Stuff in my bag

This is a companion piece to a similarly-themed article on Pete’s site, which, all things being equal, should be published at roughly the same time.

This is a photograph of my bag, and its contents. Laid out neatly on the floor, it looks quite neat and tidy; so how strange it is, that once returned to the bag, it immediately reverted to a state of higgledypiggledy.

1. The bag itself was given to me by Pete’s mum, last Christmas. I do really like it, despite the fact that it’s mainly one big pocket, so difficult to organise. I have completely given up on carrying smart bags that might somehow give me a faint air of sophistication, because I usually have snot on my shirt and nappy cream on my jeans, so what’s the point?
2. Baby wipes from earth friendly baby, a brand that I quite like, despite the price hike that is inevitable with any product that has pretensions at being organic. I don’t exclusively buy “green” wipes, but alternate with own-brand unscented wipes; I’m not made of money, you know. After the NCT toddler group at the weekend, some mums were cleaning the craft table using branded baby wipes, and commenting on how well they clean up paint, glue, and felt-tip pen. Why do so few people follow that thought to its logical conclusion? Wipes are not the default cleaning method in this household, but they are easier when out and about. That pack of 72 wipes has been in my bag for about six months now.
3. A zip-up pouch in the shape of a hedgehog, containing a small black shopping bag. I got this in a toy sale at work, and didn’t realise how useful it would be.
4. My diary, without which I would be lost, particularly at work. A6 page-per-day, and full of daily todo lists, stretching forward to the year 2008. Sundays, which are usually blank, are where I plan the weekly menu. I really must buy my 2008 diary.
5. Another zip-up pouch, this one containing lip balm, a very small deodorant, half a packet of Rennies, a swiss army penknife, and four humzingers for shutting up squawking babies.
6. A magic wallet containing NCT Baby On The Way cards, for giving out to pregnant women who might one day be in need of my postnatal support services. I have never given any of these out.
7. My wallet, which looks fat because it is full of receipts and loyalty cards for coffee shops.
8. Two 20p pieces, which have been dropped into my bag after being retrieved from the locker at the swimming pool. Occasionally I need 20p, and can be certain to find it at the bottom of my bag.
9. Pens. Only three. Probably not enough.
10. My mobile phone, inside a knitted cover intended for my iPod [not illustrated].
11. Two packets of tissues. See remarks above re: snotty baby.
12. A moleskine cahier, defaced with stickers. It’s meant to be a journal but it’s mainly full of plans, telephone numbers, and ideas for blog posts – yes, I still have ideas. No, I never use them.
13. Out & About Spray from The Nappy Lady, decanted into a small spray bottle, and mainly used for cleaning high chairs in restaurants.
14. Baby reins. Bernard usually holds my hand while we’re walking, but the reins give me an extra sense of security. They have a teddy motif in the middle, which Bernard likes to kiss.

I’m wondering what on earth I carried around in my bag before I became a mother.