Of Katy Perry, Twilight and other Guilty Pleasures ...

I like Katy Perry. I adore the Twilight books. I'm a 34-year-old successful career woman with a husband of nearly 10 years and a healthy, well-adjusted 4 1/2 year old son.

So, why do I feel that I need to deny that I play Katy Perry's "Firework" full blast in my car and sing along while driving to work? I actually find the lyrics empowering and inspirational - yet I feel like this bubble-gum pop shouldn't have any affect on me at all. I should turn it down and listen to NPR or something.

I hesitate to admit that I've read all four Twilight Saga books (secretly on my Kindle) ... twice (I also own the audio books). I own the Eclipse movie soundtrack, and all three movies which I keep on my iPhone so they are ready when I want to watch one while flying across the country for a business trip (I keep the iPhone close so no one can see what I'm watching). I can't wait for Breaking Dawn Vol. 1 AND 2 to come out. Have you Googled "Twimom" ... I am SO not on my own here.

At what point do we (did we?) get "too old" to forget about the project due at work and just sing while driving. Or indulge in an unrealistic, but hopelessly romantic teen love affair?

No more! It's time to fess up and own this! I'm admitting it to you (8000+ Mommy Magic fans will see this post to Facebook) that I LOVE the Twilight books - they are not going to win the Pulitzer or solve world hunger. But, you know what - they are fun. They are a tiny escape from being a grown-up. A adolescent love story - and who doesn't feel a wee bit fondly for their adolescent love?

Katy Perry might not be sophisticated jazz or a complex symphony, but it makes me want to dance and sing.

What's your guilty pleasure?

You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July