I didn’t mean to end this with a bad pun December 17, 2007

I had one of those weekends where I did a ton of stuff around the house on Saturday, expecting to have an easy do-nothing Sunday, and ended up working my ass off both days. Plus, all weekend we waited for some severe winter weather that never came, except some hellaciously cold wind Sunday afternoon and evening.

Train gave me an early Christmas gift by repainting our guest bathroom. This room has had its share of drama. My parents offered to paint it this past spring during one of their visits. I knew I wanted purple. I tend to pick dark paint colors, but I am easily swayed into going with a lighter shade. This time, it was my mom who convinced me to switch, and we ended up with a bright purple.

It didn’t turn out as I expected, but hey, anything’s better than white, right? And I didn’t have to paint anything. (I never do, because Train has convinced me that my painting skills, like my kitchen skills, are more beginner than expert.) While the toilet was out so the walls could be painted, Train installed some gray vinyl tile.

My mom also bought us a new medicine cabinet for the bathroom. We replaced this one (white wood framed, clunky, triple door)

with this one (beautiful, shiny, frameless mirror bi-door)

It was so sophisticated, and I loved it.

Until the big mirrored door fell off one day, shattering all over the sink and leaving huge gouges in the vanity, clock, and newly painted wall.

Yikes. We contacted the manufacturer, who sent us a new door to attach. Train put it up, but after a couple of weeks, we noticed the door sliding off again. Rather than risk it (since this is the bathroom where Sherman takes his baths), we took the door off and have just had open shelves there since about September. Normally there wouldn’t be much in the cabinet, but my parents leave all of their toiletries and stuff up here so they don’t have to tote it back and forth, and it was starting to look like a garishly purple CVS in there. I wasn’t sure what else to do, since this style of cabinet was really the only one I liked at Home Depot, and I certainly wasn’t going to buy the same model or brand again (the company did refund us the full purchase price even without a receipt).

In November, Dr. P and I went to Kat’s housewarming party, and her bathroom was the PERFECT shade of purple. I demanded that she give me the name of it (Behr’s Iris Petal). She did as soon as she got back from her Thanksgiving trip. 

When Mom and Dad came back for Thanksgiving, Mom and I were able to stop by Lowe’s. I had been meaning to go but never got around to it, and even when Train and I went to Lowe’s I would forget to look at the cabinets. Lo and behold, they had the perfect style in the Kohler brand, with a much better door attachment, so of course I bought it right away.

And it sat in our front hallway for about a month. I wasn’t sure how to tell my parents that we were going to re-paint (I feel bad that they wasted their time), and Train refused to hang the new cabinet if he was just going to have to take it down to re-paint after they left.

This weekend was the first since my parents left that we haven’t had anything planned, so Train agreed to repaint the bathroom and hang the cabinet. And, since he had to take the toilet out again, he said he would replace the toilet as well. EEEEEEE!!! We replaced our master bathroom toilet in October when we painted that room (an American Standard Right Height Elongated Bowl Cadet, thanks for asking) and I love it. But we ended up having to pay our contractor neighbor to install it since the floor flange was broken, so we didn’t replace the guest bathroom toilet then since it had cost more than we expected.

So Friday we went and bought the paint and the toilet. He spent Saturday morning taping and painted in an hour after Sherman’s nap that afternoon. It looks FABULOUS. Absolutely wonderful. While neither one of us use that bathroom much, I am in there a lot for Sherman’s baths, and it is much more grown-up and suitable to my taste (I have brushed silver accents in there - tissue box, toothbrush holder, etc).

On Sunday morning he installed the toilet, which was easy, and then the medicine cabinet, which was a bit more of a pain, but it looks great. I guess nothing is going to be easy with these cabinets. I had forgotten that my original intention was to buy a second Kohler cabinet for our bathroom (we have the same ugly tri-door cabinet as what used to be in the guest bathroom) - Train put the ix-nay on that for now, but I know he’ll come around.

