Toilet museum leaving Worcester after 20 years of flushing
WORCESTER, Mass.—Worcester's toilet museum is moving down the pipes.
After 20 years, the founder of the American Sanitary Plumbing Museum is turning over the collection of porcelain relics to the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Greater Boston.
In March, crews will crate up the museum's commodes, urinals, claw-foot bathtubs and plumbers tools to be shipped to Watertown, where a new museum should open in the spring.
Hugh Kelleher, executive director of the contractors association, says the Smithsonian offered to take the collection, but museum founder Russell Manoog, and his wife, Bettejane, wanted to keep it in New England.
The Manoogs have staffed the museum since 1988. Russell Manoog's father, who owned a plumbing supply business, started the collection when plumbers would give him old toilets.
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Thursday, January 24, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
There is a new ad campaign for Charmin that has really gotten me thinking. The campaign focuses on trying to bring back customers who have "turned there back" on Charmin. How are they planning to do this? By having "stronger" toilet tissue. Some like it "soft" - and I guess others like it "strong."
My immediate reaction was, "Wow, I never buy Charmin because it is too soft. I wonder if this is as good as the stuff I use." I will admit - I like the cheap Scott toilet paper. It is almost like sandpaper. Wonderful.
If my marriage had not broken up for the obvious reasons, I think toilet paper would have done us in anyways. We needed two rolls in the bathroom. Charmin and Scott.
Why are we so serious about our toilet paper? It amazes me that almost subconsciously we all have such strong opinions about the type of paper that we use. I never really gave it a lot of thought until I saw the Charmin ads. I now know that I am not alone in my devotion to one type of toilet paper or another.
I hold very few strong opinions. Politics? Eh, who cares. Food? All great.
Toilet paper? Has to be Scott!
(How did toilet paper make that very elite list? (of which I can't think of anything else, but I know I must have some opinions.)
And this can only lead to one other very serious, very important discussion. Do you put your toilet paper on the roll hanging over or under?
(You may laugh at that one - when I am at your house next time, I will change it and see how quick you notice. It will be quick.)
My immediate reaction was, "Wow, I never buy Charmin because it is too soft. I wonder if this is as good as the stuff I use." I will admit - I like the cheap Scott toilet paper. It is almost like sandpaper. Wonderful.
If my marriage had not broken up for the obvious reasons, I think toilet paper would have done us in anyways. We needed two rolls in the bathroom. Charmin and Scott.
Why are we so serious about our toilet paper? It amazes me that almost subconsciously we all have such strong opinions about the type of paper that we use. I never really gave it a lot of thought until I saw the Charmin ads. I now know that I am not alone in my devotion to one type of toilet paper or another.
I hold very few strong opinions. Politics? Eh, who cares. Food? All great.
Toilet paper? Has to be Scott!
(How did toilet paper make that very elite list? (of which I can't think of anything else, but I know I must have some opinions.)
And this can only lead to one other very serious, very important discussion. Do you put your toilet paper on the roll hanging over or under?
(You may laugh at that one - when I am at your house next time, I will change it and see how quick you notice. It will be quick.)
Thursday, January 3, 2008
The Toilet Trend
Imagine this: A woman at a bar is sipping a beer and tapping her foot to the music of a guitar player across the room. Two men come up to her on either side; both take out their cellphones. "Hi toiletmom. Wait til you see what we have," they both remark. All three giggle as pictures of toilets, urinals, sinks and faucets flash across their cellphone screens.
Another gentleman, seeing the commotion and knowing the three participants, grins sheepishly. His slightly confused expression says it all. "Well, I never knew about this pick-up line. All I need to do is show pictures of urinals?"
No way, mister. These are more than just pictures. 1) They are Kohlers. 2) They all have a story.
A light dawns in his eyes. After excusing himself to use the men's room, he returns triumphantly, holding his phone up. "This bar has Kohler toilets!"
Welcome to the club.
Well, toilet mom is finally going to join the club. I now have my own picture of a Kohler toilet in a public place. (I do not have a picture phone; mine are on my camera.)
I was with my mom and Isabel at Jordan's furniture when Isabel needed to use the bathroom. (No surprise there - I think she is on a mission to "go" everywhere we go.) We walked into this gorgeous bathroom and I could just feel it in my blood. This bathroom is big - it is beautiful - nothing would do but a Kohler.
And there it was in all its glory. My Kohler toilet. I left Isabel in one stall so I could go into the other and snap a picture. Then I took another picture to ensure that I had the angle right - this is important!
When Isabel was done, she needed help washing her hands. Behold! A Kohler sink as well! I was very excited to see this and snapped several pictures. A close-up of one sink, zoomed out to get the whole row.
What a find!
Once I can find the thing to upload pics, they will be posted to one of my favorite blogs:
http://kohlersitings.blogspot.com/
(No, I do not run this site! Andy is the machine behind it.)
(And yes, I will refrain from picking up women with my new pictures.)
