We Have A Date . . . Now Let's Get to Business!

It's officially official folks . . . here's the new write-up on the Ikea Charlotte Website.

IKEA Charlotte opening February 18, 2009!

Air out your camping gear!
Customers can begin lining up at IKEA Charlotte at 9:00 AM on Monday morning,
February 16, 2009 – in advance of our February 18, 2009 opening. We are going to
be doing something special for everyone on opening morning so you do not have to
be the first, second, or third customer in line* in order to share in the fun.
Keep checking for updates!

*There will be no specific prize given to just the
first, second, or third customer in line.

I can't wait to see what prizes they will have to offer. When Brooklyn's (Red Hook) store opened earlier this year they were giving away couches! Given the current status of our economy I'm not sure if they're going to go all out on the prizes or keep things conservative. I guess it's a wait & see situation right now. Granted, I don't need a couch, but if they have something sweet enough to tempt me I might just throw caution to the wind & be there on Monday morning to ensure my spot. . . port-a-potties and winter weather be damned. Otherwise I plan on heading to Charlotte Tuesday evening and just camping out the 1 night.

Other than money my biggest issue now is childcare. I know it stinks but I may have to head back home by noon so I can be there when school lets out. Actually, afterschool care isn't even a problem but the overnight/morning thing is. Maybe my DH will take that day off & ensure our little ones get to school. With all he's put up with already I guess I shouldn't push it, huh? Why does IKEA have to do their Grand Openings on Wednesdays!?!?

FEBRUARY 18th 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been announced . . . I just read it . . .

MY HEART IS STILL POUNDING!

CHARLOTTE - Furniture retailer IKEA said today it will open its Charlotte store
on Feb. 18.
It will be the Swedish company's first store in the Carolinas.
The company announced its intent to open the Charlotte store in 2007.
The
356,000 square-foot store is being built in the University City area, at the
northeastern corner of Interstate 85 and City Boulevard.
The store will
employ about 400 people.

. . . now if you'll excuse me I need to compose myself.

IKEA's Columbus Day Sale Anyone? UPDATE: CONFIRMED!

A little birdie shot me some email this morning detailing another Seize the Day Sale comming up this weekend . . . anyone else know about this? IT'S TRUE!!! IT'S TRUE!!!
IKEA ANNOUNCED IT THIS MORNING!!!

It sounds like a GOOD one . . . hello . . . Tundra flooring for 49 cents a square foot? I WISH I COULD GET SOME! How ironic that THIS is also the SAME weekend I planned on taking another trip to Woodbridge to score the 7 piece dining room set featured in the 2009 cataloge for only 200 bucks. Unfortunately things have come up & I COULD still go get it (in theory) but I would be BROKE for the remainder of the month. I was hoping to squeeze in some private lessons between the time I found out & now but I got really sick a few weeks ago & that killed all of my chances.

*** MEDIA ALERT ***

SOMETHING’S COOKIN’ IN THE KITCHEN!
“SEIZE THE DAYS” WITH SPECIAL COLUMBUS DAY SALE AT IKEA

IKEA Offers Jaw-Dropping Deals on Kitchen Items October 11 - 13

WHAT: IKEA understands that home is the most important place in the world, so it is inviting shoppers to “Seize the Days” October 11 – 13, 2008 to find even lower prices on must-have items for the kitchen1. Special deals include:

· $19.99/4 pcs IKEA 365+ cookware set (reg. $59.99)2: Perfect for making your favorite family recipes, every day of the week (or year).
· $1.99/17 pcs PRUTA food saver set (reg. $4.99)3: Dishwasher, freezer AND microwave safe. No excuse for take out!
· $199 NORDEN dining table (reg. $399)4: Make room for the whole family and then some with this expandable table.
· 49¢/sq ft TUNDRA flooring (reg. $1.15/sq ft)5: The price of flooring falls through the floor!

FREE BREAKFAST6: These three days, fuel up for a fabulous day of shopping with a FREE Breakfast (one small breakfast and one cup of coffee) from opening to 10:30 a.m.

