........that the larger the purse, the more you're going to find you need to put in it.

There have been a number of comments made recently about the size of the purse I carry. But due to it's soft fawn-colored leather, it's simple design and the fact that it doubles as a diaper bag I'm not sure I see what all the raised eyebrows are about.

However, seeing as a new year is recently upon us and it is the perfect time for rethinking, de-cluttering and streamlining all areas of one's life I decided to take a relatively objective dive into the recesses of my purse and find out just exactly what I do have in there.

The verdict?

Well, a lot.

I have a lot, a lot of stuff in there. I freely admit it. But in my defense, when you become a mom being unprepared in any way, shape or form can be the difference between a good day out and an "officer, I was speeding because I left my child's Binky at home and she's been screaming away in the backseat for ten stoplights now and I really couldn't take it anymore," kind of experience. You get my drift.

But even though I and my slightly girl-scout-ish tendencies would declare each and every item in my purse useful, they are probably not all essential.

So I started my pare-down with redundancies. I probably do not need 2 pairs of sunglasses, 2 spare bibs and a baby comb, in addition to my own small brush, taking up space. Also, 2 wallets, each holding a few insurance, credit and library cards......somewhat silly. Everything should fit into one, if consolidated.

Next, and still along the lines of pointless extras, my collection of lip products. 3 lips glosses, 2 chapsticks and 1 lipstick do seem like an awful lot when you stand them upright and form a line. So I got rid of all but one of each category.

Ok, it's looking more roomy in there already. Now onto the "why am I even still carrying it in my purse anyway?" section. An empty CD case. That can go. Broken pen, out. Hair clip I never, ever use, sample-size lotion I don't like the smell of, and box my inhaler came in, all can be thrown away.

And now, of the things I can bear to part with, we come at last to my fishing license. No I don't want to get rid of it. But I have to think this 4 degree weather we've been experiencing as of late kinda puts a kibosh on any spur of the moment, side of the road angling. So, for now, I'll put it away.

Alright, so that leaves......well, still a lot. But less than before. And E won't need an extra diaper and rash cream forever. Or a bib. Or random toys for distraction purposes. And I won't always be carrying gloves and anti-static hair spray.

So there we have it. I've kept the purse, I've kept the essentials. But now when the next person asks me, "Gee, what do you all have in there?" I can honestly reply, "Not as much as I used to."