Satisfied Dresser

When I was pregnant with both of our kids my mother and I shopped endlessly for baby furniture. I loved the idea of convertible cribs growing with them from infant, to toddler, to young adult. We chose quality furniture that would be relevant and last through their child hood and yet have mature enough qualities they would be more than happy to take it with them some day when they flew the nest. Both kids received three-piece sets and all the conversion kits for their beds. The sets are beautiful.

Shortly after Mr Blue Eyes was born is was quite evident that our kids had better furniture than we did.

My husband's dresser was given to his mother shortly before he was born. Second hand and made of pressed wood, it was a temporary situation until she could find something better. 31 years later and some self modifications, my Handy-Man is still using the same dresser. (he tossed it in the trash before I could get a good photo - but here are the drawers)

 

Handy-Man's trademark craftsmanship.

My furniture growing up consisted of antiques my mother had collected or been willed through family members. She loved me, but not enough to let me take her antiques to college. On a Saturday morning just before my sophomore year, I had my shiny F-250 all loaded up with everything I owned. I was moving into my very first house. Pulling out of the driveway, we waved hello to our neighbors as they were setting up for a garage sale. My mom and I pulled over to say hello and we noticed a dresser for sale. We asked how much they wanted for it. In true neighborly fashion they parted with the dresser and stacked it on top of my boxes free of charge. My neighbor mentioned this was the dresser he received from a family friend on his way to college and he bid me good luck.

 

My second house in college I was given two nightstands. They matched each other - but nothing else.

 

My mother-in-law has always felt guilty for never buying her son bedroom furniture.

She said this year was the year. It would be our Birthday/Anniversary/Christmas/Valentines Day and every other holiday present for the year. She gave me a budget and we browsed every reasonably priced furniture store around. I got several ideas of what I wanted - or thought I wanted.

This weekend on our way home from a kid's birthday party, I steered my car to another large furniture store. Minutes after stepping foot in the store, I found the furniture I wanted. It fit in the budget, had knobs and not loud handles on the drawers, and was soooooooo pretty! I snapped some pictures and reserved the set. I made a few calls and informed my Handy-Man that he needed to hook up the flat-bed trailer because we were picking it up Sunday morning.

Husbands...

He has heard us chatting about new bedroom furniture for months.

We asked him to come look with us - he doesn't even 'shop' for his own underwear let alone browses for furniture.

I showed him the photos the night before, dancing around the house with excitement - speaking in an octave at least three measures higher than normal I am sure. 

Nothing. No comments other than we just had to be home in time for the Bronco game.

Sunday morning it was like my Birthday/Anniversary/Christmas/Valentines Day all rolled into one! Driving to the store he finally speaks, "I wanted log furniture...but no one cares what I want."

W-T-F!!!

He is notorious for buzz kills just like this moment. When we were married, he wanted no part of the planning process. He said to just tell him where and what time to show up and make sure we get a good cake. Two weeks prior to the wedding he suddenly replaced the batteries in his hearing aid and interjects himself into one of our last minute planning sessions. He said, "Whoa, I don't want a big production. I just want to get married and ten minutes later be bar-b-queuing in the back yard. Why do we have to invite all these people to the wedding? If I haven't met them, they don't need to come."

As my overly stressed head rotated at least three full circles and smoke bellowed from my nostrils, I politely told him he could "stick it where the sun don't shine." Furthermore, I didn't want to hear one more word out of him. He had every opportunity to be part of this process and chose not to. At this point, it was my wedding (in walks Bridezilla) and he had better just paint a smile on his face and shut the hell up!

I got great satisfaction knowing he didn't even bother to try on his rental shoes and he was forced to suffer through the ceremony wearing shoes that were a size too small.

At the end of the night, he did tell me it was the best darn party ever.

So as far as I was concerned, I had my heart set on this furniture. You snooze, you lose my friend. 

Aren't they pretty?!?!

I have two nightstands, and they match everything!

I now have a 'Big Girl Dresser' - with a mirror! (please don't mind the pack-n-play in the corner, it matches nothing)

 

Someday I plan to repaint that wall...

Even my gnarly Handy-Man has a new beautiful dresser.

We need a new television now - flat screen maybe?