Emily's Rules

  1. Don't not live somewhere because of the weather.
  2. Do not give reciprocal Christmas gifts or cards. Accept what others give you graciously, with no manner of "Oh shoot now I have to give them something, too."
  3. Don't go to Walmart.
  4. Buy good toilet paper.
  5. Neither encourage nor discourage the believing of Santa Claus. It's like a Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, but if you have to do one or the other: discourage.
  6. Keep your children's expectations for Christmas presents low. Do this by never asking them to make lists of what they want.
  7. Have a policy of inclusion when it comes to social gatherings.
  8. Try new restaurants or new menu items at old restaurants.
  9. Mismatch whenever possible.
  10. Express gratitude when people do nice things for you.
  11. Read the news.
  12. Make sacrifices, especially in the name of financial responsibility.
  13. Sleep is more important than many, many things.
  14. Few things in life are worth waiting in long lines for.
  15. Try new recipes.
  16. Take recommendations for books, movies, and television.
  17. Don't watch television.
  18. Don't keep ice cream on hand perpetually. Buy it a couple of times a year, max.
  19. Teach your children music.
  20. Have a child without drugs, but embrace epidurals for all the other children who may come if you feel like it.
  21. Introduce yourself.


Number 2 is my favorite.

Comments

abby said…
you are very good at inclusion.

i kind of wish people would give reciprocal christmas cards because i've gotten like 3 this year! what?! how am i sending out 50 and getting 3? this i'd like to know. (not that i've sent mine out yet. they've still yet to arrive. but last year was the same story!)
Anonymous said…
I like your list, a lot. I heartily agree with them all, except for #17. I watch TV and enjoy it, but I am very selective-mostly news programs. Great list! AG
Kalli said…
I will check #20 off the list, ah thank you!
Sarah said…
i want to comment about each and every item, but i shant.

sleep is certainly under appreciated but mandatory and absolutely lovely. i crave it and I love it.

toilet paper is not something to skimp on, i agree.

not sure i agree with the ice cream thing. you don't have to share if you don't want.

abby,
you are not receiving cards because people don't know where you are. also, maybe your friends don't send them because they are poor struggling students and it's not on their priority list.
Callie said…
does this mean I'm not getting a Christmas card from you?
Neil and Diana said…
It's like waking up at 5:30 to a pleasant conversation with you. My angle on the ice cream is: Yeah, because if you buy it then you will eat it and if you eat it then you will wish you hadn't.
Christie K said…
very good advice!! Love the words on inclusion!! Alas t.v. is often my escape, that or a good book!!
Emily said…
Yeah, if you don't have ice cream on hand, then you won't eat it and gain unnecessary weight. Plus it's not that great, anyway.

Callie, au contraire. You made the cut, even without reciprocation.
Christen Noelle said…
I LOVE your list...it makes me miss you soooo much!

I agree on the ice cream but I have dark chocolate of some kind in my butter compartment daily. When Michael asked me "Why?" I said "So it's there when I want it!"

Also, thank you for your beautiful Christmas card, your kids are growing too quickly.
Becky said…
Such a list! See how good you are at starting conversations. One of your talents. And I must say, if I have a favorite, it is the last one. Is that 21? And what have you been reading lately? Do recommend.
brandi said…
i really, really love that list. i do.
what are the reasons to live somewhere?
is hulu the same as tv?
lys said…
Right now #1 is the one thing I'm focusing on. Thought of this list today while channeling positive thoughts about our new location. So far the pros on my list: the weather, Trader Joe's. . . but I can probably live without Trader Joes, so just the weather.

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