It's the Forgetful Family!

Older Daughter had a shipment of tankards going out the other day. Her usual protocol is to prepare in advance the various components needed for shipping: Newspapers, strapping tape, boxes, bubble wrap, etc.

But she got stuck because she couldn't find the tape gun. We've had this tape gun for, oh, about 35 years. I'm fairly certain Don and I bought it shortly after we got married, and we use it constantly. We always store it in a small basket by my desk that holds office supplies. But poof, it was gone.

We all searched high and low. No dice. Meanwhile, Older Daughter had to get those boxes packed before FedEx arrived.

In desperation, she turned to her backup tape gun, which is smaller and less efficient. But at least she had it, and it was a good thing, too.

We got the boxes packed, and FedEx came and picked them up. Still, we couldn't find that tape gun, no matter how diligently we searched. Where did it go? We use it constantly; it's not like it could just disappear.

Finally, a couple days later, Older Daughter found it ... in her car. "Now I remember," she said. "I brought it with me when I went to town to tape up a small box I was shipping."

"Hey, it's the Forgetful Family!" proclaimed Don.

Don, as readers may remember, is famously absent-minded. He has what he calls his "squirrel" moments. 

Apparently absent-mindedness runs in the family. Specifically, the Forgetful Family.