In my car:
at least one book (in case I get bored)
jumper cables (in case I break down)
sleeping bag (in case I break down in a blizzard)
crow bar (in case I have to defend myself)
a quart of oil (in case I need oil)
a dodgeball (in case a game breaks out)
a bunch of mix tapes I made years ago and don’t really like anymore
Shirley, I get the “always prepared” jibe too. Besides the usual vehicle things (jack, tools, jumper cables), I keep some odd stuff in my truck:
A tackle box (no rods, and no, I don’t fish. I just have really good intentions of learning to fish!)
Spare hard hat, rain suit, and other work safety gear
Chain saw chains and oil
Marking paint
Hitches
Tire chains
Dog dishes and food
ALL of my CDs (although I never bother to replace the ones in the changer and end up listening to the same music for a year at a time)
Spurs, rope, a spare halter (yes, these I use)
Wipes! Can’t be without them!
First aid kit and a box of gloves
Work gloves, tape measures, a hydrant wrench
Trucker’s rope and a tangle of tie-downs
And I’m female, and rarely use any of this, but everyone at my job sites know I have it. And if the inspector is prepared, they had better be too! OK, I hardly ever use the spurs at work - but I get enough smart-alec comments about them to make up for it. Good thing I have a toolbox, or there wouldn’t be room for us in the cab…
Things I always have on me whether I’m on the town or at the beach:
Wallet, lighter, micra-leatherman, chapstick, flashligh, a small notebook and pen and two six-sided dice.
Things that travel with me in my coat, depending on which coat and the age of said coat vary wildly, but items in my largest winter coat are:
Small books, candies, papers/business cards/advertisements, maps of select states/cities, sunglasses, a tape measure, a candle and candleholder, a headset that plugs into the arm rest on airplanes, a pair of gloves, loose change, a compass/thermometer, lighters/matchbooks, an additional flashlight, a palm pilot, toothpicks, packets of asparin/Advil, and a vast amount of other Random Stuff that I can’t remember from year-to-year that I am always amazed to find the next winter.
Besides jumper cables, and other automotive needs I keep in my trunk a small duffle bag with toothpaste tooth brushes and a change of underwear for me and a complete change of clothes for junior. I like to have a blanket back there, too.
In the glove box I actually keep a pair of gloves, a tire pressure guage, car manual, service records, a map, and 20 bucks in case I’m ever near empty in the only community left that doesn’t have “Pay at the pump”.
In my purse I try to always have my phone, PDA, checkbook, pen, wallet and keys (unless I’m driving. Then they’re in the car.) I also like to have at least one chapstick and a good supply of mints.
Two words…
Lip.
Balm.
Can’t leave home without it.
Other things may come and go but I don’t move without my lip balm.
To the question of melting, we use the type that comes in the small metal jar like Carmex or Lip Medex. They melt but it doesn’t matter.
LA traffic?
My backpack has so much junk in it, I could probably run my own supply shop out of it. But even after I clean it out, it always contains an immense handful of writing utensils, paper, lip balm, my wallet, books (at least one, usually more), my calculator, my keys, mouthpieces for my instrument (this thing does go with me to school), and various little toys that are unbelievably useful when I’m bored out of my skull.
Not much that’s actually useful. I’m taking notes, though, on stuff to keep!
My car has in it:
glove box: all my car papers, cheap 35mm camera for emergency pictures
a quart of oil (used to be at least a gallon with my old car)
a gallon of antifreeze
a quart of power steering fluid
a gallon of windshield washer
a funnel
bungee cord
2 neon yellow shoelaces (from before I had the bungee cord to tie the trunk closed if I found something great on the side of the road that I HAD to have)
a blanket
complete tool set
collapsable gas can
jumper cables
compass
flashlight
towel and various other rags
road flares
one of those foil space blanket thingies
a poncho
a snow brush
stuffed animals in the back window
a box of kleenex in the front
Most of the fluids and car repair items are a carryover from when I had my last POS car which frequently needed roadside repairs. Ironically, I still miss it.
My purse, on the other hand is very empty and I avoid carrying it unless absolutely necessary.
Always in my car: moist towelettes, towels, an organizer, a box to hold my stuff, a Thai food takeout menu.
Always in my purse: Kleenex, moisturizing nasal spray, gum, Altoids, more moist towelettes.
Anything else is there on a rotational or as-needed basis.
Don’t have a car, but in my handbag there is always:
Keys,
Mobile phone,
make up,
a small bottle of perfume,
various feminine hygiene products,
lip balm,
hand cream,
diary,
at least three pens,
tissues,
a watch,
prayer beads,
my wallet.
some form of chocolate (I’m diabetic!)
my diabetes meds,
paracetamol or ibuprofen,
sunglasses,
umbrella (you can never be to careful with British weather!)
a cd player,
a spare pair of knee highs.
I think thats all.