Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Part 6: Good Housekeeping

My mom was one of the best housekeepers I knew. From her home to her car and definitely her yard, she didn't miss a detail while she was fully mobile. I only hope to uphold that standard as I must remember to dust. 

Debbie Lanier's yards and home were granular and immaculate.  She cleaned and dusted daily, mopped twice/week, and was always washing something: dishes, clothes, a child's face, etc. She was a clean woman and her house reflected that. 

In the era where more people are trusting potlucks, you could trust Debbie's kitchen. Even with inside cats, my mom would have her kitchen cleaner than many restaurants and no one was allowed in nor out while she worked her magic. 

She kept the basics: Clorox, Windex, a vacuum cleaner or two, an older broom because they swept better, and several rags and towels. She would clean any deeper if she were cooking or expecting company. She didn't like for stuff to linger on couches or public areas like the floor. 

Debbie could have had side hustles in catering and/or cleaning houses. Unsure why she didn't since she worked in restaurants and in a couple of places as a cleaning lady. You best believe she's still cleaning in Heaven also! 

Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Part 5- Food

You cannot mention Debbie Lanier without her cooking coming up somewhere.  

My mom had over 50 years of experience in the stove and would make magic happen everytime. She made it look so easy! However you didn't want to be in her way. You didn't run in nor out of her kitchen while cooking. Debbie had a process and you dare not ruin it. She would cook enough for an army and she would feed anyone. She didn't believe in anyone going hungry.  You can tell by my appearance throughout the years that I certainly didn't. All jokes aside, we always had a meal on the table and a snack after school and she cooked every Sunday and holiday for a number of years. 

Debbie's specialities included her biscuits, vegetable soup, cornbread, meatloaf, roast, baked chicken, fried chicken, turkey and dressing, Mac n cheese, pork chops, ribs, sweet tea, grits, sausage gravy, beans of any kind, greens, okra, greens, cookies of various types, cakes and chicken/turkey salad.

Debbie Lanier's cooking was both her love language and legacy. She would provide you a hot country meal if she couldn't give you anything else. 

Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Part 4- Music

Music is the universal language and definitely not short on my mom. She had a great love and ear for music. She always had a radio or boom box going and has a girl had two transitor radios, one for each ear (should I get earphone/earbud royalties?). 

Her musical favorites included The Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson, Prince, Karen Carpenter, The Rolling Stones, Eagles, Chicago, Journey, Elton John, Phil Collins, The Spinners, Eminem, Drake, Dr. Dre, Fleetwood Mac, The Doobie Brothers, The Bee Gees, Earth, Wind and Fire, ELO, Hall and Oates, and all of Motown just to name the artists and groups that stayed in her rotation.  

Mom liked music that had good lyrics and would make you jam and dance. She wasn't big on country music or certain hip hop artists. She also tired of the modern pop scene. 

Debbie Lanier had a great ear for music and was adept at remembering song, album and title for many songs and such. This love for music will also be forever honored.