Today’s post is all about You! Well, those of you who have asked me questions on various topics, that is.
Question One: Would love to see a pic of your bathroom when you get it done.
I’ll do you one better. How about a series of photos? The half-bath has gone through multiple facelifts over the years. By the way, all photos were taken from just outside the doorway.
This is what it looked like when we moved in seven years ago.
The bathtub was unusable and in sad, sad shape so I came up with an idea to hide it altogether. Here’s makeover number two, done about 3 years ago:
Our contractor was a bit confused when he first saw my makeshift bench. When I told him it’s purpose was to hide the bathtub, he said, “Oh! I was wondering why you would have a seating area in a bathroom. Personally, I wouldn’t want anyone sitting there watching me use the toilet, but that’s just me.” Har-har, Mr. Contractor. You are a funny guy.
Once we found out that our sub-floor was rotted, we decided to take the tub out and move the toilet. If you can’t already tell, it was a pretty tight fit in there. I could sit on the toilet and wash my hands at the same time! Here’s the final look, after adding a few finishing touches over the weekend:
Look at all that ROOM to walk around!! I am looking for the right apothecary-style cabinet to complete my vintage ‘look’ and will put it in the front left corner. The plant and painted footstool may or may not stay. I’m not sure yet.
Anyway, I’m just grateful that after three long months of on-and-off construction, our house is ours again.
Question Two: How was your Thanksgiving?
After writing this post about my difficulties with the holidays, I had some anxiety about going to my mother’s for Thanksgiving. Thanks to your wonderful comments, my husband and I decided to place little expectation on the day and instead concentrate on creating our own traditions between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am happy to report that things at my Mom’s went without incident. At the last minute, my handicapped brother decided not to attend, instead, wanting to eat at his group home. So, for dinner there was my husband and I, my mother and my sister. We four had an intimate, relaxing dinner and it was very pleasant. Whew, and Yay!
Question Three: How are those new jeans fitting (aka, George)?
I’ve worn George on and off within the last couple of weeks and he’s been washed twice. I have put him through a slew of stretches while waiting for my hips and rear-end to conform to the fabric as I was told they would. It is also just about time to send Aaron, my Nordstrom consultant, the photo I promised him of me wearing my jeans, proudly verifying that I indeed bought the correct size (even though I told him that I thought they were too small). Just for fun, I thought I’d include two photos for Aaron. The first one shows me right after my purchase, back at the hotel. Now, before you think I’m some weirdo who’s gone a bit crazy, I’m trying to be funny here by imitating the abominable snowman in the Bugs Bunny cartoon that I posted here.
On the other hand, I am still calling my jeans George. Hmm….Maybe I am weird.
As for the two-week photo, here is what Aaron will get in his early Christmas card, and here’s a lesson to you all: when I say I’m going to do something – even if it’s following through on a thought this was a good idea at the time but now it’s a little embarrassing promise to send a photo of me in a pair of jeans to a young fashion consultant that I probably will never see again, by God – I do it 
If you have no idea why I’m sending photos of me to a young man named Aaron, then you need to read the post about my Chicago trip in search of the perfect jeans, which you can find here.
I am thanking him because – he was right. These jeans have done exactly what Aaron said they would. Even after I wash them, they stretch out just enough to fit where they are supposed to, with no butt-sag (see above photo), and not enough of a muffin top to spill a single teardrop over. I am happy. My husband is happy. My wallet is a bit less happy, but it will get over itself. This was my Christmas present to myself. Ho-Ho-Ho!
So, to wrap up my riveting Saga of the Jeans series, here’s what I will remember the next time I need to go shopping for a pair:
- If I try on a pair and they fit perfectly, try on a size smaller – especially if there is any stretch to the jean. Do NOT expect them to fit perfectly right out of the dressing room. A good pair of jeans needs to be broken-in and will stretch to fit my body in time.
- When trying on a pair, make a fist and slide it down the backside of the jeans as a test to see if there is too much gap. If the fabric doesn’t fit flat against the small of my back, I need a smaller size.
- Because I am short, a petite boot cut style will look best on my frame because the break in the jean will make my legs look longer. Petite sizes don’t always work out for curvy women, however. If I find the perfect pair and it’s way too long, don’t look for a boot cut style. Instead, ask for a straight leg jean. The reason for this is because the break of the leg will fall improperly on a boot cut jean since it’s meant for a taller person. Since there is no break in a pair of straight leg jeans, they’ll flatter at any hemmed length.
- Jeans come in many different washes. Notice where the whiskering and faded placement are on the pair I’m trying on, as those are areas meant to be accentuated. If I don’t want those areas to stand out, I need to opt for another pair of jeans.
