Thinking about my mom got me remembering her sayings. She has a ton of them!
“I will be there with bells on!”
Often overheard her using this one on the phone. No common acceptance. This means, I will show up joyfully and tell everyone I know to come too.
Goodie-GumDrops!
Where other moms would say, “That’s nice, dear.” or the occasional “Neat” This is what I heard and always with excitement. Joy to the ears! Could be used sarcastically on occasion, still made me giggle.
“Kill’em with kindness”
The inevidable response to “my teacher hates me”, and other things I whined about when I was a teen. I still good advice today. It works when I want to part someone’s hair with a lawn chair. The voice in my head that sounds like my mom says this and I realize its SO not worth being hacked off about. I’ll just be nice instead. Note: doesn’t always work. I am not as nice as my mom.
“Tough Titty Bumps”
The classic. This works on so many levels. Mom said this one so fast that no one in public knew how base she was being. I was maybe 21 before I figured it out literally, but I knew it meant “Life is hard, get over yourself.”
“Tough Titties”
When time was short.
“If that has puppies I want one.”
It says “I like that dress, top, hat, etc so much I wish I had one.” I have seen hardened librarians, and the sternest school marms melt when these words come out of mom’s mouth. The compliment ANYONE happily accepts.
“Judas Priest!”
Made mom very popular in the 80′s, but she has been saying this since the 50′s. It expresses shock. When I changed my haircolor to purple with black tips before the family reunion, out came this gem. It says ” I couldn’t be more surprised if Judas himself became a priest.”
“Better than a kick in the teeth.”
All purpose line. Expresses reasonable satisfaction with negative circumstance. Recognizes it can always be worse. Just below “Every cloud has a silver lining” and right above “count your blessings” on the Scale of Suck.
“Sleep Tight. Don’t Let the bedbugs bit, if they do take a shoe and smack’um two by two.”
The ageless goodnight. Used on me until I was 12 and after that when I was sick and therefore vunerable to being charmed. My boys love it when Granny says this goodnight over the phone. Granny cute has no age limit; unlike Mommy cute.
Graditude List:
Inspired today by an email I read, with a few changes.
Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.
Even though I slam the snooze and resent the alarm. Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hours of my day can be hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and nothing seems to go as planned. Thank you, Lord, for my noisy house and family. There are many who are lonely.
Even though our morning meal will never look like those in in magazines and we often make unhealthy choices. Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job often is hectic and time is always short and often I wish I could just get away. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.
Even though my circumstances are modest. I may not travel to distant lands, stay in fancy hotels, or ever drive a new car, and sometimes I wish I could. I have a place to live, food to eat and when I think about it ALL I really need. Thank you, Lord, for this simple precious life.
Even though my drive home can be marked with unkindness and even danger. Thank you, Lord, for the other people on the road. All our lives work because we depend on each other though we sometimes get in each others way in our rush.
Beauty, Joy and Grace and makes the world we live in a better and happier place.
Be the Beauty. Be the Joy. Be the Grace. Be Happier.
Happy Wednesday!
Jodiann
