A Bedroom Only a Mother (in Law) Could Love
In a little over a month, Jeanne's mom will arrive to stay with us through the weeks just before and just after the baby is born. I say in all ernestness: this is a very good thing. In spite of the eight hour baby class we attended at the hospital yesterday, we don't have a clue as to what we're doing.
I'm clarifying up front that we really do want her here because the rest of this post might make you think otherwise. Why? Well, with the current state of things in the house we only have one place she can stay: the bedroom with the crazy wall!
The bad news is it gets worse...
Unfortunately, 'the bedroom with the crazy wall" is also know as "the bedroom without heat". For some reason, the former owners rigged up baseboard steam heat in the (poorly) winterized back porch by removing the radiator in the adjoining bedroom. And while J's parents both stayed with us a few months back in this very bedroom, it's a fair bit cooler in there now. OK..actually it's much cooler.
So, Saturday afternoon we spent some time winterizing the bedroom. This included taking a plastic kit (one designed for patio doors) and doing a double plastic barrier over the doorway that leads out to the back porch. Why didn't we just put a temporary door in there? Well, it is the only real source of light in the room.
Believe it or not, the plastic combined with leaving the main bedroom door open warmed up the room surprisingly well and doesn't lose much heat. If we can just to a little bit more to cozy up the room (and cover up the crazy wall), it shouldn't be half bad.
(If a certain someone is reading this entry...really, it's warmer!)
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Comments
In our office, all the storm windows are gone (we need to find replacements for six windows 2ft wide). We use a tall space heater tower that has a thermostat so it turns itself off when the room is warm and doesn't blast at one constant temp. We use one in our bedroom at night on the coldest days as well. Here is a link to a similar model. http://www.laskoproducts.com/heaters/model_5532.html
Posted by: Lauren | December 6, 2005 6:45 AM
Don't worry about it!! Mothers'-in-law are some of the toughest people you'll ever meet... --30--
Posted by: POPS | December 6, 2005 12:02 PM
Just make sure there are plenty of blankets on the bed, and everything will be fine. It's not like M-I-L is going to be spending all day every day in the bedroom - there's going to be a grandbaby to cuddle and a daughter to fuss over and shopping to do, etc!
As for the crazy wall... I think I would be tempted to go buy several yards of fabric in a pleasing color/pattern and just cover that wall up. It's not a high-tech or permanent solution, but it might be more restful. :)
Posted by: girl_in_greenwood | December 6, 2005 4:54 PM
You just brought back memories of my mom staying with us in her little unrenovated "cove" off the kitchen. She was right next to our ONE toilet in the whole house. Since I was still pregnant when she got here and tinkling twenty times a night, she kept waking up startled saying, "are you in labor honey !! Oh god is it time?!" The poor thing was exhausted.
If J's mom is anything like mine was she'll be so happy to be there she'll hardly notice anything about the house. She'll also be a tremendous help; trust me!
Posted by: chrisc | December 9, 2005 10:04 AM
A house of love built upon deception and unfaithfulness will soon tumble down.
Posted by: Lamar Cole | January 4, 2006 1:46 PM