1.02.2010

My husband left me.......





Friday morning started off with my meeting a good friend for coffee. Now don't get the wrong idea



and think that we met over these adorable latte mugs...



because these were a gift from a friend...



and it's hard to find a good place that serves a good latte when



one has her children tagging along.



Did i say children?



yup...that would be me...



i feel like i have ooooooodles and oooooodles of children



when in reality...



i only have three....



yet my friend Vana...she only has one...



a sweet little boy named Niko...



who fin called "his worst enemy ever".









Yes....you read that right.


my fin called her darling little boy....


his worst enemy ever.


It was then that we decided to take the children and drop them


off at the best place ever.


Smaland.


Have you ever dropped your children off at Smaland...


which really should be called...


Smileland....


because i am always smiling when i pick the children up...


but anyways...


Smaland is the enchanting place in one of my favorite store's...


the one..


the only..


ikea.


Now i know many of you have a love/hate with this place....but for me...


it's all


love.


love.love.love


What other shop in the country will watch your sticky fingered...


bored at home...


tired of reading...


frostbitten toe'd


children ....


for free...for an hour...


while you peruse the largest..


home store in the country?


{let me interject here that NO.... ikea has NOT contacted me about any sponsorship yet...


but my phone line is open..just in case}










So...


anyhoo....


Vana and i were able to chit chat for a good hour...all the while ..child free....


and figure out what the heck we are going to do with our lives.


It was at this point that the kids started arguing again and we just


nodded our heads and relinquished that fact that we are moms..


and as moms...we must deal with our children first..


and talk about our future at the next coffee date ...


minus the children.


Are you still here...still reading?


just checking...


okay...


so then cames saturday.


a very sad day indeed.

sniff

sniff













We dropped bryan off at the airport....


for a flight...


a really long flight.


He is headed for Hong Kong....


but not for business...


he's going for his brothers wedding.


Yes...you read that right.


A wedding.


A wedding in which bryan is the only family member attending..


a wedding in which their father cannot attend because he is on


dialysis twice a week and cannot attend because of this fact.


Nope.


I will not go into details...


it's not healthy to do so....


{but i will say that i think a his/hers snuggli would make a great wedding gift}



















Just so you know...that was not the real plane....


and i highly advise you not to photograph planes


out your car window while driving.


Back to the story..


sorry....


i'm sitting here typing away..


and have no idea where my children are...


errrrrrr....


i'm back...and they are fine.


So.....


after we dropped bryan off at the airport...


we then headed back to my favorite place on earth...


yes...


ikea.


But...we were lucky this morning....


because we got there early and they were


offering a free breakfast.


free breakfast.....


do you know what that sounds like to a mother


of three children of a husband who just hopped


on a flight to another country?


Free rubbery eggs with floppy bacon and stale potatoes!


{sorry ikea..your eggs need help}







So....


while the eggs and bacon were free....


my kids wanted the french toast sticks.


{interjection right here}


i realize that my oldest looks like he might have


different colored eyes.


i also realize that he does not normally let me


take his photo...


so this is a rare opportunity...


and i might have added a bit of sunless tan to his face....


and i might have added it to one eye...


so it looks like his eye's are different colors....


alright...


i really screwed up the one and only picture he let me take..

and i really don't want to go back in and fix it...

so here we are....















but the swedish pancakes with lingonberry sauce was really good!


{see...you already have forgotten about the whole eye thing}












You cannot...


i repeat.....


you cannot go wrong with some white dishtowels.....












you cannot...


i repeat...


you cannot go wrong with some


$ .49 cent red striped flour sack towels.












I love anthropologie...


we all know that...


and i love a good latte bowl...


but i really love these mugs for $1.99.
















These fabulous galvanized trays on wheels.....


found in the garden section....


and i wrote about {here}...


are the perfect lazy susan.


This is why i love this place...


alright..


other than the free childcare..


and i found out that now on the weekends..


my little ikea was testing an hour and a half...


hooo yaaa.


