Change is Here - kind of

Okay so the boxes delivered were in fact furniture. Definite upgrades to some of the aging Ikea pieces that I've carted to far too many locals. When Mom and Dad were here for Lizzie's wedding Mom saw the giant pile of books in the corner and I made a comment about needing a bookcase at some point. I can't honestly say I didn't leave chest high stalks of books in the corner strategically. Mom insisted I needed a new bookshelf. Insisted! I explained I didn't want a cheap one - I wanted a nice one so she should just forget it. I think her response was her standard one of " of course my children want the best" - which is always funny to me because we are definitely reflections of her in this manner.

So off we went to West Elm. Like I said I already knew exactly what I wanted. We found the unit, Betsey Lyman took charge and told the woman to have it delivered. Betsey Lyman then pointed out I have far too many books for such a small unit (not exactly small but she was right). I'd like to point out that Don Lyman agreed that current furniture needed to be replaced due to structural integrity. That's right the sagging Ikea unit totally got Dad. So we hunted for another bookcase that would fit the space. Mom was unhappy with the level of service we had. She was right that our artist from Sweden sales person wasn't entirely on her game. So Mom went and got the manager. Classic Betsey Lyman. We decided to take a horizontal unit and make it vertical to fit the space.

The 3 boxes were the 3 X 4 in white and the 4 X 1 in white (to be turned vertical). After putting together the 3 X 4 - all by myself with the gimpy wrist - it became apparent that the extra bookshelf would not accommodate all the books. So last Saturday I returned the 4 X 1 and bought the rectangle bookcase (which I believe Katherine has in her guest room).

Yesterday Casey Baker, from work, went with me to pick up the box for the rectangle bookcase. Since I have not yet taken out the empty boxes or the old furniture things are getting crowded. This is how it looked last night.



I decided to be stubborn, again - please no comments on this recurring personality trait (not flaw) - and put together the rectangle bookcase last night. The instructions for both units said it takes 2 people to put together but I'm totally as strong/capable as 2 people. The 3 X 4 didn't require 2 people. The rectangle bookcase would have been good to have 2 people. It did completely fall apart 5 times in my attempt to put it together.

I'd like to take a moment to ask why pay West Elm prices when it still comes in a box?? My first West Elm delivery men assembled my bed because I gave them margaritas but the last delivery men did not accept liquor for assembly. Just bugs me it doesn't come assembled.

So I don't have real photos with stuff in its final place. I'll post those with before and after later but for now. Here are the 2 new pieces of furniture.

3 X 4


Rectangle Bookcase


*still no camera and iPhone photos at night are a bit blurry. Sorry!