In case you couldn’t tell, I’ve been on a cleaning frenzy of late. First, it was my handbag, then it was my closets, now it’s my car. Personally, my car has to be like the rest of my possessions – neat. Nothing extra. When I leave the car so does the coffee cup, gum wrapper, paper with whatever directions I was navigating with, umbrella, bag, bottled water, etc. Call me a neat freak refugee from car dealer hell, but it’s who I am.
On the other hand, I have a friend whose car is a total disaster. Seriously, it looks as if the inside of the car was in a head on collision. Where do I begin? With the dirt that’s piled three inches high on every surface, or the soda pop that was spilled, oh I don’t know, maybe three years ago? How about the newspapers lining the back seat and heralding the break-up of Brad and Jennifer? It makes me want scream, stop it. Really. Stop it. Get a grip and re-define the difference between automobile and trash can.
However, there are things one has in their car or trunk that are necessities. For example, I’ve recently received a plethora of auto emergency kits. One from my parents, one from my brother, and one from my brother-in-law. I am now completely equipped should I find myself stranded by a blizzard – blanket and all. I also have a box of cereal in the trunk for those blizzard emergencies because you never know when your blood sugar will plummet in the middle of a storm. I’ve also got two romance novels – again, it could be a long wait in a snow drift.
So, what about you? What’s the strangest thing in your car? I really want to give away some books today.
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cyclops8
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 4:07 pm:
Got a bowling ball and its bag in the trunk. It’s taking up space. My excuse is that if I ever decide to go bowling, I’ll have the ball ready to go. I have the usual stuff, too, like bottled water, flash light and an ice scraper.
heidenkind
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 4:09 pm:
Maria, I’m like you. I try to remove every piece of trash or miscellaney (sp?) from my car whenever I get out, because if I don’t, then it just builds and builds and then before you know it, it explodes out of control. And in all honesty, I don’t have the time or patience to do a major detail job on my car more than once a year, if that.
I do have really random emergency items in my trunk though (oh, the trunk–you can’t see the stuff in there! It’s like a junk drawer for your car!). I have water proof hiking boots with two pairs of wool socks, a collapsable snow shovel, and a down-insulated sleeping bag (care of my dad). The irony is that, where we live, we really don’t get that much snow. The last time it snowed more than a foot in one day was 1984. lol Oh, and I have a bunch of books in the trunk that I keep forgetting to drop off at the library.
heidenkind
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 4:11 pm:
Actually, I have to confess the snow shovel has gotten me out of several situations where I was stuck in the snow. My car’s clearance is about ankle-high to a hobbit.
katiebabs
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 4:22 pm:
If I said a vibrator in my glove compartment would I win?
Maria Lokken
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 4:26 pm:
Katiebabs -if that’s true… then you’ll definitely have something to keep you warm if you get stuck in a blizzard.
PJ
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 4:44 pm:
LMAO!!!
PJ
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 4:45 pm:
I have a minivan. I’m sure there are weird things in it but nothing that even comes close to Katiebabs! I’ll go take a look anyway.
azteclady
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 4:52 pm:
Well, here’s the thing… I don’t have a car.
I do, however, have a bike trailer. Cute little bugger, water proof so groceries stay dry as I
drown…erm… ride. Anyway…Inside the trailer: Back pack with water prof windbreaker, tool kit, air pump, grocery totes from home depot, bungee cords in case I have to tie something to the top of the trailer, sling for water bottle, pens, little notebook, loose change, couple of plastic bags in case the totes aren’t enough or I pick up some trash (yes, I occasionally stop to pick up trash from the road, I’m just that crazy).
Nothing extraordinary, I’m afraid.
azteclady
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 4:53 pm:
ooopppp… the spamcatcher must have eaten my comment–I think because I tried to link :sigh:
And I definitely would bow humbly to katiebabs if she *does* have a vibrator in her car–anywhere in the car
PJ
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 4:59 pm:
I was right. Nothing that beats a vibrator. lol
I have a tire inflator, battery starter, 3 collapsible umbrellas, blanket, first aid kit, mini tool kit, flashlight, water, epi pen, inhaler, Dramamine, kleenex, moist wipes, snack bars, dog biscuits, about a month’s worth of newspapers (headed for recycling), camera and tripod, books, air freshener, window cleaner, hospital ID, gym ID, green bags (for grocery shopping), pens, pad of paper, stamps, local phone book, my lucky shamrock and other assorted goodies.
