What My Mom Taught Me - A Mother's Day Tribute

My mother passed away over a decade ago, yet I feel her presence daily.  Not in that metaphysical twilight-y zone sort of way, but more so by the many things she taught me.

Mom and me (circa 1988)

My mother was not a gourmet cook, a fashion icon, or a fabulous decorator. And, of course, neither am I.

Instead she concentrated on having a smile for everyone, every day.

She taught me to appreciate the truly important things. A kind gesture, a thank you, a loyal friend.

Now that she’s gone, she’s still teaching me. Reminding me to take the time to spend with those you love. 

She taught me that life isn’t about counting hours; instead it’s about appreciating minutes. 

L-R, Mom as a bride (1945), a young mother (1946), and attending church on Sunday (1951)

Mom grew up during the depression, and she instilled a deep sense of re-purposing materials, do-it-yourself projects, hand-me-down clothes and furniture, and appreciation for anything (or anyone, for that matter) with a patina. 

I miss her more and more everyday.

If you're lucky enough to have your mother this Mother's Day, give her an extra hug, spend an extra minute, and please, above all, appreciate the time you have together. 

Please continue reading posts from Generation Fabulous and learn what their mothers taught them by clicking on the links below.

How To Age GRACE-fully

I have big shoes to fill. Metaphorically, of course.

Have no fear, my feet are fairly normal sized.

My mother, GRACE, aged beautifully.

In her later years, her wide grin and laughter would fill a room with sunshine. 

Her wisdom was etched in each smile and worry line. 

Her arms were amazing. Where mine now look like two birds' wings flapping in the wind, hers were firm and and shapely.

Her legs were even better. Always. At eighteen, or at eighty, they were one of her most attractive features. Betty Grable legs, my dad always said. Mine are kind of knock-kneed, and yes, a little saggy and dimpled. 

She dressed appropriately, comfortably, and impeccably. 

But it's not her physical attributes that contributed to her aging GRACE-fully.

My mom was beautiful on the inside, as well.  Always a life-long learner, she never stopped growing intellectually.  

She was always reading, usually a historical biography  but sometimes a trashy romance novel. She kept her mind, her hands, and her body active with crossword puzzles, book clubs, crocheting, and walking.

She kept adding to her every growing circle of friends.

Her biggest fear in aging, was being a burden to her children. She worried that she would some how become incapacitated in one way or another, and become dependent on someone.

She treasured her independence. 

But I know after my dad passed, she missed a loving companion, and especially the camaraderie of a family.

And her family was the most important thing to her. She fiercely loved her children, sometimes to a fault.

Her extended family, as well. She had beloved grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. And nieces and nephews. And cousins. And friends. Lots of friends!

To grow old as GRACE-fully and as lovingly as my mother did, would be one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.

And one that I truly hope I live up to.

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Dear Readers,
I am lucky to belong to an amazing Facebook group called Generation Fabulous, GenFab, or #GenFab, for short. And this week, I'm participating in this group's fifth blog hop on aging gracefully. Please read some of the heartfelt stories that they've shared!

And I'd love to hear your thoughts on aging gracefully in the comment section below!

My Not So Secret Crush on Alex Rodriguez

There were about seven of us girls at a local restaurant to celebrate my birthday, when in walked Alex Rodriguez, otherwise known as A-Rod. 

Yes, THE A-ROD!  The New York Yankees third baseman!

He came over to the table and said he heard it was my birthday and was it okay if he joined us.  He proceeded to explain that my friends had arranged this wonderful birthday surprise for me as they heard he was in town and they knew I was a big fan.  

I was wide-eyed and tongue-tied but Alex was gracious, smiling, witty, and charming. It was my best birthday dinner EVER!

A really bad photoshop of my picture over his former wife's face.
Sad. I know.
But my sister-in-law thought it was real when she saw it on facebook.
Original Source: Newscom

And then I woke up. 

Seriously.  I woke up. I was DREAMING!

Ever since Alex Rodriguez joined the Yankees I have been a big fan.  Much to my real-life husband’s chagrin, I refer to Alex as my “make-believe husband”.  

And I have stuck with him through all the media hoopla. The Madonna kabbalah (who would have thought he’d go for the older ladies-and do I have a chance?) the Cameron Diaz popcorn time, and all the carrying on with the adorable Kate Hudson.  

But if he leaves the Yankees I just might drop him like a hot potato.

Baseball fans are fickle like that you know!

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Dear Readers,
I am lucky to belong to an amazing Facebook group called Generation Fabulous, GenFab, or #GenFab, for short. And this week, I'm participating in this group's fourth blog hop on celebrity crushes. Please read some of the funny stories that they've shared!

And I'd love to hear about your celebrity crush in the comment section below!

Note: This GenFab bloghop was featured in the Huffington Post on 2-12-13. Click HERE to view their summary and slideshow. Yes. That's my Alex and a quote from yours truly on slide 14.

Smokin' Hot: A Complete Fashion Disaster

Dear Readers,
I am lucky to belong to an amazing Facebook group called Generation Fabulous, GenFab, or #GenFab, for short. And this week, I'm participating in this group's third blog hop! Our assignment is to write about our worst fashion mistake. 

No matter your generation, we've all had them! The 50's poodle skirts, the 60's saddle shoes, the 70's hip huggers, the 80's big hair! Each generation has had their fair share of bad hair and fashion disasters! Read on and enjoy!  

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My worst fashion mistake. 

Of course, you see it NOW.

                                   

But back THEN, in 1989, at the time this picture was taken,

...my mother might have told you it was the hair hanging in my eyes.  

(She was a smoker)

...my former hairdresser might have said it's the stringy long hair.  

(She was a smoker)

...my boyfriend would have mentioned the excessive black eyeliner.  

(He was a smoker)

...and of course, my dermatologist would remind me that I need to spend a lot less time in the sun. 

(You know, he might have had a point there!)

But today, you and I know what it is.  

It's that nasty cigarette dangling in my hand.

Let's face it, a cigarette is not exactly an attractive fashion accessory. But apparently I thought it was at the time.

That cigarette, and many others, caused discolored teeth, premature wrinkling, and at one time, excessive coughing, chronic colds and upper respiratory infections.  

Not to mention occasional burn marks in my clothes, smelling like an ashtray, and a direct hit to my disposable income due to the cost per pack of those ridiculous things.

Talk about a fashion nightmare! 

HBO even made a point of showing how unflattering a cigarette looks on the ultra chic and fashion forward Ms. Carrie Bradshaw in many episodes of Sex and the City.

Photo Source: Tumbler
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l0dsigt2j51qz9bjro1_500.jpg

YUCK!

Smokin' hot - it's not!

The best thing I ever did, THE BEST THING EVER, is quit.

Don't let Carrie Bradshaw's...and my... fashion faux pas, be yours.  

If you smoke, STOP NOW!

Because honestly, 

it should never have been "in" fashion.

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You really do want to read the rest of the GenFab members' fashion hazard posts, which you’ll find listed below.

*NOTE: *You must be a member of  the GenerationFabulous group to participate with a fashion entry in this BlogHop. If you are interested in joining contact HERE for more information.

And please, share YOUR fashion nightmares in my comment section below!