We hired a contractor to strip out the brain-melting lead paint in the nursery and the flaky door frames. He told us it would take four or five days. Being a cynic, I assumed ten days. We figured we could bear that, particularly as I was going to be out of town for four of those days. So we’ve sort of dragged everything around the apartment and have been trying to ignore the chaos and congestion in our 750 square foot apartment. Work started three weeks ago and is half done. I was not sufficiently cynical. Had I been, we would have put more work into truly re-arranging the apartment because I am just about DONE with tripping over paintings, paperwork and breast pumps.
In other news:
I won’t get into a big work rant here, but the gist of it is that I run several media blogs that — aggregate — account for hundreds of thousands of page views. And sometimes readers use the anonymity of the internet to act like such total tools that I feel I could really make time to give each one of them a swift kick.
Remember how I said my darling little fetus didn’t need antibiotic exposure? Now I am ready to offer sexual favors (or my husband’s, should that be the way folks swing) in gratitude to the developers of azithromycin. I’m not better yet, but I slept for six hours straight last night — first time in ten days.
My doctor wants to see me every two weeks now instead of once a month. I think… I might be having a baby soon.
I got my first bit of swank baby gear. After buying everything under the sun used (which I still love) I went for broke on the stroller. Now, the context is that my dad called and said, “My baby gift to you is a stroller. Get anything you want and charge it to me!” His only condition is that I get a double so that Camille’s spot is waiting for her. So I found the schmancy Phil and Ted Sports Buggy, which converts from single to double. FedEx is winging it to us as I type. We got the bright blue model. I wanted lime green, but they were out. I could have waited for a re-stock, but I found the buggy on sale and decided I couldn’t cost my dad another $100 just to get my preferred color. Nothing wrong with blue.
Our little air conditioner cannot keep up with this heat. Not okay. But I don’t want to buy a new one because the lead-paint man took most of our money. And as of this morning, the cold water in our bathroom has slowed to a trickle. It seems perhaps it is somehow blocked in a pipe in the wall. The super is coming to look tomorrow, but I am apprehensive about what this means for our checking account. We’ve also gotten the additional fun news that we may face (along with all the other residents) an assessment to the tune of around $10K to replace all the windows in the building. I haven’t the first clue where we’ll get that kind of money. Maybe Zoe can get a job.
I’m having a day (perhaps easily explained by some of the above) where I really just want to quit my job and leave NYC behind. But… what could I do and where could we go?
jaysaint 
Posted by steakums on July 11, 2007 at 1:30 am
You could come to Atlanta and be a stay-at-home mom. Ironically, once you do that, job offers start hitting you left and right.
I love that Camille’s spot will be waiting for her.
Posted by steakums on July 11, 2007 at 1:30 am
You could come to Atlanta and be a stay-at-home mom. Ironically, once you do that, job offers start hitting you left and right.
I love that Camille’s spot will be waiting for her.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:02 am
The Atlanta plan sounds so nice. But I’m afraid either Damon or I have to be sheltered by The Man in corporate America.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:02 am
The Atlanta plan sounds so nice. But I’m afraid either Damon or I have to be sheltered by The Man in corporate America.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:02 am
The Atlanta plan sounds so nice. But I’m afraid either Damon or I have to be sheltered by The Man in corporate America.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:02 am
The Atlanta plan sounds so nice. But I’m afraid either Damon or I have to be sheltered by The Man in corporate America.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:02 am
The Atlanta plan sounds so nice. But I’m afraid either Damon or I have to be sheltered by The Man in corporate America.
Posted by steakums on July 11, 2007 at 1:30 am
You could come to Atlanta and be a stay-at-home mom. Ironically, once you do that, job offers start hitting you left and right.
I love that Camille’s spot will be waiting for her.
Posted by steakums on July 11, 2007 at 1:30 am
You could come to Atlanta and be a stay-at-home mom. Ironically, once you do that, job offers start hitting you left and right.
I love that Camille’s spot will be waiting for her.
Posted by steakums on July 11, 2007 at 1:30 am
You could come to Atlanta and be a stay-at-home mom. Ironically, once you do that, job offers start hitting you left and right.
I love that Camille’s spot will be waiting for her.
Posted by steakums on July 11, 2007 at 1:30 am
You could come to Atlanta and be a stay-at-home mom. Ironically, once you do that, job offers start hitting you left and right.
I love that Camille’s spot will be waiting for her.
Posted by travellight on July 11, 2007 at 1:39 am
The cold water thing might be caused by something in the stem of the handle that you turn to turn the water on.
