BATHROOM DESIGN TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR

BATHROOM DESIGN TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Long gone are the days when bathrooms were seen as nothing but places which you needed to have at home, deprived of almost anything which would improve its aesthetics. The only focus was on functionality, with little attempt at making such places pleasant to be in.

Whether we like it or not, things have changed a lot. Today’s bathroom is a potential place of luxury, which increases the value of your home like no other room except, perhaps, the kitchen. So, what are the modern trends in bathroom design?

INTRODUCTION OF HIGH-TECH

Built-in audio systems are pretty standard and there are many options for listening to music while having a shower or a bath. Some more advanced features make it possible to answer the phone from your shower booth, without interrupting your shower. Speaking of showers, the latest designs also allow us to regulate the water pressure and temperature, and select our favorite mood-enhancing color just by using an LCD screen mounted on the wall.

While having a relaxing bath, you may wish to treat yourself to a nice cool drink from a tub-side refrigerator. However, the innovative use of cooling equipment doesn’t end there. Apart from cooling beverages, some state-of-the-art medicine cabinets also keep your nail polish, organic skin products and medications cold.

SAVING WATER

The increasingly strict standards related to energy and water consumption have forced manufacturers to come up with ideas that would reduce the use, but provide the same or even better quality. Luckily, developments in various fields of industry have brought about many new options for your bathroom.

For example, low-flow toilets and faucets significantly reduce the amount of water used, thus lowering your utility bill significantly. Also, low-flow aerators can now be easily installed on both old and new faucets, which means you don’t need to change the whole fixture.

Another useful feature is an activation sensor, which is also supposed to contribute to reducing the water waste. Similarly, some contemporary shower heads can actually regulate water droplet size and speed, spray coverage and temperature, thus giving you the good old feeling with far less water used.

FURNITURE DESIGN

The idea is to go for a minimalist look and conceal as much as possible. Sliding panels are used to hide various fixtures and provide new functions, such as those of a powder room bench or a surface to lay on and sunbathe.

Cabinets are designed to revolve 180-degrees in order to provide easy storage access, while shower seats, towel bars and walk-in tubs are no longer aiming to provide only functionality, but they are quite stylish, as well.

Finally, hand grips are designed not only to provide safety, but the materials used (chrome and brushed nickel) give them the contemporary look which suits pretty much any bath design, while more and more companies are producing foldaway seats for showers with limited space.

TILES, WONDERFUL TILES

Most modern bathroom designs are aiming to create a spa-like atmosphere, both in terms of the feeling you get and the aesthetic component. In order to achieve that, large tiles are used and the most popular look is metal. Some manufacturers combine traditional ceramic tiles with metallic granules and the result is a clean, industrial look.

So, as you can see, the trends are developing in two major directions. The first one is related to efficiency and environment-friendliness. Everything is done to minimize the unnecessary waste of energy and water, thus reducing your utility bill.

Another direction is the appearance. Clean, simple lines are used to create a minimalist look, while options to conceal fixtures that are not in use are fully exploited. The use of color and lights is there only to enhance the spa-like atmosphere, which is the ultimate goal of modern bathroom design.

Guest Contributor, Lillian Connors

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Small Business Saturday

Do you remember when you were young and all the businesses around town were locally owned and operated? The ice cream shop at the corner, was owned by your friend’s father. The hardware store was owned by your neighbor. The pizza parlor at the train station was owned by your father’s best friend. And every single small shop in our downtown area knew everyone’s name. As far as we’ve come in life, losing stuff like this in our town makes me sad. I love knowing everyone around town.

Bigger and Better. They introduced us to bigger stores and better deals. The bigger stores carry everything you need at half the price. It all seemed great at first, until all the smaller stores and small businesses started going out of business. Not only did it hurt the stores, it hurt the people we knew. They had to move to other towns to find work. It broke up friendships and unity.

Bigger isn’t always better. Instead of using manufacturer in America, they are taking all these jobs overseas. Factory, after factory have had to close because they lost all their jobs to companies overseas. The reason everything is cheaper is because it costs them pennies to make. I’ve read and watched documentaries on what it’s like for people overseas who work at these factories. They’re barely making a few dollars a day. They must live in the dormitory owned by the company they work for, which in turn they must pay rent to the same company. Basically, since they can’t live outside the factory’s community, all the money they are making at these factories is taken back to pay for their stay. It’s sad.

