Stupid around heat

I wonder how many of you can relate to this problem. We've talked here about having to set timers because we walk away from the stove...but I'm SO BAD! Last night I decided to make a cup of tea, so I put the kettle on (leaving the top off because I was going to add more water "in a minute,") jumped back on the computer and forgot about it until I noticed I was thirsty, probably 15 minutes later. Aaargh! Hubby was long upstairs in bed. We need new smoke detectors, yes, but even they aren't fool-proof.

Of course, another kettle was ruined. This was probably my 5th one in the last couple of years. I've replaced the electric coil burner, too. Hubby is practically insisting that I quit drinking tea altogether, because he doesn't want to die in a house fire :( Good logic.) So if it happens one more time, I will. Duh.

Yes, I'm an airhead. Always was, and can't imagine I won't always be. Some things you can laugh about, in fact it's what keeps you sane sometimes, but this isn't one of them.

When I was 13 I turned my back on a gas stove while boiling water for jello - to read the back of the box ;( - and ended up with a 3rd-degree back burn that would require skin grafts and probably contributes much to my pain today. For a few years I was extra-wary, but soon I was back to trying to take hot food from the oven without adequate padding....a habit I still have.

Insights or commiseration, anyone?

Debbie

Like Ash, I use a timer. I'm always forgetting that I'm doing something that I need to keep track of. I started boiling eggs one morning, got on the computer in the other side of the house and forgot about the eggs until I smelled something burning...about a half an hour later. I ran to the kitchen, the eggs had exploded all over the stove, shelf, and floor, and nearly destroyed a pot from an expensive set my daughter bought me. It still has three very black spots that food sticks to.

Another time I needed to drain water off my pool. Several hours later I walked into the kitchen and heard a weird noise. While walking through the house trying to distinguish what the noise was, I went outside on the lanai and saw I had drained half the water out of my pool AND flooded my neighbor's yard. He left a nasty note on my fence instead of letting me know. UGH

After these incidents, my son bought me a small timer at Bed, Bath, and Beyond that I can clip on my blouse. It not only beeps, it flashes and it vibrates. LOL. Works great for me! So get one of those. Don't give up something you love.

Sherrine

Sherrine, we crossed posts. That's a great idea! I'll pick one up today. I just hope I don't have a heart attack from being startled by the flashes and vibration! ;)

I guess you learned the hard way too, huh?

Debbie

Debbie, yes stay in the kitchen ! And use a timer..you can do this...and continue to be safe and enjoy tea...or should we train hubby to bring us a cup when they are heading to bed?

However you resolve it..its fixable!! But yes we get easily distracted so we need a back up system..

Forgetfulness is part of the "fog" that comes with Fibro. I've had to force myself to not multi-task when cooking, because I will forget about what I'm coking and burn it or ruin it in some way.

A few years ago I was running myself a bath and went to fill up my water bottle while the water ran. I got sidetracked andhour later returned to the bathroom to find that I'd flooded the bedroom. It had already been a bad night for other reasons, and then hubby was having surgery in the morning and would be unable to move any furniture for getting the water vacuumed up. I had to call cleaners in the morning and deal with that while he was still coming out from anesthesia. So, yes, I can definitely commiserate.

I have an electric kettle, which is perfect, because when the water boils, it beeps and turns itself off. No worries! And it works so fast. Put one on your wish list or buy it as a gift to yourself!
HEART

Ashaline, the whistling tea kettle is a good thought...if you can hear. I can't hear my tea kettle whistle even if I'm standing in front of it! I can't hear my smoke alarms. Debbie has some hearing problems, too. So she probably can't heat it plus she was in a different part of the house.

I usually put my tea bag in a mug with water and microwave it for 2+ minutes and have a perfect cup of tea but some people like the tea to steep.

Sherrine

Well, the Bed, B and B here didn't have that timer...but I do like the sound of that multi-timer, Jenni. There are so many to choose from online. Which one did you get, exactly?

Debbie

Thanks, Mattie! I'll look it right up.

Debbie