If I hadn’t been searching for woolens to mothproof, I never would’ve made my discovery!
My Grandma used to take my sister and me to FAO Schwartz every Christmas.
In the chest at the foot of our bed, where I stow my grandma’s down comforter and a lion from the former FAO Schwartz, I uncovered woolen items hunkering at the bottom. I found the plaid mohair lap-blanket Mom gave me as a child (I’d looked for it last winter without success) and the marvelous bedspread and a shawl my mother used. Fortunately, neither had been invaded by larvae.
I usually don’t lose things. Or do I? Where do my socks scamper off to? I’m always afraid the moment I throw away the remaining sock, its partner will show up. The same goes for earrings.
Now, where did we park our SUV?
Have you ever lost your car in a parking lot or garage? My excuse is my automobile is beige and sits low, easy to hide behind a larger vehicle. However, when my husband and I travel in our SUV, I can’t locate it in the parking lot either. These days most vehicles seem to look the same.
In an attempt to stay organized, I mounted a brass hook rack for keys. My husband knows not to use my favorite hook at the end, which I claimed. And I also installed hooks for my house keys so I can easily grab one when I take off for a walk.
The trick is remembering to use our key rack!
So, how is it possible that I misplace my keys? Several times recently my keyring was lurking at the bottom of my purse. In my defense, my purse is lined in black. The interior stays clean, but it’s a black hole. It’s embarrassing how many times I’ve had to sit on the porch and wait for my husband to come home to let me in because I’ve lost my keys. I’ve also become quite friendly with the locksmith too because we’ve had to have the locks changed a few times. I remember I lost my keys once whilst I was out so not only could I not get into the house, I couldn’t get into my car either – that’s after I’d found the car in the parking lot too. Luckily, the Locksmith came to my rescue and helped me get back into the car so that I could go to my husband’s work and borrow his keys to get home. Sometimes, I feel like I am queen of the lost and found, or perhaps just lost.
Some of my friends are the same, to be honest. Perhaps we get it from one another… If you can believe it, my best friend also lost her car once. She was at the supermarket and spent the next two hours retracing her steps, asking every employee if they’d seen her keys, but to no avail. My locksmith buddy was busy so she decided to call a vehicle shipping company (click here to visit their website) to come and pick the SUV up and take it home. To be fair to them they were brilliant and they would have done it, but they said they usually do more long-distance relocation jobs. In the end, her husband (who it’s fair to say was rather unimpressed) turned up and someone had eventually handed the kets into the customer service desk at the supermarket so they managed to get back into the car. That was quite the ordeal.
Have you taken a shortcut and lost your way, as I did recently? Or lost your place in a book? Do you sometimes feel like you’re losing your memory or just one marble at a time? What do you most often misplace? Have you found solutions I could borrow?
Amish-made Table Topper, which could be used as a wall hanging.
Leave a comment and enter to win this Amish-made Table Topper or use as a wall hanging from Lancaster County, PA (28 in diameter at widest point), plus a signed copy of one book from the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy: Leaving Lancaster, Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish! USA and Canada only. Winner has three days to respond.
I have been forgetful since I was a kid in school, so I guess I can’t blame it on age. I am a believer in NOTES! You will find them all over the place. I have to write everything down. I make my own calendars and make sure each day has a large open space. At the end of the year, it looks like a diary. Everything that went on that year is written on those pages. As for losing my car in the parking lots, I used to do that. Thank heavens for the new key fobs that you can just push the button and it beeps. I use it all the time to find where I parked that car. The table topper is beautiful! It would look wonderful on our new dining room table or even on the hutch or the coffee table in the living room. If I’m blessed enough to win it, I will have fun trying to decide where it will go. Plus one of your autographed books would always be a blessing.
Thanks for writing, Pat! I’m glad you don’t blame your forgetfulness on age. I blame mine on my creative temperament, and also that I’m not paying attention … which I didn’t do in second grade either. I should have bought stock in Post-it notes as I use them often. We are all so bombarded with too much information these days. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I usually misplace my keys a lot. I throw them in my purse and somehow they seem to disappear . I sometimes find them still in the front door. Why? Because I forgot to get them after unlocking door. My solution is to just stay in my house and I won’t need my keys. Lol.