Well, that about wraps up the Q&A for the Day. I always enjoy doing posts like these so keep bringing on those questions, and I’ll see you all back here on Wednesday!
XO,
~Ellen
Fun post! So glad George is working out for you. And I don’t think it’s weird to name things. I just named my new car Grasshopper.
Hey, congrats on the new car! I bet you’re loving it. I’m assuming your car is green?
So glad things went well at Thanksgiving – I thought about you!
Love it when blog friends post pictures of their homes. Our homes reflect our personalities and it makes me feel like I “know” you even better. Yes, even through a bathroom pic! The finished product is BEAUTIFUL!
I agree, Sharon. I loved your post when you showed pics of your home – LOVE your kitchen. It looks so inviting a peaceful there.
I LOVE that you’re following through with the photos! The jeans look fantastic on you!
Thanks, Katie. It’s only taken me my entire adult life to shop for a ‘new’ pair of jeans! lol Don’t get me wrong, I still love a deal on a used pair but these are pretty fantastic. If these hold up as well as they’d better, I may not have to shop again for years!
Fun! And so glad that Aaron was right:) As for myself, just not sure I could ever do what you did and try that smaller size.
Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. I wasn’t just going to be able to walk down to the store and return them if they didn’t work out. Luckily they did, though. Whew!
The jeans look amazing on you!! It looks like you (and Aaron) picked the perfect pair.
The bathroom looks great.
Glad to hear you had a nice Thanksgiving!
Connie
Thank you, Connie. I’m glad everything turned out – eventually. I guess patience pays off. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving as well
I think you’re a genius for how you hid that tub, but love the new version of the bathroom!
Glad Thanksgiving worked out…ours did too.
And finally, you look amazing in George!! So glad your perseverance paid off
Karen, that tub was so gross, I just had to do something. It did work out well, although I had someone actually try and sit on it once and I heard some major cracking sounds from the wood (it was hollow underneath, after all!!)
So glad you had a peaceful Thanksgiving. And LOVE your bathroom re-do.
Thank you ,Debby. I am just SO glad that I have people out of my house! I’m still trying to get all the dust out of here, though. That may take me all winter; at least I’ll have something to do though, when I’m bored. lol
I rented an illegal back yard in-law unit my last year at college, and I could sit on toilet and shower at the same time.
Julie, this made me laugh out loud – thanks for commenting and sharing! What is it about college housing? I had a shower in my kitchen that used to be a coal chute. The entrance into the shower was so narrow I had to slide in sideways, but once inside, 8 people could stand in there at once!
You look awesome in your jeans! Makes me want to book a flight and see Aaron ASAP!
I think your idea for turning your tub into a bench was brilliant. You are so clever!!!
I am happy to hear your Thanksgiving was calm. I look forward to hearing more about your “new” traditions!!! xoxoxo
Thank you for that sweet comment, Jill. If you’re ever in Indiana, come see me and I’ll drive you to Aaron myself!
The bathroom turned out very nice indeed and the jeans are GREAT! You’re even tucked in and no muffin top. I can’t do that as I’m way too short waisted.
Thanks for all the tips about buying jeans even though I’ll probably never buy a pair that costs more than $30. Sigh.
I’m just happy that I can walk in there without having to step sideways
As for jeans, my friend Jenn mentioned to me that the Gap has jeans that have that kind of stretchy, conforming-to-the-body feel. I actually tried on a pair there recently and was very impressed; they looked and felt really good! Gap is having loads of sales right now, especially when you sign up for their email. You might just be able to find a pair there for thirty bucks this season!
I love the new bathroom. Being the size I am, I doubt I would have been able to fit there before…
You look smashing in those jeans!
Hanlie, I think anyone walking on two legs had a hard time in that bathroom. It was so annoying and cramped. I’m SO happy with it, it was almost worth finding out the floor was rotten! lol
I love the jeans – you look great in them and I had to laugh at the comment of the contractor on your previous bathroom “bench.”
Cara, how absolutely wonderful to hear from you. I hope you are doing well. Thank you for stopping by to read, and I appreciate your comment (if I ever see that contractor again, I’ll let him know that someone found his sense of humor funny) lol
Nice jeans!!! And the bathroom is super sweet, too!!!
Thank you for reading my post, and for such nice comments
I hope you’re doing well and that your new dog is fitting right in!
I am so glad your jeans worked! and very glad to have the leg style information for my youngest (she is the one who is 5′ even).
