I can’t say how many times I have bought a new tool to replace one that I lost, only to find it again almost immediately after I bought the new one. I have two of almost everything in my garage.
The buy/new find/old thing never fails. But it can be both expensive and tiresome.
I have learned to just walk through our rooms and to look at every flat surface, as that’s where I put stuff ‘temporarily’ while doing something else. That doesn’t work, I begin to look under stuff or in dressers and cabinets. Next I try to just forget about it for a day or two, and, occasionally memory provides a clue.
The usual pattern is when I look for something today, I’ll find what I was looking for yesterday. Then tomorrow when I’m looking for something else, I’ll find what I was looking for today.
I always do a quick look using some of what Opal says. If not found, I pray to St. Anthony and within 5 minutes I find it. Every single time. I’m 72, still works.
More than once I have bought a tool to replace a missing tool. Then I decided to store it where I would remember to find it. And of course the original tool was in the way.
Back when I had a home office, I could never find my staple remover. In a snit, I ordered a dozen from the office supply house. Scattered them over the desk and in all the drawers. Problem solved……briefly. Those things are like socks – just disappear at random. I finally retired and still have two or three.
I usually do #1, then sometimes #3 if it’s recent enough that I can remember where I’ve used what I’m looking for …… but usually go right to #4 ….. saves a lot of time and aggravation …… ;)
Having followed “Pickles” for years, I feel this LDS cartoonist has achieved a new level of plausibility to the point that I seriously suspect that he is using my wife and me as templates for Earl and Opal….especially relevant ref. lost articles.
After searching all over to find a tank top like the one I thought someone took from my washing machine at the local laundry mat, on the last day of the last week of the warm summer weather, I found it between 2 large pieces of fabric. sigh ◑﹏◐
allen@home 9 months ago
Earl look at it this way. If you do buy a replacement and the other turns up. Now you have a extra of whatever was lost.
Algolei I 9 months ago
Look in the microwave. That’s where I keep finding the milk.
sirbadger 9 months ago
You could buy 6 socks the same color, so you won’t notice if one is missing.
carlsonbob 9 months ago
4 always works!
oldthang 9 months ago
5…do without it.
Kwen 9 months ago
1 usually is “Blame your spouse for misplacing it”
pearlsbs 9 months ago
Can’t you just skip step 1, since that is what you did to realize it was lost.
Yakety Sax 9 months ago
KA7DRE Premium Member 9 months ago
Yes . . wise thinking Opal has been around the block a few times to gather all of that advice.
Erse IS better 9 months ago
She’s absolutely correct.
Cornelius Noodleman 9 months ago
My brother lost his personality, but I don’t think he can afford to buy another one.
Ubintold 9 months ago
Sounds like a plan.
Zykoic 9 months ago
Lost hearing aids should beep when misplaced……..no, wait….never mind.
laughingkitty 9 months ago
I usually end up doing number four.
The Reader Premium Member 9 months ago
Five…Remember to stop looking when you find it.
scote1379 Premium Member 9 months ago
Its always in the Last place you Look !
Blu Bunny 9 months ago
George Carlin, As my mom said, Well it didn’t grow legs and walk off on it’s own. Where did you last have it? If I knew that it wouldn’t be lost.
win.45mag 9 months ago
My ex-wife lost her sense of humor. Still haven’t found it.
Pet 9 months ago
That is exactly what happened with my wedding ring lol!
The husband surprised me by having an exact replica made. Two weeks later we found the original.
In the pocket of my jeans. I had taken it of to wash the dishes and forgot to put it away. It finally came out and was found in the dryer.
silberdistel 9 months ago
Oh, :-D !, see: Reality Check by Dave Whamond for August 30, 2023
iggyman 9 months ago
Does that work with phones? I misplace mine 20 times a day!
iggyman 9 months ago
What I always heard “There it is, if it had teeth it would bite you”!
sarahbowl1 Premium Member 9 months ago
Opal is so right!
backyardcowboy 9 months ago
Always check the black hole inside the dryer.
backyardcowboy 9 months ago
See today’s Reality Check: >
tremaine53 9 months ago
That’s how women get so many shoes.
phritzg Premium Member 9 months ago
And Step Five – When you lose the replacement item, repeat Step Four. Just like using shampoo: rinse and repeat.
jagedlo 9 months ago
And you think Earl will remember this, Opal?
6foot6 9 months ago
I often just skip to the end. It’s faster and save more time.
