Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Our street was under construction all fall. Not your garden variety project, but a massive over-haul of sewer lines, water mains, storm drains, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and driveways. We could not park on our street for months. It actually led to a neighborly spirit of cooperation, as folks invited us to tromp through their yards to get to our vehicles parked on other streets a few blocks away. 

Due to this scenario, I needed to be mightily prepared every time I left my house. It wasn't convenient to forget something and have to walk back to retrieve it. This caused me to re-think the essential items I needed to have in my bag for my job as a REALTOR. My bag became heavier as the months wore on. Here's what you might find on any given day:

• Laptop
• Wireless Mouse
• Chargers
• Phone
• Lock box
• Tape Measure
• Laser Measurer
• Name tag
• Branded key chains
• Paper towels
• Hand sanitizer
• Masks
• Open House signs
• Pens, high-lighters, & Sharpies
• Clipboard
• Shoe covering booties
• Plastic bags
• Breath mints
• Business cards
• Chapstick
• Hand lotion
• Car Wash card
• Notebook
• Journal
• Monthly Planner
• "Remove Shoes" sign
• Staging items
• Business receipts for taxes
• Closing gifts
• Hair clips and pony-tail holders
• Deoderant or perfume
• Lipstick
• Ibuprofen
• Kitchen sink

I mean, maybe everybody carries this much to work. But I felt it was my duty to have a well-stocked bag for any need that arose. The only thing missing was diapers, since my kids are 15 and up! 

The habit of being prepared is one that will serve me well, even now that the street construction was wrapped up today, hallelujah!