Leanne is Always Right

It has taken me 9 years to realize it, but today's experience "sealed the deal" for sure. Leanne is my dear mother in law. Sometimes she has ideas about the way something should be done that leave you scratching your head. Just as with any human relationship, it takes some getting used to. She doesn't always offer explanations, but from past experiences I can affirm that there is something ingenious at work in the cogs of her brain. I have learned that if you "go with the flow" and at least try her suggestions I will be more than satisfied with the results. However, it is very much akin to exercising faith: the end result is rarely apparent from the onset.

Case in point: My father in law has accepted a new job in Hawaii (I know... I guess someone has to do it! It has to do with a new astronomy observatory associated with the U of Hawaii...I'll post a link as soon as I can.) This move, which is happening very quickly, is a very big deal. And by "big deal" I mean life altering. They have lived in the same house in Palo Alto for about 25 years. They raised 7 kids there! And suddenly they have decided to buy a condo in Hawaii, give away everything they own, and start anew in Hawaii. (Doesn't that sound fabulous?! Sign ME up!)

As you can imagine they have quite a collection of odd furniture they have accumulated through the years. Leanne is much more comfortable giving away every stick of furniture to her children and letting them do what they want with it (use it, paint/alter it, even sell it) rather than get rid of it herself. So she and dad rented a 15-foot truck and drove a full load of furniture (and "other" things) up to Portland to share with us and with my husband's brother's family living nearby. The truck was packed when it arrived on our front lawn at 7 this evening.

I was a little more than concerned about what we would do with everything. Take a deep breath, Suzie, and recite your mantra: Leanne is always right!
And then the items began to roll off the truck...

And when I say "roll"...

...I mean, not all of it made it off in one piece!

There were a few items "tucked in" that hadn't exactly made it on the "approved" list for transport:

But, what we were most excited about was the couch and love seat set from their living room. It met two major criteria for me - 1. No holes in the cushions and 2. They are SO comfortable! I didn't expect they would fit in so nicely in the living room. I mean, it's not a custom fit, but...

...not too shabby, eh? I love 'em more every minute.

Here was the big shocker...the huge "Leanne is always right" moment for me. She must have asked me three times if I wanted the asian-themed screen that adorned their family room for many years. Everyone in the family always gave her a hard time about it because it didn't exactly fit the decor of the room. I know for a fact that she asked everyone in the family if they wanted the screen, and on her third round with me I relented. I figured we could find it a nice home, even if it wasn't in our home. Now you tell me: Isn't Leanne always right?




Thank you, Mom and Dad Giles! I LOVE my new headboard!

P.S. I hope you will begin your own blog to document your many new adventures in Hawaii! We love you!