Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Volume 31: The Party House

Debbie definitely had her partying days in the 70s. However once she settled down and became a mom, she was all in. 

She didn't drink anymore, wasn't a lot of hanging out. Mine and Adam's life and activities were hers, especially as we grew older and became more involved.  

Adam was more of the socialite/partner. As his birthday is this week, I can't help but think how he celebrated many occasions right in the comforts of my mom's house. 

Mom was actually a fun mom but had a relax, controlled environment. She may have not agreed with everything Adam and his friends did but she understood that some things that they were going to do as young folks. Debbie thought differently as always. She wanted them to party, drink, and smoke in a safe space and where they were looked after and not judged. 

I know that didn't make sense especially for kids under 18 and Mom got a lot of pushback for this. What others don't realize are the numerous young folks my mom got through to. Teenagers, male and female, confided in and trusted Debbie. She would tell them like it is and would get onto them and mentor them even. My mom wanted them to finish school, work, be productive adults. It was 50/50 overall as half of that crowd back then are also deceased, in jail or are on hardened drugs still. 

Debbie wanted to be that stabilizer as she didn't do hard drugs and would only allow alcohol, weed and pills, no meth or anything of that nature. Ther was no raping, harassing nor fighting either. You got along or you got out. My uncle Kenny was right across the road for the extra riff raff but she fed, clothed and even temporarily housed some of Adam's friends. She just wanted to show them love. 

I can't say personally I agree with that technique but it was a way for my mom to keep her baby boy close to her. She couldn't save him at the end but she saved many others. 

Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Vol 30- The One

Mom didn't love sports nor the Super Bowl itself. She loved the commercials, halftime show, and the storylines surrounding the games. 

It would be about a month or two before the Super Bowl and she would notice how "one" player would be all in the news, media, viral, etc. Often that player's team would win the Super Bowl.  

This season we had the perfect definition of the "one" with Travis Kelce, especially once he and Taylor Swift began dating. Looking back, I could hear my mom say now "Andrew the one is back. Kansas City is winning the Super Bowl." 

Now if you follow football you know during the regular season the Chiefs didn't dominate as they normally did. They even lost a Christmas Day game where Kelce slammed his helmet on the sidelines. But the playoffs happened and the rest is history. The philosophy of "The One" is back. 

It appeared for years the sporting world didn't talk about one player as much. Now it'll continue and it could be a different "one" next year. 

Argue with your mama, no pun intended! 

Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Vol. 29- Brand Loyal

One thing about Debbie Lanier was despite her thrifty nature, she had her items she only bought by brand. She refused to cheap out on certain things. 

I knew this already growing up but as I became an adult I really understood. When I was young and broke I tried to cheap out on some things. Mom was quick to bring that to my attention. Example: I tried to cheap out on cooking oil and another item. The cooking oil was Great Value and the other item was some obscene name that my mom made fun of. 

Basically Debbie didn't cheap out on cooking oil, cleaning products such as dish detergent, paper towels, her Eggo pancakes, flour, laundry detergent, meats, toilet paper, mayonnaise and other items. She would save and skimp in hard times to ensure she could remain brand loyal. 

I look around my own home and I get it honest. I was just discussing with a friend how I go generic/Great Value on some items. Others not ever.