The missing third cup . . . . .A mystery. .

I know that the legend of the"missing sock" is pretty much, eventually, a reality for anyone who does laundry.

I myself have lost more socks to that vicious dryer than I care to remember.

But today I'm going to tell you of a far more obscure missing act than just a few missing articles of footwear.

During the course of my professional, wife/mom career, I will admit to having lost many different things.

Socks, of course.
Courtney's Coco bear. (earlier post)
For that matter, Donald's Georgie (A story for another day)
Books, cd's, VHS tapes, (I know. I know. Big Deal) DVD's, stamps, pencils and pens, dishes, silverware, rugs?

A few of these items have been dearly missed, but for most of them, nah. A short time for mourning and they are soon forgotten.

Not to mention quickly replaced, if necessary.

But there is one thing that seems to come up missing no matter how many of them I buy. I hope to one day get to the bottom of this, but, I seriously doubt I ever will.

For some reason I cannot keep my hands on my 1/3 cup, measuring cups.

That's right. The ever missing 1/3 measuring cup.

I have been plagued by this for years. It seems that I am constantly buying measuring cup sets. I should try to find a place that sells them separately.

And I know there are places that do.

But I also would be willing to bet that buying just one 1/3 cup would set me back for at least the price of three whole sets.

That is something I just can't do.
Really.
I actually did find a store one time while out of town.
Years ago mind you.
Low and behold they did have measuring cups that you could buy by the piece. I just wasn't willing to spend 6 bucks on ONE measuring cup.

Actually, I did seriously consider it.

The problem was that I knew I would suffer from a temporary insanity if I bought it and shortly after
it disappeared.

Does anyone else have this problem?

I mean, Why? Why would someone sneak off with only the 1/3 cup?!?
I could almost understand a missing 1/2 cup.
A whole cup?
Easy to understand.

There are any number of times when the use of a half cup or a whole cup might come in useful.

Maybe someone wants to take a 12 ounce bottle of shampoo, and put it into three separate but equal containers.
Don't ask me why. But it could happen.
You know?

Maybe kids would come in and take off with a lovely round 1 cup measuring cup.
Like maybe for a sand box, or perhaps play dough?

Yes a missing 1/2 or a whole cup I might be able to understand. But a missing 1/3 cup?

WHY???

Who on earth has any need for a lonely little third cup?

I mean, it's a rather obscure size as far as the Measuring Universe goes.

That's what makes it so maddening. Why just the 1/3? I have drawers over flowing with 1, 1/2, 1/4, even the practically useless 1/8 cup.

Buy just try to reach in there and pull out a 1/3.

Not in my house you can't.

I found myself badly needing one today. I was making myself some Oatmeal for breakfast. I know that the "serving" size is supposed to be a 1/2 cup, but sorry, too much Oatmeal for me.
Nope.
I like my Oatmeal.
Just not too much of it.

Back to this morning.

I get out the Oatmeal.
I get a bowl.
I get out the salt.
I turn on the faucet to hot. (I don't really know why but I like to start my Oatmeal with hot tap water)

I open up the drawer where my measuring cups reside.

Oh hello there, Mr 1 cup. I see that your fellow 1 cups are all here as well.
Ah yes, there you are Mr 1/2 cup. You and all of your 1/2 cup brothers.
No no, don't get up.

Today I need Mr 1/3.

No, not you Mr 1/4 cup. I know that I neglect you a bit but I need more Oatmeal than you can provide.

Reality sets in. Mr 1/3 cup has gone AWOL.

AGAIN!

Of course he has. Well, I guess he might be in the dishwasher.
No such luck.
Not that I had ever really expected to find him there anyway.

Oh Mr 1/3 cup.
Why are you always gone?
I have at least five sets of measuring cups and you are the one that is always lost.

Then I see him.

Poor,
bedraggled,
20 year old,
missing half a handle,
small chip in his plastic,
geriatric Mr 1/3 cup.
He is usually the one I end up finding.
I handle him gently.
After all, I realize that it is probably his age and his poor health that stops him from escaping.

I'm tempted to look a little longer.

I know that if I search hard enough I just might find, strong, healthy and still quite attractive, Mr. New, Green with silver lettering, Playtex cup. His brothers 1, 1/2, and ever eager 1/4 cup are all there.

Of course THEY aren't telling.

Just for a minute I have to wonder if something sinister is afoot.
Is it possible that Mr 1/3 is the pariah of the measuring cup world.
You know?
Not quite a 1/2 but more than a 1/4.

I guess what I'm wondering is,
maybe he didn't jump.
What if he was pushed???

Well I think that this mystery is beyond my powers of deduction. One of these days, I just know that I'm going to buy another set of measuring cups.

Kelly will complain of course.

