I don’t know what possessed me to go to Ikea on Labor Day. Ironically I went on a break from actually working. I’m the kind of guy who works on Labor Day, not that I’m some sort of workaholic, I just find I can do a lot of writing without distraction. Since we recently moved we’ve been going to Home Mecca (a lot more stylish and fun to shop at than The Home Depot). Today my excuse to go was to return a couple of halogen light bulbs that didn’t fit in the halogen lights in our kitchen.

But you can’t go to Ikea and not look, especially when the woman in the returns department tells you that they’re having a sale. I can’t say I totally regret her advice but I can say:

- Shopping at Ikea on a holiday is hell. Think river + Salmon.
- It’s impossible to tell what’s on Sale and what’s just low Ikea prices.
- PB&J Sandwiches are a cheap way to elevate low blood sugar and cranky kids.
- Even though things are cheap I always spend too much money there!

My final take from my trip to Ikea today. Two wastebaskets (one of ours got mangled on the move and we now have 1 more bathroom in the new house), Florescent light bulbs (Ikea’s really do rock, good quality of light) and… Lucky Bamboo (at $1.99 my son said he’d spend his own money on this item of greenery for his new room).

The next time I go to IKEA (and there WILL be a next time), I’m going to go during the week while the rest of humanity is locked in their offices.