I don’t know why others blog, but for me, it’s a chance to dump out all the clutter in my brain, swirl it around, and finally find the fantastic idea that I put in there a few days ago.
It’s kinda like cleaning out my purse, only in search of memories instead of mints.
And with less lint.
***
So I’m excited to participate in a new blog carnival. Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife (the source of that great Mad Men Era Icon Quiz I posted Saturday) is launching this tomorrow:
Want to join in with me? I’ve actually started the brain dump early, to find something GOOD to share with you tomorrow.
Good thing, cuz it turns out my “purse” was full to overflowing. And to dig down to the good stuff, I need to toss some of the random linty mints, used tissues, and Happy Meal toys in the recycling bin TODAY.
Here’s what I mean. Linty mints from this week:
I’m learning…
…that I really truly seriously hate housekeeping. And I’m totally conflicted on whether I need to just suck it up and do it already, or now that I’m officially a Working Mom, I can just hire a housekeeper. Either way I’ve gotta do something about it if my husband is ever going to have a non-dusty TV screen. And a gunk-free shower.
…that I am really too indecisive as a parent. In this way my Saturday quiz result WAS accurate. And what’s funny is when I actually stick to a decision as a mom, my kids eventually accept it. That is such a rare occurrence that it merits a journal entry, which has finally convinced me that I need to be more decisive. Maybe. Or not. Hm.
…that I need a style makeover. Or technically, a style, um, make? Whatever you call it when a person finally gets ANY style. Have I mentioned that I’m over 40? And I still live only feel comfortable in a T-shirt and jeans? Stacey and Clinton, where are you?
…that I …um… AWDANGITIFORGOT. Twitter distracted me.
…that I have the attention span of a piece of lint.
…that I’m some weird combination of hermit and extrovert. And that’s another reason I love blogging. I get to think out loud without actually, you know, talking to anyone. Or taking a shower.
***
Okay, I’m glad I got those out of the way. Tomorrow I’ll share the biggest thing I’ve learned this week.
Think of it as something from my purse that I want to keep.
Like my wallet. My sugarless gum (Yes, I’m still trying to avoid sugar. It’s a b*tch.) My keys. Coupons and gift cards that I always forget to use but haven’t actually expired yet.
You get the idea.
***
If you want to join tomorrow”s carnival, just blog about what you’ve learned in the past seven days. Then visit Jo-Lynne on Tuesday to see how to link up.
(If you want, you can tell her that I sent you and I’m really awesome and she should totally take me under her wing and mentor me in blogging when I see her at BlissDom in two weeks.)
Don’t have a blog and want to dump out your brain? Get ready to share in the comments tomorrow!
And by the way, here’s my actual purse and its contents, dumped this morning:
So what’s in YOUR wallet?
18 responses so far ↓
1 @ngie // Jan 26, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Wow – you might have won something from Bob on the Price is Right with that trove.
2 Beth // Jan 26, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I've taken to keeping my purse in my car…less items find their way in that way. But the diaper bag is stuffed!
Hmmm….I totally agree with the hermit/extrovert diagnosis for myself as well. Including the lack of shower.
3 Helen // Jan 26, 2009 at 8:05 pm
If hermits can sing and dance in the grocery store, then so am I! Otherwise, I am just an odd combination of sorts.
BTW, how did my lint get into your purse all the way in Georgia? Or did you get your own lint? And why would you do that when I have so much that I could just send over to you and share….
4 Nina in Portugal // Jan 26, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I wish I could enlarge that picture…I promise I see an electric pencil sharpener.
Maybe it's a good thing i can't enlarge it!
5 katdish // Jan 26, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Oh Steph, look on the bright side — at least your breath is always minty fresh! There are sections of my purse that I don't even go into.
I have told myself many times, "Self, starting tomorrow, you are going to wake up before the kids, take a shower and get dressed! That way you will feel motivated to get some things done!" Then the morning comes, and I say to myself, "What is this, communist China or something? The shower will still be there after the kids get to school, and I've been neglecting quality time with my temperpedic."
6 Steph // Jan 26, 2009 at 8:49 pm
@ngie, Yeah, I think I would've gotten to "Come on down!" on the Price is Right for sure. I never did understand those women who carried kitchen utensils or jumper cables in their purses. Then I became a mom. I'm totally there now.
Beth- I think God created the Internet with US in mind. At least I thank him profusely for it every day that I look at my scuzzy self in the mirror and decide to skip the shower.
Helen- Hermits can DEFINITELY sing and dance in the store. We're like those trolls that occasionally come out from under bridges to ask wandering children strange questions. People kinda expect crazy from trolls and hermits. We make fairy tales worth reading. As for the lint, I snuck into your house a couple nights ago ans stole it. (By the way, I love what you've done with the kitchen.)
