Things I learned from my Mother - Revised

1. Blush and lipstick go a long way to making you look good.
(I wear both)
2. Red is a good color for blondes to wear when you want to make a good first impression.
(I do like red)
3. Never to get involved with a man who's too good looking because he'll never treat you right.
(I've always ignored No. 3.)
4. How to dance; the five basic ballet positions, the basics of swing & the basics of ballroom.
5. How to shave my legs.
6. Always wear sunscreen outdoors. And a hat. And sunglasses.
(I don't do this either)
7. Taking the scenic route may take a little longer, but it's worth the trip. Especially if you can stop for the good french bread in Sonoma on the way "home" from Napa.
(I do like the scenic route)
8. It's bad to sit around in a wet bathing suit.
9. Not to gossip.
10. How to drive "efficiently."
11. Christmas trees just look better with white lights and synchronized ornaments.
12. The secret to a good party is keeping everyone's drinks filled up.
(This is more my Dad's trick)
13. You don't have to make everything from "scratch" - doctoring up boxed cake and brownie mix will save you time and it will still taste really good.
14. Always write personalized thank-you notes.
(I have a lot of stationery and always feel really guilty because I rarely write thank you notes)
15. Manners.
16. How to be gracious.
17. How to be feminine.
18. How to walk in high heels.
19. How to identify things that are "tacky."
20. It's more important for your clothes to fit than to worry about the size on the tag.
21. No matter how cute the shoe is, if it's uncomfortable you'll never wear it.
22. Everyone has some redeeming quality.
(Not so much in my book. A lot of people really do just suck.)
23. How to entertain.
24. How to mingle and make small talk.
25. Take a big purse to the movies and sneak in "good & plenty" candy; it's a rip-off if you buy it there.
26. You can be friends with your Mother.
(And another one, not so much.)
27. It's okay to have a cleaning lady.
28. To reserve judgment.
(She really doesn't do this)
29. To question authority - just because someone is a Doctor or a Policeman does not mean he or she is automatically right.
(Mostly she just doesn't want to listen to me)
30. That family is important.
31. That you should always have close girlfriends.
32. That you'll never look completely put together with scrungy nails no matter how hard you try.
33. Hairspray is a must in San Francisco.
34. Wash your hands before eating - always. If you can't get to a sink, use Purell or a wash-up.
35. How to pass French class.
36. How to cut wrapping paper to size to wrap a perfect present.
37. How to come up with a winning strategy for doubles tennis.
38. To never touch the seat of a public toilet and how to avoid doing just that.
(This is just too much trouble in my book.)
39. To stand up straight.
40. That salmon should be cooked through.
41. How to set the table.