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!