Day in the Life of a Crazed Mother

Remember the fun we had last January, picking out new books with our giftcards?
Well, Gabe's giftcard for books has been burning a hole in my wallet since he got it 2 months ago, also a gift from Nana.
I've been telling myself since then, the next time we're at Gravois Bluffs, we have got to plan a visit at Barnes & Noble to spend Gabe's giftcard.
So, today, we found ourselves across the street at the Little Gym, taking advantage of free bring a friend day (thanks to Alex, we were his guests).
So, we made it a point to head on over & bask in the book goodness.
Along with the fun it is, it is also a challenge to keep track of two very energetic kids, who love books as much as their momma....who see a book at the other end of the large children's area & who waste no time running to that book to see what it holds inside.
B & N also has an adorable children's stage, where the storytime takes place. Flynn had already made plans to read Gabe & I a book from there. And Gabe had big plans to spend the majority of his time at the train table (once again, it doesn't matter that we already have one at home).
To & fro they'd run. Pulling books off the shelves at warp speed. Leaving them wherever, only for me to run behind & try to quickly find where it came from, return it to its spot, & move onto the next castaway.
I may have been sweating at this point.
So, we settle on one or two books, or five. And after diligence & much deliberation, we settle on those few (five) & head to the check out.
Why in the world are there the most delectable and irresistable things at check out lines. Like delicate & very breakable pop up gift card holders. And Godiva chocolates wrapped like royal gifts? Why, oh why?
And why, must you spend five minutes asking me if I'd like to buy a gift for an orphan? And another 10 minutes explaining your reward club? And how if I join today, I'll save an extra $2 (forget the fact that I'd be spending $25 to join the hurting club). Must you continue to push the rewards club while I'm on the other side of the spinning display, removing stationery sets from my son's two year old grip; stationery sets that cost more than my outfit?
And while my credit card lays atop my open wallet, at your register, where you spend vast amounts of time talking about how I'll save 40% off of novels if I join this club... should I share with you that for the last 3.98 years, I've only had time to read an article in a parenting magazine, or a scripture here & there. And then, only if I'm able to lock the bathroom door.

When I finally convinced the employee that even if I had $25 to spare, I wouldn't have another second to spend there at the checkout, less my children knock over the Christmas display.

I give her a coupon, & she unhappily looks at it, tells me it might be too late to use it. I didn't want to tell her that while she was schpealing on & on about the reward's club, she could've been entering the coupon. I think she saw "that look" in my eye & made it work.

Then she gave me my total.

15.83.

I was pleased. Ahh, I thought, that's not much over the $10 gift card.

At that point I slid it across the counter to her.

And she told me,

"Oh dear - that's a gift card for Borders."