Every Woman Should

This is for all my girls, and more specifically the young ladies in my life: My daughter Caitie, who is like watching a piece of my heart walk (and drive and laugh and bounce) around, and whom I simply adore and could not possibly love any more, and in no particular order: Felicia, Elizabeth, Kelly, Lynsey, Rachel, Becca, Carly, Kelly, Beth and Genny, and although they are not ready for this advice yet, my much adored neices, Laura and Kailey Ann. Listen to your Mama, girls.

Every Woman Should:

be able to make scrambled eggs or a grilled cheese sandwich at 3 am.

know how to drive a standard. shifting and clutching are hot. Vroom vroom.

have their own toolbox. with fishing line. i cannot get enough uses for fishing line.

not be afraid to get their hands dirty.

be able to go into a car dealership, test drive, negotiate, and pay for your own car. by yourself. at least once.

be able to be presentable in twenty minutes, and a knock out in an hour. Ok, maybe an hour and a half.

own a string of pearls. if they were your great grandmother's or your mom's, all the better.

and diamond stud earrings.

and black high heels.

and some pretty underthings.

and sweatpants and sneakers.

not lie about your age. it's insulting to you.

not care if you have to dash out in public and are not wearing make up.

have perfect manners and know when to use them.

and when not to.

be able to uncork a bottle of wine in less than 30 seconds.

have your heart broken.

break someone's heart.

master the art of flirting. this should be practiced on babies, trash collectors, old men and old women. be an equal opportunity flirt. babies are great to flirt with. 

have children if you want

and don't if you don't want to.

be able to say no. and mean it.

be able to say yes with no guilt.

do nice things for yourself.

and others.

be kind. be genuine and nice. it will get you much further in life. being a bitch doesn't get you anywhere but lonely.

but don't be a pushover.

don't manipulate. it's diminishing to you. you're smarter than that.

be a girl's girl. girlfriends will always have your back.

be careful who your girlfriends are.

be able to laugh uproariously-

and smile like an angel.

try different things that interest you.

explore.

don't do anything for (or with) a guy you're in a relationship with that your instincts tell you not to.

fall head over heels, madly in love. do everything to enjoy it when it happens.

believe in yourself.

value yourself. if you don't, no one else will.

Sermon over.

Sister Susan