An Arizona Cheesehead's Thoughts

Have you ever visited the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum) in Phoenix? If you're at all into music and history, you should visit it posthaste if you're in the Valley area. If you're not in town, plan on visiting it the next time you're here. It's an immersive experience. They have the world divided up by region then country and give you headsets that automatically play as you get close to an exhibit. Nearly every exhibit had audio and/or video of someone playing they type if instrument displayed if not playing the actual instrument. So. Much. I first went several years ago and thought it was very impressive then but they've collected countless more instruments and created many new exhibits. My Bestie from Minnesota visited last weekend and we were there close to opening time on Friday morning and spent 3 hours and 20 minutes with only washroom breaks and couldn't get through everything. It's at least a 5 hour adventure if you're like us ...

My new kitchen has probably more than four times as much storage space as my old one. I'm really trying not to exaggerate on that, too. At least double the cupboards and a corner pantry have given me a much bigger playing area for where to put stuff. What happened in the old kitchen was that I had to Tetris in items all the way to the back of the cupboard. Out of sight, out of mind as I often forgot what I had. Anyone need a veggie chopper? I unearthed three when I packed to move. Now, I can go to Costco or even my local Fry's and take advantage of bulk buys. Eight cans of green chilis? Sold! Multi-pack of black olives? You bet! Baking binge so three bags of flour, 2 of regular sugar and another of powered sugar? Gotta have it on hand! Look, I'm saving money! I was feeling pretty good about it all. A place for everything and everything in its place. Then, one morning, The Container Store sent me an ad with a picture of this pantry in it. Be. Still. My. Heart. ...