Things I learned from my Mother…

Last week my Mother stayed with me for a few nights. My Dad was away and she doesn’t feel comfortable staying alone so she stayed with me. While she was in the house I started thinking of all the things she has taught me over the years. Some of it I follow and some of it, like making my bed every morning and always having lemons handy I never quite got the hang of. Oh, and who the hell am I kidding. I don’t clean the house every week…..

1. Always buy white sheets. Colors will go out of style and white matches everything. You may buy print/color pillowcases and duvet covers though.

2. Never pay full price for sheets, towels, etc. there will ALWAYS be a white sale.

3. Always buy at least 200 thread count, 100% cotton sheets.

4. Change your sheets and towels every week.

5. Clean your house every week.

6. Always make the bed with hospital corners.

7. Make your bed every morning.

8. Toilet paper lies over.

9. Always keep flour, white and brown sugar in the cupboard in case you need to make cookies and buy these in bulk.

10. No sugared cereal.

11. Learn how to make bread.

12. Know how to make stew.

13. Always have two vegetables, one meat and one starch with dinner but make sure they are different colors. Do not serve pale meals.

14. Never throw out a chicken carcass. Make soup with it.

15. Always have lemons in the fridge in case you get sick. (You have to have lemon with your tea.)

16. Same holds true for Tylenol, Advil and a thermometer.

17. Always have flowers in the house, no matter how broke you are.

18. “Cheap and cheerful.”

19. Organize, organize, organize.

20. Don’t throw your clean underwear into a drawer, fold it first.

21. Savlon works miracles. (If you're not English, you won't know what this is.)

22. Silver jewelry can dress up or dress down an outfit.

23. Bright red hair is fun. Anything bright is fun for that matter.

24. Funky is fun.

25. Wear crazy socks or stockings with a subdued outfit.

26. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of you.

27. Don’t buy cheap shoes. Good shoes are better for your feet.

28. Always wear 100% cotton underwear.

29. Walk instead of drive whenever possible.

30. Know how to darn socks and sew on a button.

31. Treat everyone the same.

32. Make your own curtains.

33. Always write thank you notes.