WHEN: Saturday, October 11, 2008 to Monday, October 13, 2008

WHERE: IKEA stores across the country


1 “Seize the Day” Sale : Offers valid on in-stock merchandise and while supplies last. Not valid on prior purchases. Selections vary by store. Offers are not valid at IKEA Direct, IKEA Seattle and IKEA Houston. See IKEA store for country of origin information. Some products require assembly. See store or http://www.ikea-usa.com/ for details.

2 IKEA 365+ cookware set: Includes 3 and 5 qt pots with lids. 1 qt saucepan with lid (all dishwasher safe). 15-year limited warranty. D”11 frying pan (hand-wash). Stainless steel. Frying pan with non-stick Teflon® Platinum coating. 5-year limited warranty. Limit one (1) per customer. While supplies last.

3 PRUTA food saver set. Plastic. Dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe. Limit one (1) per customer. While supplies last.

4 NORDEN dining table: Clear-lacquered solid birch. Extendable with one extra leaf. Seats 8-10. Limit one (1) per customer. While supplies last. Requires assembly.

5 TUNDRA flooring: Laminated flooring with click system. Available in seven colors. One pack covers 23.73 sq ft. Limit 25 packages per customer. While supplies last. Requires assembly.

6 BREAKFAST: Limit one (1) per customer, while supplies last. Offer not valid at IKEA Houston, IKEA Seattle, IKEA Hicksville or IKEA Direct.

OMG! OMG! OMG!

I'm still a little emotional . . . yes, I also know I am pathetic.

The Charlotte Observer released photos of the store under construction!

Ikea has also announced the name of my new BFF (AKA the store General Manager), Richard Castanon, this week as well. I should send him a fruit basket or something. I just hope he knows the difference between a stalker and an independent-uberfan-blogger.

I only wish the roads would get built faster . . . wouldn't it be nice to open the store just a wiiiiiiitle early . . . pweeeeeeze . . . just a wiiiiiiiiiiiiitle. (Baby-talk always worked with my kids, so why can't I use it on corporate and local governments!)

OK . . . first off I gotta say I am TOTALLY jealous of ANYONE that lives close to this joint . . . but to get access INSIDE of the store . . . I would hyperventilate . . . I guess this is why they don't invite independent-uberfan-bloggers inside in advance . . . too much hassle getting an ambulance onto the grounds. And even if I didn't pass out they'd have to find a big enough crow bar to pry me out of the building with because I would refuse to leave.


THANK YOU CHARLOTTE OBSERVER for these highly anticipated pictures:


This ranks as my new #1 "happy thoughts" provoking image!

The Warehouse . . . otherwise known as the "Self-Serve" area.

Please get the roads done quickly and safely . . . pray for no rain . . . pray for smooth sailing . . . pray for the health of the contractors . . . mostly just PRAY!

This is the future home of IKEA's cafeteria . . . this is also going to be where I dive face 1st into a plate of Sweedish Meatballs on opening day after enduring life with pup tents and (*cringe*) port-a-potties. I'll probably be re-creating the Meg Ryan orgasm scene from "When Harry Met Sally" . . . just a warning!

I think I'm the only loser who's enthused to the point of actually blogging all of this . . . but I don't care. I've waited a long time for this. Forget Christmas, forget my birthday (which is the day after Election Day . . . and I do accept IKEA gift cards thankyouverymuch), those days come every year . . .

I equate this to my wedding day . . . I waited patiently for it to happen, the date got set, I did a lot of planning, and the whole day will consist of a huge party & seeing a bunch of people I don't know. Who am I kidding! I ELOPED! LMAO!

I've Never Been Camping Before

Now I'm kinda freaking out . . .
I KNOW THE STORE DOESN'T EVEN OPEN FOR LIKE ANOTHER 5-6 MONTHS . . .
but I'm sitting here alone on a Saturday (. . . well, not alone . . . Ike is playing with his toys in the foyer) the kids are sleeping in but I had to get up at 6:30 to take my husband into work. He was sent home yesterday with a migraine & one of his buddies drove him, so his car was still at work.

ok . . . so I'm sitting here & thinking about the grand opening (because I'm bored, not obsessed, mind you) and realizing that up until this point of my life I've never slept outside in a tent . . . EVER!

Sure, we own a tent and camping gear . . . my husband has long dreamed of taking the girls out camping but I wanted NO part of it. I've told him that my idea of roughing it is staying at the Marriott across the street from the campground.

