House Things

 I finally contacted the carpenter who put in the two light fixtures. Even though I still don't have a light over the sink, that is something I will get around to doing when I find an electrician. I want a new storm door. We need a new storm door. 

If I go to Lowe's, I will need to go to a different one than the one really close to us. I will go to Home Depot, also. This house will be warmer without a 1/2 inch crack around the door. I think I will get an Anderson door. 

We had an appointment with a bath replacement dealer, one you would recognize. It never happened. We sat here until thirty minutes past appointment time. Finally, I called. The woman who answered said they did not make an appointment because they needed more info and I hung up before she was through. The one who made the appointment said she was uncomfortable sending people here since I just hung up before the info was obtained. I did do all the talk that we expect when a transaction and conversation is over. 

Well, I saw red. After all the wrap-up talk that occurred, I was astounded. I went over my info I wrote down, like a code and name they would have, the phone number, address, and code. I was bewildered and said so. She said it was a miscommunication. I marked it up to incompetence! 

In the middle of all of this, I told Tommy to heat the leftovers! 

So, we are giving them a second chance and getting a $250 price reduction. I have a feeling we will go with people coming on Friday evening. I had even gotten out of my nightgown for this appointment! 

I asked Tommy what color he wanted the bathroom. He said maybe yellow. He knows I want yellow in the kitchen. When I was shocked, he changed to "maybe blue or green." I want white. He does not. I just saw an article about "32 ways to keep a white bathroom for looking boring." I probably don't need the article, but will read it.  Maybe a color on the floor would work. I had a floor that looked like white stone in the bathroom, loved it, and received many compliments. 

Now, we are discussing where to store the door we order while we wait for the carpenter. I think on front porch by door. He says carport where people can scratch my car. Hopefully, the door will sit no more than a week. It can lay on its side and it will be easy to put down and pick up without scratching my car or having to move car for delivery. 

It's all about home improvement today. The color of bathroom and placement of door are only two disagreements. No arguments at all. No loudness or drama. When I first mentioned these things, he exploded with inordinate anger. 

Maybe I will get the doorbell fixed. 

I lost three pounds. Only two pounds are new loss that I had gained back. Last week, I made brownies. Usually, he brings me 1/4 of brownies from 9x9 pan. I eat the other quarter the next day. This time, I froze most of the brownies in wax paper and froze them. Really, one brownie satisfies me as much as many brownies. Only one day did I eat more than one. I had one about 3 pm and wanted another later. So, no more afternoon brownie. 

Do you want color that is more or less permanent in your bathroom?

Would you want a steel storm door put in one foot space where a car is sitting? 

Such a Nightmare-Worst I Have Ever Had

 Tuesday night, I could not sleep. When Tommy awoke at 8 am, I asked him if he just wanted to go now to get ads and bogo items we wanted. I think he was a little shocked. I am oats and he ate something. We left before 9 am.

I really did not want the bogo on Spice Island Ground Sage to sell out. He had gone through the spices on Tuesday to see what we need for the holidays. Ground Sage was the only thing that we needed. While at Publix where Ocean Spray cranberries were $4.99 for 12 ounces, I looked to see if they were on sale. Yes! They were 2 packages for $4. I bought two and they are in the refrigerator. Those will be gone before the day is over. 

We got bananas, white grapes, Miracle Whip (2), 2 small packages of strawberry Jello, bag of Meyer Lemons, one Spice Island Ground Sage bogo, We did not buy much, just bogo items we needed and a few other items. 

I was in the bed for  nap by noon. I slept until 6 pm when I awoke from a nightmare. I was murdering someone. I had a long, bladed weapon. It was three feet long, mostly blade. Now, you know I could not wield it! It was gory. I immediately regretted what I had done. Then, I woke up. Lots happened at the beginning, but I cannot remember it which is probably for the best. 

Two appointments have been scheduled, one on Thursday and another on Friday for getting a shower installed we can use. I need to investigate both companies. I know the rotted-out window will need a repair. There is no exhaust fan. One-inch tile on floor and walls will probably need to go. I am sure the massive mirror will go. Vanity probably needs to go. Sink is rusted. 4-inch tiles on the wall will probably be ready to go once all the tile with leaks around them are removed. It actually does not look as bad as it sounds. The new commode will go. The light fixture I bought for the kitchen will go in the bathroom. I think what I described is 'gutting.'