We all want to save a few dollars when we purchase something. We need to learn of the repercussion of choosing larger stores, over a locally owned business. There are statistics of how the money spent locally, 63% stays local. Money spent on non-local business, only 43% stays local. Wouldn’t you rather help your community? You can’t blame it on anybody else, when the value of your community starts going down, when the value of your home starts depreciating. Have you driven down your main street? Or your downtown in your town? Are there a lot of empty store fronts? Is it too late to start helping the businesses in your community before they are all gone?

Small Business Saturday was started by American Express. It is the Saturday right after Thanksgiving. American Express realized the importance of small businesses and they knew how much power they had, so they decided to put it to good use. Small Businesses across America are grateful for the attention American Express has brought to all these locally owned stores. I might not be as big as American Express, but I will make a difference by spending my money at restaurants, shops, and stores that are locally owned in my community.

I love my community! I love the town I live in!

DIY THANKSGIVING DECORATIONS

Thanksgiving is crammed between Halloween and Christmas and hardly gets the attention it deserves. Décor often switches from cobwebs and pumpkins to garlands and Christmas trees, giving no thought to the holiday that lies in between. In reality, it’s impractical to spend lots of money on decorations that can only be used for a few weeks out of the year. Luckily there are a variety of things that can be done to reuse some of the decorations you already have (even ones you might not be aware of). There’s an abundance of unique, creative ideas floating around cyberspace, but we’ve saved you the hassle of searching by compiling this list of our top seven.

1.    Festive Candle Holders
Hollow out the center of your small pumpkins or apples (it’s done easiest with a drill). Use them to make candle holders, and embellish the base of the candle with leaves, berries, mini pine cones or whatever else you find lying around. Try grouping a few together and using them as a centerpiece for your big feast.

2.    Candy Corn Flower Pot
Fill a glass jar or trifle dish with a bag of candy corn, and use it as a base to arrange several flowers. The corn is a festive tribute to the Indians, and the plant will add a little greenery. Be creative when you plant selection – add some fall leaves, fresh flowers, or even an arrangement of twigs.

3.    Fall Leaf Lantern
Add a little ambiance to your room by creating a lantern with leaves you’ve gathered from outside. Start by pressing the leaves, to get them nice and flat.   Then glue them to a clean, glass jar using Modge Podge. Wait 20 minutes for it to dry and then layer another coat of Modge Podge on top of the leaves to seal them. Lastly, place a candle in the jar and your lantern is complete. Adding a variety of leaf colors looks best and adds a subtle, warm glow to any room.

 4.    Metallic Pumpkins and Gourds
Give all your pumpkins, squash, and gourds a makeover by coating them in metallic or glitter spray paint. Shades of gold, bronze, and sunset orange are perfect for Thanksgiving, and the sparkly luster adds a regal air.   Arrange your finished beauties in a large glass tumbler, apothecary jar, or atop a cake stand to complete the look. If you’d like to take it a step further, paint pumpkin stems brown to really make them pop.

5.         Colored Pine Cones
Nothing says fall quite like pine cones, and they can be a stunning decorative piece when given a coat of paint. A selection of contrasting fall-hued colors look beautiful on an entry table. Pick up a combination of small spray paint cans in maroon, gold, dark brown, sunset orange, mustard yellow, mossy green, or cream, and color pine cones to your heart’s content. Be creative with color combinations – you can’t go wrong! Cones can be displayed in a large bowl, glass vase, or even strung as a garland.

6.    Pressed Leaf Art
Display the beauty of the outdoors by creating focal pieces with colorful fall leaves. Press leaves between books, and wait until leaves are fully dry. Place the pressed leaves between double sided glass frames to accentuate their silhouettes and bold colors. The simplicity of this decoration creates a tranquil, relaxing environment.

