Guess Who is 70 Today?

My Mom!!!

Happy Birthday! We love you so much!!!

Happy Birthday Mustang Sally!

Today is my mother’s sixieth-something birthday! (Oh I know how old she is, but she may not want you to know)

Oh man, I just love her! She is an amazing woman! 

My mother has taught me strength and determination. She spent 25 plus years at the same company (and does contract work for them now) going from an entry level position to one of the highest positions in her field. All of that without a college degree to get her there. She worked hard and has a work ethic that surpasses so many. She has had to be bold in what was, at the time, a man’s world. 

My mother has never shied away from being real with me, though, she does keep her battles more private than her daughter. I have had the privilege of being on the receiving end of hearing hear heart, celebrating her victories and crying along side her in her defeats. 

She was the black sheep in a very uniformed, keep it together and smile, family. Her years of running against the flock are what have strengthened and molded her. Her life experiences are what make her come from a place a love and not judgement when dealing with two daughters. 

Even though she was adamant to be nothing like her mother, (don’t we all say that) I see my Meme (who I love and adore) in her. The annoying quirks like voicemails saying, “Well…you haven’t called me” and “Well, I guess you’re just mad at me.” Their tone inflection on the world “well” amazingly lunges you right into a feeling of guilt. You have to laugh, or at least I do, because there is no doubt I will be the same way. 

You can also see the unyielding love she has for her grandchildren as my grandmother did for her’s. My mother has been determined to put her own twist on being a grandmother, but also model the things she loved about her grandmother. She’s a hoot, always laughing at herself and always keeping others laughing with her. 

I give her big props for holding together a marriage for over 40 years through tough trials and events that would break-up so many. She has kept her vows and has stood by her husband just as she has her two daughters. She’s been with us through all the rough stuff and has worried herself sick many times while we were younger. I believe I’ve gotten her to see that prayer is better than worry, but really who am I to sit on my soapbox about worrying. 

My bond with my mother has increased during the past years through forgiveness and being vulnerable with our regrets. We have both realized that we are very human and we make mistakes. We also know that we are both a bit crazy and over dramatic which we blame on Meme (because everything that we don’t want to own up to we blame on her) (sorry Meme). 

What else is there to say about this woman? I hope that I can pass on her amazing traits to my daughters! 

I love you Mustang Sally! Ha…aren’t you glad that happened before the days of “please don’t but this on Facebook.” I love you mom! Thank you for being you! 

Now, I must go call her because I just hear her saying, "Well, Dana isn't even going to call me on my birthday." To which I say, "Okay Mary just breathe" (Mary being my Meme)

My Mother’s Wish

My mother really wants Bekah to have red hair. Don’t get me wrong she wants her to be healthy and perfect, but if she could have one more wish she would have red hair like me.

My read hair- One of the things I received from my Meme’s family…along with body structure, attitude and almost every medical condition. I am very lucky to have the Wardlaw red hair. As I said before My Aunt Nene (great aunt) told me at a young age to keep your hair red – because we also grey prematurely – use a red comb every morning. I thought I red comb would do it – I later learned a red comb was really good box of hair dye. Even today though, after touching up my greys at least once every couple of month, the color fades to a perfect strawberry blonde – almost the same shade as my Aunt Nene’s.

In the early days red hair was easy because I was not the only one in school with it, but as I hit my teenage year it grew increasingly more difficult. I moved to an area where I was the only one with red hair – I stuck out in a crowd and didn’t like it one bit.

In my twenties I rebelled against my hair color some – trying to go blonde, then brown, but it never failed after about a week the color would fade and there was my red hair again.

After my divorce it would make me laugh as I was attempting to date and I would hear “I’ve never dated a red head.” Like my hair color makes me any different from any other woman. It is assumed that since I have red hair that I am a spit fire – that I can hold my own – this is true, but I think that has more to do with being the youngest daughter or maybe being raised with my sister. I’ve also heard that red heads are quick to anger….hmmm…that depends on the days, but really I am laid back.