He trades doing the dishes for room and board. (Another case of a poor, broke, starving college student, doing what it takes to survive.)
Kelly hates me bringing home new dishes of any kind.
After all, he's the one who has to find a place to put them.

Hold onto your shorts Kelly, because I just may come home one of these days with a brand new set of measuring cups.

The problem though, is I always wonder if I should just save myself the grief and go ahead and toss the 1/3 cup in the trash immediately. I know that the first time I go to look for him he will have left anyway.

Fortunately, concerning kitchen wares at least, I happen to be an incurable optimist.

The cycle will continue.
I will buy them.
They will disappear.
I will be dismayed.
I will buy more.

Yeah, I guess you could say, that as far as I'm concerned the 1/3 cup is always half full.

redirection

My newest post has been nothing but trouble for me. I tried to publish it a few days ago and it refused to.

And then, guess what?

I wake up this morning and it has been published alright.

Directly beneath my last two posts.

One wishing my son Donald a happy birthday and the other one naming the winners of my give-away.

The thing is I don't want you to miss my new post because it's one of the best I've done in a while.

I think so, at least.

So please scroll down past the birthday greetings. . . .

past the announcement of winners. . .

And read all about my . . .

Rules Of The House!

Thank you for your cooperation.

Happy Birthday to "The Boy"

Today my oldest Child turns 32.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ;

DONALD REED SORENSON!!!!!

Have a great time today at Disneyland, and never forget how much dad and I love you.

Winners!!!!!

Announcing the WINNERS!!!

So SORRY to make you wait for me to anounce the winners of my little give-

I don't know why, but I decided to let there be FIVE Winners.

Here is a list of those who won a copy of my SUMMER of 09 mixed C D.

KaTrina

Alicia

Amanda

Jenny

Dani.


Please e-mail me your addresses and I will get them mailed out as soon as possible!!!!!

Oh NO, I have done something and now I am experiencing technical difficulties.

Off to call my brilliant little brother Mike.

He can fix any computer problem.

Cancel that. I somehow fixed my little difficulty my self.

Mom's Rules of the House

To my dear readers,


I thought you might like a little peek into what constitutes rules at my house.

Here we go.


1. If you make a mess, CLEAN IT UP! (I know wishful thinking, still, a girl can always dream)


2. If you go in my sewing room don't make a mess. (this one may seem a bit ironic, seeing as how my sewing room IS a big mess already. But hey, it's MY mess. Don't you dare mess with MY mess.)


3. If you go out, Shut The DOOR!


4. If you come in Shut The DOOR!


5. If mom asks you nicely, to do something, compliance is NOT optional.


6. If mom yells at you to get back here and do that job, it's probably because you ignored rule #5.


7. If you go, Flush! If it won't flush, then, Go. Get. The. PLUNGER!


8. Along those same lines, if you GO, then you better WASH! (this one especially applies to Shawn and Lorelai.) Although Lorelai has gotten much better.


9. If you bring home restaurant leftovers, eat them.
If they are in the refrigerator for more than 5 days, kiss them goodbye. (because I will toss them.)


10. Don't open more than one tube of toothpaste, bar of soap or bottle of shampoo at a time. (This one is almost exclusively meant for Shawn.)


11. Don't you DARE get peanut butter in the jam. (If you have to, use two knives.)



12. Don't go crazy making color copies unless you plan to buy the next ink refill.


13. Stay OUT of medicine unless you ask mom FIRST! (Another rule applying almost exclusively to Shawn.)


14. If the phone rings more than 6 times without mom answering it, check caller ID. If it's someone we know, and generally like to talk to, then please answer it. If it is someone you don't know, it probably means it's for dad, and it's still ringing, because mom, is refusing to answer it. Because she is sick of being his secretary while he is away. Therefore if you answer it under these conditions. . . . don't call ME to pick it up. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!


15. Don't waste a paper towel when a cloth one will do.


16. Consequently, if you use a cloth towel to clean up a mess, don't you dare hang it back up. . . . put it in the DIRTY clothes!


17. No swearing. (mom is exempt from this rule but only if she is REALLY FURIOUS about something.)


18. If a Salesman comes to the door, call mom. (Why should you get all the fun.)

19. Never, and I DO mean NEVER, park behind my van when it is in the garage. (Donald, Jeff. . .you know exactly what I mean.)

20. Everyone is in charge of their own junk mail. Stop leaving it on the kitchen counter. Dad and I bought a super heavy duty, cross cut, SHREDDER several months ago.
USE IT.



21. If you turn on a light, (any light) turn it off when you are done. (do you have any idea what a pain it is to replace that little lightbulb UNDER the microwave?)

22. NO COOKING BACON IN THE HOUSE! AND IF YOU DO IT, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, AND I HAVE TO SMELL IT, I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MY ACTIONS!!!!!!


23. To assure Pleasantness, and a general atmosphere of Harmony. Always employ the GOLDEN RULE.

amen