You need to make sure that dinner is put on when someone gets in, because you have friends coming around.

Bet you wish you had left a Post It note now, don't you?

In steps Bristol-based company Appliance Studio with a new gadget, the txTboard.

You can sit this little gadget anywhere in the house, and send text messages to it.

When one is received, the colour display - which is slightly larger than a PDA screen - beeps and displays the message.

Technology for technology's sake, or a useful gadget?

Bill Sharpe from Appliance Studio told BBC Bristol the gadget has some advantages over traditional texting:

"If you want someone to get the chicken in the oven, then you really want to be able to send a message to ask whoever is in first to do it."

When the unit receives a message, a display flashes up showing text in a large font.

If you have had the time, you can also assign a photo to everyone in your address book.

And Mr Sharpe defended the accusation the txTboard was too hi tech for the kitchen table.

"The type of people who using texting are busy people who run busy lives.

"They use it to keep in touch, and send each other little tendernesses - this helps you keep in touch, and get through the day."