Learning from Dad

Today is my dad's 30th father's day.  Thirty years of  being a dad.  Thirty.  He's a great dad, a great father figure, and a super grandpa!

In those years, he's managed to hand out a little bit a whole lot of advice. To many people.  (It's his way.)  But probably to no one more than the seven of us who consider ourselves his "kids." 

So Dad, in honor of your 30th, we put our brains together and came up with some of our favorite things you've told us and shown us over the years -- nuggets of wisdom, advice, and general knowledge that we're apparently still holding on to today (whether we listened well or not is another story).

1.) When given the choice, always choose the adventure over the status quo.
2.) Do push-ups and crunches every day.
3.) Put vaseline on your nipples if you run in the rain; otherwise your shirt will chafe.
4.) Third cousins don't count!!
5.) A place for everything, everything in its place.
6.) The importance of therapy and counseling cannot be overstated.
7.) Make a grocery list.  And make your list in order of where you'll find stuff in the aisles.
8.) If you want to be friends with someone, just introduce yourself.  It really is that easy.
9.) Don't break my little girl's heart.  (I think that one might have been handed out twice now.)
10.) Save ten percent, give then percent, then live off the rest.  Never assume you'll start doing it later. Do it now.
11.) Embrace your inner zen... like Zen Ken.
12.) If you don't feel well, go poop.  You'll feel better.
13.) Do your crossword puzzles in pencil.
14.) Go camping.
15.) You're never too old for a new career.
16.) If you can't see the restaurant from the exit ramp, don't get off the interstate to eat there.  It's too far.
17.) Anyone can be a plumber.  Hot water is on the left, poop runs downhill.  That's all you need to know.
18.) Be really really really cheap.  But don't be too cheap.  (Mixed message what.)
19.) You're never too old to learn to text.
20.) Blood isn't what makes this a family.
21.) If you have a drink in the hot tub, use a plastic wine glass.
22.) You don't need more than thirty minutes of tv a day.
23.) Read lots of books.
24.) Don't talk crap about your in-laws.  It doesn't actually help anything.
25.) America ends at the front door. This is Bumgarner nation, and it isn't a democracy.
26.) Don't slam doors.  (Or your door will get taken away.)
27.) Buy generic brands.
28.) There's only one right way to load the dishwasher.
29.) Pay your credit card in full every month.  Don't carry a balance, ever.
30.) Love, no matter what, even when the people you love make you crazy.  Always make up.

Happy Father's Day!  Here's to another thirty (plus) years!

Erin, Ashley, Brad, Collin, Sean, John and Mark