Tuesday 10 February 2009

A Little Treat

I fancied a brisk walk into town and back, yesterday morning, but, unfortunately, it was pouring with rain. I didn't feel like walking in such miserable weather, so I decided, instead, to spoil myself with a long, luxurious bath, as opposed to my usual shower. I thought that I would do the housework first, whilst in my night clothes, rather than afterwards, so I didn't start preparing for my little treat until about 10.30am.

I began to collect together various products to pamper myself, as well as mixing up some olive oil and honey, so that I could moisturise my neck and face, whilst I soaked in the bath and relaxed. I lined up some 'decadently creamy, foaming bath soak', 'intensive, conditioning body lotion' and 'softening foot cream with shea butter' on the bathroom shelf, then went downstairs to make myself a Cappuccino. As soon as it was ready, I took it up to the bathroom, along with a Choco Leibniz, my digital radio and a new paperback.

After undressing, I stepped into the warm, foamy water and lowered myself into the bath, but just as my eager bum cheeks hit the surface of the water, the doorbell rang. I felt slightly irritated, but, assuming that it was the postman, even though I wasn' t expecting anything, I leapt out of the bath, threw on my dressing gown and raced downstairs to open the door. The postman thrust a fairly large parcel, addressed to my son, into my wet hands, followed by a pen, as he needed a signature. I ignored the rather meaningful, but disgusted glance he shot in my direction, as he realised that I was still wearing my night clothes at 11 in the morning, whilst he had been hard at work since 6. He turned abruptly, after retrieving his pen, dashing back towards his van, as if to convince me that his life was filled with a purpose, which mine evidently lacked. On my return to the bathroom, I smiled and lowered myself back into the bath, wincing slightly as my ample posterior bypassed the, by now, rather cool bath suds, to sink, once more, into the all-embracing warmth of the sweet-smelling water.

I brushed the honey and olive oil onto my face and neck, before reaching out for the chocolate biscuit, allowing my mouth to water, just a little, as I anticipated the smooth chocolate touching my excited tongue. The chocolate and crumbs combined into a delightful mixture, as I ate, but, regrettably and all too swiftly, the Choco Leibniz was gone. I reached for my coffee, then, just as I closed my eyes to savour the delicious, incomparable taste of the frothy Cappuccino, the telephone rang. I felt quite irritated, tensing for a moment, before deciding that the caller would have to leave a message, if it was anything of importance.

After draining my Cappuccino, I picked up my book with the intention of settling down to enjoy a good half an hour's read, but something caught my eye, before my glance fell upon the page. Hmm..... From my sitting position, I could see that the skirting board needed a coat of paint, as did the door. I'd forgotten that I hadn't had time to finish painting the woodwork in the bathroom, before I tidied everything away, when we had visitors at New Year. I felt very irritated.

I tried to return to my book, just as something else caught my eye. In the light from the window, catching the shower fitting and the wall tiles, I could see some limescale, which needed to be removed and some mildew, on the grouting. I began to feel exceedingly irritated. Averting my eyes, I attempted to focus, again, on the first page of my book, but I couldn't relax. My eyes darted from side to side, as I glanced around the room. From this particular angle, I could see the pedestal supporting the sink and the waste pipe behind. Both needed wiping. The floor tiles would have benefited from a good vacuuming, too. By this time, I was feeling exceptionally irritated.

I finished the rest of my bath, in record time, towelled myself dry, applied body lotion, foot lotion, dressed and immediately set about blitzing the bathroom, with a potentially explosive mixture of Limelight, Viakal and Dettol mould remover. I raced downstairs and back up again with the heavy, cumbersome vacuum cleaner in tow, then vacuumed the bathroom, followed by the other rooms, whilst I was up there, then finished with the stairs.

After putting the vacuum away, I stood in the hall, for a few seconds, to catch my breath. Phew! I was so hot and sticky, after expending so much energy, that I really needed a shower..........

24 comments:

Irene said...

Eek, isn't it just the grossest thing to sit in the bath in a not clean bathroom? There is no way to relax once you start noticing the dirt. Suddenly you start thinking the bath tub may not be all that clean either, while you were sure it was when you got into it. I only take showers, but noticed some cobwebs in the corner of the stall the last time. Yuck, who would expect that? They're easy to get rid off, of course, just turn on the power spray and voila.

auntiegwen said...

At the risk of TMI I don't think I've had a bath for years. I find it difficult to relax naked, lolling on a bed in my jammies eating hobnobs, no bother to your auntie, naked and wet is a whole other scenario in my mind :) xx

Maggie May said...

Oh Mean Mum...... stick to showers I would.
Can't remember the last time I had a bath! LOL!

Suburbia said...

Sometimes you just need to let it go!! (However I'm not one for taking my own advice!)

scrappysue said...

why do we always do this to ourselves!!! funny story tho - i can smell ya from here (beautifully scented i mean)

maybe wear an eye mask next time!!!