 7.    Corn Wreath
There are a couple different options for corn wreaths, depending on the look you’re going for and the amount of money you want to spend. You can make your wreath out of candy corn or Indian corn.   The candy corn wreath is simply a Styrofoam wreath covered in black duct tape with candy corn attached by a hot glue gun. Hang the wreath with a giant brown or red ribbon to give a Thanksgiving vibe.   The Indian corn wreath is even easier. Purchase a straw wreath and hot glue the corn to a straw wreath with the husks pointing outward.

Decorating for Thanksgiving can be easy and frugal when you take advantage of items you already have around the house or the yard. What better way to celebrate the season of thanks than the beauty of the outdoors? So open your mind, take a walk around the block, and visualize what you can create.

Guest Contributor,

Article By Anastasiya Johnson
Anastasiya is an interior designer and smart home planner for http://hdhomeautomationsystems.com/. When she is not planning out smart homes she is spending time with her husband and two kids.

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www.KevinSzaboJrPlumbing.net

19 STEPS TO GETTING YOUR HOME READY FOR YOUR THANKSGIVING GUESTS

Getting Your Home Ready for Thanksgiving

Are you having family and friends over for Thanksgiving? Did you forget to include cleaning in your schedule? Let me guess, you’ve been busy looking all over for perfect recipes. That is fine, we all do that. But, somewhere between now and Thursday morning, you need to clean your house from top to bottom. It’s not easy when you have kids, a husband who thinks everything magically cleans itself, and a puppy who is too busy barking at everyone that passes by your house (yes, my puppy sits on her throne by the window and barks at anything and everything).

I completely understand where you’re coming from. After working all day, it’s hard to have any energy left to tend to your home. Nobody is judging, I’m here to help.

Just to scare you, a made you a calendar of where we are today, and how quickly Thanksgiving is approaching.

Look around, how dirty is your house?

If you only have 30 minutes to Clean.

1.       Clean your main bathroom

2.       Clean your kitchen

3.       Clean your dining room

4.       Turn a few candles on

IF YOU ONLY HAVE 2 HOURS TO CLEAN.

1.       Clean your main bathroom and a guest bathroom

2.       Clean your kitchen

3.       Clean your dining room

4.       Clean your living room

5.       Clean your fridge

6.       Turn candles on

IF YOU HAVE 6 HOURS TO CLEAN.

1. Clean all your bathrooms
2. Clean your kitchen
3. Make sure you scrub your oven, inside and out
4. Clean the inside of your fridge
5. Clean your dining room, make it inviting.
6. Clean and dust off your living room. Make sure you dust everything. Your mother-in-law sure loves to check that mantel
7. Clean the fire place
8. Clean the bar area
9. Clean the kids room
10. Clean the bed rooms
11. Clean the guest room
12. Clean your office
13. Walk around your house and dust off every curtain
14. Clean the ceiling fans
15. Clean the kids play area
16. Clean the front and back of the outside of the house
17. Add Holiday decorations
18. Add fresh cut flowers throughout the house
19. Add candles in every common area

You did everything you could. Don’t worry, it looks great.

---

DON’T FORGET TO MAKE A LITTLE BAR AREA.

Holiday Bar Cart

• Wine, red and white
• Champagne, please chill
• Vodka
• Whiskey
• Scotch
• Rum
• Soda Water
• Tonic
• Coke/Diet Coke
• Ginger Ale
• Lemon wedges
• Cherries
• Orange Wedges
•  Ice
•  Wine Glasses
•  Champagne Flute
•  Rocks Glasses

Turn on some holiday music for ambiance.

If you have Comcast, it’s channel 741. They also have holiday music on On Demand. Or, turn on your Pandora for great Holiday tunes. Zero excuse for not having Holiday Tunes playing in the background.

If everything goes to plan, everyone will be having too much fun to notice anything you forgot or didn’t get to clean in time.

Now go enjoy yourself.

Happy Thanksgiving

-Your Local Plumber

How To Rebuild A RPZ Valve

SHOP LOCAL: SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY

Small Businesses Are Important To Our Community

It is our responsibility to support the community. We can't wait for the government to come help us. When people spend their money locally, most of it stays in that community. I hear a lot of people talking about how businesses in their town are going out of business, or how there isn't enough money in the town. It is your responsibility to spend your money in that town. The more you take care of your local businesses the more they take care of your town. Small business owners love to support the community they serve in. It is their duty to give back to the town they belong to. 
I'm not going to lie, we do shop at big box stores here and there, because a good deal is hard to pass when you're on a budget. But, no matter what deals we get at big box stores, we always make it a point to stop at locally owned businesses to purchase a few items. Take care of those small business so they could keep taking care of your community. Remember, it's never to early to teach your children to support local businesses. 

