Our first trip to Portland Ikea

It was love at first sight. As we headed in the general direction of where we (being Laurie and me) believed the Portland Ikea was located, we knew we didn't need an exact map telling us every turn to arrive directly at the store. We threw caution to the wind and said "Let the blue and yellow sign and building guide us!"

Maybe we should have used a map, because while we found it, we did have to turn around once before arriving safely in our parking stall. Not to mention when we left the store I took the wrong exit and had us headed for The Dalles on I84. That would have been ok, if our plan had been to go to The Dalles and not home to Portland.

We entered it with the excitement of small children on Christmas. Sure, we have been to an Ikea before, but that's the thing about it. It's always exciting. Unless you don't like Ikea, then you shouldn't be reading this blog. Instead you should be seeking the help of the nearest therapist to help you get over your Ikea issues. A life without Ikea is like no life at all.

First, we noticed it's two stories which we are fans of. Beacuse if you don't want to go look at all the pre-designed rooms you can just hit the bottom floor for your Ikea needs. But you know we did the whole thing. We learned how we could efficiently and fabulously live in 235 square feet, 500 square feet, 700 square feet, etc. We dreamed of furniture for Laurie's new apartment downtown, which was only a dream at the time, but now a reality. Which means we're going back to Ikea to furnish her apartment. I purchased new items for my spare bedroom which is really going to jazz up the place, and Laurie bought a new comforter. Get this, her comforter is a four season comforter. It comes with two comforters, one light, one heavy, and you can put both of them together for those really chilly nights. Genius. Props to the Swedes (even if you didn't invent that idea, I still love you for selling such cool stuff in your more than 200 stores in 30 countries).

We wandered through the children's area, which really didn't have a lot that we were interested in, except the fact that I'm an expecting Aunt and want to buy everything I see for my new unborn nephew. But anyway, when we hit the kids area it was like a whole different level. It was like a bunch of drunk little people running around, screaming, grabbing toys as their parents tried to manage. Oh brother!

On our way out we purchased our reusable Ikea bags as more trips are in our future. Because in case you didn't know, Ikea charges you extra for using plastic bags which is totally genius if you ever want people to stop using them.

We love Ikea and we recommend it highly. The line was really long at the cafeteria when we went, so we skipped the Swedish meatballs. Laurie heard that perhaps Sunday evenings are the best time to go to avoid the crowds. Or you could take a day off during the work week.

Sometimes, I still meet people who haven't heard of Ikea. So I stop, take a deep breath, and remember that I at one time was a lost soul who also did not know of Ikea and all its glory. So no judgement will be passed. I was once there too, young grasshopper.