{don't really know if that's a word...but just take it}












Alright girls....i realize you might not even still be with me here...


as i ramble on and on...


but this is by far the best part of my saturday...


the best part i tell ya.....


because as i was going up and down the isles....


i came upon my coveted Ektorp slip covered sofa covers.


I screamed so loud that they actually called security.


I have been holding out on buying an extra slip cover because of the


price.....


but now i bought enough to last me many...


many years to come.

















To tell you that i only walked out with what was in my cart would


be a lie.


A total fabrication indeed.


Nope...


I went back in and stocked up.....


now i think i have enough covers for


at least ten-twenty years.


xo
















66 comments:

Vana said...

you crack me up...I wish i could have made it there today...$5 slipcovers? I think i need to buy me that couch!!!
Thanks for the picture. I look HOT!!! MuahhH!

Kristin said...

oh man...i really need to make the four hour trip to the nearest ikea...had no idea...yes i live in the back woods of nowhere! good thing you had your children on that trip...one for each cart...i wonder if i could talk the husband into another child with that excuse?!?!
;0)

Cathi said...

I love IKEA too, especially the ice cream cones....:) I don't need the babysitting services, but I love to wander around there and pick up some inexpensive goodies!

However don't attempt to put together the large six foot cubed book shelves yourself like I did....:)

Chez Zizi said...

You are so awesome. I love your posts. For that price I want to go and get me that couch and the slipcovers!

Have an awesome night!

Zizette

Amy@TheLemonCottage said...

Oh, how I wish and dream for slipcovers.
I have dogs, and a boy... who is filthy. I want slipcovers so bad.
Ikea- translation-- A wonderful store that is about 6 hours away.
PS... Anthro--6 hours away.
I've never been inside one. Sniffle.

Love your blog.
I can't wait until you go to Paris. I know you'll take us with you through you blog.

~Amy

LuLu said...

thank you for a completely entertaining post! gotta love a good shopping trip when hubby is away! :) It's my favorite thing to do when my travels!!! oh how i wish i had an ikea!!!!
xo,
LuLu

Jen said...

I have never been to an Ikea. (gasp!) but it sounds like heaven!

Brandie said...

I Loooove Ikea! It is a little over an hour from me but well worth the trip. Now I need to make another treck out there for those lovely mugs. Hmm, can it wait until Monday or do I drag the hubby out there tomorrow. Tomrrow it is;)

mimi charmante said...

You crack me up.
truly.

Gail said...

After reading everyone else's comments I gotta say I feel incredibly blessed to have not just 1, but 2 Anthropologies (only 15 minutes away) and an Ikea only about 20 minutes away (Yay Dallas!) .....sad thing...I've only been to Ikea once. BUT...I do love Anthro. I think I'll give Ikea another try. First time I went was years ago and it was incredibly crowded because of it's "Grand Store Opening". Those slip covers do look tempting though....maybe I'll go tomorrow. ;)

-Gail

Alicia said...

Are you kidding??? Merely going to Ikea knowing I could be child free, made Ikea all the more wonderful!!!!!! That a a cup of coffee with the cinnamon roll..helllo heaven.
I'm glad you had a ball & scored big time. I hope the hubby has as much fun as possible given the agenda & bride. Heck if she ever comes to visit you can leave her at Smileland. From your earlier post I think her maturity level is right about that level.
I should apologize but nope. Mean it.
Have a lovely Sunday Kasey!!!!

Jackie said...

Very funny...love the mug in the top photo and the Ikea ones...

stefanie said...

okay, i cannot EVEN comprehend what you just said...free child care...free breakfast...and $5....i am in awe...I need to find this place!!!!!

kim {the non-mom blogger} said...

I am 3/4 through a LARGE glass of wine, so the zig zag motion of this post made my chuckle. I will follow suit with my comments ;)

Are you kidding me!?!? FIVE dollars?!?!

My IKEA only watches them for 45 minutes AND they have to be potty trained (DAMN diapers) AND they have to be a certain height (DAMN height-challenged genes). I guess I could send my oldest in there, but then I'd be left with two.

Hong Kong, really?

Yeah, their eggs are nasty. So are their potatoes and bacon. BUT, the coffee isn't too bad.

