Jim Baker didn’t have a choice on whether to enter the Restore Omaha Bathroom Makeover contest. The makeover featured Ferguson fixtures, including a pedestal sink, fixtures and toilet, as well as a free consultation from Eyman, as its grand prize.
Baker didn’t have a choice because his mom wanted a new bathroom. And he’s the kind of guy who makes things happen.
“We were visiting the Restoration Exchange and my mom pulls me aside and says, ‘See this? This is the exact thing I want for my bathroom,’” Baker said. “If there’s a way to get it done, I’ll get it done.”
Help the helpers
Baker’s submission letter explained that his parents sorely needed new bathroom fixtures. He wrote the updating hadn’t yet occurred because his parents spent all their time and resources on raising their three sons.
“My parents have always put us kids ahead of what they wanted or what the house needed,” the letter said.
“My parents have always wanted to put new fixtures in the bathroom, but were never able to,” Baker added. “The reason they weren’t able to is because of us three boys. We needed stuff for sports, school, or we grew and needed clothes.”
Baker’s letter told the story of parents who selflessly put their children’s needs ahead of their own.
“It’s our turn to help them,” he said.
An anniversary surprise
As luck would have it, Baker found out his letter had won on his parents’ wedding anniversary. He wanted to surprise them with the fixtures right away, but he was recovering from shoulder surgery. He was in no shape to go pick up the fixtures.
“I couldn’t lift stuff so I called the Eyman office to see if someone could help me,” he said. “The ladies in the office offered to have it delivered. They said it was not a problem and they’d bring it down.”
Baker was delighted by how the Eyman team was so willing to help.
He tried to surprise his mom, but she surprised him instead. She came through the front door instead of the back, and walked right into the fixtures that sat waiting for her. Although Baker missed her initial reaction, he says she was elated.
“I felt bad that I couldn’t get a reaction photo,” he said, laughing.
He said his dad, who is notoriously low-key, discovered the fixtures and leaned against the door frame. His reaction was a simple “Oh.”
“My parents know the value of that stuff,” Baker said. “The stuff they wanted was so far out of their budget, and that’s why it wasn’t done before.”
Now Baker enjoys the fact he helped his parents fulfill a dream they once thought might never come. With a little lift from Eyman.
