The sins of the furniture

Growing up, I came from a family of furniture rearrangers. More specifically referring to my mom, although my dad always got on board (eventually). As a result, I would rearrange my room several times a year, sometimes just because I was bored, and sometimes because I felt things would function better a different way.

Then, I married Dan.

Dan comes from a family that believes "It's fine where it is, don't change a thing." Their house is set up very neatly and functions nicely, so I can see why they would be reluctant to move anything (although the stir-crazy part of my mind would STILL find a reason to rearrange if I were in their shoes, because, as previously mentioned, this is how my brain works when bored). This way of life has engraved itself into Dan's brain, and therefore it is very difficult to get him to go along with me when I want to rearrange, even if he can see the logic in the way I wish to move the furniture.

As soon as I say "I think that chair would look better in the other corner," it begins. Sweat beads burst out all over his forehead. The blood drains from his face and he begins to clench and unclench his fists. I can almost SEE his brain hemorrhaging. At this point, pasty pale, he leaves the room, not to return until the moving is done. He will not stop me, but he would be VERY hard pressed to assist me (and I am equally hard pressed to ask for help, which is why I have broken two entertainment centers). And no matter what, he never says "you know, you're right, I like it this way too" when I'm finished. It's always, "I guess I'll have to get used to it." I take it as a compliment when he can say it without his eyelid twitching.

So today, I committed the biggest sin I could possibly commit against a "It's fine where it is"-minded person-- I rearranged the living room without his prior knowledge, while he is out of the house. Not ALL of the furniture, just a few things.

He has a big test tomorrow. My hope is that his mind will be so involved in studying for the exam, he won't care that I've turned his world upside down in a neat, better-functioning fashion.