Limitations on what we can do, but there are no limitations on love

It has been said that people should know their limitations on what they can do.
For me, it would be a combination of crafting and cooking – or perhaps, just all things domestic.
My first “wake up call” should have been the “C” I received in home economics in the seventh grade.
I only took that class because it was a requirement. After that year, I never touched another sewing machine – for the fear of sewing my finger to a piece of fabric. It was also in the seventh grade when I learned that I would never be a pastry chef, or a gourmet cook.
Despite being an “undomesticated goddess,” I am able to sew buttons on a pair of jeans or a shirt. And, I can prepare enough meals that we are not starving. (But no, the meals would never earn me a spot on shows such as “Chopped” or “Master Chef.”)
So, last weekend, I came up with a brilliant idea to commemorate my mom’s 60th birthday – a handmade tote with icons of children who were to mimic her grandchildren. I bought a sign that read “GRANDMA” and a “princess” holding a wand; a boy playing with frogs; and another boy kicking a soccer ball.
Today, I dusted off my ironing board and plugged in the iron – both of which perplexed the twins because they had no idea what the appliances are used for in a household.
I pulled the tote from the plastic bag, set it up on ironing board and placed the “GRANDMA” wording on the tote. I put the iron on what I thought was the correct setting. As the iron heating up, I cut out the cute little “children” and placed them on the tote as well.
I slowly placed the iron on top of the word “GRANDMA” and then … oh, the smell! Burning plastic tote! The iron not only melted the plastic, it scorched a hole the size of a 5×7 photo frame into the tote.
My brilliant idea for a birthday gift melted right before my eyes.
And, not only did I ruin the gift, but the expensive iron that I have had for years, and only brought out for special occasions is destroyed as well.
Yet all was not lost.
Before I tossed the tote, I had each kid hold it up to their face and I took a photo of a “face in a tote” and sent it to my mom for her birthday.
We both laughed. She knows it was the thought that counted. I am also pretty sure she will never forget this “gift.”