[Gloria]

Hi everybody,

Maybe it's time to introduce myself. I've been lurking here since last August and recently started posting a little where I thought it might be helpful. Someday I hope to redo my pantry, laundry/mudroom, and kitchen with IKEA kitchen cabinets. When we get closer to being ready to take the plunge, I'll post plans.

I'm a happily married, homeschooling mom of five, accountant by training but too busy for that now. I live near St. Louis, MO and the nearest IKEA is 5 hours away at Schaumberg. We have friends and family near the Twin Cities, New Haven, and Atlanta stores so I can get my IKEA fix there sometimes.

My mission statement would say something about how I like getting the most value for the $. I love IKEA's drawer hardware. Whenever I talk to someone about IKEA cabinets I tell them that the soft-close drawers are a $7 upcharge with IKEA and a $45 or more upcharge everywhere else.

This site is a lot of fun and everyone is so nice. I'm learning a ton. Thank you, Susan and James!

Gloria

[DulcineaK]

Gloria, welcome to the wide world of non-lurking

[Tigratrus]

What a lovely introduction... And thank you!

As we're only home schooling 2 and they are only 4 and 5 (and *1/2*! Alex gets testy if you leave that part out ) I can only imagine the busy day that homeschooling 5 must make. My virtual hat's off to you! And you and Susan have a LOT in common re: bargain hunting... A lot of the time it's not whether or not we NEED it, it's how good a deal is it?! 'Course I'm the same way with tools, though the cool factor trumps the cost factor a lot of the time for me .

James

[GardenOfDarwin]

I need a smilie with a not-so smiley face and the tongue out. How about the "happily married" part, Tigger? You couldn't mention that?? Huh?

Whew! That said, Hi Gloria! Welcome to IKEAFANS! Glad you came out of lurkdom. I noticed your posts over the last day or two and wondered how long you've been around! You seem to know your stuff. We're really glad you decided to join us - it's great to have new members!

Thanks for the compliment...we really enjoy what we do, and it's nice to hear the positive feedback!

Susan

[Gloria]

Thank you for the warm welcome.

Susan, I'm flattered that you think I know my stuff. I just spend too much time reading here. I'm remodeling vicariously through IkeaFans.

I'm not into carpentry at all but I can put together flat-pack furniture with the best of them. Dulci, you said something the other day about using parts from different cabinets to make modifications as if they were puzzle pieces. My eyes just opened wide and many more possibilities opened up to me. I can do puzzles! Thank you for that and for your constant cheerfulness.

[DesignDiva]

Hi Gloria! Welcome to IKEAFans. We're glad you came out of lurkdom!

I have a friend in Fairview Heights, is that anywhere near to you?

[Gloria]

Eva, I'm way over on the western end of the metro area. Fairview Heights is over on the Illinois side, so maybe a little over an hour away. Thank you for the welcome. I'm glad to be here.