Happy Mother's Day

I may lovingly call her Mommie Dearest from time to time, but in no way would I actually compare my mother to Joan Crawford (although, my closet is wire hangar free). I feel very lucky to have such a great mom, and cherish the relationship that we have. We talk everyday (sometimes multiple times) and get together at least once a week. She's the first person I tell my news to, good or bad, and I love having her just a short drive or phone call away.

Mom is not only there when I need her, but she can do anything...literally. She's been such a big help as I've been moving into my new home and getting everything settled. Broken sink drain stopper? Fixed. Gouge in the wall from moving? Fixed. Clogged bathtubs? Fixed. Let's see, she's also lent me her vacuum (and then bought me my own), gave me a hose for the back yard, brought over her weed eater so I could tame the jungle growing in the back, bought plastic to cover my carpeted stairs while I moved, collected moving boxes, offered her SUV for not only moving day but picking up furniture from Ikea and Craigslist sellers, and so many other countless acts of kindness.

Mother's Day this year was quite different than years past. I'm not exactly sure how I pulled it off, but instead of subjecting me to slave labor helping her around the house and yard with an endless list of chores, I somehow got her to come to my house, buy me a gift (the brand new fancy vacuum), and take me furniture shopping. It didn't stop there though. Once we got back with the new furniture from Ikea, she even helped me assemble my new bed frame. How awesome is that? I didn't even have to follow through with my empty threat from last year - have a baby just so that we can celebrate me on Mother's Day.

It wasn't exactly all about me though. I did make her a handmade card and baked a batch of lemon bars (one of her favorites) for the very first time. I was skeptical after seeing what they looked like when they came out of the oven, but after covering them up with powdered sugar and cutting them into squares, they actually didn't look half bad. They were even edible! I know my time is coming though, and I owe my mom a lot...like maybe even two days of slave labor, yikes. But hey, for my mom? Anything.

I'd also like to acknowledge my two grandmothers who I just recently lost within a week of each other. I hadn't mentioned my grandma Dorothy (my dad's mom) who peacefully passed away in her sleep on May 5th. She was 94 years old and living in an assisted care facility down in Aberdeen. Her health was slowly deteriorating, and her memory was getting worse, but she was happy. I last visited her in September where she was laughing at her own stories, and even let me know that she wanted to live till she was 100. I'm glad to have that last memory with her. Both ladies were not only amazing mothers, but have taught me so much and have shown me the kind of person I want to be. Grandma Dorothy taught me my manners and how to be a lady (see how well she did?) while Grandma Marlene taught me it's okay to make a mess of the chocolate ice cream, just do it with class.

Mothers truly are the best! Thank you Mom, for everything.