I haven’t taken any pictures yet because I’m not sure how to broach this with my parents. I think my mom knows I wasn’t thrilled about the paint color (I actually didn’t realize how much I hated it until it was gone) but still…what a waste of time for them. At first I was thinking that perhaps they wouldn’t notice - but it’s pretty obvious to us, then again we see that room every day. So who knows. I don’t know if I should mention it when we visit (they know we put in the new toilet and cabinet) or just wait and see if they notice when they come in February. And then feel like crap.

a sherman christmas December 12, 2007

For Sherman’s first Christmas, he just got a few things since we figured we could get away with not spending much, for perhaps the only time in his life. Plus, he was still a baby, and doesn’t everyone just BUY BUY BUY when they have an unspoilable infant? I mean, who needed an excuse like Christmas? Not I.

It feels like we haven’t gotten him many things since his first birthday, probably because he got so much at his party (for which we are eternally grateful). Now seems like a good of a time as any to buy things to make traveling more palatable. So here is what will be under the Christmas tree from Mommy and Daddy (not including grandparents, aunts, and uncles).

Portable DVD Player. I’m not sure which one Train ordered, but we are going to “practice” with it before we leave so Sherman is somewhat used to it. And maybe he won’t grab it, push all the buttons, and throw it on the floor.

Portable DVD Player Case. Because I’m anal like that.

Toddler Headphones. I know, who am I kidding? This is also something we’ll “practice” with…but I’m unfortunately forseeing a wasted $16.

My First Touch & Feel Picture Cards: Colors & Shapes. For de plane.

Sticker Activity A B C (First Concepts). For de plane. I’m not sure he’s ever seen a sticker.

Sesame Street - Old School, Vol. 1 (1969-1974). We just started Tivoing Sesame Street a month ago or so. So many toddler shows (not that my kid watches anything besides Sesame Street) are a dinky 20 minutes long (and that’s a generous assessment for you, Yo Gabba Gabba) that Sesame Street feels luxurious. And 20 whole minutes of solely “Elmo’s World”. It’s a blessing if you want to make dinner. I’m hoping these older episodes hold his attention (on de plane) just as well. Some people say Sesame Street isn’t as good as it was when we were kids. I didn’t really watch it until I was older, and the younger neighbor kids watched it. I still enjoy it and don’t mind sitting through an episode (repeatedly) with Sherman. Sometimes I can even get him to count like The Count (”ah! ah! ah!”).

Playhouse Disney 2. Who am I kidding - I need something else to entertain him with besides the television. Playhouse Disney is standard Saturday and Sunday morning fare at our house. And if the channel doesn’t change until Hannah Montana comes on in the afternoon…oops. Oh, would you look at that! High School Musical 2! Damn.

Books: Not a Box, Llama Llama Red Pajama, The Alphabet from A to Y With Bonus Letter Z!, Counting Kisses.

Sit N Spin. Train the PE teacher says this is good for balance/equilibrium.

Brown Bear Puzzle Tiles.

Fridge Phonics.

Play Kitchen. Stupid JCPenney took it down (which is probably a good thing, since it was on back order for a while after I ordered it and I was sweating it) so I don’t have a picture. But it has red countertops, which match my red pots and pans/cooking gadgets/toaster/general chili pepper theme, and will fit nicely in the corner of our kitchen. I’m not deluding myself by thinking he will actually play with this instead of my red pots and pans/cooking gadgets/toaster, but maybe we will be pleasantly surprised.

Sherman is too young (I think) to understand Santa (although we haven’t even tried to explain it to him). But I hope this year he will finally get the hang of (and concept of) opening gifts - tearing into the wrapping paper. That would be fun.  

Not many toys on this list, but my mom has bought him some things that are already under the tree (tub toys, puzzles, flash cards, See N Say, beach towel) and there will be some toy cars waiting for him at her house (at least). She also sent us the Muppet Show Season 1 and Wiggle Time. Train’s mom might get him a tra.mp01ine.