Cleaner was supposed to come to get the car title. I have no idea why she did not. Her daughter bought Tommy's car. But, the mother's name will be on all papers. She had a much more extensive surgery on her hand, so no telling how long it will be until she can help me again. 

I received a text from creep. He said he searched for text I did not like. He said he sent it to me by mistake and he was sorry. He said it was for his girlfriend. He apologized again. I just read this as it showed up on window of flip-phone and did not reply. Hopefully, he will just go away. There were other issues. 

Today, when I went out at about 9 am, it was very cool and pleasant--no wind, no moisture. I hear we are in for much cooler weather, more like it usually in in November. We still have a huge tree that is green. 

I am excited about the new bathroom! Tommy admitted he was afraid of getting into the shower since he hoists himself by holding onto the shower frame. I will love washing my hair sitting down in the shower instead of bending over the sink since I am afraid I will fall trying to hold onto wet sink and counter. 

Thursday, I will cook the cranberries I took from freezer. They will be our Thanksgiving cranberries. I use much less sugar than the recipe on the bag lists. The two packages I bought today are in the freezer for maybe Christmas. Saturday, I plan to cook pork loin and vegetables to eat and to share with neighbor who takes out the garbage can each week.

It is only two weeks until Thanksgiving. Unbelievable. How is the plan for cooking coming along. Anything cooked and waiting in the freezer like I have done? 

No edits on this post. 

Lights, Tub, Oven

 If you remember, there is only a light in the vent hood over the stove for the kitchen and dining room. No more darkness for us now. We have a fixture right near the refrigerator. I am not sure why it is not in the middle of the kitchen. There is a new fixture now. We also now have a chandelier over the dining table. We have glorious light!

He started with the light over the sink. But, the pretty light I chose could not be mounted on the wall as the mount is not on the wall. There is a box on the ceiling. So, it was not going to work. Tomorrow, I will return it to Lowe's and get a new one.  

This guy is the one I saw in Lowe's. He is not an electrician but seemed to know what he was doing. He was mounting both the ceiling lights standing on the floor. He is 6'7" tall. I did bring him an 8" stool because he just needed it because it was a strain working. He did not get here until after 8 pm and left after 11 pm. He charged $50 for each light. The kitchen one was especially difficult. 

We did find the third light I purchased, and we lost. It was under the dining room table. Tommy had searched the room. I knew it was in there!

Now, we don't need to have two floor lamps to be able to see at all. Tommy told me there was no light in the oven. I cannot bend so far as to see. The guy took it out and tested it. It works. He could not find the way to turn it on; there is a strange little knob on the stovetop. I have tried my best to twist it or something. I pointed it out. He could not make it work, either. I believe the light does not work or the control broke and someone screwed something in there just so the stove would look like it was all there. So, Tommy bought a house with a stove that has no control for the oven light. That is not a biggie, I suppose. But, lots of things were sold to him that are not right in this house. It took 40 years to figure this out. Oh, the stove is Harvest Gold and thermostat in over is off 50 degrees. 

Cleaner came today--made my bed, helped find curling iron, most things she did after that were things we could not reach or do. I had a list of things that took so little time and effort. One thing she did was to clean car windshield inside and out. That was the hardest thing she did...lol. Tommy thinks it is clean all the time and never, ever cleans it. 

Things are looking up all over. I asked Tommy when he was getting a shower/tub I could get into. He said it was getting harder for him, too. He said he had been thinking that we might as well bite the bullet and stay in a motel for the two or three days they promise to do the job. He meant stay away for the whole two or three days. No Way! We will just stay at night in a motel and spend day here when they are working. YAY! Any suggestions for the best brand? We only have space of tub to install.  Or, we could convert one bedroom to bathroom and put washer and dryer into the current bathroom.  That is what I would like to do. No, I will not have washer and dryer in the bathroom. It will not work. I was shocked when he said he had been thinking about an accessible tub/shower! Neither of us wants a sitting tub in which to bathe, probably just shower. 

Today, I had cleaner take down curtain over kitchen window and throw it and bent curtain rod away. Tommy has still not noticed. It was a cheap, yellow, fiberglass curtain, filthy and sticky. If washed, those things shred in the washer. It was coated in grease and cigarette smoke from over 40 years. The curtain was here when he bought the place. 

