A week ago Monday I had surgery and of course, I packed to go to hospital. First I took stuff out of my wallet I knew I wouldn't need like my library card, video rental ID, grocery coupons etc. Wait! Wouldn't need a driver's license or credit cards or cash or my checkbook. All I had left were pictures of my sons when they were babies and I didn't want to bring those in case they got lost or misplaced. Oh! I didn't need my wallet! Then I looked at the stuff in the rest of my purse; Kleenex (they'll have some at the hospital); a comb (into my suitcase); a cell phone (in the suitcase); a little first-aid kid (stupid to bring that to a hospital); my keys (first I took off some of the keys and then realized I wouldn't need any of them); my eyeglasses and reading glasses (into the suitcase); and a puzzle screwdriver (it's smaller than a Ping-Pong ball and all the stuff to put it together into a screwdriver is inside--easy, useful and it cost a couple of bucks but I wouldn't need it) and I -well, I didn't need my purse at all! I did take a portable CD player, earphones, and a case with about 20 CDs in it which really helped when I was in the hospital. If you ever have to go to the hospital (God forbid!) take this stuff; there's nothing worth watching on TV, especially hospital TV which usually has about five stations one of which has just hospital programs on it (like one on nutrition--a friendly warning-- don't watch that one eating hospital food). I took a toothbrush and paste (although they had those in the hospital too; I didn't know), deodorant; stamps, a pen, and thank you c ards; my address book with phone numbers and addresses; an extra cell phone battery; a framed photo of my husband and sons; nightgowns, robe, and slippers (all provided by the hospital too so I saved mine from home recuperation); lots of pairs of colorful hand-knitted socks (they had sockies to wear but I liked my own better); and a brightly colored, favorite but kinda old quilt. The quilt was very much a comfort. I was also surprised to discover that many nurses quilt and that many of the younger aides had mothers and grandmothers who quilted so it was a wonderful way to "connect". It also kept me warm physically as well. :-) REVISED LIST: PURSE Wallet Includes checkbook, cash, change, Discover and VISA credit cards, drivers license, AAA card, Price/Costco card, Bi-Mart card, medical and dental insurance cards, Safeway Club card, Corvallis library card, Oregon State University library card, Izzy's Pizza loyal customer card, grocery/Subway/Papa Murphy's Pizza coupons, BookMark bonus club card, school photos of boys, video rental cards (Central Linn Video, Hollywood Video, Halsey video). Day at a Glance - Includes Pope and Talbot 12 hour schedule, Month at a Glance and Day at a Glance pages, grocery list, to-do list, phone numbers and addresses Business cards Cell phone Portable first-aid kit (includes bandaids, sting relief pad, antiseptic towelettes, aspirins, Motrin, various sized bandages, antibiotic ointment, Imodium AD capsules, at-a-glance first aid guide) Glasses--driving (which darken in the sun) and reading glasses and cases Keys (house, car, and post office box) with small tire pressure gauge, pepper spray, portable measuring tape, and whistle attached Postage stamps and address labels Small compass Small flashlight Chapstick Cough drops Tums Visine Small calculator Gum Hairclip, rubber bands, and barrette Yikes! earrings Swiss army knife Small bottle of hand lotion Paperclips and rubberbands Small notebook and pens Post-it notes A bottle of clear nail polish for stopping pantyhose runs Small sewing kit for minor repairs including safety pins Nail clippers A de-tangling comb Kleenex Compact "puzzle" screwdriver TOTEBAG Portable CD player, CDs, earphones and spare batteries Paperback book Couple of cans of diet soda An apple A small can of nuts Warm gloves Socks A warm wool hat Anti-bacterial jell An umbrella Extra cell phone battery Blank note cards, address labels, and envelopes in a plastic sandwich bag An easy knitting project I don't need a pattern for like socks plus a couple of extra double pointed needles in case I lose one Extra pair of pantyhose Small box of wipes WINTER DRIVING (doesn't snow often but does get cold, rainy, and windy) Thermos of hot tea and car cup Extra socks, gloves, hats. A couple of blankets Water and snack foods Plastic winter rain gear, including boots Roll of paper towels to wipe inside of windshield Extra anti-freeze, engine oil, and windshield cleaner Can of window de-icer with built in scraper A big flashlight with long-lasting batteries Jumper cables Can of instant flat tire fixing stuff Red shop rags (various uses) "Call police" placard for back window Duct tape to quick-fix broken hoses Back Home | Index | Notification | Webcam | Dreams | Mood Swings | Tea Leaves Books | Music | Reflections | Guestbook | Postcards | Web Design Copyright © 1998 Willa G. Cline