Teaching Your Kids About Basic Plumbing

At an early age kids are fascinated with water, toilets, and everything else they can get their hands on. As soon as you turn your back on your kid, they have their hands down the toilet splashing that water with a giant smile on their face. You can't help but laugh along with them, even though you have to explain to them that they can't do that.

We have to explain to our kids the importance of plumbing. Teaching our children that plumbing follows the basic laws of nature, gravity, pressure, water seeking it's own level might seem like a lot but they understand. Kids are very smart. That's why they are always trying to flush their toys, your keys, loads of paper towels, loose change, and stuffed animals down the toilet. They understand that if they put it in there and flush it will disappear into another dimension.

They have to be taught that it's not magic. It might be fun, but it will cause a lot of damage to your pipes and to your pockets. Kids have to understand that their health depends on a properly functioning plumbing system. They need to use the toilet, they need for everything to drain and not be backed up. They need safe drinking water coming into the house, they need clean water to shower and clean up with. Without it we would be living back in the stone ages.

At a early age they should know not to flush:

• Toys- Yes Aqua Man can swim, but he can stay in the bathtub 
• Wipes- baby wipes, cleaning wipes, even wipes that say "flushable"
• Q-Tips- they are skinny, but it can cause obstruction in the pipes
• Diapers- when kids are learning to potty train, they think it's ok to take off that diaper and put it in the toilet. Big No!

For kids who are old enough to help you with the dishes:

• Don't dispose of grease, bones, stringy vegetables, corn husks, potato peels, pasta, or any anything starchy down the garbage disposal.
• Explain to them that they should properly clean the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. 

When they are old enough to be left home alone:

• They should know how to shut the water off to the entire house if there is an emergency leak
• Plunge the toilet 
• Plunge the sink

We have to teach our kids to be independent, strong and able to handle simple plumbing issues. 

If you have any questions or concerns email or call me

Kevin Szabo Jr 

(708)845-7922

kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

Things Every Woman Should Know How To Repair Around Their Home

It's 2014, men should still be gentlemen and fix whatever needs to be fixed and handle any other home repair that needs to be done. In general, women can handle most home repair tasks without asking their husbands, or significant others to do it for them. I know for a fact that they can do a lot more than we ever give them credit for. Some women  know how to fix stuff better than we do, but leave the home repair up to us just because they know they can.  My significant other always tackles any home repair issue without asking for help because she enjoys the feeling and knows how to do it.  It honestly makes me proud. We always want to be there, but in case we aren't we want our women to know how to do these things.

Things Every Woman Should Know How To Repair

• Fix a leaky faucet
• Plunge a toilet
• Fix the belt on a vacuum
• Change a light fixture
• Tighten the shower head 
• Change the filter in the furnace
• Light the pilot on the water heater
• Reset a circuit breaker
• Change a tire(I know this is not home repair, but more people should know how to do this)
• Install or repair a door knob or lock
• Patch a hole in the wall
• Take apart the sink p-trap

Tools you should always have at home

• Power drill
• Hammer
• Screw driver set
• Wrench
• Channel locks
• Scissors
• Pliers
• Level
• Measuring Tape
• Flash light
• Staple gun
• Wood saw

Foot Note: There is a lot of men out there that don't know how to do any home repair and have to have a woman show them. This post isn't meant as an insult towards women in any way shape or form.







Please visit our website www.kevinszabojrplumbing.net



If you have any issues or concerns call or email


Kevin Szabo Jr 
(708)845-7922
kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

Indoor Spring Cleaning and Maintenance

We all clean our homes on a regular bases. After having all our windows closed through out most of Fall and Winter we have to go the extra mile to clean and maintain everything. All that dust that builds up from having everything closed. Certain stuff not being used over Winter, we have to make sure it's working properly.

The first thing you have to do, is open every single window. Let that fresh air in. Now turn some music on and let's go down the list.

