Don't be afraid to try something new...

Today we decided it would be a good idea to go to a couple of stores and start pricing out things like flooring, bathroom fixtures, closet organizers, ect., ect., ect....

I mentioned that IKEA has some good closet organization systems for reasonable prices, so Brian agreed to drive out there and check them out.  It was kind of a big deal because he has been definitely anit-IKEA in the past. Every time I've tried to get him to go there he's been dismissive and disinterested. (Mostly because it's new to him and he hates trying anything new...)

I am glad to report that he is now an IKEA convert. I think it was the steak knives. We walked through the entire show room and got lots of ideas for our bedroom and closet. We then went downstairs to housewares section, and he was like a kid in a candy store! I kept having to track him down because his attention would be caught by something shiny or colorful and he would buzz off on his scooter to check it out. I caught up with him by the knives and he was almost giddy because he found a set of six steak knives for $3.99.

We bought a set of four knives when we were first married for $15 or $20, and they are nowhere near as nice as the IKEA ones. Also, we've lost two of the knives from the first set and so when we have people over for a barbecue we all have to share the same two knives. We've been down to two knives for five or six years, and every spring Brian says, "We really need to get some new steak knives." But then he never wants to spend the money for them. But for $4? You bet! He grabbed up a set of those faster than you could blink!

We ended up buying the steak knives, a set of cutting boards (because the one we own is constantly in use or in the dishwasher), a dish scrubbing brush with a long handle (for scrubbing the insides of glasses, instead of the old bottle scrubber we are currently using), and a set of 12 reusable chopsticks (because my family is obsessed with eating with chopsticks!), and all for less then $10. Brian kept saying things like, "Okay, I get the draw now." and "We are definitely coming back here!" I just smiled and refrained from saying things like, "I told you so."

As we were checking out Jake was looking at one of the displays. He turned to Brian and said, "What is up with all the Swedish stuff?!"  Obviously it was a new experience for him too...