Buffie
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 5:00 pm:
LMAO at Katiebabs!
Like PJ, I have a van too. With two boys in a variety of activities, I really need the room. I’m no where as neat as Maria. Let’s see, I have the normal stuff you’d want in your car — jumper cables, a blanket, and umbrella. There is always so kind of food and drink there (usually from the kids).
Currently, there are:
three camping chairs
two soccer balls
a few coloring/sticker books for the kids
pens and pencils
four small pillows
two garbage bags full of Walmart/Publix bags (I need to take them to the recycling center)
an old Rick Springfield cassette tape (which I still listen to on occassion)
a handful of Air Korea travel sickness bags
Marisa
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 5:34 pm:
Maria – I almost thought you were talking about me when you wrote this post. And to think I cleaned my car out before I picked you up the other day! Well it’s true, Maria and I couldn’t be more opposite when it comes to neatness. My car is sort of my storage closet. If I don’t have room in my apt. in goes in the trunk of my car. If I’m ever stuck in a blizzard I’ll have a handy dandy super paper cutter for crafts, a beautiful antique lamp with a brown shade I’ve been carrying around in hopes that I remember to buy a new lamp shade, 10 romance books from 1978 that I’ve been meaning to drop off at the book drive, a case of coke (just in case), a blanket, a shawl, three single gloves for my right hand, an antique table cloth I got at a yard sale and a pair of old boots. I checked – but I didn’t see a vibrator.
Kati
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 5:40 pm:
Maria – I’m with you. I have absolutely nothing that doesn’t make sense in my car. I’m so boring. The most exciting thing, I think, is my yoga mat. Boring, I told you.
But my car is clean…
Marisa
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 6:31 pm:
Kati, Maria. you two could be twins Clean cars, clean homes? I missed those genes completely. I flee to Maria’s house whenever I want to give my eye a rest from the chaos and confusion that is my home. That is if I can find the gas pedal in my car so I can drive over there.
Heather
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 6:57 pm:
My car is clean, but my trunk has a few hidden secrets. I have a big emergency kit, (from my grandpa) three blankets, candy bars, a small collection of books, and some kinky bridal shower gifts for my friends upcoming party. Other than that, nothing really, but I wonder if I should add a vibrator to my emergency kit?
Gannon
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 9:38 pm:
LMAO about the vibrator! Alas, I don’t have anything that interesting. Just the usual: umbrella, ice scraper, tissues, hand sanitizer, map, gum, plastic bags (in case my dog decides to barf), auto garbage bag, sheets ( in the trunk–I put them on the back seat when the dogs ride in the car), green bags (for grocery shopping). Pretty boring.
Maria Lokken
on Nov 15th, 2008
@ 11:09 pm:
I’m most curious. Katiebabs – tell us, do you really have a battery powered device in your glove compartment?
PJ, Buffie and Gannon – I would feel very secure driving anywhere with you – you both seem to have all the essentials.
Azteclady – I need to see a picture of you riding your trailer bike – I might just have to purchase me one of those.
Heidenkind – what’s up with the hiking boots, socks and sleeping bag. Do you spontaneously pull over to the side of the road and go for a walk and then think you might want to spend the night?
Cyclops8 – I give, a bowling ball?
Kati – we could be roomates.
Heather – how old are the candy bars?
kh
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 12:59 am:
wowo vibrator lol
had mouthwash
crystal adkins
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 9:50 am:
LOL in my car are little boy busy toys… lol you know the ones you try to keep your kid occupied with while driving? The there’s probably a jacket or three, and some raisins here, there and everywhere in between lol!
cheryl c.
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 10:49 am:
Well, this is a little embarrassing. I have a padded “booster seat” pillow because I am short and need a little boost to see up over the back end of my car. Ok, now you can laugh!
Monica M.
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 11:35 am:
Wow!! I think Katibabs has definitely won!!! LOL!!! I cleaned my car yesterday, I removed:
-3 cookbooks (recent gifts)
-6 romance and suspense novels
-a coffee cup
-half eaten bag of Doritos (lunch the day before)
-a couple of magazines.
