As I’ve mentioned previously my new apartment leaves much to be desired and my landlord is something of a nutcase. I’m slowly trying to get the necessary changes made though and since I see my landlord almost on a daily basis, (not by choice) I have plenty of opportunities to pester him about what needs to be done. I have no clue why he’s around here so often other than that he’s a bumbling, nosey man who likes to have people to complain to. Every day, EVERY DAY, he tells me how expensive things are and how the electricity is run by the mafia and how I need to turn off all the lights when I’m not using them, (why? Because it’s so expensive… the mafia… so expensive!). I generally just nod my head and try to have an excuse on hand about why I can’t stay and chat with him for hours on end, like I have to go dig a hole and sit in it.
Last time I blogged about my apartment situation, I was complaining about my cave of a kitchen and the lack of light, (this being the reason for my dark and funny coloured photos of late). First there were Christmas lights on the ceiling but ever since I got him to take those down there has been nothing but darkness. I put a standing floor lamp up so that I would have something, (Landlord constantly tells me to remember to turn it off) and remind him daily that I need a real light in my kitchen. Last week he brought me a light and promised to put it up next time, (he’s seen me no less than 7 times since then). The light remains in a box on top of my refrigerator. Forget finding a Life Sponsor, I just need someone who knows how to fix things…
Ahh! He’s knocking on my door right now… I can’t believe he came to my door while I was writing this post. But really, it should come as no surprise, I see him every day. But for once it was good to see him, I can’t believe the amazing news I just received! No, there’s still no light in my kitchen, but my shower is going to be fixed!!! I didn’t mention the state of my shower before because I thought it was too gruesome for a food blog. Suffice to say, it needs to be fully replaced and I’ve been wearing flip flops in my own shower. Yes, flip flops. And I don’t ever touch the walls. After over a month of pestering Landlord to do something, I decided to take matters into my own hands and called Bathfitter to come give me a free in home estimate, (I sound like their TV ad, apparently it worked on me). The nice Bathfitter man came, was appalled at the state of my shower, handed me an estimate and wished me the best of luck with Landlord. I consider myself lucky that Landlord did not have a heart attack and die at my feet when I gave him the estimate and demanded that something be done. Although he didn’t keel over, there were some tears and he told me, (again) how he’s a sick old man and it’s so expensive, the mafia, so expensive…
As Landlord hobbled off, head in his hands, I thought that was the end of any hope for a new shower. Then, a few days ago, Landlord showed up on my doorstep with a Shower-Fixing-Guy of his own, who fortunately sided with me and backed me up when I said the whole shower needed replacing. Once again, Landlord left with tears in his eyes and head in his hands. Fastforward to today when I just heard today a knock on my door that actually made me happy, (and glad I didn’t pretend not to be home). It was Landlord accompanied by Bathfitter Guy! Wooohooooooo!!!! I’m getting a whole new shower!!! It will take a couple weeks to happen, but I’ve waited this long, a couple more weeks won’t hurt. I’m still in disbelief.
Technorati Tags:
Cookies + Madeleines + Biscotti + Baking + Dorie Greenspan
31 comments:
My dear Brilynn. You should just come to Florida for a nice vacation. We have kitchen lights and a clean shower.
Woohoo! As a longtime renter and sometime share-houser, I sympathise with your home woes. (Your landlord reminds me very much of one of my own several years ago... the worst incident involved a toilet and does not bear repeating on a food blog.)
I hope your mouthwatering baked goods were some consolation! And soon you'll be able to bask in a hot CLEAN shower. :-D
EWWWW....
I'm so glad you finally wore your landlord down and are getting a new shower.
As a once again renter, I am so thankful that my landlord lives in the city 20 miles away and hasn't batted an eye when I told him the hot water heater AND the blower on the house heater needed to be replaced.
Good luck and Dorie goodies always make a even the worst situation pretty darn good.
Brilynn, I so love your stories. I feel for you having to wear flip flops in your own shower!
Good luck with the new one and hope it comes sooner than later!
Maybe you could bribe your landlord with some of your delicious goodies to get some more things done around the place.
In fact, maybe that's why he is always lingering around-he must smell the wonderful aromas coming from your apartment!
