I wanted to have a little fun today and share a few facts about myself to help new and long-time readers alike get to know me better. I love finding out silly or random things about others so I thought you might enjoy it, too. For more fun facts, check out 50 Random Facts About Me and another 20 in my Snowflakes and Margaritas post. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll have a good time, I’m sure of it.

So, in no particular order, here are ten (more) random things about me:

I know I’m a little late with this post but better late than never. Before the baby came along, we spent the Fourth of July watching baseball, eating hot dogs, and watching fireworks.  It’s what we’ve done ever since we moved to Durham, and I love it. Baseball is my favorite, hot dogs are delicious, and fireworks are fun! It’s a win-win.

Durham Bulls

Hi, friends. I didn’t mean to disappear for a few weeks, but life got a little crazy. Nick’s grandfather passed away toward the end of June so we headed down to Georgia for the memorial service, to spend time with family, and to have our own little family vacation. We were gone for about five days, and the first few were spent with family and attending the memorial service. The service was a celebration of Nick’s grandfather’s life so we tried to keep it joyous instead of sad. Here are my guys in their matching outfits. Aren’t they adorable?!

I love shoes but my natural preference is barefoot. Always has been. As soon as the weather shows the slightest bit of warmth, I kick off my shoes every chance I get: at home, in the car, at my desk, you name it. I’d rather not wear shoes when I don’t have to.

I once read an article about the positive effects of walking barefoot on the ground. This phenomena, called “grounding” or “earthing,” basically says that you will see some health benefits — such as decreased inflammation and stress, and improved circulation — when you put your body in direct contact with nature and the Earth. As new age-y and alternative medicine-y as it sounds, I have to say I agree that there are some benefits to reconnecting with nature. But then again, science agrees, too!

Let’s play What’s in my Purse: Nikki Edition.

You know those posts that bloggers do sometimes when they’re giving you a peak into their handbags? I find those posts really interesting, UNLESS they’ve been paid to showcase a product. Yes, I often throw a pack of travel tissues in there, but they’re the off-brand ones from Target not from Kleenex. But I digress.

I should probably confess that I don’t even like purses that much. I’d rather carry a few necessities in a wallet that fits in my pocket like guys do, but 1) I don’t always have pockets because sexist clothes makers don’t always include them in women’s clothes and 2) my necessities don’t always fit neatly in a little wallet. So, alas, I carry a purse. That’s probably why I just end up with a lot of crap in there.

The Bag

Anne Klein (via Belk)

I picked this one out for my birthday about a year ago. I liked it because it was a nice neutral color, it has a divider pocket, and it was a really great size for my stuff. I’ve already mentioned that I don’t really like purses but I get very picky about what I’ll carry. This has been one of my favorite bags so far.

The Contents

It really wasn’t as bad as I thought. Here’s what was in there:

Checkbook: I can’t be the only person who carries a checkbook any more, right?

Feminine hygiene products: Obviously.

Tissues: To blow my nose.

Hand sanitizer(s): Germs are everywhere so it’s important to keep some hand sanitizer on you at all times. Especially after dropping off and picking up the kid from daycare. I love those kids, but damn are they germy! I don’t know why I have two of them, though.

Sugar packet: In case I need it for my coffee?

Napkins: They come in handy for messes.

Extra medicine stored in a yellow kinder egg: I have to take medicine every day and I really shouldn’t miss a dose, so I keep extra meds in my purse just in case I’m running late in the morning and forget to take them before leaving the house.

Chewing gun: Sometimes I need to freshen my breath, other times it serves as a great grounding technique. I use grounding techniques for when I have a panicked moment. These grounding skills help keep me in the present and are helpful in managing overwhelming feelings or intense anxiety. Chewing gum allows my mind to focus on the taste and chewing sensation instead of the chaos that it wants to create.

Tide To Go stain stick: I can be a messy person. My husband can be even messier. And we have a kid. This thing gets used at least once per day.

Tylenol: For headaches and other pains.

Small travel fan: For when I get hot. But in all honesty, my fan is my go-to grounding technique for my panicked moments. Using this fan lets my mind focus on the air hitting my face instead of the racing thoughts in my brain. It’s the most effective technique I’ve found alongside chewing gum.

Pens: In case I need to write something down.

A bag full of extra pens and random lipstick: Okay, so here’s the thing. I’m a pen and napkin hoarder. I have no idea why but I feel like these are two things that I must have on me at all time. I guess it makes sense to have napkins in case I make a mess (and they come in handy for the kid’s messes) but the pens? I guess it’s just really important for me to write things down the second I have a thought. AND when it comes to paying for a meal and the server only has 2 pens for a group of 6 people.

Notebook: For when I have ideas or need to jot down notes.

Chap stick and lipsticks: To keep my lips kissable.

Nail file: I hate it when I break a nail and can’t smooth it out. It will drive me nuts all day, so I keep a nail file for just in case.

Headphones: I think this one is pretty obvious, too.

Purse hook: So I can hang my purse from the table or other surface so I don’t have to sit it on a public floor.

Wallet: Obviously.

Not pictured: a bunch of old receipts, the necklace & bracelet I wore to work and decided to remove at some point in the day, some more napkins, and a piece of mail I grabbed on the way in from my car.

I’ve heard that a look inside someone’s bag is a look into their life. I’m a nosy person by nature and I want to know how other people live their lives (this is basically why I even read blogs) so if you’re going to show me the nitty gritty of what’s in your bag/life, then dammit, I’m gonna look! But I suppose it’s only fair that if you show me yours then I show you mine. It was time to clean out my purse so I saw a good opportunity to give you a peak of my life. And now that I think about it, it’s true: my life feels as random yet vaguely put together as all of the stuff I just pulled out of my bag.