The first week of daycare and work is done. Granted, it was only 3 days, and many of my friends have been back at work for a while, but it was big for me.

I'm pleased to find that my mind still works in the “worky” way. My dearest had noticed that my quilting was getting a little obsessive technical. I think spending an hour working out meterage (yardage) on patterns I am considering is perfectly normal and completely practical. However, working out the mileage on the car (7.9l / 100km) is something only an engineer would normally do.

The days were long. It took two days to understand that the best thing to do on the train there, is to sleep. It took another day to remember to pack a comb to minimise the post train hair style. On the other hand, I am devouring books on the way home.

Little e is beginning to settle into daycare. On the first day she pushed her way out of her Dad's arms into her carer's waiting embrace. There were tears later. It seems she doen't miss us until we return. I've been told it gets better.

It's been a busy week. There has been no sewing. I am working on a list of things to do on a train. My next quilt along block will have to wait a few more days. When I get home I just want to hold my family close and so very tight.

Sometimes words fails me and othertimes it seems the right words haven't been found yet. I think we need more words. Has anyone found a word for those moments when you wake at 2 in the morning, thinking the oven might still be on? And those bits of sausage that escape while frying, making little sausage meatballs? Today I'm introducing domestic irony to the world

Domestic irony is a common affliction. I blame it whenever the bench piles with dishes. Of course I can't do the dishes because I can't find the plug. There is speculation that the plug might be under the dishes. However, this cannot be confirmed as the dishes can't be done and so it goes...*

The second form of domestic irony I've found is the kiddy locks for cupboards. I had had enough of removing breakable things from cupboards just so little e could rummage through them. The bench was piled high with ceramic mixing bowls and I needed the space. This is where the kiddy lock comes in. It's great. It really does keep kids out of the cupboards.

(heartsy, cute and downright tenacious)

Unfortunately, this thing is so very hard to open that I would rather stack washed dishes on the bench than put them away. Consequently I'm right back where I started.

I'm sure other forms of domestic irony have been found. I would be keen to hear yours as types one and two have been plaguing and amusing me for some time now.

* I would love to post a glamorous picture of perfectly matched dishes awaiting washing but this only happens in staged photo shoots and frankly, I'm not keen on having to wash more dishes just to take a pretty picture.

My life is often a series of lists. There are the mental lists of things to get done before the end of the day. There are the written lists of things to do while in town and often a grocery list or two. Then there are the larger lists of things to get done before important milestones. This weeks list is things to get done before I go back to work.

The to do before work list started off very long. I like to include everything and then cut the list back. This means it is a matter of choosing not to do something rather than forgetting to put it on the list. I then cut back the list to things that needed to be done this week and things for little e. Gifts and unfinished projects can wait.

The biggest item on the list was taking little e to the daycare centre. By not taking her, my return to work seemed less real and imminent. I finally went on Monday and we have been spending half an hour there each day this week. She appears to like it, especially now that she has found the toy box.

I had cut out a merino top for little e and wanted to get it sewn up before she started. This one was in green and cut very carefully to get a baby gown out of the fabric too. While the machine was threaded up with green I had to make another baby gown, despite my vow to steer clear of gifts this week. Sometimes I have trouble sticking to the lists.

And, I have finished my block for this week. The alternating colours on the flying geese meant that I couldn't take any shortcuts there.

I think I'm almost ready. The emotions about work are still mixed, but just think of what I can do in the hour long train trips to work. I've been putting together a list for that one too.