I've been living at the city house for a year now. For two reasons, I had never taken a bath in this tub.
First of all, it is so much easier and quicker to hop into the shower. This tub is about 5 x 6 feet and a spa tub big enough for three people. Now, I've never been to a spa, nor have I ever had a massage. The thought of lying naked on a table with a stranger rubbing me - well, it's not going to happen.
So, the other evening I thought I would take my first bath. I gathered everything I could remember (shampoo etc.), put my phone next to the tub, made a drink (it was wretched, sweet and syrupy) and as a last thought, turned off the lights even though the window is frosted. I feared the neighbors might see my silhouette in the window.
Just about everything that could have gone wrong did. I had put some lavender/chamomile bath salts in the tub (very slippery, cause it sounds better than slimy) and added bubble bath just for fun. When the bubbles covered the little round blowholes, I started pushing and turning buttons. Nothing seemed to work then finally, an explosion of bubbles and water from the ceiling to the cabinets and walls, mirrors and floors. What a mess.
I used to take long baths in a soaking tub at the farm. I don't know how I did it. This tub is basically on the floor and the bottom is hard. I wasn't feeling it. It was boring. Next, the sun dropped like a rock and it began to get dark. Fast. I did have a nightlight on but it was hard to see. That was the last straw, then it hit me, how to get out. There was nothing I could put my feet against to get out. Bubbles all over me. I'd wipe my hands and no bubbles would come off. Glue bubbles. So I decided to drain the tub. Bubbles still wouldn't come off.
I thought about calling 911 and asking for women firefighters to come help me out of this tub, but didn't. I thought of sliding over the side like a seal, but feared breaking my neck.
I finally got out, but I don't think I'll be taking a bath in this tub for a long time, if ever.
53 comments:
The tub of doom... Glad you escaped mostly unscathed, Donna!
You sure gave me a great laugh! And, it sounds like you were NOT laughing. Your visual description is priceless. Just a side note - the manufactures say "NO bubblebath or oils of any kind. Or, you know what? You end up looking like the 300 pound snowman/snowwoman who can only roll-around and around. I hope you are safe and what a good story for cocktail parties. P.S. I have a jet-tub and love it for the comfort it gives my "bad back". Blessings.
I had heard the same thing about not using any products in those things. they corrode the holes or something? The faucet is certainly in an odd place for ease of access in and out... I only use my big tub a couple times a year but when I do need a hot soak and I mean HOT it is nice..
That's the second reason Bea.
Glad to know that about it after the fact Mary. I also heard I was supposed to pour in a cup of bleach to clean out the spa parts when draining. Jeez. I couldn't even enjoy the jets.
It was a comedy of errors. I don't know how I used to soak so long in a tub. I couldn't wait to get out.
I haven't used a tub since I was twelve years old and my parents put a shower in the old claw foot at home. It never appealed to me, and I really came to dislike tubs, what with hanging over the edge washing down a child and so on. Tubs went out of my life thirty years ago when we moved into the old house and mom asked me to consider walk in showers. Now I'm back to a tub with a shower, and it's my only option, so I outfitted it with every safety feature known to man and am showering in it. If I ever consider sitting in it, I will remember you.
Hahaha..I have basically the same tub..no jets no spa..Jacques never bathed always showered now he lingers in the bath w/ Epsom salts..I love a bath too..it's got a spray that comes out to rinse your hair..and the bath:)
I imagine in 20 yrs I will have trouble getting in and out of it though..
I don't linger..weirdly enough..I am not a lingerer.
I shower ..in summer sometimes..and always away..In HOTELS I could literally not take a shower.I hate that..
In Italy one place we stayed at..it came recommended..I never even took off my clothes.
I went to bed unshowered..clothed..
For me...toilets..baths..showers ..sinks and kitchen sinks have to sparkle.
Maybe you will get used to it..
And I am with you..no massages etc..not a spa girl here either.
I often change in the closet..:) True.
I haven't taken a bath in years, so please do remember me. I am thinking of putting in a bar or something. And never slippery salts or bubbles again.