Another gentleman, seeing the commotion and knowing the three participants, grins sheepishly. His slightly confused expression says it all. "Well, I never knew about this pick-up line. All I need to do is show pictures of urinals?"
No way, mister. These are more than just pictures. 1) They are Kohlers. 2) They all have a story.
A light dawns in his eyes. After excusing himself to use the men's room, he returns triumphantly, holding his phone up. "This bar has Kohler toilets!"
Welcome to the club.
Well, toilet mom is finally going to join the club. I now have my own picture of a Kohler toilet in a public place. (I do not have a picture phone; mine are on my camera.)
I was with my mom and Isabel at Jordan's furniture when Isabel needed to use the bathroom. (No surprise there - I think she is on a mission to "go" everywhere we go.) We walked into this gorgeous bathroom and I could just feel it in my blood. This bathroom is big - it is beautiful - nothing would do but a Kohler.
And there it was in all its glory. My Kohler toilet. I left Isabel in one stall so I could go into the other and snap a picture. Then I took another picture to ensure that I had the angle right - this is important!
When Isabel was done, she needed help washing her hands. Behold! A Kohler sink as well! I was very excited to see this and snapped several pictures. A close-up of one sink, zoomed out to get the whole row.
What a find!
Once I can find the thing to upload pics, they will be posted to one of my favorite blogs:
http://kohlersitings.blogspot.com/
(No, I do not run this site! Andy is the machine behind it.)
(And yes, I will refrain from picking up women with my new pictures.)
Monday, December 24, 2007
Up and to the left.
Not really about toilets, but I do care for the whole bathroom, so I feel that this story can be included.
Countdown to the big party at my house.
Baking Cookies.
Cleaning Isabel's Room
Baking Lots of Cookies... etc...
and how to I decide to top it all off less than 24 hours to having guests over? "Hmmm...that faucet really doesn't do it for me. I think I will change it."
Yup. Not lying. Let me remind you that I am not a plumber and have had no formal training in plumbing. But, I sell toilets, so I should know how to change a faucet, right?
Actually, I did have an hour session on installing faucets. It focused more on how great and easy our faucets are...blah, blah, blah, but I got the point.
Step 1: Shut off water. :) Didn't say that in the directions; I got that one on my own.
Step 2: Ummmm... plumber's tape? I don't think I need it - what's the biggest thing that could happen.
Step 3: Undo hot and cold water supplies. Check. Easy.
Step 4: The directions skip right to installing the new faucet, but I am smarter than they are (S-M-R-T). I know I need to remove the current faucet here.
Step 5... Step 5... How they heck does this thing come off? I tried sticking something under the faucet. I tried to shimmy it off. I took off the pop up. No luck.
There seem to be these bolts under the sink holding the faucet on.
Step 6: Look around the immediate area for a wrench. None available. Think about walking upstairs to get a wrench designed to undo these bolts. Too far away.
Step 7: Change mind and reattach pop up.
Step 8: Attach hot and cold water supplies.
Step 9: Turn water back on.
Step 10: Scream. Shut water off quickly. Tighten water supplies. Turn water back on.
Step 11: Clean up water that went all over the place in Step 10.
Step 12: Put new faucet back in the box and leave it under the sink where it will probably remain for a long time.
I don't know why I thought it a good idea to change my faucet out either by myself or before having a party. Luckily, I thought better of it before getting too far into the process...
Countdown to the big party at my house.
Baking Cookies.
Cleaning Isabel's Room
Baking Lots of Cookies... etc...
and how to I decide to top it all off less than 24 hours to having guests over? "Hmmm...that faucet really doesn't do it for me. I think I will change it."
Yup. Not lying. Let me remind you that I am not a plumber and have had no formal training in plumbing. But, I sell toilets, so I should know how to change a faucet, right?
Actually, I did have an hour session on installing faucets. It focused more on how great and easy our faucets are...blah, blah, blah, but I got the point.
Step 1: Shut off water. :) Didn't say that in the directions; I got that one on my own.
Step 2: Ummmm... plumber's tape? I don't think I need it - what's the biggest thing that could happen.
Step 3: Undo hot and cold water supplies. Check. Easy.
Step 4: The directions skip right to installing the new faucet, but I am smarter than they are (S-M-R-T). I know I need to remove the current faucet here.
Step 5... Step 5... How they heck does this thing come off? I tried sticking something under the faucet. I tried to shimmy it off. I took off the pop up. No luck.
There seem to be these bolts under the sink holding the faucet on.
Step 6: Look around the immediate area for a wrench. None available. Think about walking upstairs to get a wrench designed to undo these bolts. Too far away.
Step 7: Change mind and reattach pop up.
Step 8: Attach hot and cold water supplies.
Step 9: Turn water back on.
Step 10: Scream. Shut water off quickly. Tighten water supplies. Turn water back on.
Step 11: Clean up water that went all over the place in Step 10.
Step 12: Put new faucet back in the box and leave it under the sink where it will probably remain for a long time.
I don't know why I thought it a good idea to change my faucet out either by myself or before having a party. Luckily, I thought better of it before getting too far into the process...
