Easy as 1, 2, 3...

by Beth Duewel

I am a do-it-yourselfer. I can’t help it. I know better than to try certain feats, but the possibilities always beckon success. Although, I’ll admit, my latest project didn’t come out so well.

Really, I had attempted to make an appointment for my daughter’s hair highlights, but with her busy schedule, the roots just seemed to take off and go before the calendar eased. So, being the woman that gets up early in the morning and clothes her children in scarlet, while half-asleep, I bought a box of hair color at the store.

Now, I do learn from some mistakes. The last time I attempted waxing my daughter’s eyebrows, she ended up missing half a brow. I parted her bangs just so, and then told her to walk with a tilt for a few days. Thank goodness eyebrows grow at fertilizing speed. What can I say? I guess the old wax–on, wax-off method only applies to turtle wax and automobiles. Now, if my husband sees me handling a wax strip he gets out the megaphone and insists that I, “Step away from that strip!”

However, my sweetheart married me having full knowledge of this little discrepancy in my character. When I got my first car—a hand me down from my parents—it was in dire need of a paint job and body work. So I purchased some bondo (repairing putty) with only one thought, hmmm looks like Playdoh…I like Playdoh ... I can do Playdoh.

Just to clarify—Playdoh and bondo are NOT the same thing.

Well, can I help it if everyone makes the do-it-yourself projects look sooooo easy? As if I could master bricking our back patio with my eyes closed while serving teaand crumpets to all my friends. Now it hasn’t all been a wash… or a wax.  I have had through the years a dapple of success.

Unfortunately, dyeing my daughter’s hair wasn’t one of those dapples. Although, it only took four boxes of color and a trip to the hair dresser to get it right. Isn’t blue the new blonde? “The upside,” I told the beautician, “She still has both COMPLETE eyebrows.” My dear friend just smiled and coached my daughter on proper “escape techniques.” Hmmm.

I do leave some things to the pros.  Spackling for instance. ( On second thought I’ve tried that.) Or how about changing the oil in my car. I know my limits—black goopy stuff is it.

I also understand that when it comes to my spiritual well being, there is only one perfect enough to take on that job. Jesus Christ has paid the price for me and no matter how hard I try, or how good of a person I think I am, I could never do enough to get to heaven on my own. Romans 3:23 states, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Now “falling short,” I’m good at that.

And now it’s off to make a Valentines box with my daughter. I think I can muster something creative. Now where did I put that Playdoh?

Copyright © 2008 - Elizabeth Duewel. All rights reserved.