Actually, we’re sisters. Sorority sisters. Yeah, I’m proud. Whatever.

Within the first 30 minutes after we arrive in the San Diego airport she gave me the best ab workout ever. And all she had to do was tell me a story.

Her story came after she heard about me standing up on the airplane. That alone isn’t so exciting. However when my strapless sundress didn’t stand up with me, it became an exciting event. And by exciting, I mean mortifying. Yep, my dress slid down on my body as I got up to use the lavatory. Oh joy. I was embarrassed and didn’t bother looking up at anyone for fear that they were laughing, scowling or turned on.

Really, if I”m going to pull down my dress and give a peep show, I want it to be on my terms. Not on a wardrobe failure.

My humiliation reminded Suz of a story.

She was in Santa Barbara at a fancy hotel. She raced down to the pool wearing a sundress and a string bikini. That’s how she rolls. And not rolls as in fat. The girl is tiny.

I should explain her tiny frame. She’s thin. And completely flat chested. It looks good on her though. I’m guilt free from talking about her tiny boobs because I offered her my spare set and she refused.

Back to the pool. It was a hotel pool and there we other people there. Specifically two guys near Suz any many other people scattered around.

Suz is next to her lounge chair and pulls her sundress over her head. And you probably guessed it. Her string bikini top came loose and fell to her waist. Suz isn’t very modest. That didn’t bother her so much.

What did bother her? The two guys who were watching her. Why? Because of their response. They glanced up, saw the show and went back to whatever they were doing before. Without a smile, rise in their pants, or laugh. Suz concluded that they were either gay or thought she was a little boy.

Moral here: When we take off our top, we want a response. Positive always feels better. But something. Anything. Except for maybe a dollar bill. Or worse, a quarter.