The Things We Carry

The other day, I was looking at FB updates and laughed when I saw a post and pic from my cousin, Ashleigh  Ashley.  It was a picture of her purse, which she had cleaned out. In front of it, she had a spread of items that she had been hauling around with her. I laughed when I saw this. She had the mom essentials: money, wallet, pacifier, medicine, sunglasses, Sophie the Giraffe, Flip the Monkey, a toy phone (or maybe a house phone), etc. Anyway, it was a mishmash of stuff. I had already joked about the stupid stuff in my purse with friends and this prompted me to clean out my own purse and take a picture of the junk that I am hauling around with me to work, the store, church, out to eat. I laughed as I pulled the items out and lined them up.  What in the world was I doing with a pair of mittens in June in my purse?

This brings me to my next thought, my poor purse.  I LOVE this purse. It is my gorgeous Kate Spade I got for Christmas from my sister in law, Allison. It is a beautiful purse that looks great in the winter or summer. And here I am disrespecting Ms. Spade with a box of opened crayons rolling around and marking up that soft and silky lining! Sometimes I feel like I am in the trenches of the mommy war, and I must be prepared at all times.  If we make an unexpected stop at a restaurant, I need to be able to entertain my kids. If we go to the bathroom in a public area, I need to be able to sanitize hands. If we have an unexpected snow storm, then I guess my mittens won't sound so silly after all.

So here is my stuff, all spread out and for everyone make fun of.  This is actually what has been in my purse for weeks. As silly as some of these things are, they are the real contents of my daily life.

my spread of mommy stuff!

1. My Wallet- This is obvious. I need money to buy more ridiculous items that can also be shoved in my purse.

2. iPad- This is a must in entertainment purposes.  No WiFi? No problem. I have episodes of Ry's favorite shows downloaded and plenty of kid friendly apps for him to play.

3. VGA iPad Adapter--because you never know when you might need to hook up the iPad to an overhead?

4. Pop Secret Popcorn- This has been in there for months.

5. Instant Oatmeal- Maybe I need to figure out a way to put a microwave in there too?

6. R2D2-Who doesn't love Star Wars?

7. Shoes- Chuck Taylors and baby Sandals. It is always good to be prepared with extras

8. $4.59-  Time to buy myself something "real nice" (says Cousin Eddie).

9. Bracelet's- Most jewelry I wear ends up in the purse, not to be worn again for months.

10. Ponytail Holders- Yet, I can never find one when I am looking for it!

11. Chic-Fil-A Sauce- Y'all, that stuff is good.

12. Wicked Ticket- ah, memories.

13. Coloring Book and Two Boxes of Generic Crayons- This means they probably aren't washable. Good thing my lining is navy.

14. Floss- Obviously in case I get a chance to pop my popcorn, duh.

15. Pacifier- NEVER leave home without it!

16. Sharpie Rub A Dub Laundry Marker- This is a favorite of mine, very versatile.

17. Spiderman Socks- To go with the Chuck Taylors.

18. Hall's Throat Drops- I am sort of addicted to them. At least I have stopped sleeping with one in my mouth after Brad told me I was going to choke to death!

19. Swimmer's Ear Drops- A must have for summer.

20 Desitin- If you know me, you know I am obsessed with baby bottoms and preventing diaper rash. (Did that sound weird?)

21. Two Grey Mittens and One Brown Glove- I honestly don't know why other than the fact that Ryder likes them.

22. A Compact and Two Lipsticks and One Lip Gloss- I have to occasionally think of myself.  They are probably melted though.

23. GermX- Yuck, don't touch that buggy handle! We have enough immune problems.

24. Ryder's Infamous Bad Behavior Note- Lord, I am not saying anything about this so that no one tells mom and I don't get in trouble again, good grief.

25. Sawyer's Children's Hospital Bracelet- From our trip to see Dr. Hains. This merited it's own blog entry.

26. Grocery List- This one is new and just found it's way in the purse yesterday. Welcome.

27. A Tampon- I am actually glad to have a need for this. I love my kids, but for now, I'm good.

28. My Phone-Piece of crap mainly because I suck at proper care for phones.

29. My Pink Canon Camera- It isn't in the pic because I am taking the pic with it! I am part of the Mamarazzi though, FYI.

29. And Finally, My Keys- These I am usually looking for.

That is it. That is what has been traveling around with me lately. So, what's in your purse?

(And if Dr. Porter reads this by some slim chance, I recognize this is much less "deep" than the Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carry" but I could't help the comparison.)