Nina- Maybe I made it unbiggenable on purpose… I'm tricksy that way. And you see a pencil sharpener, huh? That makes this pic a little of a Rohrshach test: What do YOU see in the pile of junk? Is the "sharpener" one of the black things? Close to my kids' pics? Cuz that's actually a bundled camera cable. (I keep my camera in my purse, and so I keep my USB connector in there because, well, I'd lose it anywhere else.)
7 Steph // Jan 26, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Katdish, yes, my mattress and I have an especially close relationship. But my couch is the second love of my life, and I would gladly spend the day on it in the ratty sweats that I went to bed in. I'm klassy that way.
8 Rachel @ Grasping... // Jan 27, 2009 at 1:16 am
Great post – and congrats on going to BlissDom!!! I thought about it. . . I really did. But I'm just not ready yet. Maybe I'll meet you there next year!!
9 thedomesticfringe // Jan 27, 2009 at 3:36 am
That's a lot of stuff in your purse. You've made me feel better. My purse is the family dumping ground. Everything ends up in my purse and gets forever lost. It's a nightmare. I dread looking for my keys.
You've learned a lot this week. I haven't thought long enough to realize if I've learned anything or not. I think I'm too tired to think that hard tonight…that didn't make a bit of sense. Not suprising.
Can't wait for tomorrow's post!
-FringeGirl
10 Amy Warden // Jan 27, 2009 at 4:01 am
I purposefully bought a small purse so that I couldn't carry around too much STUFF. However, once my wallet goes in, there isn't room for much else. Like a water bottle, for instance. Totally will not fit in my purse.
11 sherri // Jan 27, 2009 at 4:14 am
I'm the same weird combo of hermit and extovert- I've never really thought about it but you're right ,and blogdom is the perfect fit for hermitverts!
(I have a secret purse fetish- I love your purse-and have a collection that all hold these amazing what nots!)
Steph, you make me feel so…so….NORMAL.
I love you!
12 Steph // Jan 27, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Rachel- I think I understand. I went away for a wknd when my firstborn was almost 2, and I had an anxiety attack in the airport. You never feel "ready" but it does get easier. After three, I'd leave mine with the mailman to travel to a conference.
FringeGirl- I need organized purses because I am so disorganized. My keys are actually on a carabiner (those clips rock climbers use) and always hooked to the outside of my purse. Works wonders. But yeah, I've been out and found that I was carrying one of Abby's stuffed animals and LC's Nintendo DS in my purse. And the kids weren't even with me.
Amy- I used to be all about small purses. But I guess a couple years ago I finally admitted defeat and got a Mom Purse. Oh, and I LOVE your website! Everyone go there right now. Her homemade soaps look scrumptious!
Sherri- I'm tellin you, we hermitverts are like the trolls under the bridge. Fairy tales would be less interesting without us.
And my purse– I KNOW! Isn't adorable?! My super duper duper duper stylish sister and mom gave it to me for my birthday two years ago. I still love it. Also, maybe my mission as a blogger is to make people like me feel "normal." The question is, are there enough people like me to read it?
13 Jo@Mylestones // Jan 27, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Three things:
!) I vote for getting a housekeeper. As we say in consultingville, "Outsource the stuff that isn't your core competency." That was for free (unlike the housekeeper).
2) That picture you posted scared me. You might need the housekeeper to have a go at your purse as the first matter of business.
3) LONG LIVE THE HERMIVERTS!
14 JennCallingHome // Jan 27, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Wow! I think you're gonna need a bigger purse!
15 BeckeyZ // Jan 27, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Is that a cassette tape you had in your purse? I don't even think I have anything to play a cassette on anymore. Oh wait, yes I do, well, the kids do. In fact, I keep my old cassettes in a case so someday I can replace them with cd's or download them.
My purse could beat your purse in a throwdown, though. I consider it a legal weapon, it's so heavy.
16 sherri // Jan 27, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Becky Z, sounds like a challenge! I'm a purse nut! (Cause no matter how much weight you gain (or how bad your hair is,) a purse fits perfectly and is a stand alone accessory.
I like 'em on sale though, and given as GIFTS, in case someone is looking for gift ideas for their sHort little Italian friend walking with a kadonkadonk following closely behind!(Steph, that's a HUGE hint- in case you didn't catch it!)
17 thefarmerfiles // Jan 28, 2009 at 12:06 am
No way did that all fit in your purse!
18 Heartbreak and handbags | Katdish.net // Apr 11, 2011 at 10:08 pm
[...] a purpose for everything she had in there. Contrast that to Steph’s post awhile back about stuff in her purse. Which is waaayyyy closer to what is in my [...]
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