• Clean or replace your furnace filters
• Test your air conditioning system(don't wait till it gets too hot to see if it's working). 
• Check caulking around all windows and doors. Improper caulking allows for moisture to get inside your walls and can cause mold. 
• Replace screens on your windows if they are torn or broken.
• Clean your windows, inside and outside.
• Test your smoke and fire detector, replace batteries if needed. Dust the inside and outside. 
• Check your fire extinguisher.
• Clean your ceiling fan with a wet rag.
• Rotate your ceiling fan so it's spinning counter clock wise for Summer. 
• Clean out your fridge and freezer. Place a new box of baking soda in the back to maintain freshness. 
• Check for pest problems, you might look into calling someone to spray before the warmer months. 
• Organize your closets, put away Winter clothes and bring out the Spring and Summer clothes. 
• Clean your walls, sponge and water, or a wet rag. Dust builds up on your walls, especially during Fall and Winter. 
• Dust and reorganize your book shelves. Move your books around, place some vertically, and some horizontally.
• Wipe down all your lightbulbs. 
• Wash your shower curtain. Replace the inside liner. You can buy the inside liner for a buck or two. They tent to get moldy quickly. 
• Clean your bathroom walls, having your fan on during and after showers isn't enough. Mold grows, you have to prevent it.
• Soak your shower head in vinegar and lemon for half an hour or longer if you please. Minerals tend to build up in it. 
• Vacuum mattress and box spring.
• Dust off all vents.
• Clean out the dryer ducts.

If it seems like your in need of a Plumber, Electrician, Heating and AC Repairman, or a General Handyman give them a call. Don't wait to the last second. Trust us, you'll be glad that you took care of things before they got bad. 

If you have any questions or concerns, email or call me.

Kevin Szabo Jr 

Plumbing and Sewer

(708)845-7922

kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

Commercial Drain Cleaners Are Dangerous

Baking Soda and Vinegar Is Environmentally Friendly And The Way To Go

We all love quick, cheap solutions to fixing our problems. That's what they are, quick and cheap. They don't really solve our problems. Commercial Drain Cleaners are famous for fixing your problem right away. What happens in the long run?

They never explain to you that it's a quick solution. Commercial Drain Cleaners are filled with dangerous chemicals that the average person shouldn't use in their household, especially to clean. They are hazardous! Most commercial drain cleaners come in three forms. Caustic drain cleaners, Oxidizing drain cleaners, or Acid drain cleaners. Caustic contains lye and caustic. Oxidizing contains bleach, peroxides, and nitrates. Acid drain cleaners contain sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid.

How is any of this safe? They do tell you to wear gloves, to make sure the area is ventilated, and keep children and pets away. When a combination of these chemicals come in contact with water they cause a heat build up and release hydrogen gasses. I'm sorry, I like my health and my loved ones being safe. In the long run, you will continue needing to use it over and over. It wont solve your draining problem. Save your self the money and just call a plumber. I promise you it will be cheaper and safer in the long run.


Reasons Why You Should Using Commercial Drain Cleaners

• Hazardous chemicals
• They are corrosive, if you get them on your hands or skin it can cause irritation
• Breathing the fumes can be very harmful
• Horrible for your pipes

The Power of Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking Soda and Vinegar are natural products that you can use in your household to solve your problems. Pour 1 cup of baking soda down your drain with 1 cup of vinegar. It will cause bubbling and fizzing. Don't worry, that is normal. Pour three cups of boiling water down the drain. It should do the trick. It's natural and a great solution to your clogged drain.

If you are having issues with your garbage disposal smelling, baking soda and vinegar will do wonders. 1/2 a cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then run hot water down your garbage disposal. To clean your garbage disposal, freeze white distilled vinegar in a ice cube tray. Run vinegar ice cubes down the garbage disposal, with cold water.

At home we use vinegar, baking soda and lemons to clean as much as possible. It works great, no complains. It's also safe, which is our main concern.