I would be ok with a red headed baby girl and I would tell her all about the red comb, but when I look at the genes I think she will come out with light brown hair or maybe blonde.

On interesting note I learned yesterday...right now Bekah has hair, but at the stage there is no pigment so her hair bright white.

Oh My Mother

I had difficulty coming up with a tile for this maybe My Mom in on File with CPS or My Mother & Her Odd Ways – I think end with just simply – Oh My Mother.

I think the funniest stories I tell about my mother is the fact that she was so overboard about her daughters always looking clean and put together.

Before I tell you this story you have to remember I was probably 4 or 5 so it was back in the day. My mother left my sister, Melinda and I in the car while she ran into the grocery store. She specifically told my crazy sister to NOT OPEN THE DOOR.

Wait I need to let you in on something – our car was a jacked up (like an extra foot) Dodge Ram Charger – similar to the picture below, but the wheels seemed a lot bigger – I was 4.

I guess I don’t have to tell you that Melinda did indeed open that door while my mother was in the store, but she quickly closed it or attempted to. My mother got back in the car not knowing a thing – I was sure not going to tell her for fear I would receive a smack down from my older sister.

Next thing you should know – my mother drives like a bat out of hell – she’ll admit to it. My mother took off back onto the small town black top road not noticing my sister clutching the door – that was not shut all the way – while sitting in the front passenger seat. My mother took a corner full force, that door swung open and Melinda flew out of the vehicle – I remember every moment of this accident. These were the days before seat belts – yes I am that old. My mother stopped the mammoth vehicle in a panic and I was just a balling. She ran and picked up her oldest daughter off the pavement – God was looking down on her, because she could have easily been smooshed under a tire. My mother put her in the car and took her home. Yes, home – not the hospital. Why?

Well here is the funny story I always tell about my mother – she felt Melinda looked too dirty to take directly to the hospital, so she took her home, put on fresh clean clothes and re-did her hair. I think a good face washing was also included in it. Now instead of looking like she was in an accident, she looked like my mother had beat the tar out of her – this didn’t dawn on my mom and off to the hospital we went.

My sister was examined and you guessed it someone from CPS was called in to interview my sister, me and my mother because Melinda looked a little odd, yes she was injured, nothing severe, but her ponytail was perfect and her face was shiny clean.

You would think she would have learned her lesson, but a few years later it was my turn. I was injured in at a county carnival in one of those awful rides (which I will not let Shelby ride on) and before heading the hospital my mother – God Love Her – took me home, cleaned my up, did my crazy hair and then took me to the hospital. Again, we were all interviewed.

I am not telling you this to say my mother was wrong – I think it is just hilarious how meticulous she was about our appearance in public. I love these stories, they make me laugh – they make my entire family laugh because this is so my mother – the women who cannot leave the house with a single wrinkle in her clothes, her face has to be perfect and her kids must always look the same.

I love you Mom – even though I know exactly where I get my crazy from. I am happy to say that these two were the only major ER incidents that my sister and I had as kids and we survived without stitches.

After Post Follow-up: I have to say I was kind of nervous posting this. When I called my mom to get the Model of vehicle we owned she said "What are you going to tell the world what an awful mother I was." I reassured her that that was not the angle I was going to take because first off everyone has these days as a mother and secondly she was NEVER an awful mom. Even after that I knew for sure I would get a snarky comment from someone saying how I needed to be nice to my mother - which I am now that I am in my 30's. I am relieved to find no snarky comments so far, so I thought this would be an awesome post to share on Momma Made It Look Easy. Go visit and see other awesome posts!

Blessed...Yeap, Again

It came to my attention that while I am overflowing with the blessed feeling of being a part of JAG’s family on many a post that I need to pause and think…have I told you how blessed I am to be a member of my own family?

