Grandma Kathy turns 66!

My cute mom had her 66th birthday this week. In honor of that amazing little lady (she's shrinking - the doctor even confirmed it), I thought I'd write 6 things that my mom taught me that have helped me throughout this crazy adventure we call life.

1. No - my legs are NOT painted on! This was a phrase she used to throw at us when we were little and wanted to be lazy and make her do all of the work. Translation - you have legs that work so get up and use them. Use them to work hard, play hard and pray hard and you'll be at peace with who you are.


2. "Polyester Bendovers" work just fine! Ok, these were the pants my mom used to wear to work because she was in sales. She used to sell CANDY!! How cool is that when you are growing up. Anyway, her job required a lot of building displays and hauling candy and materials around and her polyester bendover pants (with the elastic waste) worked out just perfectly. Translation - It doesn't matter what brand of clothing you wear, what you drive, or where you live, it's what's inside of you that counts!


3. Honey, we're rich, we just don't have any money! Richness in life comes from what you make with the relationships you have, NOT by how much money you make. No translation needed on that one :).


4. She (or he) is doing the best that she can with the tools that she has! This one used to and still does gets repeated all of the time, and now I even find myself repeating it in my own mind. Translation - we need to be patient, understanding, and kind with one another. You never know what someone else is dealing with, and they usually are doing the best that they can. This one is still hard for me to remember sometimes. Sorry mom, I'll keep working on it.


5. Diet Coke runs rule! While I was growing up we used to make a run to the local Maverick (convenience store) ATLEAST once a week to get a diet coke together. We even had our own special orange "Mav Mugs" that we could wash at home and refill for 25 cents on our next diet coke run. We still do these to this day and I LOVE them! Translation - sometimes you just need a break, someone to talk to, cry with or laugh with. Who better than your own mom?


6. Laughter is the BEST Medicine! Anyone who knows my mom and has heard her laugh understands what I mean by this one, so no translation is needed here either!

Thanks mom! Happy Birthday!