Swedish furniture makes me happy.

After finishing the legislative session, I was in much need of a little get-away. Last Friday, Jeremy and I took off for Pittsburgh, and most importantly, IKEA!

I have been saving since last fall for a dining room suite and I had been waiting for a chance to go get the one I picked out at Ikea. This whole saving up thing is sorta novel--Ikea's in-store credit is only 90 days. I asked myself what kind of furniture store has only 90 days same-as-cash? But then again, the economy being what it is, maybe that's not such a bad idea. I only had to dip into my dining room fund once to supplement my Vegas trip in January, but it was totally worth it.

At any rate, we had an awesome weekend. We met two of our friends who live in Pittsburgh now for dinner at Ditka's. I couldn't figure out why Mike Ditka had a restaurant in Pittsburgh, but he's from there and played college ball at Pitt. Boo. The company and the meal were excellent, though.

Next morning, we headed to Ikea to pick up the dining room suite I wanted. But when we got there, neither me nor Jeremy really liked the one I had picked out. It didn't look that great in "real life." There was a table on sale, that I kinda liked, but I was really surprised when Jeremy said he liked it, too. We ended up getting that table, 6 chairs (the same ones I picked out for the other set, but in a different color) and a side board for cheaper than the other set since this table was on sale.

Now, I have been saving up for this particular dining room suite for months, and I have been planning on a "yellow brown" wood table, chairs and sideboard. So, my dining room is green, curtains are chocolate brown, and the light fixture is brown. The dining room suite we got might not match quite right with that. I haven't decided yet, since we are still assembling. That's the only drawback to Ikea... Once I get it all up and together, I promise I'll post pictures and hopefully get some feedback as to what I should do about the curtains and such. Advice is always helpful. Stay tuned...

While at Ikea, I saw LOTS of things I want to get for the rest of the house. Like new furniture for downstairs. I'm not sure what to call it. The "family room", I guess. Although, we mostly call it the "red room." Though, I think the next thing I buy will be a head board I've had my eye on at Target dot com for some time. Then hardwood floors upstairs. New front door. Hardwood floors and drywall downstairs. New master bath. New kitchen. The list goes on and on.