My father made me cry on Saturday, he doesn’t realize that he did. He was not mean or rude and he didn’t say anything tacky – except that I make my baked beans wrong. He said I love you before he hung up. I balled – ask JAG. I went straight into the backyard where JAG was sitting and said My Dad said he Loved Me and I don’t know what I am crying. His response because you don’t normally hear it.

Wait! Wait! This isn’t a knock at my parents blog – I do not come from I Love You family, not that I didn’t feel loved. This is just the way we are – that is our normal. So, at the age of 33 an I love you from my Daddy chokes me up badly. I didn’t need him to tell me for me to know, but just him saying it sent chills through me and tears streaming.

I am blessed to have been born to this couple. I am blessed that I was their last child at the age of 30 and 31. I am lucky to have parents who have survived and in the end love each other so much – even though I don’t understand how they deal with each other sometimes.

As I have said before, I wish my relationship with my sister was different, read it here. At the same time though, I am blessed to have a sister at all. When I was five my sister fell out of a moving car, a big wheeled moving car, onto a blacktop road narrowly being missed by a crushing tire. I remember it like it was yesterday – I could have lost my sister that day. My sister and I had many episodes in our crazy teen years where we could have lost each other – we are blessed that we didn’t.

Overall I am blessed to be in this family! I love my family so much.

I love you, Dad – even though he doesn’t read.

I love you, Mommy – she reads every day!

And I love you, my sweet sister – she hardly ever reads my blog.

Flash Back Friday: A Whale of a Sweater

Oh the embarrassment!

Let’s see where do I begin, let’s start with the elephant in the room – yes those are whales on my sweater. Oh my, who in the world bought me that and who in the world said “wear this for your pictures.” Wait I know who – my mother!-the woman that I fashioned my hair style after. Can you believe I had my father take me to the woman who did my mother ‘s ‘s and my grandmother and my aunt’s hair and said “I want the same cut as my mom.” What in the world was I thinking? I was in the third grade, too young to make those decisions – my father really should have stopped me.

Let’s also talk about the teeth. Beside the fact I seriously needed some whitening trays you may notice my front teeth were huge. Yeap , aren’t they adorable? I had an accident when I was sixteen that led to a chipped tooth which thank goodness led to my front teeth being filed down. I am so happy for that – I never realized how long they actually were.

Oh enough with my picking the picture apart. I will hand it to myself I was color coordinated with that red ribbon in my hair to match the hearts on the sweater. Who am I kidding? My sister probably held me down and tied to help me no look all that awful.

I am linking up with Christopher and Tia. If you would like to see more flashbacks, then go see them here.

Dear Mom

Dear Mom –

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think that your daily ready of my blog is really helping you to grow.

I am very proud and happy that when I told you that thing that I wasn’t going to tell -and told the entire world I wouldn’t tell you- you handled it very well. You listened and understood – not that you wouldn’t have before, but you got it. You understand my side of it and you felt for me – not that you haven’t done that before – I am just saying…

I believe that between my blog and facebook you have opened up much more regarding internet life – even though you still preface most conversations with “now don’t go putting this out of facebook.”

I am glad and very proud that you are one of my loyal readers! I just wanted to let you know…oh and also I love you.

Oh and also come get your granddaughter! She is driving me crazy and it is your fault!

I love you Mommy!

Can you believe you and I have no pictures together – just the two of us – from the wedding? I had to crop everyone else out of the one above and I did a pretty sucky job of it - sorry.

It is Only One, but One Big One

As I said yesterday I asked my mother to guest post about my birth. I mean it is the least I could do after posting those horrible pictures of her yesterday.

 Without further ado…my mother-

November 6th, 1977 - First with you, I was huge - my hands, legs and ankles were double their normal size. I waddled like a duck when I walked....I did not gain as much weight as I did with Melinda, but I was much larger.  On your birthday, I started labor about 6:00 AM.  We got ready and dropped Melinda off with mother and headed for the hospital.  My regular OB/GYN was not on call and luckily Dr. May was on call.  We had known him for years.  He and his family were members of our church.  The labor was normal however when they checked the heartbeat, which in those days was with just a regular stethoscope, (no fancy baby heart monitors back then) they thought they heard two heart beats.  The labor room then became crowded with nurses-two listening at a time.  Everyone offering their opinion, was it two babies or only one?  Also back then there were no ultrasounds, no finding out the sex before the delivery day....

