confession

 I LOVE MY GATOR!  I was not thrilled in December when the family came home with MY Christmas present.  Who's kidding who?  A gator for mom... I don't think so.
But I take all the nasty things I said (yep, they were nasty) back.  I gardened all day today and used the gator for everything -- hauling mulch, hauling plants, hauling and dumping weeds and dirt, carrying my watering cans and tools.  It was also my shady spot when I took my water breaks.  I'm no longer sure how I functioned with a wagon and four-wheeler or wheel barrow.  I'm spoiled.
So spoiled that I have debated asking DH for a garage door opener -- it's a pain to get off the gator to open the shed door.....

phone crazy

I got a Blackberry about 3 weeks ago, then I lost my mind. I used to have an old flip phone. I didn't text with it, 'cause I couldn't figure out how to erase if I made a mistake. When I did text it was only to DH, and he learned to read around my typos. That worked for us, 'cause I had to do the same thing when he sent me a text.
In my bid to become more technologically relevant I headed to Rogers to get an iPhone (I NEEDED those Apps!) but the gal there convinced me that the iPhone was for "play" and the Blackberry was for "work." Since I was justifying the purchase as being NECESSARY for work, I had to go with the Blackberry. I am impressed with how easy it has been to learn to use.

Now, how did I lose my mind? I first noticed the insanity when I had to carry it around with me at ALL times. It comes with a holder that clips to the waistband of my pants. That meant I could no longer wear my dresses or jumpers (no place to clip the Blackberry...) My old phone stayed in my purse -- I often missed calls (DH is the only one who called me, and when I noticed I'd missed the call, either I was already home and talking to him, or I called back. Easy) Now when the phone rings, I jump. My blood rushes. It's for me. It's still only DH, but I really like the ring tone....
I also get a weird thrill when I get an email, or text. I feel the little vibrate (not THAT kind of a thrill) and I get excited that someone has something to say to me. I try REALLY hard not to check right away -- I learned that's poor Blackberry etiquette -- but I check as soon as socially appropriate.
I was wearing Blackberry on the band of my trackpants at home, whilest doing the cleaning. I came to my senses when I nearly dropped the thing in the toilet. Note to self -- do NOT check emails and clean the can at the same time....
Told ya -- crazy!

This is my purse. It's big. It's turquoise. It fits EVERYTHING in it that I need, including a flashlight (ya never know...), my book and cross-stitching ('cause one can only watch so many baseball practices), wallet, keys, kleenex, bank book(s), notebook, IPod (again with the baseball thing and my ADHD) etc. No different than any other woman's purse.

I went shopping with my friend Lynn today. Visited some neat little shops; it figures that I came home with many more bags that she did. Amongst my purchases is a new black purse. I already have 5 black purses, but I will justify this one in that it is a leather backpack purse. Perfect for the trip to the zoo we have planned as I can carry everyone's "stuff" and not break my back like my big turquoise suitcase/purse would.

In our trek today I found a new favourite thing! It's called a Pouchee and it's like a little purse/wallet all in one. It's meant to sit inside a bigger purse and and make it easy to switch between purses. It's 18cm long by 13 cm high and 8 cm wide. There's room for credit and bank cards, lipstick (2 in my case), keys, my Advil bottle, small brush, change purse, money and cell phone. Each has it's own wee pocket. It looks good enough that you could likely carry it on it's own if you needed to. I love that I can switch from Big Turquoise to my new black backpack in just a second; to get ready to go for an outing requiring a smaller black purse (of which, I am sure there will be many ...)


This is a close up of the pouchee. Purchased at the coolest shop called "Is this Chair Taken?" in New Hamburg, Ontario.

So why the obsession with purses? I'd say it ranks up there with shoes. And I know it's not just me, 'cause too many other ladies comment on my purse(s) or shoes and compare notes. My theory is that with shoes and purses you really only need to consider colour and size and they will always look good. With jeans, bathing suits (heaven forbid) and everything else we buy we need to spend more time pondering body type, big this, not enough that etc. Purses and shoes don't require such consideration -- in that way they are very practical. Can it fit all my stuff? Do I like the colour? Will it match anything I already own? Do they pinch my feet anywhere? Done.

Next time I will take Lynn shoe-shopping. I need shoes to go with my new bag!