If you have one of those with a cap on it that says C (or froid if you’re French), and you pick that thing off there (with a thin blade), there will be a (probably Phillips head) screw that holds the thing you turn to the pipe. That screw might just need replacing or tightening. If it has to be replaced, you’ll have to take the screw with you to the hardware store, where they will likely tell you they don’t make that one anymore and you’ll have to get a machine shop to make you one (for several hundred dollars), in which case you get to get a Brand! New! Sink! Set! instead, to the tune of anywhere from $29 to $399. I do not recommend the $29 one, because you get what you pay for, but you can get a good Delta, Kohler, or Peerless one for around $59-$69. I also don’t recommend the $399 ones, because while they are beautiful, it’s wretched excess. All faucets work the same, no matter what they tell you. You just want one that won’t break.
And since we’re talking about plumbing, when or if you ever have to replace your toilet, you want one that costs around $100-125. More and you’re throwing money around; less and you’ll find yourself sitting in a pile of porcelain shards wondering why it’s raining under your ass.
You were looking for a job when you found that one, you know. You could come here.
You can ask me anything, because I am a know-it-all.
Posted by travellight on July 11, 2007 at 1:39 am
The cold water thing might be caused by something in the stem of the handle that you turn to turn the water on.
If you have one of those with a cap on it that says C (or froid if you’re French), and you pick that thing off there (with a thin blade), there will be a (probably Phillips head) screw that holds the thing you turn to the pipe. That screw might just need replacing or tightening. If it has to be replaced, you’ll have to take the screw with you to the hardware store, where they will likely tell you they don’t make that one anymore and you’ll have to get a machine shop to make you one (for several hundred dollars), in which case you get to get a Brand! New! Sink! Set! instead, to the tune of anywhere from $29 to $399. I do not recommend the $29 one, because you get what you pay for, but you can get a good Delta, Kohler, or Peerless one for around $59-$69. I also don’t recommend the $399 ones, because while they are beautiful, it’s wretched excess. All faucets work the same, no matter what they tell you. You just want one that won’t break.
And since we’re talking about plumbing, when or if you ever have to replace your toilet, you want one that costs around $100-125. More and you’re throwing money around; less and you’ll find yourself sitting in a pile of porcelain shards wondering why it’s raining under your ass.
You were looking for a job when you found that one, you know. You could come here.
You can ask me anything, because I am a know-it-all.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:05 am
That is one of the handiest LJ replies I have ever gotten. Thank you! It will be forwarded to Damon, who is in charge of home repairs.
Perhaps we will come there some day. I still haven’t forgotten Pine Lake. I have job-switching phobia, as my last gig was a bit soul sucking. As much as I may complain now from time to time, I’ve got it pretty sweet here.
I will be back with more questions later.
Posted by seraskin on July 15, 2007 at 5:08 am
I second TravelLight’s advice re: stems. As I also have experience with that (gushing hot water greeting my return from Costa Rica in 1999, if you remember) I’d encourage you to have D mention to the plumber any details about your plumbing innards (make/model/approx age?) that he can ascertain *before* calling out the plumber, if it comes to that. Apparently, stems are model-specific, so you wouldn’t want to double-pay the hourly rate for a plumber to simply tell you what kind of stems you have without also having a replacement set in tow.
Posted by seraskin on July 15, 2007 at 5:08 am
I second TravelLight’s advice re: stems. As I also have experience with that (gushing hot water greeting my return from Costa Rica in 1999, if you remember) I’d encourage you to have D mention to the plumber any details about your plumbing innards (make/model/approx age?) that he can ascertain *before* calling out the plumber, if it comes to that. Apparently, stems are model-specific, so you wouldn’t want to double-pay the hourly rate for a plumber to simply tell you what kind of stems you have without also having a replacement set in tow.
Posted by seraskin on July 15, 2007 at 5:08 am
I second TravelLight’s advice re: stems. As I also have experience with that (gushing hot water greeting my return from Costa Rica in 1999, if you remember) I’d encourage you to have D mention to the plumber any details about your plumbing innards (make/model/approx age?) that he can ascertain *before* calling out the plumber, if it comes to that. Apparently, stems are model-specific, so you wouldn’t want to double-pay the hourly rate for a plumber to simply tell you what kind of stems you have without also having a replacement set in tow.
Posted by seraskin on July 15, 2007 at 5:08 am
I second TravelLight’s advice re: stems. As I also have experience with that (gushing hot water greeting my return from Costa Rica in 1999, if you remember) I’d encourage you to have D mention to the plumber any details about your plumbing innards (make/model/approx age?) that he can ascertain *before* calling out the plumber, if it comes to that. Apparently, stems are model-specific, so you wouldn’t want to double-pay the hourly rate for a plumber to simply tell you what kind of stems you have without also having a replacement set in tow.
