This morning the earth shook – literally! We experienced a minor tremor in Mumbai. What was the first thing I did? I rushed to change out of my pajamas – just in case we had to run out of our apartment. I was certainly not going to be running down the street in my night clothes!
Laughing at myself, I began to think about all the just-in-case things I do. I always go to the toilet just before leaving the house. I have a sip of water just before leaving home. My pencil case has a scissors, a stapler, staple pins, two erasers, four pens, five pencils…..just in case! Not to mention the emergency supply of toiletries in my handbag.
When I was working, my colleague would always tease me about my handbag – it was full of just-in-case stuff….needle and thread, safety pins, marker pens (I had a training company). He’d sometimes say to me: ‘I’m feeling hungry, do you have a burger in there?’
When I’m travelling, the just-in-case list gets bigger and bigger – much to my husband’s amusement. However, when we do have to use some ’emergency’ supply of mosquito repellent or stitch on a button – then I have the last laugh.
I’d love to hear what just-in-case things you do or carry around?
May you be inspired – every day!
I must say that you are a lot more prepared than I am! I do tend to keep “just in case” things in my purse…like tweezers in case the kids get a sliver at the park and of course toiletries …you just never know!
And I didn’t even tell you half of it, Jessica. I’m imagining just what I’d carry if I had kids!!
Hmmm…I find this amusing š You’re always prepared. You reminded me of that time when I was in Italy and earthquakes were pretty common at that time. I slept all dressed and ready to go just in case, it happens at night š
However, over the years that passed, I began putting away things from my bag. I’d travel light and my friends would often tease me that I’m no longer a ‘girl scout’. I think this ‘just in case’ has been replaced with ‘whatever there is’.
Lately, however, I’ve been thinking of writing my sister a letter to recover my passwords to my social networking sites, you know just in case and to save important numbers of my intimate friends. Oh well, LOL…whatever…
Oh Melissa a girl scout is what I am although I never was one! The last time I went out for two weeks, I wrote down all my passwords in a book and gave them to Jose – just in case! š
True Corinne. Whenever I step out of the house, I’d always think, ‘What if I’m not able to come back?’ Oh well, my Guardian Angel will notify my loved ones š
melissa recently posted..Madness!
True, Melissa ā„
Well, living in Japan, we have a massive collection of just-in-case stuff from food to blankets and everything in-between. I have learned to always have at least 1 roll of toilet paper in the car too, especially here in Japan! Yeah, whenever we have an earthquake I always go run to change out of my night clothes,lol. I think it is better to be over-prepared…if there is such a thing rather than not have something. Great post & it serves as a good reminder just in case there is an emergency.
The Social Frog recently posted..Blogging From A To Z Challenge: MinamiSanriku, Japan
I thought of you when writing this, RoseAnn and knew you’d have stories to share. I have a box of tissues in the car – I think I’ll add toilet paper too š Being over-prepared is what I am, I guess.
Oh, I can’t imagine living where I have to fear the shaking of the earth. However, we do live in “Dixie Alley” known for fierce thunderstorms and tornadoes, and there have been plenty of times when we have made a mad dash to our basement.
So, what do I grab? My purse, of course, my Bible and prayer book, cell phone, and Danny’s camera. We already have emergency lights and radio downstairs.
Your post has made me think that it might not be a bad idea to have other emergency items stored in our basement, like bottled water, extra toothbrushes, contact case and solution (for me), tissue, etc.
Thanks for this great post, Corinne!
Blessings!
Martha Orlando recently posted.."Will You Still Need Me, Will You Still Feed Me, When I’m Sixty-Four?"
Generally we’re not at risk of earthquakes, Martha, so this was a little unusual but not exactly unexpected because of recent seismic activity in Indonesia. So in many ways, we’re not generally prepared for stuff like this. If my post, made you think about keeping emergency supplies, I’m glad that it did š
LOL
Corinne.. trust me, I was so so sooo happy happy to read your handbag story … It’s the same as mine. My colleagues go to the extent of saying, one day we have to see what Punam keeps in her handbag,.. to know why its always so heavy. š
I can tick off ur items.. so there u go.. u have got company!
