I'm Really Smart...Uh, Except When I'm Not

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

So, I'm a fairly intelligent girl...most of the time. I'm moderately handy around the house. I can use a drill, I've changed light fixtures, and I've painted...a.lot. So shouldn't it occur to a somewhat intelligent girl who knows her way around painting a bathroom that...um, I don't know...using the toilet TANK as a step stool to reach that really high ceiling is a bad idea?!
Nope...didn't even think about it. I just stood there, perched awkwardly on the toilet tank, wet paint brush extended, stretching like a yoga goddess to reach that impossible corner between the wall and the ceiling. And as I heard the gentle sound of water trickling, I thought (as the blonde I was meant to be) "Boy, that toilet sure is loud from up here."

Ha! Yes, Ms. AnNicole it is loud...that's because water's leaking onto your floor! Yep, my weight on the toilet tank broke the seal beneath the toilet. Hee, hee...oops?

So now this fairly intelligent, moderately handy girl is going to learn how to replace a wax toilet seal. Good times....
I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out!

29 Suburbanites Said:

Wendy said...

Oh My....I always use the toilet like a step stool when painting in the bathroom or hanging a picture. Thanks for sharing! Good Luck :)
Wendy

www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.com said...

I thought I was falling backwards doing the painting thing and managed to rip the shower rod off the wall! I feel your pain!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Oh my gosh, that's hilarious. Definitely something I would do.

Funky Junk Interiors said...

You are fortunate that's ALL that broke. I've had a tank break all on it's own and create a lovely waterfall down the hallway. Now THAT was fun..

I've done toilet changing before, and you'll be hootin' and hollerin' after you've succeeded! It truely is a worldly accomplishment all ought to at least attempt once. :) Just don't overtighten those bolts or you'll have a broken base too.

Donna

Unknown said...

Good luck! lol :)

MegJill said...

I had a little daughter fall off a toy on the deck this summer. In my hast to rescue her, I ran right through the screen door!
Didn't even see it. It scared my other daughter so bad that she started screaming too.
Be sure to let us know how the toilet repair goes. And, of course, the painting!

Kelly @ turned UP to ELEVEN! said...

wow! let us know how it comes out. I always feel like I'm giving the toilet all it can handle when I sit on it I couldn't imagine trying to stand on it. But to be fair I've never painted a bathroom in my life!

LuLu said...

Oh no! I would have done the same thing!!
LuLu

Arlene said...

Haven't done that one yet but I have had to replace the wax seal before and my advice is to buy a couple of those seals...they are cheap enough and if you don't get it right the first time you aren't running to Walmart at midnight (learned that one the hard way) It is really gross looking and kinda nasty down there so just BEWARE! Good Luck...look forward to hearing how it turns out for you!

Victoria said...

Ooops! :) I am surprised I haven't done that before. Sounds like something I would do.

Moore Minutes said...

Oh no!! lol...that is too funny though (I think...err) ;)

Leen said...

That sounds like a yucky job! I will stick to painting, thank you :)
Glad you didn't fall and get hurt though!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Arlene - Thanks for the tip!

L - yes, it's okay to laugh. I'm totally laughing at myself here :).

Lindsey @ Better After said...

I dropped a hammer on a toilet once and broke the tank...

southerninspiration said...

Oh, goodness, girl.....that's an oops but not unlike something I would have done. Hope the repair goes well.

Suzanne

Sjn said...

Bring the old one with you to the store so you get the same size and type. (Who knew they came in different sizes right? You'll find out after you replace it and it's leaking).
Not an easy job, you may need hubby to help hold the tank. Good luck!

the BLAH BLAH BLAHger said...

Oh dear, good luck with that!

Noodle said...

Your story is hilarious, and the other mishaps that were mentioned. MegJill, I about choked when I read about the other girl screaming too, when you ran through the screen on your door. I remember doing that when I was little. I wish I could've seen you doing it!

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

Wow. I consider myself somewhat intelligent as well and I've used the toilet as a step stool more times than I can count. I guess it's not a good idea huh? Thanks for the tip :).

cindy said...

Ah yes, this would be me. Totally. Except I'd make hubby fix it. :o)

Erin @ The Impatient Gardener said...

Who knew? I would have done the same thing! Oh well, now you're gonna be a toilet expert too! Just think of it as an excuse to expand your DIY capabilities.

Adrienne said...

ew those seals are kind of gross. good luck!

Unknown said...

Whoops! If you tackle that repair, then you're really a handy woman! Good luck!

Nancy

Rene said...

Holy Moly that's a lesson, huh?

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

OK, well, if you were painting a ceiling when you did it, that's totally worth it!! ;) Just watch HGTV for a few hours this weekend and you'll be sure to figure out how to do it!

Delightful Dwelling said...

Yuck, replacing the seal is a pretty nasty job! But it is fairly easy as long as you have someone strong enough to help hold the toliet.

I think there are only 2 standard sizes, we used the larger and slightly more expensive one(I think they are still only around $5) when we added a new seal because we added new flooring in the bathroom. They do come with directions too.

Unknown said...

Oh my, just think of all of the knowledge you'll gain from THIS project! :)
I'm always standing with one leg on the toilet lid, and one on the vanity trying to paint my bathroom, now I'll think twice!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Oh, my gosh, I got such a laugh out of this. (Not AT you, though--WITH you, I promise.) It sounds like something I would do, which probably explains why my husband is always hovering nearby when I'm attempting any DIY project. Ha.

Unknown said...

Yikes! I cracked a plastic toilet seat lid once in my first apartment by standing on it. Steered clear of the 'toilet as a ladder' since.

 

blog design

Graphically Designing

our suburban cottage featured

Home & Garden Blogs
Lifestyle Blogs - Blog Rankings
MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected