Posting this so my kids remember to tell this to THEIR kids when they are teens!

MESSAGE TO MY TEENAGER ~

1. Yes, your freshman AND Sophomore years count towards your GPA for college entrance. Screw it up and you’ll work for crap wages your whole life.

2. No means NO. In every possible circumstance.

3. Join every sport, every club, every after school activity no matter what the cost. It’s cheaper than bail.

4. Repeat after me: I am never in that much of a hurry…I am never in that much of a hurry. Now say that every time you get behind the wheel. It will save your life and that of your best friend in the seat next to you.

5. Don’t do drugs or drink - it is so not worth the trouble.

6. Don’t get a credit card. You earn it or you live without it.

7. If I yell at you, it’s because I love you. And also, because you pissed me off. To avoid the latter, don't be an idiot. And don't disappoint me. More importantly, yourself.

8. Make a vivid picture inside your head of every great moment of your childhood. You’ll need those to get through adulthood.

9. Make snow angels as often as possible. Make a bucket list. Check it off!

10. Stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.

11. Be always benevolent. Yes, that’s a word. Look it up.

12. Call me for a ride even if you are so drunk you barely know my number. I’ll probably be mad for a while but I’ll respect you for calling and I won’t kill you. Riding with someone who is drinking will. (PS - remember #5?)

13. Be a leader, not a follower. Unless you are following the kid with the highest GPA and (s)he is going to a study group, then by all means be a follower!

14. Love your siblings, even when you don’t like them. Some day you will be trying to get them to take care of me in my old age. If they are mad at you, you are stuck with me.

15. I’ve been there, done that on more things than you can imagine. I’m not stupid and I know what you are doing. I was once you (times ten).

16. Work hard at everything you do. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

17. Cover it. (Enough said.)

18. When I tell you to clean your room, do not point at my messy room and raise your eyebrows. I’m trying to raise you to be better than me.

19. Learn to type; to budget; to spell correctly and to pray. All are equally important.

20. Never be sedentary. Someday soon you will no longer be able to move like that. Enjoy it.

 

I can't take credit for this! And oops....I can't GIVE credit either. Don't know who wrote it....but THANKS!

The Waning Days of Summer

This is what greeted me when I walked outside yesterday.

And this was just one of many! It is that time of year when I begin to feel like summer is over. The weather has indeed shifted a bit. About a week ago I fell into my usual slump for this phase of summer....I gave up watering my plants. Thankfully Dave is still keeping the plants hydrated! Every year during the middle of August I just sorta quit! Done. I'm bored with the whole deal. I KNOW the potatoes and squash in their tubs still need water. I know some of the flowers are still blooming and need water. But I guess I just see the spent flowers and the leaves turning yellow and brown and get discouraged. I really don't know why this happens each summer, but I'm too old to learn new tricks, so as long as Dave is willing to water, I will continue on this way.

As much as I LOVE hot weather and the sunshine heating up the concrete, there must be part of me that is gearing up for fall. Cool, crisp evenings, sprinkles of rain, cozying up with an afghan while watching the new season of TV programs. Ahhh. But didn't I see some Christmas things appearing in the store the other day? YIKES! Maybe I better try to get outside and water the plants and hang on to summer just a bit longer. Sigh....