About My Dad

In honor of what this day is really about, I started thinking about all of the things my daddy taught me.  Mind you, sometimes these lessons were not learned on the first go-around.  Poor dad.  I think he is probably thankful that he had only one of me.

• How to light a fire.  And why opening the flue is important.  After i set off the fire alarm.
• How to mow the grass.  He said it was character-building - i said it was so he could watch the race.  I'm sure it was some of both.  But now I love working in the yard.
• How to drive a car.  On a dirt road in the middle of an orange grove, on a stick, in a Pinto.  The absolute best part - I was 12.  We kept it a secret from my mom for awhile. I can't believe we had a Pinto.
• How to water ski.  Which, his method I'm sure, could be called into question in this day and age.  I was around 5 (he liked to start things early obviously) and I remember floating around in Lake Butler crying because I just knew an alligator was going to have me for lunch and dad said, "If you want out of the water, start skiing".
• How to drive a boat so HE could water ski.  This, this he paid for.  One time he was standing on the dive platform on the back of the boat, trying to fish a ski out of the weeds, when he told me to inch the boat up some.  Instead, I jerked it forward and he flew off the back in the weeds.  I laughed, he did too.
• How to shoot a gun.  We had land, so learning to shoot was on our own property.  I immediately fell in love with it.  Scared the bejeezus out of my mother.
• How to fish.  This is without a doubt one of my favorite things to do to this day.  I love the fact that my boys love it.  Mostly, I love the quiet.  All moms love quiet.
• How to sew. Yes, sew. Go figure.
• How to use a nail gun without killing myself.
• How to use a chop saw.
• How to use a circular saw.
• How to do minor electrical stuff, like wiring new outlets and hanging lights and ceiling fans.
• How to refinish furniture without taking my skin off.
• How to read blueprints.
• How to read if a sub-contractor or a contractor, for that matter, is lying.
• How to find my way around Home Depot.
• How to install a garbage disposal.
• How to use a wet saw.
• How to lay tile.
• Measure twice, cut once.
• Sometimes the garage is the safest place to be, or the best place to work out anger, sadness, or overall angst. Or hide. Sometimes you have to hide.
• Mistakes are lessons to NOT do something that way again. It's ok - it can be redone.
• You're probably going to know more about building and fixing things than any man you date. That's ok, don't rub it in, but if he won't at least TRY - let THAT be your lesson.
• Home Depot or Lowes CAN lower prices on stuff, JUST ASK. It's your money, you're the only one who can protect it.
• Girls are often better than boys at this stuff because we're THOROUGH.
• Don't ever let a tradesman talk down to you - you've learned from the best :)
• Some jobs are better left to the professionals. Know when.
• Get at least 3 quotes.
• Cheapest is just that - you get what you pay for.

My dad was often teased that he wanted a boy instead of a girl because of everything he made me learn. I don't believe that's at all true, I think he just wanted to spend time with me, and i with him. I know I learned so much more than what i listed - but it's the memories of us together while learning those things that will stay with me forever. I love you Dad.