I feel the same Monique except not modest, but then again, I wouldn't want anyone else to see this old body now so maybe I am. I don't like to use tubs and stuff at hotels either. The bedding freaks me out too. One place in Italy suggested we use the same towels over and over.
Oh Donna...what an experience. You've described it so well...I could almost see it all. Almost.
Sometimes when I have traveled abroad it has taken me a while to figure out what does what in tubs and showers. I usually have a good time laughing at myself...and so far have been able to stage my own escapes.
Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving. xo
This may not have been funny for you but it made me chuckle - sorry. I love having a bath and soak while reading a book, I would remove that bath of yours and put one in That you enjoy bathing in.
I have a jacuzzi outside to soak in lovely. When I remodeled the bathroom I put a tub in and have never used it. The water always gets cold.
But I just might take in out for a Japanese soaking tub but my Jacuzzi is right outside my door and why bother.
cheers, parsnip
OMG, Donna. Do I dare admit to laughing?
I had a similar instance though not as intense as yours.
You've got my favorite painting up on your wall.
Glad you won the battle of the bubbles.
Hugs
*Giggle*
Sorry Donna, I couldn't keep it inside :)
I'm happy you were able to maneuver yourself out of that huge tub, and nothing was hurt, but maybe your pride.
We have a Jacuzzi tub, a deep one, I've not bathed inside the thing for twenty years. The kids used to love it, they would turn on the jets and disappear amongst all the bubbles, nowadays it holds my cross-over bench that goes in the shower...
Such is life I 'spect.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving, dear friend.
Hugs,
~Jo
Hope you have a wonderful one too. Parade perhaps?
Yes Elaine, like one of those walk in deals that you sit upright in.
Haven't had a jacuzzi either Parsnip.
Never saw anything like those bubbles Sandra. It is The Lady Of Shaillot by Waterhouse. Seems she went looking for her love Lancelot never to return. Maybe I was a romantic in my younger days.
Such is life, you're right. Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful too.
Count me in with the other non-bathers. (That doesn't sound good, does it?). I don't like feeling cold after I've been sitting in the bath for a while. I can't read in the bath because the book gets wet and I have long hair. How the heck do you properly wash long hair in a bathtub?? I'll take a shower over a bath every time! Preferably with good water pressure! You described your experience beautifully! -Jenn
Baths and sitting in your water, especially in summer when dirty and sweaty from gardening - well, I just prefer showers. It was a comedy of errors.
I can't remember when was the last time I took a bath. Sometime in my late 20s maybe.
You have me cracking up. I used to take a bath once a week as a special treat, when I was in my 20's/30's it was a regular thing. Then it trailed off. Our apartment has one of those tubs and I've been tempted. The farm has a tub with a shower head, when we redo the bathroom, we're going for just a standup shower, no tub.
I had to laugh though, that is a funny story to share. I'm afraid I'll have the same experience, ha.
Because I have epilepsy (well under control) I am advised never to have a bath Donna. After reading this (which I have to say made me smile - sorry) I am rather pleased that both of our bathrooms have showers only.
I can't even remember how long it had been since I had a bath.
It was crazy. I thought it was a SNL skit.
Yes Pat, it wasn't pretty. Showers are safer.
I always enjoy your posts and can relate to many of them. We have a spa tub in one of our houses. I also made the mistake of adding bubbles and then turning on the jets. Bubbles everywhere! And like you, I become bored after a few minutes.
Ry, I always love to hear from you. Hope all is well and that your Thanksgiving is a special one.
Thank you Donna - same to you. I have been out of the loop for some time now. Too much travel - if there is such a thing! Hope to return soon.
Think it's going to rain tomorrow (Thanksgiving) so I might give the Parade a miss. Also some talk in the air about security issues. New normal and that sort of thing. xo
We have a tub similar to that and I had my husband make a slatted wooden cover for it out of redwood. My houseplants love it. Like you, I tried bathing in it one time. Although I didn't have the bubble fiasco, it is awkward climbing past the faucet and handles. We have a regular tub in the second bath and that's the one I use when I'm in the mood for a nice soaking in the tub.