Vana's barrette is so stinkin' cute.

Those latte mugs are too.

So are the towels.

Cheers,
Kimberly
http://yeptheyareallmine.blogspot.com/

Chablis said...

NICE! SCORE!!

Ikea is a place that requires talent, patience, and a keen eye to find the nuggets it holds inside. Well done my friend. :)

p.s. the problem with following my blog is that...you can't...cause it's exclusive. But I'm working on that. Soon, I'll blurb it all out and start new...:)

The Little Red Shop said...

My Great Grandma Beda was from Småland. : ) You have to walk just about that far (to Sweden) to even get into our Ikea from the parking lot. Is yours like that? In regard to your other situation....I can relate...my great grandmother's great grandsons made some lovely choices too.

Happy new slipcovers!

: )

Julie M.

Martha said...

We definitely need an IKEA here...I think I would call it my second home for more than shopping reasons:)
Seriously...our nearest one to us is I believe 5-6 hours away...
Oh how sad, I know...I'm still dying at your $5 slipcovers, but that really is beside the point I'm trying to get at...which is
YOU make me laugh so incredibly much!

Crystal said...

WHAT!!!?????? Are you kidding me? I just screamed out loud too and scared my husband...oops Anyway, I have been searching for a good (cheap) slipcover and considering making one myself....I'm so jealous!! I mean I am really envious right now, kinda scary. :) I'll buy one from you if you could part with it!! Name the price! well, a good price! seriously!
By the way, I love your music and have added a few to my own blog playlist (trying not to take all your music) :) Where do you find these great songs?!

Tami said...

{{{giggle}}} What an adorable post and oh, the glorious bargins you found are so wonderful!!

Hugs~ T

Kacey said...

Ok, seriously? $5? Amazing. AMAZING! I was planning to drag my husband to Ikea while he was on vacation this past week, but the kids got sick, then I got sick. Definitely must go soon.

Hope the time passes quickly while Bryan is away.

P.S. 5 dollars?!?!?!?

Julie Harward said...

WHAT A THRILL...FREE BABY SITTING AND SLIP COVERS TOO...YOU HAVE STARTED THE NEW YEAR OUT RIGHT MY DEAR! I WENT THERE ONCE, WHAT A HUGE PLACE, THEY ARE SO SMART AND ARE GETTING RICH ON US I THINK! Come say hi :D

Kori said...

OMG honey! You crack me up..I LOVE your posts...you are too clever and witty! I hope you are having a great weekend doll....Kori xoxo

DustyLu said...

I love Ikea. It has the best organizing tools. So cheap. Happy Ikea Day..lulu

Anonymous said...

OMGOSH!
I am so lucky to find this blog. As a mom of 3, with a hubby who is gone often...you totally crack me up!
(and I love IKEA). Totally forgot about the free childcare...hmmmm..heading there today!

Daisy's Mercantile said...

I am a mom of 3 and live in awe of the woman that lived here for 41 years before us. She and her husband have 14 children. That's right 14, I sometimes tell myself that the constant chaotic noise level around here is the ghost of children past (even though they are all alive raising their own families).

I love IKEA but my kids love it more. I have a fancy home interior shop and my kids love going around teasing me about all the stuff I could buy cheap at IKEA and sell at my shop. My middle sons lives for their meatballs and says he wishes he could have his wedding reception there someday.

Unknown said...

Oh, you do write the best posts ever Kasey, you had me smiling through the whole of this one for sure!!

$5 slipcovers......wow!

Love the photo of Bryan kissing Fin :( I thought he was on a business trip.....altho now I do remember you mentioning a wedding ages ago....hope his trip goes fast, for you.

Those coffee/latte cups are GORGEOUS....I would SO buy those :)

Happy 2010 to you my lovely friend....I will be seeing you in April, I cannot wait :)

xoxo

Unknown said...

PS I have never left my children in the Ikea childcare, I am always too afraid that my son will find a way to escape.....you have encouraged me, I may now give it a try :)

maura said...

