Just when you think you know a girl, look in her purse.
Here’s what went down.
Last weekend was the 10th Annual Sisterhood Mother-Daughter Christmas Tea Party. Are you doing the math? It was JANUARY last weekend—NOT December.
Ten years ago, when we were young mothers, we thought a tea party would be a grand idea—one more chance for the sweet babies to wear their pretty Christmas dresses! We even had little tea pots, and there was, and still is, a book exchange among the not-so-little-any-more girls (yep, we started the love-of-books-brain-washing young!). This year, an evil virus took down one of the families over Christmas, hence, the post-holiday date. With our combined schedules, we are oh-so-lucky we weren’t singing yuletide carols by the pool in June, but, whatever, on with the Fa-La-La-ing.
We were all just sitting around coffee-klatching it up. Yes, we know we JUST said it was a TEA party, but it was decided about 3 seconds into the first tea party that the tea was really just for the girls. (And really the “tea” was water because we’re not insane.) We Moms require something with a little higher octane. The lovely afternoon hummed with the sounds of old friends catching up and the girls playing oh-so-beautifully when . . .
Ellen: Why on earth do you have a paper towel roll in your purse? You don’t even use paper towels.
Erin: embarrassed giggle
Ellen: I feel like I just walked in on a vegetarian devouring a Big Mac.
Suddenly all eyes are on Erin. The Sisterhood all know The Big Secret, but most people do not: Erin’s family does not use paper towels. They broke their Bounty habit about 4 years ago and haven’t looked back. The only negative is when people find out. Nothing gets a room whipped into a frenzy faster than a woman who has abandoned her paper products. They start sputtering, “HOW can you do that?” Then they belligerently berate, “But what about raw meat juices and vomit!?!” And it goes on and on.
So Erin is quick to go on the defensive when someone shines a spotlight on it— like lightning-fast, hair-trigger defensive. You CANNOT believe how crazy people get over the No-Paper-Towel lifestyle. Or can you? Calm yourself. It’s not like she doesn’t use toilet paper.
Ultimately, this was not a grand confessional moment. She was only the runner! Erin was ferrying the paper towel rolls to a neighbor to be transformed into swords for a birthday party. Can we all just agree now that Pinterest is going to be the death of us all?
But it definitely got us to thinking about what other secrets might be uncovered in the great abysses known as our purses. So here’s . . .
10 Things Our Purses Reveal About Us
Ellen
Erin is not the only environmentalist in the Sisterhood — her with her radical No Paper Towel Policy. My purse shows that I’m trying to save the planet by keeping the world’s garbage in my purse instead of sending it to a landfill. Here are some highlights.
1. Same red bird ornament as Erin.
The first rule of Red Bird Club is do not talk about Red Bird Club.
2. Sunday School ornament nestled up to some screws.
Can we take a moment to respect the character that is my baby? In church, my 12 year old sunshine created a Christmas decoration hashtagged YOLO and SWAG. While SWAG might be fitting for my Savior, He definitely was THE exception for “You only live once.”
Can we not talk about why I have not one, but two five Christmas ornaments in my purse in February?
By the way, matching up those screws is what is standing between me and a finished laundry closet. That and 13 hours of labor.
3. USB cord.
I’m a gal who is always prepared. In the countryside that I call home, it is not uncommon for internet to drop out. When you do something as important as blog for no profit, you need to be prepared to tether your cell phone as a hotspot . . . that is, if you happen to have any bars. I should blog with smoke signals.
4. Two wallets are heavier than one.
See that super cute Coach wristlet on the left? That was going to be the answer to lightening my load – only the essential cards and cash AND I could just grab it and go when I didn’t want to drag around my whole garbage can, I mean purse. The reality? I haven’t cleaned my wallet out to make sure I have all of my essentials, so now I’m dragging them BOTH around.
5. A card is worth a thousand words.
This trio of cards landed together. It was like a tea leaves reading: a Dunkin’ Donuts card, a Lego card, and a Kohl’s coupon for Black Friday. (Once again, I know it is now February.) Make of it what you will.
Erin
I kind of suspect that this is what the inside of my head looks like.
6. Same Red Bird as Ellen
First Rule of Red Bird Club is do not talk about Red Bird Club.
7. 400 Speed Film
Hmmm. I don’t even use my film camera any more since I took up with the fabulous DSLR Nikon. Yes, ladies, sometimes shiny and new can sway you from tried and true. I suspect I found these when cleaning out a drawer and said “Wow, I should really get that developed”, but I have no recollection of having this conversation with myself. Perhaps the person who swiped my camera bag left these in exchange. It’ s a Nancy Drew mystery.
8. Business Cards
Super important to have on hand when you are blogging for no profit.
9. Survival Stockpile
Purse or Suburban Mom Survivalist pack? You decide. You can’t really see it in this picture, but there’s even an emergency medical kit hidden in an Altoids tin, complements of my little Cub Scout. With this bag in tow, just grab a great hat, put on your best Indiana Jones swagger, and pilot that mini-van towards your next adventure. You could survive for days in the suburban jungle with this mess.