š
Punam recently posted..For you, my friend.. I am here
Haha…and I didn’t share half of what I carry, Punam! š
My ‘just in case bag’ holds battery chargers for camera & phone, several books (because I don’t know when I might be stranded or what I will be in the mood to read), feminine products (remember ‘Cougarliciousness’???), toothbrush & paste.
I’m seeing a pattern here about understanding people’s priorities (or fears?) by virtue of peeking into their ‘just in case’ bag š
Dangerous Linda recently posted..this moment
Ah! I, almost always have a book too and when I was working all of what you mentioned! Yes, I was trying to analyse too and see what priorities I have, Linda. š
This post reminded me of Marion Keyes’s novel, ‘Sushi For Beginners’. I am just in cases too. I hate to be caught without, you know just in case. I probably don’t carry anything different from you. I am never without aspirin or Tums. The most mysterious item in my collection of just in case is probably a pair of flash eye lashes. A woman never knows when they might come in handy. š
Haven’t read that book, but I see must, Brenda. A pair of flash eye lashes would be wasted on me because I would know how to put them on! ;_
Loved your just in case kit… haaa… š
Thanks, Ash! What does yours consist of?
This made me laugh so as I visioned you running down the street in your pajamas LOLOL….. my phone is my just in case ..always carry thing.. like a lifeline LOLOL..you can write..you can call blah blah blah…glad you are safe…As always….XOXOXOXOXO
Bongo recently posted..Announcing ‘Blogging and Friends’ Blog Hop
The phone goes without saying -it’s the crazy stuff I need to carry that makes me a little weird, Bonnie.
Sounds like you’re a good person to have around! I always have napkins in my glove compartment. And a pen and gum in my purse.
femmefrugality recently posted..Link Love Yakezie Style
Oh yes, I’m good in an emergency š
Corinne, you sound like me! I always keep a stash of stuff in my purse. From safety pins, to female items (smile) and napkins and sometimes plastic forks if I will be out all day. You never know when you run across a food fair here in NYC. I love the Harold’s Planet image. A smile is the best thing to carry, just in case. Cheers and hugs!
Tameka (BloggerPoet) ( recently posted..Lyric Fire: NaPoWriMo 2012 – Day 14 of 30 Poems in 30 Days – Spaghetti & Fried Fish
Plastic forks is a new one on me, Tameka. You’re clearly better prepared than I am! š
Hello Corinne.
Your just in case sounds like my wife. She’s the most organized person I know.
She always carries around pen, paper, tissues, emergency contact numbers, a list of medicines we take. She has safety pins attached to her keys, which have actually come in handy. She has all our important documents and passports in a waterproof container that we can just grab. Just recently, she packed a small pilot case of clothes and travel-size toiletries in case we have to evacuate at short notice. She even has flashlights that don’t require any batteries, you just shake or wind up and boom…instant light…I never would have thought of that one! (Lol) She’s always telling me one can never be too prepared. Reading the other comments, I can see she has a point. Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Andy recently posted..Day 13/14: MAKE MY HEART DRUNK…
You’re one lucky man, Andy! Your wife is infinitely better prepared than I am.
I feel like I’m reading about my mom, Corinne LOL When I was still in med school and would go on a 24-hour duty, I always made sure I had water, candy (in case I don’t get to eat on time, which was usually the case haha!), energy drink (just in case I had to stay awake the whole night, again usually the case LOL), my own blanket (just in case there isn’t any in the room where interns-on-duty sleep, where the air conditioner is in full blast and the room is as cold as the North pole), toiletries, laptop, and celphone. Yep, i carried a HUGE bag every time I went on duty haha! š
Irene recently posted..Hot, Hot, Hot Friday!
You’re talking about your Mom, Irene and you seem to be just as good (or bad) as me! š
LOL true! š
Irene recently posted..Does It Make Sense??