It's not that I don't like nature . . . I love nature . . . BUT I HATE SNAKES!
I have an awful snake phobia. Now I know the likelyhood of snakes slithering around the concrete and asphalt IKEA parking lot is slim to none (Thank Jesus) but I'm gonna have to figure out how the hell to put the tent up without looking like a total idiot.

It would be nice if someone who's done an IKEA campout could give me some survival tips.

For example: I know they let you leave the line for potty breaks . . . but do they let you go potty in the building? a port-a-potty? do you have to find a place off-site?

I may have to tap out if it's a port-a-potty . . . I think I'd rather make out with a Boa Constrictor 1st . . . that's the other reason I don't do camping!

Dear Colorado, Welcome to the Club!

Ikea just announced the opening of 2 new stores in the US for 2010.
1 in Colorado & 1 in Massachusetts (yes, I would also put congrats to Massachusetts shoppers but they already have a store in Stoughton . . . it's not like anyone there has to drive 5 FLIPPIN HOURS TO GET AN IKEA already!)

Now all you Colorado Ikea junkies (& soon-to-be-junkies) has to do is wait.
To be honest . . . WAITING SUCKS!

The only advice I can give is to keep yourself busy, plan a budget to save up for (I wish I had) and this time next year keep an eye out on construction updates & the announcement of a groundbreaking ceremony.

Then keep even busier than ever . . . a blog, for example, may help tie up some time.

If you have relatives or friends that live within driving distance to a store already take an extended vacation with them . . . make sure you have plenty of room in your vehicle for whatever just happen to buy at IKEA while you are visiting . . . they probably won't mind your visit . . . you won't really be hanging around their house all day anyway!

Get a pet & name it IKEA . . . that way when the name gets thrown around the house it will dull your senses a bit . . . it's also a good conversation starter.

I'm just glad that finally someone else has the 2 year waiting game . . . We have less that a year . . . but this less than a year jazz seems slower than the 2 year mark did.

I've gotta think of more ways to keep busy . . . is it March yet?

Look at me!

(not really ME . . . my mug is too ugly)

but look at what I did!

I MADE A HACK!

My 1st IKEA hack!

made from the Tryggve shalves I bought on sale over the summer.

YAY ME!

Need a Job?

I'm jealous of anyone who actually lives close enough to get a new job at the Charlotte Store.

If I could I'd apply for a nice 9-5 co-worker position . . . but alas my studio schedule, the kids & their schedule . . . not to mention the 3 hour 1-way commute would kill me.

Anyways . . . it looks like they're getting everything logistically underway and actively looking to fill some of the 400 positions that will be needed at the Charlotte IKEA.

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/img/ikea_near_you/charlotte.pdf

if you read the schedule in the link above it looks like they're getting ready to hand over all of the HR stuff to new staff & will be setting up the actual HR Department in just a few weeks!
Floor Positions will start work in December . . . DECEMBER!!!
The final phase of initial hiring will be January (Food Services) . . . next thing you know I will be packing my camping gear & be parked in their lot waiting to open.

I swear this is the 1st time ever I wanted the summer to just hurry up & end . . . just so I can look forward to next Spring!

I have 1 more weekend in MD . . . then I'll be back in December . . . THEN & I'm hoping & praying that the store would be open in time for my kids' spring break . . . either way I'm going to IKEA whether it be MD or NC at that time . . . regardless I WILL be there on opening day, you can count on that . . . I'll sell a kidney if I have to!

My Summer Shopping Spree!

I've had a MARVELOUS summer so far living back in the land of 3 Ikeas within driving distance . . . otherwise known as Maryland. But I glance at the calender and realize my time here is quickly coming to an end and pretty soon I'll be back to my home, my husband, my friends, my job & my students . . . all of whom I love & adore.

So far I can't even count the trips I've made to College Park. I plan on hitting Baltimore just once (it's a small store but I am kicking myself for missing their tent sale last weekend).

The majority of my daughter's birthday presents came from the blue & yellow store, not to mention I made some purchases for the studio . . . I also stockpiled on whiteboard pens for my little one entering 3rd grade (dry erase markers are pricey . . . theirs are $1.99 or a 7-pack people!).

