Next Big IKEA

Tawny and Jeff picked me up at 9am to drive into Orlando for the long-awaited IKEA trip. Truth be told, I just wanted to get as far away as I could from Tampa and this was as good idea as the next. Its good to be in different places for a change.

I've received gifts purchased from IKEA and I've received the catalogue for years. Today was my first foray into the big box store. It is an imposing two story building with thousands and thousands of square feet of showroom, cafeteria and open stock shelves. Unprepared, the visual assault can cause a headache. I knew what to expect so I had a great time.

More wooden hangers. I now have more to replace the nice plastic garment hangers still lingering in my closet. Ooh - the kitchen utensils. I bought almost a dozen from tongs to corers to various spatulas. My favorite item was my new lazy susan. It can whirl around on of top my dining table. Woo hoo.

Jeff commented on the behavior of people there. It could have easily had a mob mentality with the amount of people in attendance; however, everyone was pleasant and civil. There were some tight squeezes in some areas where someone could have easily been rude when the flow wasn't moving fast enough. No rudeness. Hardly any kids were in the store and I don't blame the parents for not taking them. For the most part, a certain income level shop here even though the Swedish style is a steal. The shopping experience was very fun and must be repeated again soon.

We made it home in the late afternoon for Tawny and Jeff to get ready for their football game and for me to drive back to Brandon and visit my favorite wholesaler Costco. Part of my assignment from Rob is getting a Brita water filter system so I can refill my liter bottles of water. Bought a few more items and then made my way home to stop at one more store before calling it a day.

I almost forgot that tomorrow was Monday. The weekend has zipped by so quickly. I feel drained - it must've been being around the large swarm at IKEA. Scurried like a bunny around the apartment to put things away and to start the dishwasher. Large blue digital numbers projected onto the ceiling read 11:33pm when I made it into bed. Early.
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Next Big IKEA

Tackling Tuesday

Today was all about trying to get stuff done. If only other people would cooperate. Sometimes that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

Tawny and I were held hostage by a three-hour conference call from 2pm to 5pm. I caved and answered my bladder's call halfway, but refrained from making a detour to get more hot tea. Good thing I had water to wash down my diet snack bar. Taunted Tawny via IM during most of the call. Please don't feel sorry for her. She gives as good as she gets.

Gave her a ride home this evening before I drove merrily home, too. Cabal wasn't at his usual post. I often catch him watching me come around the building through the vertical blinds like a warden waiting for its charge. Having me home for three days in a row played with his schedule.

I reheated some more Chinese food while I prepared his dinner. He still finishes before I do. Pretty Boy Dog, there is no one else here. It is all yours! He doesn't remember that bit. All he remembers is that he hasn't eaten in 12 hours.

Heart pictures or items are part of my decor/theme. It's not saturated in every corner or anything, but one does notice. Tawny and Jeff visited IKEA in Hotlanta a few months ago and picked this up for me. Silicone heart-shaped ice tray! Isn't it just sweet?

You can put cranberry, orange, grape or watermelon juice in it if you want. I decided to jazz up my diet Dr. Pepper tonight with cool cubes. Yes, the excitement factor has been slow on my side of Trampa.



I thought about my office friend Lisa tonight and wondered how her Thai peanut chicken dinner came out. She visited my desk today and said she thought about me in the Asian section of the grocery store. Lisa picked up a Thai peanut sauce mix that had a recipe in the back and bought the ingredients.

We discussed her plans and I gave her a few tips to ensure her dinner would be a success. She admits she is not a cook, but she gives it her best. By allowing herself to explore other ethnic dishes, she expands her family's menu.

Having lunch with Possum (aka Dianne) tomorrow. Poor thing was layed off from her job. Luckily, she received a nice package and her husband has a job while she finds another one. She is such a positive force that I don't fear her looking for a job long.

What she doesn't know (unless she reads this) is that Tawny and Jeff are crashing the lunch date. They miss her terribly and haven't seen her since my Christmas party in mid-December. It is sure to be a great time!

Tackling Tuesday