Never Underestimate the Power of the Sharpie

I'm forgetful.  Reeeaally forgetful.  So forgetful that I frequently go to the grocery store for just 2 things, and I come back with neither of them.  So forgetful that when my closest friend complains to me that her husband forgot the one thing he said he'd get for her when he went to the store, and it doesn't really seem possible to her that someone could do that unless it was on purpose, I have to break it to her that umm, well,... actually,...  in his defense, I can totally see how he'd do that.  I forget stuff like that all the time.  All.  The.  Time.  One example of said forgetfulness follows.  And after that, another possible example of a future forgetful episode, which you may be able to help me prevent.

The small local pet store where I buy Olive's food is closed on Sundays.  Yeah, and those Christians at Hobby Lobby too.  It sounds cute unless you live in the Bible Belt and have a crafting emergency.  Which, as a teacher, I must say, has happened to me more than once.  Then it's just annoying.

Anyway, last week, around the beginning of the week, I knew I needed to stop and get Olive some more food one day after work.  I hadn't finished parent conferences yet, so every day, I'd have a couple meetings after work, and by the time I got in the car, my blood sugar would be so low that I'd just be on auto-pilot with the singular mission of getting home to the Ikea loveseat as soon as possible.  Then suddently it was Friday and I thought to myself, "Self, do NOT forget to get her food after work today!"  Of course, you know it, I forgot.  So then my only mission in life became to not forget to buy her food on Saturday because I was going to use the last of it for Saturday dinner, and the last thing I wanted to do was pay twice as much for half as much food at the grocery store where they have bottles of balsamic vinegar that cost $150.  Of course, what happened?  Saturday found me laser-focused on doing laundry, dishes, and getting a couple things at Target, where of course, they do not have her food.  So I get home, I'm relaxing with my favorite trashy reality TV around 5pm, when it hits me.  Crap.  I forgot to get her food and the store is closed already for today, and on Sunday!  Annoying!  I did consider using some of my chicken breast and rice for her, but I decided against it.  So Sunday morning, I had to make a special trip to the $150-balsamic-vinegar store and buy a bag that is literally half as big as what I usually get, for much more than it would have been at the pet store, and much more per ounce than the big bag would be.  So, whatever.  No big deal, but as I mentioned.  This story was only meant to illustrate my extreme tendency toward forgetfulness.

So you can imagine how a felt about an hour ago when my elderly neighbor hobbled with her cane to my door and asked if I could do her a favor and pick her up a bag of cornmeal on my way home from work tomorrow.  She dropped a box on her foot, and it's swollen and she needs to stay off it, and do I ever pass any grocery stores on the way home from work?  She hands me $5 and asks me to get her cornmeal.  Of course!  I say, happy to be of service.  Should I go now? I ask, perfectly willing to be a hero.  OH, NO!  That's not necessary! she insists.  Ok.  Walking the fine line between being helpful vs. patronizing now... Well, I'll get some tomorrow and bring it by when I get home.  Is there any special grind, like fine or coarse, that I should look for?  I wonder.  I think the last time I bought cornmeal we may have had a white president...  Oh, no, just cornmeal, she says.  Ok.  I ask if she needs anything else.  Is she icing it, does she need any advil, because I have some, (the plantar fasciitis has me stocking up on that stuff!), etc. etc... and then she hobbles back home after assuring me she just needs cornmeal.  Tomorrow.  After I get done with work.

I close the door.  Of course it's no problem.  Except HOW ON EARTH WILL I REMEMBER CORNMEAL after work tomorrow??!

Of course, I'm open to other suggestions.