Am I really a charity case??

Today I discovered that I exude desperation.

Well maybe not me alone. But me, with my two girls. Just the 3 of us. People just look at me with them and assume I am suffering. (sometimes true...)

It started at 7:10 this morning. My a.m. routine is always the same: take all bags and paraphernalia downstairs and put in car, then come back upstairs, put Eva in car seat, hook onto right arm, hold Ellie's hand with left hand, and together we make our way down the stairs and to the car.
 
This morning as we made our way down the walk to the car, our new downstairs neighbor lady stopped us in our path. This is what she said:

"Okay, I just wanted to tell you, my daughter-in-law and I always see you every morning, and we just feel so bad for you! Carrying those kids out by yourself every morning and having to take them to daycare and all..."

I stopped her with a wave of the hand, and said something about how it was just 5 minutes away, to Grandma's house... but yes they were a little heavy, haha.

After work this afternoon I ventured out with the girls again. I picked them up from Grandma and Grandpa's, and took them grocery shopping. We went to Aldis and then Walmart.

When we got to Aldis, I got them out of the car and had Ellie's hand and Eva on the hip, and I saw a younger lady heading to return her cart.

So I asked her if I could have it, and held out my quarter to her.

"No, no," she said. "Just take it."

I continued to hold out my quarter, determined not to be a charity case. (even though Dad gave me that quarter, haha!)

"No, it's ok, really," she insisted, turning around and walking away.

I was a little confused. She was being really nice, but I did have a quarter held out and ready for the taking, and it was like she really didn't want it.

Walmart was our last stop, and as soon as I was inside grabbing a cart, a lady walks up to me out of nowhere, and gives me her bottle return voucher! It reads: $00.05.

Five. Cents.

Come on!

Do I really look that desperate?? That I need 5 cents because I have 2 children and my husband happens to not be with me at the moment?

Maybe my crazed determination to just get through this shopping trip, now please sit down in the cart and no, don't stack the glass jars of baby food, for the 3rd time! is written all over my face??

Yeah, that must be it.

How do other moms do it, while keeping a calm face and managing not to become a charity magnet??

Someday I will be a pro. And I'll have 3 times the kids I've got now.

Maybe.

Thanks Dad, for the quarter.