Well, perhaps 4 1/2 hours doesn’t qualify as ‘an entire day’, but it was pretty darn great. Originally I had toyed around with the idea of leaving on Wednesday afternoon, but then I remembered that IKEA isn’t open on Thanksgiving. I was going to scrap the idea altogether, but then Lloyd said that he needed to work on his school’s website, so I thought “What the heck?”
The only regret I have is waking up at 3:30 a.m. and being so excited that I couldn’t go back to sleep. I made myself stay in bed until 5, but I should have just gone earlier. I was REALLY tired when I got there. It was all Black Friday mayhem – with cops directing traffic and all. IKEA is right across the street from the Mall of America. (I didn’t go there. I’ve been a couple of times, and I’m sure it would have been madness.)
Anyway, I did the first walk-through with no bag or cart – just looking. I was pretty sleepy by the end, though, and worried that I might be dreaming the whole thing. So I sacked out in the car for half an hour, then drank two cups of coffee in the cafeteria – then on to shopping!!
One of the sorrows of growing older is that I don’t need anything. Plus, my new-found ecological awareness kept whispering “Most of this is crap that will wind up in the ocean” in my ear. Stupid voice. I did want need stuff for school, though, so that was fun to shop for. That was a solid hour and a half of comparison shopping.
I checked out with a very friendly checker who chatted about all the people she had talked to from Canada today. (Canada, for cryin’ out loud!) They weren’t crazy-busy when I was there, since it was later in the the afternoon. I think all the crazed bargain hunters were across the street by then. After taking my things out to the car, I went back for one more leisurely walk-through. *sigh* Better than Christmas.
Beth says
Next time, I’ll ride along with you. And not speak to you again until you’re all done. Because I’d like to go wander all alone, too.
That, of course, means there would have to be a “next time”, and since #7 has been checked off…perhaps there won’t be… *sigh*
Brad says
Do number sixteen next. I still need a Christmas present for Brent.
Lauren says
Can you grow tobacco in my backyard? Real tobacco, not “tobacco”.
Peggy says
Wow—that is some real dedication to a store, or to a list! Next time try napping on one of the beds…the Swedish don’t mind…they welcome it!
When you get to number 6--let me know!! I’ll meet you there—if you promise to go on a Whale Watching Tour with me!
Lauren says
Don’t whales live in the ocean? I’m afraid of the ocean. *jibblie*
Peggy says
But we’ll be in a boat…a big boat.
Lauren says
A big death boat, you mean.
Gretchen says
I’d like to see some photos of your purchases. And now you should do amazing well on this fun quiz: http://www.iamcal.com/games/ikea/
Mark says
CONGRATULATIONS! From the Feedjit map, it appears that you have been hit by every inhabited continent for the first time!