Mean Mom said...

The Finely Tuned Woman - Well, there is nothing worse than noticing dirty little corners, when you are trying to relax!


auntiegwen - People keep buying me stuff for the bath and I thought it was about time I used some up!


Maggie May - Yes, I couldn't remember the last time I had a bath, but I did see everything from a different angle, unfortunately! Usually, I use the shower and am too quick to notice anything.


Suburbia - Hmm... I think that was what caused the problem - letting things go a bit too often. It's nice and clean, now, but it won't last long, I'm sure!

Taz said...

So you didn't get the paint brush out too?
Yes I am ducking as I say that :D

Dusty Spider said...

Priceless! Made me laugh out loud. But it's true! You set out to relax and then can't/are never allowed to switch off! Flick xx

Anonymous said...

I always clean the bathroom naked. You can work up a good sweat without getting bleach all over your clothes and then celebrate with a lovely bath.

This habit does tend to scare my cleaner though...

Rose said...

I doubt that any MAN would be bothered by any of this! He would just close his eyes and relax in that tub!

I was really getting into this, Mean Mom, relaxing and imagining myself eating that first bite of chocolate (not in the same bathtub, mind you), and then you mentioned the dirt. Now I'm going to have to drag myself away from the computer and go clean my own bathroom!

the mother of this lot said...

You have described my normal bath time routine execptionally well. Have you been peeking through keyholes again? You'll end up with conjuntivitis doing that.

Letty - A Little Girl With A Curl said...

ha ha! A woman so very much like me then!!

This was a funny story and I could also relate to it totally.

The other thing I have found out to be a "bad" thing to do in bathrooms, as I am short sighted, is to wear my glasses in there.

When everything is a soft short sighted blur, how clean and pristine it all looks; when wearing glasses and all ready to go out somewhere and a last minute loo visit, I find the whole place is in need of a Super Clean!

oh and the chocolate biscuits you talk about, are they not the most lovely biscuits? I like the plain chocolate ones best!

Letty ;0))))))))))))))

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Made me laugh Mean Mom - can just imagine it all and have possibly done similar myself. I take my bath at night now so if I do spot something I'm too tired to tackle it until next day.

"Mud in the City" seems to have the right idea! A x

Working Mum said...

Next time take ear plugs and a mask into the bath with you. Totally sensory deprivation is required!

Mean Mom said...

scrappysue - Once you've noticed a dirty corner, it's hard to sit and ignore it and I quite like the feeling of relief, once I've dealt with it. Yes, you're right, the trick is to ensure that you don't notice anything!


Taz - No, I haven't quite gone that far, but I've been reminded that I need to! It's on my mind now!


Dusty Spider - It's a shame, isn't it? If I'm in someone else's house and I notice a dirty corner, I really couldn't care less!


Mud - LOL! Mind where you're splashing that bleach!


Rose - I'm glad you were there with me, so to speak! It's tough when you're trying to spoil yourself and it all backfires. There's no doubt that the bathroom is the room which needs most attention in the whole of the house!


the mother - How can you know me so well? Now, where are my eye drops....


Letty - Yes, there's no doubt that my eyesight is getting worse. If I'd put my glasses on, no doubt I would have noticed even more.

Choco Leibniz really are delicious. I don't buy them too often, because they are too tempting. I don't mind either - milk or plain!


Strawberry - That's not a bad idea, actually. Mud's comment conjures up all sorts of images! I always wipe down the shower, naked, but maybe that really is too much information!


Working mum - That's probably the best thing!

david mcmahon said...

Good CLEAN fun!!!

Mean Mom said...

David - LOL! Well, eveything's good and clean, but I'm still waiting for the fun to start!

Jennysmith said...

Sorry to come on to your lovely and amusing post so late sweetie.
Yes, you can never really switch off can you? Blokes seem to tho' but i for one cant'.

Will try that honey and olive oil - that sounds great.

Hope you got to read some of your book later . xxxxxx

Mignon said...

Ground level is never a good sight. Love this post!

Mean Mom said...

Jen - No, unfortunately, I can't often switch off. I may not have to see to whatever I've noticed, immediately, but it stays on my mind.


mignon - Thanks! No, you're right. I could see far too much from my position. Standing in the shower is so much better.

Marian Dean said...

Priceless story!!!
Love Granny

Mean Mom said...

Granny on the Web - I do hope that you return to read my reply, because I can't get onto your site, properly! Your site comes up, OK, but, then, as my browser downloads your pictures and stuff, I get an error message from Internet Explorer and I am unable to do anything else!

So sorry that I am unable to return your visit. I will have another try, today, though!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Blimey, you put us men to shame. I think I'd better go and have another LITTLE wash!

Mean Mom said...

Grumpy - I'd better own up to the fact that I had a hospital appointment last week and felt compelled to have a good soak in the bath, as opposed to my usual speedy shower!!