Lessons from My Mom

  Treat others how you want to be treated 

 Always wear clean underwear . . . if you got into a car accident or had an emergency and had to go to the hospital, you wouldn't want to be caught with dirty drawers on.

Kill them with kindness

 When you don't know what to do . . . do nothing

In the summertime if it gets too hot, it's okay to eat a banana split for dinner

  Deal with everything one day at a time

 Pray

 You can tell how kind a person is by how they treat animals.

 Don't walk too close to vans in parking lots or parking garages

 Pick an ugly guy to date - then you don't have to worry about them cheating on you
(I didn't listen . . . Jason isn't ugly . . . but he's not a cheater either!)

 Learn how to walk in high heels

 Don't wear too much make up

Moisturize your face and wear sunscreen

You can do anything you set your mind to

 "I will always love you . . . no matter what you do.  Even the most horrific thing you could do would never make me stop loving  you."

 Trust your gut and go with it

Visit your local health food store

 Support your local farmers

 Believe in miracles

 Don't be afraid of what other's think of you -- even when  you're searching for the Loch Ness Monster

 "Strung out, higher than a kite, stick it in your ear and turn it to the right"

 Leave a note if you're going somewhere to let those who love you know where you are

Don't depend on a man

 Always do your best

 Grow a garden and eat fresh food

 Enjoy nature

 Don't judge others who are different from you

 Support women

 Try new foods

 Send letters

 Drink tea

Create

 Accept people for who they are

 Stay up late

 Sleep in

 Be spontaneous

Go to church

 You cannot spoil a baby

 Recognize fresh mint - pick it, eat it, cook with it

 Don't go to bed mad

 FORGIVE

 Read

 Know how to apply make up so you don't look like a hooker

Take family vacations

 If you've got it, flaunt it (but don't look like a hooker)

Have Confidence in Yourself

 Laugh a lot

 DREAM  BIG

 It doesn't matter how much  your children have, what matters is how much time you spend with them

 Don't miss your child's athletic events or school functions

 Love your relatives . . . even the whacky ones

 No one's life is perfect - even if they present it to you that way

 Be thankful

 Dress up for Halloween, even as an adult.

Eat dinner as a family

Enjoy winter

You can take the day off on your birthday

 Babies are gifts from God - even if the timing wasn't "right." (Thanks Mom)

 Advocate for your children

Call and let your mother know you made it in safely (even when you're in your 30s)

When you're sick, drink clear fluids - lots of 'em
(and might I add that my mom gave me a BELL to ring when I was sick and she'd come and find out what I needed?!)

 If your gut tells you not to trust someone around your children - don't

 Women are just as competent as men - even if society tells you differently

 Have manners at the dinner table

 Fly a kite on windy days

 Learn how to whistle (I still can't do it with my fingers the loud way . . . )

 Play in the rain

 Rent movies, pop popcorn and have a movie night

Prepare more food than you think  you need so no one feels like they can't have seconds

 Believe in children

 Knit - for yourself and others

 Take a class to learn something new (remember pottery?)

 Hunt for sea glass at the beach

Feed the birds

 Call ANYTIME - even in the middle of the night

  If a man really loves you, he will want to spend time with you

 Cheer loudly for your team -- even if your "team" is you child's and the cheering might embarrass them.

Pick berries, pick apples, pick pumpkins (but don't pick your nose . . . at least not in public)

Take lots of pictures

Always kiss goodnight

Thank you for having such a positive impact on my life Mom.  I love you!

Happy Mother's Day!