A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall Let this be a lesson to you

I know phone numbers that I learned 20 years ago. I can tell you my aunts phone number that I memorized when I was in the 9th grade. She still has the same number. I can tell you my mothers house phone number that she's had for 15 years, but I can't tell you any of my friends or sisters cell phone numbers because I've programmed them into my cell and have them on speed dial. I found out this can be a problem.

We went out of town in a hurry. Didn't realize until we were in VA that I didn't have my phone. Had I dropped it in the floor of the car, was it in my suitcase, did it fall out the car door at Cracker Barrel? Didn't no, just couldn't find it. No problem right? Johnny has his phone right. Wrong.

When it came time to call my sister in VA I didn't know her number and Johnny doesn't have my phonebook in his phone. I then realized I don't know very many of the numbers saved in my cell phone book. My sister doesn't have a house phone, only a cell that is saved in my cell phonebook on speed dial. Soooo, I called my moms house phone (I do know her cell but she and my step dad share the cell and he was out on a boat fishing). I found out that my mom never uses her house phone anymore and to this day I still haven't received a call from the message I left requesting my sisters cell number. I called my other sisters house phone that I memorized 20 years ago and left a message requesting Penny's cell number. This other sisters cell is also saved in my cell phonebook. And yes, I found out that my sister and her husband "never even check the answering machine on the house phone." The phone is plugged into the wall but sitting in my sisters closet so they don't even hear it ring.

I have realized that I don't know the cell number of either of my sisters, nieces, friends or step children. I know my mothers, Gingers, Shelleys and Johnnys. I don't even know my son in laws. They are saved in my cell phonebook on speed dial. Oh brother.

After several hours I realized that I know where my sister works in Roanoke and called and left her a message there.

When I got home my cell was laying on the little table in the toy room. Go figure.

I don't think that anyone knows anyones number anymore. They are all programmed in our cell phones/house phones.

I didn't even know my best friends number for sure the other day because I always just hit her name in my phonebook, how sad is that?

Handy to have those features, but bad if you really NEED to know the number off the top of your head.

I'm glad that you were able to contact her via work though. I bet that was a relief.

I still know old family phone numbers that I knew as a kid that haven't been in use in decades, Sheri! I don't use speed dial, but I do have a roladex. And heaven help me when I forget where I've put the roladex AND haven't misplaced a number inside my head!

Some of the numbers I know are so old they still have letters in them rather than all numbers!

I can only imagine how lost you felt without your cell with its built-in numbers at the ready!


Merme

It wouldn't have been an emergency if I didn't get my sister. We would have stayed at the hotel.

We all just got cell phones within the last year. We do not know each other's numbers because they are programmed into the phones like you said. But I do use my house phone for most things. The cells are for emergency stuff because pay phones are becoming fewer a farther between when you are out and about.
I have thought about having those cell numbers in writing for a while now and will do that.

Tina ~ I have a few "speed dial" cards in my roladex. One is for "Frequently called #'s" such as the taxi and the other is a listing of my friends cell phones! That second one is for when I don't feel like looking up someones card and reading through all the listings they may have for home, work, cell, fax, etc!


Speed dial cards. That works for me!





Merme

I have a couple of lists up on the bulletin board. I have a big bulletin board. And I have little bits of paper and a few business type cards floating around my desk here. I need to copy those lists and get them into my car.
When we had a major fire a few years ago we were without electricity for a couple of weeks. I was the only local home with a line and older phone that still worked. So I was the messenger for everyone around. I was able to let everyone who evacuated and weren't allowed back that their homes were still standing. And I had already been pet sitting for several pets and was able to let everyone know that their pets were safe and sound.
We did evac and take the pets all with us but we didn't go far. We stayed within watching distance and got right back in to our home.

So you have a speed dial bulletin board huh, Tina?

Yes and over time I keep wring those numbers larger and larger to accommodate my failing vision.

I have everyone's numbers programmed in my phone but I have this weird thing with numbers. I have most of them memorized even though I never actually dial them because they are on speed dial. I spend a good amount of time on the phone at work and I remember a lot of the numbers I call here too. I can't remember to grab something that I am supposed to bring with me in the morning that is sitting right by my front door but I can remember numbers.

My husband is like you Jessica. He knows everyone's number, phone, house, car tag, our bank account numbers, everything. A few years back he bought me a tiny phone book and put everyone's number in it. Do ya think I know where that phone book is?

I guess you will have to get another and put it in your purse! Yeah it sounds like I am like Johnny...I know all my bank account numbers...my social security number and James'. I guess I am just a numbers person.

i think it's some type of savant thing going on. But he can't keep up with his glasses for anything.

Yeah I lose everything and forget a lot! I really do! It is really bad sometimes...I mean I am young so I shouldn't be forgetful but I really am. I always say that I remember the useless things but I guess knowing phone numbers is not useless. Some of them are though.

Sorry to say but while all my important numbers are in my cell phone, I have them memorized as well.
I even went so far as to have Valarie & I do a memory thing, as I was having a hard time learning her new cell phone number.

and my house phone??/ it is charged and operational all the time--

unlike my Emily's house phone----first, I got the number online as she does not even give out that number, but she says she does not even keep the house phone charged anyway, so I could not get her that way even if I needed to.--So it does happen here as well......

When you call 911 from a cell phone, the call often lands in a regional center. A call-taker in a far-away city or county may answer your call.

I found this on the internet one time. That's why we've always kept a house phone.

our kids keep a house phone because of the internet.

We keep a house phone (land line) because of the lousy cell phone reception here. That and I am concerned we would not have a charged phone in an emergency.--and now you tell me this---it is just 1 more reason to have a land line.

I cannot see ever getting rid of my house phone.

I keep A little phone # book with family members Phone numbers and work numbers in the emergancy kit in the trunk of Both cars, JUUUUUst in case,! On the front of the book I wrote "Call In order of listed Contacts, for Emergencies"Thank God those books have never been used,,

Diane; I like that idea, I think I will do that. I will have to fight to get to keep a real emergency kit in the car though--we have 2 travel emergency kits--we only pacK THEM when we go on vacation. I have a very dominating DH--luckily I keep up the car & he keeps up the truck--so I can at least do up the car right.

Thanks for the ideas

we have one for the internet, for the crappy cell reception where we live (out in the country) and we always have at least one CORDED phone plugged in, just in case we forgot to charge the others. and, the 911 thing.

here, if you dial 911 from your cell, the call goes to the larges call center in the area that you are in. which means the next county to me.

OOPS yes, I forgot, Jiffy----you reminded me of something---I too have a corded phone but mainly because if we lose power, we would also lose use of the house phone. with the one corded phone, we have phone use no matter what.


Hey Jiffy--welcome home !!!

I too have a corded phone that I keep in the small spare bedroom. Handy to have, you never know when the power will go out!

when my power goes out my house phone goes with it.

I looked in all my purses today and TaDa I found my little address book with all the phone numbers.

Good for you !!!!