Tutorial Tuesday

I've noticed that there is a need for training in an area and I thought I'd offer a quick and easy tutorial on something I think at least half of my 13 blog followers can appreciate - maybe even more. Anyway, here goes with my first Tutorial Tuesday:

How To Change An Empty Toilet Paper Roll
1. Recognize that the roll is in fact completely empty.
2. Push lightly against the roll holder to release it.
3. Allow the empty roll to slide into the trash (or recycle in some earth-friendly way. Really the point here is to get rid of it. Let your conscience be your guide.)
4. Slide the new, fully-loaded, and oh-so-bountiful roll onto the holder.
5. Locate the empty wall holder. It's been at least ten seconds since you last paid any attention to this part of the holder. You may need to take this slowly and appreciate that it is still right where you left it.
6. Push one end of the holder into the little slot.
7. Secure the other end of the roll holder into the holder attached to the wall.
See!? Now, doesn't that feel good?

The truth is that it doesn't bother me that much, but I have run into a streak of empty TP rolls lately... at my church and even today at the place where I got a pedicure. I just think it is funny and wonder if there isn't some God-lesson in this for me. Is this a ministry that I have to help others? It's just so stinkin' ironic that nearly everywhere I go, that this is an issue. We have three bathrooms at my house and it rarely fails that I happen to be the one who manages to show up just as the roll needs changing... no matter which room I choose. Anyway... any requests for next week's Tutorial Tuesday? I'm thinking this could be funny!

More Than Just a Good Idea.

Before Big was born, I read a photographer's article on showing time through photographs. One of the most precious examples was of a father and son's hands, the photos taken on each birthday, showing the progression. Of course, in the beginning the father's hands were large and appeared young, but as the son's hands grew into a man's hands, the father's showed aging and eventually it was the son's strong, younger hands that supported the father's aged hands. In just a few photos, a story was told. I decided I wanted to do that, too. On the day Big was born, I had Mr. Favorite put Big's hand on his - I was too out of it to realize it was WAY overexposed, but you can still see well enough. Then, just this last week, as Big turned one year old, we took the photo of Big's hand on Mr. Favorite's. I like that already there is a representation of relationship there. Do any of you have traditions big or small that you do each year to show time? I'm not above stealing your ideas.

Where There's A Need.

Just came across a website offering cards for moms to send to other moms when kids do what kids do.I'm hoping (hoping, hoping, hoping) that I don't need a set of these. :)

The Big One.

Yesterday was Little One's big birthday number 1! We are so blessed to have a community of friends and family who love us and love Little One. We celebrated big - Mr. Favorite got to use his oh-so-cool grill and had his friend, we'll call him Mr. Earthy-Biz until I can think of something better (He's very in-the-know on organic foods, etc. and has an incredibly sharp mind for business.), was able to bring his matching grill over to help with the food. We had steaks and chicken, grilled corn-on-the-cob, squash, and potatoes. So, so good! For the sweet I had cupcakes.

Here's a note-to-self regarding the danger of cupcakes vs. cake: If you have a cake, you're not as tempted to partake of the sweet before the party. With cupcakes, who will know if you eat one? There's little to no evidence! I wouldn't even let myself un-tape the box the cupcakes came in until just before the party. They smelled SO good even through the cardboard of the box!
On with the story... We gave everyone a chance to eat and then let Little One have his first real taste of sugar. He was too funny - he kind of acted like he wasn't sure it was ok and was very hesitant at first. Didn't take him long, though, before the whole thing disappeared.
Mom & Joy Lin (I told them it looked like Mom was resisting!)
Joe's neice, CurlyQ. So cute!
What joy to have my home filled with people I love.
Layla (Spanish for Granny) was loving the cupcake time just as much as Little One!
By this time, Little One was through! He was so stinkin' tired!
And, he rarely just sits in a lap. This was a super tired Little One.
But, he must have gotten a second wind! He LOVED the balloons! (and, yes, this is the third wardrobe change! - a fourth to come)
This was too fun...
His face was too cute watching the balloons go. So sweet.
So, I think it may be appropriate now for Little One to be Big. He'll always be my sweet little boy, but as a mom, I know that he will only continue to grow and change. So, from here forward... (this is a little bit sad) Little One will be Big.

At Exactly the Right Time.

I just left Little One's room where he is still sleeping soundly. His little hands are tucked up under his chin and I am melted on the inside. The thought whipped through my mind that if I had known how sweet, how precious this motherhood thing was, that I would have done it years ago - and immediately I realized how untrue that was. You see, I am not the same person even that Mr. Favorite married six years ago. My heart has been transformed over and over into a generous and kind one that wears the cloak of motherhood well. Years ago, this person would not have made as good of a mother and would not have been so patient and would not have understood just how powerful peace is in the making of a home. I love my sweet little life and understand that God gave me this gift of motherhood through the birth of Little One at exactly the right time.

Edited to add: Oh! I just noticed that I have a new follower! Welcome AvonLady! I think you're my first follower who I don't actually know in real life! I feel honored to have you along for the ride. And to those of you who have said, "Oh, I read your blog all the time" and are still not following, why not click a few links and make my day?! I'm SO not about manipulation, though, so if you're feeling that way, don't. It certainly isn't intended!

And It Became a Blog Post

I was responding to my friend, Mel's, blog when I realized I had just about typed enough for a respectable post. I didn't think I wanted to share this oh-so-disgusting story, but since I've been a major blog-slacker lately, I thought anything was better than nothing... So here is my response to her post in it's original form...

I was just about to blog about the "pet" frog who had taken up residence in our newly-landscaped front yard. He would be out on our porch every evening. He was huge.

Well, Mr. & I got home from Mom and Dad's one night and I said to Mr., "Wonder where Frog is?" and looked over just in time to see the back half of a frog squished and his little head bobbed up and down in complete agony. In my very prego state, I thought I was going to lose it. I'm feeling sick to my stomach just typing this out. Well, I obviously don't want to blog about the almost pet we had before I ran over his back half. I can't get the image of his little head bobbing up and down... Oh, and Mr., when he went to get the shovel to get the frog off my driveway, thwacked him in the head twice to put him out of his misery. I was so disturbed. I know that was a merciful thing to do, but I was thinking that maybe Mr. could have waited until the frog was over in the field rather than further squishing him on my driveway. Ew.

Anyway, point is here that I don't think we're a good match for random pets either. I maintain my cat because he really doesn't need me.

Where Are We?

A quote from a movie I watched. What truth...

All the world's great civilizations
have followed the same path:

from bondage to liberty

from liberty to abundance

from abundance to complacency

from complacency to apathy

from apathy back to bondage.

Where would you say the United States stands?