Ol' me 9 months ago
I can’t say how many times I have bought a new tool to replace one that I lost, only to find it again almost immediately after I bought the new one. I have two of almost everything in my garage.
sugordon 9 months ago
Yep, step four usually works for me
NeedaChuckle Premium Member 9 months ago
Bought a new one and still haven’t seen the lost one.
david_42 9 months ago
Unfortunately, none of those methods work when the item got lost during a home move.
rhpii 9 months ago
Roscoe ate it.
kaycstamper 9 months ago
I once looked all over for my glasses…then discovered I was wearing them!
sandpiper 9 months ago
The buy/new find/old thing never fails. But it can be both expensive and tiresome.
I have learned to just walk through our rooms and to look at every flat surface, as that’s where I put stuff ‘temporarily’ while doing something else. That doesn’t work, I begin to look under stuff or in dressers and cabinets. Next I try to just forget about it for a day or two, and, occasionally memory provides a clue.
dexterwhite 9 months ago
I have multiple sets of readers scattered round the house……
ANIMAL 9 months ago
SO true..!!!!
jango 9 months ago
So what did Earl lose? Opal’s TLC. Now where could he buy a new one of that????
brick10 9 months ago
So keep the sales receipt for easier returns.
jconnors3954 9 months ago
Sounds about right.
BRBurns1960 9 months ago
Save time, go straight to option 4.
jimmeh 9 months ago
When I lose something, I usually find it in the last place I look.
Zebrastripes 9 months ago
Ain’t that the truth!
metagalaxy1970 9 months ago
Yup, been there, done that. And now the two gets lost together.
DM2860 9 months ago
When you buy the replacement and you go to put it away, you can’t because the missing item is already there.
IndyW 9 months ago
Been there, done that.
R Humble 9 months ago
We need a hearing aid locator app on our smartphones
fencie 9 months ago
The usual pattern is when I look for something today, I’ll find what I was looking for yesterday. Then tomorrow when I’m looking for something else, I’ll find what I was looking for today.
hk Premium Member 9 months ago
I always do a quick look using some of what Opal says. If not found, I pray to St. Anthony and within 5 minutes I find it. Every single time. I’m 72, still works.
David Huie Green PrepareBeforeOrRegretLater 9 months ago
More than once I have bought a tool to replace a missing tool. Then I decided to store it where I would remember to find it. And of course the original tool was in the way.
assrdood 9 months ago
Back when I had a home office, I could never find my staple remover. In a snit, I ordered a dozen from the office supply house. Scattered them over the desk and in all the drawers. Problem solved……briefly. Those things are like socks – just disappear at random. I finally retired and still have two or three.
kv450 9 months ago
bwswolf 9 months ago
I usually do #1, then sometimes #3 if it’s recent enough that I can remember where I’ve used what I’m looking for …… but usually go right to #4 ….. saves a lot of time and aggravation …… ;)
greatgrannyszoo 9 months ago
so true lost a old cook book order another one 6 months later when we move a book stand and found it….
jaco872nd 9 months ago
Having followed “Pickles” for years, I feel this LDS cartoonist has achieved a new level of plausibility to the point that I seriously suspect that he is using my wife and me as templates for Earl and Opal….especially relevant ref. lost articles.
zeexenon 9 months ago
Number 4 works best and saves the depleting energy of my precious bodily fluids.
Angry Indeed 9 months ago
Replace Taggart with Earl:
https://getyarnDOTio/yarn-clip/961d4e72-14fa-4eb6-a60f-bcc524cd465b
Angry Indeed 9 months ago
Earl is “processing” her methods. In one ear and out the other.
Angry Indeed 9 months ago
“The battery went out in my hearing aid and I didn’t want you to get angry because I couldn’t hear you.”
MuddyUSA 9 months ago
Aha, There you have Earl….lessons to be learned!
Drgnslr Premium Member 9 months ago
It ALWAYS works that way for me. That’s why I don’t open the box and keep the receipt.
dogday Premium Member 9 months ago
Boy is THAT true! I’ve gotten more cars that way!
tammyspeakslife Premium Member 9 months ago
After searching all over to find a tank top like the one I thought someone took from my washing machine at the local laundry mat, on the last day of the last week of the warm summer weather, I found it between 2 large pieces of fabric. sigh ◑﹏◐
cafed00d Premium Member 9 months ago
I always jump to step 4. It works every time while the first 3 rarely ever do.
KEA 9 months ago
I always look in the last place I’d expect to find it, since I always find stuff the last place I look
goboboyd 9 months ago
So I’m not the only one.
w16521 9 months ago
Earl looks as clueless as can be.