The Big Orange Book

During the past week the pilot light on our hot water heater has gone out twice - and we're really not sure why. This unfortunately resulted in cool to lukewarm showers at best. The good thing is that I'm used to taking quick showers so I can get back to spending time with Christopher - so this helped make my showers extra speedy!
The first time the pilot went out I was worried about how we should fix it. Neither Chris nor I had ever had to light a pilot on a hot water heater so we weren't familiar with it. We also both have somewhat irrational fears of gas and anything having to do with flames near gas - although when I think about it I'd say we're probably wise to be somewhat afraid of gas and fire. I actually volunteered to be the one to solve  the problem because I get a strange sense of pride when I figure out how to fix things.  So with Google and YouTube on my side, I did some searching and found what I was supposed to do. Before I headed out to the garage with flashlight and butane lighter in hand I said my "I love you"s to both of my Christophers and said a quick prayer that I wouldn't blow up the house. I'm proud to say that on the second try I got that monster back up and running again.

And because of this fix-it adventure I have to ask: How did anyone ever learn how to fix things before the existence of YouTube?!? It was my savior in this instance. I watched three different videos explaining exactly what to do, and the last video just happened to include our model of water heater.
And by the way, I'm just kidding about YouTube. I know that before it existed everyone had one of those big orange home improvement books in their basement or garage. We still have one somewhere around here.