First of all I’m so grateful that you are alright. Earthquakes can be devastating.
I love your just in case supplies. Most of mine are the same as yours except I carry hand sanitizer just in case I touch something yucky;) My mother was the queen of just in case. She always had candy, scissors, a tape measure, screwdriver and a tiny hammer. She did NOT have lipstick, a hairbrush, or any vanity items. She was a tough cookie mostly interested in finding out how things worked;)
Leah recently posted..The Tango Continues
The hand sanitizer is in the car. I’m careful not to use too much after I read that overuse might cause resistance to antibiotics. You’re Mom must have really been tough, Leah – what with carrying a hammer and all! š
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Just In Case
My just -in-case bag has recently become one of diapers, bottles, babywipes and extra clothes, (them and me). I have always kept water in the trunk of my car, an extra pair of shoes and a jacket. I have many writing implements and notepaper, of course I rarely if ever leave home without my camera. I also have a very nice utility knife that never leaves my bag and an extra pair of glasses..
Jan Neel recently posted..Friday Moment
I’m sure that the just in case lists get longer when there are kids around. The one long road trip we took with Pablo was crazy with all the stuff I carried for him!!
Hi Corinne,
This reminds me of my mom. She’s also a very organized person. She has a list of all the things that should go in every bag, cabinet, drawer and room. I’m not quite as thorough as she is but when I still had my day job, I used to get teased a lot because of the assortment of just in case things in my large bag.
I have a great fear of fire so I keep all my important documents, my old albums and all other important stuff in one box so I can quickly pick it up just in case.
Theresa Torres recently posted..Student Guide to Credit Cards
Thanks for sharing, Theresa. The box is a good idea too!
Thanks ladies!
You brought a smile to my face this Sunday morning lol. When we shoot a wedding we have a bag of just in case stuff!! All for the wedding party, just in case !!! Tissues, scissors, white out ( does wonders to hide a lipstick stain on a wedding dress, a brides mom taught us that one), Aspirin, gaffers tape ( both for the photographers and to do emergency work on the groomsmen’s jackets!!
Thanks again for the laugh !!Just made me think another good topic would be what would we grab first if we had to leave our house in afire !!!
I love what’s in your emergency bag – I would never have thought of half that stuff – but I guess experience teaches you that! I too was thinking about the fire question when I wrote this one, Jim. Thank you.
I am a light packer š I just have my pen, a notebook, small vial of perfume, face wipes, and my wallet.
My husband is the prepared one š
Loved your list.
http://sulekharawat.com/2012/04/15/milestone/
Sulekha Rawat recently posted..Milestone or Tombstone?
I guess your husband’s military background taught him to be prepared, Sulekha! The contents of your handbag sound like you’re prepared too!
OMG, Corinne, you’re so much like me. I nodded to almost everything you’ve said. The list is endless . . . I guess women are always better prepared. I like it that way as we ultimately become providers of stuff. Isn’t that lovely.
Hope you’re having a good Suday, dear Corinne.
Joy always,
Susan
Oh yes, Susan they laugh at us, but that doesn’t stop them from asking to use some the stuff we’re carrying!
—I love visiting you, Corrine.
You. Have. Much. Positive. Energy.
If I lost everything else…..
.I hope to keep my lipstick & my book.
Oh, and Mr. Liverpool !! <3 Kissssssssssssssssss
My Inner Chick recently posted..My Favorite Commercial, Gaga, & 50 Shades of Grey
You’re way too sweet, Kim. What a waste of lipstick if Mr Liverpool was not around š
Corinne, you mean pajama pants is not standard wear for running out of the house in case of an earthquake? hee hee! I loved this post! Your “just in case” sounds very much like my sister’s, “Take this with you, because you never know.” Oh my goodness! She too hauls everything under the sun in her bag. I’m afraid I don’t take anything with me other than the house keys and a form of ID. I really should follow your lead! š
Bella recently posted..Doggie stroller, anyone?