I haven't done the tub in years - love the shower. You made me giggle but just thankful you were eventually able to escape that monster tub.
Mary -
Wonderful idea. I have many citrus plants I need to over winter and I would have never thought of that. Thanks for stopping by.
It was quite a trip Mary.
Oh dear it does sound as if everything went wrong for you! I'm glad you managed to get out safely. It doesn't look like a comfortable bath to have a long soak in! Sarah x
It wasn't comfortable, but if you think a slipper tub might be the thing, well you'd be wrong. I got one at the farm and there is no insulation and it is too cold to bathe in in cold weather. The water cools down quickly. Guess I just want to float in a swimming pool on a hot summer day, but no room for a pool at the city house.
LOL. I do remember that feeling of panic as they keep growing and growing, but again, I think your situation was worse:)
The painting is Pre-Raphaelite isn't it? I didn't know the legend behind it. Thanks.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
Sounds like chewing gum, when I was young, I blew a bubble, when it popped, it was all over my hair, and the only way I could get rid of the dilemma was to cut my hair.
I'm surprised my hair didn't get stuck in the intake. That was about the only thing that didn't happen. Thanks for stopping by.
I can barely get up off the floor so you can imagine in slippery bubbles. I've had a knee replacement you are not supposed to kneel on and the other one is on the waiting list. I also have arthritis in my hip and a disc problem in my back so it isn't pretty getting up from the floor. Yes, it is a pre-Raphaelite print and of course, bubbles slid down the front of it too. Hope your day is special.
Oh Donna .... poor you !!
I love a shower but I also love a bath .... two different experiences and, for me, both enjoyable.
Perhaps you need a bit of practice !!! XXXX
You're welcome, I'd like to invite you to follow me as well, at my blog, just click on my name and you'll be taken there.
I guess I just got out of the habit of baths. I surely do need some practice, with maybe a chair in the tub;)
Good grief, that is not a friendly bath! I LOVE a good long soak in a hot bath that has a sprinkling of sea salt added to the water. It's my perfect end to each day. Ours is just a basic white bath, I know where my head fits and my feet, it's so comfortable that the greatest problem is staying awake! Sometimes simplest is best but I do recognise that a time may come when getting in and out of the thing may be problematic and I sympathise about your various health issues. (Looking forward to seeing a photo of your citrus plants enjoying their winter quarters, as suggested by Granny!)
Yes, I'll have to rig up something to hold the plants, but what a good place to overwinter the smaller plants. I'm trying to find a home for the big ones as they are just too huge to move around anymore. The local nursery at the farm didn't want them. I was shocked.
OMG, Donna.
Hope with your next knee replacement you'll be able to outrun and out-lift the bionic woman:) The HH has had one replaced.
I trust your Thanksgiving was wondrous.
It was Sandra. At my age it is getting to the patch, patch, patch stage. Funny you said that about running since I ran everywhere as a child and wish I could still run.
The local nursery boards folks' outdoor plants for the winter. I was wandering around, taking pictures for the township website and found a greenhouse of exotics. They were being boarded for the winter. I could not believe what some folks can afford.
How wonderful that your nursery boards plants for people. Unbelievable. Wonder if they pick up too. Some of my citrus plants are just too large and heavy for us anymore. Lesson learned the hard way. Most I ever spent on a plant was $100. and I think the ones I spent the most on, died.
I happened upon your blog today and this wonderful bathing story was my reward. I take it as a warning - I also can't get behind the idea of taking a bath anymore, especially in such a big tub!
When we moved into our current house there was a Jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom. Once or twice one or both of us, my late husband and I, did take a bath, but it used so much water, and as you say, it was boring - and for me, I could never get it to stay as hot as I wanted; I think I was like the frog that will happily poach to death if you just gradually heat the bath water to boiling.
Maybe the best reason for me not to bathe is that it's hard to maintain good posture in the tub, and all that heat relaxes the muscles, and my back will go out just like that!
You hit the nail on the head GJ. The posture thing was uncomfortable and with all the weight on the tail bone, well, I didn't last too long in there. Just too much work. Maybe if I was still a youngster. My grandkids love it. Thanks for stopping by.
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