Friday, September 30, 2005

The Hunchback of Notre-Mommy

There are days I pick up my purse and go "whhumpf" from the effort.

Like most Moms, my purse is full of my stuff...and a sparkly barrette or two; an action figure (I just pulled out a Power Ranger); pens (more than some people own, but I gotta have them); cell phone; mints....

Toys for the kids, like little notepads (they start out being mine, to help my ailing memory, but wind up in the grubby little hands of Audrey); tiny bubbles (the last ones I swiped from a wedding and the container was shaped like a wee wedding cake); bubble gum (for emergencies); occasionally a book, GameBoy Advance ("hold this for me, Mom, for a sec"); Bandaids (first aid AND an entertainment tool)...

Little nail clippers; an eyeglass repair kit; headband (why suffer through a bad hairday?); Tylenol (do I really need to explain that one?); Tums (ditto); pictures (gotta have pictures of the small fry, in the unlikely event that they aren't with me for me to point to, and I need proof); my own Swiss Army knife (you never know when you'll be pushed to the point of hari-kari); lippy (I may have a weird stain on my shirt and an M&M melted on my backside, but my lips look great); and Kleenex (imagine how dorky I felt a couple of weeks ago, when reaching for my Kleenex, to wipe Audrey's nose, and not realizing that the smooth plastic package I felt wasn't, as I whipped out a maxi pad the size of Kansas and let the librarian in on the fact that yes, it was that time); and glasses cleaners (for my 11 yr old, who thinks that if there is one tiny clean spot left on his lenses, that that is enough to function).  Basically, it's my purse equivalent of a clown car.

Actually, it's one of those purse/backpack combos, and although it's full, it's not huge.  Heavy enough to knock someone out, maybe, but cute in a functional, wipeable way.  It just screams "MOM" and while that makes me cringe,  I give myself points that at least it's not a real backpack. (Which I have considered on occasion.)

I had to replace the little bag in which my lippy resides, and was pondering oh, I don't know, being reasonable and only carrying the one I'm wearing that day as opposed to carrying all my current favorites.  Cut down on the weight and clutter a bit.  Ha.  What, and give up my girly security blanket? 

No, I decided that I'm gonna streamline and remove all the crap that isn't mine. 

(Which will last about 12 hours--or until I next head out the door with Audrey to do whatever and grab things for her just in case.)

It's not even like I really mind carrying all that stuff, I mean, it does come with the territory and I hate to be unprepared.  It's that I'm feeling some purse-restlessness...getting a little sick of this one, and planning on looking for another.  The kids are getting bigger, maybe I could ditch this backpack concept.

This will go against the women's code of purse ethics, but I usually only own one at a time.  No backup.  No cute "oh, but this one matches this outfit" options lining my closets. 

When did that happen??

Oh, yeah, about the time I started carrying a diaper bag and realized I didn't want to be lugging around two bags, and consolidated mine with theirs.  Because I thought it would be easier...more efficient....and it wound up being a weight bearing exercise just to carry it around.  Ack!  My poor posture!

I'm done with the diaper bags. 

It's time to move on.

Right after I figure out how to get that My Little Pony's hair out of the zipper.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOL ITS THE BARNEY BAG MY SISTER HAS ONE OF THOSE.  I CANT DO THAT MYSELF.  I AM LIKE U THOUGH ONLY ONE BAG UNTIL I GOTTA GET A NEW ONE (YRS LATER) http://journals.aol.com/yaya1/MYTHOUGHTS/  LOVE THE ENTRY

Anonymous said...

I say get one small bag for yourself, and either keep the rest of the crap in a bag in the car or let one of the kids wear a backpack. Your shoulder will say thank you.

I refused to do the purse/diaper bag thing. Maybe because I was also working full time? Dunno, but I kept those things separate. Purse, brief case, diaper bag.

Cute entry! xoxo

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is A LOT of stuff in your purse...

lol... I thought I had a Mommy Purse... but
luckily for me, I still have an excuse for a
diaper bag.. :)

Hugs
Jenn

Anonymous said...

Steady girl, you are gonna do yourself some seriarse damage with that half ton weight you've got there. Talk about super-mommy. It sounds like you are prepared for any eventuality. I was pleased to note that you don't carry a hip-flask which can only mean one thing - your family haven't yet driven you to the brink of drink!

BTW - Bandaids for first-aid I get, but entertainment ... what they gonna do with those?! lol

A classic Anna entry!

Tilly xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/tillysweetchops/Adventuresofadesperatelyfathouse/

Anonymous said...

thank you for making me laugh:)

Deb

Anonymous said...

i gave up my purse - i just shoved all that stuff into the various pockets of my van, that way i always know where it is :-)

Anonymous said...

This really made me laugh!  I remember the days of the catch all purse that resembled a small piece of luggage.  One word of advice.  Carry it on each side in equal measures.  I have one shoulder that is higher than the other and I am sure it is from never switching off for all those years.
Donna

Anonymous said...

Monica (chseroo) left a comment that your journal is one of the family themed journals here in J-Land worth visiting. I'm so glad she did. You just cracked my funny bone into numerous pieces~!  :)  
I hope Monica told you she was bragging about your journal :)  If not then you can go here and check it out -

http://journals.aol.com/viviansullinwank/PromotingJ-LandBlogsSomeoneElses/entries/679

Vivian
http://journals.aol.com/viviansullinwank/NwanyiomasJournal/


Anonymous said...

I used to do this too, but I guess Hubby felt sorry for me because last year for our Anniversary, he bought me a really cute Dooney & Bourke. I am still carrying it , and November will make a year that I have had it. He asked the other day if I wanted another purse for my Anniversary. I guess that is what I will go with. He and I have complete different tastes in clothes ( I swear I think he thinks of his Mom when he tries to pick out clothes for me. Gag.) But he pretty much knows my taste when it comes to a purse.
Go get yourself a good purse that is large enough to put all that stuff in. There is no reason not to be stylish while being a Mommy. :0)
***Monica

Anonymous said...

I think I need to put you on most Humorous....

You have one of those Mary Poppin's bags, too?  I think I've got a lamp in mine somewhere.

xoxoxo
Trace~