10. Birth Certificate and Social Security Card
All apologies to my mom and dad who actually spent one Saturday morning looking through THEIR files for these documents. I found these nice and safe in an envelope in my purse.
Who carries around their birth certificate, you ask? This girl!! You see I am going away with my husband for the first time in a long time. Not away, like “Hey, kids, we are hanging out in the basement. Go destroy the rest of the house” away, but more like “Hey, we’ll send you a postcard. Please don’t kill your grandparents before we get back” kind of away.
We are going on the kind of away that requires a passport and about 40 mom-hours worth of work before the magical, hanging-out with my husband sans kids can happen. Super-excited for the trip AND that I found these documents!
Of course, our souvenir from the last trip like this is in kindergarten now, which reminds of a few more things that I should put on my to-do list.
PS– Do you see that I carry my husband’s old swiss army knife?? Wasn’t kidding about that Survivalist pack.
So, in the end, this look inside the purses doesn’t end up being a grand confessional either. Just more of what you have come to expect: a little silly, a little sensible, a little sweet.
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Thanks! Erin and Ellen
The tree frog is of the utmost importance; that’s what I’ve concluded from all that!
Lady Estrogen recently posted..Twitter is tough crowd to please
Me too!! Erin
2 things:
1) Ellen, honey! How big is your purse?! 🙂
2) Erin, it sounds like you’re the person we want around in an emergency, thanks to your survival essentials kit 🙂
You gals are brave, thanks for baring all (purse stuff). What about the coyote?!
Nikki recently posted..Still Holding Strong
Poor coyote. I don’t think he knew he would be partying down with The Sisterhood. Erin
My name is sparkling. And ummm, I don’t use paper towels. I haven’t bought them since 1996. And I’m not kidding. People think I am crazy. I don’t hesitate to use paper towels at someone else’s house, I’m just not going to spend money on them myself. I just use dishtowels or rags. And then. I WASH them. They can’t be any more bacteria laden than our underwear and just wash them instead of throwing them away, right? And I usually will at least rinse the dishtowel or rag before putting it in the laundry. I bet none of you ever rinse your underwear before it hits the laundry basket.
sparkling74 recently posted..This Is A Boy Fest
Fistbump from me to you! Erin
Hi. My name is Nicole, and the reason I need Erin to be my contraband paper towel roll dealer is….we don’t use them either! The swords didn’t come out quite the way Pinterest said they would, but I’m going to blame The Husband for that one. He insisted on spray-painting them silver instead of just covering them in foil like I wanted to, and now we have 3 sets of silvery-colored hands here at my house. I suspect every household who attended our party has at least one set of silvery hands right now, and are cursing us for not only having a party on Super Bowl Sunday, but also for giving their kids Tin Man Hands as well.
Wow three of us in one post who don’t use paper towels? Amazing!
So Ellen, you’re the go-to if I need Internet access when out and about, and Erin, I’ll come to you if I’m ever in a Bear Grylls survival situation, sans his smarts, agility, strength and ability to eat live things without gagging.
Good to know!
Alison recently posted..Dear Nutella
Like Ellen, I’ve got a LEGO card, and Altoids tin, and a Bed, Bath, and Beyond 20% off coupon!
Like Erin, I’ve got a book (well, my Kindle), tooth brush & toothpaste, and my camera.
I didn’t even know you could buy film anymore!
The Dose of Reality recently posted..The Most Shameful Parenting Moment I Have Ever Faced
Oh how I love your Red Bird Club and the fact that there are ornaments in your purses! (It makes me feel less weird about the musical instruments in mine.) On a side note, I *love* the tea party thing and that you get to do it together! This has been one of my favorite Listicles to read, and it’s not even Monday yet!
Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. recently posted..Why I Need to Break Up With My Diaper Bag
Oh this is SO funny!!! I love the “because I blog for no profit”… HILARIOUS! (I so get that) And what’s with the ornaments? That one intrigues me… and I can’t LIVE without my bounty. Just sayin’ Erin. 😉
Chris Carter recently posted..February Friend #1
LOL, yes, it’s VERY important to have those biz cards. I’m in the same boat. I always feel good when I say, “Let me give you my card” & I actually have one for my blog. That makes me no money. Well, almost none… 🙂 Good list–entertaining as always!
Lisa C recently posted..Ten Things That are NOT in my Purse
Love the little red birds : ) and the USB Cable. LOL – I would impress the heck out of my man if I carried around one of those
Lori recently posted..What’s in Mama’s Purse?
Hi – my name is Lucy and little did I know what I was getting into when I asked Erin to take the empty paper towel tubes to Nicole. I had no idea that neither of them used paper towels.
All those toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste and dental floss remind me of my purse on the day I bring home the kids from a visit to the dentist. I cleaned out my purse a few days ago and still have my travel toothbrush and some mini-sized dental floss.
I think the red bird should be you new logo. Seriously. I’m not kidding. I mean, there has to be a reason you both are carrying it around. Why can’t that be your reason? Or can you not talk about it?
