Gramma's Rules For Life

2010-11-11T06:58:00.000-06:00

Stand On Your Own Two Feet

2009-06-11T15:40:00.001-05:00

Sometimes in life we need a hand up (not to be confused with a hand out). I heard on the radio the other day that over 33 million (33,000,000) people were on food stamps. For those of you that don't know, that's like the entire country of Canada!!!
Some folks need a break , many more feel their entitled - your not! The United States is still the land of opportunity - for now.

You Get More With Honey Than You Do With Vinegar

2009-05-22T10:19:00.001-05:00

Keep your cool, don’t get upset. You may want to unleash your most seething verbal response, but what will that get you – fired perhaps. Sometimes even a smart remark is better replaced with a smile and some quick thinking. If you want someone to act a certain way it’s not likely to happen with you barking at them.

Quick Like A Bunny

2009-05-22T10:18:00.001-05:00

A gentle way of saying, hurry up, lets go, get a move on; generally used with children but fun to use on adults especially noticeably slow sales people.

The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall

2009-05-22T10:17:00.004-05:00

This does not pertain to ones physical size but by ones stature in the community. It generally involves shame (family, organization or country).

A Leopard Can’t Change His Spots

2009-05-22T10:17:00.003-05:00

People can change, but they rarely do. I wonder why that is, habits, personality, upbringing I don’t know? I guess we won’t change until we want to, sadly it usually means sinking to our lowest point, or perhaps the realization that the way we are doing things is either inappropriate or counter productive. What I do know is we won’t change until we accept the need to change.

Beauty Is Only Skin Deep

2009-05-22T10:16:00.001-05:00

I have known some of the most beautiful people, but few were attractive. I’ve also known some very attractive people that were ugly. I think sometimes we get confused as to what actually beauty is.
Beauty, true beauty lies within, it involves, compassion, generosity and profound wisdom. It cannot be purchased but is learned, nurtured and displayed as love for ones fellow man. I would certainly prefer to be in the company of one that possess this kind of beauty.

You Can’t Take It With You

2009-05-22T10:14:00.001-05:00

I think you can I just haven’t figured it out yet. But actually that’s right, its not important what you accumulate but what you do with it while you’re here. If you had $100,00.00 dollars in the bank any you knew you were going to die tomorrow what would you do with it?

Time Waits For No Man

2009-05-22T10:13:00.001-05:00

It doesn’t matter how much money you have or political power, we are all allotted so much time. What stamp are you going to leave on this world, how many generations will you be remembered? These are questions I ask myself all the time – then I get back to work.

If At First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again

2009-05-22T10:11:00.001-05:00

Many people who could themselves be great never will be, why? Because their afraid of failure. The way I see it you only fail if you quit.
Abraham Lincoln is one of the greatest presidents, what would the world have missed if he had simply given up?
List of Lincoln's failures
A common list of the failures of Abraham Lincoln (along with a few successes) is:
• 1831 - Lost his job
• 1832 - Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature
• 1833 - Failed in business
• 1834 - Elected to Illinois State Legislature (success)
• 1835 - Sweetheart died
• 1836 - Had nervous breakdown
• 1838 - Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker
• 1843 - Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress
• 1846 - Elected to Congress (success)
• 1848 - Lost re-nomination
• 1849 - Rejected for land officer position
• 1854 - Defeated in run for U.S. Senate
• 1856 - Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President
• 1858 - Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate
• 1860 - Elected President (success)

Don’t Take It Laying Down

2009-05-22T10:10:00.000-05:00

Coming home from school in grade four was a nightmare. I would have to endure the torture of the neighborhood bully, a kid a couple years older that went to another school. At nine years old I was a numerous wreck
But I had a secret weapon – an older brother (actually 3). The one closest was not only 10 years my senior but he was a Viet Nam vet, an officer in the Army, I felt for the first time empowered learning he was coming home on leave. I believed this kid was surely going to get the tar beat out of him!
At nine years old there was no way I could know that its not right for a twenty year old Vet with combat experience to beat up a kid of 11 to protect me.
But he gave me something much more valuable, he gave me courage to deal with my own problem. He told me to grasp my metal lunch pail firmly in my hand, and when this kid started bothering me to beat him over the head with it! I did.
My life changed from that point, I don’t advocate violence by no means, but there are times in life when in spite of the odds you must stand up for yourself, don’t become a bully yourself but at the same time don’t let anyone harm you. I’ve only been in a couple of fist fights in my life, they don’t last long, I’m a big boy, but the lesson was well learned.
Oh by the way the bully at 9 years old – invited over to his place to ride his mini bike, and we eventually became friends.

