I always used to carry small handbags–just large enough to fit my wallet, keys, phone and maybe a compact and lipstick. About a year ago, I decided to take the mom purse plunge. It was fabulous! Suddenly, I had room for everything. I could throw in a sippy cup and a Diet Coke, or stash my camera and cord.
I was admiring a new bag large enough to hold my laptop the other day, and I realized I may have taken this just a bit too far.
In fact, while digging for my keys in front of a coworker today, I managed to stumble across a Little Mermaid stamping kit, a Cheerio and three bottles of nail polish (which were all basically the same color)…and a few other things…
That’s right–two compacts, crayons, Dora the Explorer sunglasses, a measuring tape (hi, Mom!), an empty container of mints and its stray, lint-covered belongings, perfume, a teether, lip gloss I’ve never worn, and a pair of flats.
And those are just the things I was brave enough to post.
What’s the strangest thing in your handbag?
Smith Family Weblog 
Posted by karyl on September 6, 2008 at 1:14 pm
It is amazing you were able to find your keys! Amazing! The passport??? And the shoes??? That is sort of like using the oven for dirty dishes! Too funny!
Posted by Katie on September 6, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I have a digital camera….which may not seem strange until I tell you that it is the camera that I confiscated from a student who was using it inappropriately last year. (I’ll let you use your imagination there.)
Anyway, the kid’s mom never came to pick it up, and after it sat on my desk for 9 months, I decided to make some use of it. Before you judge, please remember that I spend ~12 hours/day working to change said kid’s life. 🙂
Posted by smithfamilyweblog on September 6, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Karyl! You’re supposed to say, “Why yes, that’s exactly how my purse looked when I had small kids.” 😉
In my defense, it’s relatively well organized thanks to a special system of freezer bags and special compartments. The keys have their own pocket, as does my phone, thankfully.
The mints, well, you just have search a bit for those.
Posted by smithfamilyweblog on September 6, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Oh, also, I just toss the shoes in for the hike up the hill to my office. It’s impossible in heels.
Posted by Rebecca's Mom on September 6, 2008 at 2:48 pm
The strangest thing in my purse is a tiny, pink, iridescent heart . . . do you remember?
Otherwise, everything else is pretty ordinary, including the tape measure. With the exception, maybe, of the Princess and Nemo snacks which Papa takes credit for every darn time!
Posted by smithfamilyweblog on September 6, 2008 at 3:07 pm
In yet another testament to his measure of my intelligence, Bry just yelled, “You didn’t put a photo of your credit card on the blog, did you?”
Posted by Rebecca's Mom on September 6, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Wait ’til he sees you are carrying your passport in your purse . . . .
Posted by karyl on September 6, 2008 at 8:10 pm
OK, Rebecca, I apologize. I do recall carrying extra stuff in my purse when the kids were little – but please, not a department store full of stuff!
I now have in my purse, a wallet, a cell phone, keys, a nail file, chap stick, a few bandaids and a tape measure. Maybe that alone will get me back in your good graces. Oh, and I forgot, a lens cleaner for my glasses.
Posted by karyl on September 6, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Actually, I have to admire your fortitude in carrying a bag, which must weigh a mighty ton – I can see why you can’t walk in your heels to work!
Posted by karyl on September 6, 2008 at 8:18 pm
OK, I have crossed the line. Please forgive me. Too much wine tonight!
Love, Karyl
Posted by smithfamilyweblog on September 6, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Well, if I hadn’t an inkling that it was tad ridiculous, it wouldn’t have made it here to begin with! Kind of left myself open there.
And, what is it with moms and measuring tapes? I am cleaning my bag out this weekend, but the tape stays.
Posted by Gramma Great on September 7, 2008 at 8:26 am
I also have the tiny heart–I DO remember! That was a few years ago!!
Posted by smithfamilyweblog on September 7, 2008 at 9:19 am
It was–more than I’d like to remember! And I do still have it, though that’s one thing I’m not carrying in my purse, oddly enough!
Posted by double L on September 7, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Are you carrying the passport from your trip to Canada in 2006 or 2007?
My mom always carried red life savers. They seemed to cure everything from hunger to bad moods to boredom.
The strangest thing in my purse is an unused doggie-doo bag and doggie treats. We’re not so different, but Coca is more easily distracted than a toddler.
Posted by smithfamilyweblog on September 7, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Yes, it’s from my trip in 2007. I took it out. I have no idea where to put it.
Gramma always carried Certs, I think an effort to keep us quiet in church. Mom always had Dentyne, which was her cure for most everything, too.
I usually have a diaper stuck in my purse–I guess I need to restock!
Posted by Jessica on September 7, 2008 at 7:34 pm
If this helps, I cleaned out the back hatch of my car recently and had 3 shoes…none in pairs. DVDs, tire cleaner, flares, notebooks, a paperclip holder, a roll of toilet paper, cat food, 2 bras and various other stupid office items. No sense in it!
Posted by Bryan iPhone on September 7, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I would make fun of bec, but I carry an extra pair of shoes in my wallet too.
Posted by karyl on September 8, 2008 at 6:17 am
So, what is the story behind the hearts? And, Jess – bras and toilet paper?? What have you been doing in your car?
Posted by smithfamilyweblog on September 8, 2008 at 6:24 am
Mom, Gramma and I went to this little tea shop in Louisville before I moved to Madison, and I bought little glass hearts for everyone. Well, technically, I think Mom bought them.
And, Jess, that’s hilarious. “Three shoes, none in pairs.” I have a free standing sound system, a banner that says “Welcome family and friends,” a double stroller, an umbrella stroller, a diaper bag and a breast pump. I was just talking about trading the Beast in for a Civic, but I’m going to need to find more storage space first.
Posted by Rebecca's Mom on September 8, 2008 at 8:01 am
The reason that I ended up buying the little hearts is that Rebecca decided she wanted to buy one for each of us, picked them out, took them to the cash register, looked in her purse to pay (45 cents, total) and turned to me and said, “Mom, can I borrow some money?”
Posted by smithfamilyweblog on September 8, 2008 at 8:36 am
Actual money takes up precious space I can use for hand lotion.
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[…] course, everyone seems to love posts in which I am a little too honest… Seriously. You guys like those. A […]
Posted by Karyl on April 18, 2012 at 4:38 am
I had forgotten about this post – I am laughing so much rereading this – what a great way to start my day!
Posted by Nicky on April 18, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Doesn’t everyone have a measuring tape in their purse? Sometimes you just need to measure things…