Bridget recently posted..Monday Listicles
That is a brilliant idea. (But for the love of ornithology, STOP TALKING ABOUT IT.) 🙂 Ellen
I am very afraid to go visiting and commenting this week. So much trouble I could get into as a guy. As such, I will be safe and just say that was a fun read. That is safe right?
Wayne recently posted..Monday Quiz
Ok ya’ll have me beat.. I am guilty of the receipts though and once a week I will pull them all out of my purse because they drive me batty.
Southern Angel recently posted..What’s in your purse??fanny pack?? wallet.. Monday Listicles
I don’t carry a purse! I do have a coach wristlet with my phone a credit card, debit card and my id that I never leave without. And when I do use a purse it is obvious it is only for fashions sake. The only thing in it is the wristlet and a tube of lip gloss. If I should run into trouble, I won’t last long!
Jane@FromADoctorsWife recently posted..Medical Monday’s – I Love it!
Yes!! Another over the shoulder trash can holder. I feel validated!
Ducky recently posted..Life Crumbs-Mystery Bag Unveiling
So funny! Even though I have to admit to using paper towels, I can join you gals in carrying around trash in my purse (lots of receipts, leaftlets, candy wrappers). However, for most emergencies, one toothbrush should be enough 😉
Anja recently posted..Pink Sparkly Bead Bracelet – Tutorial
I’ve always thought tea parties were kind of boring, but that coyote has me rethinking that stance. What else have I been missing?
Amy recently posted..Just Add Water: My Week Condensed 2/4/13
I am loving all these purse dump pics. It’s like my sons I SPY books, but with better items to search for and more fun.
Do I spy a tree frog?
Rorybore recently posted..4M: Blue Monday
you know, it had never occurred to me not to use paper towels. I’ve read blogs of people who don’t use tp, and well let’s leave it at that, but paper towels? I tell you, it’s got me thinking…
BonnyBard recently posted..Monday Listicles – The Purse Edition
I too am saving the world by “keeping the world’s garbage in my purse instead of sending it to a landfill,” but I’ve never before thought to put it that poetically…
Also–you need to develop that film STAT and post the pictures on the blog.
nothingbythebook recently posted..How un-helicopter mothers parent, part deux
THAT is a great idea (but don’t hold your breath). 🙂 Ellen
So I take it now recent purse cleaning out over here huh? LOL! Now you know you are going to have to do a post about #7 right?
Kenya G. Johnson recently posted..Junk in my trunk…
I am in awe of the storage possibilities of your bags – they are so spacious! I love that you have a red bird club and the USB cord and survival kit are really great ideas.
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..10 Things in My Purse
Tea party – such a great idea! Without the tea? Even better. Loved the glimpse inside the worlds of your purses!
hollow tree ventures recently posted..My Toddler: Genius or Tyrant?
Erin, in solidarity I will admit it: I don’t use paper napkins, and never have. I only use paper towels for cleaning the bathrooms, never in the kitchen. I’ve been low-paper my entire adult life. Yes, people do freak about it.
Ginger Kay recently posted..St. Valentine’s Day – Isn’t it kinda fun?
Blogging with smoke signals – Awesome. It’s so funny how you have all that stuff from months ago. I guess if I were evaluating my diaper bag I would come up with some major surprises from the past months – like bad, smelly surprises, like I did last week when I found my daughter’s soiled pants, trapped in a ziploc bag for a week. Gag.
Kate Hall recently posted..Crap In My Mom’s Purse
I’m so glad your purses have random stuff in them! It makes me feel so much better. The paper towel story is just a classic! And yes, Pinterest will be the death of us all!
Stacey recently posted..Oh the irony
I don’t feel so bad anymore. There are others like me out there. I seriously giggled at the film. I once found a disposable camera in the bottom of my purse and had it developed. I had no idea where it came from, whose it was, or what was on it. Let’s just say I saw parts of my brother in law that I NEVER wanted to see. Clearly the camera was not mine. Lesson learned.
Delilah recently posted..Staying Healthy During the Sick Season
Oh my goodness, that’s awesome! Silly BIL. First rule of disposable cameras is keep that close at hand. Erin
There I was going ‘u la la she is a film girl! Fancy!!’ And you just haven’t tidied up in a while 😉 I want a red bird to go with my lego card!
Stasha recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
WOW! I get the USB cable and the old film, but I do have one question. Three tubes of toothpaste??? 🙂
Taylor recently posted..Victoria’s Secret Simply Breathless ~ Review
My kids like to use me as their pack mule. We were post-dental appointment. Erin
I grew up in a no paper towel household. I didn’t even know they existed until I went into a Kmart one day after I was married (didn’t know Kmarts existed either) and bought some paper towels. I have been hooked ever sense and use them with a vengence!
Seriously, Mary? How has this never come up before? Love it, Erin
Ummmmmm….wow….I actually stopped chowing down on my Doritos when I saw the pic of Ellen’s purse. 😀
The two wallets and Bath & Body soap brought me back to reality.
Diane recently posted.."Crap" In My Purse #Monday Listicles
Ha! Erin
I’m still in shock of what was in your bag. hahahaha
Kerry B recently posted..Demi Moore Tough
We usually try to keep this under wraps. Feeling a little vulnerable. Erin
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