I have started to think that it is time to actually decorate my house.

Over the years, we have acquired various things and it has been kinda eclectic. I guess its the earmark of the younger couple – A new bed here, a big screen TV, cabinets from IKEA that sit either side of said TV, the same dining suite that we bought secondhand years ago… etc. But we’ve never really gotten any furniture – you know, things like hutches and buffets and side tables and pictures that are not autographed Kevin Smith posters or Red Dot frames. I have cheap bookshelves that are overflowing… and things tend to accumulate on the bench or on my desk because things don’t really have a place.

So now, I am feeling like I was to grow up and really want to properly decorate my house. I think it has something to do with the fact that we moved into a bigger house from a very small one and now have a lot of empty, dead areas, and I am finding it frustrating that I don’t walk into my house and feel like it’s “home”.

The problem is, I have NO idea where to begin. I look at houses in catalagues and magazines and they are filled with allsorts of storage ideas and the houses look really nice, but I really have no clue on how to put it together in a way that I like. I don’t want to go super cheap either — but it needs to be able to be jumped on by 2, maybe 3 children and survive red cordial spills. We are getting new laminate flooring put into the living areas in the coming months so I am holding off until then, but I do really want my furniture purchases to be actually considered, functional, but also hard wearing and making my house look nice overall.

Its hard to achieve — does anyone have any tips on how to begin with my journey into adulthood? I am guessing it might begin with throwing away that bookcase I got for $20 when I left home at 16 eh…

(also posted on The Spin Starts Here)

I bought a small ironing board from IKEA not so long ago that was called, uncannily, a PRESSA.

I have seen others before that make me laugh, like the DOKUMENT, err, document tray, or the RINGUM circular rugs, but I really believe I have seen it all now.

I was looking for some more table & storage space for my office, and was browing the IKEA online catalogue. I give you the perfect piece of furniture for all those internet porn addicts.

Whats the funniest IKEA product name you’ve ever seen?

Mina is finishing up daycare and starting Pre Primary, and they have provided us with a nice little “Report” on their development etc, but without the assessment or comparison of school. It was so nice to recieve Mina’s report, because really, when its in there in black and white that she is a well adjusted, extremely intelligent and well-liked child – all of that insecurity and doubt (and accusations about my mothering from internet fucktards) just – melt away.

They had a few headings, under fine motor, gross motor and reading/writing etc, but the one that struck me right in the chest and made me smile my biggest smile was this:

I just love that my little girl is described this way. I am proud that she is quiet and has meaningful friendships, but also doesn’t take shit from anyone. We had real concerns about Mina’s ability to be assertive and its just wonderful to see that.

I really think that its these moments that Jason and I can sit back, reflect and actually congratulate ourselves on making such a beautiful little kid that has an amazingly bright future ahead of her. And to those who have in the past questioned my parenting methods, go choke on it.