Posted by seraskin on July 15, 2007 at 5:08 am
I second TravelLight’s advice re: stems. As I also have experience with that (gushing hot water greeting my return from Costa Rica in 1999, if you remember) I’d encourage you to have D mention to the plumber any details about your plumbing innards (make/model/approx age?) that he can ascertain *before* calling out the plumber, if it comes to that. Apparently, stems are model-specific, so you wouldn’t want to double-pay the hourly rate for a plumber to simply tell you what kind of stems you have without also having a replacement set in tow.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:05 am
That is one of the handiest LJ replies I have ever gotten. Thank you! It will be forwarded to Damon, who is in charge of home repairs.
Perhaps we will come there some day. I still haven’t forgotten Pine Lake. I have job-switching phobia, as my last gig was a bit soul sucking. As much as I may complain now from time to time, I’ve got it pretty sweet here.
I will be back with more questions later.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:05 am
That is one of the handiest LJ replies I have ever gotten. Thank you! It will be forwarded to Damon, who is in charge of home repairs.
Perhaps we will come there some day. I still haven’t forgotten Pine Lake. I have job-switching phobia, as my last gig was a bit soul sucking. As much as I may complain now from time to time, I’ve got it pretty sweet here.
I will be back with more questions later.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:05 am
That is one of the handiest LJ replies I have ever gotten. Thank you! It will be forwarded to Damon, who is in charge of home repairs.
Perhaps we will come there some day. I still haven’t forgotten Pine Lake. I have job-switching phobia, as my last gig was a bit soul sucking. As much as I may complain now from time to time, I’ve got it pretty sweet here.
I will be back with more questions later.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:05 am
That is one of the handiest LJ replies I have ever gotten. Thank you! It will be forwarded to Damon, who is in charge of home repairs.
Perhaps we will come there some day. I still haven’t forgotten Pine Lake. I have job-switching phobia, as my last gig was a bit soul sucking. As much as I may complain now from time to time, I’ve got it pretty sweet here.
I will be back with more questions later.
Posted by travellight on July 11, 2007 at 1:39 am
The cold water thing might be caused by something in the stem of the handle that you turn to turn the water on.
If you have one of those with a cap on it that says C (or froid if you’re French), and you pick that thing off there (with a thin blade), there will be a (probably Phillips head) screw that holds the thing you turn to the pipe. That screw might just need replacing or tightening. If it has to be replaced, you’ll have to take the screw with you to the hardware store, where they will likely tell you they don’t make that one anymore and you’ll have to get a machine shop to make you one (for several hundred dollars), in which case you get to get a Brand! New! Sink! Set! instead, to the tune of anywhere from $29 to $399. I do not recommend the $29 one, because you get what you pay for, but you can get a good Delta, Kohler, or Peerless one for around $59-$69. I also don’t recommend the $399 ones, because while they are beautiful, it’s wretched excess. All faucets work the same, no matter what they tell you. You just want one that won’t break.
And since we’re talking about plumbing, when or if you ever have to replace your toilet, you want one that costs around $100-125. More and you’re throwing money around; less and you’ll find yourself sitting in a pile of porcelain shards wondering why it’s raining under your ass.
You were looking for a job when you found that one, you know. You could come here.
You can ask me anything, because I am a know-it-all.
Posted by travellight on July 11, 2007 at 1:39 am
The cold water thing might be caused by something in the stem of the handle that you turn to turn the water on.
If you have one of those with a cap on it that says C (or froid if you’re French), and you pick that thing off there (with a thin blade), there will be a (probably Phillips head) screw that holds the thing you turn to the pipe. That screw might just need replacing or tightening. If it has to be replaced, you’ll have to take the screw with you to the hardware store, where they will likely tell you they don’t make that one anymore and you’ll have to get a machine shop to make you one (for several hundred dollars), in which case you get to get a Brand! New! Sink! Set! instead, to the tune of anywhere from $29 to $399. I do not recommend the $29 one, because you get what you pay for, but you can get a good Delta, Kohler, or Peerless one for around $59-$69. I also don’t recommend the $399 ones, because while they are beautiful, it’s wretched excess. All faucets work the same, no matter what they tell you. You just want one that won’t break.
And since we’re talking about plumbing, when or if you ever have to replace your toilet, you want one that costs around $100-125. More and you’re throwing money around; less and you’ll find yourself sitting in a pile of porcelain shards wondering why it’s raining under your ass.
You were looking for a job when you found that one, you know. You could come here.
You can ask me anything, because I am a know-it-all.
