I took part in the Purse Dump link-up a few weeks ago and had fun. When one of my cats got sick and nailed my laptop bag, I had to empty it so I could run it through the washer. As I was looking at the laundry basket full of stuff, it occurred to me that I could document this for my Quick Takes.

So..

— 1 —

The bag and pile of stuff. I kept thinking that it was a Swiss gear bag but it turns out that it’s from HP. Huh.

(The orange kitty is Cullen. He is incredibly helpful.)

I emptied everything into a laundry basket and when Daniel was in bed, I emptied the laundry basket onto the coffee table.

— 2 —

Papers. We have postcards from Postcrossing, letters, cards for birthdays, and other random pieces of paper.

Because I usually bring my laptop with me anytime we head to UCD Medical Center, I also have a boatload of encounter forms, discharge papers, and copies of medical releases that I’ve signed.

— 3 —

Computer stuff. Here’s a pile of CD’s and a couple thumb drives that were loose in the second pocket.

In the main pocket where my laptop goes, I have assorted cables and cords. In this particular pile are the charging cable for my ancient iPod nano (which is lost somewhere in my closet), an A/C adapter from Rocketfish for my last laptop, chargers for my cell phone, my headphones, and my optical mouse. There’s usually a charger for my NOOK as well.

— 4 —

Office supplies. This would be pens, mechanical pencils, clickable erasers, a notebook, and thank-you notes left over from Christmas. I usually have a bigger spiral notebook as well which is my journal.

— 5 —

Daniel memorabilia. When Daniel was in the NICU in 2009, I lived out of my laptop bag. The bag I used at that time was a different one but I just transferred items over because I wasn’t home when I got the new one. Here we have cards written to me by all the women on Jon’s side of the family after the birth of Daniel which my mother-in-law sent to me along with the prayer shawl she made me, a card with the 1-800 number for the NICU (so I could call in the middle of the night and get updates), two of Daniel’s preemie diapers, pictures from the first days in the NICU, and the rolled up pictures from my first ultrasound. Oh yes… also locks of hair from Daniel’s first haircut 3 years ago.

I should also give you a reference as to the size of those preemie diapers. These would fit on a small baby doll. Here is a diaper with my hand as a reference (and I have tiny hands). These actually had to be folded down because they were too big for Daniel even at that size!

— 6 —

Personal care items. I get these in my stocking at Christmas and after having spent 3 weeks living at UCD Medical Center in 2011, I started keeping travel-sized shampoo, body wash, and deodorant in my laptop bag. I also have pads, assorted rubber bands, a scrunchie (which needs washing), and two pill boxes (which I usually fill before heading to the ER) as well.

— 7 —

Books, miscellanea, and trash. I also have assorted books, lens cleaner for my glasses/computer screen, a Target gift card (which is now in my wallet), and a stuffed lion (probably a “good behavior” present for Daniel after an appointment).

I also put together 2 bags of trash which consisted of assorted receipts, scrap paper, and wrappers for things. one bag is paper to shred and the other bag is stuff to actually throw away.

— Bonus —

Annexation. It’s probably good that I got the laundry basket cleaned out because it was soon occupied.

Apparently, Freya needed yet another lair. (This cat has more lairs than Saddam Hussein had palaces.)

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.