Get at least 2, preferably 3 estimates on any major expenses for home or car.


21



The moment you lose your cool, you’ve lost.


12,13, 14, 15, 16, 21



If you’re anything like the rest of your family you will have a lot of opinions -and that’s OK! Just remember a couple of things: First: you have a right to your opinion but you do not have a right to your own facts. facts matter. seek the truth even if i it means you are proven wrong. And second, with regard to opinions ...it’s better to not express them so much if you can help it! You may be the first in the family to get this concept and put it into practice!


13-15



Rain, snow or sleet...Always return the shopping cart to the proper spot in the parking lot.


17



There is so much darkness in the world - keep pushing back against it every way you can. Be a force for good.


14, 16, 21



Geocaching


5-11



You can get into big trouble (with school and the law) even by fake / joke threats of violence (bomb threat, etc.) No jokes or pranks that have anything to do with violence.


11



Sign up for typing class. (Keyboarding)


13



Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. Unless you're a lifeguard. ;)


16, 21



Isometrics for “punishment” (wall sits, arm lifts, planks, etc.)


5



Small joys are what gets you through big grief.


14, 18, 21



Take out your aggression on inanimate things, never on people or animals.


9



It’s not fair to resent someone for being who they are. We can all improve ourselves, learn and grow etc. but we should never ask anyone to change who they are in exchange for our love. And that goes both ways - never change who you are to fit someone else’s idea of who you should be. Be open to ways to can improve yourself of course, but surround yourself with people who love you for you and encourage you to be your genuine self and who want the best for you.


12, 15, 18, 21



Always hold the door open for the next person.


4-14



1

Re-Read Tim Russert's Big Russ and Me.


14



Opioids are highly addictive. If possible, stay away from them entirely and definitely not for more than 2-3 days. Manage pain with NSAIDS or Tylenol.


16, 18, 21



You’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. What’s something worth being hated for?


11, 14, 17, 21



“When you are not fed love off a silver spoon you will learn to lick it off of knives.” Lauren Eden (poet)


0, 20



Being numb is not the same thing as being happy.


15-18



Changed behavior is the only real apology.


15



Read maps.


9-14



Of all the things I worry about, addiction is very high on the list. Begin talks (age appropriate) about addiction.


7



“Tell me something you want to be when you grow up.”


5, 8



The secret to getting sinks and surfaces to shine is to dry-buff them after you clean them. Keep a soft clean rag or washcloth around so you can dry fixtures and sinks and counter tops. (They should be cleaning their own bathrooms by this age.)


11



Happiness: Someone (or some creature) to love, something to do and something to hope for. Don’t get too caught up in the rat race, money doesn’t mean you’ve arrived.


20



Go for walks together as a family before or after dinner. Sometimes we go for distance, sometimes we call them "safaris" and look for as many living creatures as we can find.


4



I hope you become more of yourself with every passing year. I love you so.


21



Kids make fun, it’s not nice but they just do. Just blow it off if kids make fun of you got something silly. They’ll drop it if they don’t get a ride out of you. ... But bullying is different. If kids are being mean, threatening or scary, tell me and your teacher.


7



You can (and should) pray for help. But remember, you have to do your part too. Depending on the situation it could be a little or a lot, but don’t just sit back and expect to be rescued. Moses had to dip his toe in the Red Sea before God parted it. Ask for help, but do your part.


14, 21



When you begin dating it’s all butterflies and moonbeams. Eventually you’re going to do or say something that hurts the other person and vice versa. For that matter, eventually you’ll disagree about something. It’s VERY important to consider how they handle it. Nobody is perfect, it may not be pretty but it had better be civil. If not, don’t think for a second that they will change. Get outta there.


15, 21