Oh, Bella no I’m afraid I’m too shy for that – although I could live in them all day at home! Don’t follow my lead, be you ā„
That is SO funny as it is EXACTLY the way I function!!
My handbag is ALWAYS huge and SO heavy because of the “just in case”.
Since I love to stay in pajama as long as I’m home, My pajama’s are usually jogging suits. I have this habit since the war because we always had to run to the shelter. So i don’t wear normal pajamas since that time.
As for my handbag: wet wipes, deodorant, perfume, hair brush, tooth brush, hair clips, sunglasses (not the ones I use, those are just in case, mine broke), needle to repair cloth if something happen, scissors, pens, paper, note book, a book, a sudoku, etc…..
nikky44 recently posted..Living in a Fairy Tale
Nikky you’re much better prepared than I am for sure. The jogging suit for bed sounds like a great idea – then I might never dress up š
I am never dressed up when at home!!! It’s always jogging suit. When I come back from work, i start to undress before entering my bedroom. When I say dressed, well it’s a jean and a shirt š
nikky44 recently posted..Living in a Fairy Tale
That sounds really cool, Nikky! š
Well, just in case I haven’t said it before – I love your blog. Based on your “just in case” living, I’d say you’re a well organized, well prepared person. Me – not so much.
Myrna recently posted..MEMORIES: THE SUBWAY IN NEW YORK
Thank you, Myrna, you’re always so sweet. Yesterday I was so happy to see many new posts on your blog. Have read them but will be commenting today.
I hope the earth has calmed down and there wasn’t too much damage in the more fragile parts of the city. I have family in Christchurch and know how unsettling it is to live in a city that shakes.
Also thank you for the retweets on my review of ‘Shantaram’, I did wonder what you made of it and indeed what locals thought of it when it came out. I have just discovered another book which I would love to read, the perspectives of 4 women living in Bombay, I felt I needed an alternative viewpoint and a female one at that. The book is called ‘The World we Found’ by Umrigar Thrity. Have you heard anything of it also?
Claire ‘Word by Word’ recently posted..Orange Prize Shortlist
It seems to be all quiet now, Claire. I know I made light of something that is potentially so dangerous.
Can you believe I haven’t read Shantaram yet? I must. I hadn’t heard of Thrity Umrigar’s book but it will be interesting, no doubt. I’ll check local reviews to let you know.
So glad you are all right! I don’t carry much just in case stuff anymore. I don’t even carry a purse. I always have my ID, health card, credit card, cell phone, and that’s about it. If we expand to what is usually in my car, then we’ll add some snack food, headache medicine, water, and dental floss! Loved the post and all the comments!
Galen Pearl recently posted..Dog is God Spelled Backwards*
Galen, thanks for sharing. Snack food in the car sounds like an idea! š
OMG Corinne! I would have freaked as my ‘just in case’ bag is empty at the moment LOL.
I have always been an avid buyer of candles…tall ones, thin ones, floating ones…it doesn’t matter as long as it has a wick and will burn. My husband, on the other hand, didn’t see the sense in it all. He continuously picked on me about it [in a loving way] and constantly ask me ‘why?’ I told him, someday we may need them if the electricity goes out for any length of time. He would just chuckle at me.
About 10 years ago, our electricity went out for over a week due to an ice storm. It was so very cold. We had our son and our little girl we had to think about keeping warm and feeding, not to mention my father. You would be surprised at how warm candles can keep a room! I burned up about 15 years of candle-storing in a week! Now, when we are shopping I grab a couple of candles. When he gives me that grin, I tell him: “you know honey…just in case we need them” LOL
Mary Hudak-Colllins recently posted..I’m So Sorry, Baby Girl
I love this story, Mary! Jose laughs at me too, but is the first one to ask for some ‘just-in-case’ stuff I carried when we travel!
I can very much relate to that…My college friends always used to approach for just in case things.
Now, the list has grown as I am a Mother to a toddler.
Ha ha…I’d love to hear what your ‘kit’ contained, Upasana!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Practicing Mindfulness From Dawn Until Dusk