Thursday, December 13, 2007
12 days of Christmas.
I couldn't wait any longer!
On the first day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me an Ipod for my DTV.
On the second day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the third day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the fourth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the fifth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the sixth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the seventh day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me seven waterless urinals, six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the eighth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me eight gooseneck faucets, seven waterless urinals, six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the ninth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me nine storage solutions, eight gooseneck faucets, seven waterless urinals, six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the tenth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me ten cast irons sinks, nine storage solutions, eight gooseneck faucets, seven waterless urinals, six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me eleven pullout faucets, ten cast irons sinks, nine storage solutions, eight gooseneck faucets, seven waterless urinals, six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the twelth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me twelve towel bars, eleven pullout faucets, ten cast irons sinks, nine storage solutions, eight gooseneck faucets, seven waterless urinals, six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the first day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me an Ipod for my DTV.
On the second day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the third day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the fourth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the fifth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the sixth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the seventh day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me seven waterless urinals, six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the eighth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me eight gooseneck faucets, seven waterless urinals, six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the ninth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me nine storage solutions, eight gooseneck faucets, seven waterless urinals, six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the tenth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me ten cast irons sinks, nine storage solutions, eight gooseneck faucets, seven waterless urinals, six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me eleven pullout faucets, ten cast irons sinks, nine storage solutions, eight gooseneck faucets, seven waterless urinals, six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
On the twelth day of Christmas, Herb Kohler gave to me twelve towel bars, eleven pullout faucets, ten cast irons sinks, nine storage solutions, eight gooseneck faucets, seven waterless urinals, six white Sonatas, five Caxton sinks, four Bancroft faucets, three Cimarron toilets, two toilet seats and an Ipod for my DTV.
Friday, November 30, 2007
We love toilets!
For those of you who don't know, I have a big secret. Shhhh.... I drive a minivan. I know, I know, it is terrible! (I feel like I need a sign that reads "I am single and have one, yup, only one kid") Anyways...we have been told that the new work car is going to be the Ford Fusion. Sporty. Cute.
Cute - remember that, I will come back to it.
So, one of my coworkers is due to get a new car and does not want the Fusion - she is bummed to be losing her minivan. So, I offered to switch and take the new car. Hey, I get to order a brand new car! What could be cooler?
I went to the dealer today to pick out what I wanted and my colors. Isabel was with me and did not quite understand how we would get the car. When I told her that it was coming in the mail, she insisted that the car is too big for the mail. (She also wanted red, but I keep telling her that it is going to be black when it comes home.)
After going to the dealer, I stopped by my mom's to pick up some decorations that I had in storage. When I opened the back of my minivan, I noticed that I had the following:
one toilet (bowl and tank)
two toilet seats
one flushometer
one commercial faucet
one kitchen faucet
three boxes of literature
and, well that is as far as I could see from the pile. (the decorations went up front with Isabel)
Remember cute?
Did I just order a cute car? This is going to get interesting... Although I am excited to get a new car and lose the stigma of driving a minivan, I am not so good at packing - my car is going to be a jumble!
Back at home, Isabel spent the evening chanting "We love toilets! We love toilets!" --- just had to throw that in there because it was cute enough to earn the title of this entry.
The moral of the story? I will now be trying hard to get rid of said toilet, seats, faucet, flushometer and all other random items in my mini.
Cute - remember that, I will come back to it.
So, one of my coworkers is due to get a new car and does not want the Fusion - she is bummed to be losing her minivan. So, I offered to switch and take the new car. Hey, I get to order a brand new car! What could be cooler?
I went to the dealer today to pick out what I wanted and my colors. Isabel was with me and did not quite understand how we would get the car. When I told her that it was coming in the mail, she insisted that the car is too big for the mail. (She also wanted red, but I keep telling her that it is going to be black when it comes home.)
After going to the dealer, I stopped by my mom's to pick up some decorations that I had in storage. When I opened the back of my minivan, I noticed that I had the following:
one toilet (bowl and tank)
two toilet seats
one flushometer
one commercial faucet
one kitchen faucet
three boxes of literature
and, well that is as far as I could see from the pile. (the decorations went up front with Isabel)
Remember cute?
Did I just order a cute car? This is going to get interesting... Although I am excited to get a new car and lose the stigma of driving a minivan, I am not so good at packing - my car is going to be a jumble!
Back at home, Isabel spent the evening chanting "We love toilets! We love toilets!" --- just had to throw that in there because it was cute enough to earn the title of this entry.
The moral of the story? I will now be trying hard to get rid of said toilet, seats, faucet, flushometer and all other random items in my mini.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Too sick for potty humor.
4 straight days off work to enjoy and how did I spend it? Sick. Ugh. Of course, now that it is Sunday evening I am starting to feel better. I am still sniffling, but my voice is back and I should be somewhat presentable for work tomorrow.
Why is it that sickness seems to come on vacations/holidays?
Why is it that sickness seems to come on vacations/holidays?
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