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.