Great post Kasey, I also love ikea and smalland- if you can go there on a day when someone has not peed in it. My kids love to go there but it seems like half the time the ball pit is being cleaned because someone had an accident. Other then hopping it is open the 40 minutes it takes us to get there. I love it! You can get some great deals. Congrats on the slip covers- what a steal.

Donna said...

I LOVE Ikea...the closest one for me is Atlanta which is about 3 1/2 hrs but totally worth the trip!!! Hooray for you on the slipcovers, what a deal!

Decor To Adore said...

I am so jumping on the I Love IKEA bandwagon. LOVE!
I always time it that sweet boy is dropped off and when I pick him up it is lunch time.
I bought said red stripe dish towels and wrapped the neighbors holiday cider and wine in them.
Love that IKEA.

Anonymous said...

I just got the IKEA catalog yesterday in the mail...no IKEA close have to drive about 3 hours ...but I'm going this spring...and I'm taking a U-hall with me lol....I want the couch that goes with your new slip covers so bad...and what a deal.....gotta love a great sale....now that how your start a new year!

Kelly

Anne Marie said...

allright lady.....I'm sorry, but you really shouldn't post something like that to a mother of five, who would really like to go to IKEA but which takes practically a day to get to......
well, not really, but close, and last time I went there, the kids couldn't get in, because some other kid went 'potty' in the ball jump..........

so that has prevented me from ever taking them again.......
until I see all those pictures you took, and realized I need more towels, bowls, and i NEED one of those galvanized roller carts
p.s. - how much to advertise the barn sale?

Unknown said...

...what a funny read! All your lovely deals came at the right time for you! ~ and just think, when your hubby comes home, he'll fing a giant smile on your face, and a renewed sofa!
...Latte anyone?!

littlebyrd said...

Happy New Year Kasey! I looove your pictures that you took at Ikea....makes me want go shopping there today :)

Jboo said...

Definitely wishing I had an ikea nearby!!! Cool deals and food too?? Wow!

Hope your Hub has a great flight - sweet of him to attend a wedding so far away!

Happy New Year!!

Janet

kathi @ traybella said...

i NEED those slipcovers! i have that couch (and love it) and am in dire need of some new covers. what a great price..you scored! i think i need to check flights to chicago...the nearest ikea to me.
enjoy your time with your children, while your husband is away.

Farmgirl Paints said...

LOVE Ikea, but our kids are too big for the smaland:o That really sucks! Enjoy your time alone without hubby:)

Rachel said...

I love Ikea, but not with kids...only one of mine can go in Smaland...we went the other day and of course there was an hour wait just to put my daughter in there...we said the hell with it and perused the store with both our children...truly a nightmare, but we did get some good stuff!

Leah C said...

Love your rambling...ramble on & on and I'll stick with you:)

Jen Beaudet said...

Your post is so funny! Makes me want to go shopping at Ikea; it's been forever, really, like 15 years! I can't believe they have $5slipcovers! :)
-Jennifer

Lori said...

My first words were holy sheet!! Of course I did not say sheet ~ but I think you get the idea. What a deal Kasey ~ I would of had to rent a truck to get home I think ~ or leave the kids load the car and then come back for them ~ the kids that is...

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Many thanks for commenting today Kasey.
I love your photographs, especially the one of your husband kissing your son.
I am lucky enough to have 3 Ikeas near me and , at long last, an Anthropologie has just opened in London...... and I can't believe the sale price on those covers. I think that that was the bargain of all bargains. XXXX

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Well I read your post last night and I could hardly sleep thinking about getting up early and going to Ikea for the slipcovers, you should have seen the people lined up, they let us in in groups and I just knew they were there to get my slipcovers, LOL, I live in S. Fl. and ours were $9, don't know why but they were anywho I bought them, I have wanted those since I bought my couches last yr but they were more than I wanted to spend, now I have 3, they didnt have the love seat size so I just bought the couch size and it works on the loveseat! Thank you, Thank you Thank You for letting us know (;

Unknown said...

Only you, my friend, can begin a post talking about a traveling hubby, weave in tips on childcare, a good sale, dish towel values and crappy eggs....like no other! That's why you rock sister!

