Things My Mother Taught Me

In honor of mothers day this year I thought I'd compile a list of life lessons (some more serious than others) that my Mom has taught me:

~*~The MOST important thing my mother ever taught me is that she loves me.  She loves me no matter what.  She taught me that lesson over and over and over again, and continues to teach me that I'm loved.  She taught me about unconditional love.
~*~Cleaning is best done to Fleetwood Mac or Michael Bolton.
~*~Routines are vital to survival when you're a working mom- the more you can do the night before, the less stress you'll have in the morning trying to get out the door.
~*~Always advocate for yourself and be proactive; whether it's at work, with doctors, places of business, banks, or anywhere.  You have to speak up for yourself and ensure that things are happening as they should.
~*~Educate yourself.  Relates to previous lesson...It's hard to know when you're being taken advantage of or wronged if you don't know what's supposed to be happening.
~*~Be timely.
~*~It's a good idea to do a "red" load of laundry.  Those reds can creep onto other clothes.
~*~Always check the pockets of clothes before washing them.
~*~Most friends will come and go but siblings are forever.  My mom told me this many times growing up as I cried when various 'friends' hurt me.  Back then, I had trouble believing it but she was absolutely right.  My sisters are my closest friends.
~*~Before beginning anything that might make you stressed out or nervous, whether it's taking a test in high school, a job interview, or having a baby--saying a little prayer, always helps.
~*~Always take your vitamins.
~*~Keep the older milk in the front and newer milk in the back of the fridge.
~*~Count your blessings.  One of my mom's favorite sayings is "There but for the grace of god go I."  You may feel like you're going through something difficult but there is always someone who has it so much worse than you.
~*~Hard work pays off.  Being successful isn't always about who's the smartest, it's about who works the hardest.  She helped me write that line in my graduation speech and it couldn't be more true.
~*~Always tip your hotel maid.  My mom worked as a chambermaid when she was young. & always had us pick up after ourselves in the hotel room and left the maid a nice tip.
~*~There is no donkey postulate--Angle Side Side...though comical...does not exist :o)  Sad that's the one thing I remember from her Geometry class.
~*~Be a leader, not a follower....I can't count the number of times my mom said..."I don't care what the other kids are doing..."  Mom always encouraged me to do the right thing no matter what everyone else said or was getting away with...it's a lesson that I took to heart.  To this day I can hear her in my head if I consider doing something that might not be exaaaaactly what I should do.

Happy Mothers Day Mom!!  Love you!!

With Mom at our favorite breakfast spot at Disney's Polynesian
Circa...1993?