I caught up on your holiday posts and very much identified with the feelings. I had a tough time with the holidays until just a few years ago. I have done better, very slowly over time. It has been a very visual part of my process for me. I think this is one of several areas which would not have gotten better without my therapist. so I relate to you on that topic too. I have always been very verbal about the fact that I do not think I would be where I am today (holding long term in maintenance and doing well emotionally) without my therapist.
This year we opted out thanksgiving. The 5 of us went to Washington DC for 8+ days. It was very pleasant and solved a lot of extended family issues. I did not feel I was hiding or running. I felt like I was moving toward a positive.
My mother had NO kids home for thanksgiving. and I was okay with that. she has chosen to have the world revolve around her second husband. I didn’t feel like I was taking my marbles and stomping off toward home, I felt like I was accepting her choices and making my own. Different than your circumstances with your mother, I understand.
My kids are to the ages where I am very aware that in saddling them with extended family might mean they do their own thing in the future.
In other words, we (husband and I) have to be careful not to make ourselves a packaged deal with extended family. Our kids might opt out on us, to not have to deal with the rest.
My oldest is turning 22, is a senior in college and is the one least tolerant of unpleasant extended family situations. I am looking very carefully at our bonds with HIM and his bonds with US (our immediate family).
I found your post very helpful and am glad you wrote it.
and -
It just so happens my two girls (13 and 17) are close friends with two sisters (also 13 and 17) who have a similar situation (violent mental illness, happens to be a girl, but it is still violent and unpredictable) with one of their sibilings. There are 5 girls in that family and the kids have REALLY suffered as the parents try to deal with the challenging kid.
We met a new family this year who also has 5 kids who also are dealing with an even more challenging kid (violent, nonverbal except for screaming, not potty trained, severe autistic who is approaching puberty so it is going to get a whole lot worse shortly). Those kids suffer greatly also.
I understand the parents are between a rock and a hard place in trying to deal with the needs of the special kid and still give the rest of the kids a normal life. There are no easy answers.
I feel for the little girl you as I have seen first hand how hard the rest of the kids have it in these families.
We look at families who sent these kids to institutions just a couple generations ago and told the rest of the family they had died. That seems so extreme and unkind. I look at the families (now) who keep the kids at home and try to do the best they can, and realize that isn’t working well either. I am not sure what the answer is, but have such huge sympathy for all.
You have hit on so many good points, Vickie. As I read this I could definitely relate and sympathize with these families. You’re right, there was very little support when my brother was young (he was born in the mid 50′s) and it was hard on the family. Everyone suffers in one form or another; for over a decade I worked with families that chose to keep their children at home. Whether or not a family decides to do that, there is suffering either way. I commend those families but it definitely isn’t the answer for everyone. Thank you for sharing these thoughts, and for your kind words.
ps – bathroom is very cute!
Yay for good holiday, and yay for nice jeans! Glad things worked out for you, Ellen!
Thanks, Greg! One holiday down, one more left. I can’t believe we’re already facing another new year, though. This year just flew by!
I LOVE your bathroom transformation! Love how you decorated it! It’s beautiful and spacious!
So glad you had a great Thanksgiving and that you and hubby sat down to talk about it first and went into the day with no expectations.
And, I LOVE your new jeans on you. You and George make a great pair (and I love that hubby’s enjoying George too).
Hi, Jan! I’ve been wondering how you are doing these days. I know how hectic it’s been for you and I hope you get some peace and rest – and soon!
XO – thanks for the compliments
Good news about the jeans! I’m glad they fit good. I love the tips, it’s definitely something I will remember when I go shopping for jeans next.
BTW, I LOVE your taps in your bathroom. Sooo unique!
Thanks, Tim! I always tend to look for interesting things and I knew whatever I chose for that bathroom was something I’d be staring at for a long, long time. I’m really happy with the way everything turned out.
Love the bathroom!!! Love your jeans! And I’m so glad you had a peaceful Thanksgiving. How nice.
I guess anything is possible.
Thank you, Teresa! I was quite relieved when the day was over and there were no incidents! Whew!!
I need an Aaron!! The 2 new pairs of jeans my mom nought me on her visit out here are seriously droopy diaper butt pants! I’m so sad! =( But, at least you posted what seemed to me the super-secret tips for buying jeans that fit!! Yay!
Love the new bathroom!! And I’m very happy to hear your Thanksgiving worked out well.
Ugh. There is nothing worse that having a great pair of jeans that just don’t fit right. I wish there were some magical way to wash them so they’d shrink just that little bit. Having them tailored would be an alternative, but that can get SO expensive! I’m glad my jean shopping days are over for what hopefully will be a LONG while!
