I am in love....with IKEA

I just got back from a week in Portland, Oregon. I was attending training on Foreclosure Intervention and Loss Mitigation which is a post in itself, but too depressing to actually write about. The training was really good, and will be very helpful in my work. I didn't get to enjoy the joys of Portland because I got the flu on Monday evening, and spent the rest of the week dragging through the classes and then going to bed. This pretty much shatters any dreams of a glamorous business trip to a hip city.

However, by the last day of class on Friday, I was finally feeling chipper enough to venture out to shop. Portland has a fantastic public transportation system, a good portion of it is free and the rest extremely reasonably priced. When I had come in from the airport, I had seen the Ikea sign from the train window, so I went out Friday afternoon. As you can see, it is big as a Walmart, but so much better. Ray and I have always loved Scandinavian furniture, but after leaving Houston, it was difficult to find at all, let alone be affordable. Now I know, it is all at the Ikea store. I spent hours in the store looking at furniture and accessories. Everything is boxed up unassembled, so I was able to buy stuff to put in my suitcase and take home for gifts. I even called Ray from the store and told him about my new passion. Wyatt needs big boy bedroom furniture. There is an Ikea store in the Dallas area. We are going down there after the first of the year and get him set up.

I also went to Nordstrom Rack and got some great clothing for Nicole and myself. I found a great Greek Restaurant too. I had Dolmathes, orzo and steamed vegetables and Baklava for dessert. There was a poster of an old Greek man smoking a cigarette in front of me and I decided he was as good a dinner partner as any.

One afternoon and evening saved me from thinking Portland was no fun. I just want to go back when I am healthy. I only took about eight photos there, and these two were about the best. Gives you the idea of how it was for me.