Some Assembly Required

I really love productive days off. Yesterday, Mike and I went to IKEA to get a work table that we saw last week when we went to see what all the fuss was about. Last week I left IKEA scared out of my wits... ok, fine. Maybe not scared but on sensory overload. I was overwhelmed by all of the everything that was there to be seen, and all of the people that were there seeing it, and by fighting our way through the maze of stuff, and by the life size floor plans of tiny places to live. The small floor plans probably got to me the most- while I could appreciate the utilitarianism of making the most of a small space, and not needed a bigger space, I felt too confined and boxed in- and I don't even live there! Then I was overwhelmed with guilt that my apartment was something like twice the size of the biggest house model there ( model- 520, our apartment- 1020), and I feel like I need every square inch of it. I'm sorry, I like my space. I have more stuff that I am proud to admit, but I do use it, and at least a third of it is books. So IKEA filled me with wonder and left me feeling like an eco-jerk. Oh well. My favorite thing about IKEA is the pro-organization ethic, and making the most of whatever type of space you have. While I don't think I'm so into the furniture like the beds and chairs and couches, I am way into the shelving, lighting, boxes and workspaces. And, If I had a baby, they have amazing baby furniture =). So I got a work table that does exactly what I need. The height of the table top is adjustable and can tilt if I need it to, the trestles have shelves that I can keep things such as my sewing machine on, and the table top itself is beautifully spacious enough for my paper cutting, and quilt making, and everything. Yes.

Also, Mike went by Garden Ridge and got us chairs for the porch- Adirondack styled rocking chairs. We had to put those together, too, and it wasn't as easy as the IKEA assembly. By the way, the assembly instructions for our table had no words in it! The diagram was beautiful and accurate and easy to follow- wow! The Garden Ridge instructions were a little less readable and not nearly as clean to look at. Nevertheless, we prevailed and now have lovely rockers to enjoy our porch with. Now if I can just figure out what to do with our bicycles- we want to try to keep them under the stairs leading up to our apartment without feeling like the management will kill us or the bikes will be stolen. Ahh, challenges!

You really should come by and visit us, and enjoy this all with us =)