You know those catchy Capital One commercials that ask, “What’s in your wallet?”. Well, this got me thinking. These days, a wallet isn’t a moms catch-all. A wallet? Please, too small, come on. Even purses aren’t big enough to hold a mom’s unsorted stuff. Yes, even those huge Jessica Simpson duffle bags don’t cut it! What then is our catch-all?!! As I was pulling out part of a raincoat, one sandal, two Silly Bandz, and a juice box from my SUV, it hit me. Cars are a mother’s catch-all! We pick up, we drive, we eat on the go, we run errands, and even take road trips . . . so isn’t it inevitable that our cars end up with random goodies just about everywhere you can shove something? And so, Smarties, I ask, “What’s in your Car?”. Seriously, I’m taking a random audit of what we are storing in our “offices on the go”. Make me laugh, make me question your sanity, make me jealous that you are organized! I’m just dying to know, what is in there?!
Okay, so a few of you are probably wondering what I’m talking about. You have pristine cars and everything is organized perfectly. I’m sure the thought of food in your car straight-up frightens you. I’m jealous. I wish my “office” was as clean as yours. It isn’t though, and I don’t think it is in my nature to keep a clean car. While my closet is practically color coordinated, my car is far from it. I’m constantly running from place to place, and my daughter is a mini hoarder who loves to bring her treasures for a ride. So, if your car is clean, can you share with me how it’s done?! Give me some tips or at least tell me the best place to score a killer car wash!
I feel like I’m doing my civic duty here! I imagine women heading to their car in search for something strange. Hey, maybe I’ve inspired you to get it together and clean out your Minivan? Who knows? I’m just curious. So I charge you all to get out there and tell me what the heck is riding along with you!
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As of this morning … Sunscreen, bouncy balls, tutoring folders, coupon book, sunglasses, TSP magnets, TSP postcards, hairbands, Happy Meal prizes, magazines, water bottles, two kids' bikes, two helmets, two pairs of shoes covered with blackberries, trash bag (it's empty – go figure), snacks, pencils, pens, calculator, and I am sure there is some random food shoved down between the seats left over from the weekend!
Funny this is posted this morning, was driving my car today as it turned 100,000 miles and my husband said, "maybe we should think about a new car for you". No way!!! I love my 10 year old SUV that now has many "beauty marks", aka dents and dings, and inside there is probably a cure for malaria hidden between the seats. I love that I dont have to keep it super clean and dont feel guilty about it since it is a little older now. A quick inventory: sunglasses, sun screen, chapstick, crayons, drawing paper, books, puzzles, blanket, jacket, hand lotion, lollypops for long rides, juice boxes and snacks in a bag just in case, a first aid kit in case someone falls or gets stung, maps, napkins, hand wipes, hand sanitizer, tums, asprin, water bottle, and all this is on a fairly "organized and neat car day", there are other days when you could live for a week in my car from all the stuff being carried around in it!!!
I have a market tote i got at target a few years ago that i try to keep everything in but it does not work as planned! I always have rocks my child collects, one or two strollers, reusable shopping bags, extra diapers and coupons. Oh and hair accessories( for me and my daughter), just in case!
last summer I got into my car and thought to myself, "huh. It smells an AWFUL lot like beer in here. That is wierd" (since I try not to drink and drive, what with it killing people!) I pick my husband up from work b/c at that point we had moved from DC and only shared one car. He opened the door, looked at me for a minute and then proceeded to ask me if I'd been drinking!! After further inspection we discovered a very hot, VEEERRRY fermented sippy cup of apple juice that had rolled under the seat. I'm sure the police would TOTALLY have accepted that answer if I'd been pulled over for any reason!!Today we have every pair of toddler shoes we own (including rain boots) in the back seat. The girl takes after her mom and can't bear to have shoes on for longer than necessary! Also, that's a LOT of shoes…b/c the girl takes after her mom 🙂 Glad to hear other people have hot messes of backseats, too!
I got a monogrammed picnic basket from Mud Pies in Blakeney and put that on the floor between the kids' seats in my minivan. all of the "stuff" goes in ther, and while it's not that organized, it's at least contained! I keep a collapsable HT bag for impromptu shopping trips, a travel container of wopes, an extra diaper for each kid, a "car towell" and the kids toys. A girlfriend in Cary did it, and I loved the idea, so I got one for myself.
I have a potty. Sad, but true. I always forget about it until we REALLY need it or I open the back and the Harris Teeter worker helping me with my groceries tries to pretend he doesn't notice.
Great timing for this article – on the way to school today my son told me we need to hang a Yard Sale sign on our van. We have Silly Bandz, a DS, scissors, food wrappers, HT bags, calendar, 1 flip flop, Hot Wheels, and who knows what else is in the back. I am scared to look. A few months ago my children created an imaginary family who lives in our car and eats all the crumbs they leave behind!