There have been so many things I’ve found in op-shops that have had a rather cyclical life in my hands. They come into my home, stay a while, return to the op-shop. So now I’m more disciplined with what I buy.

A few days ago I bundled Che into the car and thought I’d return to a few favourite haunts that I used to visit several times a week. It must be noted here that babies and op-shops don’t mix all that well – getting C in and out of the car is not fun for me and not fair on him. Hence I haven’t op-shopped for a while. But now, considering the economic crisis and my desire to find vintage pre-loved goodness, I’m at it again.

Che loves it too – lots of trucks, cars, big-ugly-bright-hideous-plastic-toys that can be admired from a distance and never brought home. And then this wooden horse rocker that made me smile as soon as I saw its red feet. Che hopped right in and started a rockin’. And what did I do? I stood there watching him and deliberating. Thought process:

• oh it’s beautiful
• it needs some sandpaper and touch-up paint though
• that’s ok, I can do it when I’m doing this
• but do I really have time?
• will it fit in our house?
• is it corny or is it one of those great finds
• reminds me of little community playgroup centres
• old-fashioned toys (sigh)
• but will it get used or sit in a corner?
• he seems to like it (Che is smiling)
• imagine it in a nursery when we get that cottage
• next to a bassinet, or baby hammock, or moses basket
• i like the red
• i like that it’s not made in China (Brazil, actually)
• oh, it’s only $10
• There’ll be more babies one day
• oh gosh, imagine a few little kids in that nursery in the cottage

“C’mon Che, out you get. We have to pay for it.”
“You’re going to take this one love?”
“Yes, we’ll take it.” (Smile).

thank you…so much. for all your sweet and passionate comments that were left on the last post. Mostly I’m just thinking aloud in this space, so it’s comforting to know that you read with enthusiasm and not boredom. Those comments, they inspire me…to think aloud a little more and perhaps, one day, to thread all those thoughts together and print them on paper.