We headed for the delivery room and Dr. May told your dad "we are going to prepare for two, just in case". All the blood drained from your dad's face and he was white as a sheet, or is it sheep when he was told you might be twins!!  Dr May also told your dad he could gown-up and join us in the delivery room and your dad said "thanks, but no thanks".

Delivery was normal and when you arrived about 12:30 PM.  Dr. May said "it is only one, but one big one".  You weighted in at 9 lbs 10 1/2 ozs.

You were so sweet and the nurses would bring two bottles when they brought you for feedings.  You would suck down both bottles and all I had to do was lay you up on my shoulder and pat you once and you would burp and go right to sleep.....

In typical fashion I had a few rumors questions I needed to clear up with my mother.

Me: Was this pregnancy planned? heehee.

Mom: Yes it was - I did not want your sister to be an only child

Me: What did my sister think about having another baby around?

Mom: She was really happy unlike my sister who wrote all over the bathroom wall the day they brought me home from the hospital and came in the room and said - "just look what I did"!

Me: Where you hoping I was boy - seriously be honest...I know you were.

Mom: Yes I was kinda hoping for a boy - you know "one of each", but was very happy with my sweet "big" girl.  We had two names picked out - you know this part -  Luke for a boy and, Dana Rae for a girl.  The true story about Dana Rae is - Dana from one of my favorite actors Dana Andrews and the Rae is from a Susan Hayward movie where she was an artist name Rae and she signed her work "rae" - just happened that was your granny's maiden name also....

I am officially in an identity crisis about my middle name. I did not know until she sent me the email yesterday.

Now, a special treat for you! Not only do I Blog, but I have been known to Vlog, so I decided to share with you 33 Things About Me on My 33^rd Birthday – Vlog Style!

Flashback Friday: Sorry Mom!

I thought I would take you back to a little over 33 years ago!

Yeap that is my mom (sorry) and that boy girl with a boy cut is my sister. And me? I am in the belly!!!

I love these! I have them framed in my house. My mother just rolls her eyes – she is doing it now.

So…if you didn’t know or maybe couldn’t guess my birthday is coming up. Actually it is tomorrow! Come back tomorrow, I invited my mom to guest post about me and my birth.

Want to see more Flashbacks? Go visit Christopher and Tia’s blog – here.

Flashback Friday and A Question for You!

I am linking with Christopher and Tia. I still can't get the button to work, so go see them here.  

Oh this is a Flashback that will have my sister and a few of my cousins wanting to strangle me. Remember this Christmas?

Look at me in my pink sweater – I hardly ever wear pink – I don’t think to goes with my hair. I loved how my mom would put yarn bows in my hair. This had to have been 1983 and I was 6 because we lost my Papa the following August. I am almost positive of that because Amy was still a baby.

I love this picture. It was framed in my Meme’s house for years. I love my Aunt Becky’s sofa – they were such the fad – we had one too. That was a good Christmas.

Now, I have a question for you and the reason why I am asking during Flashback Friday is one because my Meme is in this picture and two because I would like to hear from people other then my family – who are normally a big majority of my everyday readers.

If you had the opportunity to know how you would die, would want to know?

Let me clarify. I was watching last week’s Grey’s Anatomy on my DVR where Meredith Grey was tested for the Alzheimer’s Gene. As soon as I saw it I hit pause and called my mother. I proceed to ask her why she didn’t tell me about   the gene testing. She in turn proceeded to tell me she didn’t want to know and then after a long discussion she said if I researched and do it then she might.

