I recently told my kids I wanted to become a stay-at-home mom.

Them:

“How is that even possible? We’re too old for that.”

Me:

“Oh, I never said I wanted to stay home with you. I just want to stay home.”

I mean, seriously. I’ll always be a mom. I’m just tired and need a break.

The idea of having free time in the day is, so…

Actually, scratch that.

I want to be a Stay-at-Target Mom.

That way I won’t have to do laundry.

Plus, have you seen the stuff they have?

Joyous aisles filled with…

Hedgehog heaven!

And flannels for dogs!

It’s too much for the senses!

Oh, and they have that whole ‘Target run’ thing. So if you tell somebody you went for a Target run and just say the word Target really softly and quickly, they’ll think you went for a proper, full-on, pavement-pounding run and look at you all on-board with exercise!

And, when your husband calls you in the day (don’t rub it in if you have one), you can say you’re doing some ‘Target’ practice and he’ll be all cool with your new Katniss Everdeen lifestyle.

It’s really too good to be true.

So who’s with me?

Who wants to become a Stay-at-Target mom?

Perhaps we’ll even call ourselves something catchy. Like ‘The Targeters.’

Do I hear a “Clean up in aisle three?”

*disclaimer* Target did not pay me for this endorsement. My obsession with Target is all my own doing. However, if Target would like to pay me for this endorsement, I’d be okay with that. I’d even be okay with just the hedgehog lamp.

My bank recently charged me $38.50 for bouncing a check when I thought it was fairly obvious I didn’t have any money in the first place. Clearly, they do not understand cash flow, which is a bit naughty, considering they go by the name BANK.

Surely, I told the teller lucky enough to answer the phone, it would make sense for banks to consider repayment in something other than money for those who don’t have any.

I referenced the restaurant industry and their forward-thinking ‘wash dishes’ campaign.

“Do you have a canteen?” I asked.

“A canteen?”

“Yes, I thought perhaps I could pop down, say, between 2 to 4 p.m., and wash a few dishes? I could probably do a set of 12 dinner-sized plates and a handful of smaller, appetizer ones if things aren’t really caked on. There’s also a chance I could tackle some coffee mugs barring any lipstick stains in glaring colors. I’m quite put off by vibrant lips.”

“Mam?”

“You know, to work off the $38.50.”

I sensed a bit of eye rolling on her part, but can’t confirm.

“Perhaps a basket of baked treats then? Are there any allergies in the office?”

I tried a new approach.

“What exactly is the $38.50 charge for?” I asked.

“It’s for our time. Processing paperwork, etc.,”

“And by etc., do you mean vodka shots?”

“Have I addressed all your questions and concerns today?”

“Hardly!” I replied. “We haven’t even touched on the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker. That’s a very big concern of mine. It’s so endangered, it may have actually become extinct while we’ve been on the phone. Heartbreaking stuff. Oh, and the plight of Aboriginal culture. Another biggie. So no, I guess you really haven’t addressed all my concerns today. Let’s just call this even, huh?”

“Have a nice day, mam.”

Click.

But don’t worry, BANK! I will be calling back tomorrow to apply for a job. You’re charging $38.50 for about 10 minutes of your time. If my calculations are correct, that means your tellers are making $231 an hour, plus or minus a few vodka shots.

That should help my finances.

After all, what do you think? Money grows on trees?

How about you? Is there something that just doesn’t make sense to you?

**disclaimer** All conversations documented on this blog are with live customer service representatives or unicorns, depending on who is available at the time.