and men wonder why...

so. i got to thinking about my purse today. like most mom’s, i carry a small suitcase. not even kidding. it’s a messenger bag…and it’s FULL. now, granted when i’m going out, just me, for one evening, i can usually reduce the load to JUST my small wallet, lip gloss and phone. done. simple. but: for any other given day…there’s no way to reduce the amount of STUFF in there.

why? what in the world could women possibly need that takes up that much space? here you go. you asked for it: the glimpse inside a woman’s purse:

basics:

wallet: contains drivers license, debit cards, check book, car insurance, medical insurance, “club” cards (you know…safeway, fred meyer, shopko, barnes and noble…any and every store that has ever asked you to sign up for anything), credit cards, gift cards, punch cards, pictures of kids/family, receipts, notes to self, phone numbers of kids friends (if you have kids), half completed shopping lists, stamps, a recipe from a friend, and hidden somewhere in there (usually) the emergency $20 that your dad told you to carry AT ALL TIMES. (i split all this into TWO wallets)

cell phone

mp3 player

sun glasses

lip gloss/lipstick

water bottle

work id/entry card

organizer: these are losing space to smart phones that can hold contacts/appointments

pens (usually 3 that don’t work, one that does)

gum

camera: also losing space to smart phones that have good pic quality/can record short movie clips

medication: tylenol, ibuprofen, excedrin, midol, benedryl

touch up kit: compact, extra lip gloss, eyeliner, bobby pins, brush/comb

emergency kit: spare tampons/pads, condoms

disaster kit: small hairspray or nail polish, nail file, nail clippers, floss, toothbrush (in some form), wet wipes small super glue, bobby pins, safety pins, sewing kit, dryer sheets (don’t ask, they work for EVERYTHING)

mom expansion pack (after graduation from diaper bag):

fruit snacks/general snacks

1st aid kit: bandaids, neosporin, gauze, gloves

toys

crayons

drawing paper (envelopes from bills will work)

kid gum (the other stuff is “too hot”)

nerd expansion pack:

journal (or two)

hard cover book

additional electronics/gadgets

add to this miscellaneous things that get thrown in for odd reasons (i once had the pcv pipe to my car in my purse for a few days), extra scraps of paper, notes to self, spare change, odds and ends, kid trash, tupperware containers, extra napkins…it all takes up space! and this is just MY purse...each woman had her own stock/supply that she likes to/has to carry around (a friend is a diabetic...she has to carry her supplies with her). so. next time you even THINK about asking what the hell is in there...stop, think, remember all the different things you've asked for that have always magically appeared. now you know why/how.