Updated to add: Mystery solved. The cap was from a friend – but the company where she ordered it neglected to send the note that she had asked them to include. And just FYI – I knew it had to be someone who knows me – because I don’t exactly broadcast my real name on my blog. So all is well. :-)

A week or so ago I posted images of various and sundry hairstyles that I had created on our Wii. You know, since summer’s on the way and all.

This was one of them:

And yesterday I received an anonymous gift in the mail.

A red ski cap.

Oh, secret internet gift-giver. You are so deliciously witty.

And don’t think for one second that I won’t wear it.

In fact, I’ve already indoctrinated my child:

So thanks, Anonymous Internet Bloggy Someone.

I can honestly say that I don’t have anything else even remotely like it.

You surely do know how to make a mama smile.

GiBee tagged me for this purse meme, and I couldn’t resist. Most of the time I forget all about meme tags and remember about six months later that oh, it completely slipped my mind, but I was supposed to write a post chronicling my four favorite varieties of prunes.

However, this one stayed on my mind because it brought back all those seventh grade memories of girls looking through each other’s purses in social studies class because it was just so interesting, much moreso than the history of the League of Nations or the branches of government or whatnot. Seeing who had what flavors of Bonne Bell Lip Smackers was way more important.

Also, there was an added bonus to doing this meme, because when I grabbed the camera so I could get started on my post, I was able to announce to my husband and my child that I was about to TAKE PICTURES OF MY PURSE FOR THE INTERNET, and you can’t buy those kinds of family memories, people. They’re more precious than gold.

Okay, here’s my purse:

It’s very plain with just a hint of blingage on the handles. I bought it because I seem to do better with a tote-style bag, because a tote-style bag enables me to carry around everything I need, like my wallet and my planner and numerous cans of corn and peas. With a smaller bag you just don’t have those kinds of options.

If you looked into my bag you would see this:

You may think it looks unorganized, but you would be wrong. Aside from the fact that I can never, ever find my keys without shaking the purse like a maraca to make sure that the keys are in fact inside, I like to keep the contents of my purse pretty manageable. And if you notice, I actually use the cell phone pocket as well as what I refer to as the Trusty Mentholatum Pocket.^TM By the way, I could write an entire post about my lifelong addiction to Metholatum and the fact that I AM NEVER WITHOUT IT, EVER.

So while I’m on the subject, let me just say that if the best thing that ever comes my way as a result of blogging is a free case of Mentholatum from the fine folks at The Mentholatum Company in Orchard Park, NY, then I will consider my time spent on the interweb as not only successful, but profitable, because THERE IS NO BETTER LIP OINTMENT IN THE WORLD. You Carmex and Blistex people have no idea what you’re missing.

I’m just sayin’.

This next picture is the most critical item in my purse because without it I’d just sit on my couch all day, staring into space, wondering what in the world I was supposed to be doing:

I took this picture on a Monday night, so the calendar wasn’t really full yet, but now that it’s Wednesday, there is all manner of menus and obligations written in. Also, it’s very important to my OCD side that the datebook be a SHARPIES ONLY ZONE, because if you have not experienced the joy of using a Sharpie on very glossy paper, then you’ve got a lot of livin’ left to do, my friends. Oh yes indeed.

I am now delighted to show you two pens, a Starburst, and half a piece of candy cane:

Feel free to help yourself to the candy, by the way. Believe me – as delicious as it looks in this picture, it’s even more appetizing in person.

MMMMMM-mmm.

It’s probably only been in there since, you know, Christmas, so I’m sure it’s still super fresh and tasty.

Here’s my stash-o-drugs:

I’m supposed to take Clarinex so that I don’t sneeze to death in the spring. The problem is that I forget to take it before an onslaught of sneezing occurs, and then I get outside and start sneezing, so then I take the Clarinex, and the end result is that I become a very drowsy person who is still sneezing. Which means that I rarely take the Clarinex. Which leaves me wondering why I carry it around in my purse.

This is the best gum ever. With the worst name ever. I will not elaborate. Except to say that the gum, it is good. The end.

Also, do not tell my mama that I am chewing gum. Because she would be nothing short of mortified, seeing as how she considers it terribly unladylike and all.

And finally, here are all the little treasures you’ll find in the zippered pocket of my purse: powder, lip liner, lip gloss, two lipsticks (A GIRL NEEDS OPTIONS, OKAY?), and my iPod. Because you just never know when you’re going to need to apply make-up and listen to music at the same time, especially when you’re driving. So it’s better if all of those items STAY TOGETHER. It’s more convenient that way.

I’m sparing y’all the pictures of my package of Kleenex and the notepad where I keep my grocery lists. I’d hate for y’all to have too much excitement in one day, and believe me, the sight of the word “hummus” in my handwriting would send you straight over the edge. We might have to call for a doctor or something.

And if you’re wondering where my sunglasses are, THEY’RE ON MY HEAD, just where they should be, because why, why wouldn’t you wear them on your head at all times, why?

Finally, I believe I am supposed to tag some people to do this. First and foremost I am tagging my dear friend Big Mama because there is no way her purse doesn’t have some zippered pouches within zippered pouches, and I for one need to see that.

I’m also tagging Heth because, with six kids, I think there would have to be at least one animal / insect in her purse at all times. Plus, she’s about to have baby number seven, and what else does she have to do but sit around and take pictures of her purse all day? Those six kids can fend for themselves. They’ll be fine.

And finally, Addie – because my chief goal in life is to make her BLOG MORE.

Plus, you know, the rest of you can consider yourselves tagged, too.

I like for everyone to feel included, you know.