100 Things I've Learned From My Parents

1. At dinner, to take all you want but eat all you take.
2. The joys of Vernors and vanilla ice cream
3. The fireworks downtown are just as good with WJR playing on the radio and sound turned down on the TV while enjoying popcorn and Vernors floats.
4. Whomever you marry should feel like “home” to you
5. Heaven exists
6. Always say I Love You
7. Kiss your daughters good-bye in front of their dates
8. “If you don’t have the money for it, you don’t need it”
9. The importance of family
10. Always send a thank you note
11. Always bring a hostess gift
12. You can fix just about anything with caulk, Velcro or duct tape.
13. The proper way to “cut in” minus tape when painting a room.
14. You should have one pair of comfy PJ’s for when you’re sick
15. Everything in moderation
16. Get your oil changed regularly
17. Real whipped cream is better than “Redi-whip” or “Cool-Whip”
18. Real whipped cream in your coffee is divine
19. To always use the good china, silver and crystal for holidays
20. Never serve a holiday dinner buffet style, no matter where tables are set up; everyone will have a proper place.
21. Never leave candles unattended
22. How to equalize my stereo
23. That good sheets and pillows make all the difference when you sleep
24. What unconditional love is
25. To never be afraid to tell them anything
26. Bisquick, Log Cabin Syrup and the broken-in electric fry pan make the best pancakes
27. That having breakfast for dinner is comforting
28. The difference between fresh and smoked kielbasa
29. The difference between white and purple horseradish
30. That Polonia in Hamtramck smells like my great grandparent’s house
31. Where all the good parking spots are if you’re going downtown to watch a Red Wings Game
32. Who the original six are in Hockey
33. That they hurt when I hurt
34. To always be nice to your in-laws
35. To not be afraid of dying
36. You can find almost anything on QVC
37. That I’m lucky to have sisters
38. That when I have a health scare, no matter what age I am, I can count on my mom to go to every single doctor’s appointment with me (and to come into the room with me).
39. The importance of having friends.
40. To just “push up your sleeves” and it will look good.
41. To never judge a garment by the way it looks on the hanger, you have to try it on.
42. How to shoot a puck
43. How to ice skate
44. That the best ice rink in the world is the one your dad made for you in the back yard
45. You’re never too old for a family vacation
46. That no matter how much they dislike your boyfriend, they will do everything in their power to make him feel welcome.
47. That you wrap presents while watching “White Christmas”, “The Bishop’s Wife” or “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol” depending on your mood.
48. That you don’t listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving dinner.
49. That the Lion’s Football Game on Thanksgiving is never more important than spending time with your family.
50. At Easter you have lamb, at Thanksgiving you have turkey and at Christmas you have ham and kielbasa.
51. Santa doesn’t exist
52. That my friends are always welcome to any family function
53. Compassion
54. That those little copper cups are for egg nog
55. A real tree is always better than a fake (even better if you cut it down yourself)
56. That you can only watch channel 4 for news.
57. Your Christmas tree should always have a nativity scene beneath it
58. Change your sheets every week.
59. The best conversations are had at the kitchen table while playing cards
60. Stay loyal to your home teams no matter what (Tigers, Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)
61. That one of the greatest gifts as a kid is a handmade playhouse in the back yard.
62. To always purchase a house with a garage and a basement
63. To love James Taylor
64. That watching my dad paint a room is one of the most soothing things.
65. To value myself
66. That if you squeeze someone’s knee in just the right spot, it will make them jump
67. The knuckle in the back, the Scissors, Indian Burns
68. That there is nothing better than stealing your dad’s handkerchief and being chased around the house with it.
69. Parents do the best they can at the time; you can’t blame them for all your flaws.
70. That I will be supported in anything I do
71. Everyone needs a “liberal” daughter
72. To always tithe
73. That finding a good church is important
74. Loyalty
75. Generosity
76. How to use a drill
77. That God has someone in mind for me, not to settle.
78. Integrity
79. How to make the perfect waffle
80. No matter how old you are it’s hard to lose a parent or grandparent
81. That they’re proud of me
82. That you shouldn’t wear underwear to bed, it needs to breathe.
83. That you always need two Kleenexes
84. Never date a man that doesn’t like your mom’s homemade macaroni & cheese
85. Haagen-Daz is the best ice cream
86. That women with tattoos and women that drink out of beer bottles are unattractive (sorry Dad!)
87. To always have a fire extinguisher and a flash light in the kitchen
88. Save everything
89. Collect your change for a rainy day
90. That when I’m in my 13^th mile of a marathon, sore and tired, my dad will walk 3 miles with me to help get me through.
91. How to wax a car properly
92. To always check the air in your tires
93. That God is faithful.
94. That I will always be their little girl.
95. Never take the “Christ” out of Christmas.
96. What a “pooty” bag is
97. That sometimes all you want is your own “Beddy-House”
98. Never mess with a man’s thermostat
99. Not to make your mom cry on “cookie day”
100. "Hail to the Victors"
     

Comments

[philip]

Horseradish Sauce Recipe:
Ingredients: sour cream, grated onion, prepared horseradish, salt... view the recipe

[Pat Wittenbach]

I remember one that we picked up from your family, sleep on your pack so your face won't have wrinkles:)

[THE MOTHER]

It's amazing that you could come up with that list!!! Even though somethings are a little quirky or private....well, such is life.
Well done??? I wonder if Kyle has the same list??? hmmmm

[Kevin]

"You can fix just about anything with caulk, Velcro or duct tape."

-You'd best believe it!

"That the Lion’s Football Game on Thanksgiving is never more important than spending time with your family."

-Not with how the Lions are playing this season! Nothing like a little ribbing from a hometown Bears fan! Muahahahahhahaha!!

Can I ask how long it takes to come up with a list this long? I've thhought about tackling the 100-style memes but am afraid of the time commitment.

[Alissa]

Kerri - get your mind out of the gutter. It's a travel bag for your personal items!

Neil - which flavor of Faygo did you try?

Andra - so glad you added! We forgot the "never let your dad trim your bangs"

[kerri]

you might have to explain 96...

[Johnny C.]

48.That you don’t listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving dinner.

Amen!

[Neil]

They opened up some soda warehouse here in LA where they stock sodas from around the country -- and I had never heard of either Vernors or Faygo. Then someone from Michigan said you HAVE to try Faygo. It was pretty good.

But I would argue with your parents about the Haagen-Dazs choice.

[Andra]

101. It's just not Christmas until "Aunt Evie" and "Uncle Roger" show up to help us "ring those bells with Darcy the Dragon".

102. Purple Lion Underwear

103. Put children to sleep easier with "Popeye" and use the blankets to make them into a mummy.

104. Never go to bed without Colby or Psalty singing to you.

105. When in Northern Michigan, use the five feet of snow to make SNOW TUNNELS!

106. LOUD worship music on Sunday mornings will get any child or teenager out of bed and ready for church.

107. Fried Ice Cream is the perfect end to a Sunday family lunch at Chi-Chis.

108. How to weed (pull out gently to get the roots).

109. How to pray.

110. How to laugh.

111. The words to most Anita Baker songs.

[Jacynth]

LOVE this one: Whomever you marry should feel like “home” to you

[j-dub]

#82. classic mom stuff. 'nuff said.

[evan]

i 'heart' your parents. they taught you so well. in fact, there are a few things on that list i could stand to learn...