Today I had a doctor’s appointment in Fredericton, our province’s capital, and spent the rest of the day shopping with my seven month old son. As a young mother and son that live in the country, we don’t usually have exposure to that many people and things in the run of a few hours so, when we do, it’s fun to note the odd and unusual.
Here are a few notes to some of the people (and things) that we ran into today.
~~~~~
To Michael’s … I heart you. I do. Every aisle – the overpriced baskets that scream “fill me”; the undecorated wreaths that beg to be adorned with something special; the unpainted wooden and ceramic items that are just dying for a shiny coat of paint; the multitude of fake flowers that are more expensive than the real thing; and, my latest artsy inclination, the cutters and colors and cake pans that are ready for the next savvy baker with a fancy cake in mind. Yes, every aisle beams with crafty potential and makes me giddy. (I will admit to your one downfall, though – much of you is bloody expensive. I can’t believe people spend $30 on a package of scrapbooking paper – thank goodness I haven’t been sucked into that crazy vortex).
~~
To Winners – I visit you often and am very fond of you (don’t get me wrong) but I always leave you wanting to spend a month’s salary on lottery tickets. I look longingly at your fancy decorations and clothes but usually leave with a couple of items from the clearance rack. C’est la vie when you’re working with maternity benefits, I guess.
~~
To every woman (and the couple of men) who stopped me to talk to Oliver – blonde, brunette, blue haired, young, old, walking, running, sitting, shuffling, shopping – he attracts you all like cheesy magnets to a refrigerator. And yes… he is adorable, isn’t he?
~~
To the hospital – I wish I had known that 2 pm was the absolute worst time to enter the parking lot (due to lack of spaces) and that 3 pm is the absolute worst time to leave the hospital (due to lineup to leave the parking lot). Now I know.
~~
To the lady in Admitting wearing the banana clip – come on! That went out of style at least 15 years ago – you’re not even pretending to try! Maybe I should have checked your pants for stirrups.
~~
To the doctor I saw today – You’re friendly and all. And I know it’s a distraction to have my son in the room with us so thanks for appeasing us young mothers travelling to your hospital. But using my stirruped legs to hide behind during a game of peek-a-boo with him … well, I’m not sure I even have the words. Oh wait, yes I do – what the hell?! (I wish I was kidding. Sadly, I was distracted enough by why I was there that it didn’t occur to me how out-of-a-sitcom this was until after I left.)
~~
To the man that pressed the elevator’s “Down” button even though he saw me push it and even though he saw that it was lit up – I’m truly sorry that you touching the button a second time didn’t magically make the frigging elevator appear frigging faster! It seems you don’t have some sort of Midas-like connection with the Otis gods.
~~
To the used clothing stores – Well… thank goodness for you. I’m not opposed to buying new things for my son but will never understand why some people insist on having everything brand new. Why pay $30 when you can pay $6 for something that was worn twice?
~~
To anyone who saw me breastfeeding publicly today – thank you to those who smile sweetly and get it. I know we like to think our society is progressive enough not make a big deal out of it, but it is still a head turner for some (hell, it’s a grimace/sneer/aggravation for a few). Don’t you worry, though, because we breastfeeders are on it.
~~
To my baby boy – you’re so much fun to shop with. I know many would shudder at the thought of schlepping their infant son to malls and big box stores all day long but not me. I love that you are so smiley and good natured and happy most of the time. And I love even more that people seem to be so attracted to your smiley good nature.
It makes me smile and makes for an awesome day out and about.