As for other gifts:
My mom is getting the newest John Grisham book.
My dad is getting a subscription to Mental Floss.
Train’s mom is getting a photo puzzle of her grandchildren.
Train’s dad is getting some home repairs and assembly by Train.
Sherman’s daycare provider (Alice) is getting Key Lime cookies and movie passes (and another paid week off).
Our niece is getting a subscription to Baby Bug.
Train and I are getting a new iPod nano (black), plus the radio transmitter so we can (hopefully) listen to it in the car.

Ever since I had Sherman, I don’t really have time (or money) to browse and shop like in the good old days. I go a couple of times a year for clothes and that’s it. So obviously around Christmas I really can’t deal with the actual mall and I’ve been doing all of our shopping online where I could. All of Sherman’s gifts came from Amazon. A couple of months ago, we accidentally signed up for Amazon Prime when Train used a free trial to order his fall semester textbooks and we forgot to cancel it. So I’m trying to get my money’s worth by purchasing as many Prime products as possible for free 2-day shipping. It’s not perfect, since Amazon uses several resellers and they don’t all honor the Prime membership, but it’s one of the more helpful ways to waste $75.

Erika’s favorite things November 30, 2007

Just in time for holiday gift-giving! (Not for me. I already have this stuff.) Unlike Oprah, I’m not giving you free samples.

Curel hand lotion - I’m not a big lotion person, especially on my hands. But ever since Sherman was born, I wash them so often that they hurt if I don’t put lotion on right away.

High School Musical Soundtrack - I’m too ashamed to say anything more, other than I have to get the HSM2 soundtrack soon (since Zac Efron actually sings on that one)

towel warmer - This was a wedding registry item that I took a lot of teasing for. But we got it, and I love it. Just perfect on these winter mornings!

Grund Texture Ultra Light - I get this from my ridiculously overpriced salon, but it works miracles with my hair (which is fine and thick at the same time. Does that make sense?). Smooths and protects against humidity. I mix it with the Grund Shape before I blowdry.

Tivo - No further explanation needed. How did we live without this thing?

My new $30 boots from Famous Footwear - they are comfortable and perfect for work or with jeans. And not tall/itchy/hot!

webcam - This allows Sherman to see and interact with my parents even when they’re at home, and I am so thankful it’s free! (Best time to chat is while S is in the bath, so he can’t grab for the computer)

Newsweek - most nights we don’t have time to watch all the news, so reading Newsweek makes me feel connected to the world. I look forward to it every Monday!

valet keychain - Since I bought these, I can start my car in the morning and leave my house key inside so I can lock up the house when I’m ready to go. It’s still dark when I leave at 5:30am, but I used to leave the door unlocked because it was too much of a pain to go back and forth. Also, if for some terrible reason my car was stolen while it was heating up, the thief wouldn’t have my house key (just my library card barcode keychain).

Cropper Hopper Photo Case - ever since I gave up scrapbooking, I at least keep my pictures organized, and using the Cropper Hopper (which is waterproof) makes me feel like less of a failure.

Peapod - going to the grocery store used to be a major hassle at our house. Occasionally we would take Sherman but that never ends well; he won’t sit in a shopping cart at any store and grocery shopping takes a long time and it’s boring. So then one of us would go alone to get the groceries, leaving the other at home with Sherman, and our weekend revolved around when this chore would get done. Now I can “shop” all week long, checking to see what I have in the pantry before I add it to the cart, and then have it delivered Sunday morning before we are even showered, so we aren’t missing out on anything. The $6.95 delivery fee is worth that!

VZW Navigator - I used this for the first time a few weeks ago when I drove to Pittsburgh. I would love to have a GPS in the car as much as anyone, but we rarely take car trips other than to my in-laws’, and we know every possible way to get there. But there are random occasions, or times when you’re out of your normal area and you’d like to find a Wendy’s or a Wawa or something. That’s why I love this Verizon service. It’s $2.99 for 24 hours, and it goes wherever you go. You can’t beat that!