That's great Brilynn and what a way to celebrate. The cookies are gorgeous , I especially like the madeleines
Awesome news!! Our home is supposed to be our sanctuary where we can blog and cook to our hearts content...with plenty of light for photos.
Ah, I thought you fed the bathfitter guy in gratitude, haha :)
Congratulations -- clearly you are wearing the landlord down. I hope the shower gets done more quickly than the light in the kitchen! My husband, who has sole custody of Dorie's book, has made her madeleines a few times. They are yummy.
Bri, that landlord of yours is a real pain in the neck. How about you winning him over with your amazing baked goods?? :)
I will from now on always think of the mafia whenever I pay my electric bill. I hope you get to shower soon barefoot.
Love the cookies. They look so good.
those madeleines are gorgeous.... I have to try baking them.... hpefully soon!
Oooohh, chocolate madeleines with lime zest sound amazing!!
I'm glad that you were able to convince him to replace the shower!! As a former renter, I know what a pain it can be.
I remember living in the student ghetto in college and our landlord was the dirty version of Mr. Furley. His idea of a working toilet and shower make me cringe now (and even then). I'm glad to hear you'll have a new shower soon.
I've been wanting to try Dorie's madeleines for a while. They look delicious.
Oh Brilynn, it sounds like the last apartment I was in - I lived on the top floor and one rainy night in winter the roof leaked and my bedroom was completely soaked - bed ruined. As compensation the landlord moved to a downstairs apartment with zero natural light - needless to say I didn't stay much longer in that terrible place! Best of luck with your place, and I'm impressed with all the goodies you're still baking up!
Oh, yuck. The whole shower story gave me the willies. On the other hand, mayber you can get an estimate from an electrician about putting light in your kitchen, and present it to the landord, along with a bribe. Hhm, maybe some baked goods?
Too many sweets and you'll get fat! Don't say I didn't warn you...
best of luck with the new one, Brilynn!
What, you didn't *know* that electricity is run by the mafia? DUH! (haha) Best of luck with the new shower ;).
oh you poor thing, i have had a landlord who came by all the time before too, i hated it so much. yo made me giggle, haha dig a whole and sit in it...
Apartment woes and a nosy landlord who thinks the mafia owns the electric company? Oy! You poor gal, I too would dive into Dorie's recipes for solace. But hooray for your shower being fixed! And as for your photos being a bit dark, you can buy a sunlight simulating lamp at any well stocked photography supply store. I bought mine for about $125, which included the bulb, socket/shield and stand. It has revolutionized my ability to take photos when the sun isn't shining just so!
Ari (Baking and Books)
I would have been so miserable! Glad you're finally getting it fixed. Kitchen lights next you think?
oh, your landlord sounds like a really annoying man. Glad to know that he is doing something about the shower. Have you tried bribing him with your bakes?
Good lord woman! Did you sign a long term lease??? Can you run away??
I hope the mafia doesn't get upset that you're getting a new shower. They might come banging on your door. Or the landlord's.
Oooh...scary.
This all reminds me of an episode of Three's Company with Mr. Furley.
Those madeleines look good. Perfect form.
Hi Brilynn
Thanks for visiting.
Makes me happy to know you liked my cakes. Hey, you LOVE to cook, photograph, eat and write about food, so why worry about profitability. Your blog content is good, so just Go BIG.
While readin the post i was saying to myself i know why the landlord s comming to your place always. It is to have all the cookies ;-)
Fabulous news - 2008 kicks off with a major victory. The cookies look great too and give both comfort/victory eating, but that first new shower without ickiness around you will feel sooooo good.
Oh what an adventure you are having in your new digs. Yay for the simple things like showers and light :)
You poor thing! I can relate to your plumbing trials and tribulations, as well as your lighting situation. I've been there and lived to tell about it! Just keep thinking about how nice it will be when you step into that brand new shower for the first time.
Oh, and by the way, when you're in Florida visiting Steamy, make sure you stop by to see me too!
I feel for you having a landlord like that - he shouldnt be in the business then if he doesnt want to maintain the apartments proper! I'm sure he still makes a profit anyways, some people are just tight!
Hope ya gonna enjoy ya new shower
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