I still have a lot more I want . . . far more than what I can afford between now & the next 2 weeks . . . I WOULD have had a lot more to buy but unfortunately my hot water heater AND Air Conditioning died within a few days of each other . . . so I have to go without my Malm black-brown bedroom set yet again! I'm just glad I wasn't there to witness it . . . my poor husband!

I only pray he finished painting the living room like he promised he would . . . I have tons more for him to help me with when I get back . . . MY POOR HUSBAND!
LOLZ!

AND WE HAVE AN ADDRESS!!!

The new 2009 Ikea Cataloge is comming to a mailbox near you . . .

unfortunately it won't be in those mailboxes for another few weeks . . . BUT . . .

You can access it online!
I luvs the interwebs!


& according to the new cataloge the Charlotte store will be located at:
8300 IKEA Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28262

Program your GPS now people . . . although the GPS people probably won't have their crap together soon enough to get you there on opening day anyway . . . you know how it is with accessing new roads . . . UGH!

OK I'm Getting Desperate . . . Announcing the "Pics for Meatballs Contest!"

I'm currently spending the summer back home visiting with the family & staying only 30 minutes from the College Park IKEA (YEEEEE-HAH!!! . . . yeah, I've been there every week so far).

But I still haven't been able to swing by Charlotte to see the construction progress since November . . . there was nothing to see in November, just cleared land . . . but now I hear stuff is going up and not being able to see it is driving me INSANE!!!

Look I'm willing to make a deal with anyone in or going to the Charlotte soon that can score me a pic of the construction site . . . since I'm so close to an IKEA already . . .
area

I'm willing to pony up . . .


brace yourselves . . .



a whopping 5 dollar gift card (you can buy your 1st helping of Sweedish Meatballs with it) to the 1st person who can score me a really good shot . . . or 2 . . . or 20 even . . . of the Charlotte IKEA construction site!

I will happily post the pics here on the blog and give full credit to the contributor (or not, if that person wishes to remain anonymous).

. . . and I'd make the prize a little more exciting but I have to be honest . . . I'm broke!
But the least I can do is buy you a meal for your kindness.

Hit the View my Complete Profile thingy over here on the right side --->
& then click my email link on my profile thingy to enter . . .

remember . . . no cheating . . .

winner will be chosen by my discretion if there is any drama . . . & remember people it's for a lousy 5 dollar gift card, not the lottery!

If you don't win the gift card but still want to contribute pics I will be more than happy to post them AND give you credit as well.

Ground Breaking Pic

So I Gets an Email From Big Joe Roth . . .

Yeah . . . me and him are good buddies (I wish . . . if we were they would have been in MB today and not Charlotte!)

Anyways . . . ground was broken today (officially) . . . but I couldn't be there . . . I had the gas money but I needed to stay close to home in case my little one got sick again (she had a tummy bug on Monday & puked all over my Stjarna Quilt).

Here's a copy of the press release the big guy sent me . . . I didn't see any other names attached to my email . . . so either it's one of those encoded generic mass emailings . . . or I'm SPECIAL (Momma always said I was).

For Immediate Release Contact: Joseph Roth, Expansion Public Affairs
April 9, 2008 (610) 834-0180, x 6500

EXPANDING ITS PRESENCE IN U.S. AND SOUTHEAST,
SWEDISH RETAILER IKEA BREAKS GROUND FOR STORE IN CHARLOTTE, NC

As construction begins, IKEA Charlotte is on track to open Spring 2009 in University City