Posted by travellight on July 11, 2007 at 1:39 am
The cold water thing might be caused by something in the stem of the handle that you turn to turn the water on.
If you have one of those with a cap on it that says C (or froid if you’re French), and you pick that thing off there (with a thin blade), there will be a (probably Phillips head) screw that holds the thing you turn to the pipe. That screw might just need replacing or tightening. If it has to be replaced, you’ll have to take the screw with you to the hardware store, where they will likely tell you they don’t make that one anymore and you’ll have to get a machine shop to make you one (for several hundred dollars), in which case you get to get a Brand! New! Sink! Set! instead, to the tune of anywhere from $29 to $399. I do not recommend the $29 one, because you get what you pay for, but you can get a good Delta, Kohler, or Peerless one for around $59-$69. I also don’t recommend the $399 ones, because while they are beautiful, it’s wretched excess. All faucets work the same, no matter what they tell you. You just want one that won’t break.
And since we’re talking about plumbing, when or if you ever have to replace your toilet, you want one that costs around $100-125. More and you’re throwing money around; less and you’ll find yourself sitting in a pile of porcelain shards wondering why it’s raining under your ass.
You were looking for a job when you found that one, you know. You could come here.
You can ask me anything, because I am a know-it-all.
Posted by travellight on July 11, 2007 at 1:39 am
The cold water thing might be caused by something in the stem of the handle that you turn to turn the water on.
If you have one of those with a cap on it that says C (or froid if you’re French), and you pick that thing off there (with a thin blade), there will be a (probably Phillips head) screw that holds the thing you turn to the pipe. That screw might just need replacing or tightening. If it has to be replaced, you’ll have to take the screw with you to the hardware store, where they will likely tell you they don’t make that one anymore and you’ll have to get a machine shop to make you one (for several hundred dollars), in which case you get to get a Brand! New! Sink! Set! instead, to the tune of anywhere from $29 to $399. I do not recommend the $29 one, because you get what you pay for, but you can get a good Delta, Kohler, or Peerless one for around $59-$69. I also don’t recommend the $399 ones, because while they are beautiful, it’s wretched excess. All faucets work the same, no matter what they tell you. You just want one that won’t break.
And since we’re talking about plumbing, when or if you ever have to replace your toilet, you want one that costs around $100-125. More and you’re throwing money around; less and you’ll find yourself sitting in a pile of porcelain shards wondering why it’s raining under your ass.
You were looking for a job when you found that one, you know. You could come here.
You can ask me anything, because I am a know-it-all.
Posted by lemon_says on July 11, 2007 at 1:42 am
Sweet ride.
Next you’re going to be getting a Nest high chair. 🙂
Posted by lemon_says on July 11, 2007 at 1:42 am
Sweet ride.
Next you’re going to be getting a Nest high chair. 🙂
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:06 am
Wow. That’s a beauty. Maybe another overly-generous grandparent will come out of the woodwork.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:06 am
Wow. That’s a beauty. Maybe another overly-generous grandparent will come out of the woodwork.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:06 am
Wow. That’s a beauty. Maybe another overly-generous grandparent will come out of the woodwork.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:06 am
Wow. That’s a beauty. Maybe another overly-generous grandparent will come out of the woodwork.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:06 am
Wow. That’s a beauty. Maybe another overly-generous grandparent will come out of the woodwork.
Posted by lemon_says on July 11, 2007 at 1:42 am
Sweet ride.
Next you’re going to be getting a Nest high chair. 🙂
Posted by lemon_says on July 11, 2007 at 1:42 am
Sweet ride.
Next you’re going to be getting a Nest high chair. 🙂
Posted by lemon_says on July 11, 2007 at 1:42 am
Sweet ride.
Next you’re going to be getting a Nest high chair. 🙂
Posted by lemon_says on July 11, 2007 at 1:42 am
Sweet ride.
Next you’re going to be getting a Nest high chair. 🙂
Posted by seraskin on July 14, 2007 at 7:52 pm
You know I’ll slide in “move to Tucson!” at any available opportunity.
I can’t guarantee either of you work but all of my home’s appliances, windows, and systems seem to work properly (knock wood) and you’d be in close proximity if you decided to add a Mexican triplet to your emerging gaggle.
Plus, I’d feed y’all till you each burst.
Posted by seraskin on July 14, 2007 at 7:52 pm
You know I’ll slide in “move to Tucson!” at any available opportunity.
I can’t guarantee either of you work but all of my home’s appliances, windows, and systems seem to work properly (knock wood) and you’d be in close proximity if you decided to add a Mexican triplet to your emerging gaggle.
