When we were dating, Caleb would sometimes laugh and say, “You sound like an old person.”  At which point I would punch him and declare my youth.  I’m guessing some of the sayings and words our family takes for granted aren’t common day language?  I don’t know, but I like them.  “What are they?” you ask.  Well, not a lot are coming to mind right now.  Like I said, I think they’re pretty common until Caleb once again laughs and insults my “old person” sayings.

I’m not sure if this would fall in the above mentioned category for Caleb, but I do like the saying.  My mom always quoted it to me when I was growing up, and it’s been on my mind lately.  I have the dream of someday doing an artsy, craftsy project and painting it on a sign made out of old barn wood or pallet wood for the laundry room.  That is on my “someday list.”  Ok, I’ll finally get to the saying…

“Use it up.  Wear it out.  Make it do.  Or do without.”

Well, I’m not a wonderful follower of that idea all of the time.  It’s just too easy to run to the store to get what I need.  (And you know I really do need all those things I buy.)  But I do think about it, and it sometimes keeps me from purchasing an unnecessary item.  (You wouldn’t believe how long it just took me to correctly spell “unnecessary.”)

So, thank you, mom, who passed along all those “old person sayings” down from your mom and your grandma and all those long lost relatives.  I’m sure one day I’ll quote it often to my kids; and they’ll roll their eyes and say “uhuh”; and then they’ll someday dig a piece of wood out of the trash and paint the saying on it and hang it in their house and call it pretty.  🙂


Posted by in Life's Lessons