I left in the car:
-bottled water
-battery charger (my boyfriend insists I have it),
-green grocery bags
-pretty red flashlight
-blanket (even though I live in FL)
-1 book (just in case)
-one of those combs that get dog hair off of the seats
-”How To Learn Spanish In Your Car” CD set (only listened to CD 1 and I’ve had it for YEARS)
-a can of flat tire stuff (boyfriend again)
*******AZTECLADY, what is a trailer bike???*********
azteclady
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 12:02 pm:
Monica, there’s a link up in my first comment–and Maria? the picture on the top looks just like mine, except imagine hot weather gear for the rider.
Basically, it’s a wheeled attachment for your bicycle, to allow you to drag stuff behind you–the most commonly seen are for kids, with those cute windbreaker covers, but there are a number of them for actual cargo. Mine is designed to carry up to a hundred pounds, but there are those for heavier loads available. The coolest thing is that unless you are riding in hilly terrain (think San Francisco, for example) you really do not feel the weight. I live in Florida–mostly flat country–and have dragged a full trailer upwards six miles with little difficulty. And please note, I’m not all buff and stuff, I don’t need to be; the trailer is very well designed, so it balances perfectly as I ride. I only *feel* the weight on relatively steep inclines, otherwise it’s just like riding my bike.
Hope that helps.
katiebabs
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 1:13 pm:
Should I plead the 5th on the vibrator? lol
I actually have a few board games in my back set such as Sex and the City and Scene It.
Maria Lokken
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 1:16 pm:
Katiebabs – Sorry – you can’t plead the 5th. Inquiring minds want to know.
azteclady
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 1:57 pm:
*raising hand* hellz yeah we wanna know! Now, ‘fess up, katiebabs!
orannia
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 2:05 pm:
Hehehehe. I don’t have anything nearly as exciting….I do have a first aid kit under the seat and a couple of CDs. Ummm, would I be correct in assuming that a lot of you live in areas with a high snow fall in winter? *shivers* Sounds scary…..and not helped by the fact I am currently reading In the Bleak Midwinter (Julia Spencer-Fleming) and there is snow EVERYWHERE!
katiebabs
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 2:06 pm:
Well, I went to a sex party a few months ago where they have toys, lotions and whatnot. I bought some things and since I live at home, ahem with my parents, I have no where to put my loot, so a certain item stays in my car till I can get my own place.
*BLUSH*
Maria Lokken
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 2:15 pm:
Hands down you win Katiebabs. No contest. No more need be said. I bow down to you. YOU WIN.
Girl – you know the address – email me what you want.
azteclady
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 2:46 pm:
I bow to you as well, katiebabs! Hail the kind of B.O.B.!
Heather
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 2:56 pm:
Congrats Katiebabs. And to answer your question Maria, the candy bars are new I replace them all the time.
katiebabs
on Nov 16th, 2008
@ 3:50 pm:
My reputation is so in the gutter. O_O
azteclady
on Nov 17th, 2008
@ 10:03 am:
Au contraire, ma petite, au contraire!
Now we are ALL in awe of your greatness
Deidre Durance
on Nov 17th, 2008
@ 1:38 pm:
Don’t feel too bad Katiebabs. My husband has an outdoor fetish, so I frequently have such things in my purse or car as well. What can I say, when you’ve been married for more than ten years, you have to make things interesting. LOL
Deidre
Donna
on Nov 17th, 2008
@ 5:25 pm:
I dont’ thinks its strange I have a compressor my flat tires and have helped a few people with it also a few bags of books (what can I say I am addicted) and a plastic bag by my turnsignal so I can throw my garbage in it and then when it is full (or smelly) I throw it out and add a new one….
Donna
Marisa
on Nov 17th, 2008
@ 7:27 pm:
Monica – I have those ‘learn a language CD’s’ always promising myself I’ll really learn a new language… yeah, I’m still trying to master English.
Deidre – sounds like an interesting and exciting time… you go girl.
Donna
on Nov 19th, 2008
@ 11:11 pm:
so who won the books?
Maria Lokken
on Nov 20th, 2008
@ 7:44 am:
Hi Donna – Katibabs won.