I have a friend who was tested for the cancer gene because her mother passed away from ovarian cancer. I have seen people test positive for the breast cancer gene and wind up having a mastectomy in order to avoid the cancer, but I had never known that they have a way to identify the Alzheimer’s Gene.

If you are new to my blog, please go read this post about my grandmother (Meme), here. This may help you understand why this is so important. At the same time, though it is scary.

The Alzheimer’s Association states the following on their website, here.

“APOE-e4 on chromosome 19, is linked to a greater risk of susceptibility for developing late-onset Alzheimer’s, the more common form of the disease that is manifested after the age of 55 and generally associated with old age. APOE-e4 is a variant form of a gene that encodes the production of a protein called apolipoprotein E, which may play a role in repairing connections between brain cells. People with one copy of APOE-e4 have a greater risk of getting Alzheimer’s than people with other forms of the gene, and people with two copies of APOE-e4 have an even greater risk.”

“APOE-e4 increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, but it is neither necessary (people without APOE-e4 develop the disease) nor sufficient (not all people with APOE-e4 develop Alzheimer’s).

Although there is no way to change one’s APOE-e4 status, lifestyle modifications may help reduce the potential effects of having APOE-e4. These lifestyle modifications include eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising and staying mentally active.”

A few things that I feel completely suck about this genetic testing is the social consequences. The possibility that an insurance company could find a reason to drop you or deny life insurance based on the outcome of the testing. That is why most people turn to at home kits which are not as reliable as going through genetic counseling.

The reason why I would have the testing would be to able to maybe combat the symptoms as they said above through lifestyle modifications. Also, to prepare, I can not begin to tell you how much more information I would have gathered from my grandmother if I knew that she would lose all of her memory. I so wish I could go back and record all of her memories – like what she thought when she met my grandfather. Those little details are now lost.

My question to you is – would you do it? Would you take a test like this one knowing that it could possibly come back and tell you that you are very likely to have Alzheimer’s? If you have gone through this with anyone, you understand the sadness that would be felt knowing that you would possibly end your life that way. I say possibly because even if you have the gene is it not a 100% definite that you will have Alzheimer’s.

I am torn – as you can probably tell by my rambling. It is so emotional for me – this topic. We are pretty sure my great grandmother had it along with my great aunt and now my grandmother. At this point it scares me more than heart disease and the history for stroke in my family – especially since I am a carbon copy of my Meme.

If you were me, what would you do?

In searching for the picture above – I found a few favorites of my Meme and Papa. I miss them both so much.

Also, before I forget! Vintage Pearl is having a give-a-way! Go visit her blog here.

Confession: I Commit a Sin

Oh…you were hoping for a list of them? Well…maybe later. I all seriousness, though, I have envy – jealously – I covet – how ever you want to say it – I am jealous of Stacy At Home Moms – Domestic Engineers or whatever the pc term is this year.

Oh, if I could stay at home – there would be minimal soap opera and talk show watching. I would cook, I would clean, I would be in those mom’s groups, I would go to daytime bible study, Shelby would know her multiplication tables – oh wait – She would be HOME SCHOOLED!!! I would study. There would never be dirty laundry – ahhhh life would be perfect.

Wait – before you attack. I so know that the position isn’t all rainbows and rice krispie treats, but there would be things I wouldn’t miss. I would actually go on field trips – if she wasn’t home schooled. We wouldn’t rush been school and practice to get in home work with just enough time to shove a corn dog at her as we walk out the door. I would be able to spend more time at the table – in conversation that Shelby so craves. I would be more patient about homework because we would have more time.

Shelby finishing her Corn Dog and chips dinner  - yeap it's that bad

I wouldn’t stress to get as much laundry as I can get done, done before we have to go to the next practice, game or meeting. Shelby would be able to be involved in the activities she wants and I would be there un-stressed. I am already there, but I little frazzled at the moment.

