Girls are mean...

Kalyn Jaye and Karsynn Raye,

I am glad you are girls because I wouldn't know what to do with a boy. However, I don't like it that you are girls. This probably makes no sense to you, so let me explain.

Girls are mean. We aren't just mean to people we don't know, we are mean to those who we call best friends. We are mean to the boy/man who loves us the most and at our worst. We are mean to our parents when they ground us just because they can.

Girls, notice that mom wrote the word we. English lesson: any time you use the word "we," you are including yourself. So, yes, I was a mean girl. I was mean to my friends in high school. I was mean to my sisters. I was mean to guys I have dated. Karsynn, I was (and probably still am from time to time) mean to your dad.

I would be naive to think you are going to grow up and never be mean to a single person. I would be extremely naive to think you are going to grow up and never feel the hurt from a best friend being mean to you. Kalyn....you know. It hurts, huh?

My advice? As not to sound cliche, but remember to always treat others the way you want to be treated. If you don't want to be treated poorly then don't treat people that way. Be positive. Be nice. Be polite. Be respectful. And when that best friend is mean to you? Keep it movin'. If she is a real friend, she'll be back. And if she's not a real friend? Keep it movin'. She was never a real friend in the first place.

Trust mom, girls. Life is hard as it is. But being a girl is even harder. When it seems like everyone is mean and no one is on your side -- here I am.

Love you.
-Mom

40 Things I Wish I Knew in High School

1. The friends you have in high school will not be the friends you have at 30. 
2. That guy that you pine over day after day and think you will be with forever is not THE ONE. 
3. Be yourself. 
4. Don't dumb yourself down just to fit in with the "cool" kids. 
5. Hug your mother every day before school, after school, before bed and anytime in between. 
6. Follow your passion. 
7. Boys are nothing but trouble. 
8. Get involved. High school goes by a lot quicker and you have a lot more fun! 
9. It's ok to dress like a slob on Fridays. 
10. Take the ACT before your senior year. 
11. Take the ACT multiple times before your senior year. 
12. Your mom won't trust all your friends. Heck, she won't even like all your friends. 
13. Younger siblings are annoying, yes, but they deserve your love and attention. 
14. Don't be mean or rude. You don't want a negative reputation. High school will last even longer. 
15. It's ok to spend Friday and Saturday night at home with your parents. 
16. Your mom is not going to bail you out of everything. 
17. Learn how to manage your finances before you go to college. 
18. Watch the news. Read the newspaper. Know your current events. It gives you something to talk about. 
19. Keep your locker clean and organized. No one likes clutter.
20. Not everyone in high school will like you. Who cares? 
21. Girls are mean. 
22. Your high school years are definitely not the four best years of your life. It is simply preparing you for the next four years, which those are arguably the best years of your life.  
23. You will have your heart broken, but you will survive. 
24. Don't apologize for breaking his heart because he won't apologize for breaking yours. 
25. Your parents will embarrass you - intentionally and unintentionally. 
26. Saying please won't get you everything you want. 
27. Don't text and drive. Your family wants you alive. 
28. Don't get caught up in Twitter wars or Facebook drama. It's not worth it. 
29. Always show up to class prepared. 
30. Do your homework. 
31. Put down the phone and enjoy life. 
32. Go to homecoming with the girls. 
33. You are beautiful.
34. Dance like no one is watching. 
35. Don't hide things from your mom; she will somehow find out. 
36. If you don't make varsity, take it upon yourself to ask the coach why and work hard to get better. 
37. Tights as pants are not for everyone. 
38. Say thank you. 
39. FaceTime or call your grandparents often, no matter how busy you are. 
40. Don't miss your curfew. 

From Me to You

Growing up in the late 80s-early 90s was drastically different from 2015. I spent my summer days sporting a swimsuit and roller skates while frequenting the local convenience store for a tube of what can only be described as a sugar loaded jelly. But in 2015, outside activities are few and far between with the exuberant and excessive reliance on smart phones and the Internet. But somewhere between 1977 and 2015, I have learned a thing or two here and there that are worthy of passing along to my girls.

So that's what this blog is designed to do...pass along advice from me to you.