We are considering having our walls and attic insulated. It seems like a good idea. It has been difficult for me to get it into my cold-numbed brain that this is a good use of remodeling funds. It’s tough you see, as I am all about aesthetics and the attic and walls are not going to LOOK any better. Remodeling stuff should make it pretty and the attic is never going to be a place to gaze upon. That being said, our house could use a little weatherizing. It is more comfortable every year as we figure out how to heat it more efficiently and retain that heat, but it is still sort of cold for old people and anyone without a layer of protective fat.
When I am cold, I simply retreat to the bathroom and fill a bath full of scalding hot water. I like it hot enough so that my forehead is actually sweating, hot enough so that when I am done with the bath, my naked form is invisible walking out of the bathroom because my body is steaming. When I get out, I like to carry the heat for another few hours, otherwise, what is the point?
Obviously because it is cold around here even with my protective fat layer, I need to take more baths than any lack of cleanliness might warrant. I find purpose in this activity though with this jar of loveliness:
These are bath bombs from Lush and I love them. It is decadent, I know, but it gives me great joy. You toss these bath bombs in the tub and they go crazy fizzing and swirling around. It is truly a miracle of baking soda. Now obviously I can not use one of these suckers every time I take a bath, but when I am particularly cold or tired or just generally feeling sorry for myself, they work wonders. And if I feel cheapo-stingy, I just put the bath bomb in for a minute or so and then fish it out to dry out and use for another bath on another day. I learned quickly to put these up out of ‘Nez reach as the kid quite efficiently threw two into a bath (one in each fist!) while I was otherwise engaged on the toilet. I highly recommend the bath bomb, and that is why it is THE BEST!
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I loooooooove that you have a pretty jar in which to display your bath bombs, and that you have such a variety of colors! I am so boring that even if I had a stash of bath bombs, I would probably choose my favorite scent and then just buy a whole bunch of that one. I, too, love water soooo hot that I sweat for two hours afterwards. Jason does not understand it and cannot stand it. He is a water-heat wimp. He can’t even stand to come into the bathroom when I’m taking a bath, since it’s so hot and steamy in there. Which is just find by me, actually!
January 8th, 2010
Oh, my gosh… I could have written your blog entry. Our house is very cold too, (65 degrees at best) and needs insulation as well. My problem is the $’s involved. When we replace the insulation, I want to replace the siding as well (my justification to non-visual construction because I am too all about visual too) and guess what? I have chosen the most expensive kind of siding! I also go and relax in warm water, but am too impatient to run a bath and take a hot shower instead… dispite my jar of bath bombs in the jar that looks just about what yours looks like! lol Man, those Parmeter genes run strong!
January 8th, 2010
I think I’ve averaged two baths a day since I returned to Japan. I love that my bathtub has a reheat option. I really never need to leave.
I was given a yuzu (a kind of citrus fruit) to put in the bath for good health in the new year. I sliced it up and it was the best bath ever. I recommend fruit in the bath.
January 8th, 2010
Oh man… that sounds like another weird Japanese recipe. Keep the tub of water hot, boil human, then add fruit for a good healthy touch. There you have it… human soup!
January 9th, 2010
Oh, insulation! We had to add it to our 1950 house in Portland. It had NONE. That was a nasty, nasty job; one where you don’t want to be the smallest person in the house that can cram into tight places with insulation. Also, you are likely to find all sorts of weird stuff under floor boards and in walls. Might not make your house pretty, but will make a GREAT blog entry (or 2).
January 11th, 2010
p.s. This post inspired me to take a bath. Jason was having a boys’ night out at an NBA game and I spent the evening–3.5 hours!!–in the bath reading. It was lovely. Although a reheat option would be amazing, because I had to drain a bit and add in more hot water three times. When Jason got home and we were watching TV on the couch he asked why my skin was sooooo soft! Thanks for the inspiration!
January 11th, 2010
Why don’t we dumb Americans have a reheat option? I need that.
January 11th, 2010
Ooh, reheat option! I want a Japanese bathtub! Plus, aren’t they extra-deep?
I heart hot baths.
Well, whenever I’ve visited during cold weather (and I have a couple of extra layers of fat), I am still freezing at your house, Ingrid. And I usually forget to bring a sweater. You’d think I’d have gotten the hang of that by now, huh.
January 12th, 2010
those genes must be on the Bossom side of the family too as I love a nice HOT bath. We have one of those deep walk in jaccuzi tubs..(lucky lucky us) and I absolutely love it! sure do wish it had that reheat option..how wonderful that would be!
January 15th, 2010
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