Once again new locks had to be fitted to those doors not seen to the
last time the locksmith came. The main one that needed attention was the
kitchen door. I could close it but the key lock wouldn’t work.
Same guy came out as before and he didn’t waste a minute sorting things
out, attending to three doors all in all, two repairs and one brand new lock. I
had to have more keys cut for my various key rings - lady next door has a set in
case of emergency and I have two sets, one to use and one to save in case I lose
the first one…lol. I then proceeded to exchange the old keys for new ones. Not
difficult job, you might will think, but my advancing years are
resulting in memory failure and utter bewilderment. I have to be really strict
with myself. Writing it all down isn’t enough, I have to have the visual, something
that will say THIS IS THE DAMN KEY YOU WANT. IT HAS BLACK MARKER ON IT – REMEMBER?
Then I sit down and curse my advancing insanity.
Next morning, couldn’t unlock the door! Have since discovered that I can
lock/unlock providing I only do a quarter-turn with the key. Remembering that
will be a problem until I get used to it; in the meantime I have labelled both
sides of the door, tiny stick-ons that tell me to DO QUARTER TURN ONLY.
Saints preserve me from going completely bonkers.
However, Pete, my new gardener, suggested I check the key that came with the lock. Guess what? It worked. It seemed to Pete, therefore, that the newly cut keys
were useless. It reminded me that exactly the same thing happened before… the brain
had forgotten. Oh well, since I cannot get to the shops, I will have to put up
with it. At least I can use the duds – providing I remember the golden rule not
to turn the ‘dud’ keys more than a quarter!
I have to have all my keys with different coloured plastic rings on them so I know which door they fit into. Then I have to remember which colour goes into which door. Often any new keys we get cut don't work. I think they are often done too cheaply.
ReplyDeleteJoe, this is the second time newly cut keys don't work. Last time my neighbour took my keys back for a re-cut and apparently 'had a go'at the guy in the shop. Wondering if it worked! My problem is getting to the shop to have a go myself!
DeleteNewly cut keys, which do not work! Now that is awful. Perhaps you could find some other place, to have them made? There doesn't seem to be any excuse, for this happening. And yes, I know, there is the issue of you going, and getting it done, yourself. -sigh-
ReplyDeleteOh yes, memory changes. And it is wise, to use whatever "tricks" we can, to deal with issues. I use nail polish, to differentiate between keys. :-)
If need be, one can always dab a tiny spot of the proper color nail polish, near where the lock is....... But luckily, we only use 2 keys.
Courage! :-)
I have heard others complain about the cutting of keys. One guy blamed his new cutting machine and he was still blaming it months later.
DeleteI use nail polish for the same reason as you.... have been trying to get different colours rather than red so that I don't get muddled!!
" I have to have the visual, something that will say THIS IS THE DAMN KEY YOU WANT. IT HAS BLACK MARKER ON IT – REMEMBER? Then I sit down and curse my advancing insanity."
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHAHAHA! Valerie, I just recently went through the same thing when the apartment building I live in decided to change ALL THE DOORS on EVERY SINGLE FLOOR (all 25 floors) and replace them with metal ones instead of the old wooden ones. Personally, I think the wooden ones were so much better because not only were they more secure, but they were more soundproof. Anyway, I have the exactly same-looking key that I use to get into the apartment building from the street, as I do to enter my apartment. For the first month is was nerve-wracking until I decided to use a permanent black magic marker to differentiate the two.
Glad you got things all sorted out. And Pete, your new gardener sounds like such a smart and helpful guy!
Have a super week, my friend!
X
Hi Ron... and there was me thinking these things only happened to me. It's great that we all find ways to help the memory along. I'm at the stage now that if I don't write something down it doesn't get done.
DeleteYes, Pete is one of those helpful trades people it's getting hard to find. I have a gas man who disappears half way through job and doesn't bother getting in touch. Ooooh I hate his sort.
Hope all your plans are in place now. You too have a super week x
It seems to be every day occurence that stuff is made to break or doesn't work for long.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right, Dave. The prices should reflect that but they're kept high
DeleteWhile pet sitting I have so many different keys to work with. I have to talk myself through each one and then second guess if I locked it right. One home has a 4 number keyless entry; turn the handle on way-enter code-then turn the other way to open. It all sure makes my brain work harder.
ReplyDeleteGosh, in your position I would have to write everything down and hope I understand it all.
DeleteYou would lose your mind completely if staying here. Since I use recycled keys for some jewelry projects I sometimes have them everywhere! Ron asks... are you sure they aren't any of the ones we actually need to get in and out of things. haha And my key ring has too many things on it... I say it's so I don't misplace them in my purse... but I still do.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture! Fits many of us. ;)
Hi Mary and welcome back. I agree with you, I would lose my mind...what's left of it. You description of your keys had me wincing lolol.
DeleteI don't know if you read replies to your comments, referring now to one you left on a blog about foxes, written in 2011. Don't ask me, I'm a dunce about these things.
Well that's certainly irritating. I remember having difficulty with new locks we had cut for our garage door. It happened twice as we took the new locks back to where we had bought them from. Got those back and they didn't work either. On close inspection we noticed that the ridges were on the opposite side of the key on the original if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteDenise, when talking about keys NOTHING makes sense anymore. I feel your frustration though. And to think that once I was a real brightie, even better than my Joe who always consulted me about puzzling things.
Delete