In an effort to be expedient (as any other mother of two little ones will appreciate) I dumped the coffee cup out on my desk. What I found, instead of the tweezers, was infinitely more fascinating. Here's a photo of things as they lay:
First of all, I found the tweezers, so score! But then I started thumbing through the rest of my pile...
Baby nail scissors: You can never have too many and these are the absolute best: Safety First. Chad and I have both accidentally clipped the kids' nails a little too close to the quick.
A myriad of hair accessories for the multitude of hair I currently possess: These range from a barrette, a ponytail holder, and a small alligator clip for the half-up look. Examining these more closely, I remember the time when every day, I work a ponytail holder to work. I think about how ridiculous I look in a ponytail. It just doesn't suit my face at all. The barrette comes in more handy these days. I can't decide whether or not I want to be a woman "with bangs", so instead of committing one way or another, I occasionally barrette them back and pretend I'm bangsless. And yes, I've just invented the word bangsless. And you loved it. Or maybe I didn't invent it, but still, you loved it.
Moving on, we find a few more pedestrian items. A random pen cap. Ah yes, the ever-elusive "cap o' the pens". Where IS it's mate, exactly? Probably in the same place as the other half of my son's socks.
Another small black pen, but this has a story. This small. black. pen. goes to a little notebook. The little notebook was a gift from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, included as a small welcome gift for attending their graduate school orientation. A graduate school I did not attend. In a state I moved out of shortly after. Just a small. black. pen. A relative blip on the radar of my life.
One small plastic "rock", which is not a rock at all. I believe this belongs with a collection of animals Lennon received from a grandparent, along with an assortment of plastic trees, plastic cows, and plastic fenceline. I should probably give that back to him, but I sort of love it hanging out in my coffee cup. Makes me think of the Christmas morning Lennon opened that particular toy, and played animals on the farm all morning, which Chad and I lounged on the couch, enjoying our little family of three (at the time). He was two, not talking much just yet, but communicated perfectly with us. He was so excited to receive all of his gifts, and we had never had a better Christmas to date. Whoever said "'tis better to give than to receive" must have been a parent, because there is no greater joy than watching your child open a gift.
The crotchet hook. It mocks me. I became very interested in crochet during the long, lazy winters we spent in Wisconsin. One can only watch so much football and eat so many frito pies, before seeking out a greater calling. Mine was crochet. Some may knit, but me? I prefer a piece that could unravel with one swift yank; it makes me feel as though I'm living dangerously. Chad and I are now the proud owners of thick, woolen scarves, which we will never use here in Texas. I also have two half-heartedly started baby blankets... for my three year old son, who is not quite a baby anymore.
Your standard lip gloss and paper clip.
One brown button. I'll have to do something cool with that. Maybe I'll use it as the centerpiece for a hairbow for my 8 month old daughter. You know, for when she has hair. It's a cool, brass button that I think came off a pair of jeans from my "skinny" phase. Button fell off and jeans don't fit, so repurpose we shall.
One silver, heart-shaped bookmark. This was a wedding favor from my sister-in-law's bridal luncheon, almost 10 years ago. there are many fond memories attached to this bookmark. My sister-in-law is one of my favorite people, so thinking of that day always makes me smile. I also think about where the bridal luncheon was held, Le Madelaine, one of my favorite restaurants. French food? Who doesn't like it? And bookmarks make me think of books, who are by far, my very best companions in this journey of life, the only exception being my husband and children. And besides, bookmarks are just sort of cool.
A cream colored shell, collected from the shore of the Atlantic ocean. Lennon was 18 months old, and it was his first trip to the beach. His first sand castle, his first pail, and his first walk in the water with his daddy. One amazing trip; one unforgettable moment in our lives, filled with promise and hope and sunshine and laughs.
All at the bottom of a coffee cup.
Life's in the details! :o)
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