Cheers!
Jill

Sara said...

I confess, I've never been to IKEA. Your post makes me want to shop more than ever. I don't have children; would Smaland take a husband?

New to your blog and love it. I'll be back!

{jaclyn} said...

$5!? sick! - i am so jealous!

Steven Lougheed aka DangerPup said...

Let us know if you need anything.

a.love said...

...i wish i had an ikea by me....i wish i had a kasey by me, too....

Holly said...

HAHahahahahaha!! You make me laugh. That whole thing was seriously entertaining. I am truly envious of the whole $5.- slip cover escapade. (But jelous in a good healthy way.:)) If I could find any of my staples/luxuries for that price tag I would fill up a storage unit.;) xoxox -Holls

Florence said...

Wow I must get over to IKEA my girls keep telling me that I would really like it, now I am convinced. Have a great week. Florence

Anonymous said...

I dont have a store..sniff sniff...wanna sell one of those covers????

Gail said...

The hubby & I went to Ikea today (all your fault!)and it was...lovely. And I must say, for only being $4.49, the chicken caesar salads are pretty good. :)

Widge said...

Ikea!! Childcare in shops!!! America has EVERYTHING!

we don't get any of this here in my hick country :( thanks for following my ikea free blog...I shall live vicariously through yours

Unknown said...

Nice cup :)

I still can't believe those slipcovers were marked down to $5!!!

How are you holding up??? Chat soon...

:) T

Terri said...

I'm wondering if your husband is reading this from Hong Kong, wishing he'd taken you and your credit card with him! Tell him we all think you made a pretty good score! Thanks for sharing!

Deb said...

Hi Kasey
Love your blog!
Spent yesterday afternoon with my daughter at our local Ikea (will have to go back and see if the slipcovers are $5.00 here ...doubt it though). Wow, what a deal!!
The 49cent kitchen towels are all I use - they are fabulous
Happy New Year.

Laura said...

Have I HEARD od small land????????? Are ya kidding me?My children are all PRE SCHOOL GRADUATES of small land!!!!!!

I would So love to meet you there for a latte!

Happy New Year!
And you should sell those slip c0vers on ebay for $300.

Amanda said...

$5 marked down from $249? SERIOUSLY? Are they discontinuing those things or something. What a STEAL! And such a funny post too!

The Flying Bee said...

Yep!

Love Ikea...had a trip planned to drive over 4 hours to get there, but couldn't go because of rain!

Anyway, love your finds...lucky you.

xo,
Adrienne

AppleTree said...

Just found you from your comment on Decor8. Beautiful blog and photos. Funny all of us IKEA lovers out there, no one admits it in conversation. Except me. I worship at the church of IKEA as often as I can.

Sarah Bradford-Burton said...

Thank you SO much for your Ikea stories. I miss that place! I used to ramble around in there searching for the best bargains. Now I am stuck in a town with NO Ikea. And Chicago is about six hours away I think. Midwest really sucks sometimes.
I miss those Swedish pancakes and the not free french toast sticks.
I have to go there soon!!!!
I have a trip to visit my daughter in L.A. and will go to at least two different Ikeas while I'm there and will hope and pray there are a few slip covers left.
Love your blog!

mimi charmante said...

I adore that latte mug!
As for Ikea, I don't think they can go until they are potty trained, right? I don't know if #4 will ever be able to go in that case... drat!
xx

paige said...

next time we chat i must tell you about my scandanavian hubs had to say...too funny
& the frenchtoast sticks are seriously yummy!

you & your 8 slipcovers
hoarders---ummm, yeah, they called!

Rachel~Wildflower Photography Studio and Wildflower Creative said...

Sounds like you enjoyed your Ikea trip. ;) Wish I would have been there to snag some of those slipcovers...so if you wanna send me 4, I won't complain...please feel free. ;)

Smiles,
Rachel

Anonymous said...

OMGosh, seriously!!! I want one of those slipcovers in white so bad! I would gladly buy one also if you decided to part with any.
I LOVE your blog. You are so funny. I feel as though I know you.
donna.case@comcast.net

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