phil and vera 10-3-27

We're finally re-doing the Master Bathroom.  I first talked about this way back in March 2005. It is actually costing more than I thought it would.  We wrote a big check a week or so ago and the guys showed up last Thursday and ripped the bathroom to shreds.  The only thing we are saving is the tub.

Peter's planning the whole thing.  I really have no interest in going to Lowe's or Home Depot, it does not make me hot like it does my husband, and I don't have the time to go anyway. As long as he picks out tiles that aren't like, yellow,or something, I think we'll be okay. He told me he ordered a nice (read expensive) vanity and sink and a medicine chest from Restoration Hardware, and got some marble tiles the other day.  I'm monitoring the credit card charges and so far I'm horrified but whatever.

The only request I had (other than no yellow tiles) was to keep the USED RAZOR BLADES tile because I thought it was so old-fashioned and kitchy and cool.  And I came home last Friday to find a 1/8" layer of dust on everything in my bedroom (because I guess no one uses drop cloths anymore) and the USED RAZOR BLADE tile destroyed.  Sad.

The contractors found a shitload of rusty razor blades in the wall,along with a few coins and a moldy $5 bill.  And a ring.

It's an old, white-gold wedding ring, inscripted with "Phil and Vera 10-2-27".  It's small (size 5 or 5.5) but I have freakishly small fingers myself so it fits me.

I did a little research and it seems that the first owners of our house, or at least the first recorded owners (our house was built in 1932, the first owners we have on record bought in 1935).  The first owners are listed as a Vera M. and a W. Herbert.

Where's Phil?

Peter thinks Vera was a divorcee and Herbert chucked her old wedding ring in the razor blade slot one day when he got tired of Vera talking about her first husband, the one who was nice to her, who really loved her.  I like to think that Vera was a young widow and I think she was cleaning it one day, just a piece of jewelry she used to wear, and she left it in the bathroom and one of the kids stuck it in there and Vera never knew what happened to it.

We have another one of the razor blade tiles in the other bathroom and I'm kind of dying to see what's inside the wall behind that one.

Anyway, if anyone out there knows a Vera, or a Phil, who got married on October 3, 1927, let me know.  I've got something for you.
 

Comments

[blaugra]

That's pretty amazing.

[momo]

Amazing. I always wondered what would be found in those tiles one day. I do like your romantic notions BUT did you ever think Herbert went by his middle name - Phil?

Sorry to rain on your parade! I can't wait to see the transformation!

[Em]

Even cooler that you found the ring behind the "used razorblades" tile!

I can't believe back in the day you could just chuck the used up sharps into a whole in your wall.

[Mom]

I'm sure Phil and or Vera would not be able to see what is transcribed. I didn't even know there was one! (tiny)

And.... is it the whole hole in the wall??

[meribon]

What an amazing story! We should track those peeps down!!

[Jennifer]

Amazing story!

[Tammy]

Too cool!

[Mbt womens shoes]

I love the sleek look, friends think I have broken with my MBT tradition! They feel great but are not as bulky as previous year's sandal.

[viagra 50mg]

Well i’m from Ireland, and throughout Ireland bono and the lads are unquestionably liked and also could certainly not do really much incorrect, we all love them.

[Cheap True Religion]

One thing that we do is pancakes on Saturday morning - a tradition that we really wanted to do with the kiddos. Is there any chance you have a recipe for pancakes without eggs or milk (tall order...I know). I did find a website that sells box mixes, but since they are already more expensive, and I have to pay shipping, it would be nice if I can find a recipe I can make at home.