Plus, I’d feed y’all till you each burst.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:09 am
That sounds so nice. Can you get me a job there?
The triplet and the feeding sound particularly tempting. But I’d settle for your company right now. I am, at this moment in time, B-O-R-E-D.
Posted by seraskin on July 15, 2007 at 5:04 am
“I’d settle for your company right now…”
Just what every girl wants to hear 😉
Posted by seraskin on July 15, 2007 at 5:04 am
“I’d settle for your company right now…”
Just what every girl wants to hear 😉
Posted by seraskin on July 15, 2007 at 5:04 am
“I’d settle for your company right now…”
Just what every girl wants to hear 😉
Posted by seraskin on July 15, 2007 at 5:04 am
“I’d settle for your company right now…”
Just what every girl wants to hear 😉
Posted by seraskin on July 15, 2007 at 5:04 am
“I’d settle for your company right now…”
Just what every girl wants to hear 😉
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:09 am
That sounds so nice. Can you get me a job there?
The triplet and the feeding sound particularly tempting. But I’d settle for your company right now. I am, at this moment in time, B-O-R-E-D.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:09 am
That sounds so nice. Can you get me a job there?
The triplet and the feeding sound particularly tempting. But I’d settle for your company right now. I am, at this moment in time, B-O-R-E-D.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:09 am
That sounds so nice. Can you get me a job there?
The triplet and the feeding sound particularly tempting. But I’d settle for your company right now. I am, at this moment in time, B-O-R-E-D.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:09 am
That sounds so nice. Can you get me a job there?
The triplet and the feeding sound particularly tempting. But I’d settle for your company right now. I am, at this moment in time, B-O-R-E-D.
Posted by seraskin on July 14, 2007 at 7:52 pm
You know I’ll slide in “move to Tucson!” at any available opportunity.
I can’t guarantee either of you work but all of my home’s appliances, windows, and systems seem to work properly (knock wood) and you’d be in close proximity if you decided to add a Mexican triplet to your emerging gaggle.
Plus, I’d feed y’all till you each burst.
Posted by seraskin on July 14, 2007 at 7:52 pm
You know I’ll slide in “move to Tucson!” at any available opportunity.
I can’t guarantee either of you work but all of my home’s appliances, windows, and systems seem to work properly (knock wood) and you’d be in close proximity if you decided to add a Mexican triplet to your emerging gaggle.
Plus, I’d feed y’all till you each burst.
Posted by seraskin on July 14, 2007 at 7:52 pm
You know I’ll slide in “move to Tucson!” at any available opportunity.
I can’t guarantee either of you work but all of my home’s appliances, windows, and systems seem to work properly (knock wood) and you’d be in close proximity if you decided to add a Mexican triplet to your emerging gaggle.
Plus, I’d feed y’all till you each burst.
Posted by seraskin on July 14, 2007 at 7:52 pm
You know I’ll slide in “move to Tucson!” at any available opportunity.
I can’t guarantee either of you work but all of my home’s appliances, windows, and systems seem to work properly (knock wood) and you’d be in close proximity if you decided to add a Mexican triplet to your emerging gaggle.
Plus, I’d feed y’all till you each burst.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:02 am
The Atlanta plan sounds so nice. But I’m afraid either Damon or I have to be sheltered by The Man in corporate America.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:05 am
That is one of the handiest LJ replies I have ever gotten. Thank you! It will be forwarded to Damon, who is in charge of home repairs.
Perhaps we will come there some day. I still haven’t forgotten Pine Lake. I have job-switching phobia, as my last gig was a bit soul sucking. As much as I may complain now from time to time, I’ve got it pretty sweet here.
I will be back with more questions later.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:06 am
Wow. That’s a beauty. Maybe another overly-generous grandparent will come out of the woodwork.
Posted by jaysaint on July 15, 2007 at 3:09 am
That sounds so nice. Can you get me a job there?
The triplet and the feeding sound particularly tempting. But I’d settle for your company right now. I am, at this moment in time, B-O-R-E-D.
Posted by seraskin on July 15, 2007 at 5:04 am
“I’d settle for your company right now…”
Just what every girl wants to hear 😉
Posted by seraskin on July 15, 2007 at 5:08 am
I second TravelLight’s advice re: stems. As I also have experience with that (gushing hot water greeting my return from Costa Rica in 1999, if you remember) I’d encourage you to have D mention to the plumber any details about your plumbing innards (make/model/approx age?) that he can ascertain *before* calling out the plumber, if it comes to that. Apparently, stems are model-specific, so you wouldn’t want to double-pay the hourly rate for a plumber to simply tell you what kind of stems you have without also having a replacement set in tow.