...some of the weirdest things.

However, she did provide me with some really great wisdom for everyday life. You know, those little things that you'll never find in a book or on a web site, things that have been handed down from mothers to daughters (and the occassional son). I'd like to share with you some of my mother's wisdom...

- When cooking macaroni, stir the boiling water with a metal spoon to prevent it from foaming up on you too bad. A wooden spoon somehow makes it foam more.

- When you buy a new shirt and you don't want the colors to fade too fast, take a bowl and put in lots of ionized salt, fill it with cold water, put the shirt in, and use a plate to hold the shirt under the water. Somehow soaking a shirt in salt water for 24 hours ensures that the colors hold longer.

- When you stain your cloths, don't wash them right away. Take some Dawn dishwashing soap and an old toothbrush (one you preferably don't use anymore), pour some Dawn directly onto the stain, and use the toothbrush to rub it in real good. Jeans it isn't necessary, but on thin cloths be sure to do both the inside and the outside. It really does work, folks.

- Ever have your belts on your car squeal really loud? Take a bar of soap and CAREFULLY press it against the inside of the belt as the belts are spinning. I didn't believe it until I tried it and it actually works.

- She's gonna kill me for this one, but the secret to making a really great tasting cake? Only use egg whites and not the yolks. Folks, my mother became legendary through out the Illinois/Iowa/Missouri tri-state area for her cooking, especially her cakes. Her specialty was wedding cakes and she got so busy that she had to refuse five people for every cake she made. The farthest she ever took a cake was to a wedding in Kentucky...that's how far away people had heard of her. Now, after an extrodinary series of illnesses that have left her partially blind, my mother is unable to make cakes for anyone...except for me, that is.

So...what are some gems of wisdom that you mother imparted to you? I'd sure be interested to hear about yours.

Until next week, stay safe out there.

Rob

P.S.

I skipped my tech posting this week because we jumped from binary code into "how to properly seat an AGPcard" and "how to remove a power supply" in my computer class. Next week, I'll cover the history of RAM...pretty interesting stuff, if I don't say so myself.

Mother always said life is like a box of chocolates..

DONT FEED THE TROLLS!

Look at my sig someone elses mom said that...

My mother always said that I would never amount to anything. But, look how well I turned out! ::twitch::

Interesting write-up, Rob. Haha, I really can't think of anything useful my mother has ever taught me, as far as clever little tricks and stuff on everyday living. But, my mom does make cakes a lot, too...so I'll have to give her your mother's advice about not using the yolks!

Always leave the house with clean underwear on... You never know when you're going to be in an accident, with your butt hanging out for the world to see...

She gave me life, but I'll be the death of her...

My grandmother spoiled me into the hellion I turned out to be, now it's her turn to do the same with my daughter...

My mother made cakes for weddings (and was an awesome cook!) for a while, and eventually had very similar health problems, our mothers had alot in common by the general sound of your post.

I remember she made me a Star Wars cake for my Birthday in 77, R-2 and Threepio were bought from the store (made of suger) and had the death star behind em (I made it from rice paper and icing with her help)

I'll have to see if I still have the pic of it around..I fear it may have gotten lost over the years though.

Great thread Rob!

Excellent write up Rob! Think my Mom and your Mom must have gone to the same "school of baking". My Mom too only used egg whites in her cakes. Mom's cooking was the best I have ever had. My Mom was a prankster, and she would have us all rolling from the things she would do.

My mom once told me that a cut dog will never have pups. Basically never cut the deck when playin cards.

My mom once told me to judge a woman like a horse. Never to ride a dirty horse/woman bareback cause your gonna walk away with somethin in between your legs....same goes for women.

I also once told my mom when i was a kid that the other kids were makin fun of me for bein a cowboy and makin fun of my jeans(wranglers). She told me that the other boys just didnt understand and that i should tell em that some guys think its a drag to wear pants like that, but hell if i dont i will drag. Seriously she told me that at the age of 10....I never really got that one

Another time when i was 13 i was tellin my mom about how all the other guys were growin peach fuzz mustaches and i couldnt grow mine, she told me to tell em what they cultivate on their face I grow wild around my a$$hole. Truthfully, and honestly.

Good write up man, brings back some memories how crazy my mom was. Good lady though. Not gonna tell ya what my dad said about how to please a woman. PM me if you want to know its some funny stuff.

I don't really remember any particular advice, just that she always emphasized art and culture. She really gave me a basis to appreciate language and art.

I like the tips! I knew the one about the Dawn dishsoap, but now I have an answer as to why my pasta always foams up and out of the pot and onto the stove, making it hard to clean the stovetop. Next time I make pasta I shall have to try that little pearl of wisdom.

I could babble for hours on little anecdotes and words of wisdom, but here's one that's actually helpful:

Definitely get one of those big stainless steel spoons. When you're done chopping up onions, garlic, etc, rub the spoon for a while. It takes the smells off your hands.

The other thing that really stands out is "You either straighten up and act right, or I'm gonna' whip your a** right here in front of God and everybody!"

Can't believe that I forgot this one...

If you are single or you are just too lazy to do the dishes and you need a steel pan to cook...say, tater tots in the oven, simply take a long piece of aluminum foil, fold it three times, then fold up two opposite edges to make "handles", and whola! Instant baking pan that's easy to clean up afterwards.

I have used this countless times...today, in fact.

Rob

A quote from my mother "WHERE THE HELL DID I GO WRONG!"

Anybody know how to properly seat an agp card? Also how about removing your power supply. How would one do this?? Plz help me as i am a total newb.

Quote: Originally Posted by hondatuner A quote from my mother "WHERE THE HELL DID I GO WRONG!"

All joking aside, my mum does dispair sometimes if we fall out. She does take it out on herself a little too much and say words to that effect. Mind you on the other hand she is proud of me regardless of the fact my little brother just excells and gets A after A in his exams. As she says

" Your my first born and will always be special"

As for advice, well...she can be quite strong in some respects...a little strong for my liking, and Liz's (she'll tell about that im sure). She does her best however to fill in where my Dad just doesnt even bother. Hes transfixed on my brother and his wellfare, and has taken hardly any notice of things I do...even if I do pass anything. Still, I'm here today, and not in any psychiatrists office or anything.

My momma always told me, life is like a jar of jalapenos, be careful what you do today, it might burn your ass tomorrow.

"If ya let your zipper do the talkin', you'll have a lot to answer for."

personal fav....

So many to choose from but I always liked this one:

"Just because you have boobs and not ba*** doesn't mean you can't learn it or do it."

Quote: Originally Posted by Rob - When cooking macaroni, stir the boiling water with a metal spoon to prevent it from foaming up on you too bad. A wooden spoon somehow makes it foam more.

It's 2-fold. The metal spoon conducts the heat better, drawing it out of the water. And the metal spoon is not as porous as the wooden spoon. The imperfections or porous nature is what causes the boiling.


For everyone else:
Do you know how to heat water to 250+ degrees without it bubbling/boiling? (Hint: there was an advisery posted on this a couple of years)

Quote: Originally Posted by Rob ...Only use egg whites and not the yolks...

Dude! Don't give out the secrets! My mom taught me the same thing.


My quote from mom:
Any dead fish can float downstream, but it takes a strong fish to swim upstream.

PLease dont ever apply soap to your belts while they are spinning. I have been using this lil trick for years and it works, Instead rub soap on belts while they are not moving , then give the motor a small crank enough to move the belt so you can rub soap where you could'nt reach the 1st time.>>Mike

If the water is distilled it wont boil but anything and i mean anything will make it boil