Flying Frantic - Tote Bags

This is the second in a series,

hoping to inspire some organizational processes into frantically busy lives.

My husband lovingly calls me
The Bag Lady.

Partly in jest of being an Ol' Bag,

but partly because I use a lot of  tote bags.

I am a mom,

I homeschool,

I teach Sunday School

and am involved in a homeschool co-op.

 I have discovered that instead of having one tote bag

that I would always forget to unpack or repack,  

it's easier to have one bag for each activity.

My co-op bag has

the binder I need with all the information in clear sheet protectors,

 and a zippered pouch filled with school supplies.

They are never leave this bag, except during coop. 

I can also throw in a book, a game to play or a purse project.  

Anything I need to bring, I slip it in during the week.

I have a church bag. 

Throughout the week, I fill it with things I need to bring to the church.

 A book to return to someone, sanitizers, tracts I ordered,

Sunday school treats, prizes or craft items.

On Sunday morning it eliminates the frantic rush,

helping us to get to church on time

AND

in the Spirit.

My camera bag is also stocked.

The right pocket has personal items,

the front pocket paper items,

and left pocket camera supplies.

 I can leave the purse, throw my wallet in my camera bag,

 and I am ready to hike, sightsee or just stalk my children.

Even though it isn't a bag, this errand basket organizes my life.

When Woolworths went out of business,

I bought a stack of these beauties for $1 each.

They are some of my prize possessions.

I keep it by the door and add:

-returns that need to be made

-lone overdue library book found under the couch

-packages that need to be mailed

I even have a special Zune bag from Hawaii.

The bag orignally came with coffee,

but is perfect for my Zune and accesories.

Yes, I made the container for my ear phones

from a dental floss box.

Remove label, add a monkey sticker,

and it is a cute little thing ready to hold treasures.

During their younger years, each of our kids had a library bag. My husand mounted a peg shelf at their level, so they could always return their bag, with books in it, to the peg shelf. It kept books from being lost and  made it easier to return the books. A clear pocket on the outside would have been a great idea for the checkout slip.

When I am beginning to organize things to bring or send to someone, I begin a brown paper bag in the closet with their name printed in black, bold letters. As things are purchased, found or finished, they are put into the bag. If it is to be mailed, I might even pick out the box ahead of time and put that in the closet labeled. When it is full, it is mailed.


My youngest keeps a toy bag packed in the van. She is encouraged to keep a few toys, books, personal items, water bottle and maybe a snack. Living in a busy area, one accident on the highway and your commute home just got 29 minutes longer. Baseball season is here, and games can get long for the little ones.

Now that it is baseball season I have a baseball bag. Because it can be chilly, I keep a fleece blanket, extra hats and gloves, snacks and kleenex packed in an extra large tote bag.

Just for fun, I looked up bag in the Bible.

Didja' know David organized his five smooth stones  in a shepherd’s bag? 1 Samuel 17:40

The best use I found for a bag yet was in the book of Job.

Job 14:17

My transgression is sealed up in a bag,

And You cover my iniquity.

Another good reason for my hubby to call me

The Bag Lady.