I’d love your solution, Deana, but don’t want to get cabin fever either! I won’t admit how many times I’ve lost my keys in the bottom of my purse or left them in the door. I figure as long as I don’t leave them in the car while it’s still running in a large parking lot I’m in good shape. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t lose my keys anymore because I have put so many keys and stuff on my keychain, it makes a handful lol. I do lose plenty of other things, though.
Thanks for writing, Debbie! I am often amazed that my keys hide themselves at the bottom of my purse. Or I stick them in a pocket on my way out of a store so I’ll know where they are … Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
When I am coloring I misplace some of my colored pencils and then I find them stuck in my hair
You put a smile on my face, Lois! I bet you look cute that way! Thanks for sharing the scenario with me as I think colored pencils is one item I have never misplaced … in my hair, anyway. I found a favorite mechanical pencil, so I bought many of them. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Does losing your marbles count? I find some days that I head out to do an errand, only to have to send a text requesting the hubby to make a photo and message me the list. My funny is that I’ve kicked off my heels during church and started for the door before I realized. 🙂 Life keeps you humble.
Your church story is funny, Annette! Love it. Often I get home from the store, list in hand if I’ve remembered to bring it, only to find I’ve forgotten the most important item. When we’re at our cabin, I make a list, but where is it now? I love your attitude about humility. That’s the plus side of forgetfulness. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
My mom used to have a key chain that said,”of all the things I’ve lost I miss my mind the most!” I feel like that so many days! Lol
I am like you about the socks now, I hold on to a stray sock for at least 6 before tossing it in the trash because I figure it will show up just as soon as I get rid of it. To me, the two worst things I lose easily and frequently are my keys and my phone. Would love to win this beautiful table topper and a copy of one of your books!
Thanks for writing, Tiffany, and sharing your mother’s fun key chain! Sometimes I put a stray sock in with my dusting cloths, but its mate rarely shows up. Where do they go? Every once in a while my husband will find a black one in among his T-shirts. Which reminds me, I’m running low on black socks. Wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I have to leave myself notes so I will remember to do something. I keep a notepad by my bed in case I think of something in the middle of the night.
Not a thing wrong with notes, Hannah! A great idea to keep a notepad by your bed for midnight ideas and thoughts. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I can lay my keys down one minute and forget where I laid them a few minutes later.
At home, I rely on my key rack, Tammy! But once I leave the house my keys often elude me. I’ve even gone back into restaurants to see if I left them there, only to find they were in the bottom of my purse. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
I just recently had to get a pair of glasses. Along with the glasses, I bought a pair of clipon sunglasses. I find myself looking for my sunglasses, only to find that I have already clipped them on to my glasses.
Anyone ever do this?
Clip-on sunglasses sound like a great idea, Elaine! I’d probably do the exact same thing, or worse, misplace the clip-ons. I wear sunglasses when outside so of course I must own more than one pair … (One stays in my purse.) Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I use to loose Important Paperwork! My case manager taught me a trick. Buy a 3 ring binder then buy the plastic sleeves then categorize for bills in one binder court papers in another and so on. It is absolutely amazing because if your in a hurry then you slip it in a sleeve and go and it’s always there!! You can be as organized as you want!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your great tactic, Teresa! I have a file cabinet where I attempt to keep things organized, and several trays where I put specific receipts. I like your idea of the three ring binder with the plastic sleeves! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Like you, I need to read all of the responces for help 🙂
Particularly love the green/purple. Perfect in my kitchen 🙂
I suppose the best way to be organized is to keep an organized house, bills, and purse, Loretta! Not my strong point. My brain is usually traipsing off into the land of fiction … However, not losing your wallet, keys, and other essentials are mandatory. I try. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck! Your kitchen sounds lovely.
Kate
I have baskets by my door & put my sunglasses in one and keys in the other the minute I walk inside the door so I always know where they are when I’m ready to leave.
Excellent idea, Ginger! I try to do the same thing: glasses go on window-sill, keys on hook. Unfortunately the rest of the house is not as orderly in spite of my efforts. Thanks for sharing your tip and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I often miss place important mail. I’ve started to put important mail in a basket, by my desk. I used to forget my house keys. Now I have them on a lanyard and hang them on the door handle.
Love your ideas, Lisa! I finally bought a basket to put important bills in. However, I find myself stuffing other papers in it too. Not good. Hard to lose your house keys if they are hanging on the door handle! Thanks for sharing your strategies and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I lose my keys all the time! I’m an organized mess.
