Dear TwinkleGrammer,

For months I've been carrying an utterly adorable yet nearly completely useless handbag. I'm in and out of the ridiculous thing dozens of times a day, answering my phone, grabbing the debit card, squirting handcream from a teensy bottle, applying lip gloss, paying for whatever, flashing my AARP card in hope of a discount ... Each endeavor is followed by mumbling as I struggle to cram everything back into the impossibly small space and zip it up again.

And yet, I just keep carrying it. For you see, to change handbags would "change" me back to the last (or next) handbag I will assuredly deem imperfect too.

Thus, Today's Message and Survey.Let me know how these types of decisions roll in your neck of the world, even if you're a guy, because wallets and Man Bags (brief cases also fall under this heading) are part of this discussion too.

Peace and grins,

TODAY'S MESSAGE 

I don't really like to shop. If I need something, I want to go to one store and BUY it, not have to shop for it. Nonetheless, in a lifelong quest to find the perfect "fit", I am a lifelong examiner of wallets and handbags that catch my eye.

Even though I'd call my personal style eclectic gypsy, a handbag needs to be sensibly functional. Following is my current list of prerequisites. I consider them unbendable.

*lots of compartments (organization to squelch thashing about for the necessary)

*not a black lining (too hard to spot stuff)

*shoulder strap or backpack conversion function

*not too big

*not too small

*outside zipper or pocket to EASILY AND SWIFTLY accommodate my cell phone, boarding pass etc.

*a tad of funk factor

Thus it is with great dismay that I continue to find myself carrying my current bag, which is a pain in the keister. And yet, it's so adorable! And it goes with almost everything, and it makes an "outfit", and I always get compliments, including from strangers, and yet ... the dumb thing breaks nearly every single one of my unbendable rules.

WHAT IS UP WITH ME?!

I'll tell you what: the day I switch to another purse, something will be wrong with it too. The last bag I carried is pretty close to perfect, but not quite. In fact, while it sits home in a corner, it still contains everything that wouldn't fit in this current colorful handbag, including the Kangaroo organizer I bought at Walgreens and everything in it. Which of course won't even fit empty in the cutesy and insanely small bag I keep carrying. (I took a shot with my hand so you could see: the bag is barely bigger than my hand.)

So why did I buy this bag when I was already carrying that medium size bag complete with a Kangaroo? Because ... Well, LOOK at it! How could I resist it's high FUN FACTOR?! And to be honest, any bag that can hold everything I'd "like" to carry in all those organizing pockets ends up too heavy, which is also why this teensy one seemed so attractive.

Poor George often has to accept the too-heavy bag handoff so I can rest my arms/shoulders. However, now Poor George can't even hand me his keys to carry, let alone his sunglasses, because I can't even fit my own keys or sunglasses in this one. I end up snapping my cheap star-shaped karabiner through the key ring and onto the strap, if they won't fit in my jeans' or shorts' pocket--which is almost always because I have a giant key fob on them so I can find them in my gianter handbags that don't organize well.

Oy.

REALLY?

The craziest thing about my continuation with this handbag is that my nearly perfect red wallet won't even fit through the opening. In order to have necessary cards with me (credit, debit, AAA, AARP, discount, driver's license etc.), I dug out an old, long, skinny card organizer that fits in the "bigger" (HA!) zipper compartment. Then I had to improvise a bill/coupon wallet that would fit in the smaller outside zipper compartment with my cell phone. What to use? A-HA! A plastic calendar cover (purse type), that I got free somewhere. When it ripped, I got out the duct tape. When the zipper proved a bad design, I tied a broken piece of necklace to it.

Seriously, Charlene?

All this to say, for now, it is what it is. My oldest grandgirlie has heard me whine about trying to close it so many times that now when she sees me she says, "Grannie B, you forgot to change your purse again!" And I say, "I know. But isn't it adorable?" And of course she smiles, nods her head and agrees.

Apparently I don't really need all the stuff I have to leave behind. I have whittled my stuff down to the bare necessities. My sunglasses can stay on my head. In a pinch, I could throw my disposable contact lens away, since I don't have room to carry a case.

All this to say, it's amazing what we can leave behind when we're determined. I think I shall take a moment to evaluate a wad of emotional baggage I'm carrying around right now. It's highly likely I could be way more functional, fun and possibly even adorable without it.

Why not take a moment to consider this yourself. What could you--what can you--leave behind to lighten your load? And whatever you do, don't forget to take the survey on this topic!

***

*** 

NEW survey

It's all about handbags and wallets (right?) 

Practical or Adorable

Sensible or fashionable

Functional or fancy

Is the perfect combo even possible?

Oh, man! Do I ever want to

talk/whine/weigh in on

THIS!

take me to

The Survey   

SIMPLE THINGS

Survey Results

To those who participagted in the last survey about Simple Things, thank you! Your answers were fun, inspiring, humbling and sometimes even tearful. Simple things were, percentage wise, best categorized as uncomplicated and joyful, in that order. According to results, the "best simple things add value to" our mental health and gratitude (top two answers). It's fun--and encouraging--to learn that the fine art of Simple Things is alive and well! Even in the midst of difficult times, our receipt of their abundance is HIGH! BE YE ENCOURAGED! Forty-three percent of you said you'd received above average amounts of good Simple Things the last year, and 24% said it was raining good simple things!

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Following are a few of my favorite specific responses. Enjoy. Perhaps reading these responses will help remind you of all the good that surrounds us. xo

A few of your favorite simple things: spending time with my sisters dog Bailey, my horse's adorable nose, (LOTS of animal gratitude) grandchildren, reading choices of books, (reading high on lists) cooking uncomplicated healthy meals, learning Chinese brush painting, holding my husband's hand, phone calls from my 2 sons, friends

Simple Things you'd like to release: clutter, father-in-law to heaven (suffering), doing the dishes, second job for no pay, judging myself, television, housework, lack of complete trust in God

Best Simple Thing change you made in your life: forgive myself for past mistakes, stopped living on a schedule, love my husbnd with all my heart, adopted 2 cats, visit public library weekly with daughter, take time every day to relax and read, hate to say it but get a divorce, talk to God more, get chickens and enjoy the fresh eggs, stop trying to complete with everyone, stop clipping coupons, stop coloring my hair, go low tech, be silent

Best Simple Thing you received as a gift: spotted baby goat born on my birthday, jewelry for no special occasion, a three minute egg in an age cup (age four), help with housework, I honestly can't think of one! (Charlene says reading this answer made her sad. Perhaps reading this list will help others recognize simple gifts), hug from a child, the BEST soft fuzzy jammies and blanket, friendship, a small ceramic basket (used), a photograph, a flat of pansies

--A good list of Simple Things to visit when you forget--

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