CHARLOTTE, NC – With company representatives, local officials and community leaders on-hand,
IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today officially broke ground for its future store
in Charlotte, North Carolina. Until IKEA Charlotte opens in Spring 2009 as the 5th IKEA store in the
Southeast and 36th IKEA store in the United States, customers can shop at stores in Atlanta, GA;
and Woodbridge, VA; or at www.IKEA-USA.com. Other stores in the Southeast are located in
Orlando, FL and Sunrise, FL, with a store opening Summer 2009 in Tampa, FL.
The 356,000 square-foot IKEA Charlotte, with 1,600 parking spaces, will be built on 25 acres in
the University City area, at the northeastern corner of I-85 and City Boulevard, and will reflect the
same unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide. After the store
opens, Crescent Resources will develop the surrounding 175-acre mixed-use ‘Belgate’ development.
The future IKEA Charlotte will present nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, three model
home interiors, approximately 50 room settings, a supervised children’s play area, a 300-seat
restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as
well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features will include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the
showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store.
“We appreciate the reception given to us by officials and community leaders here. Now that
construction has begun, it is exciting to see physical progress toward the future IKEA Charlotte,”
said Michael Maier, IKEA real estate manager. “We will be bringing our unique family-friendly
shopping experience closer to more than 150,000 IKEA customers in the Carolinas who currently are
driving great distances to shop at our stores. This location also will attract new customers from
throughout the Carolinas and beyond who value good design, good function and affordable prices.”
When the store opens in Spring 2009, IKEA Charlotte will welcome 400 new coworkers into
the IKEA family. Candidates interested in working at this employer of choice should look for all
positions online at www.IKEA-USA.com, where they will be able to apply for diverse positions
available in: home furnishings sales, interior decoration, customer service, safety and security,
cashiers, maintenance, goods flow, receiving, warehouse and stock replenishment. Also, setting
itself apart from other retailers, IKEA Charlotte will offer approximately 60 food service
opportunities in its Restaurant, Swedish Foodmarket, Café Bistro and coworker cafeteria. IKEA has
been ranked in FORTUNE’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list (three years in a row),
Working Mother magazine’s annual list of “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” (four years in
a row) and Training magazine’s annual “Top 125” ranking of companies that excel at human capital
development (five years in a row). IKEA will create 500 construction jobs and generate significant
tax revenue for local governments and schools.
There currently are more than 270 IKEA stores in 36 countries, including 34 in the United States,
where other new stores are being planned in: Brooklyn, NY; Somerville, MA; and Tampa, FL. Since its
1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered a wide range of home furnishings of good design and
function, at low prices so the majority of the people can afford them. As part of this commitment to
create a better everyday life for the many people, IKEA incorporates environmentally and socially
responsible efforts into day- to-day business, strives to be an employer of choice, and continually
supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. For information about
IKEA, and about working at IKEA, please go to www.IKEA-USA.com.
# # #

The Next Generation

"I believe the children are our future"

Come on! You know the lyrics so sing along!

This is my oldest (on the right) trying out a sofa in the Marketplace at the College Park IKEA with my bff's daughter last month.

Gotta keep the tradition rolling!

Spring has Sprung

From what I gather land has been cleared at the Charlotte Construction site for some time . . . but now Spring, that glorious season of rebirth and warmer weather has begun, and the real nitty gritty of IKEA comming to the Carolinas will kick into full gear.

I recently found the official announcement of the ground breaking & selection of which construction firm will actually be building my Southern Sweedish Salvation . . .

April 9th is JUST around the corner!!! Too bad I don't know if I can get there for the ceremony or not . . . it's on a Wednesday & I don't work on Wednesdays but money is tight right now . . . I will elaborate further down.

http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2008/03/24/daily9.html?jst=cn_cn_lk

Swedish retailer Ikea will break ground for its first store in Charlotte on
April 9.
The 356,000-square-foot store will be built on 25 acres in the
northeast quadrant of the Interstate 85 interchange at City Boulevard, in
the
University City area. It will employ approximately 400 workers and have
1,600
parking spaces.
The store, slated to open next spring, will be
Ikea's first
in North Carolina and its 36th in the United States.
In
addition to
marketing nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, the store
will feature three
model-home interiors, 50 room settings, a supervised
children's play area and a
300-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties.
Ikea has hired Charlotte's Bovis
Lend Lease Inc. as the construction-management firm for the structure
and
site work.
Crescent
Resources of Charlotte is the master land developer for the project.

This is WAY beyond EXCITING!

I was up north for spring break . . . & we DID actually get part of our tax refund back but instead of going IKEA crazy as I originally planned I went IkeaCrazy of another type . . .

Meet Ikea Fonzarelli

a Pomeranian puppy we just adopted 3 weeks ago

he cost me my IKEA fund for the spring & ladies can't resist him . . . hence his naming.

. . . we just call him Ike for short

I did manage to stop by the College Park & Woodbridge stores over Spring break last week & scored a HELLA deal on gift wrap . . . 6 roll packs of christmas gift wrap for TEN CENTS . . . I bought 3 packs . . . I won't need to buy gift wrap for a while.