And Crafts!!! I see women doing crafts with their children – meh…

I wish I had the opportunity, but not so much that I am going to throw a fit to make it happen. I want my family provided for and therefore I work. Maybe someday…maybe not. My mom only stayed at home a year with me – that year rocked remember mom? – and I turned out just fine with her working.

So there – all my stay at home friends – you know who you are. The organized one who never buys anything without a coupon, the two that get to go shopping together while I work and the ones who are oh so talented in so many ways – I AM JEALOUS OF YOU!!! I wish I could say “Get back to work outside of the home, so I will feel better,” but I know that will never happen and I wouldn’t want it to, you all are blessed to have this time. I will continue to think of you – nicely, yes nicely – as I sit at my desk in the 3^rd Floor of and office building and work. Meh.

Confession: I am no Cosmetologist

First let me say and provide proof I am a natural red head. I was born with it and I still have naturally – some what.

My great aunt Nene – the only relative I had met with red hair – told me that in order to keep your red hair you had to comb your hair every morning with a red comb. I was maybe eight when she told me this, but I knew exactly what she meant because my mother had been combing her hair with a blonde comb for years. Hair dye was the key to that colored comb. You see, beside red hair I was blessed with pre-mature graying – not as bad as my mother, but bad enough that I could at least once a month.

Now back in the day I used to go and drop the money to have it colored, these days I select a little box off a shelf and do it myself. In my early twenties I wanted blonde hair so bad, but would not paid to have my hair stripped and died blonde, so I just used blonde dye – therefore I was strawberry blonde. When I was 30 I went two-toned with a lovely bleach blonde and Burgandy, then Cherry Red, then Black. Yeap, my mother wanted to kill me.

I have to step back and laugh at myself when I go through issues like I did last night. I decided to go more Red then Auburn because someone – Nicole- said “keep it red” after seeing my bridal portraits. I am sure she did not mean this red. As I was coloring my hair I was talking to JAG on ooVoo, so he was “there” witness me dripping red hair dye on the cream bath mats – sorry. You should have seen the shower curtain once I was done washing it out – looked like someone had been…well lets just say lost a lot of blood all over the walls.

All of this didn’t prepare me for when the steam cleared and I took the towel of my head --- oops. Not only is it a shade just lighter then Ronald McDonald, I missed a spot on the side of my head – I hate it when that happens.

I have two weeks for it to fade – oh please please fade! There will be lots of hot showers in my future – hot water makes red fade.

So there – another confession for you – I color my hair and I don’t do it well. I am no Cosmetologist -I need to remember this when I decided I am going to go for a new color while at the grocery store. 

Forty Years Ago

Yes I said forty years ago and no it was not when I was born – how rude! Let me give you some facts about 1970. If you were alive and kicking in 1970 you would have paid $23,450 for a brand new home. Yes, I brand new home and we probably aren’t talking a two bedroom one bath number either. The average income in America was $9,400 which would allow you to afford gas at 36 cents a gallon – oh those were the days.

Also in 1970 a young man met a nice young lady in a happening local establishment. He was fresh out of Vietnam all thin and handsome with gorgeous green eyes. She was…sorry I can’t type this with a straight face. Let me just let my mother tell you.

When I decided to write a blog about my parents meeting and marriage 40 years ago I did not want to misrepresent the fact – especially since she is reading my blog now, so I decided to interview her about her marriage.

Me: When did you meet him? Him being my father.

Mom: June 1970

Me: Where were you? It’s ok meeting at a bar is normal these days.

Mom: The Marke Two on Harry Hine Boulevard

I have been told this was a really nice bar, but seriously now it is a dump. I would not be caught in that area after dark even in a car.

Me: What did you think when you first saw him?

Mom: Good looking, dressed nice, hoping he was single!

That answer cracked me up!

Me: What did your parents think when you told them you were getting married?

Mom: Very happy – they thought I would was going to be an old maid at “23” and did not like the fact that I was going to bars every weekend. 

Me: Were you nervous about tying the knot?

