Purse Confessions

I have a confession to share with you. I used to never carry a purse. Sure when I was a little girl I did because that is what most little girls do. I had a pink purse that I carried when I was young, and I left it at Flakey Jakes once. I used to love Flakey Jakes it was the best burger joint in the world. I was devastated when I lost my pink purse. My mom called them and they asked for some kind of identification because anyone could really call up somewhere and say I lost my purse and then claim someone else’s property. So, the only thing I carried in the purse was a tube of Neosporin. What kind of weird child does that? Well my childhood best friend’s dad used to work at the place they made Neosporin and I am thinking that he gave me that tube, as I don’t remember purchasing it myself.  I was able to get my purse and my coveted tube of Neosporin back, in case you were concerned.

I think I might have carried a purse occasionally in high school, but nothing to where I can remember. I just put money in my pocket and that worked for me. When I got my bank account, I carried my debit card in my pocket along with ID. I didn’t even have a wallet. Most women’s wallets are huge and I didn’t wanna try and cram that in my pocket, I would look like a clown.  I finally bought a wallet in 2005. It was more of a billfold with Strawberry Shortcake on it. I still have this wallet, even though it is almost 7 years old. It has corduroy on it and it is still in perfect condition just a little dirty in spots. I would carry in my back pocket, when I first bought it. I still didn’t carry a purse.  They are just something extra you have to deal with, and I was fine as long as I had pockets.  When I was married, I had my ex-husband carry my cards for me in his wallet.

Right after Noah was born, my mom came to me, and sat me down and we had a talk. She said “It’s time for you to start carrying a purse.” She was right, babies have a lot of stuff, I would have probably been happy with just a diaper bag, but sometimes I didn’t wanna lug the diaper bag around to the grocery store or whatever. I wanted to be able to throw a diaper in my purse and be done with it.  So, my mom gave me an old purse. It is a Jones New York purse and even though it is 8 years old it is still in really good condition. It only has a few stains and no rips or tears.  I still am using this purse and despite the ridicule of family members about my Strawberry Shortcake wallet I still use that too.  Occasionally I get compliments from cashiers about it. It’s cute and practical for me.  My sister went as far as to buy me a “big girl” wallet, I never used it, it is sitting in a drawer, with the tags still on it.  There isn’t a change place in my wallet so on the bottom of my purse there are coins, which also works for me.

I am not someone who cares about if they have a Prada or a Coach purse. I don’t have a purse collection. I haven’t spent hundreds on purses. Heck it was a hand me down, and it is still a great purse. I have thought about buying a backup purse, but now I think about it, I have a lot of memories with this purse. Maybe someday it will fall apart and I will get a new one. Otherwise I think I will keep using it. It may as well be my trademark accessory.

Can I Have Some Apple Dippers?

Last weekend, I went to Super Walmart. I was there for what seemed like 3 eternities, scouring the Valentine’s clearance, finding every Wilton product on clearance in the store, which I was able to score some good deals.  After my what felt like 6 years in Walmart, I was famished. There is a McDonald’s in that particular Walmart so I decided to get a snack. Now, before all the Mickey D haters come out of the wood work, I eat it in moderation.  I got a cheeseburger and a small fry. I had sworn McDonald’s off for a month after coming home from my best friend Brandy’s house in New Hampshire; this was well after that time period was up, so I figured it’s OK.  I had to get Noah something too; I mean that would be mean not to, right? So, I order him some Apple Dippers.  The manager informs me that they discontinued the caramel cup.  At first I was like no big deal, because my son doesn’t eat that part.  It dawned on me, while watching my fries cook that I ate that part.  I wanted to cry, that was the best part. I ate it with a spoon. That was my special treat, and now it is gone.

The more I think about it, I wonder why. Sure it’s got sugar in it, really all it is sugar, but what is like 2 teaspoons of caramel going to do? You get three dips out of it and it’s gone. Let’s do some McMath shall we? There are approximately ten apples in a package and you get three dips. So ten minus three equals seven, that is seven apples without caramel.  I wonder what pack of angry parents threw a fit about a little caramel; it isn’t like the ratio of caramel to apples was outrageous. I wished the cups were bigger, but never complained that it was bad. It really makes me flabbergasted that it was that big of a deal.  Last I checked, and I have had plenty of Apple Dippers in my life, that it is in a separate cup, not poured over like molten lava. I need to buy some caramel and apples now.  Parents could have said please no caramel or not let their child have it. Maybe a better solution would be asked would you like the caramel cup? So, it’s not wasteful when they order their happy meals.  Let’s face it; it’s still healthier than fries.  I mean remember it is two teaspoons full.   I highly doubt that could do any harm. Maybe if you filled a bathtub full of it, but its moderation folks.

So, once again, an angry parent mob, more than likely has ruined something I love, because they are on a warpath.  Rest in Peace Apple Dippers. You are just now sliced apples in a bag.

Kids Shell Collection Craft

Most kids love shells. I know Noah thinks they are the coolest thing ever. He loves going on mud walks with my mom and finding shells anywhere he can.  We have a million of them.  My mom has been collecting them for years and years.  We went to the Saint Petersburg Shell Show today, it was a lot of fun and they had an absolutely brilliant craft idea that I had to share with you guys.   Most kids don’t really know the difference between the different shells. There are hundreds maybe thousands of different types of shells.  Instead of gluing shell bits on paper, or whatever easy craft they could have provided for kids, they decided to do something different.  They obviously put a lot of time and work in to the craft provided. They also offered a couple coloring sheets for those who weren’t interested in the main craft, but Noah was thrilled. He was so excited, it was so cool to see how shell smart he is.

This craft would be perfect for kids that just got home from the beach with a bunch of shells.

Kid’s Shell Collection

Supplies:

Shells you found at the beach- Different types

A clean egg carton

6 cotton balls

Two pieces of construction paper

School Glue

Thin Labels

Shell identifying book or the internet

Directions:

Cut out two shapes that will fit the outside and inside lid of the egg carton, make sure you cut a hole for the ridge of the inside of the egg carton lid. On the piece of paper with the hole draw 12 boxes.

Glue the pieces of construction paper to the top of the lid and the inside of the lid.

Take the 6 cotton balls and rip them in half so you have 12 cotton ball pieces

Put a small dab of glue in each egg spot and press in a cotton ball

Choose your shells and identify them

Write the name of the shell on the label and put it in the corresponding hole.  Place the label on the inside lid of the egg carton and Voila you have your very own shell collection.

How cool is that? Noah loved it.  I am sure if you have a shell you can’t identify you can email me and Noah and I can figure it out for you.

A special thanks to the St. Pete Shell Club for sharing this craft idea with us, and of course making my son’s week for loving shells as much as he does.