Hey IKEA folks, what gives?

You’re giving us a store and I’m the last person to EVER complain to you but query me this, guys: how come Middletown 45044 can get a thumbs up to get a catalog, but Blue Ash 45242 can’t?

It’s just the north east side of Cincinnati, and not that much farther to the from the eventual store than my house is to it… so what’s up wit’ dat?

So, what are you buying and when?

I’m sure many people reading this blog have now gotten thier catalogs – and have dogeared, highlighted, annotated them already.

What is on your next shopping list? Anything new? When is your next trip?

Myself I’m looking at shoe storage options for the living room since we can’t seem to put our shoes away. Probably the LOGGA (already have the coat rack) or NYLAND. We might be hitting Canton MI for a day in December (like usual) instead of Chicago this year since Cincinnati has a new brazillian churascuria now that removes our ulterior motive for Schaumburg. Maybe sooner if I find someone willing to split gas and go up (Did I mention I have a pick up?).

Of course the other half of me is tempted to wait until the west Chester store opens.

Finally!

I finally got my 2007 catalog! Hurrah! And only a week after my husband got my 2006 back from the women at work who claimed it as thier own – boo!

So, I looked over the “scandalous picture” inside the front cover. You have to REALLY have a dirty mind (and I have one) to see what they say is there. I did see it after specfically looking for it, but I never would have ever seen that on it’s own. It’s a patch of brindle fur on a sinewy thin greyhound. Pure and simple.

I’ve seen alot of greyhounds as many peopel I know have rescued them, they are not more than a thin skin over bones, so you tend to get very odd shadows in places you wouldn’t in other dogs.

i would put the picture here, but it’s not much to see, and it smacks of effort.

In West Chester news: There is none.

I visited the site last weekend and it’s still a level grassy patch of gravely dirt with a lovely interstate view. no sign as of yet, but considering we’re a month from reported construction I know I’m looking mostly out of the desire to have things to report again. I know I’m as starved to see progress as you all are. After a year of hot leads, and a triumphant anouncement, the current silence is killing me! Argh!

For the Email subscribers…

Feedburner, the service that sends them, is having some “issues” the past few days regarding email subscription delivery but is working on fixing it. So if you aren’t getting them and popped over to see what’s new, there’s the scoop. If you are getting them, just be aware they might ebe sporadic for a few days.

Either way let me know if you get this one in your email.

Still looking for suggestions for the IKEA temp-tattoos.

I found them!

Months ago I was gonna do this “faces of Ikea” thing.

I had been given these cool IKEA logo temp tattoos. The idea was people to send me SASE’s and I would send them a tattoo, they would apply it to thier face and take a picture of themselves for posting here and on the IKEA Flickr Groups.

Well… then I lost them. I knew they were quite safe, I just couldn’t find them. Now that I have, what do I do with them? There’s about 30. Do I save them for grand Opening Campout? Actually do the face thing at last?

You guys tell me what I use these for. All suggestions entertained!

(BTW: If any IKEA employees want to send me anymore, drop me a line, I’ll do ALL the suggestions if we have enough of them.)

My house to IKEA West Chester

See, I told you I lived close.

Back from vacation

I’m back from vacation! I can’t believe I missed all the action.

I knew about the news last Thursday. I was leaked the Official release’s time and date and even store location, I went anyway. I wasn’t sure if it would be a mere press release or a press conference (or if I would be allowed into the conference). I figured if the info was wrong I would feel stupid for skipping a vacation I already paid for, and if it did and I couldn’t go to anything for it, I’d feel stupid too. So I went, took the laptop and kept my ears on the wire. I kicked myself in the head several times Monday when the news broke early, but being 6 hours away was very painful to say the least.

How many locals would like to hook up for breakfast at The Original Pancake house this week/weekend and drive across the overpass to see where the store will be? I’m doing it today, and will take pics to post here.

Odds and Ends

Server is being pounded. 500 hits was a high avaerage (unless if was a big news day), well the biggest of all news days happened I’ve been gotten 8,000 hits since yesterday. Ouchies folks.

For those interested: I have said to numerous reporters (Hi guys) that I’ve never camped out a a IKEA grand opening and I wouldn’t do so until Ohio got one. Well I keep my Promises. I will be camping out when the West Chester Store opens. I may not be first but dang it I’ll be there.

The store planed for West Chester is a little larger (339,000 sq ft) than the average size of new stores, just a bit (310,000 sq ft).

And with that I have to get offline again, back into the wet cold wilds of western PA.

Calm before the storm?

Unlike the media circus that happened month ago today, this last week has been oddly quiet on the IKEA rumor front. Other than a strong report that the announcement of “IKEA West Chester” was put off on the July 11th is coming August 9th (or so) I haven’t heard much. Is this the calm before the storm? Should I schedule the day off to allow for lots of calls of jubilation and celebratory dancing? Is someone messing with me? Possibly. But I doubt it as another person I’ve talked to is getting the same info from entirely different people. I’m willing to have faith in humankind (that would be a first for me).

I’ve got a comment this week from someone saying that IKEA was looking at Indianapolis, but to be honest I don’t have time (or inclination) to monitor more than the Buckeye State. But all the same if someone knows more I’ll be happy to post it here, but I’m not gonna go spending hours playing phone tag to confirm the rumours like I do for Ohio.

Not that I don’t think Indiana (possibly) getting one isn’t cool (if it’s true). It’s just that I don’t live there. It’s not Ohio (and this is OHIKEA after all). I’m nothing if not consistant in my all consuming mission!

So needless to say but if you know anything, let me know too!

Ohioans: Have you shopped Ikea? And where did you go?

Those from out of state you can leave your answers in the comments….