Mom: No, not at all- knew that he was the right one for me.

Me: Where did you get married?

Mom: Madill, Oklahoma
Yes, mother you were spelling it wrong, this is the correct spelling.
 

Me: What are your memories of that day?

Mom: We arrived in OKLA about 10:00 AM Saturday to get the license, however the County Clerk had gone to a football game and we had to wait until late afternoon before she could issue the license and we were finally married about 7:30 PM at a Baptist Minister's house just off the square and he was in his late 80's. We drove back to the state line to a bar called Johnny's and had barbecue, played a game of pool and drove back to Irving. Sunday we found an apartment, moved in (that is back we you could move into an apartment in one day) and both went back to work Monday morning! 

Me: What is the key to a long and successful marriage?

Mom: Be there in good time and bad. Keep your sense of humor. Give without expecting anything in return and be thrilled when you get something in return. Laugh, love, forgive and try to forget.

Me: Here is the kicker…would you do it again?

Mom: Yes!! With all we have been thru, I would be lost without my Dave…

Small tear! I love you guys! Happy 40^th Wedding Anniversary! I am so proud you all held it together this long!

Grammy is on Facebook!

Watch out World! Grammy got herself a facebook. It started all on accident (or so she says) my Aunt sent her a link to pictures which lead my mom unbeknownst to her into the setup stages for a facebook account.

She flipped – you know since my father thinks everything on the interent will give him a virus- and she quickly closed out of the screen, but it was too late she was official. I spent the next month messaging family members saying “mom is not ignoring your friend request…she didn’t mean to setup her account.” I also have spent the last 6 months reading to my mother status updates from her sisters, bother in-law, niece and nephews – it was a hard job, but someone had to keep her in the loop.

Thinking back I am not sure how it came to play, but I believe I was angry that she would not read my blog so I said “That’s it I am giving you my old laptop. That way you can go wherever you want!” The time came this week to pass it over and to really setup her facebook account. Not sure if any of you have done this for your parents, but it is interesting. My mother is from the IT world, she spent 25+ years there, so I don’t have to tell her how to double click or search – that is a relief. I updated her name, added a profile picture, accepted all her old friend requests and then linked her up with family.

You should have seen the four of us-me sitting in-between my parents, Shelby next to my mom and the dog- as I took them through the “This Facebook” tutorial. We looked at other people, searched for people and told her how to type status updates. The entire time my father acting like he wasn’t totally interested and wanting a facebook, too. I bet you money he will be on within the year and probably making tacky comments on all my posts – because that is his way of saying I love you!

She is up and running! Yay! There were a few minor changes though – she could not stand that it said she was “interested in men.” I tried to explain it, but just decided to hide that field.

I did give her some advice:

1. Learn my x-mother in-law’s mistake – if you are friends with two people then don’t write anything tacky about person D on person A’s wall because person D can see it and it will start a huge x-family feud – Remember?
2. I gave her her own advice back – don’t put anything on facebook that you wouldn’t want your mother to read.
3. Be nice – no one likes mean tacky facebook friends.
4. Watch your political posts – they can make other friends mad.
5. Post pictures!!!! And make sure to tag people, but not me especially if I am having a chubby day.

Actually, some of those I just thought of and since she is now reading my blog, too (Everyone say Hi to my Mom!) she can read them herself.

Dear Mom – I think you will have a blast on facebook! If I am not available your grandson is a facebook pro – Shelby is sooooo jealous, but still way too young for facebook!

I Would Not Be Here Without.

Her!

And that is a true statement!

Happy Birthday Mom! Thank you for everything you have done and still do for me and Shelby!

Did I happen to mention that I am so proud of you. I think you are awesome (that is a good thing). And even though we butt heads about many things - tattoos, cheerleading, facebook, even blogging I love you soooo sooo much and I am the luckiest girl in the world to have a mother like you!



I hope you have a great birthday and yes I will bring you my old laptop, so you might actually get to read this blog!!!