Last week, I noticed there was a clock in the kitchen. I put one by the sink, but not this one. I asked him about it. He said we put a new battery in it when I came here, and the clock did not work. Two days ago I asked him if he would drop it in the trash. He said, "Okay."  He insisted we keep a cheap, broken clock for five years, and I am not sure why. 

I can now see that one wall, solid wood paneling, and I hate it. I want to paint it lemon yellow. We need more light...lol. 

If anyone has a recommendation on the walk-in showers, let me know. We want a 1-inch lip and glass doors to close, not the open shower. 

WE HAVE LIGHT!

Do you have an accessible tub or shower? Any problems? Recommend? 

Do You Eat In Middle of the Night?

 The cleaner is here for two hours. She has made my bed and is now cleaning the bathroom. That is all I expect her to do today. Oh, and I want her to take the Christmas lights off the tomato cage. I don't know why Tommy does not want to do it, but he said he does not want to. Maybe next time, she can help put away the few things that are Christmas and stacked on a table in here. 

I added more things to my call and do list. I have paid two credit/debit cards this morning. 

This is a sore spot with me. Two weeks ago, I called because I 'lost' my debit card, right here in the house, I was sure. Well, the next day, of course, I found it right at my elbow. Since I knew, according to the banker, that my card had been cancelled. Now, a new one had to be ordered. Annoyed at myself, I did not call. I was to expect it in 3-5 business days. I know how that works. Yesterday, I called to see if all was going as planned since the new card was overdue. She told me the debit card was still active and there was no record of a new one being ordered or even mentioned. I was fit to be tied. I had been using Tommy's CC all this time. I am glad I decided to be an annoyance and call about the debit card. Grrr

I still have not heard from the tree guy or electrician or mower. We are expecting rain on Friday, so two of those guys better hurry. 

We went out and I left my phone at home. So, no more phone calls. I was fit to be tied! So, no doctors calls. Nothing. We went to new location of farmer's market and could not find farmers from whom we buy, mostly clothes and junk. Since I was so annoyed, we just came home. I decided I would have a doughnut and that put me out. That and the fact I lost sleep last night, forgot why. Oh, my eye hurt. It felt like I had an eyelash under the top lid. Then, I had to get up for cleaner. 

Tomorrow, I have an appointment to have teeth cleaned. Plus, I do need to make more phone call. The three men who should call will all probably want to come here to do their thing. Nope.

Today, cleaner did make my bed. She forgets what I want done to bed, so I stay to see it is done correctly. The bathroom was cleaned top to bottom. Tommy washed rugs and put them back. The Christmas lights are down and in box. Progress!

Tommy jumps when the monitor goes off. He ate at 4:30 this morning. I hate he has to wake up to eat. But, he goes right back to sleep. And, he still writes in his spiral notebook. Does anyone else have a monitor that goes off during the night? Do you get up and eat? I only mean after a monitor goes off!

Long Lost Things Found

When E, the cleaner, was in the bathroom, she was cleaning out the little door under the open shelves. She asked me if I wanted to use the little things that hang in the toilet bowl. I have not used these in over 20 years, yet they were there, hiding behind things. I never get down low enough to see what is back there.

So, I am using the Scrubbing Bubbles things to turn the toilet blue and smell to high heaven. So, sue me. I will not buy more, but will use these.

Tupperware makes a handy little gadget that is one of the freebies they give. It is for hanging clothes. It has a hook on top about the side of a clothes hanger. the whole thing is about 4-5 inches long. On the bottom there are two notches to slip a sock or something into so the socks can hang to dry. I love these but had not found these two. They are great for travel.

I was so happy to get them back. I can hang a pair of panties or socks in the notches and place the hook over the towel bar or anywhere it fits, not necessitating the use of the dryer. Now, I have about five of these hooks. They can hold ten wash cloths!

Plus, She pulled at least five pair of panties and maybe ten washcloths from behind and under the tub. They all appear to be clean and smelled clean. I think these were hung on the two towel racks over the tub to dry and just fell off.  Their discovery is like getting new things.

Unfortunately, each of the two days, she and I almost filled two kitchen garbage bags of things from the little cabinet and under and behind the tub. Okay, maybe it is fortunate to get up the trash, things like toilet paper rolls,

Several toothbrushes appeared and several combs. The cleaning toothbrushes went into their container and the combs need to be washed. I keep a separate container under the kitchen sink for toothbrushes to use cleaning in the kitchen.