If You Don’t Think Much Of Yourself, No One Else Will

2009-05-22T10:09:00.000-05:00

This covers a broad spectrum, how you dress, speak and interact with others is a reflection of how you were raised. Are you polite and well mannered? Mother believed this was an indication of your up bringing (personally I think there is very little up bringing) done today. As I look around I see for the most part that young people are pretty much left to their own resources.
I believe that in doing our jobs as parents we are severely lacking. We try to give our kids the world, we give them cars at sixteen, money and far too much freedom. We have created a generation of entitlement – that’s not how life works.
Parenting involves teaching our children to deny themselves, to work for what they want, to be respectful of others and to be better parents than we were. I’m afraid the days of June and Ward Cleaver is long gone.

Watch Your P’s and Q’s

2009-05-18T22:14:00.002-05:00

If your hearing this, you’ve done something, probably you’ve been “out of line” a lot lately, this is like your final warning and comes just before “wait until your farther gets home”. If you’re wise you’ll rethink your behavior and lay low for a while.

You Made Your Bed Now Lie In It

2009-05-18T22:13:00.002-05:00

See above. I guess she got tired of using the same one so she would mix them up now and again, but they mean the same thing.

Burn Your A$$ You’ll Sit On The Blister

2009-05-18T22:12:00.001-05:00

Ouch, that was mothers way of saying my great idea was in her mind not such a great idea. She was usually right and yea time and time again I had to deal with the outcome of my latest great idea!

Charity Begins At Home

2009-05-18T22:11:00.004-05:00

This one requires a little thought, does this mean your charity should only be provided to those within your home – how about your hometown, perhaps the country of birth. Or perhaps it means you learn charity at home, become charitable to the needs of others regardless of where they are located. I think perhaps it means the latter.

Don’t Put Off Until Tomorrow What You Can Do Today

2009-05-18T22:11:00.003-05:00

Don’t you wish you could always be so organized you could write things down and knock of that list one at a time, perhaps if I could, my grass would be cut, the dogs bathed and the car washed. I really should make a list – Ah, I’ll do it tomorrow.

Learn To Read Between The Lines

2009-05-18T22:10:00.001-05:00

Unless your really gullible you know that when someone tells you something there is generally more than one meaning. Television commercials, politicians, and even the news all have an agenda, once you are capable to sort through the double talk you are able to formulate your own opinions.

Be It Ever So Humble, There’s No Place Like Home

2009-05-18T22:09:00.001-05:00

Going on vacation is always exciting, new places and faces. Quite often travel is hectic, meals just aren’t the same whether your dining out or are cooking in a camper, and the beds – well lets not even go there. I remember as a kid being gone all summer either with one of my older brothers or with my family on vacation. I didn’t grow up in a mansion by no means just a humble two story war time house but words can’t express the relief I fel coming home.

Home Is Where The Heart Is

2009-05-18T22:07:00.001-05:00

I live in eastern Arkansas; I grew up north of Toronto in Canada. Although I’ve lived in the States for several years, home will always be that small town up north. Funny thing is I spent my entire youth trying to get away, now I’d do anything to be back!

No Man Is An Island Unto Himself

2009-05-15T10:48:00.001-05:00

A basic human need is companionship, the company of others. Although there may be times when being alone is great this cannot be for extended periods of time - we need to be surrounded (as water around an island) with friends, family co-workers etc.

Its Nice To See Them Come, But Its Nice To See Them Go

2009-05-15T10:44:00.001-05:00

Its always nice to have family and friends come and stay for a visit, but everyone has their way of doing things, house guests disrupt the the daily routine. Yes it is nice to see them come but mother was right it is nice to see them go! (if they have unruly kids NICER TO SEE THEM GO).

Careful Your Nose Will Grow

2009-05-15T10:41:00.001-05:00

Mother always seem to know when I was bending the truth or about to. This was her way of saving me from myself. By the way the nose growing refers to Pinocchio (every time he lied his nose would grow)

I Might As Well Say It As Think It

2009-05-15T10:37:00.001-05:00

I can't agree with this one, One should always think before they speak, the damage a lose tongue can do is enormous. Think how you would feel if everyone you know or run across would tell you what they think of you, it would not be a pleasant world to live in.

