100 Skills Every Man Should Know

Popular Mechanics just came out with a list of 100 Skills Every Man Should Know.  After reading through it, I decided I could do better.  Does the average man really need to home brew beer (#17), run rapids in a canoe (#51), or sweat copper tubing (#38 whatever that is)?  

Here is my version:  "Wendy's List of 100 Things Every Man Should Be Able to Do."  

AUTOMOTIVE

1.  Drive the speed limit

2.  Read a map

3.  Ask for directions

4.  Admit when lost

5.  Diagnose car problems by noises (as demonstrated by wife)

BEAUTY AND HYGENE

6.  Tie a bow

7.  Disguise a zit

8.  Match a tie

9.  Recognize if an outfit makes you look fat

10.  Buy feminine products

11.  Define exfoliation

12.  Clip own toenails

13.  Keep nose, ears and eyebrows trimmed

CHILD CARE

14.  Change a diaper

15.  Wipe a nose

16.  Clean up vomit

17.  Clean up a blowout

18.  Make up silly songs

19.  Read with funny voices

20.  Babysit without the TV on

21.  Pick out matching clothes for a child

22.  Style a pony tail or pig tails

COOKING

23.  Make dinner

24.  Serve vegetables

25.  Put leftovers away

26.  Clean up mess after cooking

27.  BBQ everything

28.  Compliment even the worst of meals

29.  Know when to eat out.

EDUCATION

30.  Explain politics

31.  Explain sports

32.  Explain mortgages

33.  Explain insurance

34.  Help kids with math homework

35.  Figure the velocity of an unladen sparrow 

HANDYMAN

36.  Use a hammer

37.  Use a drill

38.  Use a circular saw

39.  Know first aid

40.  Use wall anchors

41.  Patch holes left by wall anchors

42.  Build shelves

43.  Fix a leaky faucet

44.  Fix a leaky shower

45.  Turn off the water main

46.  Unclog a sink

47.  Use a plunger

48.  Replace a bathroom floor

49.  Fix a running toilet

50.  Move heavy things

51.  Lift using knees

52.  Read directions

53.  Assemble IKEA furniture

HOME

54.  Open jars

55.  Change light bulbs

56.  Sew on a button

57.  Iron clothes

58.  Kill spiders

59.  Put a toilet seat down

60.  Fold a fitted sheet

61.  Use a coaster

62.  Find the remote

63.  Operate a remote

64.  Hit the hamper

65.  Hit the garbage

66.  Hit the toilet

67.  Change a roll of toilet paper

68.  Know what not to put in the dryer

69.  Part with worn out clothes

70.  Wear pants around the house

MEDICAL

71.  Give a good massage

72.  Give a good foot rub

73.  Diagnose PMS

74.  Treat PMS

75.  Control flatulence

76.  Keep mouth shut in delivery room

77.  Schedule a doctor/dentist appointment

RELATIONSHIPS

78.  Surprise a woman

79.  Be chivalrous 

80.  Pick a gift

81.  Plan a date

82.  Read minds

83.  Recognize a new outfit

84.  Recognize a new hair cut

85.  Recognize a new hair color

86.  Recognize the silent treatment

87.  Make a decision

88.  Remember details

89.  Pretend to enjoy chick flicks

90.  Enjoy cultural programs

91.  Enjoy socializing

92.  Think out loud

93.  Go shopping

94.  Discuss Twilight

TECHNOLOGY

95.  Program DVR

96.  Send a text

97.  Fix a computer

98.  Fix a computer or DVR over the phone

99.  Keep a camera away from wife’s rear end

100.  Delete unauthorized pictures of wife

What do you think?  Did I miss anything?  (Of course Kelly does all of these things wonderfully or I would not be able to write such a list in good conscience.)  ;-)

FLASHBACK FRIDAY First Day of School

A lot of my blogging friends sent kids to Kindergarten this year and so there have been lots of first day of school pictures and stories.  Since my only child left in the public school system is a junior and we haven't taken first day of school pictures for years, here are some flashbacks to our kids' first day of Kindergarten.

Brennan - August 1992

Valerie - August 1994

Riley - August 1997

Wendy - Kindergarten 1968-69

Kelly - Kindergarten 1968-69

Our kids don't look a bit like us, do they?  ;-)

Invasion of the Cinnamon Rolls

We had an Enrichment Meeting on making yeast breads on Tuesday and we got to taste samples of all the breads that were brought.  After tasting some delicious cinnamon rolls, I decided the next day to make some myself with the same recipe.

The recipe said it made 12 - 18 rolls so I thought I would double it so I would have enough to put

 in the freezer for another time.  While doubling, I lost track of how many tablespoons of yeast I put in it and thought I needed one more.  I realized I had put in too much when the dough started rising in a fast, furious and violent way, spilling over the top of the bowl and onto the counter.  

At first I thought I would just have extra light and fluffy rolls but I decided to check my source of information on all things (the internet) and I learned that they would taste to yeasty.  So I put "the blob" in an extra large bowl and mixed up another batch, leaving out one tablespoon of 

yeast, then mixing it with the big batch.  

After that, I spent the rest of the afternoon rolling, cutting, baking and frosting, ending up with 

3 large cookie sheets, a 9x13 cake pan, and two round cake pans full of light, fluffy, scrumptious buns, totalling 9 dozen.  (And sadly not a one has raisins in it.)

I was too baked out to make dinner last night.  I made my family fend for

 themselves.  Today I will be packaging the rolls up and putting them in the freezer where they will be on hand for Riley's breakfast on the go, company, Sunday dessert or sweet tooth attacks.  If they last that long.