Sounds as though you need a plan, Amy! Losing your keys can ruin your whole day … I have many a personal story to prove my point, including having to hire a locksmith to break into my car. Ouch, I’d forgotten about that, not to mention the cost. Good luck to in finding a solution and in this giveaway!
Kate
I used to lose my keys in my handbag all the time. I now have a hook that hangs on the side of my purse that holds my keys, so they are easy to find. Love the table topper. Thanks for the chance to win. Have a blessed day.
A great idea, Debbie! Did you buy or make the hook? Hangs on the inside or outside of your purse? You have inspired me to fix this one problem that causes me so much wasted time and anxiety. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
What a beautiful table topper! Yes, I do feel that I’m losing my mind; especially like when I’m going through a stressful time. My tip for not losing keys is to put them in your purse as soon as you get in the house. I don’t lose the car or truck in a parking lot, because I park by a light pole and usually a little bit out to get more exercise. These tips may not work for everyone, but they work for me.
Your tip sound excellent, Melissa! I’m sure if I would take a moment, destress and actually look at where my car is, I’d be more likely to find it again even if it sits low. Parking by a light pole is a terrific idea. I’m always trying to find ways to get more exercise. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
The lost car in the parking lot? THAT IS ME! Oh, my I never learn. I never, ever, notice where I park and the if a young man helps me with my cart out to my car, I have to grab my keys and start pushing the remote buttons on it so that I can “hear” my car. I get so embarrassed. I can so relate!
I drive a 1995 sedan without remote anything, Sonja, and yes it is embarrassing. I usually do ask for help out to my car if I can get it and assume the young men think I’m senile. I bet they see this occurrence all day. Oh, well, I probably remind them of their mother, and we know how dumb she is. Thanks for your fun comment and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I am forever losing my glasses…it makes no difference where I put them…they aren’t there when I go back…lol…my solution…I now have multiple pairs…in almost every room of the house…in my purse…and in the car…of course…I never fail to walk out with them on my face…leaving me searching again when I return…lol
Your letter gave me a chuckle, Mary! I also have readers all over the house. And I’ve gone outside wearing them instead of my sunglasses, then have to go back because is too bright. Fortunately, my prescription hasn’t changed in over five years or I’d be in trouble. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
When my mind is controlled by a situation or problem, I lose things more often. It is obvious that I am distracted by the needs of that moment, and I operate on autopilot when stressed. It has happened often in the last two weeks! I am glad to understand myself, and I will be glad to leave this situation behind.
I hope your difficult situation is soon behind you, Phyllis! If I’m feeling anxious I’m more likely to drop things or lose them. When driving, I try to keep all distracting thoughts from my head and center on my purpose. Those other drivers may be operating on autopilot too or texting. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Most times if I don’t write down what I want to get at the grocery store I am lost. But I usually lost things that I need and want to be in a place where I would find them, then can’t remember where that place is. Like when I pick up things for my kids (grown) and grandkids and I want to wait till a birthday or Christmas to send them. I put them in a safe place just can’t remember where that is.
My mom used to do the same thing, Andrea! And I’m sure I have too, but I just haven’t come across them yet. Several times I’ve put my jewelry in “safe” places and then couldn’t re-find them for months. When I die, I hope my survivors check all the pockets of my clothing and contents of my purses, which I don’t use anymore but can’t seem to donate to charity. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Most of the time I lost socks and maybe forgetting where I parked the car,would love to win yore book,thank
Thanks for writing, Ruth! Where, oh, where do those socks go? Not down the drain, since I have a strainer for lint. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I have to leave myself notes everywhere! Also, I tend to lose my car in the parking lot 🙁
Thanks for making me feel better, Michelle! My husband jokes about losing our car … and I also have notes everywhere. Most for me but some of them are for him. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t misplace things, but I have accidents. I feel like a klutz anymore. Thank you so much for the chance.
Sorry to hear you have accidents, Lucy! in a way, they go hand-in-hand with misplacing things because I assume you’re not paying close attention. I’m guilty of looking up too much, because I don’t want to miss a good photo shot. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I think that my keys top my “Now where did I put it?’ list and it isn’t that I don’t put them in my purse; I just can’t find them in my purse!
Wish I had a tip to offer!!
Connie, solving our disappearing keys dilemma will be on my Must Do list, because I definitely need a new routine too. Several people left tips I intend to try. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
If I don’t put my keys in my purse immediately, I will lay them down and always forget where!