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Nov. 27th, 2007
I am so tired of having principles
Nov. 27th, 2007 08:10 pmToday I went Christmas shopping. First I decided to get Linnea her ethical Christmas dress. So I went to Primark, who have no organic clothing for children, at least in our branch. Then I went to Pumpkin Patch, who have no fair trade or organic clothing and no clear policy on the source of their clothes, though they know that they are made in China, so I left. Then I went to John Lewis, who not only have a policy similar to H&M's, they also had a printout they could give me on it. But Linnea saw a tutu and wanted that - and red ballet shoes - so she couldn't focus on a dress for Christmas day. So we went and had lunch, after various ploys failed utterly. Oh, but I got myself some tights. Still, it means that I can go back there another day, so that's something.
Then, after lunch on a bench in the high street, we went to W H Smiths, where I was looking for art materials for my niblings. I saw a display of Jacqueline Wilson stationery, a bay of dollhouses, and right beside them, on the last bay in the same three-bay shelving unit, Playboy bunny stationery and accessories. So I spoke to the guy stacking the shelves, told him that I was surprised to see them displayed there, and that I would be leaving and not coming back until it was fixed.
Then I went to Waterstones, which was slightly more successful. Then the Early Learning Centre, which has moderately non-gendered art materials, at least.
Then I went to Eclectic Games but Becky was out, so we went to the Cancer Research shop, then Emer fell asleep so we went to Starbucks and I did list-checking and receipt-summing and things, and Linnea wrote her own lists and asked me to set her some number games, which we did. Then we went back to Eclectic Games, and Becky made me tea and Darrell was unrecognisable and we mooched around and sorted out a few more gifts and I stopped shaking and then we went to the butcher's and then we went home.
All in all, the children and I got gifts for 12 children and one adult, and sorted out gifts for a further three adults, plus I got a couple of things for my own children - stocking fillers so far.
When we got home, Linnea and I wrapped her gift to Rob. I bet he likes it :)
Then, after lunch on a bench in the high street, we went to W H Smiths, where I was looking for art materials for my niblings. I saw a display of Jacqueline Wilson stationery, a bay of dollhouses, and right beside them, on the last bay in the same three-bay shelving unit, Playboy bunny stationery and accessories. So I spoke to the guy stacking the shelves, told him that I was surprised to see them displayed there, and that I would be leaving and not coming back until it was fixed.
Then I went to Waterstones, which was slightly more successful. Then the Early Learning Centre, which has moderately non-gendered art materials, at least.
Then I went to Eclectic Games but Becky was out, so we went to the Cancer Research shop, then Emer fell asleep so we went to Starbucks and I did list-checking and receipt-summing and things, and Linnea wrote her own lists and asked me to set her some number games, which we did. Then we went back to Eclectic Games, and Becky made me tea and Darrell was unrecognisable and we mooched around and sorted out a few more gifts and I stopped shaking and then we went to the butcher's and then we went home.
All in all, the children and I got gifts for 12 children and one adult, and sorted out gifts for a further three adults, plus I got a couple of things for my own children - stocking fillers so far.
When we got home, Linnea and I wrapped her gift to Rob. I bet he likes it :)