Just Keep It To Yourself

2009-05-15T10:31:00.001-05:00

Sometimes we receive information that should not be shared, perhaps its gossip about a co-worker, a family member or maybe a promotion is in the air. Generally when someone tells us this we would have been better off not knowing!

Whats The Matter With You, You're Not A Cripple

2009-05-15T10:26:00.001-05:00

Certainly not politically correct (sorry if I've offended anyone). Point is this, handicap people do have an excuse for not being able to preform many jobs (many of those are overcome). If you are not performing to your full potential you probably have no excuses

No One Ever Died From Hard Work

2009-05-15T10:22:00.001-05:00

I'm sure people did in fact die from hard work - but probably not many here in America and certainly not lately. This is a subtle way of saying its important to give your employer an honest days work, don't whine about your job, if its more than you can bear - find another but make sure your reason is not because you were just too lazy to preform your tasks.

It Doesn't Matter What You Do In Life Be The Best At It!

2009-05-15T10:16:00.001-05:00

As parents we naturally want our children to be successful in life. I suppose the success they achieve needs to be for them not for us. I have tried to live by these standards I believe in a strong work ethic (probably a by product in an effort to do well).

2009-05-15T09:42:00.002-05:00

You Can't Take It With You

2009-05-14T12:42:00.001-05:00

No this does not mean you need to blow all you have and remain broke all your life! Actually the wise thing to do is to build wealth (the best you can do - and no you need not go without) and leave it to your children and teach them to the same (this is how dynasties are created). A good point to know and understand "money is not the root of all evil" the love of it is!

A Fool And His Money Are Soon Parted

2009-05-14T12:34:00.001-05:00

This brings to mind another great saying "money burns a hole in his pocket". I suppose we all at one time or another when we had cash felt the need to simply blow it! Doesn't matter on what - get rid of it at, that is I suppose fine as long as you don't make a habit of it in which case you'd be a "fool".

The Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side On The Fence.

2009-05-13T05:54:00.000-05:00

We all know this one or should. How many time have you decided that your job is not the greatest only to leave and find out you are worse off than before. It saddens me because I believe this is the biggest problem with divorce in America. Your not happy with your spouse, no problem I'll get another and when that doesn't work still another - problem is kids get caught up in the turmoil and its them that suffer.

The Early Bird Gets The Worm

2009-05-13T05:46:00.000-05:00

Don't Procrastinate! Lots of good ideas were scooped up by someone that was sharp. Don't waste your time laying around how could you ever advance yourself in life when your main concern is leisure. Get busy time is short!

It Takes A Big Man To Admit When He's Wrong

2009-05-13T05:42:00.001-05:00

It's easy to argue, some people love to, but what's the point, what do you really gain. I think its better to look at an others point of view and if you disagree then simply agree to disagree

Simpsons Doesn't Tell Eatons Their Business

2009-05-11T14:49:00.001-05:00

Two major department stores in Canada (yup I'm Canadian), point is keep your business to yourself and don't "wear your heart on your sleeve"

Spare The Rod And Spoil The Kid

2009-05-11T14:24:00.000-05:00

Mother wasn't a big woman, lucky if she stood 5 feet tall, her four strapping boys knew (even as adults) not to get smart with Mom. She would say "I brought you into this world and by God I can take you out"! There was no "time outs" no sitting down and discussing your behavior and no sitting with your nose in a corner - you misbehaved and you dealt with mom. (still makes me shiver).

None of her boys were ever in trouble with the law, only one is divorced all have children - none of them has been in trouble with the law and only one divorce there. As with my three brothers all are successful.

I can't speak for my brothers but I believe that as parents our children MUST respect us, my son does, (he's married, completed a term in the Marine Corps works full time and is currently studying to be a lawyer).

You Can Be Poor But You Can Be Clean
Pretty straight forward, she also said "soap is cheap". I wonder why she would harp on that, as I remember it was always on my out the door, as I think back regarding her and soap I remember the first time I tried out profanity on her - she was not impressed, I learned a new use for ivory soap that day (I was blowing bubbles for the longest time)!