If you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to email or call

Kevin Szabo Jr
(708)845-7922
kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

Creative and Awesome Toilet Paper Designs

It's 2014, Have More Fun In The Bathroom

I guess using regular toilet paper is old news. I keep coming across funny toilet paper. Most of it, is a waste of money, others I can't see how anybody would spend the money on it. Honestly, I buy regular toilet paper. Sam's Club always has great deals on Charmin. Maybe, I should live on the edge and spend a few bucks on a roll of toilet paper, or maybe I should save my money and put it to good use.


This post is meant to be funny. Please don't take it to heart. Enjoy the funny rolls I came across.

You can't go wrong with Chuck Norris
"Chuck Norris once had his own toilet paper brand. It was taken off the market because it wouldn't take crap from anybody."

They say you can write on this one without poking through. If it comes with a pen I might buy it.

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

Woman Nagging Toilet Paper

A lot of things to measure in the bathroom.

 

Exotic Toilet Paper

Glow In The Dark Toilet Paper

(you can't tell the difference on here, but I was assured it works)

Cheese Grated Toilet Paper. For Real Men. 

Wiping with money makes someone people feel better

Mind Trainer Toilet Paper. This actually looks cool. I will add this to my Christmas list. 

Every Military and Hunters Dream Toilet Paper

Japanese Toilet Paper with Kuji Suzuki Novels written on it

Origami Toilet Paper, very useful.

Sodoku Toilet Paper

Last but not least, I found the world's most expensive toilet paper. Why anybody in their right mind would spend $1,300,000 on a roll of 3-ply 22 carat gold toilet paper is and has to be extremely out there! I guess if you have the money to waste and don't mind splurging go right ahead. While you are at it, make sure to buy the golden pills. They make your poop filled with gold.(http://www.incrediblethings.com/food/this-gold-pill-makes-you-poop-glitter/)

 

After spending all your money on crazy toilet paper make sure that all your plumbing is working properly. If you have any questions or comments don't hesitate to email. I'm always glad to answer you plumbing questions. Next week we are doing a Q & A about plumbing. Send your questions, so we can get them answered and published on time. 

 

Kevin Szabo Jr 

Plumbing and Sewer

Kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

(708)845-7922

Halloween Special

6 Animals That Can Crawl Up Your Plumbing

         Most of us use the restroom without fear of ever encountering an animal in our toilet bowl. We have participated in flushing our dead fish down the toilet or watched our siblings flush toys just to see if they go down. Walking into our home bathroom without thinking twice about it we sit on our porcelain thrones without ever thinking "what can come up". 

Only a lucky few have had the pleasure of finding their new pet in their toilet. Just imagine, your significant other is out spending your hard earned money. The kids are at your neighbors house plotting away on how to blow up the mail box with cherry bombs, and your dog is in the yard barking at the bird. It's the perfect time to go sit on your throne in peace, when you come across something you couldn't even imagine can come up your pipes. 

        If you are lucky enough, it's a small creature that you can fight off or just slam the top down and put something heavy on top. How     can this happen to you? Your house is clean! It's not your fault, it can happen to anybody. 

If you are squeamish don't keep reading, but if you are looking for a new pet keep reading.

Frogs

They are too cute, you can't get mad at them.

Lizards

Keep it as a pet, wrap it up and tell your son you spent a lot of money on his present.

Baby Possums

You have to admit it kinda looks like a Chihuahua 

Squirrels

Poor squirrel, get a towel and dry it off.

Rats

Just slam the top down. 

Snakes

Just be thankful that you noticed it before sitting down. 

Can you imagine if it bit you while sitting down reading the paper?

For more info on how your home plumbing works message me

These little animals can come up through your sewer plumbing. Most, accidentally fall in through the vent stack. Trust me, they want no business with you.

Cover your vent stack with chicken wire if you are very worried, but you have to check it periodically to make sure your vent is breathing. It can get clogged, or have something obstruct it. 

To keep snakes and rats from entering your sewer, find out where your house main drain runs a long your property. Look for burrows, holes or anything that doesn't look right. 

Have a plumber check your drain pipes with a video camera. Also have the city look for entry holes in the city sewer lines. 

You are safe don't worry, but it never hurts to check. 

Happy Halloween

**If you ever come across an animal in your toilet, call 911 or Animal Control if needed. Close the lid and put something heavy on top. Don't forget to take a picture, because none of your friends will believe how big it actually was.