I also picked up some coasters, a set of measuring cups and storage boxes from the As-Is Department.

My 11 year old is also showing her IKEA addiction . . . she bought a hamper for herself & her little sister, a block candle with tray and a dustpan. . . the apple don't fall far from the tree you know. I have a feeling that I will have to pull her out of school for the grand opening . . . at least I'll have a camping buddy!

Now I need to come up with gas money to get to Charlotte next week.

He Must Read My Blog . . .

My husband loves me, truly deeply loves me . . . Either that or he's just finally figured out after 12 years of marriage that when I don't get my way there is hell to pay.

He's giving any and all tax refund money to my Ikea fund!

I only hope we actually see a refund this year. Last year we didn't because we still owe some money to the Federal government for a big screw up a while back. We are in the process of still paying them back but I'm not sure if they let us get our refund if we are in good repayment status or not . . . I guess I should look that up before I get my hopes up too high.

Well in the meantime I still have a wish list & here it is

Master Bedroom
2 Vila square pillow covers (in white)
Tanja Brodyr quilt cover set in purple
2 Kilan bedspreads (large) 1 in dark red 1 in purple
2 Malm 6 drawer dressers in black/brown (1 in each style) for our master bedroom
a Michael desk in black/brown

My Daughters' Rooms
a Malm queen bedframe in birch for my older daughter
Quilts for each girl
Hanna Parla Quilt cover in red/white (Queen) for older child

Den
2 Billy bookcases in black/brown (large)
1 Benno CD tower in black/brown
3 Michael computer carts (pink for older child, blue/green for younger)
2 Snille work chairs (same colors as the Michael carts)

Dear God I'm not even in the kitchen or bathrooms & I think I filled my van already!
My head hurts now.

Well, I did some more cyber-hunting on anymore dirt regarding the Charlotte store & so far nothing new. I did however come to the conclussion that the official groundbreaking should be very soon . . . between May-June. I looked up ohikea.com, a site that is following the progress of the West Chester Ikea opening in a few months & I'm making an educated guess based on their timetable (it's similar to the one planned for Charlotte seperated only by 1 year). The West Chester, OH groundbreaking was May of last year with a Spring 08' opening date. Based on what I've read in forums the land in Charlotte is already cleared of trees. (I REALLY WISH THERE WAS A PIC ONLINE! NONE OF THE SATELITE MAPS ARE CURRENT). So it should be only a matter of time that there will be an announcement about the traditional groundbreaking ceremony. I might have to make a jaunt there when that time comes . . . at the very least be able to find my way around the area in advance.

It's an illness . . . it really is . . . Britney Spears has nothing on me.
(but I do take care of my kids)

What "Ikea Santa" Got Me for Christmas

. . . or "What I Bought Myself With My Christmas Money This Year"

Ikea - College Park, MD
Lack large coffee table in black/brown
Lack side table in black/brown
2 Signe rugs in red/beige/navy (for the kitchen)
a pair of Kavaklad frying pans
3 4-packs of Dragby glasses (which incedentally look JUST like glasses that we bought right after we got married 12 years ago, the surviving glasses match perfectly)
a Babord shoe rack for the foyer (perfect match with my now discontinued Babord hat rack)
a pack of 100 Glimma tealights
an extra "blue bag"
the Full/Queen Gosa Stjarna quilt for the master bedroom

Ikea - Batimore, MD (my 1st trip to that store & MAN is it smaller than I'm used to in CP or Woodbridge)
Ceder Quilt cover in white
2 Gosa Vila (the euro size) pillows
1 Slumra flat sheet
2 Slumra fitted sheets (I'm using 1 to cover my boxspring because they were out of the Queen sized Oxel bedbase covers in white)



I'm kicking myself now because I didn't get covers for the euro pillows. I didn't realize how far into the dark ages my local stores are in terms of not carrying shams & cases for 26"x 26" pillows. I also put back the Bomull curtains I had in the cart (due to budget restrictions) Well, I'll be back north in March, if not sooner depending on my Aunt's health. Unfortunately the Winter Sale doesn't run through March so it looks like I'm paying full price (which is still better than "on sale" anywhere else).

How bad is it that as soon as I make an Ikea trip the next thing I do is make a list for the next one?