She cleaned with a brush on her knees per my instruction. There was too much hair, dust, dental floss stuck to get all that into a mop. I have cleaned on my knees with a brush. My friend who cleaned the bathroom floor in exchange for something I gave him asked for a brush because he said that is how he cleans his floors. E did not seem averse to the idea.

With kids I always had discoveries when I pulled out the washer, dryer, refrigerator. But, this was a whole new class of found items. There is nothing more to find on the bathroom floor. Now, my job is to try to keep things off the floor!

What do you find when you move appliances or clean in hard-to-clean places?

Still Not Clean

I hired someone to clean the bathroom with exbf's money. So far, $100 has been put into the effort. Yes, it was filthy. She started at the ceiling. She is by far the best cleaner I have had the last two years. She can actually talk and keep cleaning.

During the time I paid her to clean, she also took off the old commode seat, put on a commode seat. I had to show her how once she installed it and the lid would not come up. The new commode seat and lid were mangled. I bought this on clearance but was told it was fine, that the commode seat was opened and returned. Not so. So, I paid her about $20 to take off the old commode seat, put on the new commode seat, put on the new commode seat correctly,  take off the new commode seat, and put on the final commode seat.

She is washing inside a small, low cabinet. It looks great. I have  bookcase type metal piece that is difficult to work around. It is still not clean, very dusty. And, she will wash the window next time unless I can do it. There are four shelves next to sink and over the little, low door. I will clean those shelves.

I will wash the window curtain and the lace curtain I use at the four shelves beside the sink. I certainly manage to do that and save money by not paying her. I can do some things.

My whole bathroom is discombobulated. Some things are outside the bathroom. Since I cannot get into tub, I have used tub to store some boxes. I have to empty those. Well, I have to decide where things go. The toothbrushes and toothpaste I get for Christmas Child boxes are put in one of the boxes in the tub.

Part of her time here was lopping tree limbs. The hickory tree outside the back door has large hickory nuts that weigh down the limbs. When the tree has large nuts and is soaked with rain, the limbs hit us in the face. So, she pulled the limbs down and I lopped. It hurt me but not as much as pulling limbs down. In the front yard at the corner of the street, I noticed the Yoshino Cherry tree limbs would hit cars or bicyclists, so she lopped those limbs. Then, she dragged them to the road.

About 4:30 I was hungry and shocked to see how late it was. She took me up on a pbj sandwich. We both felt much better when we finished.

I have an oval mirror in the bathroom. the frame is plastic but looks like wicker. It needs to be carried outside to the hose. I will take out the mirror and leave it in here. Soap and water will make the dirty frame pristine.

She started on the ceiling, cleaning it, went to walls cleaning them, cleaned the trim above the faux tile. Everyone thinks I have tile on the lower part of the bathroom. No, they could work miracles with plaster and lathe boards 100 years ago. I assume they pressed something against the plaster to make it look like tile.

It took forever for her to clean under the claw foot tub. The bathroom is tiny. There is little room under the tub and even less behind the tub and at the end. Then, at the end there are pipes for the drain, hot water, and cold water.

If I ever have my way, my claw foot tub will not be put against a wall! It will be angled in a corner. If I ever get my way about installation!

The bathroom is white and just about knocks your eyes out when clean and everything like towels and pictures are removed. I use pink towels. The soft soap is always pink shampoo or body wash. The pink and a bit of blue and white "Made in China" item makes it all work. The bath tub always has pink Dove. I need to get another pink rug.

I clean with the brown, liquid Lysol, so it smells nice to me. Clorox is suffocating and Pine Sol is gross and I am allergic to it.

That was all done on a day last week and a day last week. She stayed four hours each day and did other things besides cleaning, just things I needed.

Yes, it was filthy, but I cannot do all this anymore. Hopefully, I can keep it up and only have someone clean the bathroom maybe twice a year just to get what I cannot. I am also going to sell a few things that need to go so I can afford this. I did NOT spend my gift money on this...lol.

No, I am not going to get a Medicare waiver. Do not suggest it. Will not happen. JRE is exempt because she mentioned it and I realized I should have put something in the post. So, I did.

Have you ever fought to clean behind and under a claw foot tub? Have you ever needed help to clean?