Lessons from Grandma

 Happy 103rd Birthday to my Grandma Mary.

No, I'm not going to list 103 different pieces of advice.
Though I'm sure that if I really thought about it,
I could think of 103 things that my grandma Mary has told me about life.
But that's not going to happen.
Instead, I'm going to give you the top, most memorable advice.

5. Move.

A little every day.
Grandma was never one for formal exercise,
but she was always moving.
Whether it was gardening, walking her dog, or dancing around her living room, she moved.
Even at her birthday on Saturday, she refused to sit down very often because, "Honey.  I gotta keep moving and keep the circulation going."

4. Have a little snort.
Yes, Grandma says, "Drink a little."
Up until she turned 100 she would have a little bit of Brandy each day.
There must be something to that,
because doctors have also given that advice.
Thanks, Doctor Mary.

3. Vitamins.
Take them.
Take them all, everyday.
I actually don't know how many vitamins she takes on a daily basis.
It's a lot.
Handfuls.
I suggest starting out with a multi-vitamin and then add a vitamin every year of your life.
Then, by the time you're her age, you will be taking the same amount she does.


2. Apple Cider Vinegar is the elixir of life.
She drinks it everyday.
A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with honey helps in digestion,
and is what she claims has helped her stay healthy all of these years.

1. Athletics:
And my favorite piece of advice...given to the guests at her 88th birthday while she was a little tipsy. :)
"Honey.
Let me tell you.
Never.
And I mean NEVER go bowling in a strapless bra.
As soon as you go to release the ball, WHOOPS!!
Your boobs pop right out of the top!"

Ha!
Thanks Grandma.
That advice has stayed with me all of these years.
And yes, I have followed that advice explicitly.

How to Survive the Year

At the end of last year, I asked the 8th graders what advice they would give to the students next year.  I wasn't sure how serious they would take it...but the answers weren't surprising.
But what surprised me was that so many of these answers could relate to any point in life.

Though I'm going to take their advice and try to get a little more sleep tonight, but it's not easy.  I enjoy staying up late...but somehow, we'll all survive.



Way to Survive 8th Grade (According to 8th Graders):
**All emphasis is from students, not me. ;)

Don't talk about someone in a bad way (gossip/rumors)
Stay organized
Get involved
Own up to your mistakes
Turn in work on-time
Don't look at the clock because it makes time go slower
Don't take stuff too seriously
Find some good friends that are REAL and stick with them
Don't be that person who dates EVERY girl or guy
Be yourself
Don't be fake
Be honest
Get sleep
Stay after and come in the morning
Don't get involved in drugs
Find who your friends are
Do you work- Even the little things add up
STUDY!!
Stay out of trouble
Make friends
Be nice to everyone
Not leading boys on
Make sure you bring your own food- NOT the school's food
Get help
Don't start drama-if you hear rumors, don't spread them
Don't lie
Remember, if you're going through a hard time,
                       keep your head up and think that every little thing is going to be okay
Violence isn't the answer- it just gets you into more trouble
Don't give up
Pay attention
Don't skip class
Surround yourself with GREAT friends
Girls, don't focus on guys
Guys, don't focus on girls
Don't procrastinate
Show a decent amount of respect
Don't make eye contact
Don't talk to anyone, ever
Be original
If you are going to date, actually like the person!
Find a couple good friend-quality, not quantity
Make good relationships with teachers
Know your locker combination
Get involved
Pick reliable friends
Be on-time
Play at least one sport
If you have a question, ASK THE TEACHER!
Good binders
Be nice to the 7th and 6th graders
Bring supplies
Do you work, ALL OF IT!
Be nice to teachers
Don't give in to pressure
Bring back-up pants and female supplies!
Nice guys DO NOT finish last
Separate you real friends from your fake
Bring own lunch...don't eat prison food
Try to always keep a good attitude
Watch what you wear
If you have a problem with someone, confront them nicely or walk away
Do homework. I know it's boring, but just do it

The most common response:
Stay out of the drama!
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I think that's a good reminder for everyone.
No one needs drama in their life, so don't stir it up.
Just be yourself and for goodness sake, please, please be nice to your teacher.
Have a great school year!

Advice from my Grandma-Part 1

 

There are certain things that I learned over the years from my Grandma.

And as she is getting older now...yes...

just now older at 101 years old...

...we're allowed to say that she is old since she's well over a 100 years old.

I feel like I should share this advice with the rest of the world.

There are only things that a woman who has seen it all can tell you

and you'll actually take it to heart.

I find that I commonly will smile and nod when someone gives me advice.

Somehow, I feel that it will appease them in a small way

so that I can go about making my own decisions. 
Silly me...I should always listen and listen carefully. 
It's really the little things that makes the difference in the world.
At least, that is true for my grandma...

#1 Nugget of Grandma Advice
Given to me every time I see her...every...single...time...
"Oh honey, you should wear earrings."   

Or it sounds like this conversation that we had on Thanksgiving...
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"Those earrings are pretty.  You should wear them everyday," exclaimed my Grandma while driving to dinner.
"But, Grandma, I can't wear these earrings everyday!  They don't match everything!" I remind her.
"Well, you should really wear earrings everyday," she stated firmly.
"I do try to put them on...I just forget sometimes."
"Oh, well you shouldn't forget. You're too young to forget things!" she exclaimed.
"Ok, Grandma.  I'll try," I replied sighing.
"You should wear earrings all the time."
"I know Grandma, you remind me all the time," I responded, giggling. (giggle, giggle)
"(giggle, giggle) Oh, I do?  Well, you should."
"I know Grandma."
"You should always wear earrings, they brighten up your whole face!" she stated as fact winking in my direction.
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"They brighten up your whole face!" 
I don't even remember the first time that she told me that, but it feels like I've heard it my entire life.  And you know what really gets me? 
She's absolutely right!
Darn you Grandma! (I write this giggling and know that's it true.)
She's right...and you'll soon realize a few more things about how right she is.
Heck, after 101 years on this planet you tend to learn a few things.

To help me remember my earrings on a daily basis, I found this wire shelf at a garage sale...man, I love garage sales!  And it works perfectly to hold my dangly earrings, so that I can see them and remember to add them to my attire.

Cute, huh?
Now I just need to add to my dangly earring collection...
The best places to pick up inexpensive earrings are Forever 21, Old Navy, Target, and Tilly's.  The first three places you probably know about, but the last one...well, it might be new to you...Tilly's.  You should check it out.  And they often have a "Buy one, get one free" promotion!  Be warned though...if you are over 30...like me, you should probably take a teenager with you so you don't feel so strange walking into a "Surf and Skate Clothing Store."  Somehow, I don't fit their demographic...but I really like their cheep-o earrings!

Oh course...always remember to put on your earrings...
cheap-o ones are expensive ones...
If a 101 year old woman can remember her jewerly EVERY day, so can you. 
And most importantly...
"They brighten up your whole face!"
Cheers to you Grandma!