IKEA and REI

A couple of weeks ago Jenna and I headed to the east side of the state to go to IKEA. I obliged to this idea because it was agreed that we could go to REI afterwards, which is only a few miles away.

I had never been to an IKEA before, and I don't think that I was properly prepared. Jenna did try and explain it to me, but I guess I didn't fully understand. I did pretty well for the 'upstairs' portion of IKEA, but I kinda lost it by the time we made it to the lower level.

One thing I will give IKEA props on, is their carts. All four wheels swivel, as opposed to the mere two-swivel wheel carts you get at Meijer or Wal-Mart. These babies at IKEA turn on a dime, and I was able to entertain myself for a while on the cart we had.

By the time we got down there I was under the impression we had seen everything and that we now just had to pick out the 5-6 things we wrote down from upstairs. I don't think I could have been more wrong. I think that an accepted definition of 'overwhelming' should involve the lower level in an IKEA store somehow.

I kinda just zoned out for the whole "picking things out" part of the experience. At one point Jenna just told me to sit and wait on a bin because if I am being completely honest, I was pretty worthless to the world at that point.

We were in the place for three and a half hours and I was exhausted. I can go out and run or ride a bike for that long and not feel nearly as tired as I did after leaving IKEA.

Luckily, we got food at Chili's and went to REI afterwards. Even though REI is still shopping, in my mind it is fun stuff to shop for. And they were having their anniversary sale.

I did survive the whole thing, and we did get some nice furniture for our apartment. However, I told Jenna I needed a two year break from IKEA before I could go back again.

Here are just a couple pics from our trip.

a battle wounded warrior...

much better spirits outside of REI...
Jenna couldn't be happier...