The True Friend

We had company last weekend. My darling cousin that I haven't seen in almost six years. I've always loved the girl and we had a great time catching up and looking at each other's photos. There are some people where no matter how much time goes by, you don't miss a beat when you pick up again. She's a great one.

Our apartment only has one shower and it's in our bedroom. The bathroom is tucked away in the center of the apartment with no windows and very poor ventilation which makes for a moldy, black disaster. I've tried all kinds of cleaning methods but the mold just doesn't budge. If I really get vicious with my scrubbing, I can strip away some, but it's always back in full force the next week. It's the one real embarrassing thing about having house guests as I always give the full disclaimer before letting anyone take a shower and warn them of the health hazards. My cousin got the schpiel, accepted our terms and took the shortest shower of the century with an obliging smile.

Yesterday's mail yielded the usual bills, Blockbuster Online and alumni solicitations. Then stuck in the back of the box was a pretty purple envelope. I opened the card and found a cute thank you note from my cousin with all the expected pleasantries of the visiting dignitary. Then I opened another small piece of paper tucked inside the envelope.

Hollywood - My roommate just brought home the most incredible cleaner for our shower. Lysol All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach. Our bathroom now looks great and I love cleaning with it. Not that I'm saying your bathroom looked bad, but your expressed some concern so I thought I'd pass this info on to you. It really helped ours! xoxo - cousin
You know somebody is a good friend when they include cleaning tips in their thank you notes! I laughed and laughed and put the stuff on my shopping list. I guess none of my past guests have loved me like she did since they always just said everything in my home was perfect.


Note - although our mold is gross, that picture is for gag purposes only and it not of our bathroom!

Comments

Janell said…
Oh few! I was terrified that picture was of your bathroom. It really inspires the gag reflex.

I'm a fan of Tilex Mildew Killer. Ok, I don't think Killer actually written on the bottle. They use the word "Root Penetrator & Remover" instead. I pair it with Shower Power for an end result of a shiny, happy bathroom. The sad thing is my bathroom also has very poor venelation so it's hard to avoid breathing the toxic chemcials =\
Lisa M. said…
I love that-

Very neat, gal your cousin.
Anonymous said…
That cousin is the BEST thank-you writer! After she stayed with us last summer she sent us one of the sweetest letters ever. I even brought it to church and showed it to my class as an example of a perfect thank you note. I couldn't throw it away!

World, take note. A written note after a gift or a favor done is somehow more powerful than an email, a phone call or a verbal "Thanks, bye!" Take a lesson from Ms. BT, the Female Wonder of the Thank You Note.
Janell said…
Plus everyone loves mail. There's something exciting about receiving a sealed envelope that isn't junk mail =)
Lindsay said…
I hate bathroom mold. Drives me crazy. I'm addicted to those after-shower sprays because of it. Also, because I just don't see the point of trying to de-mold a shower curtain liner, I stock up on cheap liners from the $1 store and just change them as necessary. I'm very grateful, though, that our current bathroom does not have a window in the shower area -- those are a moldy mess waiting to happen!
Lindsay said…
Also, I'm with mumsy...writers of thank you notes rank very high in my book. That's why I'm working harder at always sending a thank you note when a thank you note is due. And in a timely manner, though I suppose a little late is better than never.
Heather O. said…
I'm so glad that's not a picture of your bathroom. I'm not exactly the greatest housekeeper (or houseguest, apparantly--I don't send Thank Yous, a sin of which I will immediately repent. If I ever get invited anywhere, that is), but that picture is truly gross.

Lime Away will also work, although it's practically toxic. Wear gloves.
Anonymous said…
It is a Southern California thing, I am afraid (the mold, not the note). We have a bathroom window but mold still manages to infest our ceiling.

The last time we had house guests Jake did the honors of scrubbing the ceiling with Clorox Cleanup with Bleach while standing atop a step ladder. I went grocery shopping. I get the heebie geebies way too easily so rather than deal with a mentally fragile wife for three days, he spared me of the nastiness.

My mom sent me an article on anti mold paint after she stayed with us (post de-mold--I still gave the sorry-about-the-mold speech for good measure). I keep trying to find a small dehumidifier that would absorb the moisture.
dalene said…
I'm so relieved...

about the picture.

And amused by the thank-you note.
Neurotic Mom said…
get a generic spray bottle, fill it with bleach

works wonders in our bathroom
Carina said…
I second the Tilex Mildew Remover. It's not always permanent, but it is effective.
Jenny said…
I'm so glad that wasn't really your tub! I would have tried cleaning it with a Mr Clean magic eraser, only to be disappointed and decide to move instead of bothering with it.
Anonymous said…
ROFL! Thanks for the disclaimer! I was about to volunteer to clean it for ya! ;) I love to see mold die! ;) hehehe!
Janell said…
Completely off topic. I think you could write a great post, so I hereby tag you. =)
Anonymous said…
That is hilarious. What a great cousin!

And that is a gross picture...

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