Warning: Mnemonics Can Cause Histrionics
“O.K. not your boyfriend’s nickname?” was his joking response.
“Ha.” As if. With a husband named Cap’n Firepants, who needs an Idiot for a boyfriend?
Despite my husband’s seeming alarm, he is quite used to my unconventional methods of reminding myself of things. It really didn’t surprise him at all that I would add a memo to our electronic family calendar so I could remind myself that one of my favorite bloggers was having surgery and I was supposed to send the patient some good thoughts that A.M.
Just that morning, as a matter of fact, I had employed two other memory techniques that just made Cap’n Firepants shake his head.
When he was about to get in the shower, I said, “By the way, your razor is in my makeup organizer in my medicine cabinet.”
He paused. “Uh, why?”
“Well, I remembered late last night that I needed to ask you about those gift cards before you left for work. You were already asleep, so I figured if I stuck your razor in my medicine cabinet, you would ask me if I knew where it was after frantically searching for ten minutes, and I would remember that I needed to ask you.”
He shook his head, told me where the gift cards were hidden, and headed in for his shower.
I continued to get ready for work. Thirty minutes later, I grabbed the presents I was bringing to work with me and headed out the door. Except my keys weren’t in the key bowl.
“Gosh darn it. Where are my keys?” I was already running late. Geez! Oh yeah. In the refrigerator. That’s where I put them when I need to remember to bring something to work. What was I supposed to remember? The presents. That were already in my hands. So, basically, I remembered the items I was afraid I would forget, but not the device I was using to help me remember them. Typical.
Once, I went on a trip to an education conference when our daughter was really little. So, my husband’s parents came to stay with him to help out while I was gone. I called the first evening to see how things were going.
“Guess what my parents found in the freezer?” Cap’n Firepants asked me.
“Uh, chicken?”
“No.”
“Meatballs?”
“No.”
“Oh!!!!! My keys?”
“No.”
Now I was really perplexed. “Just tell me. What?”
“Your curling iron.”
Oh yeah. I had put it there to cool it off really quick before I stuck it in my suitcase. So, now his parents not only thought I was a bad cook, but that I somehow figured cylindrical hair appliances belonged in one of the food groups.
If I had programmed a calendar reminder to look for my keys in the fridge to remind me to pull my curling iron out of the freezer, my in-laws would never have discovered what a whacko their son had married. At least for another month or so.
I should be thankful, I suppose, that when the “Idiot’s Surgery” reminder popped up on my husband’s phone he did not promptly text me to ask what time my surgery was scheduled for that day. Married to me for eleven years, and he still does not immediately jump to the conclusion that I’m an idiot. There’s that.
Posted on December 21, 2011, in Blogging, Cap'n Firepants, Family, Humor, Memory Loss, Relationships and tagged Cap'n Firepants, family, humor, husband, Idiot, memory, mnemonics, relationships. Bookmark the permalink. 29 Comments.
i don the same stuff !!! Glad to see im not alone
Even the curling iron one?
Love it, especially the curling iron thing. Ah yes, reminders. I meticulously write things into my Daytimer like “Wayne” or “morning appt” or “girls.” I have no idea what any of it means when I actually get to that day. I need another system.
Yes, I can see how that might be a little confusing!
I do stuff like that ALL THE TIME. My keys are with whatever I don’t want to forget. Always.
I tried that. But then I kept putting whatever I didn’t want to forget in different places, so I would have to wander around looking for it and my keys. I’m only 43, and I’m already senile.
haha too funny…… next time… put “idiot motel 2pm” and see how quick he replies……hehehe……. have a great day “heather” 🙂
I just might do that. Good suggestion! Guess those pain meds make you really quick on your feet. Uh, I mean smart. Gosh, I just keep sticking my foot in it, don’t I 😉
I do some of those types of things, only I come across the reminder item and then I rack my brain trying to remember what it was it was supposed to remind me to do…
I would call that less than successful. (sigh)
Awww. Keep trying. Maybe you just need a little more practice.
The devise I use is writing myself notes in the comment sections of blogs I follow.
Hey Rich, don’t forget to tell Mrs. Cap’n Firepants how much you love her writing and sense of humor.
…Got it…
I really love your writing and your sense of humor lots.
See? it works!
Thank you! I love those kinds of reminders!
Those reminders may work better than Post-a-Notes – when you can’t read your own writing.
I cant read my own writing either
Crash, no one can read your writing. What’s worse is we can’t read your typing either.
Post-Its always end up stuck to my butt for some reason.
You paint these scenarious so vividly that I feel like I am right there inside a comedy show!
Maybe that’s why I keep looking in the mirror and seeing Lucille Ball.
Haha im glad Crash wasnt his first thought either
Good point.
Hilarious! You have some strange memory jogging techniques but they obviously work!
Most of the time, at least…
I’m a note writer but then I lose my notes! And I use acronyms to buy a few items from the store..like NASA means Nectarines, Applesauce, Soap and toilet paper (Ass). It works for me.
Man, I need to use that one. Except I don’t usually buy Nectarines. How about Nestles instead?
I once found the TV remote in the fridge. No idea why I put it there…
I’m glad we finally have our spouses trained of this sort of thing. My girl now just accepts it with a patient smile.
Hmm. That’s a good one. Are you certain you’re the one who put it there? I would claim ignorance if I were you.
I’m going to try the key thing, I’ll find my keys and remember the item. The whole ‘two birds’ thing. Loved the post.
Let me know if it works. Hopefully it won’t go the other way, and you’ll lose the keys AND forget the item!
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