On Our Own Again

Fortunately Monday was a school day (and not another darn holiday). Without Cyp here as motivation to get to work on time, we have a hard time getting out the door. I finally got Ellis to school by 9:30.

I decided to do a few errands - went to the library and stocked up on books and then on to David Jones to get a pair of jeans - it's EOFYS time (that's End of Financial Year Sale). This is actually a word that people use. They throw it casually into conversation - I'm going to the store cause it's Eofys. They just expect you to understand. Anyway - Rowan was not impressed with my browsing to find a pair of jeans (who knew - it's actually cold enough to wear jeans). Trying them on was another matter. The stroller, Rowan and I barely fit into the change room. I couldn't really see what the jeans looked like either, but I managed to do them up and they were only $30. Rowan was screaming at this point and was shoving his finger into his mouth in preparation for barfing. Time to go.

This is when I remembered about the short term child care that Sue our landlord had told me about one day. I decided to go and find it. Thanks to Iphone I found it. Unfortunately I couldn't leave him there immediately, you have to book one week in advance - I'm not sure if this will ever happen. If I have to think about leaving him for $10 per hour I probably won't. I always tell myself - I can cope - I can still mostly do my own thing with him around. They need to have short term daycare for those moments when you realize you cannot cope. I guess they can't plan for staffing that way - they should be able to do studies though. Statistical sampling says - mummy will lose it at 10:30 am after unsuccessfully shopping with 15 month old.

On my way back to Toowong Village from the daycare centre, I noted a thrift store up one of the little alleyways. I decided to check it out.

As I was pawing through the bin of kids clothes (and thinking to myself -why am I doing this? I can barely close the drawers of Ellis's and Rowan's dresser), the salesperson said "those are mostly girls clothes. - if you're looking for kids things - there are some hats over there and a few toys."

Hat! I thought to myself. Maybe Rowan will wear a hat if he knows I bought it purposely for him and didn't pick it up in a playground. I found a good one and then thought - uh oh, don't really have any cash - some loose change only.

"how much are the hats?" I asked.

"I'll give them to you for $0.20.... my mom was a single parent, so I know how hard it is to get by."

"um, ok - thanks."

I guess I have been deluding myself when I run out the door in the morning. I thought I was managing to look put together - apparently not.

I gave her $.50 just to prove that I was not destitute.

The hat trick may have worked - Rowan wore the hat for about 20 seconds. I think he knew it was a special purchase.

I went to get Ellis at the regular time. On the way home he was in his rhyming phase again.

"mum.... purple and nurple rhyme."