The most requested thing for dinner around here? Noodles. With butter.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Ikea Syndrome

You've heard of Stockholm Syndrome, where those held captive start to feel empathy and sympathy toward their captors- even going so far as to defend their actions.

Well, the Swedes have recently given us another, albeit lesser known syndrome: Ikea Syndrome.  Like those who are afflicted with its well-known cousin, Ikea Syndrome sufferers develop a sympathetic bond towards that which holds them captive.  They want to spend time with their captors, eat with them, drink with them, and even exercise with them by walking the hundreds of twisting, turning miles of aisles it takes to finally free themselves from the confines of the bright blue building.

While in the store, you can tell who has been afflicted with Ikea Syndrome.  Watch them move about the display model of the 23 square foot apartment- they almost tremble with anticipation of finally one day owning such a space and perhaps becoming one with the giant Swede.  Watch them pull out their measuring tape to see if both of those huge boxes will really fit into the back seat of their car. Check out what they are wearing- is it yellow? They wear yellow not because they work there, but to honor those who do.

Those who suffer from Ikea Syndrome will go to great lengths to learn the lingo of their captors. Listen to them talk to themselves in a faint Swedish accent. (They always talk to themselves because they shop alone. To bring along a shopping buddy would compromise the integrity of the Ikea experience. If they had a shopping buddy, they would constantly be sighing and saying things like, "It's an Ikea thing, you wouldn't understand...")  They know the difference between a Limhamn and a Liatorp so you probably shouldn't ask them to point you to a sofa, they will just cock their heads and stare at you like a little bird until the Dioder in their head lights up and they realize you want to see a Klippan, a Kivik or perhaps even a Karlstad.

Ikea Syndrome sufferers often don't even realize they are starting down the dark path of affliction. Everything seems fine until one day they find themselves thinking about Swedish meatballs- without even being prompted by a television commercial.  Soon after, they start making plans to decorate their kitchen in a charming blue and yellow combination.  Eventually, they weave the words "flat pack", "self-assembly" or  "lingonberries" into every conversation and by then it is almost too late.  They have been seduced by the clean lines and organizational utopia that is Ikea.  The new Scandinavian Syndrome is upon them and it might just require some therapy to break free.

Remind me to get some pictures up here soon of my new couch.  It's an Ektorp.  

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

And more hooks!

So, in the previous house, I had a craft room and a laundry room.  In my new house, I have a combination laundry/craft room.

It isn't completely set up yet, but I emptied two boxes tonight and got the gift wrapping station set up so I thought I would show you some before/after shots.

before
before
I was hoping to slide my sewing machine table under that counter- it was about two inches too high.  My dad cut the legs and replaced the wheels and now the sewing machine and some rolling carts with drawers of fabric all fit under the counter! 

after
The wrapping paper/gift bag pegboard.
Those mailboxes have great hooks- perfect for rolls of wrap and for hanging gift bags!
The three-tiered corner tower was a Goodwill find.  I plan to use it for scrapbooking supplies.  There are still lots of crafty things that need to come into the room- scrapbook paper, cutters, doo-dads, and general fol-de-rol, but overall it is looking pretty good and I think it will fit my needs.  I will need to purge some things and really think about what I want to keep and what I just don't need, but at least the pegboard is up and the room looks like I could be creative in it!

Monday, November 11, 2013

When in doubt, install hooks!

The master bedroom closet is a walk-in that is accessed through the bathroom.  I love it.  It has more hanging space than my last closet and it has wall space for my favorite thing- hooks ( or pegs).  I installed hooks for my sweatshirts, my purses, and for my pants.  Yep.  I hang my pants by their belt loops.  (These are my winter pants. The summer ones are folded and placed on the still-unorganized shelf behind the photographer.)   So for you who dig on organization... I give you the before and after.
The before

The after.  
21 hooks of glorious hanging power.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Good thing we live close by...

Getting the house in shape, putting hooks where they are needed (when in doubt, install a hook!), hauling rocks to go over the mud so the dog won't dig under the fence, organizing cupboards...

All these things require a trip to Home Depot.

On our 156th trip (Ok, I exaggerate.  It was only 152.), we are leaving the store and kiddo says to me, "Mom, this would be the perfect place to be in case of a Zombie Apocalypse."

Now why didn't I think of that?