We all have our pet phrases that slip off our tongues almost unbidden.  They hide on the peripheral and sneak out through narrow cracks in conversations, leaving us to wonder "why did I say that?"

Well, Mom was no exception in this department.  She had a veritiable library to draw from- perhaps this comes from having lived a long life.  Speaking of life, I don't know how mom managed it when we were growing up- it's busy, raising kids.  There's no time for yourself, you just get swallowed up in this vortex of activity.  Mom and Dad had 4 busy kids, and two full time jobs.  No wonder we weren't allowed to go anywhere.  They were busy enough just keeping us alive. But, I digress...

Pretty is as pretty does....and that's not a threat, that's a promise!

I'd rather take a beating than go downtown!

There's nothing better than a well behaved child or pet.

I used to work at the blind school.

Your father is forever, you kids are just passing through.

Happy happy. ( when she raised her glass of beer/wine )

Look for it- that's what I'd have to do.

Mother mother pin a rose on me.

I'm just like a mushroom, they keep me in the dark and feed me....#*@%!

$#@!... I mean... for heaven's sake!

That's all I can think of for now, I'm sure there are more.  If you can think of any, please send them in :)

Never underestimate the tenacity of a teenager. 

Mom had to get up early for her shifts in the O.R.  She had to leave around 6 a.m. to arrive at Harrison Memorial Hospital every morning for several years.  She would get up early, take a bath ( we didn't have a shower ) and proceed to get ready in the one bathroom our family shared. 

I was the sort of person that needed some quiet time by myself.  The fact that I shared a room most of my life growing up did not afford this possibility.  I liked the early mornings when I'd have a few minutes of time on my own before being thrust into the rhythm of family life.  I too, got up early. 

This became a war between us.  An alarm clock war. She would set her clock for 5:30.  I'd wake up to someone already being in the bathroom.  grrr.  The next morning, I'd set my clock for 5:15, and claim the bathroom as my own first thing.  Her turn to grrrrr.  Then she'd have the audacity to set her alarm for 5:00.  The NERVE.  GAME... ON.  4:30 it is! 

I think she gave up around 4:00 a.m.  Yes, it was childish of me.  But, I was a child, in my defense.  It turned out to be a hollow victory.  The thrill of pissing her off turned out to be more of the reward.  I conceded a few days later, allowing her to have HER space, which she likely needed far more than I did.

Sorry Mom...

Golden Palace.  We loved that place.  Barbeque'd pork with mustard and sesame anyone?

One time when we were out generally making waitstaff cringe, Scott excused himself to use the restroom.  While he was away, the rest of us carefully extracted the fortune from his cookie, wrote something on it, and inserted it back into the cookie just in time.

Scott opened his cookie and read the regular side, the side with the fortune on it.  We, of course, encouraged him to read the other side.  When he read alout "I peed in your rice"  I think his face turned several different shades of red. 

We all had a good laugh about this for many years to come.  Thanks for being such a good sport Scott :)