Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Bits & Pieces

Today I'm going to tell you about a few bits and pieces that I couldn't fit in yesterday's post. Since we're keeping the house in NJ and not moving everything to MD, we've had to buy extras and replacements for lots of things. I got frustrated at not being able to find what I wanted and needed during daily trips to Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, and Target, so I ended up doing much of my shopping on Amazon. It's been incredibly helpful, and Amazon is still helping this week even though I'm not in MD. Today John should be receiving an iron, Pyrex mixing bowls and storage containers, and good cookie sheets. Best of all, there will be an Ottlite waiting for me when I'm in MD next week. Thanks, Patty!

One of the things that Amazon has already helped with are these suction cup toothbrush holders. The house was built in 1952, and has a tiled bathroom typical of that decade. I found out that current big-handled toothbrushes don't fit in 50s era ceramic tile toothbrush holders.


I can't be the only person in this situation, so while I thought that some sort of suction cup thing must be available for toothbrushes, there were none to be found locally. Amazon came through for me.


There is another issue in the bathroom; the only towel rack is inside the shower, and there isn't a good place to mount one on the wall. I found this clever curved shower curtain rod with a built-in towel rack on Amazon, and it works perfectly.


This last item definitely didn't come from Amazon. Of course, the seller took all her personal paintings and photos she had hung on the walls, but did leave us one special piece - an oil painting of the house.


I'm not sure who painted it, or when, and the front landscaping looks different, but it was a sweet gesture to leave it with the house. It makes me want to plant a little pink dogwood tree in the front yard!

18 comments:

  1. Amazon FTW! And, I LOVE that picture! Excellent!

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  2. Amazon FTW indeed!!! and I love that the former owner left that painting behind. I might spy azaleas on the side of the house - do azaleas grow that far north ... of course I'm not sure dogwoods do either!

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  3. I can (and can not) imagine how busy you are with two houses to take care of, but then all you need is a home and you seem to be making it. With Amazon of all things!
    That painting is a treasure, because in fifty years it’ll be on “Antiques Roadshow” and be worth more than you imagined.

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    1. I feel like the painting should stay with the house, so I'll also leave it for the next owners. But I always watch Antiques Roadshow, so decades in the future I'll see when Alasdair Nichols appraises it for millions! :-)

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  4. It's such a challenge to outfit two houses! When we were first getting our up north cottage set up, we took mostly cast-off stuff (from home) up to the cottage. But we found that the stuff you didn't like using at home . . . well . . . you still don't like using it up north, either! ;-) You are wise to begin with things you LIKE and that will make you comfortable in your new (double) space. And, yeah. Amazon is amazing. . . and convenient. (Almost like having a magic wand.)

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  5. PS - That painting truly is a treasure! And such a fun little treat to have. :-)

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  6. I'm glad that you got the order placed for the light! I've got a safe, two camp chairs and some glasses cleaners (Peeps) coming from Amazon this week. Kinda scary how easy it is! I think you should plant the tree...a little something to acknowledge your time there.

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  7. Suction cups! Saviors of the world! Very cool to have a painting of the house. A little pink dogwood would be PERFECT!

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  8. How thoughtful to leave the painting of the house. I hope you plant that pink dogwood to complete the picture. Amazon is a good helper, especially when looking for odd items or when time is of the essence. When moving and everything is a stress it's good to use resources that make life that much easier!

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  9. Great solutions from Amazon! My house was built in the 1960s and the curved shower curtain rods have worked so well in my small bathrooms. How nice that the seller left you that painting!

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  10. I love that the seller left you the painting - such a treasure. And, yes, a Dogwood would be perfect! And Amazon...truly a lifesaver at times. Or, as I say, Amazon is my best friend! I'm liking that Ottlite a lot.

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  11. Even the ceramic toothbrush holder that I bought at an art fair ca. 1985 has holes that are too small for today's toothbrushes -- it's more vase-like in the middle, which is where they are kept! Amazon can be amazing!!

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  12. That was so nice to leave that painting. People are good.

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    1. I agree! We know we're only going to be there for 2-3 years, but already decided that the painting goes with the house and we'll also be leaving it for the next owners.

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  13. Amazon sure makes shopping for those quirky things convenient! I'm glad you're outfitting your house with things that you love that will improve your living situation.

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  14. Great buys, Bonny! I'm with you on Amazon, they most often have some of the odd things that you can't find elsewhere. And I admit I love shopping from the couch! I hate shopping, and I hate driving all over creation, so unless the price is too high, I buy from Amazon. I'm glad things are coming together at the new house. The house painting is really nice, and she was very sweet to leave it for you. She could have easily just packed it up. It's wonderful to be reminded how nice a lot of people are in this world since the general situation in the news does not promote that.

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  15. Some great finds Bonny. That painting is a nice touch. That towel rack is a great idea. The MD home is shaping up.

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  16. amazon does have it's benefits and it saves so much time. I get my coffee maker from there (i'm on the third one in ten+ years). Saves me the going out and searching for it.

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