IKEA + Rainy Day

Yesterday's trip to IKEA was definately the most interesting I have ever had, and I think IKEA is still trying to figure out what hit them! Haaike, Tanja, Emily and I left Brunstad around 3:30 in the red BTR beast (van) and headed down E18 to Oslo. We got there, no problem, and quickly commandeered four shopping carts. We took about 2 hours to peruse the merchandise and figure out which were the best plates, bowls, glasses, cutlery, frying pans, etc., etc.

We finally made it to the cash register and paid for everything, then decided to grab a bite to eat in the cafe before heading back to Brunstad. We took the four carts up the elevator to the second floor and got Swedish meatballs and potatoes. Yum.

When we went to leave, there was a notice in the elevator that said the elevator did not go down, as it was past the checkout point and we had to take a different elevator around the other side to get down. That elevator opened up back at the beginning of the sales floor and we had to push our full carts the whole way back through the entire store, (the store layout is a winding circle) with people wispering and staring at us and our large quantities of kitchen equipment as though they were our personal purchases.We went back to the same cashier who had rung us up, and she just looked at us in amazement/bewilderment. I think her brain buzzed at the thought of counting up and pricing 200 plates, bowls, cups and cutlery again, so she just glanced at our receipts and waved us on past. We didn't complain! Enjoying an ice cream after the ordeal!

We finally got everything packed carefully into the van, with Tanja watching over the plates on the seat and glasses at her feet! We got off one exit too soon on the way back and discovered it when we ended up in Tønsberg, but quickly found another way back to Brunstad and got there about 10:30! It was an adventure and a good one! (Sarah K-B...) Today: The weather decided to turn nasty and cold so Emily brought her book over and we hung out at my place, drinking tea, reading and watching the rain outside instead of going exploring. Not such a bad deal either!

Then we made a buffalo chicken pizza for lunch before Emily had to go to work. I still have some of the buffalo wing sauce you gave me, Kris! It was yum!! Tomorrow is kind of another lazy day and I don't have to be at work until 3:00. Then we're going to grill outside for dinner, and hopefully the weather thinks that's a good idea too! Happy weekend! Good luck to all you cool Delaware people with the Victory Feast this weekend and Happy Birthday today to my little buddy, Mark Oliver!! Cheers!!