If you have a local IKEA in your area, you may not be able to appreciate the sanctity of the following blogpost...
We do not have an IKEA in Indiana. So, our annual girlfriend's pilgrimage to the Cincinnati IKEA every November is something we look forward to all year long!!!! We leave the kiddos with the daddies, and kick off our holiday shopping with this trip. This year, we brought along a new friend and decided we needed to initiate her into...
oh my gosh...we had so much fun with this little ceremony before we left in the wee hours of Saturday morning.
Stacey and I had planned it all and it was a surprise to the rest of the girls. So much laughter, my husband said he could hear us down the street. Sorry neighbors, who might have been sleeping!
Candlelight, sisterhood circle, and a pledge that we read aloud together. All very top-secrety and sorority sistery. Our newest "pledge" received a special sweedish meatball necklace {brown yarn pom pom on a string}, representing our IKEA "sorority" symbol.
Everyone got a swag bag...
loaded with IKEA essentials including some munchies and water, i mean "ikea juice"...
In all the years past that we have been going on this trip, we have seen Santa Claus somewhere in our travels. Not Santa dressed up like Santa. But, a dressed down, sorta incognito Santa. This year did not disappoint. We stopped at Starbucks on our way out of Indy, and sure enough, there he was!
As you can see, Santa has really stepped up his game with high technology. We were cackling and giggling and totally out of control in there, amazed by our good fortune. Good thing he was wearing earbuds! Hopefully, we will not end up on the naughty list.
Fully caffeinated, we loaded back into the Suburban and headed for Cincy.
Let the Sweedish shopping begin...
Oh, Sweedish home furnishings mecca, you know us so well. It was like you read our minds. Well played, IKEA, well played.
Even though this particular store was being remodeled and they were not stocking some of the things we wanted most, we still found a way to fill the truck to the brim.
Then, as tradition goes, we hit 2 outlet malls...
and Joy found this great sign of her name. They seemed to be all out of the "Lori" signs. hmmmm
As much fun as we have in the stores, my favorite part of this trip is the time we spend in the car. Chit-chatting, belly laughing, birth stories, how-did-u-meet-your-husband stories, snacking and bonding. So, on one hand i'd say thank you, IKEA, for not putting one of your stores in Indy. Our trip has become one of my favorite holiday traditions!! On the other hand, we could always find another store to road trip to, so IKEA, hurry up and bring your store to Indy!!!!!
I can't believe we have to wait a whole year for this funfest to come around again! Thank you, my friends, for another wonderful IKEA adventure! Same time, next year! xo