LOVE the remodeled bathroom! (I especially like the plant and stand–they say, “I wanted you to have something to look at while you were in here”, without being all obvious like with magazines.
)
I wanted to do the bathtub bench trick in my previous home, but I never got around to it. You did it beautifully.
Glad Thanksgiving went well for you. Amazing how some of the very things we feel most anxious about don’t come to pass. Why can’t we remember that the next time?
I never thought of it like that, Cammy (and you know, I DO stare at that plant when I’m in my ‘seated position’) LOL
I am going to remember my lesson about Thanksgiving and apply it to Christmas. It’s easier to do when the memory is still fresh. I trust this will be a better holiday season for me. Thanks for reading
I love your bathroom! Makes me think there might be hope for mine. We live in an old farm house & it needs updating. As for jean shopping, it is nice to know what the heck to look for to avoid saggy butt. I was always afraid to buy jeans that were tight figuring they would never fit. Thanks for opening my eyes. I am really glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine was good too.
Old farmhouses are SO cool and unique, but I know the rooms can be a bit strange in dimension sometimes.
I’m very grateful that you had a good Thanksgiving! One more holiday left, Paula. Then we get to start all over again. lol
LOVE your bathroom! And those jeans are soooo cute!
Thank you for reading and for the very sweet comment. These jeans had better last me a decade, I kid you not. The thought of going jean shopping again isn’t going to be an option for some time!
Ellen, you look gorgeous in your jeans!!! They are “the one”! They make you look tall (I still have problems picturing you at only 5′ 2″! You look 5′ 7″ at least!) and lean and there is no muffin top in sight! Aaron will love the photos!
And phew for Thanksgiving! I’m so glad it went well!!!
You have such an eye for design and beauty! The bathroom looks lovely and yay for it being finished! May you never see so much dust all over your house again! Well…until the next remodel…;-)
That’s so funny, because I don’t think I look tall at all! I just see those squatty short legs whenever I look at a picture of me! lol
Thank you for reading, as always Jenn. And bite your tongue regarding the ‘next’ remodel…..It’s going to take me all winter to clear this dust away!
Those jeans look hot – and I remember Aaron, of course!
I love the bench idea in your bathroom – I think it is quite clever! Glad your Thanksgiving went well – my offer still stands at my place for next year!
Thank you, Laura. You never know…we’re both bound and determined to see your beautiful state eventually, and seeing you on top of that would be the best part
Bathroom looks great!
Need to do my own Turkey Day post, but for the past 33 yrs we have gone to my aunt’s place; she’s now 85 so she doesn’t cook much except her famous pecan pies.
But her youngest son has also been kept at home; her oldest son Ricky had been the designated caretaker but passed away (heart attack) @ age 65 this summer. Steve was noticeable more “out of control” this year – but he did christen our new rescue dog (Clarice) as “Clorox”! We’ve gotten a lot of laughs, not to mention it solves the confusion w/my older Shepherd mix, Claire
(I’ll post some pix soon)
I am greatly appreciating hearing from everyone who goes through similar experiences during the holidays. It’s something that people rarely discuss, really. Maybe I need to do a more in depth post on this topic.
Please post pics, Val. I love being able to catch a visual glimpse into your interesting life. I’ll be watching!!
The bathroom looks really fabulous! I honestly think the bench looked a lot cooler than an ugly tub that didn’t work, so the contractor can just suck it.
I always try to buy jeans that are a little tight when I am jean shopping because of the whole saggy-butt issue. It seems that often times I will put on a pair of jeans and they fit well in the morning, but seem too loose in the butt by the afternoon. That is so dang annoying.
I’ve never named jeans before, but I name just about everything else.
Gasp. GASP! How did I miss this post? HOW?
Yes. You are weird. Awesome weird. The george caption killed me. Freak! I love it.
yep. The jeans are so so terrific. I think you can count those jeans as a tippy toe into high maintenanceville in which you pamper yourself. How did it feel? You are pampered by people who love you and the gift you give back is NOT being all high maintenancy. Consistently high maintenance people – they disturb me.
Now you need a party to show off your butt in your jeans.
My Gosh I get sidetracked. A leaf flies by and I chase after it.
Bathroom looks lovely and soothing and I love that you can empty and wash at once. Saves time.
I sat wondering about what happened at Thanksgiving and duh. here it was. I trust you abided by your moving mountains challenge and refused to worry ahead of time about what might transpire at Thanksgiving. If you did, you gave yourself a gift. A much needed gift. If not, well maybe this year will give you permission not to prehandwring for Christmas.
I hope that is not what caused sickness and back spasming. I know that is what causes mine.