OMG There's Three

Today is my Mom’s birthday.  Every year since I started this blog, I’ve posted a simple tribute, but this year I thought I’d do something a little different.  I asked some friends and family to send me their favorite Sandy Stories – plus I added a few of my own.

The Back Yard “Garden”

Mom sent my youngest sister out to mow the backyard. The yard was shady with sparse grass, so it didn’t need to be mowed as often as the front, but was long over due for a trim. Katy begrudgingly went out back to perform the task, but happily trotted back in a few minutes later. “Mower’s broken!”  Dad must have been off doing something because he wasn’t available to fix the mower.  She thought this would surly get her out of the work. Without a word, Mom turned around and disappeared into the garage. After some clashing and banging, she came back inside with a large sprayer full of weed killer. “Go kill the grass then”.  Mom had grand plans to turn the whole backyard into a garden that would never need mowing, but Dad wasn’t sold on the idea. The broken mower was her prefect excuse the proceed with the PLAN.

What Burn Mark? – Katy

One of my funny mom moments would be when Liz and I were over by the fireplace playing with matches and candles for reasons I don’t remember, probably so we could stick our fingers in the wax because, well let’s be honest that’s entertaining at any age! So once it was time to dispose of the evidence because Mom and Dad would be home soon we realized somehow the candle had been scorching the mantle…we’re talking a perfect circle black burn mark smack dab in the middle of the wooden mantle.  Of course, we panic and cover it with something right as mom walked in. She asks what we’re doing, we probably denied because that’s what teens do.. then fess up.  Instead of getting yelled at like we thought would happen she walked past us and said “this won’t work”, grabbed a bigger item and stuck it right over the scorch mark, turned back to us and said, “what burn mark?”. Best mom ever! We couldn’t believe what just happened, pretty sure that’s when she was awarded the “smokin” cool mom award in my book!

You’re Still in Trouble – Chrissy (my High School Best Friend)

There was the day I got in trouble at home and came to your house, I was 16 I think. Sandy met me at your front door with tools and said something like “you’re still in trouble, get to work” and she put me to work pulling staples out of the floor. I have never been so sore, or so happy to be in trouble in my life. I loved your mom just like she was my own.

Just a Few Little Chicks

Mom worked for the school system as a Cafeteria Manager.  A class at the school she was working with had hatched some chicken eggs, but were at a loss for what to do with the chicks.  In typical Sandy fashion, Mom volunteered to take them home.  She was told they were Cornish hens and thought that meant the cute, little, tasty birds you see in the grocery store.  Mom built them a little cage in back-yard, and we enjoyed our new pets.  But those little birds outgrew their new cage all too quickly.  Did you know there’s a difference between Cornish Hens and Rock Cornish Hens?  Apparently, there’s a big difference.  As in, one variety fits three across in a baking dish, and the other needs it’s own roasting pan.  We ended up with the later.  This really is just the beginning of a long summer full of chicken stories, but let me wrap this one up by saying Mom turned half our backyard into a chicken coup to make our new friends more comfortable.

Wow, You’re Tall – Katy

I came home from work and went to my room to change clothes and, to my detriment, I happened to be stand directly under the ceiling fan and light fixture.  So I go to take off my top and end up shattering the glass bowl on the light fixture.  There was a loud crash followed by glass hitting the floor and me screaming for Mom.  She comes running in to find me shirtless, barefoot and surrounded by glass.  Most Mom’s would be all “Are you OK?  Let me help you clean that up.”  Not mine! She started laughing hysterically, laughed so hard she had to leave the room, with me still standing there in a puddle of glass.  On the bright side she did return a few minutes later with a broom that she handed me while laughing as she left again.  That’s when we realized I am too tall to undress under light fixtures and fans!

I will love you for forever, I will miss you for always.

Sandra “Sandy” Brandt

 As long as I’m living, my Mommy you’ll be.