Oh Chris - once again you made me giggle! I take out all the ingredients before I start, then move them aside or put them away as I use them - as a memory tool! Otherwise, I have no idea which one I have added or not. Tell him he's missing the dry mustard, lemon juice & brown sugar - adds a new dimension to chili.
My husband is the opposite of Jay - he has to dig through layers on desk or workbench to find things (I no longer let him pile on things the kitchen or dining room table.) I got him a tabletop desk organizer for his birthday - no idea what's in it, but his "stuff" is piled around it - a little ADD. I'm a "touch it and toss or file" person myself - I need things put away because clutter makes me anxious.
Sue