Ascetic for a Day. Kind of.

This morning AJ said, "It's quarter to 8," and I responded, "But I don't want to go to work today! Ugh, fine. Please remember the car seat."
So he switched the car seat over to our little car, I got up and got ready, and as soon as H got up, we hustled out the door. No, almost. what really happened is I told H "Drink your milk and I'll load up the car." I grabbed the diaper bag and looked for my purse on the hook I always hang it, but my purse wasn't there. So I thought. And thought.
Then I remembered that last night we ran some errands as a family in the minivan and one of the cool features of the minivan is the center console, which folds down. So I had placed my purse under the console, because then it couldn't be seen from outside and I didn't have to haul it around. And I left it there. And AJ had already left for work. In the minivan. So I had no phone, no keys, no driver license, no money. Staying and enjoying the day with my son crossed my mind, but so did the ensuing meeting with my manager if I failed to tell her I wasn't coming in.
Anyway, I was able to contact AJ, and he told me where the spare key to the car was. I was running late, obviously, by this point, and I was hungry. I ate 2 of H's animal crackers and grabbed the change jar on top of the fridge (per AJ's suggestion).
That's it. That's all I left home with: a spare key and a pickle jar of change. And the baby, of course, safely in his car seat.
I dropped off H and went to work. I had to go in the main entrance and be allowed in by security because of my lack of badge. I borrowed my work-husband's badge to go to the cafetorium for some breakfast. After I had ordered my omelet, I looked over and discovered there weren't any chocolate milks in the fridge. I do not eat eggs without chocolate milk. I went to the cashier with a desperately pregnant look on my face and asked "Is there any chocolate milk somewhere else?" Sure enough, there was. He went and got it and I was so grateful, even if the people trying to pay for their breakfasts weren't as grateful.
Then Shaun the Griller finished my delicious omelet, and I went to pay. With change from a pickle jar. Poor cashier. He's a sweet fella, I should have tipped him.
For lunch I met the Yeagleys and babies for sushi. It was great, and Karen covered me. We should never have taken those 22 years off. Coming back, I bypassed security and knocked on my work-husband's window cube so he would let me in. He told me to earlier, but I still felt pretty lame. I think next time I'll continue to go through security. Except that this will never happen again.
Lastly, I am nearly out of gas. Rather, my car is. I think I can make it to Karen's then home, but I do still have plenty in that pickle jar. And if they want to charge me over $4/gallon, then they can be ready to take pennies & nickles, because I'm saving the quarters for the cafetorium, vending machines, and AJ's gumball habit.
The End.